Network method system and apparatus for recording and maintaining records

• US 7,158,978 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2001
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas R. Goodwin
• Original Assignee: Thomas R. Goodwin
• Inventors: Goodwin, Thomas R.
• Primary Examiner(s): PWU, JEFFREY C
• Application Number:
  US09/755,317
• Publication Number:
  US 20020091756A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,188 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709100-1041, 707/204, 701/29, 701200-207, 701213-219
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1446 Point-in-time backing up or restoration of persistent data
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability

Abstract

A computerized record keeping system and method using a network to keep records that cannot be erased by a user thereby guaranteeing the accuracy of records kept with the system. A client computer system contacts, through a computer network, a server system which stores a client database accessible by a password. The client system can review, search, and add records to the database. The client database on the server system is automatically backed-up to avoid inadvertent loss of records or data. Once a record is entered into the server system through the client system, it is permanently stored in the server system as a part of the client database. While a client system may enter a modified record, the original record is always maintained and displayed with the now modified record.

Claims

1. A method for keeping a permanent, undeleteable record using a network comprising:

(a) establishing a client system;

(b) establishing a server system;

(c) establishing a back-up system;

(d) connecting said client system, said server system, and said back-up system;

(e) under the control of said client system, displaying a record form, and in response to data entered on said client system, completing data fields in said record form and sending said completed record form to said server system with a unique client identifier;

(f) under the control of said server system, receiving said record with said data and said unique client identifier, and storing said record in a segregated database keyed to said client identifier whereby once said record is stored using said identifier said record cannot hereafter be deleted;

(g) under the control of said back-up system, receiving said completed record form permanently stored in said server system, and making a permanent back-up so that a back-up of said segregated database is made,

whereby said client system, said server system, said back-up system, and said means for connection are used to make and store an undeleteable permanent record in said server system that is accessible to said client system and backed up in said back-up system.

2. A method for keeping a permanent, undeleteable record using a network of claim 1 wherein under the control of said server system providing automatic warnings of non-compliance with regulations and sending said warnings to said client system whereby aid is provided in avoiding inadvertent regulatory violations.

3. A method for keeping a permanent, undeleteable record using a network of claim 2 wherein under the control of said server system, providing notification of maintenance requirements to said client system whereby planning for necessary maintenance is facilitated.

4. A method for keeping a permanent, undeleteable record using a network of claim 3 wherein under the control of said client system, using said unique client identifier is required to gain access to records stored under the control of said server system in said segregated database keyed to said client identifier.

5. A method for keeping a permanent, undeleteable record using a network of claim 4 wherein under the control of said server system, providing search capabilities to said client system for searching of said segregated database.

6. A method for keeping a permanent, undeleteable record using a network of claim 5 wherein under the control of said server system, providing a tracking history of all record forms stored in said segregated database.

7. A method for keeping a permanent, undeleteable record using a network of claim 6 wherein under the control of said client system providing a means for printing copies of record forms stored in said segregated database keyed to said client identifier.

8. A computerized record keeping system comprising:

(a) a client computer having a display, a keyboard for data entry, a network connection, and software enabling said client computer to connect to said network connection;

(b) a server computer with a network connection and record keeping software;

(c) back-up data storage computer having a network connection;

(d) means for making a record on said client computer and sending said record on said network connection to said server computer, said record keyed to a unique client identifier;

(e) means for receiving a client system generated record in said server and storing and organizing said client system generated record with record keeping software in said server computer whereby once a client system generated record is recorded and stored in said server system, it is thereafter undeleteable by said client system;

(f) means for making a back-up copy of said client generated record in said back-up data storage computer.

9. A computerized record keeping system of claim 8 wherein said server computer has means for sending automatic warnings of non-compliance with regulations to said client computer whereby a user of said computerized record system receives notice of non-compliance with regulations on said client computer to avoid inadvertent regulatory violations.

10. A computerized record keeping system of claim 9 wherein said server computer and record keeping software has means to provide notice to said client computer of maintenance requirements whereby a user of said computerized record keeping system may make plans for necessary maintenance.

11. A computerized record keeping system of claim 10 wherein said unique client identifier may be used to gain access to records stored in said server computer from any computer having a network connection.

12. A computerized record keeping system of claim 11 wherein said server computer has means for providing search capabilities in said record keeping software for said client system generated records.

13. A computerized record keeping system of claim 12 wherein said client computer has means for printing copies of said records stored in said server computer.

14. A computerized record keeping system to insure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and to assure accuracy of records kept comprising:

(a) a client computer having a display, means for data entry, means for connection to a network, and software using said means for network connection to connect a remote server computer;

(b) said remote server computer with means for network connection to said client computer and said client computer software, and with record keeping software for Federal Aviation Administration records to record compliance with regulations;

(c) said record keeping software with means for providing automatic warnings of non-compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations to said client computer;

(d) said record keeping software in said remote server computer with means for storing records to record compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations so that a record once stored is thereby undeleteable by using said client computer;

(e) said record keeping software accessible to a client computer only through use of a unique client identifier

whereby said client computer, said remote server computer, and said record keeping software can be used to make and store undeleteable permanent record in said server computer of records that assure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration records.

15. A computerized record keeping system to assure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and to assure accuracy of records kept of claim 14 wherein said record keeping software keeps plane maintenance records to assure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations regarding plane maintenance.

16. A computerized record keeping system to assure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and to assure accuracy of records kept of claim 15 wherein said record keeping software further includes keeping pilot flying records to assure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations regarding pilot qualifications.

17. A computerized record keeping system to assure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and to assure accuracy of records kept of claim 16 wherein said remote server computer, said client computer, and said record keeping software have means in said remote server computer to provide notification to said client computer of the pendency of maintenance requirements for plane maintenance records.

18. A computerized record keeping system to assure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and to assure accuracy of records kept of claim 17 wherein said record keeping software has means for providing search capabilities to said client computer for searching records kept in said record keeping software in said remote server.

19. A computerized record keeping system to assure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and to assure accuracy of records kept of claim 18 further including a back-up server whereby duplicate copies are kept of records recorded in said record keeping software to assure against destruction or loss of said records.

20. A computerized record keeping system to assure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and to assure accuracy of records kept of claim 19 wherein said client computer further includes a printer for printing copies of records kept in said record keeping software in said remote server computer.