System and method for compiling intellectual property asset data

• US 9,305,278 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2012
• Issued: 04/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: J Nicholas and Kristin Gross Trust U/A/D APR 13 2010
• Original Assignee: Patent Savant LLC
• Inventors: Gross, John Nicholas, Sale, Ken, Meyer, Alan, Boasso, Ken
• Primary Examiner(s): Ly, Anh
• Application Number:
  US13/355,298
• Publication Number:
  US 20120191757A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,537 Days
• Field of Search: 707/781, 707/E17.005, 707/E17.032, 707/770, 707/769, 707/E17.014, 707/707, 705/310, 705/7.36, 705/7.27, 705/26.25, 705/27.1, 705/37, 709/203, 709/207, 709/219, 709/225, 713/182, 713/183, 713/184, 713/179, 463/31, 463/9, 463/43, 463/42, 340/689, 340/407, 726/3, 726/6, 704/231, 704/270
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0633 Workflow analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0637 Strategic management or analysis, e.g. setting a goal or target of an organisation; Planning actions based on goals; Analysis or evaluation of effectiveness of goals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/184 Intellectual property management

Abstract

An access server computing system scrapes a set of records maintained by a target computing system in a database which is only made accessible over the Internet with a limited protocol query and an access challenge. The access server accesses the target computing system through an Internet browser interface based on emulating a user query made through the limited protocol, including by automatically passing locator identifier fields to retrieve a corresponding set of record which are stored in the first database.

Claims

1. A method of operating an access computing system comprising:

using the access computing system to access a set of records maintained by a target computing system in a first database associated with a first entity over an internet based network, said first database being configured to respond to user queries for said records over said network using a first query protocol presented in a first interface;

wherein said target computing system first query protocol restricts a user to using a first set of N parameters (N>

=1) for locating matching records in said first database, said first set of N parameters being data fields associated with the set of records;

further wherein said first interface of said target computing system constrains the user to use said first query protocol when accessing records in said first database, and further constrains the user to view only a single record at a time within a web browser;

automatically generating a prioritized schedule with the access computing system identifying an ordering for accessing said set of records, which prioritized schedule is based in part on both the following computing operations;

a) processing and identifying a likelihood of new data appearing within said set of records based on historical analysis of data change patterns in said records in said database, including computed correlations of occurrence and timing between distinct successive events in such records; and

b) processing and identifying a likelihood of user interest in selected ones of said set of records based on historical analysis of user access, including other users of the access computing system, to such set of records;

automatically retrieving said set of records in accordance with said prioritized schedule by automatically generating queries with the access computing system that emulate a user accessing said records using said first query protocol;

configuring a second database with the computing system to store said set of records;

configuring a second interface for accessing said of records in said second database, said second interface including a second query protocol which includes both said first set of N parameters for locating matching records in said second database as well as at least one search parameter in addition to said first set of N parameters;

wherein said access computing system allows access to the set of records maintained at the target computing system using a different interface and a different protocol which emulates and enhances access options for querying the set of records, including by permitting the user to view more than one record at a time within said web browser.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said data fields include a single numerical entry field.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said single numerical entry field is an identification number used by the United States Patent &

Trademark office to designate a serial number for an application, a control number for a reexamination, a patent number or a publication number.

4. The method of claim 1 further including steps:

identifying text content associated with image files in said records; and

permitting a user to search said text as part of a query in said second interface.

5. A method of operating an access computing system under control of a first entity comprising:

configuring a first access server computing system and a first database coupled to said first access server under control of said first entity;

using said first access computing system to access a set of records maintained by a target computing system in a second database over an internet based network, said second database being configured and controlled by a second entity to respond to a user query for said records over said network using a first query protocol presented in a first browser interface which restricts access to no more than one record at one time in response to a single query parameter specified by a user;

wherein said first access computing system accesses said target computing system through an Internet browser interface based on emulating a user providing said user query, including by automatically passing a plurality of single locator identifier parameters to said first query protocol sequentially in time to retrieve a corresponding plurality of records in said set of records;

automatically generating a prioritized schedule with said first access computing system identifying an ordering for accessing said set of records, which prioritized schedule is based in part on both the following operations;

a) processing and identifying a likelihood of new data appearing within said set of records based on historical analysis of data change patterns in said records in said database including computed correlations of occurrence and timing between distinct successive events in such records;

b) processing and identifying a likelihood of user interest in selected ones of said set of records based on historical analysis of user access, including other users of the access computing system, to such set of records;

wherein said plurality of records are retrieved one at a time automatically by said first access computing system in accordance with said prioritized schedule;

storing said set of records in said first database;

providing a second query protocol presented in a second browser interface to make said set of records accessible at said first access server computing system;

wherein said second query protocol permits multiple records to be retrieved and presented in response to a single query presented to said first access server computing system;

automatically updating said first database in response to changes in said second database in accordance with said priority schedule on a periodic basis.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said periodic basis is at least daily and said updating occurs in periods during which said target computing system is determined to have a lesser processing load.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said priority schedule is determined by ranking records in said second database in accordance with a likelihood of a specific target event occurring for said records, which target event includes a notice of allowance and/or abandonment of a patent application.

8. The method of claim 5 further including a step:

generating an alert to one or more users in response to detecting one or more updates matching said users'"'"' alert criteria, which criteria can include a change in a computed prediction value for an outcome in an intellectual property proceeding.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said alert criteria include one of the following events:

a) a patent being abandoned;

b) a patent likely to go abandoned;

c) a patent application being abandoned;

d) a patent application likely to be abandoned;

e) a patent application to issued;

f) a patent application likely to be issued;

g) an entity status change;

h) a change in attorneys;

i) a rejection of the claims.

10. The method of claim 5, further including a step:

defining a queue of requests for said priority schedule used by said first access computing system for retrieving said corresponding plurality of records, which queue is serviced with separate individual automated requests to the target computing system through injected code.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said queue includes a list of one or more of the following:

patent application numbers, patent reexamination numbers, or patent numbers.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said queue of requests is prioritized based on recent activity detected in said set of records.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein said queue of requests is made to a patent information retrieval (PAIR) database, an assignment database, a maintenance fee database, or an appeals board decision database.

14. The method of claim 10 further including a step:

measuring a response time or availability of said target computing system and adjusting said first access computing system access to said target computing system based on results of said measuring.

15. A system for indirectly analyzing and predicting behavior of a target organization, which target organization processes input submissions from third parties using a staff of human personnel in accordance with a first rule set to generate output events, the system comprising:

a first access server computing system and a first database operatively connected to a network;

first module for configuring said first access server computing system and said first database under control of said first entity;

a second module adapted to use said first access computing system to access a set of records maintained by a target computing system in a second database over an internet based network, said second database being configured and controlled by a second entity to respond to a user query for said records over said network using a first query protocol presented in a first browser interface which restricts access to no more than one record at one time and further constrains the user to view only a single record at a time within a web browser;

said second module also adapted to automatically generate a prioritized schedule identifying an ordering for accessing said set of records, which prioritized schedule is based in part on both the following operations;

a) processing and identifying a likelihood of new data appearing within said set of records based on historical analysis of data change patterns in said records in said database including computed correlations of occurrence and timing between distinct successive events in such records;

b) processing and identifying a likelihood of user interest in selected ones of said set of records based on historical analysis of user access, including other users of the access computing system, to such set of records;

said second module being further adapted to automatically retrieve said set of records in accordance with said prioritized schedule by automatically generating queries with the access computing system that emulate a user accessing said records using said first query protocol;

wherein said first access computing system accesses said target computing system by automatically generating queries through an Internet browser interface based on emulating said user query, including by automatically passing a plurality of single locator identifier fields to said first query protocol to retrieve a corresponding plurality of records in said set of records;

a third module for storing said set of records in said first database;

wherein said second module is adapted to automatically update said first database in response to changes detected in said second database in accordance with said priority schedule on a periodic basis;

a fourth module adapted to retrieve and present multiple ones of said set of records in response to a single query presented to said first access server computing system.

16. A method of operating an access computing system under control of a first entity comprising:

configuring a first access server computing system and a first database coupled to said first access server under control of said first entity;

using said first access computing system to access a set of records maintained by a target computing system in a second database over an internet based network, said second database being configured and controlled by a second entity to respond to a user query for said records over said network using a first query protocol presented in a first browser interface which restricts access to no more than one record at one time in response to a single query parameter specified by a user;

wherein said first access computing system accesses said target computing system through an Internet browser interface based on emulating a user providing said user query, including by automatically passing a plurality of single locator identifier parameters to said first query protocol sequentially in time to retrieve a corresponding plurality of records in said set of records;

automatically generating a prioritized schedule with said first access computing system identifying an ordering for accessing said set of records, which prioritized schedule is based in part on both the following operations;

a) processing and identifying a likelihood of new data appearing within said set of records based on historical analysis of data change patterns in said records in said database including computed correlations of occurrence and timing between distinct successive events in such records;

b) processing and identifying a likelihood of user interest in selected ones of said set of records based on historical analysis of user access, including other users of the access computing system, to such set of records;

wherein said plurality of records are retrieved one at a time automatically by said first access computing system in accordance with said prioritized schedule;

storing said set of records in said first database;

providing a second query protocol presented in a second browser interface to make said set of records accessible at said first access server computing system;

wherein said second query protocol permits multiple records to be retrieved and presented in response to a single query presented to said first access server computing system;

automatically updating said first database in response to changes in said second database in accordance with said priority schedule on a periodic basis which is at least daily.

17. A method of operating an access computing system under control of a first entity comprising:

configuring a first access server computing system and a first database coupled to said first access server under control of said first entity;

using said first access computing system to access a set of records maintained by a target computing system in a second database over an internet based network, said second database being configured and controlled by a second entity to respond to a user query for said records over said network using a first query protocol presented in a first browser interface which restricts access to no more than one record at one time in response to a single query parameter specified by a user;

wherein said first access computing system accesses said target computing system through an Internet browser interface based on emulating a user providing said user query, including by automatically passing a plurality of single locator identifier parameters to said first query protocol sequentially in time to retrieve a corresponding plurality of records in said set of records;

automatically generating a prioritized schedule with said first access computing system identifying an ordering for accessing said set of records, which prioritized schedule is based in part on the following operations;

a) processing and identifying a likelihood of new data appearing within said set of records based on historical analysis of data change patterns in said records in said database including computed correlations of occurrence and timing between distinct successive events in such records;

b) processing and identifying a likelihood of user interest in selected ones of said set of records based on historical analysis of user access, including other users of the access computing system, to such set of records;

c) processing and ranking records in said second database in accordance with a likelihood of a specific target event occurring for said records;

wherein said plurality of records are retrieved one at a time automatically by said first access computing system in accordance with said prioritized schedule;

storing said set of records in said first database;

providing a second query protocol presented in a second browser interface to make said set of records accessible at said first access server computing system;

wherein said second query protocol permits multiple records to be retrieved and presented in response to a single query presented to said first access server computing system;

automatically updating said first database in response to changes in said second database in accordance with said priority schedule on a periodic basis.

18. A method of operating an access computing system under control of a first entity comprising:

configuring a first access server computing system and a first database coupled to said first access server under control of said first entity;

using said first access computing system to access a set of records maintained by a target computing system in a second database over an internet based network, said second database being configured and controlled by a second entity to respond to a user query for said records over said network using a first query protocol presented in a first browser interface which restricts access to no more than one record at one time in response to a single query parameter specified by a user;

wherein said first access computing system accesses said target computing system through an Internet browser interface based on emulating a user providing said user query, including by automatically passing a plurality of single locator identifier parameters to said first query protocol sequentially in time to retrieve a corresponding plurality of records in said set of records;

automatically generating a prioritized schedule with said first access computing system identifying an ordering for accessing said set of records, which prioritized schedule is based in part on both the following operations;

a) processing and identifying a likelihood of new data appearing within said set of records based on historical analysis of data change patterns in said records in said database including computed correlations of occurrence and timing between distinct successive events in such records;

b) processing and identifying a likelihood of user interest in selected ones of said set of records based on historical analysis of user access, including other users of the access computing system, to such set of records;

wherein said plurality of records are retrieved one at a time automatically by said first access computing system in accordance with said prioritized schedule;

storing said set of records in said first database;

providing a second query protocol presented in a second browser interface to make said set of records accessible at said first access server computing system;

wherein said second query protocol permits multiple records to be retrieved and presented in response to a single query presented to said first access server computing system;

automatically updating said first database in response to changes in said second database in accordance with said priority schedule on a periodic basis which is at least daily;

generating an alert to one or more users in response to detecting one or more updates matching said users'"'"' alert criteria.

19. A method of operating an access computing system under control of a first entity comprising:

configuring a first access server computing system and a first database coupled to said first access server under control of said first entity;

using said first access computing system to access a set of records maintained by a target computing system in a second database over an internet based network, said second database being configured and controlled by a second entity to respond to a user query for said records over said network using a first query protocol presented in a first browser interface which restricts access to no more than one record at one time in response to a single query parameter specified by a user;

wherein said first access computing system accesses said target computing system through an Internet browser interface based on emulating a user providing said user query, including by automatically passing a plurality of single locator identifier parameters to said first query protocol sequentially in time to retrieve a corresponding plurality of records in said set of records;

automatically generating a prioritized schedule with said first access computing system identifying an ordering for accessing said set of records, which prioritized schedule is structured as a queue of requests used by said first access computing system for retrieving said corresponding plurality of records, and which is based in part on both the following operations;

a) processing and identifying a likelihood of new data appearing within said set of records based on historical analysis of data change patterns in said records in said database including computed correlations of occurrence and timing between distinct successive events in such records;

b) processing and identifying a likelihood of user interest in selected ones of said set of records based on historical analysis of user access, including other users of the access computing system, to such set of records;

wherein said plurality of records are retrieved one at a time automatically by said first access computing system in accordance with said prioritized schedule;

storing said set of records in said first database;

providing a second query protocol presented in a second browser interface to make said set of records accessible at said first access server computing system;

wherein said second query protocol permits multiple records to be retrieved and presented in response to a single query presented to said first access server computing system;

automatically updating said first database in response to changes in said second database in accordance with said priority schedule on a periodic basis.