Automated docketing system
View Patent ↗The present invention includes a method for docketing an action or event, such as an action or event defined in a form received from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The method includes scanning the form having written information thereon, the written information comprising a date and indicia defining a docket event, to obtain a scanned image. The indicia on the form defining a docketing event includes a title such as, “Office Action,” “Notice of Allowance,” “Notice of Missing Parts” and so forth. The date on the form includes, in many embodiments, “Date Mailed.” The method also includes processing the scanned image with character recognition logic and identifying the indicia defining the docket event or action and the date on the image.
1. A method for docketing and reporting out an action, comprising:
providing an electronic image reporting an event, wherein the electronic image includes date indicia and indicia defining the event;
providing a mechanism effective for recognizing the indicia defining the event and the date indicia on the image;
identifying the date and indicia defining the event using the mechanism for recognizing the date and indicia;
providing docketing software that includes a library of events, at least one event being defined in the image, and docket rules for the events, the docketing software further comprising a field for date input associated with the event and fields for event identification;
automatically transferring the indicia identified in the image to the docketing software and automatically matching the indicia identified and transferred to corresponding event and date fields in the docketing software;
entering the event indicia into the event field of the docket software and the date identified into the field for date input associated with the event wherein entering the date and event indicia prompts the software to generate one or more docket dates based upon rules associated with the event; and
reporting the event and electronic image to preselected individuals and docketing the event at substantially the same time.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the individuals are pre-selected by individual or by role.
3. The method of claim 1 and further comprising creating and storing a scanned image.
4. The method of claim 3 and further comprising storing the image in a file associated with a legal process.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the event is related to patent procurement or maintenance.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the event is related to trademark procurement or maintenance.
7. A system for docketing and reporting out an action, the action identifiable by indicia that are part of an electronic image conveying information regarding the action, comprising:
a device for generating an electronic image from a form;
a mechanism effective for recognizing the event and date indicia on the form;
docketing software comprising an array of events, at least one event defined by the form, the docketing software further comprising a field for date input associated with an event; and
software for matching and transferring the date and event indicia identified to a corresponding event in the docketing software and for reporting out the electronic image and docketing the event substantially at the same time.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the device for creating the electronic image conveying information is a scanner.
9. The system of claim 7 wherein the mechanism effective for recognizing the indicia on the form includes optical character recognition software.