System and method for managing reference values
First Claim
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1. A system for managing reference numerals comprising:
- an element database for receiving and storing a plurality of element names;
a reference database for receiving and storing a plurality reference numerals, wherein selective reference numerals in the reference database correspond to selective element names in the element database; and
a manager system in communication with the element database, the reference database, and at least one document file, the manager system providing for user designated insertion of element names and reference numerals into the document file, wherein changes to an element name in the element database or changes to a reference numeral in the reference database, correspondingly change the element name or reference numeral in the document file.
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Abstract
The system disclosed herein is an interface that allows the drafter of a technical document, such as a patent application, to keep both element names and reference numerals consistent throughout a text document and any accompanying documents, including drawings. The system creates and manages a global table of terms that may be edited globally and applied to both a text document and a drawing file. The system also provide for the examination and correction of a technical document that used element names and reference numerals to ensure consistency.
35 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for managing reference numerals comprising:
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an element database for receiving and storing a plurality of element names;
a reference database for receiving and storing a plurality reference numerals, wherein selective reference numerals in the reference database correspond to selective element names in the element database; and
a manager system in communication with the element database, the reference database, and at least one document file, the manager system providing for user designated insertion of element names and reference numerals into the document file, wherein changes to an element name in the element database or changes to a reference numeral in the reference database, correspondingly change the element name or reference numeral in the document file. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method in a computer system for managing reference numerals, the method comprising:
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inserting fields into a text file, wherein the fields are made of element names from an element database and reference numerals from a reference database, wherein selective element names are associated with selective reference numerals;
inserting the fields into a drawing file;
revising at least one of the element names and reference numerals within the element database and reference database respectfully, such that changes to the element names in the element database and changes to the reference numerals in the reference database change the fields inserted in the text file and the drawing file. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A method in a computer system for identifying errors in a document having element names and associated reference numerals, the method comprising:
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a) identifying a reference numeral within a text document;
b) providing for selection of an element name associated with the reference numeral form the text document;
c) storing the element name and the associated reference numeral in an element name and reference numeral database, such that the reference numeral and element name are associated;
d) identifying subsequent occurrences of the reference numeral, wherein the subsequent occurrence of the reference numeral and the associated element name are compared with the element name and reference numeral database;
e) indicating the presence of an inconsistency between the reference numeral and element name in the database and the subsequent occurrence of the reference numeral and the element names in the text document; and
f) repeating steps a) through e) for other reference numerals and element names until an determined number of reference numerals are identified. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification