Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-22
2001-04-24
Bayerl, Raymond J. (Department: 2773)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S950000, C345S215000, C709S205000, C705S002000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06222535
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of information processing and more particularly to a system and method for facilitating issue tracking.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Meetings are an everyday occurrence in the business world. Technology has touched almost all aspects of how we communicate during these meetings, from video conferences to video presentations on notebook computers. However, despite the advances, the way that we deal with issues that are raised during meetings has not changed significantly.
Issues raised during a meeting are typically written down by interested parties on a notepad. Unless an issue is central to the progression of a project, however, it is often overlooked, forgotten, or lost. Even if the issue is important, if it is not immediately assigned to an individual and given a suspense date, it may not be pursued any further.
If issues are not clearly assigned to individuals, it is possible for issues to be intentionally worked on by two separate parties. This is called “rework,” and results in an unnecessary expenditure of valuable work time. This may be more common in a larger project where there are many small issues that are critical to solving a much larger issue. A party may invest time to resolve an issue, not knowing that a different party had previously resolved that issue while working on a related issue. This may result in a waste of valuable work time.
With the plethora of issues that may be raised during a meeting, even if an issue is assigned to an individual, it may be difficult for managers to remember what issues were assigned and to whom they were assigned. Without some sort of reminder, the assigned parties may forget about their assigned issues. Therefore, a need has arisen for a new method and apparatus for issue tracking that overcomes the disadvantages and deficiencies of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to document issues and their proposed solutions to facilitate issue tracking and resolution.
It is a further object of the invention to eliminate rework on an issue.
It is another object of the invention to provide reminders of open issues to an originator, a responsible party, an assigned party, or any combination thereof.
It is still another object of the invention to provide an administrator with user-definable issue status reports.
A computer system for facilitating tracking of an issue is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of servers; a plurality of clients; communications means interconnecting said servers and said clients to form a computer network; and issue tracking means stored within one of said servers. The issue tracking means comprises a first graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on a computer display the first GUI comprising a first plurality of information accepting fields operable to accept information defining the issue from an originator of the issue; means for notifying an assigned party in response to entry of said information defining the issue; a second GUI displayed on the computer display, said second GUI comprising a second plurality of information accepting fields operable to accept information related to a proposed resolution of the issue from the assigned party; and means for forwarding said information related to a proposed resolution of the issue to a first group of users of said computer system.
In another embodiment, a method for facilitating tracking of an issue in accordance with the invention comprises the following steps: (1) entering information defining an issue to be tracked into a plurality of information accepting field on a first graphical user interface (GUI); (2) notifying an assigned party in response to entry of said information defining the issue; (3) entering information related to a proposed resolution of the issue from the assigned party into a plurality of information accepting fields on a second GUI; and, (4) forwarding said information related to a proposed resolution of the issue to a first group of interested individuals.
In another embodiment, an issue tracking application is disclosed. The application comprises: a first graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on a computer display, said first GUI comprising a first plurality of information accepting fields operable to accept information defining the issue from an originator of the issue; means for notifying an assigned party in response to entry of said information defining the issue; a second GUI displayed on the computer display, said second GUI comprising a second plurality of information accepting fields operable to accept information related to a proposed resolution of the issue from the assigned party; and, means for forwarding said information related to a proposed resolution of the issue to a first group of users of said application.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for facilitating tracking of issues. The method and system of the present invention provide the technical advantage of a systematic way to capture various issues and track their progress. Another technical advantage is that the invention enable issues to be catalogued in a database for historical purposes. Another technical advantage is that the invention tracks issues and thus, facilitates their closure. Other technical advantages are apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, detailed description and claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5495412 (1996-02-01), Thiessen
patent: 5671360 (1997-09-01), Hambrick et al.
patent: 5793365 (1998-08-01), Tang et al.
patent: 5878214 (1999-03-01), Gilliam et al.
patent: 5893074 (1999-04-01), Hughes et al.
patent: 5960173 (1999-09-01), Tang et al.
Alcatel USA Sourcing L.P.
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Bayerl Raymond J.
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