Abstract:
A system and method that manage workflow of an authoring assignment. An authoring assignment may be created, forwarded, approved, rejected, and published. A history of functions performed on the authoring assignment and information relating to those functions is maintained. Each stage of the assignment may be tracked and stored. Notifications regarding the assignment may be forwarded to one or more users associated with the authoring assignment. Reports that provide information relating to an authoring assignment may be generated.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/972,062, titled “System and Method of Processing an Authoring Assignment,” filed Sep. 13, 2007, and is related to U.S. patent application titled “System and Method of Managing User Roles in an Automated Workflow Process,” attorney docket no. 87400.1720, filed herewith, U.S. patent application titled “System and Method of Modifying Illustrations Using Scaleable Vector Graphics,” attorney docket no. 87400.1721, filed herewith, U.S. patent application titled “System and Method of Processing an Authoring Assignment,” attorney docket no. 87400.1723, filed herewith, the disclosures of each which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to managing workflow of an authoring assignment. More particularly, the invention relates to enabling a process of an authoring assignment to be tracked and managed. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Processing authoring assignments, such as, for example, graphic requests, typically requires multiple drafts and conveying of the authoring assignment back and forth between at least two persons. For example, for a graphic request, a content author creates a request for an authoring assignment. The request is forwarded to a graphic artist to prepare the graphic. The request is typically created manually using pen and paper and forwarded to the graphic artist using, for example, an inter-office envelope, regular mail, facsimile or other manner. Depending on the methods available for forwarding the authoring assignment, this may cause delays in having an authoring assignment completed. The graphic artist prepares the request and forwards a completed assignment to the content author. The completed assignment may be returned to the content author in the same manner that the request was received or other manner. 
         [0004]    The content author receives the completed assignment and reviews the assignment to determine whether the assignment has been properly completed. If the assignment has been completed properly, the content author may accept the assignment, may forward the assignment to another person (using the manners described above), such as, for example, for an acceptance determination, publish the assignment or perform another function with the assignment. Typically, unless the content author advises the graphic artist that the assignment has been properly completed, the graphic artist is not aware that the assignment has been accepted. The graphic artist then remains unsure regarding whether his role in processing that assignment has been completed. This may cause the graphic artist to maintain time available for modifying the assignment should the assignment be rejected when no time is necessary. 
         [0005]    More commonly, however, the assignment is rejected and the content author must identify changes that need to be made to the authoring assignment. The changes may be made directly on the assignment which causes the original assignment to be altered from its original state. The assignment may then be returned to the graphic artist using one of the mechanisms described above which may further delay completion of the assignment. 
         [0006]    These and other drawbacks exist. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The foregoing disadvantages are overcome, to a great extent, by the invention, wherein in one aspect, a system and method are provided that manage workflow of an authoring assignment. The invention facilitates the creation, forwarding, approving, rejection, and publication of an authoring assignment. The invention maintains a history of functions performed on the authoring assignment such as, for example, when the assignment was created, modified, approved, rejected, and published. The history may provide a timeline and chronology of events and actions performed on the authoring assignment that enable a user to determine when actions were performed, users that performed the actions, a duration for each action, and other information. 
         [0008]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the invention tracks each stage of the assignment such that a user may view the assignment at a particular stage, re-create an entire completion cycle of an authoring assignment, view one or more versions of the assignment as the assignment evolved, and other information. The invention may also provide notifications to one or more users associated with an authoring assignment regarding whether, for example, the assignment has been requested, approved, rejected, completed, published, etc. 
         [0009]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the invention may enable one or more reports providing information relating to an authoring assignment to be generated. The reports may provide, for example, information regarding what actions were performed on an authoring assignment, the users that performed the actions, when the actions were performed, etc. 
         [0010]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0011]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0012]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate of a method of processing an authoring assignment according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of a system of processing an authoring assignment according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of a method of managing user roles in an automated workflow process according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of a system of managing user roles in an automated workflow process according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of a method of modifying illustrations using scaleable vector graphics according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a system of modifying illustrations using scaleable vector graphics according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of an authoring assignment processing display screen according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of a rendition and source upload display screen according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of an editor display screen according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of a systems menu display screen according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is an illustration of a sketch menu display screen according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is an illustration of a symbols menu display screen according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is an illustration of a user inbox according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates a method  10  of processing an authoring assignment according to one embodiment of the invention. According to the method  10 , an authoring assignment may be created, processed, forwarded, received, accepted, rejected, and completed. The method  10  may begin by a content author creating a request for an authoring assignment, step  12 . Upon creating a request for an authoring assignment, a history of the authoring assignment may be maintained, step  14 . The history may maintain a list of all actions performed on the authoring assignment, the identifications of users performing the actions on the authoring assignment, data relating to when the actions were performed such as, for example, date, time, duration, a number of cycles of actions that have been performed on the authoring assignment, and a list of documents that have been attached to the authoring assignment. During the creation of the request, a determination may be made regarding whether one or more documents have been requested to be attached to the request, step  16 . If a determination is made that one or more documents have been requested to be attached to the authoring assignment, the documents are attached using any known manner, step  18 . 
         [0027]    The method  10  may continue with the creation of the request in step  12 . During the creation of the request in step  12 , the content author may assign one or more parameters to the authoring assignment. The parameters may include, for example, a particular user that must complete the authoring assignment, a due date for the authoring assignment, a base image for the authoring assignment, a format for the authoring assignment or any other desired parameter. 
         [0028]    If a determination is made that no document is to be attached to the request, the request may be submitted, step  20 . Upon submission of the request, the method  10  may store the request as a proxy, step  22 , and not as a graphic of the authoring assignment itself. This enables modifications to be made to the proxy and not to the graphic directly, thus maintaining the request in its original state. According to one embodiment of the invention, the proxies may contain metadata of a final document that enable the proxy document to act as the final document until the final document is created. The proxies are used to re-create the graphic instead of storing the proxy as a graphic. This preserves storage space and enables re-creation of the proxy whereas if, for example, a graphic file becomes corrupted, the graphic may not be easily re-created. 
         [0029]    The request may be received by a system that processes the authoring assignment, step  24 . The request may be the forwarded, step  26 , to one or more user inboxes. If the content author assigned the authoring assignment to a particular user, the authoring assignment is forwarded to the inbox of that user. If the content author did not specify a particular user, the authoring assignment may be forwarded to a general inbox that may be accessed by a plurality of users, to a general inbox of one or more users of the system or other location. 
         [0030]    Upon receiving the request, the request is displayed in one or more user inboxes, step  28 . According to one embodiment of the invention, the request may be presented in a different format to indicate whether the authoring assignment is a new assignment, a continuing assignment or other assignment. For example, a continuing assignment may be highlighted to indicate that the assignment is an assignment that the user had previously created or modified. Other formatting may also be used. 
         [0031]    The method  10  may enable selection of the request by the user, step  30 , to enable the user to access the request. The selection may be received, step  32 , and then accessed, step  34 . A determination is made to determine a version of the request to present, step  36 . A request may include multiple versions, therefore, a determination may be made to present the most recent version of the request. If only one version is available, that version is presented. The version of the request that is determined to be the version to present is presented, step  38 . The user may then process the request, step  40 . Processing of the request may include, for example, modifying a supplied graphic, creating a new graphic or other function. The processing of the request may be performed using any known graphic editor such as, for example, Illustrator™, CorelDraw™, Autocad™ or other system. 
         [0032]    A determination is made regarding whether the user has requested to view one or more documents that may have been attached to the request, step  42 . If a determination is made that the user has requested to view one or more attached documents, the documents are presented, step  44 , and the user may continue processing the request. The method  10 , may also determine whether the user has requested to attach one or more documents to the request, step  46 . If a determination is made that the user has requested to attach one or more documents to the request, the documents are attached, step  48 . Documents that may be attached by the user, may include, for example, notes provided by the user, support documents, related images or other documents. The method  10  may then return to step  40 . 
         [0033]    A determination may be made in step  50  regarding whether the assignment has been completed. If a determination is made that the assignment is not complete, the method  10 , continues with step  40 . If a determination is made that the assignment is complete, the user may submit the assignment, step  52 . The assignment is received by the system, step  52 , and forwarded to the content author that requested the assignment or another user, step  54 . The assignment may be displayed in the content author&#39;s inbox, step  56 . Selection of the assignment by the content author may then be enabled, step  58 . The selection is received, step  60 , and the assignment is accessed, step  64 . 
         [0034]    A determination is made to determine which version of the assignment to present, step  66 . As discussed above, an assignment or request may include multiple versions. If an assignment includes multiple versions, a most recent version may be determined to be the version to present. The assignment is then presented to the content author, step  68 . According to one embodiment of the invention, the assignment may be presented in a side-by-side manner that includes a most recent version on one side and the second version on the other side. 
         [0035]    A determination is made regarding whether the content author has accepted the assignment, step  70 . If the content author has not accepted the assignment, the content author may process the assignment, step  72 . This may include modifying the assignment to reflect desired changes. The content author may reject the assignment, step  74 , in which case a second request for the authoring assignment is created and the method  10  returns to step  12 . 
         [0036]    If a determination is made that the content author has accepted the assignment, the assignment is accepted, step  76 . The proxy documents in which the request(s) and assignment have been stored are converted to a final format. The final format may be any desirable format such as, for example, a format identified by the content author or other format. The acceptance is processed, step  80 , which may include, for example, notifying the user that created the assignment that the assignment has been accepted, forwarding the assignment to another user, or other function. The final form of the assignment which may be, for example, a graphic, is stored, step  82 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  illustrates a system  100  of processing an authoring assignment according to one embodiment of the invention. The system  100  may include a Request Creating Module  102 . The Request Creating Module  102  enables a user to create a request for an authoring assignment. A History Maintaining Module  104  may be used to maintain a history of actions and other data related to the authoring assignment. The history may include, for example, when actions were performed on the authoring assignment, the actions performed on the authoring assignment, identifications of users who have performed actions on the assignment, a date and/or time when the action was performed on the authoring assignment, or other information. The History Maintaining Module  104  may also be used to generate reports relating to the authoring assignment. For example, the report may list actions performed on the authoring assignments, users that have performed actions on the assignment, list of dates when actions were performed, other reports or any combination thereof. The reports may be communicated via, for example, electronic mail, facsimile or other mechanism. 
         [0038]    A Document Attaching Determining Module  106  may be used to determine whether a document is to be attached to the authoring assignment. The document may be attached using any known system or method. If the Document Attaching Determining Module  106  determines that one or more documents are to be attached to the authoring assignment, a Document Attaching Module  108  attaches the documents to the authoring assignment. 
         [0039]    A Request Submitting Module  110  may be used to submit the request to create an authoring assignment. A Proxy Storing Module  112  may be used to store the requests and the authoring assignment as proxy documents. This enables proxies of the request and authoring assignment to be modified instead of the actual request and/or the authoring assignment. The request may be received by a Request Receiving Module  114 . The request may be forwarded to a particular user, a general inbox that may be accessible to multiple users, a general inbox associated with one or more users of an authoring assignment processing system or other location. A Request Displaying Module  118  may be used to display the requests to the users in, for example, an inbox or other mechanism. A Request Selection Enabling Module  120  may be used to enable the user to select the request for accessing. A Selection Accessing Module  122  may be used to access the selection received from the user. A Request Accessing Module  124  may be used to access the request selected by the user. 
         [0040]    A Version Determining Module  126  may be used to determine a version to present to the user based on the selection received. The request may be presented to the user using a Request Presenting Module  128 . The request may be processed by the user using a Request Processing Module  130 . A Document Viewing Determining Module  132  may be used to determine whether the user has requested to view one or more documents attached to the request. If a determination is made that the user has requested to view one or more documents, a Document Presenting Module  134  may be used to present the documents to the user. An Assignment Completion Determining Module  136  may be used to determine whether the assignment is completed. If a determination is made that the assignment is complete, the assignment may be submitted using Assignment Submitting Module  138 . The assignment may be received using Assignment Receiving Module  140 . 
         [0041]    The assignment may be forwarded to one or more users using an Assignment Forwarding Module  142 . The assignment may be forwarded to, for example, a particular user identified by the content author of the request, a general inbox that is accessible to a plurality of users, a general inbox of one or more users of the system or other user. The assignment may be displayed to the user or users using an Assignment Displaying Module  144 . An Assignment Selection Enabling Module  146  enables the user to select an assignment presented in an inbox or other mechanism. An Assignment Accessing Module  148  enables the user to access the assignment selected. An Assignment Presenting Module  150  presents the assignment to the user. 
         [0042]    An Acceptance Determining Module  152  determines whether the user has accepted the assignment. If a determination is made that the user has not accepted the assignment, the user may process the assignment using an Assignment Processing Module  154 . The assignment may then be rejected using an Assignment Rejecting Module  156 . The assignment may be returned to the user that created the assignment. If the Acceptance Determining Module  152  determines that the assignment has been accepted, the assignment may be accepted using Assignment Accepting Module  158 . Proxy documents of the request and assignment may be converted to a graphic or final form of the assignment using Proxy Converting Module  160 . The proxy documents may be converted to any desired format, such as, for example, TIFF, JPEG, Bitmap or other desired format. An Acceptance Processing Module  162  processes the acceptance. Acceptance processing may include, for example, forwarding a notification to the assignment creator that the assignment has been accepted, forwarding the assignment to another user or other function. A final graphic of the assignment may be stored using a Graphic Storing Module  164 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  illustrates a method  200  of managing user roles relating to an authoring assignment, according one embodiment of the invention. A criteria for one or more user roles may be established in step  202 . The criteria may include, for example, functions that users assigned to a particular role may perform, other users in that role that may accept or reject assignments or other criteria. The method  200  may also enable customization of the criteria, step  204 . This enables system administrators or other users to customize criteria associated with user roles of an authoring assignment system. One or more roles may be assigned to one or more users of the system, step  206 . Roles may include, for example, graphic artist, manager, coordinator, content author, illustrator, publisher or other desired role. The roles may also be modified in step  208 . For example, a graphic artist role may be modified to include a coordinator role and illustrator role. Additionally, functions that a particular role may perform may be changed. The method  200  may also enable a user to perform functions associated with an authoring assignment. For example, the user may be enabled to create, modify, approve, reject, publish or other function relating to an authoring assignment. The method  200  may also maintain a history, step  212 , of actions performed on an authoring assignment. For example, a history may include actions performed on the authoring assignment, identification of users who performed the actions on the authoring assignment, dates and times when the actions were performed on the authoring assignment. 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  illustrates a system  250  of managing user roles relating to authoring assignment according to one embodiment of the invention. The system  250  may include a Criteria Establishing Module  252  that enables criteria for one or more user roles to be established. A Criteria Customizing Module  254  may be used to customize the criteria established by the Criteria Establishing Module  252 . A Role Assigning Module  256  may assign one or more roles to one or more users of a system that processes authoring assignments. The roles of users may be modified using Role Modifying Module  258 . This enables users to add, remove, or otherwise modify roles assigned to a user. A Function Performing Enabling Module  260  may be used to enable the users to perform functions on authoring assignments. A History Maintaining Module  262  may be used to maintain a history relating to actions performed on an authoring assignment as described above. 
         [0045]      FIG. 5  illustrates a method  300  of modifying an authoring assignment using scalable vector graphics, according to one embodiment of the invention. The method  300  may include an access illustration step  302  that enables a user to access an illustration. Upon accessing an illustration, a scalable vector graphics layer may be super-imposed on the illustration, step  304 . Positional coordinates of the scalable vector graphics layer may be determined in step  306 . 
         [0046]    The method  300  enables markings to be applied to the scalable vector graphics layer, step  308 , to provide a rendition of an illustration having those markings without providing markings on the actual illustration. A user may provide markings on the scalable vector graphics layer using any desired input mechanism such as, for example, a light pen, touch screen, keyboard, computer mouse, stylus or other input mechanism. The markings may be presented to the user in step  310 . 
         [0047]    The method  300  may also enable the user to modify the markings, step  312 . This may include, for example, moving, deleting, altering, or otherwise modifying the markings. A plurality of pre-defined symbols may also be provided, step  314 . The symbols may be, for example, symbols customarily used with modifying illustrations such as, for example, arrows, lead lines, call-outs, etc. The method  300  may also enable the symbols to be selected and positioned on the scalable vector graphics layer, step  316 . The symbols may be selected and positioned using any desired input mechanism such as those described above. The method  300  may then create a composite of the illustration and the scalable vector graphics layer, step  318 . The composite provides a rendition of the illustration having those markings without the illustration actually having those markings. Alternatively, a line drawing may be created, step  320 , using the illustration and the scalable vector graphics layer. 
         [0048]      FIG. 6  illustrates a system  350  of modifying an authoring assignment using scalable vector graphics according to one embodiment of the invention. The system  350  may include an Illustration Accessing Module  352  that enables a user to access an illustration. A Scalable Vector Graphics Layer Super-imposing Module  354  may be used to super-impose a scalable vector graphics layer on the illustration. The scalable vector graphics layer receives markings or other modifications desired to be applied to the illustration. A Positional Coordinates Determining Module  356  may be used to determine positional coordinates of the scalable vector graphics layer. This enables a determination to be made regarding where the markings should be applied on the illustration. 
         [0049]    A Markings Applying Enabling Module  358  may be used to enable markings to be applied to the scalable vector graphics layer without providing the markings on the actual illustration. A Markings Presenting Module  360  may be used to present the markings on the scalable vector graphics layer. A Markings Modifying Enabling Module  362  may be used to enable the user to modify the markings on the scalable vector graphics layer. The may include, for example, deleting, moving, altering, or otherwise modifying a marking applied to the scalable vector graphics layer. 
         [0050]    A Symbol Providing Module  364  may be used to provide a user with pre-defined symbols that may be applied to the scalable vector graphics layer. The symbols may include, for example, simple arrows, diagonal arrows, call-outs, lead lines or other symbols desired to be associated with an authoring assignment processing tool. A Symbol Selecting and Positioning Enabling Module  366  may be used to enable a user to select and position one or more symbols on a scalable vector graphics layer. The user may select and position the symbols using, for example, a conventional computer mouse, keyboard, light pen, touch-screen, stylus or other input mechanism that enables the user to select the symbol and move the symbol to a desired location on the scalable vector graphics layer. A Composite Creating Module  368  may be used to create a composite graphic of the illustration and the scalable vector graphics layer having the markings such that a user may view a graphic of the illustration with the markings as desired and as shown on the scalable vector graphics layer. A Line Drawing Creating module  370  may be used to create a line drawing of the illustration with the markings provided on the scalable vector graphics layer. 
         [0051]      FIG. 7  illustrates an Authoring Assignment Processing Display Screen  400  according to one embodiment of the invention. The Display Screen  400  may include a Title Section  402 , a Graphic Section  404 , a Supporting Document Section  406 , a History Section  408 , a Control Area  410 , a Notes Section  412 , a Source/Rendition Section  414 , and a Folder Section  416 . 
         [0052]    The Graphic Section  404  may include a Graphic Header  418  that identifies the Graphic Section  404 . The Graphic Section  404  may include a Graphic Display Area  420  that displays a graphic associated with the authoring assignment. Store and Edit Selectors  422  and  424 , respectively, may also be included in the Graphic Section  404 . This enables a user to store the graphic to a desired location by selecting Store Selector  422  or edit the graphic by selecting the Edit Selector  424 . The Store and Edit Selectors  422  and  424  may be selected using any known input mechanism as described above. 
         [0053]    The Supporting Document Section  406  may include a Supporting Document Header  426  that identifies the Supporting Document Section  406 . An Add Document Selector  428  may be provided to enable the user to attach a supporting document to the authoring assignment. The Supporting Document Section  406  may also include Document Details Areas  430   a - 430   n  that provide details regarding documents that have been attached to the authoring assignment and associated with the graphic displayed in the Graphics Section  404 . 
         [0054]    The History Section  408  may include a History Header  432  that identifies the History Section  408 . A History Area  434  may be provided that includes a list of actions that have been performed on the authoring assignment, identifications of users that have performed each of the actions, dates and times of when the actions were performed, and other information. The History Section  408  may also include Vertical and Horizontal Scroll Bars  436  and  438 , respectively, that enable the user to scroll through the History Area  434 . 
         [0055]    The Control Section  410  may include a Control Header  440  that identifies the Control Section  410 . The Control Section  410  may also include a Control Area  442  that provides various functions and options that may be performed on the authoring assignment. The Control Area  442  may include the following selectors: Send For Creation  444 ; Side-by-Side Preview Area  446 ; Prepare Rejection  448 ; Side-by-Side  450 ; and Save and Close  452 . The Send For Creation Selector  444  enables a user to send an authoring assignment that has been created to, for example, a content author that requested the assignment. The Side-by-Side Preview Area  446  may display a most recent version of the authoring assignment alongside a second most previous version of the assignment in a particular area within the Control Section  410 . This enables the user to view two or more previous versions to compare changes between or among the versions. The Prepare Rejection Selector  448  enables the user to prepare a rejection of the authoring assignment. The Side-by-Side Selector  450  enables the user to present a side-by-side display in a larger area, for example, in a separate area. The Save and Close Selector  452  enables the user to save the authoring assignment to a desired location and close the authoring assignment. 
         [0056]    The Notes Section  412  may include a Notes Header  454  that identifies the Notes Section  412 . The Notes Section  412  may also include a Notes Area  456  that includes an add Note Selector  458  and one or more Note Details Areas  460   a - 460   n . The Add Note Selector  458  enables the user to attach a note to the authoring assignment. The note may provide text or other information regarding the authoring assignment. The Note Details Areas  460   a - 460   n  display notes that have been attached to the authoring assignment. 
         [0057]    The Source/Rendition Section  414  may include a Source/Rendition Header  462  that identifies the Source/Rendition Section  414 . The Source/Rendition Section  414  may include an Upload Selector  464 , a Source Details Area  466 , and a Rendition Details Area  468 . The Upload Selector  464  enables a user to upload a source file or rendition of the assignment to be attached to the authoring assignment. The Source Details Area  466  provides details regarding a source file attached to the authoring assignment. The Rendition Details Area  468  provides details regarding a rendition of the authoring assignment. 
         [0058]    The folder section  416  may include a folder area  470  that includes one or more folders  472   a - 472   n . Each of the folders  472   a - 472   n  may represent a different version of an authoring assignment. For example, as an authoring assignment is processed, multiple versions of the assignment may be created. Upon creation of each version, a new folder  472  may be created to store the assignment in its current state. This may include storing a version of the assignment as created or modified, supporting documents that have been currently attached, current notes, and other information. 
         [0059]      FIG. 8  illustrates a Rendition and Source Upload Display Screen  500  according to one embodiment of the invention. The Rendition and Source Upload Display Screen  500  may include an Upload Title Area  502  that provides a title for the Rendition and Source Upload Display Screen  500 . A Format Identifier  504  may be provided that identifies a format of a rendition that has been or may be uploaded. A Rendition Title Area  506  may provide a title for the rendition to be uploaded. One or more Rendition Data Areas  508   a - 508   n  may provide data regarding the rendition to be uploaded. For example, the data may include a file name of the rendition, a location of the rendition or other information. A Browse Selector  510  may be provided to enable the user to browse one or more locations for a desired rendition to be uploaded. 
         [0060]    A Format Identifier  512  may be provided to identify a format of a source file to be uploaded to an authoring assignment. A Source Title Area  514  may be used to provide a title for the source to be uploaded. One or more Source Data Areas  516   a - 516   n  may be used to provide data regarding a source file to be uploaded and attached to an authoring assignment. As discussed above, the data may include a title of a source file, a location of a source file or other information. A Browse Selector  518  may be provided to enable a user to search one or more locations for a desired source file to be uploaded. The Rendition and Source Upload Display Screen  500  may also include Upload Selector  520  and Cancel Selector  522 . The Upload Selector  520  may enable the user to upload the source and/or rendition files selected and the Cancel Selector  522  may enable the user to cancel the uploading of a source and/or a rendition file to an authoring assignment. 
         [0061]      FIG. 9  illustrates an Editor Display Screen  550  according to one embodiment of the invention. The Editor Display Screen  550  may include an Editing Area  554  and an Editor Menu  556 . The Editor Menu  556  may include one or more Selectors  558   a - 558   n  that enable a user to select a function to perform. The Selectors  558   a - 558   n  may include, for example, a Systems Menu Selector  558   a , a Call-Outs Selector  558   b , a Symbols Selector  558   c , a Sketch Selector  558   d , an About Selector  558   e  or Other Selectors  558   n . The Systems Menu Selector  558   a  may provide a menu of operations that may be performed on an authoring assignments such as, for example, save and cancel operations. The Call-Outs Selector  558   b  may provide a list of pre-defined call outs that may be used when creating or modifying an authoring assignment. The Symbols Selector  558   c  may provide a list of pre-defined symbols that a user may use when creating or modifying an authoring assignment. The Sketch Selector  558   d  may enable the user to provide markings on an authoring assignment using an input mechanism such as, for example, a light pen, stylus, touch screen, keyboard, computer mouse or other input mechanism. The About Selector  558   e  may provide information regarding the editor such as, for example, a copyright date, owner, description of the editor, and other information. Other selectors may also be provided. 
         [0062]    The Editing Area  554  may include a Graphic Areas  560 . The Graphics Area  560  may present a graphic of an authoring assignment that is to be created or modified. A user may modify a graphic within the Graphics Area  560  using, for example, the Selectors  558   a - 558   n.    
         [0063]      FIG. 10  illustrates a Systems Menu  600  that may be presented upon selection of the Systems Menu Selector  558   a  shown in  FIG. 9 . The System Menu  600  may include a System Menu Header  602  that identifies the System Menu  600 . The Systems Menu  602  may include a Save and Close Selector  604  that enables the user to save and close an assignment displayed in the editor. A Description Area  606  may be provided to present a description of operations performed upon selecting the Save and Close Selector  604 . The Systems Menu  602  may also include a Cancel Selector  608  that enables the user to cancel a creation or modification of an authoring assignment. A Description Area  610  may provide a description of functions performed upon selecting the Cancel Selector  608 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 11  illustrates a Sketch Menu Display Screen  620  according to one embodiment of the invention. The Sketch Menu Display Screen  620  may include a Sketch Title Area  622  that identifies the Sketch Menu Display Screen  620 . The Sketch Menu Display Screen  620  may include a Start Edit Selector  624  and a Stop Edit Selector  626 . The Start Edit Selector  624  may enable the user to begin editing an authoring assignment. The Stop Edit  626  may enable the user to cease editing an authoring assignment. Upon selection of either the Start Edit Selector  624  or the Stop Edit Selector  626 , a history of these actions may be stored by the system. 
         [0065]    The Sketch Menu Display Screen  620  may also include a Pen Selector  628  and Highlighter Selector  630 . The Pen Selector  628  may enable a user to modify a graphic of the authoring assignment as if using a pen to provide markings on the graphic. The Highlight Selector  630  may enable the user to provide highlighting on one or more portions of the graphic. One or more parameter Selectors  632   a - 632   n  may be provided to specify a parameter of use with the Pen Selector  628  and the Highlighter Selector  630 . For example, the selectors may include a Yellow Selector  632   a , Red Selector  632   b , Blue Selector  632   c , Green Selector  632   d , Black Selector  632   e , White Selector  632   f  or Other Selectors  632   n . The Selectors  632   a - 632   n  may specify a particular color, shape, width or other parameter to be applied to a pen or highlighting function performed on the graphic. Each of the Selectors  628 ,  630 , and  632   a - 632   n  may be selected using radio buttons provided adjacent each selector. The Sketch Menu Display Screen  620  may also include an Available Sketches Selector  636  that enables a user to request sketches that are available and associated with the authoring assignment. An Identifier Selector  638  may also be provided to enable identification of users that created the sketches available. 
         [0066]      FIG. 12  illustrates a symbols menu display screen  660  according to one embodiment of the invention. The symbols menu display screen  660  may include a symbols title area  662  that identifies the symbols menu display screen  660 . The symbols menu display screen  660  may include one or more areas  664   a - 664   n  that provide pre-defined symbols that a user may use when creating or modifying an authoring request. For example, area  664   a  may provide a list of simple arrows, area  664   b  may provide a list of diagonal arrows, and area  664   c  may provide a list of basic shapes that are typically used when creating an authoring assignment. Other symbols may also be provided in area  664   n.    
         [0067]      FIG. 13  illustrates a user inbox  700  according to one embodiment of the invention. The user inbox  700  may include a title area  702  that provides a title such as, for example, “My Workbasket,” of the inbox  700 . A function bar  704  may be provided that provides standard function selectors. For example, Back, Refresh, Search, and other functions may be provided in the function bar  704 . The inbox  700  may also include an assigned title area  706  that identifies assignments assigned to the user of the inbox  700 . The user inbox  700  may include an assigned assignments display area  710  that provides a list of assignments  712   a - 712   n  that have been assigned to that user. An information bar  714  may be provided that provides information regarding each of the assignments listed in the assigned assignments display area  710 . The information bar  714  may, for example, provide an identification of an authoring assignment, title, sub-processes, document type, extension, language, author, document name, country, checked-out by, document initiator, or other information relating to the assignment. 
         [0068]    The user inbox  700  may also include an unassigned title area  716  that identifies assignments that have not been assigned to a particular user but have been submitted to a general inbox. The user inbox  700  may include an unassigned assignments area  718  that lists one or more assignments  720   a - 720   n  that have been requested but unassigned to a particular user. The unassigned assignment area  718  may include an information bar  722  such as the information bar  712  discussed above. 
         [0069]    The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.