Patent Publication Number: US-2002002481-A1

Title: Information processing apparatus for management of documents relevant to patent application

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program storage medium, and more specifically to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program storage medium having the function of managing documents.  
       [0003] 2. Related Background Art  
       [0004] Recently, an increasing number of patent-related documents have been stored and processed as electronic data. The data are normally transmitted and received using IT technology in issuing the publication of Patent Office using CD-ROM as a medium, storing registration publications as electronic data, filing an application with Patent Office through a network, receiving documents from Patent Office, etc.  
       [0005] Furthermore, a retrieval system, publication of various information, etc. have been widely performed through Internet.  
       [0006] On the other hand, enterprises have designed their own computer systems for managing their intellectual property such as patents, utility models, etc. In most of the systems, data of bibliographic information such as the filing date, the application number, etc. for a patent is managed mainly by databases, etc., retrieved, and displayed for necessary term management, etc.  
       [0007] However, the above mentioned documents stored as electronic data, and the progress in a network environment have required electronic management also on the document format, that is, the text of documents to be submitted to Patent Office. Therefore, not only the normal term management, but also the proposal from an inventor, the application and the relevant documents for communications with Patent Office through a network with an attorney have to be appropriately managed.  
       [0008] Especially, when a case is studied sequentially by a plurality of inspectors through a network to generate a document, and if the case cannot be studies and passed to the subsequent inspectors until all documents are prepared, the total studying time considerably increases.  
       [0009] In addition, it is hard to immediately set an environment in which electronic information can be processed totally online including all external organizations. Therefore, in a transitional step, a hybrid system in a communications method using the current facsimile communications can be practically realized.  
       [0010] Furthermore, some submission documents to Patent Office and documents received from Patent Office do not include an applicant. As a result, applicant information may not be displayed in a list of transmission/reception file names. Therefore, in an attorney&#39;s office, a clerical staff has to do laborious work in categorizing documents by applicants, thereby causing the problems that documents are transmitted to a wrong applicant, no documents are transmitted mistakenly, etc. That is, it has been necessary to display or print a file stored as electronic data, or to identify an applicant from a ledger, etc. managed by the clerical staff.  
       [0011] Furthermore, when documents are generated and managed through the above mentioned network, and when the information is freely provided overseas without restrictions, the security cannot be guaranteed, or there can be the problem of the infringement of laws and regulations for restricting an export of technical information.  
       [0012] For example, in the U.S., according to Export Administration Regulations, the export of the information is restricted by specifying statistically important technology. In this case, the document management corresponding to the laws and regulations are required. The management is not limited to the U.S., but is adopted also in France, England, etc.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013] The present invention has been achieved to solve the above mentioned problems, and aims at providing an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program storage medium capable of efficiently studying a specified case through a network.  
       [0014] The present invention also aims at providing an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program storage medium capable of efficiently managing intellectual property.  
       [0015] In addition the present invention aims at providing an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program storage medium capable of efficiently fetching facsimile information in a network environment and appropriately managing the information.  
       [0016] Furthermore, the present invention aims at providing an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program storage medium capable of efficiently transmitting document data transmitted to and received from Patent Office to an applicant without fail.  
       [0017] Additionally, the present invention aims at providing an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program storage medium capable of appropriately managing information to be transmitted overseas.  
       [0018] To solve the above mentioned problems, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention communicates information through a network to study a target case, and includes: first communications means for requesting a second inspector from a first inspector to study a target case by attaching first information; and second communications means for transmitting to the second inspector for study of the target case second information not contained in the first information when said first communications means issued a request.  
       [0019] Furthermore, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention fetches facsimile data received through a line into a database, and includes: reception means for receiving facsimile data; and retrieval means for retrieving a specified item in a database from the facsimile data.  
       [0020] The information processing apparatus according to the present invention processes document data by communicating information, and includes: first storage means for storing document transmission/reception record to and from Patent Office; second storage means for storing the document data; acquisition means for acquiring an application number from the transmission/reception record stored in said first storage means or the document data stored in said second storage means; a table storing data indicating correspondence between an application number and an applicant name; and extraction means for extracting document data of a document related to the application number and stored in said second storage means by referring to said table using the application number obtained by said acquisition means as a key.  
       [0021] Furthermore, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention manages a document related to technical information, and includes: determination means for determining a restriction of a law relating to transmission of the technical information to overseas; and control means for controlling transmission of the document to overseas depending on a determination result by said determination means.  
       [0022] Other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the descriptions of the scope of the detailed description and claims below. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0023]FIG. 1 shows a typical configuration of the intellectual property management system according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0024]FIG. 2 shows a flow of information in the intellectual property management system;  
     [0025]FIG. 3 shows an example of an organization in an intellectual property right acquirement section  105 , a development right acquirement support section  103 , and a research and development section  102 ;  
     [0026]FIG. 4 shows a method for managing a database in an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0027]FIG. 5 shows a concept of an action case;  
     [0028]FIG. 6 shows an application case for generating an application document;  
     [0029]FIG. 7 shows a rejection reason response case in which a response to a rejection reason is issued;  
     [0030]FIG. 8 shows a final rejection decision response case in which a response to a decision of a final rejection is issued;  
     [0031]FIG. 9 shows an example of an action study path in an organization configuration as shown in FIG. 3;  
     [0032]FIG. 10 shows an example of an approval path of an action study result;  
     [0033]FIG. 11 shows a table of an action study approval path pattern shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10;  
     [0034]FIG. 12 shows a pattern selection table for freely setting a work flow by section ( 3 ) and by staff of intellectual property right acquirement section ( 4 ) using a pattern table shown in FIG. 11;  
     [0035]FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the setting of a flow of an action case;  
     [0036]FIG. 14 shows the document follow-up function for an action case;  
     [0037]FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the document follow-up process;  
     [0038]FIG. 16 shows the action case copy function;  
     [0039]FIG. 17 practically shows the method of using a copy case;  
     [0040]FIG. 18 shows an example of an information transmission method in a development section;  
     [0041]FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the invoice process from the intellectual property related office according to the present system;  
     [0042]FIG. 20 shows the typical configuration of the intellectual property management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0043]FIG. 21 shows an example of an OA machines and devices provided for the intellectual property right acquirement support section  106 ;  
     [0044]FIG. 22 shows a cover page of facsimile;  
     [0045]FIG. 23 is a flowchart of the flow of the process of receiving facsimile;  
     [0046]FIG. 24 is a flowchart of the flow of the process of receiving facsimile;  
     [0047]FIG. 25 shows the configuration of the display screen for a user confirming the process status of an action case;  
     [0048]FIG. 26 shows the configuration of the display screen for a user confirming the process status of an action case;  
     [0049]FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the method of inputting data into a system when documents are transmitted through a paper medium by facsimile;  
     [0050]FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the method of inputting data into a system when documents are transmitted through a paper medium by facsimile;  
     [0051]FIG. 29 shows a display screen of a client PC for explanation of a method of using a cited document database designed in the server  118 ;  
     [0052]FIG. 30 shows a display screen of a client PC for explanation of a method of using a cited document database designed in the server  118 ;  
     [0053]FIG. 31 shows a display screen of a client PC for explanation of a method of using a cited document database designed in the server  118 ;  
     [0054]FIG. 32 shows a display screen of a client PC for explanation of a method of using a cited document database designed in the server  118 ;  
     [0055]FIG. 33 shows a display screen of a client PC for explanation of a method of using a cited document database designed in the server  118 ;  
     [0056]FIG. 34 describes the definition of a DB management item in designing a database;  
     [0057]FIG. 35 describes the definition of a DB management item in designing a database;  
     [0058]FIG. 36 describes the definition of a DB management item in designing a database;  
     [0059]FIG. 37 shows a process performed when information is transmitted and received between a head office  107  and a Patent Office  114  through a domestic firm  112  according to a third embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0060]FIG. 38 is a flowchart of a process of transmitting data relating to each application case to an applicant in the domestic firm  112 ;  
     [0061]FIG. 39 is a table showing a relation of a bibliographic data for each case;  
     [0062]FIG. 40 shows an example of a display of a monitor of a host computer  205 ;  
     [0063]FIG. 41 shows an example of a display of a list of data by applicants;  
     [0064]FIG. 42 is a flowchart of a process of generating and storing data by applicants;  
     [0065]FIG. 43 is an explanatory view showing an information management in a network environment connecting a plurality of countries;  
     [0066]FIG. 44 shows an example of storage items of a management server  115  in a country B;  
     [0067]FIG. 45 shows an example of a document stored in a document server  114  in the country B;  
     [0068]FIG. 46 is a table specifying a document to be restricted in exporting information in the country B; and  
     [0069]FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing a determination made when a document is transmitted overseas from a server  118  of the country B. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0070] (First Embodiment)  
     [0071] The first embodiment of the present invention is described below by referring to the attached drawings.  
     [0072] (Entire Configuration of Intellectual Property Management System)  
     [0073]FIG. 1 shows the typical configuration of the intellectual property management system according to the present embodiment.  
     [0074] In FIG. 1, reference numeral  107  denotes the head office of an enterprise performing economic activities such a research, development, production, sales, etc., and includes a section for managing the intellectual property such as a patent, etc.  
     [0075] Reference numeral  104  denotes an intellectual property information management section including a document server  116 , a management server  117 , servers  118 ,  119 ,  120 , etc.  
     [0076] The document server  116  includes a document DB (database) for management of a file wrapper, etc. containing the electronically generated documents, a series of documents generated in the communications between server  116  and Patent Office. The management server  117  contains bibliographic information such as an application number, a patent number, a filing date, a registration date, etc., and a management DB for management of the term of the office action of Patent Office. The server  118  contains a general purpose DB storing a specific publication of Japanese Patent Office, US. Patent Office, etc., and related information. The server  119  configures an application system for management of a work flow described later, and other database (for example, a database of cited documents). The server  120  integrally manages the document servers  116  to  119 , and controls the entire intellectual property information management system. In the embodiment described below, a ‘system’ refers to a system managed by the server  120 .  
     [0077] These components are all connected to a basic network  127 . Each of the above mentioned components of the intellectual property information management section  104  can be realized by the same computer machine.  
     [0078] A document stored in the document server  116  can be normal text documents, drawings stored as normal image information, mixed mode documents containing both text and images, documents in the format unique to a word processor, etc. The electronic documents used in the communications with Patent Office and in-house documents are stored in a document database of the document server  116  by the application system of the server  119 . Normally, the document database is assigned a number identifying the document, and linked to the management database of bibliographic items in the management server  117 .  
     [0079] Reference numeral  105  denotes an intellectual property right acquirement section for acquiring the right of the intellectual property by transmitting and receiving documents directly to and from Patent Office.  
     [0080] Reference numeral  106  denotes an intellectual property right acquirement support section for supporting the acquirement of the right of an electronic patent application original, term management, etc.  
     [0081] Reference numeral  101  is a section for research and development including a research and development section  102  and a development right acquirement support section  103  for supporting the acquirement of the right of developed intellectual property.  
     [0082] The intellectual property right acquirement section  105  and the intellectual property right acquirement support section  106  have the routine of inputting information and generating documents about intellectual property, and can operate an exclusive application screen of a client PC in principle.  
     [0083] On the other hand, the research and development section  102  normally performs research and development, and incidentally performs the operations related to the intellectual property. Therefore, it accesses the servers  116  to  119  of the in-house intellectual property information management section  104  through an in-house network, displays a Web screen, and performs a necessary process. A corresponding staff can be notified of the timing of opening the Web screen through in-house electronic mail.  
     [0084] Reference numeral  108  denotes a plurality of domestic affiliate companies located in Japan. Reference numeral  109  denotes a plurality of overseas affiliate companies located overseas. They can communicate with each other with the security guaranteed through a dedicated line (electronic mail, facsimile communications, etc. using a specified transmission path of data on transmission and reception sides).  
     [0085] Reference numeral  110  denotes an enterprise group comprising the head office  107 , the domestic affiliate companies  108 , and the overseas affiliate companies  109 .  
     [0086] Reference numeral  111  denotes a plurality of external companies for cooperatively perform research and development with the enterprise group  110 . They manage the products of the cooperative research and development based on the mutual contract, and acquire a patent right. The system can transmit and receive data through Internet.  
     [0087] Reference numeral  112  denotes a plurality of domestic firms related to intellectual property located in Japan. Reference numeral  113  denotes a plurality of overseas firms related to intellectual property. They can communicate with each other through the above mentioned dedicated line or Internet.  
     [0088] Reference numeral  114  denotes Japanese Patent Office to which the above mentioned system is connected through an online terminal. In the present embodiment, it refers to Japanese Patent Office, but it refers to USPTO in the U.S.  
     [0089] Reference numeral  115  denotes a plurality of foreign patent offices with which the enterprise group  110  performs a procedure in writing through the overseas firm  113 .  
     [0090] Each of the above mentioned sections has a plurality of terminal PCs, etc. used for inputting/outputting information or the like. A staff of each section has his or her ID and password, and can access the above mentioned system.  
     [0091] Each section has a plurality of client computers connected through a network, displays data of the servers  116  to  120 , and prints the data of the servers  116  to  120  in a specified format on a printer. The client computer has a scanner for inputting an image as necessary.  
     [0092] In the present system, the amount of outgoing information is managed in plural steps. For example, between  123  and  124 , that is, in the intellectual property information management section, high-level information is concentrated, and is freely distributed. Therefore, it is necessary to place a strict restriction on the outgoing information therefrom both in quantity (quantity of information) and quality (type of information).  
     [0093] Furthermore, between  122  and  125 , that is, in the head office, the scope of the distribution of information is large. Therefore, the flow of information is limited by, for example, the prohibition of inspection outside each section so that a large amount of high-level information cannot be distributed to a specific section. Between  121  and  126 , that is, in a group company, the scope of the distribution of information is enlarged. Therefore, the amount and quality of the outgoing information to each section is furthermore restricted.  
     [0094] On the other hand, about the security check, the level of the security check depends on the amount and quality of the distributed information, and the level of the risk of the outgoing information.  
     [0095] (Flow of Information in Intellectual Property Management System)  
     [0096]FIG. 2 shows the flow of information in the above mentioned intellectual property management system.  
     [0097] Documents and data are transmitted and received between the JPO  114  and the domestic firm  112  or the intellectual property right acquirement support section  106 .  
     [0098] The overseas firm  113  communicates documents and data with the foreign patent office  115 . The overseas firm  113  communicates documents and data with the domestic firm  112  or the intellectual property right acquirement support section  106 . The electronic information transmitted from the overseas firm  113  is registered in the system of the intellectual property information management section  104  as necessary.  
     [0099] The intellectual property information management section  104  provides information for the intellectual property right acquirement support section  106 , the intellectual property right acquirement section  105 , the development right acquirement support section  103 , and the research and development section  102  as necessary, and registers the information from each section in the system.  
     [0100] An external company  111 , the domestic affiliate company  108 , and the overseas affiliate company  109  communicates documents and data with each section in the head office  107  as necessary.  
     [0101]FIG. 3 shows an example of the organization of the intellectual property right acquirement section  105 , the development right acquirement support section  103 , and the research and development section  102 .  
     [0102] For example, the intellectual property right acquirement section  105  has an organization in which a chief A is the boss of staffs A and B, a chief B is the boss of a staff C, a chief C is the boss of staffs D and E, a manager A is the boss of the chiefs A and B, a manager B is the boss of the chief C, and a head A is the boss of the managers A and B.  
     [0103] Similarly, the development right acquirement support section  103  has an organization in which a. chief D is the boss of staffs F and G, a chief E is the boss of a staff H, a chief F is the boss of staffs I and J, a manager C is the boss of the chiefs D and E, a manager D is the boss of the chief F, and a head B is the boss of the managers C and D.  
     [0104] Furthermore, the research and development section  102  has an organization in which a chief G is the boss of inventors (developers) A and B, a chief H is the boss of an inventor (developer) C, a chief I is the boss of inventors (developers) D and E, a manager E is the boss of a chief of the chief G, a manager F is the boss of the chief I, and a head C is the boss of the managers E and F.  
     [0105] In this system, the staffs of the organization is associated with the configuration of the organization, and are stored with staff codes (ID numbers of the employees) in the table of the server  119 .  
     [0106] By storing the above mentioned organization information as a table in the system, for example, the destination of a document (mail) can be automatically set to acquire the approval of a boss, thereby checking whether there is an error in the transfer of the document addressed to a plurality of destinations in different orders. Thus, users can more easily use the functions of the system.  
     [0107] On the other hand, the above mentioned organization information has to be periodically updated to maintain correct information, and the maintenance is a heavy load to a user. Whether or not such organization information is to be stored in the system can be determined, for example, by each section. It is desired that the information is stored in the system for a section in which there is a small change in the information, and for a section in which the system is allowed to be more easily used by updating the information each time a change is made with the load of the maintenance taken into account.  
     [0108]FIG. 4 shows the method for managing a database according to the present embodiment.  
     [0109] In FIG. 4, reference numeral  401  denotes a management DB contained in the management server  117 . In this DB, various management items  402  are stored in case (application) units. A management item can be set by a staff of the intellectual property information management section on a screen  403  of the client PC.  
     [0110] Reference numerals  404  to  406  denote units of generating a document about each case. The unit is referred to as an ‘action’ in the present embodiment. In generating a document, a virtual file case in the system is defined as an ‘action case’.  
     [0111] For example, documents  407  such as a proposal document, an application request, a specification, drawings, an abstract, etc. are generated for an in-house suggestion on an invention for the action  404  which refers to the application of the management number 1234567. On a screen  408  of the client PC, the management data incident to the application such as a filing date, an inventor, etc. are confirmed. The documents  407  are registered in an electronic file wrapper  412  described later formed in the document server  116 , and the management data for the latter is registered in the management DB  401  corresponding to the management item  402 .  
     [0112] When a user (a developer, a staff) requests to display the action case, the management DB  401  is accessed for a management item. The documents  407  can be displayed by a link to the electronic file wrapper  412 .  
     [0113] Since an application document has not been generated for an action  405  of the application of the management number 12345678, only a proposal document  409  has been registered in the system.  
     [0114] An amendment  411  has been registered for the action  406 , that is, a notice of reasons for rejection, for the Japanese Patent Application No. 10-101.  
     [0115] Other actions can be processes for legal procedures such as a decision of final rejection, a declinement of amendment, a lodgement of opposition, a request for examination, a response for invitation for correction, etc.  
     [0116] Furthermore, the contents of the electronic file wrapper  412  formed in the document server  116  can be a document  413  for each case, an inspection document  414  such as the patent information of third parties, a cited document  415  referenced in an examination by Patent Office for a case. However, the cited document  415  can be stored in a DB on another server  119  as described above, and can be easily retrieved on the screen for access to the case through the link of the HTML.  
     [0117] A link is established from the management DB  401  to the electronic file wrapper  412 , and necessary data can be extracted from a document registered in the electronic file wrapper  412 , and then be registered in the management DB  401 . A link is established from the management DB  401  and the electronic file wrapper  412  to a patent search system  416  formed by the server  118  such that a case  417  in the patent search system  416  can be easily accessed from a document in the electronic file wrapper  412 .  
     [0118] The information in the patent search system  416  can be DB-updated through a medium  418  such as CD-ROM, etc.  
     [0119] (Action Case)  
     [0120]FIG. 5 shows the concept of the above mentioned action case.  
     [0121] In FIG. 5, reference numeral  501  denotes an action case, and contents  502  and  503  of the action case respectively correspond to the application action  404  and the document  407 . Reference numerals  504 ,  505 ,  506 , and  507  respectively correspond to  405 ,  409 ,  406 , and  411 .  
     [0122] As described above, the action case is a virtual file in the system indicated by  508 , and contains a cover  512  describing the type indicating the unit of an action such as an application, rejection reason, as a description item, an occurrence date and an end date of the action, the appellation of an action case (the representative appellation of the case when a series of actions have a plurality of documents), a legal expiration date, a requested return date of an action case (an expiration date of processing for the next person), the comment to the next person, a related case number, the history information about the circulation of an action case (through whom the case has reached the user), etc. Necessary document  509  for the process, and a DB item  510  to be input on the screen (displayed) are inserted. Furthermore, when an amendment has been generated, a process result  511  is inserted by a person who has performed the process. The process result  511  can be completely inserted by a person who has received an action case uploading the process contents to the system, and registering them in the electronic file wrapper  412 .  
     [0123] The concept of an action case can be varied. For example, it can be delimited in shorter units. For example, it can be delimited in generating a proposal document, checking a draft, etc. Furthermore, a plurality of submission documents to Patent Office can be collectively moved and processed as one action case.  
     [0124]FIGS. 6 through 8 show examples of action cases.  
     [0125]FIG. 6 shows an application case of generating an application document. FIG. 7 shows a rejection reason response case in response to a rejection reason. FIG. 8 shows a final rejection decision response case in response to a final rejection. The final rejection decision response case corresponds to JP and EP, but corresponds to an appeal in the US.  
     [0126] In each action, the timing of the occurrence of an action case, the process performed at the occurrence, the timing of extinguishment, the process for the extinguishment, the documents related to the process, etc. are defined. Other actions such as a request for examination, etc. can also be defined in the same manner.  
     [0127]FIG. 9 shows an example of a study path of an action with the organization configuration as shown in FIG. 3.  
     [0128] For example, (1) refers to an example 1 of the study request form, and shows the path through which an action case is transferred from the staff A to the inventor A through the staff F, the manager E, and the chief G. For example, the study of a rejection reason corresponds to this pattern. (2) refers to an example 2 of the study request form, and shows the transfer of an action case from the staff A directly to the inventor A. For example, a check of an application original corresponds to this pattern. (3) refers to an example 3 of a study request form, and shows the case in which the staff A sequentially specifies an arbitrary destination for transfer of an action case to a studying person.  
     [0129] In (1) and (2) above, the system manages the work flow to automatically transferring the case. On the other hand, in (3) above, a person receiving the case transfers the case to a target person at his or her own discretion according to the in-house rule. From the viewpoint of the automation of a process, the former excels, but has the demerit that it cannot flexibly perform a process in an organization. According to the present embodiment, the system supports both, thereby flexibly operating the system depending on the type and situation the type of action and section.  
     [0130] Similarly, FIG. 10 shows an example of the path of the approval of an action study result.  
     [0131] For example, (1) is the example 1 of an approval form, and shows the path of the transfer of an action case from the inventor A to the head A through the chief G, the manager E, the head C, the staff F, the chief D, the manager C, the head B, the staff A, the chief A, and the manager A. For example, approving and accepting an invention proposal document correspond to this pattern. (2) is the example 2 of an approval form, and shows the path of the transfer of an action case from the inventor A directly to the staff A. For example, checking an application original, answering in an urgency, etc. correspond to this pattern. (3) is the example 3 of a study request form, and shows the case in which an action case is transferred from the inventor A to the final person for approval with arbitrary destinations sequentially specified.  
     [0132] In the case of approval, the form of (3) is provided for the same reason as in the above mentioned study request.  
     [0133]FIG. 11 shows a table of a path pattern of the study and the approval of an action shown in FIGS.  9  and  10 . (1) shows a study path pattern, and describes the patterns from A001 to A005 as examples. For example, A001 is a pattern in which an action case is automatically generated by the system, and is transferred from a chief of the intellectual property right acquirement section to a staff, from a chief of the development right acquirement support section to a staff, and from a chief of the research and development section to a staff. (2) shows a study result approval path pattern, and describes the patterns from B001 to B005 as examples. For example, in B002, the system automatically registers a study result after an action case is transferred from a staff in the research and development section to a staff in the intellectual property right acquirement section.  
     [0134] These path patterns are registered in the server  119  so that the work flow management can be smoothly controlled. Furthermore, by setting the path pattern as a table, the work flow of an action case can be easily changed only by changing the table. In this table, patterns of destination-designated arbitrary path can be defined as A000 and B000.  
     [0135]FIG. 12 is a pattern selection table for free assembly of a work flow by section (3), and by staff of the intellectual property right acquirement section (4) by using pattern tables shown in FIG. 11.  
     [0136] For example, the development section A selects A001 as a action study path pattern, and selects B001 as a study approval path pattern. Otherwise, the staff A selects A001 as an action study path pattern, and B005 as a study approval path pattern. Using the pattern selection table, the customization by section or by staff can be realized. In addition, a pattern table or a selection table can be used for each type of action case.  
     [0137]FIG. 13 is a flowchart of setting a flow of an action case.  
     [0138] First, it is determined in S 1300  whether or not the organization information shown in FIG. 3 has been registered in the system, and it is determined in S 1301  whether or not it is set such that the table of path pattern by section shown in FIG. 12(3) can be applied. When it is applied, the table of path pattern by section is searched in S 1302 , the system automatically sets a study request and approval path for the action case in S 1303 , and an action case process is performed in S 1304 .  
     [0139] On the other hand, when the table of path pattern by section is not applied (NO in S 1301 ), it is determined in S 1305  whether or not it is set such that the table of path pattern by staff in the intellectual property right acquirement section can be set. If YES, the table of path pattern by staff is searched in S 1306 , the system automatically sets a study request and an approval path for the action case in S 1307 , and an actual action case process is performed in S 1304 .  
     [0140] On the other hand, when the table of path pattern by staff is not applied (NO in S 1305 ), the system automatically sets a predetermined default mode for the study request and approval path for the action case in S 1308 .  
     [0141] When there is no organization information (NO in S 1200 ), a mode in which a destination is manually input is set in S 1309 .  
     [0142] As described above, by combining the organization information with a path table and a selection table, the transfer of an action case can be efficiently managed.  
     [0143] (Document Follow-up Function of Action Case)  
     [0144]FIG. 14 shows the document follow-up function of a document to be stored in an action case.  
     [0145] In this example, a study request for an action case automatically generated by a system  1401  is transferred in the order of the staff A ( 1403 ), the staff F ( 1404 ), the manager E ( 1405 ), the chief G ( 1406 ), and the inventor A ( 1407 ). In this case, if an action case is maintained in the system until the cited document is obtained when the system  1401  generates an action case, and when it takes some time for a user to obtain a part of the cited documents described in the notice of reasons for rejection, then time required for actual study is wasted, thereby causing low efficiency.  
     [0146] On the other hand, until an action is transferred to a person who actually studies a response to a notice of reasons for rejection, it is often possible to appropriately determine without a part of cited documents the process of determining a person who studies a response, etc.  
     [0147] Then, according to the present embodiment, in this case, when the circulation is started with a part of documents not yet obtained for an action case, and necessary documents are obtained later, the system  1401  additionally inserts the documents obtained from other sections  1402  such as a material section, etc. to the case of the holder of the action case as follow-up, and the mail for informing that the documents (document follow-up material) have been inserted is transmitted to a person who has already passed the action case.  
     [0148] The follow-up document can be transmitted from a section (person) which is not a section (person) generating the original study request as described above, or can be transmitted from the same section (person).  
     [0149]FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the document follow-up process.  
     [0150] First, when the system receives a document in S 1501 , it is determined in S 1502  whether or not the document is provided with a flag of a related document (identification code for identifying a related document). If a related document flag is provided, the action case of the related documents is detected in S 1503 . Then, in S 1504 , it is determined whether or not the action case has been transmitted and is beyond the control of the system. If NOT, a newly received document is added to the action case of the related documents in S 1505 , and is transmitted, and control is passed to the process of the action case in S 1507 .  
     [0151] On the other hand, if the action case has been transmitted (YES in S 1504 ), a new document is added to the action case of a person who currently holds the action case of the related documents, and notification mail about the added document is transmitted to a person preceding the person holding the above mentioned action case, that is, a person already described in the circulation history. The person who has received the mail can be inspected in the system of the newly added document. The document to be added can be attached to the mail, or the mail can be accessed by describing the address in the DB of the added document. In this case, a person who has already passed an action case cannot register a document such as an amendment, etc. to the action case. However, if it is necessary to perform an important process on the action case, a necessary document can be registered when the action case is returned or a check result is returned.  
     [0152] If there is no flags of related documents (NO in S 1502 ), a normal process such as generating a new action case, etc. is performed in S 1509 .  
     [0153] By the above mentioned document follow-up function, the studying process can be efficiently performed by effectively using the limited studying time. The above mentioned document follow-up function is not limited to the above mentioned study of the action (a notice of reasons for rejection, etc.) of a patent, but can be applied to any study performed by a plurality of staffs who study anything through a network, thereby performing efficiently study through a network.  
     [0154] (Function of Copying Action Case)  
     [0155]FIG. 16 shows the function of copying an action case.  
     [0156] In a method of using the above mentioned action case, typically a person who has received the action case  1601  assigns the number  1602  to the case and pass it to the next person as  1603  as it is as shown in FIG. 16- 1 .  
     [0157] On the other hand, as shown in (2) of FIG. 16, a person who has received an action case  1604  processes it as  1605  by himself or herself, and may also request the next person to study it simultaneously. In this case, in the system according to the present embodiment, the person generates a copy case  1607  of the action case  1605 , holds the action case  1605 , and can have another person study the copy case  1607 . However, in principle in this case, the person who has generated the copy case can integrate a case  1608  which has been copied and returned. That is, dividing a requested action case and returning it to the originating person is prohibited in principle.  
     [0158] A use form of a copy case is not limited to the above mentioned example. That is, as shown in 3, the holder of  1610  copies a case  1609  received from a requester, divides it into  1611  and  1612 , and can pass them for parallel study. However, returned  1613  and  1614  are not returned as separate cases to the requester, but the person who made copies integrates and returns them to the requester.  
     [0159]FIG. 17 practically shows the method of using a copy case.  
     [0160] An action case  1701  from the intellectual property right acquirement support section  106  is transmitted with a written study request generated in the intellectual property right acquirement section  105  to the development right acquirement support section  103  as  1702 , and a copy case  1709  is generated and transmitted to other sections.  
     [0161] The development right acquirement support section  103  transmits a written study request of a case  1703  as an attached document of electronic mail to the research and development section  102 , on the other hand, generates a copy case, and transmits a written study request of a copy case  1705  as an attached document of electronic mail to another development section.  
     [0162] The research and development section  102  edits study results  1704  and  1706 , and returns them as  1707  and  1708  respectively to the development right acquirement support section  103 . Then, they are combined and integrated, and returned to the requester, that is, the intellectual property right acquirement section  105 . In this example, a study result  1710  corresponding to the study request which has been passed to another section for study is combined and integrated with  1711 , a necessary document is generated and added, and  1712  is passed to the intellectual property right acquirement support section  106  for a typing request process, etc.  
     [0163] By using the above mentioned function of copying an action case, a plurality of staffs can efficiently study a requested item within a short time.  
     [0164]FIG. 18 shows an example (a case in which a studying person sequentially specifies the next studying person) of a method of transmitting information in the research and development section  102 .  
     [0165] When a written study request  1804  is transmitted by mail from the intellectual property right acquirement section ( 105 ,  106 , or  103 ), a representative inventor and a staff  1801  enter a necessary study item and the next studying person in the document  1804  on their PCs, and input a transmission instruction using a transmission button embedded as a macro on the document. Using the transmission button, the document  1804  is registered in the system, stored in the document server  116 , and mail  1805  is transmitted to the next studying person (approver). Then, a next boss  1802  enters an item on a document  1806  similarly, registers it in the system, and transmits mail  1807  to a boss  1803 .  
     [0166] The above mentioned work flow is managed by the system, and the studying person input the next studying person (approver), pushes the transmission button, thereby performing the system registration and mail transmission.  
     [0167] (Invoice Process)  
     [0168]FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the invoice process from an intellectual property related firm in the present system.  
     [0169] In FIG. 19, when a document (for example, a notice of reasons for rejection, drafts of an argument and an amendment, an application original, a foreign application original, etc.) from an organization other than Patent Office (for example, an attorney&#39;s office, a translator&#39;s office, etc. which are hereinafter referred to as an intellectual property related firm) in S 1901 , it is confirmed in S 1902  whether or not an ID number at the time of request for a service (for example, an ID number assigned when a request is issued to an attorney&#39;s office, etc.) has been added. If an ID number has been assigned, control is passed to S 1906 . If it has not been assigned, then a document is input to the DB in S 1903 , an ID number is issued in S 1904 , and the ID number is transmitted to the intellectual property related office in S 1905 .  
     [0170] In S 1906 , an invoice is received, and the ID number and the item (type, etc.) of the document are confirmed. For example, if the contents of the invoice refer to an item of a rejection reason notice response for the ID number about the item of a request for preparing an application original, it is an error. Furthermore, if an invoice of an amount equal to or larger than a predetermined value set in the system in advance has been issued, then it is displayed on the in-house client PC, and an error notification is manually issued unless non-error can be confirmed offline (for example, by phone, facsimile, etc.).  
     [0171] If an item and an ID number matches in S 1907 , then a payment is made in S 1910 . If they do not match, an error notification is displayed in S 1908 , and it is reported to an intellectual property related office. Then, it is confirmed in S 1909  whether or not the invoice is to be re-transmitted.  
     [0172] As described above, an ID is assigned to a requested service, and is compared with the contents when the service is provided, thereby easily linking the contents of the service to the invoice in the system.  
     [0173] (Second Embodiment)  
     [0174] (Entire Configuration of Intellectual Property Management System)  
     [0175]FIG. 20 shows the typical configuration of the intellectual property management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0176] The basic configuration and function are the same as in FIG. 1. The system shown in FIG. 1 is basically operated online through networks regardless of domestic or foreign use, but the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points.  
     [0177] Reference numerals  128  and  129  denote public lines through which facsimile data can be communicated. Each of the intellectual property right acquirement support section  106 , the overseas firm  113 , the domestic firm  112 , etc. comprises at least one facsimile device.  
     [0178] The ideal form of the entire system is the totally online system as in the first embodiment as described above. However, there can arise an environment in which electronic mail and Web temporarily cannot be used.  
     [0179] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a paper medium and facsimile communications are used as ancillary communications means.  
     [0180]FIG. 21 shows an example of an OA appliance provided in the intellectual property right acquirement support section  106 .  
     [0181] Clients  2101 ,  2102 , and  2104 , a high-speed scanner printer  2103 , and a high-speed scanner-printer-facsimile compound machine  2105  are connected to the basic network  127 . In addition, the PC  2102  has the function of the server of the scanner printer  2103 , and the PC  2104  has the function of the server of the compound machine  2105 . Reference numeral  2109  denotes an analog or digital public line, and is used by the compound machine  2105  for transmission and reception of facsimile data. Reference numerals  2106 ,  2107 , and  2108  denote stand-alone facsimile devices, and perform facsimile communications through public lines  2110 ,  2111 , and  2112  respectively.  
     [0182] The intellectual property right acquirement support section  106  communicates information by facsimile with external firms such as the overseas firm  113 , the domestic firm  112 , etc.  
     [0183] At this time, in an urgency (when the term of an answer comes soon, etc.), a transmitter performs facsimile communications to the urgency exclusive line  2109  in a plurality of lines, and uses a sheet as shown in FIG. 22 as a cover page of the facsimile communications.  
     [0184] In FIG. 22, a cover sheet  2201  describes a case number and its OCR bar code  2206 , a legal due date and its OCR bar code  2207 , an attached document name and its OCR bar code  2208 , a cited reference number and its OCR bar code  2209 , and other bibliographic information and its OCR bar code  2210 , and is read on the transmission side. Reference numeral  2202  denotes, for example, an office action (notice of reasons for rejection), reference numeral  2203  denotes the first cited document, reference numeral  2204  denotes the second cited document, and reference numeral  2205  denotes the third cited document.  
     [0185] Thus, by receiving the bibliographic information with the OCR code on the front page, a server  2104  recognizes process information from the facsimile data fetched through a compound machine  2105 , and electronic data about bibliographic information can be provided for the system. In addition, the office action  2202 , and the cited document  2203  to  2205  can also be fetched as facsimile data (electronic data) to the system.  
     [0186] The bibliographic information extracted from the front page  2201  is registered in the management server  117 , and the above mentioned action cases are automatically generated by the server  119  depending on the legal due date and the specified due date of an answer to an office. On the other hand, the facsimile data of  2202  to  2205  is registered in the document server  116 . The facsimile data can be transmitted in the G3 system or the G4 system, and also can be compressed data such as JBIG, etc. Especially, in the system in which facsimile data can be directly fetched to a database as in the system according to the present embodiment, the data in the hierarchical coding system as the JBIG is effective when a user uses the data after inputting it in a database.  
     [0187]FIGS. 23 and 24 are flowcharts indicating the flow of the above mentioned process.  
     [0188] In these figures, facsimile data is awaited from an office, etc. in S 2301 . When it is received, the FAX server  2104  recognizes in S 2302  the information in the above mentioned cover letter  2201  by the OCR function.  
     [0189] According to the present embodiment, the facsimile data contains item information (case number) for specification of a case managed by the management server  117 , due date information for the current action, document name information about an attached document, attached cited document information, etc. issued by Patent Office, etc. Then, in S 2302 , the management information is registered in the management server  117 , the document data  2202  to  2205  is registered in the document server  116 , the server  119  specifies a case number, and automatically generates an action case.  
     [0190] A due date is set in S 2305  (when a legal due date is applied, it is set, and when an office-specified due date is adopted, both dates are set). In S 2306 , the server  119  transmits an action case to a staff of the intellectual property right acquirement section, and transmits mail informing that an urgent action case has been received to the staff of the intellectual property right acquirement section and the boss of the staff of the intellectual property right acquirement section.  
     [0191] Then, in S 2307 , the system checks whether or not the action case has been accessed by the staff of the intellectual property right acquirement section after a predetermined time (for example, three hours) has passed. If yes, the staff studies the action in S 2310 .  
     [0192] On the other hand, if the action case has not been opened (NO in S 2307 ), in S 2308 , reminder mail is transmitted to the staff in the intellectual property right acquirement support section and the boss of the staff of the intellectual property right acquirement section, and the staff in the intellectual property right acquirement support section or the boss of the staff of the intellectual property right acquirement section forcibly claims back the action case in S 2309 , and re-transmits the action case to another staff or process it by himself or herself.  
     [0193] After studying an action, in S 2401 , an answer to the action is transmitted through the system or by facsimile to an office through the system, and the bibliographic information in response to the action is registered in the DB of the management server  117  in S 2402 . Then, the server  119  issues an ID number to the action response (response request) in S 2403 , and the ID number is transmitted to the destination (office, etc.) of the action response in S 2404 . Then, in S 2405 , an invoice from the destination of the action response. If the item and others of the invoice match in S  2406 , then the invoice amount is paid in S 2409 . If they do not match, then an error notification is displayed and transmitted to a destination in S 2407 , and the above mentioned check is repeated if re-transmission is performed in S 2408 .  
     [0194] The above mentioned ID number can be issued when urgent facsimile information is received, or an action case is issued.  
     [0195] Furthermore, the payment of an invoiced amount can be made online or offline.  
     [0196]FIGS. 25 and 26 show the configuration of the display screen for a user confirming the process situation of an action case.  
     [0197]FIG. 25 shows an example of the display screen when the staff in the intellectual property right acquirement section confirms the process situation of an action case on the client PC.  
     [0198] As display items, ‘open’ indicating whether or not a person receiving an action case has accessed the action case, ‘return’ indicating whether or not the return of the action case has been received, ‘action case name’ indicating the type of action case, ‘transmission date’ indicating the date of the transmission of the action case, ‘destination’ indicating the destination of the action case, ‘specified due date’ indicating the due date of the study of the action set by the transmitter of the action case, and ‘legal due date’ indicating the due date of the document to Patent Office, etc. are sequentially displayed.  
     [0199] An example of a rule of the display method is described below.  
     [0200] 1. The system detects that the action case has been accessed at the destination, and the ‘open’ box is marked.  
     [0201] 2. If the action case is not ‘opened’ N days (for example, 3 days) after the transmission date, a visual reminder is transmitted to the staff of the intellectual property right acquirement section on the necessary display (for example, using a yellow paint) for the action case.  
     [0202] 3. When the specified due date has been passed, the action case is painted in color (for example, blue) different from the color of 2 above regardless of whether or not the action case has been ‘opened’ as a visual reminder to the staff of the intellectual property right acquirement section (however, an already returned action case is not painted).  
     [0203] 4. M days (for example, seven days) prior to the legal due date, the action case is painted in color (for example, red) different from the colors of 2 and 3 above regardless of whether or not the action case has been ‘opened’, or whether or not the specified due date has been passed, thereby visually reminding the staff in the intellectual property right acquirement section of the action case.  
     [0204] 5. About the action case occurring by urgent facsimile, the action case is painted in the same color as 4 above regardless of whether or not the action case has been ‘opened’ to visually remind the staff in the intellectual property right acquirement section of the action case.  
     [0205] 6. The conditions of the above mentioned display parameter (reminding conditions such as values of N and M, color of the paint, etc.) are set by the staff in the intellectual property right acquirement section on the client PC, and stored in the non-volatile memory of the client PC, thereby successfully customizing the process.  
     [0206]FIG. 26 shows an example of a display screen used when the boss in the intellectual property right acquirement section or the staff in the intellectual property right acquirement support section confirms the process situation of the action case of the staff of the intellectual property right acquirement section on the client PC.  
     [0207] As display items, ‘open’ indicating whether or not the staff in the intellectual property right acquirement section in charge of the action case has accessed the action case, ‘request’ indicating whether or not the action case has been transmitted in a study request, ‘action case name’ indicating the type of action case, ‘reception date’ indicating the day on which the action case was received by the staff of the intellectual property right acquirement section, ‘staff name’ indicating the name of the staff in the intellectual property right acquirement section, ‘specified due date’ indicating the due date of the study of the action set by the transmitter of the action case, and ‘legal due date’ indicating the due date of the document to Patent Office, etc. are sequentially displayed.  
     [0208] An example of a rule of the display method is described below.  
     [0209] 1. The system detects that the action case has been accessed by the staff in the intellectual property right acquirement section through the network, and marks the ‘open’ box.  
     [0210] 2. The system detects that the staff in the intellectual property right acquirement section has transmitted the action case in a study request through the network, and marks the ‘request’ box.  
     [0211] 3. If the action case is not ‘opened’ P days (for example, 7 days) after the reception date on the staff side, a visual reminder is transmitted to the boss of the intellectual property right acquirement section on the necessary display (for example, using a red paint) for the action case.  
     [0212] 4. If the action case is not ‘requested’ days (for example, 10 days) after the reception date on the staff side, a visual reminder is transmitted to the boss of the intellectual property right acquirement section on the necessary display (for example, using a yellow paint) for the action case.  
     [0213] 5. About the action case occurring by urgent facsimile, the action case is painted in the same color as 3 above regardless of whether or not the action case has been ‘opened’ to visually remind boss of the staff in the intellectual property right acquirement section of the action case.  
     [0214] 6. The conditions of the above mentioned display parameter (reminding conditions such as values of P and Q. color of the paint, etc.) are set by the boss of the staff in the intellectual property right acquirement section on the client PC, and stored in the nonvolatile memory of the client PC, thereby successfully customizing the process.  
     [0215] Whether or not the action case has been accessed can be recognized by the server  119  periodically checking, for example, whether or not the written study request held as an attached document of the action case by the document server  116  has been accessed.  
     [0216] By providing the above mentioned access check tool, the third party can issue a reminder or perform a process when a error arises in mail or the staff misses mail in a network environment, etc.  
     [0217] (Forcibly Claiming Back Action Case)  
     [0218] As described above, a person having predetermined authorization (for example, a boss of a holder of an action case, a person in charge of the management section, a person transmitting an action case to the holder) can forcibly claim back the action case.  
     [0219] It can be realized by, for example, rewriting the information of the work flow management table of the server  119 , and changing the holder of the action case. The function is specifically effective when the process of action cases tends to be delayed because the holder of the action case is absent on the business trip, etc.  
     [0220] At this time, mail containing a notification that the forcible claim has been issued, the information about the person who has issued the claim, the information about the claim-back date, etc. is transmitted to the current action case holder. Thus, the action case holder can recognize that the action case held by him or her has been claimed back.  
     [0221] After the claim back, the action holder can perform the studying and approving processes by himself or herself, or can ask another person to study and approve the action case.  
     [0222] The above mentioned tool can also be used in the system according to the first embodiment.  
     [0223]FIG. 27 is a flowchart of the method of inputting to the system a document transmitted by the above mentioned facsimile through a paper medium.  
     [0224] First, in S 2701 , the intellectual property right acquirement support section receives a paper document. The cover letter of this document can be the same as  2201  shown in FIG. 22.  
     [0225] In S 2702 , the cover letter  2201  is made to be read by the staff of the intellectual property right acquirement support section using the image scanner of  2103 . In S 2703 , the scanner server  2102  recognizes the information in the cover letter. In S 2704 , a case number is specified. In S 2705 , the management server  117  of the system is accessed, and the bibliographic information screen of the corresponding case is displayed on the display unit of  2102 , which is a client PC.  
     [0226] Next, the attached document (for example, a notice of reasons for rejection)  2202  is input in S 2706 . It is determined in S 2707  whether or not a cited document has been attached. If yes, it is determined whether or not the cited document has been stored in the server  118  forming part of the DB of the cited document. If it has been already stored, the cited document is not input by the scanner. On the other hand, if the cited document is not contained in the cited document DB, then the staff in the intellectual property right acquirement support section is prompted on the screen of the PC to input a cited document having the corresponding number with a scanner in S 2709 . If there is another cited document, the processes in S 2708  to S 2709  are repeated. Afterwards, the processes in S 2801  to S 2806  are similar to the processes in S 2305  to S 2310  shown in FIG. 23. Therefore, the detailed explanation is omitted here. Then, the process in FIG. 24 is performed.  
     [0227] (Document Database)  
     [0228] FIGS.  29  to  33  show the display screen of the client PC for explanation of the method of using the cited document database provided in the server  118 .  
     [0229]FIG. 29 shows a list of related documents for each case number (case). Reference numeral  2901  denotes a case number, that is, the reference number of the application of the company in each country. In this example, a five-digit number is followed by alphabetical character identifying a country. Reference numeral  2902  denotes a family number indicating an application group practically equivalent in contents of application. Reference numeral  2903  denotes a filed country. In this case, there are the applications of US (the United States), EP (Europe), AU (Australia), and JP (Japan). Reference numeral  2904  denotes a document list relating to the US Patent application of the case number 12345US, and has been cited mainly in the examination by US Patent Office.  
     [0230] In this example, three cases having the document numbers ‘12000 (in-house family number)’, ‘Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 05-12345’, and ‘USP123456’ are listed.  
     [0231] In each document number, items such as a source, an obtaining date, a summary, a point of rejection, a differentiation point in the present application, etc. are displayed, Reference numeral  2905  displays all related documents of the family (in this case, US, EP, AU, and JP) of the case. In this example, four cases except the US case, that is, ‘DE1200001’ in the EP case, ‘USP123456’ in the AU case, ‘USP123456’ in the CA case, and ‘Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-12345’ in the JP case, are cited. The source (for example, a search report (SR), the obtaining date, the summary, etc. of each case are displayed. Furthermore, the IDS information indicating whether or not the IDS (information disclosure procedure) has been completed in the U.S. (US) and China (CN) is displayed together. The IDS information can be displayed by one flag with US combined with CN as shown in FIG. 29. US and CN can have respective information, and can be displayed independently.  
     [0232] Thus, the related documents can be displayed for each family, and the status of the IDS of the related documents can be displayed, thereby preventing the omission of the IDS, easily considering documents cited in the examinations in other countries for acquirement of a patent right, and efficiently acquiring effective right.  
     [0233]FIG. 30 shows the display screen (type 1) for reverse tracing by a document. Reference numeral  3001  denotes a document number. Reference numeral  3002  denotes the bibliographic information displaying, for example, the current status, the application number, the filing date, the priority-based application number and the priority day, the laid-open number and the laid-open date, the publication number and the publication date, the registration number and the registration date. Reference numerals  3003  and  3005  are guide displays. By pointing to a portion with the cursor, the function of the portion is displayed. Reference numeral  3004  denotes the summary of the document. Reference numeral  3006  denotes a listing of the in-house cases (case numbers) in which the document has been cited. In this example, when a case number is clicked, the in-house application information registered in the document server  116  can be accessed. In addition, in this example, the item (an office action, etc. in history unit), the date, the portion of the rejection, the differentiation point from the present invention, etc. are displayed for each case number.  
     [0234] Thus, by extracting and displaying an in-house case number by which the document can been cited using the document as a key, the point used when differentiation can be made from the document in other cases can be immediately detected, thereby efficiently studying the office action.  
     [0235]FIG. 31 shows a display screen for reverse tracing by documents (type 2). Reference numeral  3101  denotes a document number. Reference numeral  3102  denotes a counterpart foreign application retrieval button. When it is pressed, a link to the patent retrieval DB of the server  118  is established, thereby inspecting a document of the family (for example, the US application, the Japanese application, etc.). Reference numeral  3103  denotes a button of request for an in-house procedure of automatically watching the condition (registration, deletion, or the like) of the document. Reference numeral  3104  denotes a list of the bibliographic information of the family of the document cited in any case. Reference numeral  3105  denotes a list of cases obtained by inversely tracing the case numbers by which documents are cited. For example, it is immediately indicated that ‘USP12345’ is a document cited by the case numbers ‘12345US’, ‘12345AU’, and ‘098765JP’.  
     [0236]FIG. 32 shows the result (one history unit of one case) of the study of an office action processed in an action case.  
     [0237] Reference numeral  3201  denotes the case number of the present case. Reference numeral  3202  the names of the staffs in the development right acquirement support section and the intellectual property right acquirement section and their access addresses. Reference numeral  3203  denotes the summary of the present case. Reference numeral  3204  denotes an approval stamp. Reference numeral  3205  denotes the type of office action. Reference numeral  3206  denotes a product of the company, the execution plan of the company, and the products of other companies in which the invention of this case is implemented. Reference numeral  3207  denotes comments of the studying persons in the development section and the development right acquirement support section. Reference numeral  3208  denotes a list of the documents cited in the case. The list shows items of a flag indicating whether or not the document has been disclosed by the prior art in US and CN, the summary of the cited document, the portion corresponding to the notice of reasons for rejection, and the differentiation point.  
     [0238]FIG. 33 shows the display screen of the related documents in each case unit. Reference numeral  3301  denotes a case number. Reference numeral  3302  denotes the current situation of the case number, the bibliographic items such as the application, laid-open, registration number, etc. Reference numeral  3303  denotes a bibliographic items of the related documents. Reference numeral  3304  denotes the summary of the document. Reference numeral  3305  denotes a list of the obtaining date of the document, an acquirement method, a counterpart portion of a rejection, a differentiation point, etc.  
     [0239] As described above, by having information about related documents for each application case and history, a document can be retrieved and displayed in case and history units, and a case can be retrieved and displayed in document units. As a result, the efficiency in performing a right acquiring process by studying a notice of reasons for rejection can be considerably improved. Especially when documents are managed in a paperless process in a network environment, a document database managed in case and history units is effective.  
     [0240] FIGS.  34  to  36  are tables for explanation of the definition of a DB management item used to set the above mentioned database.  
     [0241]FIG. 34 is a table showing the information managed for each document, and defines items of an issuance country, a reference number, a document number, a laid-open number, a laid-open date, a back date, an application number, a filing date, a publication number, a publication date, a register number, a register date, a keyword, a summary, a memo, and a family. For each item, a summary, a length, an attribute, a person who inputs the item, a checker, and a note are entered.  
     [0242] For example, the item name ‘issuance country’ refers to a country which issues the document, the length is two alphanumeric characters, a person who inputs items and a checker belong to the clerical section (intellectual property right acquirement support section), and the note indicates that data input is required. According to the rule, a document database is generated.  
     [0243]FIG. 35 is a table indicating the information for each case (corresponding to a case number), and defines items of File No., a reference number, an IDS status, an IDS type, an obtaining date, and a source. Each item is defined as in FIG. 34.  
     [0244] For example, the item ‘File No.’ can specify an issuance country, the attribute is an alphanumeric character, a person who inputs data refers to system automatic input, no checker is set, and the memo indicates the item connecting the prior art to this case.  
     [0245]FIG. 36 contains the information for each reference of each history (for example, corresponding to the above mentioned action case) of each case (corresponding to a case number), and defines items of a history number, a reference number, a point of rejection, and a differentiation point. Each item is defined as in FIG. 34.  
     [0246] For example, for the item ‘reference number’, the attribute is an alphanumeric character, a person who input data and a checker belong to the clerical section, and the note indicates that data input is required.  
     [0247] By inputting the above defined items, the above mentioned DB management, retrieval, and display can be realized.  
     [0248] (Third Embodiment)  
     [0249] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below by referring to the attached drawings.  
     [0250] In this embodiment, the intellectual property management system shown in FIG. 1 communicates information with the Patent Office  113  through the domestic firm  112 . The configuration shown in FIG. 1 is described above.  
     [0251] (Information through Domestic Firm)  
     [0252]FIG. 37 shows the process performed when the head office  107  communicates information with the Patent Office  114  through the domestic firm  112 .  
     [0253] In FIG. 37, reference numeral  107  denotes a head office of Corporation A, reference numeral  201  denotes Corporation B, and reference numeral  202  denotes Corporation C. Each corporation performs a procedure with the Patent Office  114  through a domestic firm (attorney&#39;s office, law and patent office).  
     [0254] Reference numeral  203  denotes a database connected to the network in the domestic firm  112 , and stores the information transmitted to and received from Patent Office. Reference numeral  204  denotes a storage device storing data by applicants connected to the network in the domestic firm  112 . Reference numeral  205  denotes a host computer connected to the network in the domestic firm  112 . The domestic firm  112  is connected to Patent Office  114  through Internet and a telephone line  206 . Similarly, the domestic firm  112  is connected to the head office  107 , and the Corporation B  201  is connected to the Corporation C  202  also through Internet and a telephone line  207 .  
     [0255]FIG. 38 is a flowchart of the process of transmitting data relating to each application case to each applicant, that is, a requester, in the domestic firm  112 .  
     [0256] First, in step S 3801 , it is determined whether or not an instruction to generate data by applicants from the data stored in the database  203  has been issued from an operator of the host computer  205 . If yes, the data is generated by applicants, and stored in the storage device  204 .  
     [0257] The procedure of generating data by applicants will be described below by referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 42.  
     [0258] The record of transmission/reception of data to and from Patent Office  114  is stored in the host computer  205 . On the other hand, the database  203  stores document data of documents submitted to Patent Office, and documents such as a notice of rejection transmitted from Patent Office. Thus, the transmission/reception record and document data are accumulated at any time.  
     [0259] When an instruction to generate data by applicants is issued, an application number is acquired from the file name of the first case in the transmission/reception record (step S 4201 ). The name of an applicant is extracted using the application number as a key by referring to the database  203  storing the correspondence between the application number and the applicant name and the bibliographic information such as the reference number unique to each company (step S 4202 ).  
     [0260] The folder of the applicant is generated from the acquired applicant name in the storage device  204  (step S 4203 ). Then, the document data corresponding to the application number is copied from the database  203 , and the data is stored in the corresponding applicant holder in the storage device  204  (step S 4204 ).  
     [0261] The above mentioned process is repeated for a target case of a transmission/reception record transmitted and received in a predetermined period (step S 4205 ).  
     [0262]FIG. 40 shows an example of a monitor of the host computer  205 , and the above mentioned instruction to generate data by applicants is issued by clicking an applicant category button  4001 . Reference numeral  4002  denotes a list of a reception record. After generating data by applicants as described above, icons accumulating data by applicants are generated as  4003  to  4005  on the desk top. For example, by clicking  4003 , a list of data of documents applied by a corporation B as shown in FIG. 41(A) is displayed on the monitor of the host computer  205 . Similarly, when the icon  4004  is clicked, FIG. 41(B) is displayed, and when the icon  4005  is clicked, FIG. 41(C) is displayed.  
     [0263] Back in FIG. 38, if it is determined in step S 3803  that an instruction to transmit data by applicants to a company has been issued by the host computer  205  for the data of the documents accumulated in the host computer  205  by applicants, then the data by applicants is transmitted to the companies  107 ,  201 , and  202  depending on the respective instructions in step S 3804 . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 3805  that an instruction to print data by applicants has been issued by the host computer  205 , then the data by applicants is printed out in step S 3806 .  
     [0264] Thus, by selecting transmission or printout for each applicant, data is transmitted to an applicant having an online terminal, and is printed on a paper medium for an applicant having no terminals, thereby transmitting a document without fail to each applicant.  
     [0265] The table showing the correspondence between an application number and the bibliographic information such as an applicant name, a reference number unique to each company, etc. is stored in the database  203  of the domestic firm  112  as shown in FIG. 39. However, for example, the table can also be stored in the management server  117  of the intellectual property information management section, and can be referred to online through the telephone line  207 . In this case, it is not necessary to provide the table in the domestic firm  112 , thereby reducing the managing process of the firm.  
     [0266] Furthermore, an application number is acquired from the file name of the first case in the transmission/reception record, but an applicant name can be extracted from the document data stored in the database  203 .  
     [0267] On the other hand, the host computer  205  generates data by applicants. However, this function can be performed by an applicant, and the applicant can online access the database  203  of the domestic firm through the telephone line  207  so that the applicant can selectively retrieve the document data of the domestic firm.  
     [0268] (Fourth Embodiment)  
     [0269] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below by referring to the attached drawings.  
     [0270] According to the present embodiment, the intellectual property management systems shown in FIG. 1 are provided in a plurality of countries to communicate information among them. The configuration shown in FIG. 1 is described above.  
     [0271] (Flow of Information in Intellectual Property Management System)  
     [0272]FIG. 43 shows the information management in a network environment connecting the intellectual property management systems provided in a plurality of countries.  
     [0273] In FIG. 43, reference numeral  4301  denotes a country A (for example, Japan), reference numeral  4302  denotes a country B (for example, U.S.), and reference numeral  4303  denotes a country C (for example, England).  
     [0274] In addition, reference numerals  4304 ,  4305 , and  4306  denote the intellectual property management systems provided in the countries A, B, and C as shown in FIG. 1. Reference numerals  4307 ,  4308 , and  4309  denote networks connecting the intellectual property management systems of the countries A, B, and C. The networks are connected to the systems of the respective countries through communications lines.  
     [0275] Described below will be the transmission of the information about inventions from the country B (U.S.) to the country A (Japan).  
     [0276]FIG. 44 shows an example of storage items of the management server  115  in the country B. The management server  115  stores the bibliographic information such as a proposal date, an applicant, the field of an invention, the evaluation of an invention, an application date, an application number, etc. for each case number of each patent application. Furthermore, a flag indicating whether or not the foreign application permission referred to as the Foreign Filing License in the U.S. Patent Law has been acquired is stored for each case number.  
     [0277]FIG. 45 shows an example of a document stored in the document server  114  in the country B. The document server  114  can store documents such as an idea sheet (documents describing the summary of the invention), a proposal document (describing the detailed explanation of the invention), the specification of an application, a notice of rejection, an argument, an amendment, etc.  
     [0278] In FIG. 45, for example, the case number  0002  indicates that the proposal document and the specification of the application have been stored.  
     [0279]FIG. 46 is a table specifying a document to be restricted in exporting information. For example, an idea sheet, a proposal document, and an application specification for the first country are to be restricted. On the other hand, an application specification for the second country, a notice of rejection, an argument, and an amendment are not to be restricted.  
     [0280]FIG. 47 is a flowchart describing the decision made by the server  118  of the country B when transmitting a document overseas.  
     [0281] First, in step S 4700 , documents such as an idea sheet, a proposal document, the specification of an application, a notice of rejection, an argument, an amendment, etc. are accumulated in the document server  114 , and it is determined in step S 4701  whether or not a predetermined time has passed. For example, when one day has passed, a document transfer process to overseas is started at midnight.  
     [0282] Then, in step S 4702 , it is determined whether or not the document is to be transmitted overseas. If not, the process is omitted, and control is passed to the determination as to whether or not there is another document (step S 4703 ).  
     [0283] On the other hand, in the case of a document to be transmitted overseas, the table (stored in the management server  115 ) shown in FIG. 46 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the document is to be restricted in overseas transmission. If not, the document is transmitted overseas in step S 4708 . When it is a document to be restricted, it is determined in step S 4704  whether or not a predetermined period has passed from the application date because there is the regulations of the U.S. Patent Law that the restrictions expire if six months have passed from the application date. If the predetermined period has passed, the document is transmitted overseas in step S 4708 .  
     [0284] If the predetermined period has not passed, a predetermined permission is obtained in step S 4705 , and it is determined whether or not the document has entered a state in which overseas transmission is permitted. The overseas transmission is permitted by the U.S. Patent Law if the Foreign Filing License has been acquired. This type of license is stored in the document server  114 , and a flag as shown in FIG. 44 is set in the management server  115 . Based on the flag, it is determined in step S 4705 . If the license has been acquired, the overseas transmission is performed (step S 4708 ). On the other hand, if the license has not been acquired, it is determined in step S 4706  whether or not an instruction to transmit the document has been manually issued. For example, as a case number 0001 in FIG. 44 when it is clear that the technical field of the document is not restricted as in the case of a printer, etc., the manager of the server can issue a transmission instruction based on his or her technical determination. When such an instruction is issued, overseas transmission is performed (step S 4708 ).  
     [0285] In this case, the manager who has issued the transmission instruction inputs and stores a case which is the reference of the determination.  
     [0286] On the other hand, if there is no such instructions issued, then the transmission is suspended (step S 4707 ), and control is passed to the process of the subsequent documents (step S 4709 ). If there are subsequent documents (including the documents suspended for transmission in the previous determination) to be processed, then control is returned to step S 4702 . Otherwise, the overseas transmission process is terminated, and the subsequent documents are accumulated. The determination as to whether or not the document has been suspended (whether the document has not been transmitted) is performed by checking on the management table shown in FIG. 45 whether or not the document has been transmitted.  
     [0287] As described above, according to the present embodiment, documents can be managed with the laws and regulations completely observed by managing the possibility of the overseas transmission of documents of electronic data based on the factor such as the type and the transmission period of the documents.  
     [0288] The present invention can also be attained by providing a storage medium storing a program code of software realizing the function of the above mentioned embodiments in a system or a device, and by the computer (or the CPU or the MPU) in the system or the device reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.  
     [0289] In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above mentioned embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code configures the present invention. The storage medium for providing a program code can be, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, ROM, etc.  
     [0290] Furthermore, the functions according to the above mentioned embodiments can be realized not only by executing the program code read by the computer, but also by the OS (operating system), etc. operating in the computer performing all or a part of the actual process at an instruction of the program.  
     [0291] In addition, after a program code read from the storage medium has been written to the memory provided in an extension board and a function extension unit inserted to the computer, the CPU, etc. provided in the function extension board or the function extension unit performs all or a part of the actual process at an instruction of the program code, thereby realizing the functions of above mentioned embodiments.  
     [0292] Furthermore, the concepts of the work flow, the generation of a database, the configuration of a system, etc. in the above-described embodiments can be arbitrarily transformed and combined appropriately.