Abstract:
A system for information management includes a remotely accessible server configured for receiving a request from a user for a service provided by at least one designated service provider and for receiving a response from the at least one designated service provider; means controlled by the server for providing a first user interface that allows the user to download a preset template, to modify the template with user specific content, and to select the at least one designated service provider with a predetermined set of criteria; means controlled by the server for generating a virtual content module associated with the user that contains the modified template; means controlled by the server for transmitting a first notification message to the at least one designated service provider.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Hong Kong short term patent application No. 12100988.0 filed on Feb. 3, 2012. All of the applications cited above are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
       FIELD OF THE PATENT APPLICATION 
       [0002]    The present patent application generally relates to information management technologies and more specifically to a system and a method for information management that securely enable exchange of information between requesters of intellectually oriented services, such as legal services, and designated recipients who prepare responses to the requests made by the requestors, and evaluation of the responses. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    While online procurement systems have existed for many years, these systems are geared towards the sourcing of physical components or goods, not the provision of intellectually oriented services. 
         [0004]    Manufacturing and trade oriented procurement systems cannot be successfully adapted to the sourcing of intellectual services because potential suppliers are frequently judged on easily quantifiable criteria such as cost or delivery dates, whereas potential providers of intellectual services are often assessed qualitatively, typically without a consistent analysis framework. 
         [0005]    As a result, consistent qualitative assessments of such intellectual services or competing bids to provide intellectual services are difficult to carry out on online systems or even through an exchange of online communications, resulting in the need for, among other things, phone calls between those seeking to hire and those providing intellectual services to supplement the analysis. 
         [0006]    Such phone calls can be both difficult and inconvenient if parties are located in different international time zones. In addition, many organizations lack an organized scheme for assessing the procurement of intellectual services, in part because of a lack of a consistent assessment framework. This also creates problems of potential perceived or actual corporate governance issues. 
         [0007]    Despite the absence of a consistent analysis framework applicable across a range of intellectual services, a consistent analysis framework can in fact be created because most requests for intellectual services, i.e. “Requests for Information (RFI)” are created because the Requester has a need or a problem that requires a resolution. A Requester also may want to know if a DR (Designated Recipient) can provide a proper response to a request for information in a timely manner by specifying a deadline in the RFI. 
         [0008]    When a DR receives a complex RFI the DR, to prepare a proper, high quality analysis, generally needs to identify relevant facts and issues and applicable principles, legislation, or formulae. A proper, high quality response to an RFI should contain an analysis that logically leads to and supports some premise or recommendations. The analysis, on some occasions, may include an identification of additional related issues. Such an analysis framework has never been applied in a commercial procurement scenario and it is desired to have the combination of such a framework and a suitable supporting back end mechanism that will disseminate an RFI to selected DRs, receive completed responses to the RFI and provide a mechanism to evaluate these responses, and also optionally allow Requesters to encrypt their RFIs to ensure the confidentiality of the communications. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The present patent application is directed to a system for information management. In one aspect, the system for information management includes a remotely accessible server configured for receiving a request from a user for a service provided by at least one designated service provider and for receiving a response from the at least one designated service provider; means controlled by the server for providing a first user interface that allows the user to download a preset template, to modify the template with user specific content, and to select the at least one designated service provider with a predetermined set of criteria; means controlled by the server for generating a virtual content module associated with the user that contains the modified template; means controlled by the server for transmitting a first notification message to the at least one designated service provider; means controlled by the server for providing a second user interface that allows the at least one designated service provider to update the virtual content module by further modifying the template; means controlled by the server for transmitting a second notification message to the user; and means controlled by the server for providing a third user interface that allows the user or a reviewer to review the further modified template. 
         [0010]    The system may further include means controlled by the server for validating identity of the user and identify of the at least one designated service provider. The system may further include means controlled by the server for encrypting the template after the template is modified with user specific content. The criteria for the user to select the at least one designated service provider may include jurisdictions or practice areas. 
         [0011]    The system may further include means controlled by the server for providing an additional user interface that allows the user to input additional request information. The means for generating the virtual content module may be configured to incorporate the additional request information into the virtual content module. The system may further include means controlled by the server for generating a non-modifiable cover sheet. The cover sheet may contain a summary of the additional request information. The additional request information may include a question from the user, a preference on fee arrangement of the user, or a deadline specified by the user. 
         [0012]    The system may further include means controlled by the server for providing an additional user interface that allows the user or the reviewer to input an evaluation on the response of the at least one designated service provider. 
         [0013]    In another aspect, the system for information management includes a server configured for receiving a request from a user for a service provided by at least one designated service provider; means controlled by the server for providing a first user interface that allows the user to download a preset template, to modify the template with user specific content, and to select the at least one designated service provider with a predetermined set of criteria; means controlled by the server for generating a virtual content module that contains the modified template; means controlled by the server for transmitting a first notification message to the at least one designated service provider; means controlled by the server for providing a second user interface that allows the at least one designated service provider to update the virtual content module by further modifying the template; means controlled by the server for transmitting a second notification message to the user; and means controlled by the server for providing a third user interface that allows the user or a reviewer to review the further modified template. The server is connected to the Internet. 
         [0014]    The server may be connected to the Internet through an Intranet and a firewall, and may be accessible to the user or the reviewer through the Intranet. The system may further include means controlled by the server for providing an additional user interface that allows the user to input additional request information. The means for generating the virtual content module may be configured to incorporate the additional request information into the virtual content module. The system may further include means controlled by the server for generating a non-modifiable cover sheet. The cover sheet may contain a summary of the additional request information. 
         [0015]    In yet another aspect, the present patent application provides a method for information management. The method includes providing a first user interface that allows a user to download a preset template, to modify the template with user specific content, and to select at least one designated service provider with a predetermined set of criteria; generating a virtual content module associated with the user that contains the modified template; transmitting a first notification message to the at least one designated service provider; providing a second user interface that allows the at least one designated service provider to update the virtual content module by further modifying the template as a response; transmitting a second notification message to the user; and providing a third user interface that allows the user or a reviewer to review the further modified template. 
         [0016]    The method may further include validating identity of the user and identify of the at least one designated service provider. The method may further include encrypting the template after the template is modified with user specific content. The criteria for the user to select the at least one designated service provider may include jurisdictions or practice areas. 
         [0017]    The method may further include providing an additional user interface that allows the user to input additional request information, and incorporating the additional request information into the virtual content module. The method may further include generating a non-modifiable cover sheet. The cover sheet may contain a summary of the additional request information. The additional request information may include a question from the user, a preference on fee arrangement of the user, or a deadline specified by the user. 
         [0018]    The method may further include providing an additional user interface that allows the user or the reviewer to input an evaluation on the response of the at least one designated service provider. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an overview of the system architecture of a system for information management according to an embodiment of the present patent application. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating an implementation of the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an alternative implementation of the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a screen shot of a home page of the User Interface (UI) that a Requester will view in using the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows a screen shot of a first application page that a Requester will view in using the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  shows a screen shot of the RT document the Requester will complete in using the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  shows a screen shot of the top section of a second application page that a Requester will view in using the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  shows a screen shot of the bottom section of a second application page that a Requester will view in using the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  shows a screen shot of a list of jurisdictions on a third application page that a Requester will view in using the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  shows a screen shot of an expanded list of jurisdictions and practice areas on the third application page that a Requester will view in using the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  shows a screen shot of the expanded list of jurisdictions, practice areas and DRs on the third application page that a Requester will view in using the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  shows a screen shot of a middle section of a fourth application page that a Requester will view in using the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  shows a screen shot of a bottom section of the fourth application page that a Requester will view in using the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  shows a screen shot of the RFI module in the Catalog Manager in the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  shows a screen shot of a confirmation message the Requester will view in using the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  shows a screen shot of a non-modifiable cover sheet that a Requester or a DR will view in using the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 17  shows a screen shot of an email message that a DR will view in using the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 18  shows a screen shot of a first application page that a DR will view in using the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 19  shows a screen shot of a second application page and a confirmation box that a DR will interact with in using the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 20  shows a screen shot of an email message that a DR will view in using the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 21  shows a screen shot of a received RFI Modules that a Reviewer or Requester can view in using the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 22  shows a screen shot of an evaluation that a Reviewer or Requester can view and complete in using the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0041]    Reference will now be made in detail to a preferred embodiment of the system and the method for information management disclosed in the present patent application, examples of which are also provided in the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the system and the method for information management disclosed in the present patent application are described in detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not particularly important to an understanding of the system and the method for information management may not be shown for the sake of clarity. 
         [0042]    Furthermore, it should be understood that the system and the method for information management disclosed in the present patent application is not limited to the precise embodiments described below and that various changes and modifications thereof may be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the protection. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0043]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an overview of the system architecture of a system for information management according to an embodiment of the present patent application. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the system  100  includes Framework Service Objects  110 , a Transaction Manager Subsystem  120  that manages a plurality of Transaction Objects  121 , a Presentation Interface subsystem  130 , a Security Layer subsystem  140 , and a Database subsystem  150 . The framework service objects  110  further include a Notifications Manager subsystem  111 , a User Manager subsystem  112 , a Catalog Manager subsystem  113 , a Repository Manager subsystem  114  and an Evaluations and Assessments Manager subsystem  115 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating an implementation of the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , users of the system  210  include a plurality of Requesters ( 220 ,  222 ), DRs (Designated Recipients) ( 230 ,  231 ) and Reviewers ( 225 ,  226 ). A Requester  220 , a Reviewer  225 , or a DR  230  can access the system  210  via the Internet  221 . Alternatively a Requester  222 , a Reviewer  226  or a DR  231  can access the system  210  by accessing the Internet  221  through an organizational network or Intranet  223  or  232  and a firewall  224  or  233 . Alternatively, as in another embodiment as shown in  FIG. 3 , a Requester  311  or Reviewer  314  can access the system  310  through an organizational network or Intranet  312 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the Requester will log into the system  100  and will first pass through the Security Layer  140  which will determine whether the user has the right or authorization to access the system. If the Requester is allowed to access the system  100 , the User Manager  112  will validate that the user is a Requester, determine the user&#39;s functional access privileges and the organization the user is associated with and then instruct the Presentation Interface  130  to present an appropriate User Interface  400 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a Requester starts the process by accessing the Request For Information (RFI) creation portion of the application. A Transaction Object  121  is created. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the application presents the Requester with an overview of the overall process  500  so that the Requester knows what steps the Requester must perform. The Requester clicks the appropriate on-screen button  501  to initiate a download of the RT (Response Template) document file  600 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the Repository Manager  114  locates and retrieves the RT file (RTF) from the Database  150 . 
         [0049]    The Requester then creates a new RFI by entering a question in the RTF along with other relevant information. The RTF serves three purposes and provides two key benefits. First, the RTF provides a location  601  as shown in  FIG. 6  for a Requester to enter his or her questions. Second, the RTF provides a structure for the DR to provide a response in a clearly structured fashion entering the underlying premise or summary of recommendations; an identification of relevant facts, issues, jurisdictions and jurisdiction-related concerns, applicable principles, legislation, formulae; an analysis leading up to a plan of action or recommendations; and optionally, additional related matters. Third, should security be a concern, the Requester can encrypt the RTF. 
         [0050]    The User Manager  112  retrieves the Requester&#39;s contact details and copies the information on the screen allowing the Requester to confirm his or her contact details  700 . 
         [0051]    The Requester selects the DRs to whom the RFI will be sent by first clicking on a select button  800  as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 9-11 , the Requester selects the relevant jurisdiction  901  then the subject or practice area  1001  and then the desired DR  1101  from information retrieved from the User Manager  112 . The selections are copied into the appropriate field  801  (in  FIG. 8 ) of the UI for the Requester to review. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , the Requester can enter his questions or instructions  1201 . The Requester may upload the RTF by clicking on the appropriate icon or link  1202 , then selecting the file to upload. The Requester may specify his or her preferences regarding fee arrangements  1203 . The Requester may specify a deadline for responses at  1204 . The Requester may designate the Reviewers or the Reviewers may be pre-designated. Referring to  FIG. 13 , the Requester confirms that he or she wants to submit the RFI  1301 . 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , the system generates a new RFI virtual content module (‘VCM’)  1400  in the Catalog Manager  113  with an identification number  1401 . Based on the information provided by the Requester with regards to the selected DRs  1101 , the Catalog Manager  113  will provide these DRs with the right to upload files to the new RFI VCM  1401 . 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , the system informs the Requester that a new module has been created  1500  and provides the identification number  1501  for reference purposes. 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , the system automatically generates a non-modifiable cover sheet  1600  that provides information regarding the Requester including the Request&#39;s name  1601  and contact details  1602  retrieved earlier ( 700  in  FIG. 7 ), the relevant practice area or subject  1603 , questions or instructions  1604  if this information was provided earlier ( 1201  in  FIG. 12 ), a deadline  1605  if this information was provided earlier ( 1204  in  FIG. 12 ), preferences regarding fee arrangements  1606  based on information provided in an earlier step ( 1203  in  FIG. 12 ). 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 17 , the system retrieves specific messages that had been predefined in the Notification Manager  111  and an electronic message  1700  that includes the new identification number  1701  is sent by the system&#39;s Notification Manager  111  to the DRs specified by the Requester. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 22 , the Evaluations and Assessments Manager  115  associates a new evaluation  2200  with the new RFI module. The evaluation  2200  will be opened by the Requester or a Reviewer at a later stage, which will be described in more detail hereafter. 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the DR will log into the system and will first pass through the Security Layer  140  which will determine whether the DR has the right or authorization to access the system. A DR  230  can access the system  210  via the Internet  221 . Alternatively a DR  231  can access the system  210  by accessing the Internet  221  through an organizational network or Intranet  232  and a firewall  233 . 
         [0060]    If the DR is allowed to access the application, the User Manager  112  will validate that the user is a DR, determine the user&#39;s functional access privileges and the organization the user is associated with and then instruct the Presentation Interface  130  to present the appropriate User Interface  1800  (as shown in  FIG. 18 ). 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the Catalog Manager  114  will determine which RFI Modules the DR can access. A DR starts the response process by accessing the Response portion of the application. A transaction object  121  is created. 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIG. 18 , the DR opens the new RFI module  1801  and reviews the enclosed documentation  1802  including the new request for information, which includes the coversheet  1600  and the RTF  600 . 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIG. 19 , the DR prepares a response by modifying and saving the RTF and uploading the document to the system  100  by clicking the browse button  1901 , selecting the RTF, clicking the Submit button  1902  and then confirming submission button  1903 . 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the RTF is uploaded to the Database  150  via the Repository Manager  114  and associated with the RFI VCM  1400  through the Catalog Manager  113 . The system retrieves a specific notification message that had been predefined in the Notification Manager  111 . The Notification Manager  111  then electronically transmits the notification message  2000  to the Requester showing that a response has been received along with the original identification number  2001  to enable the Requester to associate the response to the Requester&#39;s original RFI. 
         [0065]    A Requester or Reviewer logs into the system and the Security Layer  140  will determine whether the Requester or Reviewer has the right to access the system. If the Requester or Reviewer is allowed to access the application, the User Manager  112  will validate that the user is a Reviewer or a Requester, determine the user&#39;s functional access privileges and the organization the user is associated with and then instruct the Presentation Interface  130  to present the appropriate User Interface  400 . 
         [0066]    The Catalog Manager  114  will determine which RFI VCM the Reviewer or Requester can access and presents these for review as illustrated by  2100  in  FIG. 21 . Referring to  FIG. 21 , the Requester or Reviewer locates the relevant file folder using the tracking number  2101 . The Requester or Reviewer reviews the original request  2102  and then looks at a list of received responses  2104  noting the DR who provided the response and the date the response was received  2105 . The Requester or Reviewer can then open and review the received response  2103 . 
         [0067]    An evaluation can then be selected from the Evaluations and Assessments Manager  115  and associated with the new RFI VCM. After reviewing the responses, the Requester or Reviewer opens the evaluation  2200  as illustrated in  FIG. 22 , which was previously associated by the Evaluations and Assessments Manager  115  with the RFI module, and evaluate the responses. 
         [0068]    In the above embodiments, a system and a method are provided in which a Requester interacts with one or more non-collocated DRs by transmitting requests for information and receiving responses from DRs through the Internet. It is noted that the Response Template (RT) benefits the Requester by providing a structured framework from which the Requester can assess the ability of the DR to analyze the relevant fact pattern including the DR&#39;s ability to single out critical details, correctly identify critical matters, distinguish relevant from irrelevant particulars; the DR&#39;s capacity to correctly identify, where applicable, relevant issues, legislation, principles, formulae, jurisdiction or location specific matters, and other critical issues; the quality of the DR&#39;s analysis and whether it logically follows the prior identification of facts and issues; the DR&#39;s recommendations and whether they logically follow the prior analysis; the DR&#39;s ability to identify other relevant matters, concerns or considerations; and the DR&#39;s ability to conform to the Requester&#39;s request and respond in the format set out in the RT. The RT benefits the DR as the expected response structure has already been pre-structured so that the DR does not need to waste time struggling to create its own response structure. The embodiments enable the creation of an online procurement system for the sourcing of intellectually oriented services and the evaluation of rival bids for such services using a systematic and structured analysis framework. 
         [0069]    While the present patent application has been shown and described with particular references to a number of embodiments thereof, it should be noted that various other changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.