US5800181A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer system and method for process safety management
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1996-12-23
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Granted: 1998-09-01
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Expires: 2016-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A computer network for gathering information and reaching consensus in a multi-user collaborative environment for Process Safety Management (PSM). Comments and ideas are gathered simultaneously from team members in a meeting, using the network. Apparatus is provided for storing these inputs and retrieving them from a database, and for printing them in predefined formats. The system provides for team members to submit their ideas-anonymously in a meeting so that people uncomfortable with speaking in front of a group can freely share their ideas. The system automatically records input so ideas are not lost or misrecorded. The input is converted from the first database into a format for word processing to produce the required documents, into a format for a project management system to schedule the work to complete PSM documentation, and into a format to produce flow charges of the process being analyzed.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip David Heinlein
- 👤 Carl Frank Ingersoll
- 👤 Gary Lee Mack
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 03:52
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06F; G06F40/00; G06F40/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
283 words
A computer network system, comprising: a facilitator workstation with a facilitator display and data input means for inputting data into the system including preloaded data; multiple participant workstations with participant displays and data input means for inputting data into the system, and each workstation having means to control the functions of the workstation; team display means communicating with the facilitator workstation for displaying several thousand characters of text simultaneously to a plurality of participants; network means for communication between the facilitator workstation and a plurality of the participant workstations; automatic means to control the communication between the facilitator workstation and a plurality of the participant workstations, and to control the functions of the facilitator workstation; collection means to automatically collect data from a plurality of participant workstations simultaneously input at a plurality of input means and to display the preloaded data along with the received data simultaneously to a plurality of participants, and to provide for revising the data to resolve any inconsistencies in the received data; database means for storing and retrieving data; means for categorizing and organizing the data collected from the participants by the collection means and transmitting the organized data to the database means; word processing means for additional input and organization of the data transmitted to the data base into one or more documents; means for retrieving the data from the database and further organizing the data for use in the word processing means; means for inputting, and storing, questions prior to a group meeting for subsequent retrieving and displaying during a group meeting; and education means for presenting in a group meeting depending on input at the facilitator workstation, the previously loaded questions using team display means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
283 words
A computer network system, comprising: a facilitator workstation with a facilitator display and data input means for inputting data into the system including preloaded data; multiple participant workstations with participant displays and data input means for inputting data into the system, and each workstation having means to control the functions of the workstation; team display means communicating with the facilitator workstation for displaying several thousand characters of text simultaneously to a plurality of participants; network means for communication between the facilitator workstation and a plurality of the participant workstations; automatic means to control the communication between the facilitator workstation and a plurality of the participant workstations, and to control the functions of the facilitator workstation; collection means to automatically collect data from a plurality of participant workstations simultaneously input at a plurality of input means and to display the preloaded data along with the received data simultaneously to a plurality of participants, and to provide for revising the data to resolve any inconsistencies in the received data; database means for storing and retrieving data; means for categorizing and organizing the data collected from the participants by the collection means and transmitting the organized data to the database means; word processing means for additional input and organization of the data transmitted to the data base into one or more documents; means for retrieving the data from the database and further organizing the data for use in the word processing means; means for inputting, and storing, questions prior to a group meeting for subsequent retrieving and displaying during a group meeting; and education means for presenting in a group meeting depending on input at the facilitator workstation, the previously loaded questions using team display means.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for using a computer network for education, comprising the steps of: pre-loading questions and example answers into a computer network for display during a group meeting; selecting members of a group for participation in a facilitated, automated group meeting; in a group meeting inputting commands into a facilitator workstation to display questions one at a time simultaneously to a plurality of members of the group; and for each question performing the steps of: simultaneously inputting answers into multiple member workstations; displaying the pre-loaded answer along with a plurality of the answers input into the member workstations, to all the members of the group; and reaching consensus on the best answer to the question.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for using a computer network for education, comprising the steps of: pre-loading questions and example answers into a computer network for display during a group meeting; selecting members of a group for participation in a facilitated, automated group meeting; in a group meeting inputting commands into a facilitator workstation to display questions one at a time simultaneously to a plurality of members of the group; and for each question performing the steps of: simultaneously inputting answers into multiple member workstations; displaying the pre-loaded answer along with a plurality of the answers input into the member workstations, to all the members of the group; and reaching consensus on the best answer to the question.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The process of claim 2 further comprising the steps of: loading the questions and displayed answers into a word processor data base; editing the questions and answers depending on the consensus reached to create a report; and printing copies of the report for members of the group from the word processor data base and distributing the copies.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5664183A
Cited
US5586252A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-31 | 2002-03-02 | 2002-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-31 | 2006-03-02 | 2006-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-31 | 2010-03-02 | 2010-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |