US4730252A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Document composition from parts inventory
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1985-09-24
•
Granted: 1988-03-08
•
Expires: 2005-09-24
Abstract
Abstract A document preparation program for use in connection with a word processing facility includes a succinct identification and listing of designated parts of a memorandum or document, each unique part having access to an associated file which contains the basic text and formatting controls for that particular part. The user of the program may readily assemble a document from the parts inventory displayed on a master screen by mere cursor reference or by keying the name of designated parts and have the newly created document displayed, or printed in most cases without reference to additional screens.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth A. Bradshaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:20
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F40/00; G06F40/10; G06F40/166; G06F40/174; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99934
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A program for use in a word processing system including an operator display and operator input means, said program being selectively operable to effect the process of: displaying an inventory screen which includes a plurality of generic parts indicia corresponding to predetermined standard parts of a document, each of said standard parts having associated therewith a plurality of screen areas for including short identifiers for a plurality of specific files which may be associated with said standard parts; receiving selectively generated operator input for assigning specified short identifiers to said plurality of screen areas; selectively displaying file screens for prompting operator input to define a content of said specific files; receiving operator input for defining the content of said specific files; receiving operator input for designating selected specific files to be included in a document; and assembling a document from said designated specific files.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A program for use in a word processing system including an operator display and operator input means, said program being selectively operable to effect the process of: displaying an inventory screen which includes a plurality of generic parts indicia corresponding to predetermined standard parts of a document, each of said standard parts having associated therewith a plurality of screen areas for including short identifiers for a plurality of specific files which may be associated with said standard parts; receiving selectively generated operator input for assigning specified short identifiers to said plurality of screen areas; selectively displaying file screens for prompting operator input to define a content of said specific files; receiving operator input for defining the content of said specific files; receiving operator input for designating selected specific files to be included in a document; and assembling a document from said designated specific files.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 and further including the step of saving said specific files and displaying the corresponding short identifiers for said files in said inventory screen, whereby an operator may thereafter designate specific files to be included in a document by input reference to said short identifiers on said inventory screen without displaying said file screens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said inventory screen includes visually perceptive means for identifying which of said specific files have been selected for a current document being composed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein said visually perceptive means comprises a selection column on said inventory screen in which appears the short identifier for the selected specific files for each of said standard parts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 and further including the step of displaying the document created by the selection of said specific files.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as set forth in claim 5 and further including the step of selectively effecting the printing of the document.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 and further including the step of selectively effecting the printing of the document.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as set forth in claim 7 and further including the step of receiving operator input designating at least one particular printer at which the document is to be printed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as set forth in claim 7 wherein the program contains means for selectively receiving operator input identifying an electronically available file to be formatted and printed with the document.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as set forth in claim 7 wherein the program contains means for receiving and effecting operator input designations of a selected font style in which the document is to be printed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention as set forth in claim 7 and further including program means effective upon the actuation of the printing function to automatically create an entry in a document log file, said entry including a summary of the specified files contained in the document to be printed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as set forth in claim 11 and further including program means effective to display said document log file.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein one of said standard parts is the current date.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as set forth in claim 13 wherein the current date is automatically retrieved from a system clock and displayed in a document date field.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as set forth in claim 14 and further including the step of receiving selectively generated operator input, effective to change the displayed date.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein one of said standard parts is a document classification category.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein one of said standard parts is an addressee identification.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein one of said standard parts is an addressor identification.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein one of said standard parts is a subject matter identification.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein one of said standard parts is a reference identification.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein one of said standard parts is an identification of persons receiving copies of the document.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4085445A
Cited
US4593356A
Cited
US4454576A
Cited
US4555759A
Cited
US4417322A
Cited
US4445795A
Cited
US4555796A
Cited
US4559598A
Cited
US4633430A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-03-08 | 1991-09-07 | 1992-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-08 | 1995-09-07 | 1996-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-08 | 1999-09-07 | 2000-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |