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US 6,289,317 B1Granted
Task-based classification and analysis system
AssigneePaul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker
InventorAndrew C. Peterson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A task-based classification and analysis system includes an analysis software module and a user interface. The analysis software module establishes and maintains relationships between a plurality of databases or, in a preferred embodiment, hierarchical task lists. The user interface provides user inputs to the analysis software module such as budget information which is associated with particular elements of the databases. In consideration of historical data models, the user inputs and predetermined relationships between elements of the databases, the preferred system generates information products such as task-based budgets. Another preferred system coordinates task relationships between a plurality of software modules, such as a billing software module and a time entry software module.
Claims23
A task-based classification and analysis system, comprising:
- a computer system having a video display and a user input mechanism, said computer system executing:
- (a) a task-based budget analysis software module, comprising:
- a business task list comprising a set of task elements;
- means for generating a matter task list comprising a first subset of said set of task elements of said business task list selected by a user in accordance with a requirement of a project;
- means for generating a client task list comprising a second subset of said set of task elements of said business task list selected by a user in accordance with a requirement of a client of a business;
- and
- means for generating task code tables embodying a predetermined relationship between elements of said matter task list and elements of said client task list;
- (b) a time entry software module, comprising:
- means for generating matter-coded timecard data from said matter task list, time sheet data, and client, matter and timekeeper tables received by an import directory of said time entry software module;
- and
- means for automatically transferring said client, matter and timekeeper tables to said time entry software module;
- (c) a software module, comprising:
- means for generating client billing from task code tables and matter-coded timecard data;
- means for identifying to said task-based budget analysis modified timecard data that are no longer valid;
- and
- (d) wherein said task-based budget analysis software module generates a time task budget from the timekeeper codes, the matter task list, and starting and ending dates, and translates said time task budget from matter codes to client codes using said predetermined relationship, and further wherein said task-based budget analysis software module pro-rates budget amounts if starting and ending dates occur inside of a pre-determined billing period, and even further wherein said task-based budget analysis software module generates a variance report from said timecard data.
13 more elements
A task-based classification and analysis system, comprising:
- a computer system having a video display and a user input mechanism, said computer system executing:
- (a) a task-based budget analysis software module, comprising:
- a business task list comprising a set of task elements;
- means for generating a matter task list comprising a first subset of said set of task elements of said business task list selected by a user in accordance with a requirement of a project;
- means for generating a client task list comprising a second subset of said set of task elements of said business task list selected by a user in accordance with a requirement of a client of a business;
- and
- means for generating task code tables embodying a predetermined relationship between elements of said matter task list and elements of said client task list;
- (b) a time entry software module, comprising:
- means for generating matter-coded timecard data from said matter task list, time sheet data, and client, matter and timekeeper tables;
- and
- (c) a billing software module, comprising:
- means for generating client billing from task code tables and matter-coded timecard data.
9 more elements
A method for a task-based classification and analysis system, comprising:
- generating a business task list comprising a set of task elements;
- generating a matter task list comprising a first subset of said set of task elements of said business task list selected by a user in accordance with a requirement of a project;
- generating a client task list comprising a second subset of said set of task elements of said business task list selected by a user in accordance with a requirement of a client of a business;
- generating task code tables embodying a predetermined relationship between elements of said matter task list and elements of said client task list;
- generating matter-coded timecard data from said matter task list, time sheet data, and client, matter and timekeeper tables;
- and
- generating client billing from task code tables and matter-coded timecard data.
4 more elements
A method for executing a task-based budget analysis software module comprising the steps of.
- generating a business task list comprising a set of task elements;
- generating a matter task list comprising a first subset of said set of task elements of said business task list selected by a user in accordance with a requirement of a project;
- generating a client task list comprising a second subset of said set of task elements of said business task list selected by a user in accordance with a requirement of a client of a business;
- generating task code tables embodying a predetermined relationship between elements of said matter task list and elements of said client task list;
- generating matter-coded timecard data from said matter task list, time sheet data, and client, matter and timekeeper tables;
- automatically transferring said client, matter and timekeeper tables to said time entry software module;
- generating client billing from task code tables and matter-coded timecard data;
- and
- identifying to said task-based budget analysis software module modified timecard data that are no longer valid.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.