Bulk download of documents from a system for managing documents

• US 20060212419A1
• Filed: 03/21/2005
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CPA Global LLC
• Original Assignee: FoundationIP LLC (Clarivate Plc)
• Inventors: Sinha, Pradeep, Lundberg, Steven W., Kalis, Janal M., Brennan, Thomas F., Jain, Shal
• Granted Patent: US 7,853,572 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management

Abstract

A method and apparatus provide, in one example embodiment, for storing and processing information in a data storage and processing system on a server, the server accessed by attorneys using the system from client computers, wherein the information pertains to a plurality of legal matters being handled by the attorneys, and wherein the legal matters are for respective clients. A group of electronic documents stored in the management system are selected using the client computer, wherein the electronic documents are associated with a particular one of the legal matters, and the user requests that the group of documents be bulk downloaded. The group of documents is downloaded to a storage device on the client or other storage or computing device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

storing and processing information in a data storage and processing system on a server, the server is accessed by a user using from client computers, wherein the information pertains to a plurality of legal matters being handled by attorneys, and wherein the legal matters are for respective clients;

from a client computer, selecting a group of electronic documents stored in the management system, wherein the electronic documents are associated with a particular one of the legal matters;

requesting that the group of documents be bulk downloaded; and

automatically downloading the group of documents to a storage device on the client computer.

2. A method according to claim 1 further wherein the group of documents is selected using a web-based interface.

3. A method according to claim 1 further including downloading to the client a computer program that operates on the client computer and communicates with the processing system to download the group of electronic documents.

4. Apparatus comprising a programmed computer adapted to:

store and process information in a data storage and processing system on a server, wherein the information pertains to a plurality of legal matters being handled by the attorneys, and wherein the legal matters are for respective clients;

from a client computer, select a group of electronic documents stored in the management system, wherein the electronic documents are associated with a particular one of the legal matters;

request that the group of documents be bulk downloaded; and

automatically download the group of documents to a storage device on the client computer.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 further wherein the group of documents is selected use a web-based interface.

6. A method according to claim 4 further wherein the programmed computer is adapted to download to the client a client computer program, wherein the client computer program is operable on the client computer to communicate with the processing system to download the group of electronic documents.

7. A method of transferring documents from a first law firm to a second law firm representing a client comprising:

maintaining a secure database of documents at the first law firm;

providing security access for a second law firm to a specified client file in the database, wherein providing security access is authorized by the client;

the second law firm remotely accesses the secure database and selects a group of electronic documents stored in the database, wherein the electronic documents are associated with the specified client file;

requesting that the group of documents be bulk downloaded to a storage device maintained by the second law firm; and

automatically download the group of documents to the storage device.