Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-08
2003-12-09
Mizrahi, Diane D. (Department: 2175)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000, C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06662178
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
Intellectual property (IP) professionals such as patent attorneys, agents, law firms, search firms, corporate IP departments, technology transfer managers, asset-based lenders, and the like perform laborious tasks of searching for, retrieving, analyzing, and organizing various forms of IP, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
Known subscription-based and non-subscription-based search systems provide IP professionals with basic search and retrieval functions. Database hardware and software have been developed for access by IP professionals and other users through personal computers, mainframes, and other processor-based devices. Users may access and view IP information stored locally on CD-ROMs, stored on network storage devices through a local area network, or stored on remote database systems through one or more disparate network paths (e.g., the Internet).
Electronic searching for intellectual property information has effectively become the preferred searching vehicle given the vast amount of information available, the complexity of the information, the geographical limitations posed, and the technically adeptness of the majority of IP professionals. The known electronic searching systems, however, provide nothing more than rudimentary searching functions that require the IP professionals to formulate the content and direction of their search strategy through previous experience or trial-and-error. The systems are unable to facilitate or automate the creation of search queries and criteria. Nor do the known systems provide for the efficient retrieval, retention, and organization of IP information sought or resulting from the searching process.
SUMMARY
An apparatus for and a method of searching and organizing intellectual property (IP) is provided. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, an apparatus (and corresponding method) is provided for formulating and facilitating searches for intellectual property, and organizing results of such searches. In an exemplary embodiment, a search and organization server is provided with one or more modules to create and process search queries to be run on local or remote database systems. A class search module, for example, may be provided to provide on-line access to classification information and facilitate searching of intellectual property information using select classifications. An IP thesaurus module may be provided for developing a list of elements (e.g., words, textual phrases, concepts, representations, numbers, identifications, pictures, graphics, features, etc.) found in select intellectual property information (e.g., groupings of patents). In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the list of elements may be used as an aid in learning a new technology, as a search tool to refine search queries or criteria, as a drafting tool to assist in the preparation of technical or legal documents (e.g., proposals, licenses, patent applications, etc.), or any other practical use. A field-of-search module may be provided to create a field-of-search based on search information identified from select intellectual property information. Additional modules (e.g., search engine, workspace module, alert generator, report generator, etc.) may be provided in the search server to formulate, store, organize and output results achieved through operation of the search server.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5175681 (1992-12-01), Iwai et al.
patent: 5754840 (1998-05-01), Rivette et al.
patent: 5819092 (1998-10-01), Ferguson et al.
patent: 5895468 (1999-04-01), Whitmyer, Jr.
patent: 5991751 (1999-11-01), Rivette et al.
patent: 5995947 (1999-11-01), Fraser et al.
patent: 6029141 (2000-02-01), Bezos et al.
patent: 6049811 (2000-04-01), Petruzzi et al.
patent: 6115690 (2000-09-01), Wong
patent: 6195646 (2001-02-01), Grosh et al.
patent: 6236972 (2001-05-01), Shkedy
patent: 6298327 (2001-10-01), Hunter et al.
patent: 6385594 (2002-05-01), Lebda et al.
patent: 2001/0000044 (2001-03-01), Lin
patent: 2002/0069154 (2002-06-01), Fields
patent: 10171843 (1998-06-01), None
patent: 11039394 (1999-02-01), None
patent: 11134399 (1999-05-01), None
patent: WO 9826343 (1998-06-01), None
“Patent Examiner's Search Tools User's Guide,” USPTO Publication, Office of the CIO, Version 2.0, Aug. 1999.*
“Patent Examiner's Reference Tools User's Guide,” USPTO Publication, Office of the CIO, Version 2.0, Apr. 1999.*
Thomson-Derwent's web site (www.derwent.com).*
www.lloydwise.com, printed Jan. 21, 2003.
Lasinski, M. and D. Davison, “Systems & Tools for Visualizing & Organizing IP Portfolios to Meet Business & Licensing Objectives”, LES Annual Meeting, San Antonio, Texas, Oct. 27, 1999, 10 sheets.
Lucas, Carl, “Visualization of Intellectual Property: Visualization Framework, Patent Maps, Patent Trees”, LES Annual Meeting, San Antonio, Texas, Oct. 27, 1999, 19 sheets.
Aureka 7.0: Open Platform for Intellectual Property Asset Management, materials distributed at 1999 LES Annual Meeting, San Antonio, Texas, Oct. 24-27, 1999, 18 pages.
Pruzin, Daniel, “WIPO Outlines Nine-Point Agenda for Tackling IP Protection on Internet”,Electronic Commerce&Law Report, vol. 4, No. 36, BNA, Sep. 22, 1999, pp. 849-850.
Tapling, Peter, Aurigin, Presentation at Licensing Executives Society Michigan Chapter Meeting, Sep. 17, 1999, 32 pages.
“Patent Examiner's Search Tools User's Guide”, USPTO Publication, Office of the CIO, Version 2.0, Aug. 1999.
Computer Packages, Inc., CPI Homepage, www.computerpackages.com, printed Jul. 28, 1999, 14 pages.
Herhold, Scott, “Patent War Pending: Once-arcane field emerges as battleground between online start-ups and established companies”,San Jose Mercury News, Jul. 18, 1999 pp. 1-7.
“Patent Examiner's Reference Tool User's Guide”, USPTO Publication, Office of the CIO, Version 2.0, Apr. 1999.
Lovett, Wayne J., “Choosing the Right IP Software”,IP Worldwide, Mar./Apr. 1999 pp. 31-34.
Lovett, Wayne J., “Special Report: The New Essentials for Managing IP: Choosing the Right IP Software”,IP Worldwide, Mar./Apr. 1999, 11 pages.
Stephens, Keith, “Creating and Implementing the IP Plan”,IP Worldwide, Mar./Apr. 1999, pp. 35-37, 7 pages.
Woodbridge, Richard C. and Paul A. Gardon, “Selecting and IP Docket Management System”,Intellectual Property Today, Jan. 1999, pp. 25-27.
www.lightlink.com/bbm, printed Jan. 17, 1999.
PCT-Easy, User Reference Manual, PCT-EASY V 2.80, WIPO (www.wipo.int/), Jan. 1999.
“Enabling the Virtual Enterprise: The Supply Chain Meets the Demand Chain”, The Yankee Group,1998.
http://web.archive.org/web/19981206010357/www.inventnet.com, printed Nov. 11, 1998, 10 pages.
www.inventnet.com, printed Jan. 22, 2003, 5 pages.
Vollendorf, Stefanie, “IP Docketing Software—A Practical Tool”,Intellectual Property Today, May 1998, pp. 54-56 and 58.
Dutton, Gail, “Protecting Intellectual Property”,Chemical Market Reporter, Mar. 23, 1998.
http://web.archive.org/web/19961219063059/http://www.inventnet.com, printed Nov. 7, 1996, 14 pages.
www.inventnet.com, printed Jan. 21, 2003, 11 pages.
Forstner, James A., “Managing international patent litigation”,Managing Intellectual Property Litigation Yearbook, 1995, pp. 3-6.
Stallings, William Ph.D., “Computer Organization and Architecture”, MacMillan Publishing Company, 1993, preface and contents, pp. iii-x.
Spohn, Darren L., “Data Network Design”, McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1993, contents and preface, pp. vii-xxx.
Gitlin, Richard D., Jeremiah F. Hayes, and Stephen B. Weinstein, “Data Communications Principles”, Plenum Press, 1992, preface and contents, pp. vii-xix.
Green, James Harry, “The Irwin Handbook of Telecommunications”, Irwin Professional Publishing, 2d ed., 1992, preface and table of contents, pp. iii-xv.
Woodbridge, Richard C. and Paul A. Gardon, “Selecting an IP Docket Management System”,Intellectual Property Today, Jan. 1999, pp. 25-27.
Hale and Dorr LLP
Knowledge Management Objects, LLC
Mizrahi Diane D.
Nicholson Cynthia
Spiegel Michael
LandOfFree
Apparatus for and method of searching and organizing... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus for and method of searching and organizing..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus for and method of searching and organizing... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3174022