Method for preserving data in an electronic document

• US 5,937,416 A
• Filed: 03/25/1997
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bennethum Computer Systems
• Original Assignee: Bennethum Computer Systems
• Inventors: Menzel, Ralph E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild, Joseph H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kindred, Alford W.
• Application Number:
  US08/824,366
• Time in Patent Office: 868 Days
• Field of Search: 707/512, 707/528, 707/505, 707/100, 707/200, 707/202, 707/511
• US Class Current: 715/209
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/93 Document management systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A method is disclosed for preserving entered data in an electronic document from being obliterated with additional data. A code address or flag is assigned to each electronic document. The code address identifies the electronic document as modifiable or non-modifiable. If the electronic document is modifiable, entered data may be obliterated or destroyed by entering additional data thereover. If the code address identifies the electronic data as non-modifiable, the entered data is preserved by preventing additional data to be entered which will obliterate the previously entered data. The entered data becomes annotations to the electronic document having a non-destructible format, i.e., color and masking, allowing an operator to freely add additional data without destroying the entered data.

Claims

1. A method for preserving entered data on an existing electronic document, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting the existing electronic document from a database;

reading a code address for the existing electronic document to identify the existing electronic document as having a non-modifiable status;

preventing new data from writing over the entered data when the code address identifies the non-modifiable status of the entered data to preserve the entered data so long as the existing electronic document remains in an electronic form; and

annotating the existing electronic document to create an annotated electronic document from the existing electronic document including the existing data and additional data in a non-destructible format such that the existing data is preserved and readable when the additional data is entered over the existing data.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of setting the code address for the additional data to non-modifiable status to preserve the additional data so long as the annotated electronic document remains in the electronic form.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of setting the code address for the additional data to a modifiable status when the additional data may be destroyed.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of assigning attributes to the non-destructible format so that the additional data is identifiable as annotations when viewed.

5. A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein the step of assigning attributes includes the step of assigning an ink color to the additional data.

6. A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein the step of assigning attributes includes the step of generating the additional data using a masked electronic pen ink to prevent the destruction of the entered data.

7. A method for preserving entered data on an existing electronic document, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting the existing electronic document from a database;

reading a code address for the existing electronic document to identify the existing electronic document as having a non-modifiable status;

preventing new data from writing over the entered data when the code address identifies the non-modifiable status of the entered data to preserve the entered data so long as the existing electronic document remains in an electronic form;

annotating the existing electronic document to create an annotated electronic document from the existing electronic document including the existing data and additional data in a non-destructible format such that the entered data is preserved and readable when the additional data is entered over the existing data;

setting the code address for the additional data to non-modifiable status to preserve the additional data so long as the annotated electronic document remains in the electronic form;

assigning an ink color to the additional data; and

preventing the entry of the entered data to be made in the ink color assigned to the entry of additional data.

8. A method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the step of assigning attributes includes the step of generating the additional data using a masked electronic pen ink to prevent the destruction of the entered data.

9. A method for preserving entered data on an existing electronic document, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting an existing document from a database;

reading a code address for the existing electronic document to identify the existing document as having a non-modifiable status;

preventing new data from writing over entered data when the code address identifies the non-modifiable status of the entered data to preserve the entered data so long as the existing electronic document remains in an electronic form;

preventing the entry of prepared data into the electronic document when the code address identifies the non-modifiable status of the entered data to preserve the entered data so long as the existing electronic document remains in an electronic form; and

annotating the existing electronic document to create an annotated electronic document from the existing electronic document including the existing data and additional data in a non-destructible format such that the entered data is preserved and readable when additional data is entered over the existing data.

10. A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the step of assigning attributes includes the step of generating the additional data using a masked electronic pen ink to prevent the destruction of the entered data.