Non-intrusive, automated upgrading of electronic records

• US 20040015521A1
• Filed: 05/14/2003
• Published: 01/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Joseph R. Hudicka
• Original Assignee: Joseph R. Hudicka
• Inventors: Hudicka, Joseph R.
• Application Number:
  US10/439,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20040015521A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/200
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/23 Updating

Abstract

Change-reason functionality is imparted to an existing records management system by providing a software layer that monitors manipulation requests to one or more data fields of the existing records management system; detecting a manipulation request using the software layer; presenting a notification to a user that a change-reason is required for the proposed manipulation request; and in the event that the user has provided the change-reason, selectively updating the one or more data fields.

Claims

1. A method for imparting a change-reason functionality to an existing records management system, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a software layer that monitors manipulation requests to one or more data fields of the existing records management system;

(b) detecting a manipulation request using the software layer;

(c) presenting a notification to a user that a change-reason is required for the proposed manipulation request; and

(d) in the event that the user has provided the change-reason, selectively updating the one or more data fields.

2. The method of claim 1, including the additional step of preserving an archived history of one or more data field values, thereby enabling the reconstruction of data transactions throughout the data'"'"'s life cycle.

3. The method of claim 1, including the additional step of guiding the user as to possible change-reasons for the change to a given data field.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the manipulation request concerns a particular data field in the existing records management system, the method including the additional step of selecting the guidance to provide to the user based on the particular data field.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the user has a status within the existing records management system, the method including the additional step of selecting the guidance to provide to the user based on the status of the user.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the status of the user is selected from the group which includes supervisors and clerks.

7. The method of claim 1, including the additional steps of:

capturing the manipulation request in the software layer while the notification is presented; and

releasing the manipulation request in the event that the user has provided the change-reason,

whereby the one or more data fields are selectively updated.

8. The method of claim 1, including the additional step of combining the manipulation request and the change-reason into a single instruction.

9. The method of claim 8, including the additional step of parsing the single instruction to determine whether the change-reason has been provided.