Project docket management apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A project docket management apparatus comprising:
- a control structure including a processor configured to execute a control program and communicate with a user;
a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store a plurality of records associated with a project, and a plurality of records storing attributes including access levels associated with a plurality of users;
an authorization structure coupled to the processor and configured to selectively allow the users to log into the control structure and access the records to selectively add, modify and read project records depending on the users'"'"' access levels, the authorization structure including administrative access control that allows selectively granting access levels to users; and
a communication structure coupled to the processor including a notification structure configured to periodically distribute information to users based on predefined criteria including dates or activities.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An exemplary embodiment of a project docket management apparatus includes a processor configured to execute a control program and communicate with a user. In a typical aspect, the processor is located in a server computer. The user is one of the personnel assigned to a given project and has authorization to log into the server and access a database of records. The user communicates with the processor to selectively add, edit, modify and delete project records depending on his access level. If the user is an administrator, he has full control over the database records. If the user has a lower access level, he may only be able to view records, for example. The apparatus further includes a notification structure that periodically distributes information to project personnel based on predefined dates or activities. For example, the project personnel may be notified by e-mail when a date deadline is approaching, or when an action has been authorized or completed. Advantages of the invention include the ability provide flexibility and capabilities of managing tasks, events and due dates, while communicating the updated information to all necessary project personnel. In addition, the ability to control access to authorized personnel at various levels allows users to selectively add, edit, modify and delete project records depending on their access level. Finally, the ability to selectively notify the project personnel based on predefined dated or activities keeps all personnel up to date on the project.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A project docket management apparatus comprising:
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a control structure including a processor configured to execute a control program and communicate with a user; a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store a plurality of records associated with a project, and a plurality of records storing attributes including access levels associated with a plurality of users; an authorization structure coupled to the processor and configured to selectively allow the users to log into the control structure and access the records to selectively add, modify and read project records depending on the users'"'"' access levels, the authorization structure including administrative access control that allows selectively granting access levels to users; and a communication structure coupled to the processor including a notification structure configured to periodically distribute information to users based on predefined criteria including dates or activities. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17)
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11. A project docket management apparatus comprising:
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a control structure including a processor configured to execute a control program and communicate with a user; a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store a plurality of records associated with a project, and a plurality of records storing attributes including access levels associated with a plurality of users; an authorization structure coupled to the processor and configured to selectively allow the users to log into the control structure and access the records to selectively add, modify and read project records depending on the users'"'"' access levels; and a communication structure coupled to the processor including a notification structure configured to periodically distribute information to users based on predefined criteria including dates; wherein the communication structure includes an electronic filing structure configured to electronically file a document with another computer system; and wherein the memory is configured to store attributes of the document including a date stamp. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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18. A project docket management apparatus comprising:
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a server structure including a processor configured to execute a control program and communicate with a user; a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store a plurality of records associated with a project, and a plurality of records storing attributes including access levels associated with a plurality of users; an authorization structure coupled to the processor and configured to selectively allow the users to log into the server structure and access the records to selectively add, modify and read project records depending on the users'"'"' access levels, the authorization structure including administrative access control that allows selectively granting access levels to users; and a communication structure coupled to the processor including a notification structure configured to periodically distribute information to users based on predefined criteria including dates or activities. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification