Web-based document system
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorDamian Porcari
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A web-based document approval system that enables users to create, review and approve documents and to communicate these documents to other parties. The system includes an approval function where the document being approved is stored to a central storage area. The central storage area cannot be modified or deleted by the users. Users are invited to review and approve the document and are provided a convenient hyperlink to the specific document. The system records the date and time that each user approved the document. A central storage area interfaces with a database. The database retrieves approver and approval information and prepares an approval log. The approval log may be in the form of an XML document that easily updates other database systems.
Claims23
A method of approving a document comprising:
- storing the document in a central storage area, the storage area preventing alternation or modification of the document;
- advising an approver that the document requiring approval is accessible for review and approval;
- allowing the approver to review the document;
- prompting approval by the approver;
- recording the date of approval;
- and
- recording the approved document.
A method of hosting a docketing system on an internet accessible server comprising:
- authenticating the identity of a user that logs into a client-based authentication program;
- directing the user to the server;
- and
- encrypting the transmissions between the server and the user.
A method of transferring data between a first computer having a first database and a second computer having a second database comprising:
- directing the first computer to email the second computer a notice containing a hyperlink that a message is pending;
- directing the second computer to communicate with the first computer using the hyperlink;
- directing the first computer to query the first database and prepare an XML file containing the transferring data;
- and
- transferring an XML file from the first computer to the second computer, the XML file containing the transferring data.
A method of citing references as part of an electronic submission process comprising the steps of:
- recording a citation to the reference in a docketing system;
- recording a method to retrieve the cited reference from an internet accessible computer;
- exporting the citation and retrieval method as an XML file;
- and
- transferring the XML file as part of the electronic submission process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.