Abstract: The invention provides methods of cleaning including the use of a soil release polymer. In some embodiments, the soil release polymer can be included in a neutral to low alkalinity prewash or main wash that is substantially free of hydroxide-based alkalinity. In some embodiments, the soil release polymer can be included in a neutral to low alkalinity prewash that is substantially free of hydroxide-based alkalinity, followed by an alkaline main wash with any alkalinity source.

Abstract: Applicants have developed a physically and chemically stable solid composition containing a soil release polymer and an acidulant. The sour step thus accomplishes both stain removal and residual alkalinity removal. A novel method of using a soil release polymer and an acidulant together in the same post wash step of a laundry wash process is also disclosed. The solid composition is physically stable, even during aqueous dispensing, i.e. non-slumping and non-weeping. The solid could be formed through a melt, cast, or pressed process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, apparatus, and method for annuity processing. In some embodiments, an annuity processing module is used in conjunction with an internet-based patent- and trademark-application management system. This annuity-processing module reflects a software implementation of various business rules or methods associated with paying the annuity due on a patent. These rules are, in some embodiments, derived from various laws relating to the payment of annuities. In some embodiments, these rules are provided to a workflow engine via a DTD or XML schema. The work-flow engine manages the execution of the various business rules and states associated with this execution. These rules, including the decision to make a payment, can be manually executed or automatically executed by a member of an organization implementing the annuity payment module as a part of a larger system.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides systems, methods, software, and data structures for patent mapping, storage, and searching. Some such embodiments include mapping patent documents, claims, and claim limitations. Some further embodiments provide for searching a universe of patent documents by patent document, claim, limitation, class, element, or concept.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for docketing an action or event, such as an action or event defined in a form received from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The method includes scanning the form having written information thereon, the written information comprising a date and indicia defining a docket event, to obtain a scanned image. The indicia on the form defining a docketing event includes a title such as, “Office Action,” “Notice of Allowance,” “Notice of Missing Parts” and so forth. The date on the form includes, in many embodiments, “Date Mailed.” The method also includes processing the scanned image with character recognition logic and identifying the indicia defining the docket event or action and the date on the image.

Abstract: This document describes, among other things, systems and methods for processing patent annuities or maintenance fees. In an embodiment, a method maintains records of patents or applications and their associated annuity or maintenance fees. The method generates a display or report that includes when a payment is due, the amount of each payment, and an indication of each patent's value or importance, wherein the value or importance is determined by an automatic analysis of electronic data that pertains to the patent.

Abstract: According to various example embodiments of the inventive subject matter there is disclosed method and apparatus for receiving a message from an electronic mail handling system wherein a message is received in an intellectual property management system, and automatically associating the message with a legal matter represented in the intellectual property management system. Further there is displayed a user selectable item with the message when it is displayed to a user, wherein selection of the item brings a user to a data entry screen that accepts a time entry, and further also where the time entry is automatically associated with the legal matter in which the message is associated.

Abstract: There is disclosed various embodiments of methods and apparatus for organizing information related to intellectual property wherein such related information includes personnel, messages, docket items, information disclosure documents and matters associated with intellectual property assets. Access to the intellectual property information is provided by providing a first graphical user interface display with a respective tab for personnel, messages, docket items and information disclosure documents. A user selects one of the tabs to view a graphical display adapted to provide access to information related thereto. The method and apparatus, in other embodiments, provide for displaying a list of matters represented in the system, allowing a user to select a matter for display of data related to the matter, and for displaying a plurality of activities related to a selected matter, wherein an activity relates to an event or future action to take.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for organizing intellectual property data according to activities related to intellectual property are disclosed, wherein each activity is represented by an activity data structure containing at least some data pertinent to the activity. A plurality of docket items are associated with intellectual property deadlines, and at least some of the docket items are associated with at least one activity data structure. A plurality of activity data structures are made accessible through a user interface display in which an indication of one or more activity data structures are displayed. At least one view of an activity data structure shows docket items associated with the activity data structure. The activity data structure is represented in a display of more than one indication of data structures showing a date selected from the group of: a date attribute of the activity or a date attribute of an IP docket item associated with the activity.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for managing intellectual property information including organizing intellectual property data in a data processing system according to file clusters. A method comprises organizing intellectual property data in an intellectual property data management system, wherein the management system tracks events and data related to a plurality of patent matters processed by one or more government agencies and owned by at least one patent owner. Representations of the patent matters are entered into a data structure in the data management system. A user of the data management system can selectively associate patent matters together into clusters wherein the clusters have names and wherein at least one of a plurality of clusters maintained in the system can be located and viewed. One of the matters associated with the cluster can be selected and the data of the matter viewed or processed by a user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide, in one example embodiment, for storing and processing information in a data storage and processing system on a server, the server accessed by attorneys using the system from client computers, wherein the information pertains to a plurality of legal matters being handled by the attorneys, and wherein the legal matters are for respective clients. A group of electronic documents stored in the management system are selected using the client computer, wherein the electronic documents are associated with a particular one of the legal matters, and the user requests that the group of documents be bulk downloaded. The group of documents is downloaded to a storage device on the client or other storage or computing device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for organizing intellectual property data according to activities related to intellectual property. Each activity is represented by an activity data structure containing at least some data pertinent to the activity. A plurality of activity data structures are made accessible through a user interface display in which an indication of one or more activity data structures are show in an order related to one or more dates associated with at least some of the activity data structures. At least some of the data structures may be configured to retain data items specific to a particular activity that are not retained in data structures for other activities. The activity data structures may have attributes, and attributes are typed so as to allow indexing.

Abstract: According to one example embodiment, methods and systems provide for electronically storing and processing information in a data storage and processing system accessed wherein there is stored a plurality of electronic documents on the system that are associated with legal matters, wherein at least some of the documents contain technical data, and wherein one more electronic documents as subject to technical data export control restrictions, and further wherein access to the documents is controlled based on a user's right to view export controlled documents.

Abstract: There is disclosed method and apparatus for organizing intellectual property data according to activities related to intellectual property. Each activity is represented by an activity data structure containing at least some data pertinent to the activity. A plurality of activity data structures are made accessible through a user interface display in which an indication of one or more activity data structures are show in an order related to one or more dates associated with at least some of the activity data structures. Groups of activities may be assigned to a work flow data structure. A template may be used by a data processing system to create a plurality of activity data structures related to an intellectual property work flow. In addition, the activity data structures have attributes. The attributes are typed so as to allow indexing. The work flow data structure may include data that create activity data structures or add data to activity data structures contingent on an event input to the system.

Abstract: There is disclosed method and apparatus for downloading private intellectual property information from a first secured data source maintained by a government agency, wherein access to the private intellectual property information is secured with one or more security mechanisms, and storing at least some of the downloaded information into a first data management system accessible to a first group of users specified by a law firm. At least some of the downloaded information is copied into a second data management system accessible to a second group of users specified by a corporation represented by the law firm.

Abstract: There is disclosed method and apparatus for storing and processing information in a data storage and processing system used by attorneys, and recording attorney-client communications and communications from a government agency respecting a legal matter. At least some of the attorney-client communications can be designated with a indication that allows them to be identified automatically. These communications can then be automatically identifying and purging at least some of the attorney-client communications upon a request by a user.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for managing intellectual property information including organizing intellectual property data in a data processing system according to patent files pending with a government patent office. Various methods and software are provided to manage the citation of information disclosure documents to the patent offices, including automatically relating information disclosure statements with related cases and files.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for managing intellectual property information including organizing intellectual property data in a data processing system according to activities related to intellectual property. Each activity is represented by an activity data structure containing at least some data pertinent to the activity. A second data processing system is accessed to establish or manage automatic electronic watches of intellectual property appearing in intellectual property databases. Intellectual property watches are set up in the second data processing system and associating the watch with a unique identifier. Watch results are automatically sent from the second system to the first system, wherein the watch result includes the unique identifier. The watch results with the unique identifier are received in the first system and associated with a particular legal matter represented in the first system.

Abstract: There is disclosed method and apparatus for storing and processing information in a data storage and processing system used by attorneys, wherein there is sent an electronic message from the processing system to one or more e-mail recipients. An electronic message is received in the processing system from an e-mail sender, with the electronic messages specifying one or more individuals or groups of individuals to receive the electronic message. Individuals specified to receive a message are allowed to view the message, and the message is in association with respective legal matters tracked by the system. Individuals not specified to receive a message are allowed to view a message if the message is designated available to be viewed by those other than the recipients. Further, a user not specified to receive a message viewing the message in connection with viewing data being tracked for a particular legal matter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for scraping information from a website are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving network content and searching the network content for a predetermined field, wherein the predetermined field has a value. The method also includes extracting a scraping identifier from the network content, wherein the scraping identifier includes the value of the predetermined field. The method also includes transmitting a request for scraping network content, wherein the request includes the scraping identifier, and wherein the request indicates a network location of the scraping content. The method also includes receiving the scraping network content.