System and method for one-click docketing
The present invention includes an apparatus, method and system for one-click docketing of tasks in an internet based patent and trademark application management system. In some embodiments, a client computer is operatively coupled to an application server, which in turn is operatively coupled to a patent information server. These computers are connected via an internet. The configuration of the various computers disclosed herein may vary based upon the distribution the functionality implemented. A user will initiate a one-click (i.e., use a single input signal) docketing process with an input device, such as mouse, or keyboard, wherein an application server will be asked to retrieve case information data from a database. This case information data will, in turn be provided to a patent information server. The patent information server will then use this case information data to retrieve patent information, and provide it to the application server to fill a template.
1 . A method comprising:
initiating a docketing process with a single input signal wherein the docketing process is a part of an online patent and trademark application management system;
retrieving case information data from a database;
providing the case information data to a patent information server;
retrieving patent information data based upon the case information data from the patent information server; and
associating the patent information data with a template.
2 . The method claim 1 , wherein correctly associating the patent information data with a template results in a filled template being displayed to a user.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein incorrect associating the patent formation data with a template results in an error prompt being displayed to a user.
4 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising uploading the filled template to a client computer.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the case information data includes:
attorney docket information;
a control number;
a PCT number;
a patent number;
a publication number;
an application number; and
a customer number.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the patent information data includes:
office actions;
notices of allowance; and
notices of issuances.
7 . A computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for causing a computer to execute a method comprising:
initiating a docketing process with a single input signal wherein the docketing process is a part of an online patent and trademark application management system;
retrieving case information data from a database;
providing the case information data to a patent information server;
retrieving patent information data based upon the case information data from the patent information server; and
associating the patent information data with a template.
8 . The computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for causing a computer to execute the method of claim 7 , wherein correctly associating the patent information data with a template results in a filled template being displayed to a user.
9 . The computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for causing a computer to execute the method of 8 , wherein an incorrectly associating the patent formation data with a template results in an error prompt being displayed to a user.
10 . The computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for causing a computer to execute the method of claim 7 , further comprising uploading the filled template to a client computer.
11 . The computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for causing a computer to execute the method of claim 7 , wherein the case information data includes:
attorney docket information;
a control number;
a PCT number;
a patent number;
a publication number;
an application number; and
a customer number.
12 . The computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for causing a computer to execute the method of 7 , wherein the patent information data includes:
office actions;
notices of allowance; and
notices of issuances.
13 . A system comprising:
a client machine operatively coupled to an application server via an internet in a client-server configuration for initiating a one-click docketing process that is a part of a online patent and trademark application management system; and
a patent information server operatively coupled to an application server via an internet;
a database server operatively coupled to the application server; and
a second data database server operatively coupled to the patent information server.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the application server retrieves case information data from the database server.
15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the patent information server retrieves patent information data form the second data base server.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the application server associates the patent information data with a template.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein a correct association of the patent information data with a template by the application server results in a filled template displayed to a user.
18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein an incorrect association by the application server of the patent information data with a template results in an error prompt being displayed to a user.
19 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the client machine uploads the filled template via an internet to the client computer.
20 . The system of claim 13 , further comprising an input device operatively coupled to the client machine, the input device including:
a mouse;
a keyboard; and
a touch screen.