Method and system for gathering information resident on global computer networks
A method and system for confidentially accessing and reporting information present on global computer networks. The present invention deterministically analyzes a set of network resources over a configurable monitoring period, thereby guaranteeing that recently published information is retrieved. The present invention includes a scalable software system that can be readily executed on a stand-alone computing system or distributed across a network of computing devices. At the end of each monitoring period, the present invention balances the traversal and searching of network resources across the computing devices in the distributed system according to the previous number of pages retrieved for each network resources, thereby more accurately balancing the system. Furthermore, in order to reduce system resource requirements, the present invention searches only those network resources that are targeted either individually or as a industry. In addition, the present invention further conserves computing resources by not searching documents or files that have already matched search criteria and have remained unchanged.
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This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/091,348, filed Jul. 1, 1998.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis invention relates generally to the field of information management, and more particularly to a method and system for confidentially tracking and reporting information available on global computer networks.
BACKGROUNDThe Internet has experienced exponential growth and the number of interconnected computers is quickly approaching one billion worldwide. As such, the Internet provides unprecedented access to massive volumes of information and resources. An entity resource, such as a company, organization, periodical, etc., presents information to the Internet by uploading the information to a server that is connected to one of the interconnected networks and has a registered Internet Protocol (IP) address. Often, an entity organizes its information on the server as a hierarchy of pages composed with hypertext markup language (HTML). Along with general information, each page may contain links to other informative items including graphics, documents or even links to other web sites. Users can easily access an entity's information using a graphical software program referred to as a browser. Because the Internet is essentially a vast web of interconnected computers, databases, systems and networks, an entity's information is often referred to as its “website”. For this reason, the Internet and its interconnected web sites is often referred to as the World Wide Web. Finding relevant information on the Internet, including the millions of websites and the billions of individual web pages, is a difficult task that has been inadequately addressed.
Many companies have developed search engines in an attempt to ease the location and retrieval of information from the Internet. Examples of current search systems include the AltaVista™ search engine developed by Digital Equipment Corp., Lycos™, Infoseek™, Excite™ and Yahoo™. Most conventional search systems consist of two components. First, a data gathering component, known as a webcrawler or robot, systematically traverses the Internet and retrieves information from various websites. Often, the webcrawler moves from website to website traversing every link found. As the individual websites are accessed, each page of information is retrieved, analyzed and stored for subsequent searching and retrieval. After retrieving and examining each page of a website, the webcrawler moves on to another site on the Internet. While the webcrawler is traversing various websites and retrieving the pages of information, the webcrawler indexes the information presented by each page and stores a link to each page and the corresponding index information in a repository such as a database.
The second component of conventional search systems is the search engine. The search engine provides an interface for selecting the links stored in the repository in order to identify web pages with desired content. For example, the above mentioned search engines allow a user to enter various search criteria. The search engine probes the stored index information generated by the webcrawler according to the search criteria. The search controller presents to the user any stored links having corresponding index information that satisfies the entered search criteria. The user is able to view the actual page located on the original website by following the link to the actual website.
SUMMARYThe present invention is directed to a method and system for systematically tracking a defined set of network resources on a global computing network. The method and system can be arranged to deterministically guarantee that any information from the sites is relevant and current. The method and system also can be arranged to increase the confidentiality of search parameters and the identities of parties seeking information.
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a computer-implemented method for gathering information from network resources on a global computer network, the method comprising assigning search times to the network resources, the search times designating times at which the network resources are to be searched within a monitoring period, categorizing the network resources into industry groups, generating search items, each of the search items defining a search for particular information and designating one or more of the industry groups, identifying, at a given search time, the network resources that have been assigned the given search time and categorized into industry groups designated by one or more of the search items, retrieving and storing information from the identified network resources, and performing the searches defined by one or more of the search items on the stored information.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for gathering information from network resources on a global computer network, the method comprising assigning search times to the network resources, the search times designating times at which the network resources are to be searched within a monitoring period, generating search items, each of the search items defining a search for particular information and designating one or more of the network resources, identifying, at a given one of the search times, the network resources that have been assigned the given search time and which are designated by one or more of the search items, retrieving and storing information from the identified network resources, whereby information from the network resources that have not been assigned the given search time or are not designated by one or more of the search items is not retrieved and stored, and performing the searches defined by one or more of the search items on the stored information.
In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a method for gathering information from network resources on a global computer network, the method comprising generating a set of search items, each of the search items defining a search for particular information and designating one or more of the network resources, retrieving and storing information from the network resources designated by one or more of the search items, performing the searches defined by one or more of the search items on the stored information, and presenting results of the searches.
In an added embodiment, the present invention provides a method for gathering information from network resources on a global computer network, the method comprising categorizing the network resources into industry groups, generating a set of search items, each of the search items defining a search for particular information and designating one or more of the industry groups, retrieving and storing information from the network resources associated with the industry groups designated by one or more of the search items, performing the searches defined by the search items on the stored information, and presenting results of the searches.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for gathering information from network resources on a global computer network, the method comprising selecting a set of network resources residing on the global computer network, assigning a search time to each of the network resources, the search time indicating a time within a monitoring period in which the network resource is to be searched, generating a set of search items, each of the search items defining parameters for a search and designating one or more of the network resources to be searched, determining, at approximately the search time for each of the network resources, whether the respective network resource is designated for searching by at least one of the search items, retrieving and storing information from the network resources designated by at least one of the search items, performing the searches defined by the search items on the stored information, and presenting results of the searches to users.
In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a software system for monitoring network resources residing on a global computer network over a time interval, the system comprising a database storing resource identifiers that correspond to particular network resources, and search items that define a search for information and specify one or more of the network resources, a system executive that constructs a set of the resource identifiers scheduled to be searched, and a set of the search items specifying at least one of the network resources corresponding to one of the resource identifiers of the constructed resource identifier set, a collection controller, for each of the resource identifiers of the constructed set of resource identifiers, the collection controller retrieving information presented by the networked resource corresponding to the resource identifier, a search controller for receiving the information retrieved by each of the collection controllers, and a search instance, for each search item of the search item list, wherein the search controller instantiates each search instance to perform the search defined by the respective search item on the information received from the collection controllers for the network resource specified by the respective search item.
In an added embodiment, the present invention provides a method for monitoring information presented by at least one of a plurality of networked computers comprising storing a plurality of identifiers, wherein each identifier corresponds to one of the plurality of networked computers, storing a plurality of search items, wherein each search item includes search criteria and at least one networked computer to be monitored, generating a set of identifiers to be searched, generating a set of search items monitoring at least one of the networked computers corresponding to one of the identifiers of the identifier set, retrieving information presented by each of the networked computers corresponding to an identifier of the identifier set, and searching the retrieved information according the search criteria of each search item of the search item set monitoring the networked computer corresponding to the retrieved information.
Other advantages, features, and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. Electrical, mechanical and programmatic changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Conventional search systems are deficient in many ways. For example, due to the vast information and myriad of sites residing on the Internet, conventional search systems produce excess, irrelevant information. A rather narrowly defined search on many of the conventional systems may easily produce thousands of references. Because the webcrawler traverses each and every site that it finds on the Internet, valuable information is often lost among thousands of references to irrelevant sites. Furthermore, conventional systems are, in a sense, non-deterministic. The matching links presented to the user by the search controller often no longer exist. Furthermore, the index information stored in the repository for a particular page is often incorrect and does not contain recently released information. In addition, conventional search engines require huge resources to store the index information and links for subsequent analysis.
Conventional search engines are also incredibly labor intensive. In order to search for specific information on the internet, a user is forced to access one or more publicly available search systems, enter its search criteria and manually parse the results. This process is tedious and time consuming. For example, the user is forced to periodically repeat the process in order to determine if any new information has been released. In order to identify any new information, however, the user is forced to parse through the previous information already examined.
Conventional search systems are also non-confidential. For example, in order to reduce the numerous irrelevant references produced by conventional systems as described above, a user must narrowly define the search criteria. Often, the user is forced to provide a fairly comprehensive description of the desired information before the number of matches approaches a manageable number. This, however, is problematic in that it forces the user to divulge the idea being researched. For this reason, there is currently no feasible mechanism to search the Internet without divulging trade secrets or other intellectual property. The inability to confidentially retrieve information from the Internet manifests itself in other areas besides the use of conventional search engines. For example, many web sites provide a local search mechanism to assist in finding information within the web site. A user is able to access a web page and find all relevant information simply by engaging the search mechanism. This, however, forces the user to describe the desired information in detail and disclose the information to the website. Thus, the user is unknowingly revealing the details regarding the desired information. Furthermore, because the IP address of a user is readily available to the host site, not only is the information revealed, but the user is easily identified.
System executive 20 is responsible for overall control and management of software system 10.
System executive 20 proceeds from step 102 to step 104 and waits for a control message. Control messages can be issued to system executive 20 in two ways. First, user interface 90 presents a graphical interface by which an operator controls software system 10. After receiving input from the operator, user interface 90 communicates a control message to system executive 20. Second, software system 10 includes an timer thread (not shown) that awakens at user-configurable times and sends control messages to system executive 20, thereby triggering automatic execution of software system 10. Referring again to
If a StartTracking control message is received, system executive 20 proceeds from step 106 to step 116 and analyzes information present on network resources in accordance with the present invention.
In addition to a plurality of resource identifiers, the database contains a plurality of search items. Each search item includes general information, such as a type which may be patent, trademark, etc., an abstract and search criteria. Furthermore, each search item designates one or more network resources or industry groups to be monitored. In step 130, system executive 20 instructs database manager 80 to retrieve: (1) a set of the stored search items, and (2) a set of pending network resources that are due to be searched and are designated by at least one of the search items. In this manner, software system 10 need not waste computing resources in order to analyze network resources that are not being tracked.
Upon receiving the daily tracking information from database manager 80 in step 128 (
After spawning the maximum number of collection controllers 30, system executive 20 proceeds to step 132 and waits for one of the executing collection controllers 30 to finish traversing the corresponding network resource and retrieving its contents. When a collection controller 30 signals completion, system executive 20 proceeds to step 134 and instructs database manager 80 to update the schedule data for the network resource traversed by the finished collection controller 30. In this manner, database manager 80 updates the database such that the traversed network resource will not be traversed again until the next monitoring period. After updating the database, system executive 20 proceeds to step 136 and determines whether there are more network resources scheduled to be traversed and analyzed. If so, system executive 20 jumps back to step 130 and spawns another collection controller 30. If not, system executive 20 proceeds to step 138 and determines whether one or more collection controllers 30 are currently traversing network resources. If so, system executive 20 jumps back to step 132 and waits for another collection controller 30 to finish. When all the collection controllers 30 have finished traversing the pending network resources, system executive 20 returns to step 104 of
When first executing step 142, collection controller 30 creates a single web crawler 40 for retrieving the item pointed to by the base address. In step 144, collection controller 30 waits for a web crawler 40 to finish. When a web crawler 40 has finished retrieving the content of the informative item pointed to by its link, collection controller 30 proceeds to step 146 and receives any links the finished web crawler may have found. Collection controller 30 scans the pending link list and inserts any newly found links that: (1) are not already on the pending link list and (2) that have not already been followed. In step 148, collection controller 30 creates a token (data structure) that describes the information retrieved by finished web crawler 40 and adds the token to token queue 55. In step 148, collection controller 30 deletes the instantiation of the finished web crawler 40, proceeds to step 150 and determines whether any links are pending. If so, collection controller 30 returns to step 140 and spawns another web crawler 40. If no links are pending, collection controller 30 proceeds to step 152 and determines whether any web crawlers 40 are currently executing. If so, collection controller returns to step 144 and waits for one of the executing web crawlers 40 to finish. If no web crawlers 40 are currently executing, collection controller proceeds from step 152 to step 154 and signals system executive 20 that the network resource has successfully been traversed. After signaling system executive 20, collection controller 30 proceeds to step 156 and terminates.
In one embodiment, collection controller 30 maintains and stores a list of successfully crawled links as it traverses the network resource. This embodiment is useful in the event that software system 10 terminates before collection controller 30 is able to completely traverse the network resource. In this case, the next time collection controller 30 attempts to traverse the same network resource it loads the archived list of successfully crawled links. In this manner, collection controller 30 continues to traverse the network resource without retrieving previously retrieved informative items.
In yet another embodiment, collection controller 30 waits a configured delay time before spawning each web crawler 40. In this manner, collection controller 30 ensures a reasonable loading on the network resource being traversed. This aspect is also advantageous in giving the appearance of manually traversing the network resource. For example, in another embodiment, collection controller 30 waits a random delay time, within a range of possible delay time, between the spawning of web crawlers 40, thereby giving the appearance of manually traversing a network resource.
Search controller 50 receives tokens from collection controllers 30 via token queue 55 and is responsible for determining whether a retrieved item satisfies the search criteria of one or more of the search items stored in the database. Each token includes a filename of a local file holding an informative item for searching as well as a type field indicating the file type.
After generating the hash table and the checksum, search controller 50 proceeds to step 185 and queries database managers 80 to determine whether an informative item having the same link address and checksum has already matched a search. If so, search controller 50 jumps to step 200, deletes the token, returns to step 182 and waits for the next token. In this fashion, search controller 50 conserves computing resources by not searching documents or files that have already matched search criteria and have remained unchanged.
If the test in step 185 fails, search controller 50 advances to step 186 and instantiates a search instance 60 for each search item received from system executive 20, subject to the user-configured maximum concurrent search instances 60. Each search instance 60 is responsible for testing the hash table with the search criteria of the corresponding search item. For example, each search item has one or more search strings similar to the following:
(semicond!*wafer)+(fabric!*chip!)+(memory w/2 module)
where ‘*’ signifies boolean AND, ‘+’ signifies boolean OR, ! is an expansion operator and ‘w/x’ means within X words.
After spawning a maximum number of search instances in step 186, search controller 50 proceeds to step 188 and waits for a search instance 60 to finish. When a search instance 60 has finished testing the hash table with the search criteria, search controller 50 proceeds to step 190 and queries the finished search instance 60 whether the hash table satisfied the search criteria. If a match did not occur, search controller 50 jumps ahead to step 194. If a match occurred, search controller 50 moves the temporary local file to a more permanent location and stores the new locations, the link address of the original informative item and the checksum in the database.
In step 194, search controller 50 deletes the instantiation of the finished search instance 60, proceeds to step 196 and determines whether any search items still remain for testing against the hash table. If so, search controller 50 returns to step 186 and spawns another search instance 60. If no search items remain, search controller 50 proceeds to step 198 and determines whether any search instances 60 are still examining the hash table. If so, search controller 50 returns to step 188 and waits for one of the executing search instances 60 to finish. If no search instances 60 are currently executing, search controller 50 proceeds from step 198 to step 200 and deletes the token that was popped from the token queue and the corresponding temporary file containing the informative item. Thus, unlike conventional search items that store retrieved information to be used to satisfy future searches, software system 10 deletes all information that does not match current search criteria. In this manner, software system 10 conserves system resources and deterministically guarantees that each search item is tested with current information.
After deleting the token, search controller 50 proceeds to step 182 and waits for the next token. In this manner, software system 10 deterministically monitors a plurality of network resources over a configurable period. In addition, software system 10 conserves resources by not searching pages that have already satisfied search criteria and have not been changed.
Referring again to
After setting the start and ending dates in the database, system executive 20 proceeds to step 202. As discussed in detail below, software system 10 may be distributed over a number of computers. In step 202, system executive 20 queries database manager 80 for a list of all of the computers in the distributed system that traverse network resources by executing collection controllers 30. Based on this list, system executive 20 set a local variable (TC) to a total number of computers in the distributed system that operate as such. Next, system executive 20 instructs database manager 80 to access each network resource identifier stored in the database and retrieve a number of known pages (RKP) for each resource. This value is set whenever a collection controller 30 successfully traverses an entire network resource and indicates the total number of pages retrieved from the resource. As described in detail below, system executive 20 balances the tracked network resources across the number of computers in the distributed system according to the previous number of pages retrieved for the network resources, thereby more accurately load balancing the system. As database manager 80 access each network resource identifier stored in the database, a running total of the number of pages (TP) is maintained.
System executive 20 proceeds from step 202 to step 204 and calculates an average daily pages (ADP) by dividing the total pages by the days in the current monitoring period. System executive 20 further calculates an average pages per computer (APC) by dividing the average daily pages by the total number of computers in the distributed system. This value, APC, reflects the average number of pages (informative items) each computer should retrieve per day for the system to be optimally balanced. In step 206, system executive 20 clears a local variable current computer pages (CCP) and sets another variable, current computer (CCR), to the first computer in the list of computers that execute collection controllers 30. After initializing these variables, system executive 20 proceeds to step 208 and begins the load balancing process.
In step 208, system executive 20 commands database manager 80 to once again access each network resource identifier stored in the database. For each network resource identifier, system executive 20 repeats steps 210, 212 and 214. In step 210, system executive 20 commands database manager 80 to set the network resource identifier's next search date to the date stored in the local variable CD. Initially, this value will be the current date. In addition, system executive 20 commands database manager 80 to set the identifier's search computer to the computer stored in the local variable CCR. System executive 20 adds the number of known pages (RKP) for each resource to the variable CCP, thereby keeping track of the total number of pages assigned to the current computer.
System executive 20 proceeds from step 210 to step 212 and checks whether the number of pages assigned the current computer has exceeded the average (APC) as calculated above. If not, system executive 20 jumps back to step 208 and continues through the network resource identifiers. If the number of pages assigned the current computer has exceeded the average, system executive 20 proceeds from step 212 to step 214 and sets the local variable CCR to the next computer in the list received from database manager 80. If the list has been exhausted, CCR is set to the first computer in the list. Next, system executive 20 resets the variable CCP and jumps back to step 208. When all of the network resource entries in the database have been updated, system executive 20 jumps from step 208 to step 104 (
Referring again to
In one embodiment, report generator 110 constructs a hierarchy of HTML files that comprise the client's report and may be viewed by a conventional browser. A main HTML file contains a list of each search item for the client. When one of the search items is selected, the browser displays a second HTML file that more fully describes the search item and its corresponding search criteria. In addition, the second HTML file includes a list of each informative item that satisfied the selected search item's criteria. When one of the informative items is selected, the browser displays the selected informative item with any text that satisfied the search criteria highlighted. In this embodiment, the hierarchy of HTML files includes an HTML file for each informative item. In order to communicate the report to the client, the entire hierarchy of files is placed on a diskette, or other suitable media such as a CDROM, and mailed to the corresponding client. Alternatively, the files may be communicated via electronic mail to the client. Preferably, the electronic communication is encrypted to maximize confidentiality.
In another embodiment, report generator 110 constructs an HTML file for each search item. The HTML file fully describes the search item and its corresponding search criteria. In addition, the HTML file includes a list of informative items that satisfied the selected search item's criteria. Unlike the embodiment described above, in this embodiment, a client report does not actually include the informative items. The HTML file is constructed such that when one of the informative items is selected, the browser follows the link address to the actual network resource containing the item, retrieves the item and displays the item. As in the previous embodiment, each HTML file may be placed on a diskette or electronically mailed to the client.
In yet another embodiment, the report generator 110 retrieves the base address for each network resource that satisfied one or more of a client's search items. Unlike the previous embodiments, report generator 110 does not construct a report based on the network resource's matching informative items but traverses the entire network resource in order to construct a hierarchy of HTML files that form a comprehensive site index. More specifically, report generator 110 formulates a list of every word disclosed by the informative items of the network resource. Based on this list, report generator 110 constructs the index that provides a link to each usage.
Referring again to
The present invention described above is suitable for executing on a single computer having a storage device and network interface such as a network card, an ISDN terminal adapter or a high-speed modem. The present invention, however, may readily be distributed across a system having multiple computers in order to efficiently monitor large numbers of network resources.
First, system executive 20 determines whether the particular computing device is database server 330. If so, system executive 20 instantiates database manager 80 as a server that directly controls access to the database. If not, system executive 20 instantiates database manager 80 as a client that handles access requests via making a remote procedure call (RPC) to the database manager 80 of database server 330. In addition, system executive 20 determines whether the particular computing device is a collection node 310, a search node 320 or a user interface device 330.
Next, for collection nodes 310, system executive 20 instantiates token queue 55 as an RPC client. For search nodes 320, system executive 20 instantiates token queue 55 as a server that receives tokens over network 345 via RPC calls. Each system executive 20 of collection nodes 310 spawns one or more collection controllers 30 in order to traverse the network resources that are due and are assigned to the corresponding collection node 310. Collection nodes 310 access Internet 360 via router 350. The retrieved informative items are passed to the token queue client which communicates pertinent information, such as the link address and local file location, to a token queue server of one of the search nodes 320. Each system executive 20 of search nodes 320 spawns search controller 50 to accept tokens from token queue 55 and search any received token as illustrated in
In one embodiment, network 345 of computing system 300 allows remote access via authorized clients. For example, in one embodiment, user interface device 320 executes Windows NT and handles remote clients using Remote Access Server (RAS). In another embodiment, network 345 supports a virtual private dial network. In this embodiment clients are able to view their corresponding search items, and recently retrieved informative items that matched their search criteria, without communicating confidential information over Internet 300. Thus, unlike conventional search engines, the present invention allows clients to automatically monitor a plurality of network resources of a configured monitoring period without ever communicating the confidential search criteria over an insecure network.
In order to allow an operator to control and configure distributed computing system 300, system executive 20 instantiates user interface 90 upon determining that the computing device is user interface device 340. For example, when various computing devices are added or removed from computing system 300, user interface 90 allows an operator to update the database via database server 330.
In one aspect, service center 405 is configured to communicate with intellectual property (IP) management software 410 executing within organization 420 which may be any entity such as a corporation, legal firm, etc. In one embodiment, all communications between service center 415 and organization 420 are encrypted and digitally signed and authenticated, thereby ensuring confidentiality. IP management software 410 is any software suitable for presenting information and status regarding the intellectual property of organization 420. For example, IP management software 410 integrates docketing information, guidelines, templates and existing confidential disclosure agreements.
One beneficial feature of the present invention is that as organization 420 gains new intellectual property, information is automatically (and confidentially) communicated from IP management software 410 to an account within service center 405. The information regarding the new intellectual property is received by service center 405 and added, as a search item with appropriate search criteria, to the account of organization 420. Once received, service center 405 begins monitoring global computer networks for any information regarding the new intellectual property. Thus, the present invention eliminates the need for organization 420 to manually upload information regarding new intellectual property, such as patents and trademarks. Service center 405 sends an alert, such as an email, to organization 420 and users 415 when relevant informative items are added to their accounts.
From time to time inventors use technical disclosure services to publish information they want in the public domain but have decided not to pursue via patent or product. This service, however, is quite expensive and may cost up to $300 per page. Conventional services publish the disclosures anonymously in many countries. Such a service is basically a defensive measure by which the inventors prevent others from patenting the idea.
The present invention contemplates technical publication service that anonymously publishes information on global computer networks. More specifically, users log into a website and submit technical disclosures. Preferably the disclosures are in text, Acrobat (pdf), Microsoft Word or any other commonly used format. When a user submits a disclosure, he or she also submits an abstract and perhaps identifies key terms that best describe the disclosure. According to the present invention, after receipt of the disclosure the network service automatically:
- 1. Adds the submitted electronic disclosure to a collection of other store publications. In one embodiment the collection of electronic publications is maintained in a jukebox of recordable CDs.
- 2. Updates a publicly available database, thereby making the publication immediately available to anyone who can access the global computer network.
- 3. Transmits the stored location of the received electronic disclosure, as well as the abstract and key terms, to a plurality of major search engines, thereby making the new disclosure immediately accessible and locatable.
- 4. Accesses one of the search engines and exercises the engine to look for any documents that satisfy the key terms of the received disclosure. While accessing the search engine, the service records the results for future proof of publication.
- 5. Communicates the results to the user via email or paper so that the user can offer the results as evidence that the disclosure was indeed published and available to the public.
- 6. Maintains the received publication in the database for a fixed period of time, thereby allowing the public to retrieve and view the document. Various embodiments of a method and system for confidentially accessing and reporting information present on global computer networks have been described. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. It is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and equivalents thereof.
Claims
1-14. (canceled)
15. A system comprising:
- a first computing system configured to execute a search tool that collects content from network resources, searches the collected content according to a set of search items, and stores the content upon occurrence of a match between a search item and the content; and
- a second computing system configured to execute intellectual property management software that presents information regarding intellectual property of an organization, the intellectual property management software being configured to communicate occurrence of the organization acquiring a new intellectual property asset to the first computing system;
- wherein the search tool is further configured to create at least one search item based at least partially upon the communication from the second computing system.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first computer system comprises a plurality of computing devices configured to cooperate with one another to implement the search tool.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein communication between the first and second computing systems is encrypted.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein the intellectual property management software is further configured to docket dates related to intellectual property assets.
19. The system of claim 15, wherein the intellectual property management software is further configured to store and retrieve agreements related to intellectual property of the organization.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the agreements include confidential disclosure agreements.
21. The system of claim 15, wherein the search tool generates a report for the organization, based at least in part upon the collected content that matches the search items created for the organization.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the report is communicated to the organization via electronic communication.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein the electronic communication comprises electronic mail.
24. The system of claim 21, wherein the report includes hyperlinks pointing to network documents containing the content that matches the search items.
25. The system of claim 21, wherein the report includes the content that matches the search items.
26. A method comprising:
- collecting content from network resources;
- searching the collected content according to a set of search items;
- storing the content upon occurrence of a match between a search item and the content;
- receiving a communication indicating the occurrence of an organization acquiring a new intellectual property asset; and
- creating at least one search item, based at least partially upon the communication.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the communication is encrypted.
28. The method of claim 26, further comprising generating a report for the organization, based at least upon the collected content that matches the at least one search item created for the organization.
29. The method of claim 28, further comprising communicating the report to the organization.
30. The method of claim 28, wherein the report includes hyperlinks pointing to network documents containing the content that matches the search items.
31. The method of claim 28, wherein the report includes the content that matches the search items.
32. A method comprising:
- presenting information regarding intellectual property of an organization;
- determining that the organization has acquired a new intellectual property asset;
- communicating the determination to a remote computing system that runs a search tool; and
- receiving a search report from the remote computing system, the search report containing information concerning the new intellectual property asset of the organization.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the communication to the remote computing system is encrypted.
34. The method of claim 32, further comprising docketing dates related to the intellectual property of the organization.
35. The method of claim 32, further comprising storing and retrieving agreements related to the intellectual property of the organization.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein the agreements include confidential disclosure agreements.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 27, 2005
Publication Date: Mar 16, 2006
Applicant:
Inventors: Kent Sieffert (Woodbury, MN), Curtis Schaffran (Apple Valley, MN)
Application Number: 11/260,337
International Classification: G06F 17/30 (20060101);