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  Record protection system for networked databasesUSPTO Application #: 20070179956Title: Record protection system for networked databases Abstract: A record protection system for a networked database is provided. The system includes a client, a host processor accessible by the client via a telecommunications network, a database accessible by the host processor and containing at least one data record, software executing on the host processor for receiving data from the client for one or more fields of the data record, software executing on the processor for receiving data from a source, software executing on the host processor for comparing the data received from the client to the data received from the source, and software executing on the host processor to prevent editing of the data record by the client if the at least a portion of the data received from the client matches the data received from the source. (end of abstract) Agent: St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens, LLC - Stamford, CT, US Inventors: USPTO Applicaton #: 20070179956 - Class: 707010000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Data Processing: Database And File Management Or Data Structures, Database Or File Accessing, Distributed Or Remote Access The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070179956. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to network-based data processing and storage, and more particularly to a system and method for protecting data records in Internet-based databases. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Internet-based application service providers, so-called "ASPs" are known and provide the advantage that hardware and software maintenance and upgrades are centrally managed by a third party. The ASP model has been further extended to include web-hosted databases. For example, an ASP may provide a client with a backup database for duplicate storage of client data records. Further, an ASP or any other host may maintain a client's active database, and/or sensitive data therein, and allow the client to remotely store and edit data records to the database via the Internet. Thus, a client/user may log in to his web-hosted database via a web browser on his LAN/computer and create or manipulate data records in real time. [0003] However, one difficulty faced when one or more users of a particular client are accessing a web-hosted database is preventing errors in the creation of new data records and in edits to existing data records. The problem is further complicated when the completion of a particular field of a data record triggers the storage and/or edit of related data in the data record. For example, a user may have automatic permissions to enter and edit data in the web-hosted database. Upon completing a particular field of a data record, additional fields of the data record may be automatically populated based on the entered data. There is then a risk that the user or another user having edit permissions may accidentally or erroneously edit the particular field and/or the automatically generated data. [0004] What is desired, therefore, is a system and method for locking data records in networked or web-hosted databases. Further desired is a system and method for locking a data record upon the occurrence of specified trigger. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] According, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for automatically locking a data record in a networked database upon the completion of a verification step. [0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide the system and method wherein the lock may be reversed or modified by a host or client administrator. [0007] These and other objectives are achieved by providing a record protection system for a networked database, including a client, a host processor accessible by said client via the Internet, a database accessible by said host processor and containing at least one data record, software executing on said host processor for receiving data from said client for one or more fields of the data record, software executing on said processor for receiving data from a source, software executing on said host processor for comparing the data received from said client to the data received from the source, and software executing on said host processor to prevent editing of the data record by said client if at least a portion of the data received from said client matches the data received from the source. [0008] Further provided is a method for protecting data records in a networked database, including the steps of receiving data from a client via a telecommunications network for one or more fields of a data record, determining whether at least a portion of the data matches data received from a source, storing matched data in the data record, and locking the data record to prevent future editing by the client. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a record protection system for a networked database according to the present invention. [0010] FIG. 2 is a method of protecting data records in a networked database employable by the system shown in FIG. 1. [0011] FIG. 3 is a method of protecting data records in a networked database employable by the system shown in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a record protection system according the present invention. The system includes a host processor 100. The host processor 100 may be any processor, controller or server for executing one or more software applications. The host processor 100 may be in communication with any number of databases, such as the database 110. The database 110 includes a plurality of data records, e.g., data record 112 and data record 114. [0013] The host processor 100 further includes software for receiving data and edits 104 for storage in the database 110. The data 104 may be received from a client 120, or any number of users 122 associated with the client 120, via a communications network (not shown). The communications network may be any network, such as the Internet or an Intranet. In a preferred embodiment, a user 122 remotely accesses the database 110 via a web interface on a client computer. [0014] As shown, the host processor 100 receives data 104 from the client 120 and/or any user 122. The data 104 may be data for initiating the creation of a new data record or proposed edits to an existing data record (e.g., 112). In one embodiment, the host (i.e., host processor 100 and host database 110) may be a provider of a service for maintaining U.S. patents (e.g., paying patent maintenance fees) for any number of clients 120. Therefore, the host processor 100 may receive data related to new patents for which maintenance is desired (e.g., identified by verification information 142 or data records in a verification database 140) or updates and/or edits to an existing patent data record stored in the host database 110. As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand, the host has an interest in the client 120 being able to input its own data to save the time and labor required to populate the database 110. However, the host must ensure that the correct patent is identified and further that no user 122 of the client 120 erroneously enters data identifying an incorrect patent. Failure to ensure the accuracy of entered data may lead to the host failing to pay a maintenance fee or paying a maintenance fee on the wrong patent. [0015] The system further includes any number of verification databases 140 (e.g., or sources). The verification databases 140 may include verification information 142 and/or data records to verify the data and edits 104 provided by the client 120. In some embodiments, the verification databases 140 include information related to any number of potential data records to be created in the host database 110. For example, if the database 110 includes data records of patents owned by one or more clients, one of the verification databases 140 may include information related to substantially all U.S. and/or foreign patents and patent applications. For example, the verification databases 140 may include the United States Patent and Trademark database, the European Patent Office database, etc. Therefore, when a client 120 attempts to create a new data record regarding a patent, the host processor 100 may query the verification databases 140 and attempt to verify and/or match at least a portion of the received data and edits 104 with verification information 142 retrieved from the verification databases 140 prior to creating or storing the new data record. [0016] Upon receipt of data and edits 104, the host processor 100 may initiate the creation of a new data record in the host database 110. The host processor 100 may then query the verification databases 140 (discussed below) to determine possible matches to the received data 104. For example, in the practice of maintaining of patent data records, the client 120 may provide a patent number, a filing date, and/or issue data of a U.S. patent. The host processor 100 may then identify one or more data records (e.g., relating to patents) in the verification databases 140 corresponding to this received data. In some embodiments, the host processor 100 may also identify and/or access any number of existing data records 116 in the host database 110 identified by the data and edits 104. For example, if a client 120 enters data corresponding to an existing data record, the system may prompt the client 120 (e.g., via a web interface) to determine whether the client 120 is either attempting to edit the existing data record 116 or erroneously attempting to create a duplicate data record. [0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the system includes a software means 128 for locking one or more data records. For example, the host processor 100 may lock a particular data record to prevent any further edits to the data record, e.g., following a verification step or matching of data. In some embodiments, the verification step or verification may require that a user 122 first complete a particular field and/or a set number of fields of data. For example, the user 122 may complete data fields for a particular data record via the web interface. The host processor 100 may require at least three separate identifying pieces of data to be entered prior to updating or creating the data record. Once each of the particular number of required data fields are verified and/or matched to a single data record and/or set of verification information 142 in the verification databases 140, the data is stored in the host database 110 and the corresponding data record(s) locked. In some embodiments, the system may allow the user 122 to continue to complete any number of data fields until at least a predetermined number of the data fields match or identify the same verification information 142. The predetermined amount may be based on a data sensitivity factor, a fixed number of data fields, and/or a host or client preference. [0018] In some embodiments, data entered by a user 122 via a web interface may be stored in temporary storage of the system prior to the data is being verified. For example, a user 122 may enter data and edits 104 with the appearance of the data being stored or added to a particular data record (e.g., 112). However, the system may store the data (and lock the record) only after the entered data is verified. [0019] In a preferred embodiment, a locked data record may only be edited if unlocked by an administrator, e.g., via the transmission of an unlock request 126/152. The administrator may be a client administrator 124 or host administrator 150, shown in FIG. 1. If a data record is unlocked, additional data and edits may be received. Otherwise, the data record may remain locked. Continue reading... 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