US6157947A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method, apparatus, system, and program storage device for distributing intellectual property
Assignee: Fujitsu Ltd
•
Filing: 1999-02-08
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Granted: 2000-12-05
•
Expires: 2019-02-08
Abstract
Abstract A distribution apparatus is used to distribute intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing. The distribution apparatus has a memory portion for registering intellectual property, users, and services available for the users, a processing portion for providing a user with a service allowed for the user, and a communication portion for automatically distributing the intellectual property. The distribution apparatus enables users to receive information about the intellectual property on time and to optimally share the intellectual property.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshiaki Watanabe
- 👤 Shigeyo Iino
- 👤 Yasuaki Morita
- 👤 Kazuhiro Nishimori
- 👤 Ichiro Kijima
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:11
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A distribution apparatus for distributing intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing, comprising: a memory portion for registering intellectual property comprising circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product with a catalog used when retrieving the intellectual property, users, and services available for the users; a processing portion, connected to the memory portion, for providing a user with a service allowed for the user; and a communication portion, connected to the processing portion, for automatically distributing the intellectual property.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A distribution apparatus for distributing intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing, comprising: a memory portion for registering intellectual property comprising circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product with a catalog used when retrieving the intellectual property, users, and services available for the users; a processing portion, connected to the memory portion, for providing a user with a service allowed for the user; and a communication portion, connected to the processing portion, for automatically distributing the intellectual property.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory portion registers control information about the services, retrieval information about the intellectual property, and extraction information about the intellectual property.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intellectual property includes a catalog used when retrieving the intellectual property, contents effectively representing the intellectual property, and circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product; and the registered intellectual property is processed according to the services so that the users can use the intellectual property.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the catalog is processed and stored in the memory portion, and when a plurality of intellectual properties are obtained as a retrieval result, these intellectual properties are displayed by comparing items therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the items are determined by the user.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the catalog is registered collectively or through a menu according to category information, and the intellectual property is processed according to the category information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the circuit data is prepared for each development stage of semiconductor products so that a proper piece of circuit data is reused for a given development stage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the circuit data is registered according to registration rules that are set in advance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
A distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the users are divided into groups that are related to disclosure extents; and each piece of intellectual property is registered with a disclosure extent for each information item of catalog information so that each piece of the intellectual property is disclosed to the users according to the disclosure extent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein a catalog of a given piece of intellectual property is registered with a mask that defines a disclosure extent of the catalog.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein a retrieval operation on the catalog is carried out by narrowing hierarchical categories related to the catalog and by specifying key words and at least one category item.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory portion registers category information for intellectual property so that the intellectual property is distributed among different environments according to the category information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
A distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a mailing state is registered on a specific occasion for each user to indicate whether or not information about the registration of intellectual property must be sent to the user; and mail is sent to the user according to the mailing state at a specific occasion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the specific occasion is the time of registering, updating and deleting the intellectual property, and the time of changing disclosure extents.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
A distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each piece of intellectual property is registered with a display condition on a specific occasion so that the intellectual property is processed and displayed according to the display condition.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the specific occasion is the time of registering, updating and deleting the intellectual property, and the time of changing disclosure extents.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
A distribution apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a log of users who accessed the intellectual property is collected; and the log is processed and displayed according to users and is automatically linked with groupware so that the processed log is provided to the users.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
73 words
A distribution apparatus for distributing intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing, comprising: a registration means for registering intellectual property comprising circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product with a catalog used when retrieving the intellectual property, users, and services available for the users; an execution means for providing a user with a service allowed for the user; and a distribution means for automatically distributing the intellectual property.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
73 words
A distribution apparatus for distributing intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing, comprising: a registration means for registering intellectual property comprising circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product with a catalog used when retrieving the intellectual property, users, and services available for the users; an execution means for providing a user with a service allowed for the user; and a distribution means for automatically distributing the intellectual property.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
91 words
A distribution system having at least one server for distributing intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing, wherein the server comprises: a memory portion for registering intellectual property comprising circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product with a catalog used when retrieving the intellectual property, users, and services available for the users; a processing portion, connected to the memory portion, for providing a user with a service allowed for the user; and a communication portion, connected to the processing portion, for automatically distributing the intellectual property.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
91 words
A distribution system having at least one server for distributing intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing, wherein the server comprises: a memory portion for registering intellectual property comprising circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product with a catalog used when retrieving the intellectual property, users, and services available for the users; a processing portion, connected to the memory portion, for providing a user with a service allowed for the user; and a communication portion, connected to the processing portion, for automatically distributing the intellectual property.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
51 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the distribution system comprises a plurality of servers that are hierarchically managed; and information about the servers is registered with hierarchical information and disclosure extents so that intellectual property is transferred among the servers according to the hierarchical information and disclosure extents.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the information about the servers is registered with disclosure approval conditions so that a given server discloses only approved intellectual property pieces.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the servers are connected to one another through networks.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the networks comprise the internet or an intranet.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the memory portion registers control information about the services, retrieval information about the intellectual property, and extraction information about the intellectual property.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
57 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the intellectual property includes a catalog used when retrieving the intellectual property, contents effectively representing the intellectual property, and circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product; and the registered intellectual property is processed according to the services so that the users use the intellectual property.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
41 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the catalog is processed and stored in the memory portion, and when a plurality of intellectual properties are obtained as a retrieval result, these intellectual properties are displayed by comparing items therebetween.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the items are determined by the user.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the catalog is registered collectively or through a menu according to category information, and the intellectual property is processed according to the category information.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the circuit data is prepared for each development stage of semiconductor products so that a proper piece of circuit data is reused for a given development stage.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the circuit data is registered according to registration rules that are set in advance.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
51 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the users are divided into groups that are related to disclosure extents; and each piece of intellectual property is registered with a disclosure extent so that each piece of the intellectual property is disclosed to the users according to the disclosure extent.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 31, wherein a catalog of a given piece of intellectual property is registered with a mask that defines a disclosure extent of the catalog.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 25, wherein a retrieval operation on the catalog is carried out by narrowing hierarchical categories related to the catalog and by specifying key words and at least one category item.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the memory portion registers category information for intellectual property so that the intellectual property is distributed among different environments according to the category information.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
55 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 19, wherein a mailing state is registered at a specific occasion for each user to indicate whether or not information about the registration of intellectual property must be sent to the user; and mail is sent to the user according to the mailing state at a specific occasion.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 35, wherein the specific occasion is the time of registering, updating and deleting the intellectual property, and the time of changing disclosure extents.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
38 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 19, wherein each piece of intellectual property is registered with a display condition at a specific occasion so that the intellectual property is processed and displayed according to the display condition.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 37, wherein the specific occasion is the time of registering, updating and deleting the intellectual property, and the time of changing disclosure extents.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
46 words
A distribution system as claimed in claim 19, wherein a log of users who accessed the intellectual property is collected; and the log is processed and displayed according to users and is automatically linked with groupware so that the processed log is provided to the users.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
61 words
A distribution method of distributing intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing, comprising: registering intellectual property comprising circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product with a catalog used when retrieving the intellectual property, users, and services available for the users; providing a user with a service allowed for the user; and automatically distributing the intellectual property.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
61 words
A distribution method of distributing intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing, comprising: registering intellectual property comprising circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product with a catalog used when retrieving the intellectual property, users, and services available for the users; providing a user with a service allowed for the user; and automatically distributing the intellectual property.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
86 words
A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a distribution method of distributing intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing, the method comprising the steps of: registering intellectual property comprising circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product with a catalog used when retrieving the intellectual property, users, and services available for the users; providing a user with a service allowed for the user; and automatically distributing the intellectual property.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
86 words
A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a distribution method of distributing intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing, the method comprising the steps of: registering intellectual property comprising circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product with a catalog used when retrieving the intellectual property, users, and services available for the users; providing a user with a service allowed for the user; and automatically distributing the intellectual property.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
83 words
A distribution apparatus for distributing intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing, comprising: a memory portion for registering intellectual property comprising circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product with a content used when retrieving the intellectual property, users, and services available for the users; a processing portion, connected to the memory portion, for providing a user with a service allowed for the user; and a communication portion, connected to the processing portion, for automatically distributing the intellectual property.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
83 words
A distribution apparatus for distributing intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing, comprising: a memory portion for registering intellectual property comprising circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product with a content used when retrieving the intellectual property, users, and services available for the users; a processing portion, connected to the memory portion, for providing a user with a service allowed for the user; and a communication portion, connected to the processing portion, for automatically distributing the intellectual property.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
73 words
A distribution apparatus for distributing intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing, comprising: a registration means for registering intellectual property comprising circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product with a content used when retrieving the intellectual property, users, and services available for the users; an execution means for providing a user with a service allowed for the user; and a distribution means for automatically distributing the intellectual property.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
73 words
A distribution apparatus for distributing intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing, comprising: a registration means for registering intellectual property comprising circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product with a content used when retrieving the intellectual property, users, and services available for the users; an execution means for providing a user with a service allowed for the user; and a distribution means for automatically distributing the intellectual property.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
91 words
A distribution system having at least one server for distributing intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing, wherein the server comprises: a memory portion for registering intellectual property comprising circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product with a content used when retrieving the intellectual property, users, and services available for the users; a processing portion, connected to the memory portion, for providing a user with a service allowed for the user; and a communication portion, connected to the processing portion, for automatically distributing the intellectual property.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
91 words
A distribution system having at least one server for distributing intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing, wherein the server comprises: a memory portion for registering intellectual property comprising circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product with a content used when retrieving the intellectual property, users, and services available for the users; a processing portion, connected to the memory portion, for providing a user with a service allowed for the user; and a communication portion, connected to the processing portion, for automatically distributing the intellectual property.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
61 words
A distribution method of distributing intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing, comprising: registering intellectual property comprising circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product with a content used when retrieving the intellectual property, users, and services available for the users; providing a user with a service allowed for the user; and automatically distributing the intellectual property.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
61 words
A distribution method of distributing intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing, comprising: registering intellectual property comprising circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product with a content used when retrieving the intellectual property, users, and services available for the users; providing a user with a service allowed for the user; and automatically distributing the intellectual property.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
83 words
A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a distribution method of distributing intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing, the method comprising: registering intellectual property comprising circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product with a content used when retrieving the intellectual property, users, and services available for the users; providing a user with a service allowed for the user; and automatically distributing the intellectual property.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
83 words
A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a distribution method of distributing intellectual property to be reused for semiconductor product designing, the method comprising: registering intellectual property comprising circuit data to be reused for designing a semiconductor product with a content used when retrieving the intellectual property, users, and services available for the users; providing a user with a service allowed for the user; and automatically distributing the intellectual property.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-12-05 | 2004-06-05 | 2004-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-05 | 2008-06-05 | 2008-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-05 | 2012-06-05 | 2012-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |