Abstract: An exemplary method for controlling a workflow is provided. The method includes: setting a check-status schedule and a reminder timer for each task of the workflow process; checking whether any task of the workflow process is in an incomplete state according to the check-status schedule; obtaining an operator name and a task assigned time of the task remained in the incomplete state; calculating a time difference between a current time and the task assigned time and calculating a remainder by utilizing modular arithmetic; and generating an alarm signal and sending the alarm signal to inform a corresponding operator to perform the task remained in the incomplete state if the remainder is greater than zero and not greater than the check-status schedule. A related system is also provided.

Abstract: A method for generating an exam is disclosed. The method includes setting initial conditions for the exam, wherein the initial conditions comprises a number of true propositions p, a number of false propositions q, and a number of random propositions r, and determining numbers of different propositions in the exam according to the initial conditions. The method further includes selecting the p number of true propositions, and numbering each of the p number of true propositions with a running number, selecting q number of false propositions, grouping the q number of false propositions, numbering each of the groups with a group number, selecting the r number of propositions, grouping the r number of propositions, numbering each of the groups with a group number. The method further includes generating an exam according to the p number of true propositions, the q number of false propositions, and the r number of propositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating electronic patent application files, which includes steps of: creating multiple extensible markup language (XML) templates; setting basic requirements of drafted files; mapping the XML templates to chapter headers in the drafted files; analyzing and verifying whether the drafted files meet the basic requirements; parsing contents of the drafted files into corresponding XML templates if the drafted files meet the basic requirements; and generating XML patent application files according to the XML templates. A related system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-based method for creating XML files from an edited document is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: reading an edited document from a file transfer protocol (FTP) server; reading each of equation objects originally existed in the edited file and creating a tag image file (TIF) image according to the equation object being read; creating a joint photographic experts group (JPEG) image according to the TIF image and recording a pixel size of the JPEG image; creating an XML character string according to each paragraph in the edited file; inserting the XML character strings into different XML file templates, thereby obtaining different XML files. A related system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for protecting an electronic file is provided. The method symmetrically encrypts the electronic file with a symmetric key, and asymmetrically encrypts the symmetric key. In addition, the method calculates a message digest for the encrypted electronic file, and obtains a trusted timestamp for the message digest. The method may provide security and authenticity for the electronic file.

Abstract: A method for generating an exam is disclosed. The method includes setting initial conditions for the exam, wherein the initial conditions comprises a number of true propositions p, a number of false propositions q, and a number of random propositions r, and determining numbers of different propositions in the exam according to the initial conditions. The method further includes selecting the p number of true propositions, and numbering each of the p number of true propositions with a running number, selecting q number of false propositions, grouping the q number of false propositions, numbering each of the groups with a group number, selecting the r number of propositions, grouping the r number of propositions, numbering each of the groups with a group number. The method further includes generating an exam according to the p number of true propositions, the q number of false propositions, and the r number of propositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating electronic patent application files, which includes steps of: creating multiple extensible markup language (XML) templates; setting basic requirements of drafted files; mapping the XML templates to chapter headers in the drafted files; analyzing and verifying whether the drafted files meet the basic requirements; parsing contents of the drafted files into corresponding XML templates if the drafted files meet the basic requirements; and generating XML patent application files according to the XML templates. A related system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for automatically downloading notices of e-filed patent applications is provided. The system includes a local server. The local application includes: a parameter configuration module for configuring download parameters for downloading notices of e-filed patent applications; a download scheduler module for determining whether it is time to start downloading; a remote connection module for accessing the patent e-filing web site with identification of an applicant when it is time to start downloading, and retrieving information about all the e-filed patent applications of the applicant; and a notice download module for downloading notices to be downloaded and storing the downloaded notices in a database. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: An exemplary method for controlling a workflow is provided. The method includes: setting a check-status schedule and a reminder timer for each task of the workflow process; checking whether any task of the workflow process is in an incomplete state according to the check-status schedule; obtaining an operator name and a task assigned time of the task remained in the incomplete state; calculating a time difference between a current time and the task assigned time and calculating a remainder by utilizing modular arithmetic; and generating an alarm signal and sending the alarm signal to inform a corresponding operator to perform the task remained in the incomplete state if the remainder is greater than zero and not greater than the check-status schedule. A related system is also provided.

Abstract: A computer-based method for creating XML files from an edited document is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: reading an edited document from a file transfer protocol (FTP) server; reading each of equation objects originally existed in the edited file and creating a tag image file (TIF) image according to the equation object being read; creating a joint photographic experts group (JPEG) image according to the TIF image and recording a pixel size of the JPEG image; creating an XML character string according to each paragraph in the edited file; inserting the XML character strings into different XML file templates, thereby obtaining different XML files. A related system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-based method for evaluating patents is provided. The method includes the steps of: obtaining patents to be evaluated from a database server according to a predetermined patents evaluating date; assigning one or more undertakers to evaluate the patents; gathering basic information of the patents from the database server; providing the undertakers with evaluation parameters of each patent according to the basic information of the patents; submitting evaluation opinions made by the undertakers to relevant patents owners; and receiving evaluation decisions made by the patents owners and sending the evaluation decisions to the undertakers. A related system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for deliberating a proposal according to a preferred embodiment is provided. The system includes: a database server for storing data on the proposal to be decided; an application server for obtaining and analyzing the data on the proposal in the database server, extracting outlines of the proposal, informing corresponding attendees to attend a remote conference for deliberating the proposal, collecting opinions from all the attendees, and determining whether the proposal passes the deliberating based on the opinions; and a plurality of client computers distributed in different zones and connected to the application server through a network for providing each attendee with an interface to evaluate the proposal, transmitting information between the application server and the client computers. A related method is also disclosed.