Abstract:
A system is provided to deliver professional services over the Internet. The system includes a computer, a database of client reminders, and software for automatically querying the database by values attributed to date fields to select reminders. The software also automatically generates a form based on the retrieved client reminder and transmits it to the client over the Internet. The system may include or comprise a web site.

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/237,521 filed Jan. 27, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,049,801 which is itself a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/726,999, filed Oct. 7, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,468 issued Apr. 20, 1999. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a system for delivering professional services over the Internet. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many functions performed by attorneys and other professionals involve a series of deadlines. For example, oftentimes an attorney must send a client a reminder, obtain authorization or possibly executed documents from the client, and then take some action based on the client&#39;s response. Each of these actions must be performed in a timely manner, as clients may be required to pay enormous late fees, or may even lose rights altogether, due to a missed deadline. Moreover, these functions are often time-intensive, costly, and tedious, with professionals spending countless hours attempting to contact busy clients by telephone or by writing multiple letters attempting to elicit a response from the client. These problems are compounded by the fact that the typical professional has many clients, each client having many matters which the professional must constantly monitor. 
     Several systems have been developed for facilitating some of the functions which professionals must perform. Perhaps the most common of such systems is the standard docketing system, which typically contains a database of deadlines. The docketing system notifies the professional of each upcoming deadline a preset time period before the deadline by printout, attached terminal, or networked computer. 
     A disadvantage of docketing systems, however, is that such systems aid in only one of many steps which the professional must perform, that step being examining a calendar periodically to notice upcoming deadlines. Even using a docketing system, the professional must still contact the client initially and send multiple reminders if necessary, wait for the client to make a decision and respond with an authorization, compose a letter or perform some other action based on the client&#39;s response, send a confirmation of the action taken to the client, and manually update the docketing system or instruct someone else to do the same. Each of the steps taken by the professional is often time-intensive and expensive. For example, corresponding by telefax, telephone, or express mail at each step of the process, often with parties in foreign countries, involves great expense, as does the time required to compose and send telefaxes, letters, and reminders, telephone clients or other necessary third parties, and manually update the docketing system. 
     Another disadvantage of docketing systems is that the system does not employ modern computer communications media, such as the Internet. Today&#39;s sophisticated clients are more apt to use, and often desire to use, new technologies for communication. These technologies greatly decrease the costs and increase the timeliness of communication, as evidenced by the low expense associated with Internet usage. Communication using the Internet is far less expensive and/or more timely than traditional communication using telephone, telefax, or express mail, which are the communication methods currently being employed by professionals. This is especially true of today&#39;s worldwide businesses which require communication with parties in many foreign countries. Moreover, using modern communication technology, the professional may transfer in seconds a clean, original document so that the client may simply print the document, execute it, and mail it back to the professional, thereby halving the time required to obtain signed originals. 
     In one currently prevailing business model, the professional firm or service bureau maintains a docket database on behalf of a client or clients. A disadvantage of this approach is that the client does not have direct access over his/its data. 
     In another current approach, typically used by large corporations, the client has direct access and control over his/its data, but also must take responsibility for its security and accuracy, by maintaining hardware and software, and by proofing and reviewing the data as well as changes, e.g. in dates, fees and the like due to changes in the law of foreign jurisdictions. 
     What is desired, therefore, is an automated system for obtaining authorizations from clients prior to deadlines which will improve the speed, efficiency, and reliability of performing professional services for clients. Providing a system in which communications between the professional and the client take place over the Internet is also desired, as is a system which automatically acts on the authorization to perform or prepare the documents necessary to perform the professional service desired by the client. An automated system which provides clients with control over, but not responsibility for the data is also desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a device and method for use by professionals which improves the speed, efficiency, and reliability of performing services for clients. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a device and method of the above character which automatically prepares reminders and solicits replies for client due dates. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a device and method of the above character which transmits reminders and receives replies over the Internet. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device and method of the above character which automatically acts on the client&#39;s authorization to perform or prepare the documents necessary to perform the professional service desired by the client. 
     Still a further object of the invention is to provide a device and method of the above character which automatically composes and sends a confirmation of the service performed to the client. 
     Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a web site permitting clients direct access to the docket database used to automate providing of professional services on their behalf. 
     These and other objects of the invention are achieved by provision of a device for automatically delivering professional services to a client. The device includes a computer and a database containing a plurality of client reminders. The device also includes software executing on the computer for automatically querying the database by date to retrieve a client reminder, for automatically generating a form based on the retrieved client reminder, and for automatically transmitting the form to the client through a communication link between the computer and the Internet. 
     In another aspect, the invention comprises a method of operating the computer and the device for automating delivery of professional services to a client. 
     The invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description considered with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device and method for automatically delivering professional services to a client in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one specific embodiment of the device and method for automatically delivering professional services to a client of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the device and method for automatically delivering professional services to a client of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a portion of the device and method for automatically delivering professional services to a client of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a portion of the device and method for automatically delivering professional services to a client of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a web site permitting direct client entry of reminders to the automated system of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a web site enabling direct client reporting of reminders on the automated system of FIG.  1   
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 depicts a system  10  for automatically delivering professional services to a client in accordance with the invention. Software executing on a professional computer  12  automatically queries a docket database  14  by date to retrieve a client reminder (not shown). The docket database  14  is queried to retrieve client reminders on a periodic basis, e.g., daily, bi-weekly, weekly, etc. The client reminders contain information pertinent to the upcoming professional service to be rendered, such as the client name, the client e-mail address, the type of service to be rendered, the deadline for the service to be rendered, the individual professional responsible for the client, the name of the client contact person, and others. 
     Software executing on the professional computer  12  automatically generates a form  16  based on the retrieved client reminder and automatically transfers the form  16  through an Internet communication link  18  to a client computer  20 . The form  16  contains pertinent information contained in the client reminder as well as the client&#39;s options regarding the professional service to be performed. Such options, for example, may include choices for alternative professional services or simply whether or not the client authorizes a professional service. Software executing on the client computer  20  receives the response form  16 , allows the client to choose a desired option, automatically generates a reply  22  based on the client&#39;s response, and automatically transfers the reply  22  through the Internet communication link  18  to the professional computer  12 . 
     Preferably, software executing on the professional computer  12  automatically receives the reply  22  and performs some action based on the reply  24  involving a third party  26 . The type of action based on the reply  24  depends on the reply  22 , and may include such actions as generating a notice of the client&#39;s choice of an option and transferring the notice to the individual professional responsible for the client, generating a transfer of funds authorization and transferring the authorization to a bank, government agency, etc., or generating a document requiring execution by the client or professional. Note that the above examples of actions based on the reply  24  and examples of third parties  26  are for illustration only and it is understood that numerous other actions and third parties are within contemplation of the present invention. Also note that the action based on the reply  24  and the means of transmitting the result of those actions to a third party  26 , if necessary, may vary (illustrated in FIG. 1 by a dashed line). Examples of such transmission means include, but are not limited to, the Internet communication link  18 , a telefax, a direct modem link, U.S. mail, internal communications over a computer network, and others. 
     Preferably, software executing on the professional computer  12  automatically updates the docket database  14  based on the client&#39;s reply  22 . Also, preferably software executing on the professional computer  12  automatically generates a confirmation  28  based on the reply  22  and automatically transmits the confirmation  28  through the Internet communication link  18  to the client computer  20 . 
     Referring to FIG. 2, a specific embodiment  30  of the system  10  for automatically delivering professional services to a client is shown. Software executing on a professional computer  12  automatically queries docket database  14  by date to retrieve a client reminder  32 . The docket database  14  is queried to retrieve client reminders  32  on a periodic basis, e.g., daily, bi-weekly, weekly, etc. The client reminders  32  contain a matter identification number  34  and a type of reminder identification  36 , which identifies the type of professional service to which the reminder pertains. Software executing on the professional computer  12  automatically queries a client information database  38  by the matter identification number  34  to retrieve client information  40 . The client information  40  contains the client name, the individual professional responsible for the client, the client e-mail address, the name of the client contact person, and the like. Software executing on the professional computer  12  automatically queries a response forms database  42  by the type of reminder identification  36  to retrieve a response form/client notice  44 . The response forms database  42  contains a plurality of response forms/client notices  44 , which have been previously created and stored, and which are appropriate for different types of professional services to be performed. 
     Software executing on the professional computer  12  automatically merges the date and the client information  40  with the form/notice  44 , and automatically transmits the merged form/notice  46  by email through an Internet communication link  18  to a client computer  20 . The merged form/notice  46  contains the client&#39;s options regarding the professional services to be performed. Such options, for example, may include choices for alternative professional services or simply whether or not the client authorizes a professional service. Client computer  20  receives the merged form/notice  44 , allows a client to choose a desired option, and generate a reply email  22  based on the client&#39;s response, through the Internet communication link  18  to the professional computer  12 . 
     Preferably, software executing on the professional computer  12  automatically receives the reply email  22  and performs some action based on the reply  24  involving a third party  26 . The type of action based on the reply  24  depends on the reply  22 , and may include such actions as generating a notice of the client&#39;s choice of an option and transferring the notice to the individual professional responsible for the client, generating a transfer of funds authorization and transferring the authorization to a bank, government agency, etc., or generating a document requiring execution by the client and transferring the document to the client. Note that the above examples of actions based on the reply  24  and examples of third parties  26  are for illustration only and it is understood that numerous other actions and third parties are within contemplation of the present invention. Also note that the action based on the reply  24  and the means of transmitting the result of those actions to a third party  26 , if necessary, may vary (illustrated in FIG. 2 by a dashed line). Examples of such transmission means include, but are not limited to, the Internet communication link  18 , a telefax, a direct modem link, U.S. mail, internal communications over a computer network, etc. 
     Preferably, software executing on the professional computer  12  automatically updates the docket database  14 ′ based on the client&#39;s reply  22 . Also, preferably software executing on the professional computer  12  automatically generates a confirmation email  28  based on the reply  22  and automatically transmits the confirmation  28  through the Internet communication link  18  to the client computer  20 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 3-5, another embodiment  48  of the system  10  for automatically delivering professional services to a client is shown. Software executing on a professional computer  12  automatically queries docket database  14  and client information and forms databases (not shown) to retrieve client information (not shown) and a form/notice (not shown) in the identical manner as embodiment  30  shown in FIG.  2 . Software executing on the professional computer  12  automatically merges the date and client information with the form/notice, automatically transmits the merged client email notice  50  through an Internet communication link  18  to a client computer  20 , and automatically transmits the merged response form web page  52  to a client directory database  54  on a web server  56 . The merged client email notice  50  contains a statement directed to the client that a deadline is approaching and that a response is necessary, and also contains a URL  58  which points to the response form web page  52 . The merged form  52  contains the client&#39;s options regarding the professional services to be performed. Such options, for example, may include choices for alternative professional services or simply whether or not the client authorizes a professional service. The web server  56  may be a part of the firm computer  12  or may be independent, thus requiring a communication link (not shown) between the professional computer  12  and the web server  56 . The client directory database  54  contains a password protected directory for each client of the professional into which the form web page  52  of each individual client is copied. 
     Software executing on the client computer  20  receives the merged client email notice  50 , and upon the client activating the URL  58 , causes a client web browser  60  to retrieve the merged response form  52  from the client directory database  54  on the professional web server  56  through the Internet communication link  18 . The web browser  60  allows the client to choose a desired option, generates a reply  22 ′ by way of a cgi script  62  running on the server or a java applet, activex control or the like running on the client computer (not shown) based on the client&#39;s response, and transmits the reply  22 ′ through the Internet communication link  18  to the professional web server  56 . The reply  22 ′ contains an identification of the type of action to be taken and an action request, which reflects the choice made by the client. The script program  62  may either perform an action  24 ′ based on the reply (designated by dashed line A in FIG. 3) or notify the professional computer  12  of the reply or the professional to perform an action  24 ′ based on the reply (designated by dashed lines B in FIG.  3 ). 
     If the script program  62  is to perform the action based on the reply  24 ′ (shown in FIG.  4 ), the script program  62  automatically queries an action forms database  64  on the web server  56  by type of action to be taken identification to retrieve an appropriate action form  66 . The action forms database  64  contains a plurality of action forms  66  which have been previously created and stored, and which are appropriate for different types of professional services to be performed. The script program  62  automatically merges the retrieved action form  66  with the action request to produce an action  24 ′ based on the reply involving a third party  26 . If the script program  62  is to cause the professional computer  12  or professional to perform the action  24 ′ based on the reply (shown in FIG.  5 ), the script program  62  automatically generates a notice of reply  68 , which contains the type of action to be taken identification and the action request, and automatically transmits the notice of reply  68  to the professional computer  12 . Software executing on the professional computer  12  automatically receives the notice of reply  68  and automatically queries an action forms database  64 ′ on the professional computer  12  by type of action to be taken identification to retrieve an appropriate action form  66 . The action forms database  64 ′ contains a plurality of action forms  66  which have been previously created and stored, and which are appropriate for different types of professional services to be performed. Software executing on the professional computer  12  automatically merges the retrieved action form  66  with the action request to produce an action  24 ′ based on the reply involving a third party  26 . 
     Whether the action  24 ′ based on the reply is performed by the script program  62  or by software executing on the professional computer  12 , the type of action  24 ′ based on the reply depends on the reply  22 , and may include such things as generating a notice of the client&#39;s choice of an option and transferring the notice to the individual professional responsible for the client, generating a transfer of funds authorization and transferring the authorization to a bank, government agency, etc., or generating a document requiring execution by the client or professional. Note that the above examples of actions  24 ′ based on the reply and examples of third parties  26  are for illustration only and it is understood that numerous other actions and third parties are within contemplation of the present invention. Also note that the action  24 ′ based on the reply and the means of transmitting the result of those actions to a third party  26 , if necessary, may vary (illustrated in FIG. 3 by dashed line C). Examples of such transmission means include, but are not limited to, the Internet communication link  18 , a telefax, a direct modem link, U.S. mail, internal communications over a computer network, etc. 
     Preferably, the action  24 ′ based on the reply includes automatically updating the docket database  14 ′ based on the client&#39;s reply  22 , and automatically generating a responsible professional notice  70  and transmitting the responsible professional notice  70  to the professional responsible for the client. Also, preferably the action  24 ′ based on the reply includes automatically generating a confirmation email  28  based on the action  24 ′ and automatically transmitting the confirmation  28  through the Internet communication link  18  to the client computer  20 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, a web site  72  is shown which permits direct client entry of reminders to the automated system for delivering professional services. Web site  72  includes a central computer  74  and a database  14 ″ which is accessible by central computer  74 . Software executing on central computer  74  generates an input web page  76  which can be retrieved by a client computer  20 ′, preferably but not necessarily through the Internet  18 ′. The client enters a reminder identifier, a command for management of the reminder, and if desired, a request to perform a professional service, and then transfers this information  78  back to central computer  74 , again preferably through the Internet  18 ′. The reminder identifier is indicative of a particular matter for which the professional is responsible. For example, in the case of an intellectual property attorney, the reminder identifier may include an intellectual property identifier, which may be a patent number or a trademark number. The command for management of the reminder may be, for example, a command to add data to the reminder, delete data in the reminder, or modify data in the reminder. The request to perform a professional service may include, in the intellectual property attorney example, a request for payment of an annuity or maintenance fee, or a request to file an intellectual property application. 
     The information  78  supplied by the client is received by central computer  74 , which has software  80  executing thereon for determining a reminder date and client identifier from the reminder identifier. The reminder date, reminder identifier and client identifier are then stored (indicated as  82 ) on docket database  14 ″, thereby adding to, deleting from, or modifying the existing reminders stored on database  14 ″. Preferably, web site  72  includes a data source  84  which is used by software  80  to supplement and confirm the reminder identifier entered by the client before updating docket database  14 ″. Data source  84  may include, for example, a source of intellectual property data, including such data as the filing date and/or registration date of the intellectual property identifier, for confirming and/or supplementing the intellectual property identifier. Data source  84  may also include information such as the cost of the professional service requested. Preferably, software  80  generates a message  86  confirming and/or supplementing the reminder identifier entered by the client and transmits message  86  to client computer  20 ′ through the Internet  18 ′. 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, a web site  88  is shown which enables direct client reporting of reminders on the automated system for delivering professional services. A client identifier  90  is entered by a client and transferred from client computer  20 ′ to central computer  74 ′ preferably, but not necessarily, through the Internet  18 ′ Central computer  74 ′ uses client identifier  90  to query (shown as  92 ) docket database  14 ″, which returns to central computer  74 ′ all reminder identifiers and reminder dates  94  associated with client identifier  90 . Software  96  executing on central computer  74 ′ generates a report of all reminder dates and reminder types returned by database  14 ″, generates a report web page  98 , and transfers report web page  98  to client computer  20 ′ preferably through the Internet  18 ′. The report generated by software  96  may be organized by client identifier only, or may be organized by client identifier and then by client reference if such a client reference is sent at  90  with client identifier. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many other modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.