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.

1 . A record protection system for a networked database, comprising: 
 a client;    a host processor accessible by said client via a telecommunications network;    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.    
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said software to prevent editing further for permitting editing of the data record if the data received from said client does not match the data received from the source.  
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein data received from said client matches if it corresponds to a single data record received from the source.  
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein data received from said client matches if it corresponds to a particular number of data fields of a single data record received from the source.  
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 software executing on the host processor for storing the matched data in one or more fields of the data record.    
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 software executing on said host processor for automatically retrieving supplemental data corresponding to the matched data and storing the supplemental data in said database.    
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein at least some of the supplemental data is retrieved from the source.  
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the data received from said client and the data received from the source is intellectual property data.  
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the source is a patent office database.  
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a web interface for receiving the data from said client, said web interface including a plurality of input fields.    
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein each of the input fields correspond to one of fields of the data record.  
   
   
       12 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein said software for comparing the data compares the data after the completion of a set number of the input fields.  
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein said software for comparing the data compares the data in real time as the data is entered into the input fields by said client.  
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 software executing on the host processor for generating a report.    
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the report includes an inquiry generated if the data does not match.  
   
   
       16 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the report includes one or more potential matches for client selection.  
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein said software to prevent editing prevents editing to the data record upon receipt of a match selection from said client.  
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the report includes one or more suggested additions to matched data.  
   
   
       19 . The system according to  claim 14 , said software for generating a report further transmitting the report to said client.  
   
   
       20 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 software executing on the host processor for receiving an unlock command indicative of permitting editing of the data record.    
   
   
       21 . The system according to  claim 20 , wherein the unlock command is received from one of a host administrator or a client administrator.  
   
   
       22 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the data record is a new data record.  
   
   
       23 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the data received from said client includes at least one edit to stored data in the data record.  
   
   
       24 . A method for protecting data records in a networked database, comprising 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.    
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 24 , further comprising the steps of: 
 generating a report; and    transmitting the report to the client.    
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the report includes a one or more possible matches to the data received from the client.  
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the report includes a suggested addition to the data record.  
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 24 , further comprising the steps of: 
 retrieving supplemental data corresponding to the data received from the client; and    storing the supplemental data in at least one other field of the data record.    
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 24 , further comprising the step of: 
 unlocking the data record upon receipt of an unlock command.