On-Line Invention Disclosure System

• US 20110231220A1
• Filed: 05/27/2011
• Published: 09/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anaqua Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Porcari, Damian, Melkote, Anuradha Narasimhaswamy, Slank, Kelly Anne
• Granted Patent: US 9,384,455 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7.19
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1095 Meeting or appointment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/184 Intellectual property management

Abstract

An on-line invention disclosure system includes a user computer, a server and a database coupled to the server. The server provides user screens to the user to prompt the users to provide disclosure information to the server. The server receives the disclosure information from the users and stores the information in the database while allowing access to the database after storing the information on the database.

Claims

1-41. -41. (canceled)

42. A method of forming an invention disclosure comprises the steps of:

forming an invention disclosure online by entering a plurality of selected information portions into a web-based system;

after each of the plurality of selected information portions are entered, storing each of the information portions in a central storage location;

allowing access to various users comprising at least one inventor of said invention disclosure for reviewing the information; and

allowing on-line access to the status of the invention disclosure, said status comprising where said invention disclosure is in a reviewing and application filing process.

43. The method as recited in claim 42 wherein said step of forming includes providing identification information;

whereby upon providing identification information to said web-based server, retrieving user information from the directory system in response to the identification information.

44. The method as recited in claim 42 further comprising the step of prompting the user for classification information classifying the invention disclosure into a technology area.

45. The method as recited in claim 44 further comprising the steps of selecting an evaluator based on the classification information and prompting an evaluation from the evaluator.

46. The method as recited in claim 45 wherein the step of prompting an evaluation from the evaluator comprises the steps of generating an e-mail and providing a hyperlink to the disclosure in the e-mail.

47. The method as recited in claim 45 wherein the step of prompting an evaluation comprises scheduling an evaluation meeting.

48. The method as recited in claim 45 wherein the step of prompting an evaluation comprises ranking the disclosure.

49. The method as recited in claim 44 further comprising the step of notifying a patent staff person in response to the classification information.

50. The method as recited in claim 49 further comprising the step of prompting a patentability review from the patent staff person.

51. The method as recited in claim 42 wherein said central location comprises a database coupled to a web server.

52. The method as recited in claim 42 further comprising the steps of identifying co-authors;

notifying co-authors of a disclosure with their name associated therewith in the system.

53. The method as recited in claim 52 wherein said step of notifying comprises the step of generating an e-mail having a hyperlink therein.

54. The method as recited in claim 42 wherein said status comprises where said invention disclosure is in a patent office evaluation process.

55. The method as recited in claim 42 wherein said status is provided update via e-mail.

56. The method as recited in claim 42 wherein the step of allowing access comprises prompting users for a password.

57. The method as recited in claim 42 further comprising the step of accepting a paper submission;

and

wherein the step of forming comprises scanning said paper submission into the database.

58. An invention disclosure system comprising:

at least one user computer accessible by a plurality of inventors associated with a single invention disclosure;

a server coupled to said at least one user computer;

a database coupled to the server;

said server providing user screens to said at least one user computer to prompt said inventors to provide a plurality of disclosure information to said server, receiving the plurality of disclosure information from said users, storing information in said database after each of the plurality of disclosure information is entered, allowing access to said disclosure after storing the plurality of disclosure information within said database, and prompting said plurality of inventors for invention disclosure approval.

59. The system as recited in claim 58 further comprising a directory system coupled to said server whereby upon proving identification information to server said server retrieves user information from the directory system in response to the identification information.

60. The system as recited in claim 58 wherein said server comprises a web server.

61. The system as recited in claim 58 wherein said user computer comprises a web browser for accessing said server.