Patent US6408337B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6408337B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Engagement of non-employee workers
Assignee: Coca-Cola Co
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Filing: 1999-05-14
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Granted: 2002-06-18
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Expires: 2019-05-14
Abstract
Abstract Assisting an organization in managing the engagement of non-employee workers supplied by a vendor. The organization maintains a computer system that is linked to a vendor's computer system. Electronic communication allows for sharing of information between the organization's computer system and the vendor's computer system. A database management system is provided for accessing a database to create, modify, store and access non-employee worker profiles, requests for non-employee workers, work assignments, time reports, and possibly electronic versions of employment agreements. Electronic settlement means may transfer payments to the vendor in exchange for services rendered by the non-employee worker. An engaging manager may send an e-mail request to the vendor for a non-employee worker. The vendor may provide the engaging manager with an e-mail response listing all eligible non-employees workers. The engaging manager may then request a non-employee worker from the list and, via e-mail, seek approval from a supervisor for engaging the non-employee worker. An engaging manager may also search the non-employee worker profiles in the database in order to find a non-employee worker without sending an e-mail request to the vendor. Work assignments for non-employee workers are entered into the database. Work assignments may include a job description, an hourly billing rate, and identification information. A non-employee worker stores in the database a time report recording time worked against the work assignment. Time reports may be accessed by a time approver. Approved time is submitted to an accounts payable department, which handles payment of the vendor.
Inventors
- 👤 Janice Gold Dietz
- 👤 R. Kelly Mayo
- 👤 Daniel P. Reteneller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:54
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/06; G06Q10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for use by an organization for managing an engagement of a non-employee worker supplied by a vendor, the method comprising the steps of: requesting the non-employee worker from a database of non-employee workers; storing a work assignment for the non-employee worker in a database; electronically communicating with the vendor to verify the engagement of the non-employee worker; upon verification of the engagement, providing the non-employee worker with access to the database so that the non-employee worker may enter therein a time report associated with the work assignment; accessing the database to approve the time report; and upon approval of the time report, compensating the vendor for services rendered by the non-employee worker.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for use by an organization for managing an engagement of a non-employee worker supplied by a vendor, the method comprising the steps of: requesting the non-employee worker from a database of non-employee workers; storing a work assignment for the non-employee worker in a database; electronically communicating with the vendor to verify the engagement of the non-employee worker; upon verification of the engagement, providing the non-employee worker with access to the database so that the non-employee worker may enter therein a time report associated with the work assignment; accessing the database to approve the time report; and upon approval of the time report, compensating the vendor for services rendered by the non-employee worker.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the database comprises a non-employee worker profile for each of a plurality of non-employee workers supplied by at least the vendor; and wherein the non-employee worker profile comprises a name and a unique identification number.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the non-employee worker profile further comprises a detailed list of skills.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the profile further comprises a billing rate that is related to the detailed list of skills.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein requesting the non-employee worker from the database is performed based on the billing rate and the detailed list of skills.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the non-employee worker profile further comprises a resume.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the non-employee worker profile further comprises at least one prior evaluation relating to past engagements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the organization and the vendor have a previously executed master agreement on file; and wherein the method further comprises the step of transmitting a supplemental agreement to the vendor to memorialize one or more terms of the engagement of the non-employee worker.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of electronically transmitting the supplemental agreement is accomplished via facsimile.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of electronically transmitting the supplemental agreement is accomplished via e-mail.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 8 , further comprising the step of receiving an executed copy of the supplemental agreement from the vendor prior to providing the non-employee worker with access to the database.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the supplemental agreement is an intellectual property assignment or non-disclosure agreement.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of receiving an indication that the engagement has been completed; and in response to receiving the indication, closing the work assignment such that the time report is unable to be modified by the non-employee worker.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the indication that the engagement has been completed is provided by the non-employee worker in the time report.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the indication that the engagement has been completed is provided by a manager of the organization.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of electronically communicating with the vendor is accomplished via e-mail.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of prior to storing the work assignment in the database, electronically communicating with a manager of the organization to obtain approval for the work assignment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of compensating the vendor comprises electronically transferring funds to an account maintained by the vendor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of accessing the database to approve the time report is performed at a time interval agreed to by the organization and the vendor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of storing an evaluation of the engagement of the non-employee worker in the database.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the time report lists both time billed and expenses incurred by the non-employee worker during the engagement; and wherein the method further comprises the step of upon approval of the time report, reimbursing the vendor for the expenses incurred by the non-employee worker.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the vendor is provided with at least partial access to the database; and wherein the vendor stores in the database a profile for each non-employee worker supplied by the vendor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the work assignment comprises a start date for the engagement, an end date for the engagement, a task description, and a billing rate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of requesting the non-employee worker from the database of non-employee workers comprises: submitting a query to a database management system, the query comprising a list of attributes for the non-employee worker; in response to the query, receiving from the database management system a list of eligible non-employee workers; and requesting the non-employee worker from the list of eligible non-employee workers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of requesting a non-employee worker from the database of non-employee workers comprises: submitting a request to the vendor, the request comprising a list of attributes for the non-employee worker; in response to the request, receiving from the vendor a list of eligible non-employee workers; and requesting the non-employee worker from the list of eligible non-employee workers.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for assisting an organization in managing an engagement of a non-employee worker supplied by a vendor, the system comprising: an organization computer system comprising a database and at least one workstation; a vendor computer system linked to the organization computer system via a network; electronic communication means for transmitting information across the network between the organization computer system and the vendor computer system; and a database management system running on the at least one workstation, the database management system comprising computer executable instructions for: allowing an engaging manager to store a work assignment for the non-employee worker in the database, allowing a work assignment approver to access and approve the work assignment, allowing the engaging manager to request a suitable non-employee worker from the database, the database storing data for a plurality of non-employee workers supplied by the vendor, allowing the non-employee worker to store a time report in the database, and allowing a time approver to access and approve the time report.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for assisting an organization in managing an engagement of a non-employee worker supplied by a vendor, the system comprising: an organization computer system comprising a database and at least one workstation; a vendor computer system linked to the organization computer system via a network; electronic communication means for transmitting information across the network between the organization computer system and the vendor computer system; and a database management system running on the at least one workstation, the database management system comprising computer executable instructions for: allowing an engaging manager to store a work assignment for the non-employee worker in the database, allowing a work assignment approver to access and approve the work assignment, allowing the engaging manager to request a suitable non-employee worker from the database, the database storing data for a plurality of non-employee workers supplied by the vendor, allowing the non-employee worker to store a time report in the database, and allowing a time approver to access and approve the time report.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein a previously executed master agreement between the organization and the vendor is stored in the database; and wherein the electronic communication means may be used to transmit a supplemental agreement to the vendor to memorialize one or more terms of the work assignment.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 27 , wherein the electronic communication means comprise a sending facsimile machine functionally linked to a receiving facsimile machine.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 27 , wherein the electronic communication means comprise an e-mail system.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 27 , wherein the database management system further comprises computer executable instructions for ensuring that an executed copy of the supplemental agreement is received from the vendor prior to allowing the non-employee worker to store a time report in the database.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 27 , wherein the supplemental agreement comprises an intellectual property assignment or non-disclosure agreement.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein the electronic communication means comprise and e-mail system.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 26 , further comprising an internal e-mail system for allowing the engaging manager, the work assignment approver, and the time approver to communicate with each other regarding the engagement of the non-employee worker.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 26 , further comprising electronic funds transfer means for transferring funds to an account maintained by the vendor in response to approving the time report.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein the database management system comprises further computer executable instructions for allowing the engaging manager to store an evaluation of the engagement of the non-employee worker in the database.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein the time report lists both time billed and expenses incurred by the non-employee worker; and wherein the system further comprises electronic funds transfer means for transferring funds to an account maintained by the vendor, in response to approval of the time report, as reimbursement for the expenses incurred by the non-employee worker.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein the database management system further comprises computer executable instructions for closing the work assignment in response to approval of the work assignment, such that the time report is unable to be modified by the non-employee worker.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for use by an organization for managing an engagement of a non-employee worker supplied by a vendor, the method comprising the steps of: requesting the non-employee worker from a database of non-employee workers; electronically communicating with the vendor to verify the requisition of the non-employee worker; upon verification of the requisition, providing the non-employee worker with access to the database so that the non-employee worker may enter therein a time report; accessing the database to approve the time report; and upon approval of the time report, compensating the vendor for services rendered by the non-employee worker.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for use by an organization for managing an engagement of a non-employee worker supplied by a vendor, the method comprising the steps of: requesting the non-employee worker from a database of non-employee workers; electronically communicating with the vendor to verify the requisition of the non-employee worker; upon verification of the requisition, providing the non-employee worker with access to the database so that the non-employee worker may enter therein a time report; accessing the database to approve the time report; and upon approval of the time report, compensating the vendor for services rendered by the non-employee worker.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-06-17 | 2005-12-17 | 2006-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-17 | 2009-12-17 | 2010-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-17 | 2013-12-17 | 2014-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |