Task-based classification and analysis system

• US 6,073,108 A
• Filed: 06/21/1996
• Issued: 06/06/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP (Paul Hastings LLP)
• Original Assignee: Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP (Paul Hastings LLP)
• Inventors: Peterson, Andrew C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stamber, Eric W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rhodes, Jason W.
• Application Number:
  US08/668,579
• Time in Patent Office: 1,446 Days
• Field of Search: 705/8, 705/9, 705/7, 705/30, 705/34
• US Class Current: 705/7.23
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06313 Resource planning in a project environment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06375 Prediction of business process outcome or impact based on a proposed change
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting

Abstract

A task-based classification and analysis system includes an analysis software module and a user interface. The analysis software module establishes and maintains relationships between a plurality of databases or, in a preferred embodiment, hierarchical task lists. The user interface provides user inputs to the analysis software module such as budget information which is associated with particular elements of the databases. In consideration of historical data models, the user inputs and predetermined relationships between elements of the databases, the preferred system generates information products such as task-based budgets. Another preferred system coordinates task relationships between a plurality of software modules, such as a billing software module and a time entry software module.

Claims

1. A task-based classification and analysis system, comprising:

a computer system having a video display and a user input mechanism, said computer system executing;

(a) a task-based budget analysis software module, comprising;

a firm task list comprising a set of legal task elements;

means for generating a matter task list comprising a first subset of said set of legal task elements of said firm task list selected by a user in accordance with a requirement of a project;

means for generating a client task list comprising a second subset of said set of legal task elements of said firm task list selected by a user in accordance with a requirement of a client of a firm; and

means for generating task code tables embodying a predetermined relationship between elements of said matter task list and elements of said client task list;

(b) a time entry software module, comprising;

means for generating matter-coded timecard data from said matter task list, time sheet data, and client, matter and timekeeper tables received by an import directory of said time entry software module; and

means for automatically transferring said client, matter and timekeeper tables to said time entry software module;

(c) a software module, comprising;

means for generating client billing from task code tables and matter-coded timecard data;

means for identifying to said task-based budget analysis modified timecard data that are no longer valid; and

(d) wherein said task-based budget analysis software module generates a time task budget from the timekeeper codes, the matter task list, and starting and ending dates, and translates said time task budget from matter codes to client codes using said predetermined relationship, and further wherein said task-based budget analysis software module pro-rates budget amounts if starting and ending dates occur inside of a pre-determined billing period, and even further wherein said task-based budget analysis software module generates variance report from said timecard data.

2. A task-based classification and analysis system, comprising:

a computer system having a video display and a user input mechanism, said computer system executing;

(a) a task-based budget analysis software module, comprising;

a firm task list comprising a set of legal task elements;

means for generating a matter task list comprising a first subset of said set of legal task elements of said firm task list selected by a user in accordance with a requirement of a project;

means for generating a client task list comprising a second subset of said set of legal task elements of said firm task list selected by a user in accordance with a requirement of a client of a firm; and

means for generating task code tables embodying a predetermined relationship between elements of said matter task list and elements of said client task list;

(b) a time entry software module, comprising;

means for generating matter-coded timecard data from said matter task list, time sheet data, and client, matter and timekeeper tables; and

(c) a billing software module, comprising;

means for generating client billing from task code tables and matter-coded timecard data.

3. The task-based classification and analysis system of claim 2, wherein said time entry software module includes an import directory for receiving said matter task list.

4. The task-based classification and analysis system of claim 3, wherein said import directory is configured to receive said client, matter and timekeeper tables.

5. The task-based classification and analysis system of claim 4, wherein said matter task list and client, matter and timekeeper validation tables are automatically transferred to said entry software module.

6. The task-based classification and analysis system of claim 2, wherein said billing software module identifies to said task-based budget analysis sore module modified timecard data that are no longer valid.

7. The task-based classification and analysis system of claim 6, wherein said task-based budget analysis sore module includes an actuals table that is populated by said modified timecard data.

8. The task-based classification and analysis system of claim 2, wherein said billing software module provides client, matter and timekeeper tables to the task-based budget analysis software module.

9. The task-based classification and analysis system of claim 8, wherein client, matter and timekeeper tables are updated as part of a nightly synchronization routine.

10. The task-based classification and analysis system of claim 2, wherein the task-based budget analysis software module generates a time task budget from the timekeeper codes, the matter task list, and starting and ending dates.

11. The task-based classification and analysis system of claim 10, wherein the task-based budget analysis software module translates said time task budget from matter codes to client codes using said predetermined relationship.

12. The task-based classification and analysis system of claim 11, wherein the task-based budget analysis software module pro-rates budget amounts if starting and ending dates occur inside of a pre-determined billing period.

13. The task-based classification and analysis system of claim 10, wherein the task-based budget analysis software module pro-rates budget amounts if starting and ending dates occur inside billing period boundaries.

14. The task-based classification and analysis system of claim 10, wherein the task-based budget analysis software module generates a variance report from said timecard data.

15. The task-based classification and analysis system of claim 2, wherein the task-based budget analysis software module generates a variance report from said timecard data.

16. A method for a task-based classification and analysis system, comprising:

generating a firm task list comprising a set of legal task elements;

generating a matter task list comprising a first subset of said set of legal task elements of said firm task list selected by a user in accordance with a requirement of a project;

generating a client task list comprising a second subset of said set of legal task elements of said firm task list selected by a user in accordance with a requirement of a client of a firm;

generating task code tables embodying a predetermined relationship between elements of said matter task list and elements of said client task list;

generating matter-coded timecard data from said matter task list, time sheet data, and client, matter and timekeeper tables; and

generating client billing from task code tables and matter-coded timecard data.