MC596A1 - Mechanized system intended to allow the exploitation of a portfolio of complex maturities - Google Patents

Description

"Annual guards"

JK/YJ - B. 1

Case 1+4

V .. /

5

10

1S2TIÎ S « IHTBÏÎ I OH

"A mechanized system designed to enable the processing of a portfolio of complex maturities."

Jacques KBSSIER

The present invention relates to a mechanized system for monitoring and triggering an operation which must be carried out periodically and according to complex and variable modalities, with a view to a given deadline. The operation in question concerns a series of subjects of complex and variable physiognomies; examples of subjects include accounts, insurance policies, patents of intent, etc., and examples of corresponding operations include statements, reminders of due dates for premiums or maintenance annuities in force, etc.

We already know of many systems for carrying out some of these operations, using, in particular, punched cards or magnetic memories. These systems allow for the periodic creation of statements, generally for accounting purposes.

However, it can happen that the records documenting the characteristics of the subject of the operation are frequently revised or reworked due to disruptive, accidental, or ritual factors whose importance, whims, unpredictability—and even, sometimes, ignorance—make the systematic and unverified use of the documents thus established unreliable and uncertain. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the multiplication, diversification, complexity, and constant transformation of the methods of executing operations that must be carried out at different deadlines can significantly increase the risk of errors.*

It is therefore sufficient that the portfolio being managed can accommodate the statistical error rate resulting from these disruptive factors*

This is why, on the other hand, we have abandoned the mechanization of the management of certain portfolios, whose subjects cannot tolerate approximation or a statistical error rate, and, moreover, very serious prejudices have taken root against such mechanization; some preliminary studies, in particular, concerning the maturity of international patent annuities, have even reached decidedly negative conclusions. Indeed, the failure to pay

The failure to pay a patent annuity determines a deadline whose consequences are infinitely more serious than those resulting from a simple failure to send an accounting statement or a reminder of the due date of an insurance premium.

The applicant therefore had to develop a system that eliminates the above disadvantages.

This new process, based on the creation and use of a basic memory, protected from disruptive factors, during the life of the subject of operation, is particularly applicable to the monitoring, recall and payment of patent annuities.

The present invention therefore relates to a mechanized method for monitoring and triggering an operation that must periodically, according to complex and variable modalities, and with a view to a given deadline, involve a series of subjects with complex and variable physiognomies. This method consists of using combinations of memory systems and machines adapted to the operation of these systems, in order to establish a document containing all the information necessary for the completion of the operation that must be carried out at the deadline. One of said memory systems – called "individual memory" – individualizes, in particular, a subject of the operation, and another of these memory systems – called "physiognomy memory" – includes the range of execution modalities as well as their different possible degrees, corresponding to the various deadlines to which the subject is likely to be exposed. This method is characterized in that:

a) on the one hand, "individual memories",

usable for all deadlines relating to a single subject of operation, include - at least with regard to characterizing the subject of operation - definitive identification information; predetermined locations being reserved for information possibly unknown at the time of memory creation and,

b) On the other hand, the degree of execution modality relating to a given deadline is defined by the result of a comparison of two pieces of information, one of which is taken from the "individual memory" and the other, external and variable, notably depending on time, is linked to the criterion according to which the degrees of execution modalities vary.

Thus, "individual memory" is the fundamental memory of subjects subjected to operations which must be carried out at deadlines.

Of course, the identification information stored in this memory is chosen for its permanent, definitive nature and its protection against disruptive factors. At most, it is possible to admit, within the scope of the present invention, that characteristics unknown or irrelevant at the time the memory is established may be subsequently recorded in it, with all essential cells, carefully pre-assigned, then filled. Nevertheless, this later information must, once known, offer the same guarantees of indifference to disruptive factors as the information that was created at the time.

has 1*subject to previous records.

It is possible to cite, by way of limited examples, identifying information that may be recorded, possibly in oodey on these "Individual memories" s

"Memory type,

* Broker, holder, owner and/or manager of the subject,

9. Working conditions (currency, rates, etc.) with this person in charge of the subject.

* Full or abridged title,

- Date of origin and/or rank of the subject,

- Reference humero used for the definitive identification of the subject and chosen from the codable information available at the time of the creation of the individual memory (for example, administrative registration number - provisional or definitive - with the Patent Office),

*• Day and month of the annual due date,

**Local agent responsible for carrying out operations to be performed by the deadline**

*- A comparison marker, intended for selecting degrees of modality and expressed, for example, in the form of the year of the zero-order deadline,

- B&te to which the subject received the assignment of their final administrative number,

- Information, simple or multiple, serving

to the identification" the physiognomy applicable to the subject and to the confrontation "individual memory" - "physiognomy memory".

For its part, the "physiognomy memory" contains all the information relating to the various methods of executing the operations to be triggered by the due date. A multitude of execution methods can thus be recorded; for example, a range of tariffs can be covered based on multiple factors (currency, customer profiles, tax amounts that vary depending on the country or certain options, late payment penalties, etc.*); similarly, the different levels of one or more of these methods (for example, the amount) can be specified, staggered according to certain criteria (for example, manual ranks®, M-, tri- or quadri-annual, ranks of the first and last annuity, etc.), according to national requirements.

These "physiognomic memories" are not immune to disruptive factors and are, on the contrary, subject to modifications, rare for each one but frequent overall. Nevertheless, if an execution physiognomy happens to change, it suffices to make this modification to the physiognomy memory in question, only once, for it to be applied automatically and at the opportune moment to all the subjects concerned, without any need to modify the "individual memory." This results in a speed of execution, a promptness of updating, and a security that current systems cannot offer at all! Indeed, the difficulties of selection, repetition of transcriptions, and the risks of errors and omissions necessitate the use of specialized personnel, multiple

checks, durations of immobilization and resumptions which increase and make extremely precarious the conditions of execution and the balance of such permanent factors of disorganization.

Examples of information regarding modalities that may be recorded on these "physiognomic memories" can be cited as non-exhaustive:

- type of memory,

- Date of update,

- A plurality of information, particularly quantitative, each relating successively to consecutive deadlines and thus constituting, depending on the year, the various degrees of this modality,

- A unit, particularly a monetary unit, in which quantitative information is given.

- Information identifying facial features and used for comparing "individual memory" - "facial memory",

"2nd, after which operations no longer take place, to be carried out.

It is clear that the document or memory containing all the information necessary to carry out the operation which must be carried out in view of the deadline, can arise from the rapprochement and combination of an "individual memory" and a "physiognomy memory" with, possibly, some additional information taken either from an external source, or from other memories called "auxiliary memories".

According to one feature of the invention, the merging of an "individual memory" and a "memory

physiognomy* is based on the physiognomy identification information which is found on both of these memories.

21 This articulation, which leads to the choice of a particular range of modalities, possibly decomposed into degrees, should not be confused with the confrontation (in particular, as a function of time) which leads—within a "physiognomic memory" illustrating, in particular, the successive degrees of a modality—to the choice of a degree, attached to a given deadline, of a physiognomic modality.

11. It is also possible that, due to its complexity or extent, a single physiognomy cannot be entirely recorded on the same memory. In this case, and according to another feature of the invention, the information specific to each time period of the potentially cumbersome modality is grouped by tens, so that the information whose sequence number ends with the same units digit is recorded, in the succession of associated memories, in cells of identical ranks.

The choice of the ten is made in the same way as above, that is to say by comparing information from "individual memory" with homologous information from "physiognomic memories".

It should be noted that, once the operations relating to the first ten deadlines have been carried out, it is necessary to update

the "individual memory" so that, from now on, the choice will be made on deadlines 10 to 20 and so on.

It is essential to note that, in accordance with the spirit of the invention, updating does not mean substituting one piece of information for another.

but, as we will see below, the addition of supplementary information. This need for updating can, moreover, be avoided by using equipment with high memory capacities, even if the information is distributed on separate physiognomy memories, from the moment that these separate "physiognomy" memories can be recorded, according to the needs, in order, in a memory of the equipment, to allow the selection of degrees of modalities, from among the twenty different pieces of information thus recorded, without having to make a prior sorting of a dozen.

Following this, the merging of an "individual memory" and a "physiognomic memory", completed by the selection of a degree of modality of the latter - which degree is fixed according to the deadline dealt with, consequently results in the document bringing together the coordinated set of information necessary for the completion of the operations.

The latter document can take various forms. It can, for example, be tabulated, that is to say printed, so that the information is directly readable.

In most cases, this document is,

This new memory is itself chosen. Generally, this latter form—which can be called "coded deadline memory"—is chosen because, at this stage of the process, the document is not always usable. Indeed, while most of the information is coded, for reasons of space, it is necessary to supplement this memory with other information from "auxiliary memories."

Examples of these "auxiliary memories" include:

- "Responsible records", in which are accumulated the names of the holders, owners and/or managers of the subjects as well as their account currencies,

- "Home addresses", in which the addresses of these subject managers are accumulated,

- "File memories", in which the administrative characteristics of the subjects are accumulated - other than those already integrated into memories - necessary for the execution of operations,

- "various memoirs".

Its effect, in order to gather all the information necessary for the execution of the operation attached to the deadline, it is often desirable to supplement the "coded deadline memory" with standard external information (for example, dates of sending reminders which must be calculated from the deadlines when grouping the work relating to several consecutive shipments).

The addition of this new information allows for the creation of a complete document which constitutes

■a "clear deadline memory".

new memory debt - in which the formidable multitude of "subjects", "physiognomies", "responsible parties", "domicile", "files", "observations" is matched, organized and prepared®, according to the characteristics of the deadlines - can be:

- either tabulated to obtain a document capable of direct reading,

-» be used, as is, to control signals capable of automatically triggering the execution of operations*

The latter case is particularly suited to the automatic control of devices that must execute programs at given deadlines.*

In any case, the exploitation of this "clear deadline memory" is ephemeral since, on the one hand, due to the evolution of the degrees of modalities, according to the rank of the deadlines and, on the other hand, due to the countless modifications occurring between two deadlines, each "clear deadline" document relating to a deadline has become obsolete at the next deadline.

According to Fox's preferred implementation of the invention, the memory systems used consist of n cards or strips - punched or magnetic.

It is understood that the processing of recorded information uses machines adapted to these memories (sorters, tabulators, etc.) and the programming of these machines is part of the present invention.

Finally, it is clear that at all stages of the process, it is possible to perform tabulations,

partial or total, in order to establish documents enabling surveys or verifications to be carried out.

The present invention also relates to the storage media – in particular punched cards – constituting the information storage medium, grouped according to the new process, and the documents resulting from the use of this information.

Finally, the invention relates to other provisions enabling absolute security to be obtained on those pieces of information processed which have a certain critical character.

Indeed, according to a variant of the present invention, certain routine systematic information, already contained in the "individual memory," is not transferred to the "coded due date memory." This extraction from the "coded due date memory" can thus be used to insert calculated information, particularly accounting or security information.* During the operation of the "coded due date memory," the "individual memory"* can, in fact, be reactivated, in parallel, as an auxiliary memory to retrieve the information not transferred to the "coded due date memory."*

As an example of calculated information for security verification, one can cite the verification of the payment order rank when selecting the execution method on the profile chart; it is quite possible to simultaneously retrieve the rank corresponding to the selected annuity and transfer it to the "coded payment order memory". (X-x

Furthermore, the order of the deadline is originally calculated by comparing,

- on the one hand, the year of the virtual deadline for aeronautical orders and,

- on the other hand, the vintage of the current year,

This calculated rank can also be stored in memory and, for example, on the "coded due date memory"j; therefore, the simple comparison and verification of identity between the retrieved rank and the calculated rank makes it possible to verify the accuracy of the modality finally used from the "coded due date memory"

As an example of calculated accounting information, one can cite the case of an amount converted into another monetary unit. Indeed, according to another feature of the invention, currency conversion cards are attached to the character cards. These conversion cards allow for the transposition of quantitative values from one unit to another, and for recording, particularly in the freed-out portion of the "coded maturity memory," the converted value. "The conversion cards include, as essential information, a conversion factor that allows the value to be converted by simple multiplication." If, for example, the quantitative value is an amount expressed in the foreign monetary unit, the conversion card will allow, very simply, the transposition of the sum of money into the fundamental monetary unit. The usefulness of this conversion is easily understood, particularly for the accounting processing of homogeneous data.

Another characteristic of this variant, in terms of security, is the repetition of essential information, the accuracy of which must be absolutely guaranteed, in the same memory location. For example, the terms, particularly quantitative ones, of a payment deadline are repeated twice on the main memory card and similarly transferred to the "coded deadline" card. The guarantee of a correct transfer is obtained by comparing and verifying the equality of the two parallel transfers.

Another improvement to this variant consists, finally, in mentioning, on the "physiognomy memory", the total lifespan of the subject of the operation, in particular the total number of deadlines to be met.

This entry is subsequently compared with the rank of the calculated deadline; if the rank of the calculated deadline is greater than the number indicated on the "memory-physiognomy", it must be deduced that the subject of operation has expired and the machine which processes these memories can automatically discard the subjects in question.

To facilitate understanding of the invention and to clarify a number of its details, an implementation example will now be given. This example, which is not exhaustive, refers to the specific case of monitoring, recalling, and paying patent annuities.

We will assume that the operations are performed using "memories" consisting of punched cards! These cards will then be inserted into and processed by means of a card machine.

perforated (for example "the gamma 10 computer manufactured by the BULl-GrEUERAI Company" BLEOTRIC").

In this regard, reference should be made to the attached drawings on which

- Figure 1 represents, alongside the columns - whose rank is numbered at the top of the drawing -, the key for distributing the punched information onto another card called the "matrix"}

Figures 2g and 2b similarly represent the keys to two "tariff" cards.

"Figure 3 similarly represents the key to an "annuity" card;

- the figures % «t 4Tb similarly represent the elements of two "address" cards?

- Figure 5 similarly represents the key to a "file" card f

- Figure 6 represents a flowchart of the operations to which the different cards in Figures 1 to 5 are subjected |

* Figure 7 represents a variant of the "tariff" cards from Figures 2 and 2^;

- Figure S represents the corresponding variant of the "annuity" element in Figure 3.

- Figure 9 represents the diagram for making the card in Figure 3;

- Figure 10 represents the diagram of the production of intermediate documents in plain language, corresponding to the diagram in Figure 9;

- Figure 11 represents the production diagram of the operating documents;

1

- Figure 12 represents the diagram for the production of grouped operating documents and the restoration of files.

In accordance with the invention, individual cards are created first, which will be called "matrix cards"

As an example, we will describe one of these maps, which includes î

a) a coded entry identifying the type of memory, here, the number "35" (columns of ranks 1 and 2),

b) the patent filing date, here, "19-2-58" (columns 3 and 7), note that the number 2, which indicates the month of February, is replaced by the letters "o", "a11, "d" for the last three months of the year in order to use only one column for the identification of a month,

e) a number identifying the client who is responsible for the patent or who must pay the annuities (i.e., to whom reminders and receipts must be addressed), here, "B 1349n (columns 11 to 15)î the letters such as "B" identifying a category of clients (subdivided in French, direct foreigners and foreign portfolio managers), with possibly (columns 8 to 10) a broker number, here, "68",

d) the immutable identification number, which is constituted by the provisional patent filing number, here, *!04ê25<' (columns 16 to 22); it will be noted that, by definition, this number is transitory but that it is nonetheless permanent due to its definitive assignment; it allows, in any case, to deal with the subject "patent" without reaching the definitive number.

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However, in the case of taking over a patent issued for which the provisional number can be assigned – which then presents no special interest – the identification number is chosen to be equal to the final number of the patent issued.

(e) in principle and subject to what will be specified below, the country where this patent was filed or, at least, the first letters, coded,

of ee country, here, for Federal Germany,

(columns 23 to 27),

£) the country code number, here, *10" (columns 77 and 78),

g) the client's mu» or, at least, the first seven letters of that name, here, in the chosen example WÛ# (columns 28 to 34),

(h) a number identifying, quickly, a classification number of this patent, within the portfolio belonging to its owner, here "16" (columns

35 and 36),

i) an abbreviated title of this patent, here, in the example chosen, "Po'éle ïeflon" (columns 37 to 55),

3) the day and month of the annuity due date, here, "20-02" (columns 56 to 59) Note that the month is, here, specified in two numbers,

In order to allow for a clear expression and impression of information whose essential nature is evident, k) the last two digits of the year corresponding to a fictitious zero-rank due date, which will be discussed later, (columns 60 and 61), here, "57", that is, the year preceding the year of filing, on the occasion

"18 -

of which the first annual payment is made,

1) The patent issue number (columns 62 to 68)f 1*corresponding location is, here, left blank as long as ©e number is unknown and will be filled in later, at the time of patent issue?

m) the date of issue of the patent (columns 69 to 72) | 1*location is, i.e., also, left blank,

a) the coded identifying number, in combination with the country number, of the physiognomy card (which will be referred to later as the "tariff card") and defining the terms under which this payment will be settled, here, "1* (column 76),

o) a coded number indicating, if necessary, the patent agent who is responsible in the country concerned, here "26" (columns 7 and 80); it should be noted, moreover, that such an agent may also be a client as manager according to e)* In this case, the respective code numbers are, preferably, identical as will be seen below.

This card is perforated in the usual way, that is to say, with one or more holes illustrating the numbers or letters of each column, as shown on the left side of figure 2e*

In accordance with the invention, a punched card is also created which constitutes the physiognomy card and which will be called the "price card" •

Given that the maximum duration of patents is never more than twenty years, regardless of the country, and that it is therefore necessary to pay, at

M 19

"Maximum twenty annuities, all information relating to these annuities is, for card saturation reasons, divided into two "rate cards": the first corresponds to the first ten annuities and the second corresponds to annuities from ranks 11 to 20."

This "fare card" includes (figure 2a) î

a) a coded mention identifying the type of memory, here, W4Û* (columns of ranks 1 and 2);

the creation date of this cart$ here, "1 -1 -60" (columns 3 to 7);

e) a space (columns 8 to 10) reserved for broker code numbers, so as to allow for different pricing conditions depending on the portfolios,

d) a location whose definition and purpose will be explained later (columns 13 to 18),

e) the amounts of the annuities for maturities of ranks 1 to 10, divided into ten tranches (columns 20 to 24 for the amount of the first annuity, 25 to 29 for the second, 60 to 64 for the ninth and 66 to 70

for the tenth),

f) the possible maximum deferment that may be granted for the payment of these annuities, by a figure indicated in months, here, "6M (oolonne 65),

g) the monetary unit in which the amount of the annuities is expressed, here, "F.F" for French franc (columns 71 to 73),

h) the date of the last annuity due? In other words, the duration, in years, of the patent (columns 74 and 75), here, "18",

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i) a coded number identifying the form of this "fare card", here, "110" (columns 76 to 78); this number is broken down as follows

- the first number indicates a price,

- the second and third digits indicate a country,

j) a space (columns 79 and 80) reserved for agent code numbers so as, where appropriate, to provide for "customer rates" based on the "supplier rates" charged by the agents.

The second "rate card" (Figure 2b), relating to annuities of rank above 10, is identical to the first, except that the annuity amounts refer to annuities of ranks 11 to 20. Although it bears the same code number as the previous one,

In columns 1 and 2, this card differs from the previous one by the number in column 76 which is greater than five units, to the corresponding number of the card in figure 2a.

We can see, therefore, that each of these tariff cards constitutes the overall appearance of a certain number of modalities M1 (amount^ M2 (deferment), M3 (monetary unit), etc... (figures 2a and 2b) some of which - here, the modality M1 - are subdivided into degrees d1, d2, d10 (figure 2a) and d11, d12 ..., d20 (figure 2b) classified according to a criterion which is the rank, in time, of the annuities.

Similarly, modality M2 can, in another way, be expressed in two different degrees; indeed, in some countries, the maximum stay (or additional time for execution) is not the same depending on the date.

of the annuity. This is, in particular, the case of Hungary,

from Switzerland, Finland, Japan, etc... where the normal six-month waiting period is reduced to two and a half months,

three or four months for certain initial annuities. Qe alternative degree, which is no longer a function of time, but of the nature of the country, can be differentiated from the classic degree "d'1" (figure 2a) by an additional perforation "d'à* (figure 2a), made in one - for example "a" - of the two lines & and Ta generally reserved, on the map, above the conventional perforation lines from 0 to 9" In this way, it is always possible, to express the degree "d'2n, to accompany the classic information "6" with a complementary sign which signals this alternative Hd*2H.

Furthermore, it is important to note that some of the degrees d1, d2..*, d20 may very well not mention any annuity amount, if these are only payable every 3, 4 or 5 years, as is the case for the annuities of New Zealand, Israel, Iceland, etc.

It should also be noted that, in accordance with the invention, the amounts of annuities whose ranks differ by one diane are recorded in corresponding zones, without lateral shift, from one card to the other.

It is now necessary to specify the coding rules for the number identifying "fare cards"; this number consists of three digits, the last two of which identify a given country*

Erase each column of the punched cards

S

It contains 12 distinct signs, so it is possible to distinctly identify 12 x 12 as 144 different countries.

The first digit relates to one of the tariff categories relevant to the coded country. If we consider the base currency to be the franc and the country of operation to be France, this first digit is chosen as follows: a) the digit 1 for a tariff expressed in French francs? This tariff then concerns patents taken out in the coded country by clients paying in francs, in principle, the French ->

b) the number 4 for a tariff expressed in the currency of the coded country! o® tariff concerns patents taken out in France by clients not paying in francs "• in principle" nationals of the coded country - »

c) the "Numbers 1 and 4 are used for annuities of rank 1 to 10 and" as indicated above" the numbers 6 and 9 are, in parallel, used for annuities of ranks 11 to 20.

Apart from these two basic pairs of digits, four other pairs of signs remain available to be applied to specific cases concerning the country in question*

Thus, the first digit can be "2 or 7"

to express a separate, additional special tariff, depending on the country, from the main tariff (half tariff in Germany and Great Britain, new tariff following a change in legislation, import patents, continued application in the Netherlands) and always expressed, by convention, in francs, the figures n3 or 8M may,

also, be reserved for a third tier of fares in anticipation of a possible increase in the number of fares for a country.

Finally, if the annuity is payable in an international currency, for example, the dollar, which is neither that of the country of the operating headquarters nor that of the client's country, one of the numbers n0 or 5"

can express the first figure of the basic tariff. Ultimately, and for example, if number 110 codifies the basic tariff applicable, in French francs, to German patents,

Number 100 (or 400) codes the basic tariff applicable, in French francs, to French patents*

Number 410 codifies the basic tariff applicable, in deutschmarks, to French patents.

Number 210 codifies the reduced rate applicable, in French francs, to German patents offered under license.

Number 279 codifies the special tariff applicable, in French francs, to unissued Dutch patents*

Number 379 codifies the new applicable tariff* in French francs for Dutch patents since the legislative amendment of January 1, 1964.

Number 010 codifies the applicable base tariff* in dollars for German patents,

The number 000 (or 413) codes the applicable base tariff* in dollars for French patents*

m 24 —

It should be noted that when coding columns 12 and 13 of the matrix cards to identify the customers' country of residence, these columns are,

then, identical to columns 77 and 78 if the figure in column 76 is an M11.

Finally, if we want to sort the cards relevant to French patents, we simply need to search, on the one hand, for all the matrix cards containing the digits "00"

in columns 77-78 and, on the other hand, all matrix cards containing an "M4" or a "9" in column 76. However, to sort cards relevant to foreign patents, particularly German ones, it suffices to search for matrix cards whose columns 77-78 contain the country number, for example "10", and to remove, from the resulting sort, the cards containing a "4".

in the oolonne 76"

Similarly, matrix cards where the unit of account is the franc are distinguished by the numbers *1, 2 or 3* and "6, 7 or 8" in column 76f. "Matrix cards with dollar unit of account are, on the one hand, those in which column 76 is "0" or "5*" and, on the other hand, those whose rate is "413*."

Ga had noted earlier that the first digits of the tariff numbers differ by five units; it is therefore conceivable that when a matrix card has exhausted the annuities appearing in the tariff card for the first decade, it will suffice to modify "automatically" (by sorting followed by group perforation) the single digit in column 76, increasing by 5 the one which

Ax

m. 25 -

already appears in this column, to now determine the comparison of the matrix card with the tariff card of the second decade*

For example, tariff 679, which was not relevant when the master card was created, will replace tariff 179 without the need to replace the master card*

Having thus set out the conditions for expressing the coded number identifying the "tariff" cards according to their appearance, it is necessary to define the conditions for introducing this information into the ca3?i« "tariff*.

Indeed, it is easy to use this number as a piece of information whose presence on the card means that the upcoming annuity is due and whose absence means, on the contrary, that the upcoming annuity is not due.

Consequently, for patents filed in countries where the annuity is only payable upon issuance, the matrix cards will be perforated upon filing the patents, with the exception of columns 76 to 78, which will only be completed with the tariff information on the day the patent is issued. Columns 72 and 73 will then be filled in. Thus, any matrix card with empty columns 76 to 78 will correspond to a patent for which the annuities are not yet payable.

However, in some countries, annuities are only due from the 3rd, 4th, or 5th annuity onwards, even if the patent is granted before the corresponding due dates. It is therefore easy to display on the

Patent matrix cards of this nature may contain an indication such as "66 D", "67 D", etc., indicating that annuity payments will only begin in 1966, 1967, etc. Similarly, when certain annuities of a patent have been paid in advance, information such as "66 E", "67 E-", etc., may indicate that annuity payments should only resume in 1966, 1967, etc. It is possible, at the beginning of each year, to group the annuities concerned by a start or resumption of payment and to assign, to the corresponding matrix cards, the coded numbers (not relevant at the time of filing) and the corresponding tariffs.

Similarly, once one has access to valuable files—capable of applications other than annuities, namely, monitoring the regular granting of patents after a certain period following their filing, classifying patents in a portfolio according to extremely flexible criteria, by country, by inventions designated by the same number (columns 55 and 56) and the same abbreviated title, by chronological order of filing, grant, expiry date, by agent, by client, etc.—relating to the patents in a portfolio, subject to the payment of annuities, it is tempting to cover, with these files, all the patents in a portfolio, that is to say, even those (additional patents or patents from countries whose legislation does not provide for annuities) that are not subject to annuities.

It is then sufficient to establish, for these

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"patents, matrix cards identical to those in Figure 1 but containing zeros in the due date columns §6 to §9 and nothing in columns 76 to 78/ Such matrix cards can be easily discarded, at the beginning of the manipulation, before dealing with the annuity cards themselves.

Having given the above explanations, the complete process of implementing the procedure according to the intention will now be described with reference to Figure 6, on which the cards or their trays have been identified by their respective numbers appearing in columns 1 and 2 – for example, G 25 for matrix cards, Q 40 for tariff cards, etc.

Debt implementation illustrates the selection and establishment of information necessary to recall the annuities of a patent portfolio for maturities occurring during a certain period of time, for example, a quarter, a month or a fortnight.

Among all the "matrix cards", it is easy to sort out those that correspond to patents.

. »**>

the annuity must be paid.

2n in effect* it is enough to introduce "the "matrix cards" into the sorter set to sort the cards whose columns 58 and 59 contain "a number corresponding to the month grouping the due dates*

Furthermore, in order to avoid the creation of utopian reminders displaying, for a zero amount, an annuity due after expiration, it is necessary to eliminate the matrix cards of expired patents, that is to say

•m 23 •*

reached the end of their term. For this, it is sufficient to exclude, country by country, the shares for which the years of fictitious expiry zero (columns 60 and 61 of the matrix shares) are less than or equal to the current year minus the term of the patent appearing in columns 74 and 75 of the tariff cards.

Having completed this preliminary operation, it is necessary to bring together, on the one hand, in 1, the "matrix cards1* thus selected, and on the other hand, in 2, all the "price cards". These two groups of cards – the first group immediately following the second – are introduced into a sorter 11 set to sort the cards by coded numbers, common to columns 76 to 78 of these two types of cards.

This operation thus makes it possible to associate with each "tariff card" all the "matrix cards" which correspond to patents subject to the regime of this "tariff card".

It is quite obvious that following this sorting, there will be "tariff cards" whose coded number (col orne s lé to 78) will not have corresponded to a homologous number of any "matrix card"} it will result that no annuity will have to be paid, during the month of due date in question, according to the terms of the "tariff card" whose call will have remained unanswered.

Such "tariff cards" (C 40) without matrix can be eliminated by circuit "a" in order to be returned to their original archiving bin.

There will also be "matrix cards" (C 35) illustrating patents whose annuities, although in front,

- 29 -

in the future, due during the month in question, are, however, not yet payable (for example, patent not issued)| said "matrix cards" constituting the residue of sorting 21, can therefore be eliminated and discarded in circuit "b".

The AT security measure and in order to allow verification, these "matrix cards without tariff"

may be subject to tabulation (3) which will group, in state Wt1w, the "patents without recall" subdivided and ordered into s

- patents not subject to the annuity system,

- patents whose expiry date is unknown and which will be subject to the amuti regime after their issuance,

- patents whose expiry date is known but which will only be subject to the annuity system after their issuance,

- patents with a fixed expiry date and issued but for which the annuities are not yet due or have been paid in advance.

Having, therefore, in hand the package consisting of bundles of grouped "matrix cards," each behind the relevant tariffs, it is necessary to proceed with the development of a new series of punched cards which will be called "annuity cards" and which will include the essential identification elements of the patent and, above all, all the information,

coded or in plain text* necessary for the establishment and processing of reminders| these cards must, in particular, include the amount of the annuity# deducted, according to its rank# in the information of the "tariff card".

- 30 -

This new punched card, which is indicated in 4 on figure 6 and shown in detail on figure 3, is obtained by passing the packet of punched cards from sorting 21 through a reproducing punch, connected to an electronic computer and shown schematically in 5, in which a number of information transfers are carried out from these cards onto the new ones, by completing the perforations, which result from these transfers, with other perforations relating to information whose calculation will be given below.

This punched card, known as the "annuity card," ultimately includes:

a) a coded entry identifying the type of memory, i.e. number 26 (columns of ranks 1 and 2),

b) the date to be printed on the reminders (columns 3 to 1), as entered, either directly or via a "miscellaneous" memory as indicated above,

o) the client number (columns 11 to 15) possibly preceded (columns 8 to 10) by the broker number) this information is simply taken from column to column in the "matrix card" and transferred to the new card,

d) the provisional patent number (columns 16 to 22), also transferred from the corresponding columns of the matrix card,

#) the country db. This patent was filed or, at least* the first few letters, coded, of this country (columns 23 to 27) » information analogous to that of the map

matrix,

f) the patent issue number (columns 28 to 34), information extracted, by offset, from columns 62 to 68 of the matrix card,

g) a number quickly identifying a classification number (columns 35-36), information analogous to that of the matrix card,

h) an abbreviated title (columns 37 to 55), Information analogous to that of the matrix card,

i) the expiry date (columns 56 to 59), information analogous to that of the matrix card,

3) the possible deferment (column 60), information taken, by offset, from column 70 of the tariff card,

k) the date or order number of the annuity, here *8" (columns 61 and 62), obtained by the difference between the year "65" of the current year and the year *57* of the fictitious zero due date appearing in columns 60 and 61 of the "matrix card", in order to determine the date of the annuity due and consequently select the appropriate amount from among the ten amounts shown on the rate card; these operations are* obviously carried out by the computer connected to the punch press,

1) the amount of the annuity (columns 69 to 73) obtained by selecting the amount corresponding to the annuity for the date defined in k), here *336", for the 8th annuity in columns 65 to 69 of the tariff card in Figure 2a; m) the monetary unit in which the amount is fixed (columns 74 to 76), information taken, by

offset, in columns 71 to 73 of the price list,

(il) the country and the agent responsible for this patent in the country in question? Information taken, without offset, from columns 77 to 30 of the matrix card.

It is therefore clear that the majority of these "annuity cards" are a slavish reproduction, column by column, of the "master card", with the exception of the payment deferral, the order number and the amount of the annuity and, finally, the monetary unit, which are not included, and the offset of the issue number.

This column-by-column correspondence is particularly interesting because the production of the "annuity*" card is marked by a high degree of security since its production requires, independently of simple transfers of information, only a limited quantity of new elements supplied by the calculator and, subsequently, the accuracy of these transfers - concerning 67 columns out of 74 and checked by the machine itself, after perforation - is ensured in an absolute way.

Of course, after the "annuity cards*" have been established, the "matrix cards" and the "rate cards," which have become unnecessary *since all the necessary information is recorded on the "annuity cards*," are returned, the former via circuit "ô" and the latter via circuit "d," to their original archiving bins and are ready to be used the following year with the cards of the annuities taken into account and, after the elimination of unpaid, cancelled, abandoned, and©* annuities.

Gette separation of "price cards" and "matrix cards" set carried out by a sort separator (23) in which it is sufficient to exploit the code number of column 1, identifying, by itself, the type of memory.

However* before being placed back in their bases, the "matrix cards", from circuits "b" and "e* are grouped© and the cards pass through a sorter (22) which has the function of placing the "matrix cards" in the order of the staggering of deadlines in time.

The "annuity cards" thus available are sorted into (24) in order to be classified in the chronological order in which the installments must be paid, after which they are passed into a tabulator (6) which allows a chronological statement "t2" to be drawn up which will be, hereafter, called "Mpre-tabulation" of the reminders.

This terminology clearly indicates that this state is only preparatory and allows for the presentation, for verification and finalization purposes, of a number of cases whose complexity, rarity, and unpredictability are incompatible with complete mechanization. Indeed, this pre-tabulation, which concentrates all the information necessary for the execution of payments, allows the portfolio manager easy analysis and adjustments. It is, in particular, on this pre-tabulation that it is possible to verify, as will be indicated below, the number and identity of the reminders.

Given, however, the correspondence that must be established between, on the one hand, the client or patent holder – that is to say, the one who ultimately pays the annuity – and, on the other hand, the manager of the

Wallet which uses punched cards, it is necessary to use supplementary memories containing 1# name and address of these holders.

Among these supplementary cards are, therefore, "name cards" (figure 4e) which contain a) a coded entry identifying the type of card, i.e. the number 10 (columns of ranks 1 and 2),

b) the date of creation of this map {columns 3 to 7),

e) the patent holder's number (columns 11 to 15), possibly preceded by the broker's number (columns 8 to 10),

d) their full name (columns 16 to 45)} It should be noted, in this regard, that the portion of the name retained for alphabetical sorting is always positioned starting from column 26 in order, on the one hand,

to allow for simple alphabetical sorting and, on the other hand, to leave space before this sorting for possible subsidiary information (first name, Mr., Mrs., Company, etc...)"

e) the city in which he is domiciled (from column 46),

f) the country in which this city is located (up to column 75), the boundary between information e) and f) being variable provided that their total does not exceed thirty letters or symbols,

(g) the currency of this customer's account (column 76) In this regard, it should be noted that, due to the method used to code the rates (see above), this currency is simply expressed by the figure indicated in the corresponding 76th column of the matrix card. Furthermore,

- 35 -

The two or more account currencies of the same customer can be displayed, in a grouped manner, in this 10th column of the "name" card since it is sufficient, in this column, to punch the two or more holes corresponding to these two or more currencies distributed on the two or more categories of matrix cards corresponding to this customer,

(h) the agent number of this client, that is to say the number of this same person when he/she plays - ee which is possible - the role of executing an agent, with regard to other patents (columns 77 to 80).

As noted above (columns 79 and 80 of the matrix card), this number is the same as the one appearing in columns 14 and 15 of this "name" card. Thus, the name card, created in a single copy for the agent-client, can be compared—by simply comparing columns of the same rank and without any shift—to two distinct categories of matrix cards: those in which the individual plays the role of client and those in which they play the role of agent.

The "address cards" (figure 4b) include, on the other hand, t a) the coded mention identifying the type of card, i.e. the number 12 (columns of ranks 1 and 2),

b) o) the same information b) and c) as on the "name cards",

d) the name of the street where the residence is located (columns 26 to 45) and the number on that street (columns 16 to 25),

o) the same information g) as on the "name cards" (columns 77 to 80), (Y

- 36 -

It is worth noting - and this is an interesting characteristic of the process - that these "name" and "address" cards include, as in the "annuity cards", the customer number and that this number is recorded in columns of the same rank.

This feature allows the use of only one "name card" and one "address card".

for the subsequent tabulation of reminder printouts and this, for all the "matrix cards" concerned by the due date month" For example, if your client is responsible for ten patents whose due date falls during the month in question, it will be possible to print ten independent and different reminders, but these will have required only one "name card" and one "address card".

To do this, simply save,

in the machine, the name and address, for the whole time either "annuity cards" with the same customer number will be presented.

% another type of ancillary memory consists of cards which will be called "file cards".

It is, in fact, often insufficient to know the short title which is a kind of brief and practical name allowing for quick identification; this short title is not likely to be used in relations between the managing body, responsible for payments, and the official administrative services.

It is therefore essential to know, at least, ** on the one hand, a significant portion of the patent title and, possibly, a number of its

first letters ©t

- on the other hand, the actual holder of the patent,

only known to the administration and which may be different from the person responsible for maintaining it in force.

In this case, the "file card" (figure 5) includes a) a coded mention identifying the type of "art©", i.e. the number "23" (columns of ranks 1 and 2),

b) the patent filing date (columns 3 to 7) » law "19-2-57%

o) the client's and, if applicable, the broker's numbers (respectively columns 11 to 15 and 8 to 10), here "B 1349" and *68",

d) the patent identification number (columns 1# to 22), here "842156",

©) the beginning of the patent title (for example, the first 32 letters) (columns 25 to 55), here "Paper preparation process", (the period indicating that the title contains other terms),

f) the due date (columns 56 to 59), here "19-02", g) the patent holder (columns 60 to 76), here "Me Dupont .Durand", which is interpreted as "Madame Dupont, née Durane" when this holder is different from the client, &) the possible foreign local enforcement agent (columns 79 and 80),

(i) the country in which the patent is filed (columns 77 and 78)*

In this case, the card relates to a French patent (country "00") whose annuities are

- 38

paid by the central management body itself (agent "00").

Qa easily understands that, in case of necessity, one can create as many "file" cards as desired for a given patent; it is enough to choose different code numbers in columns 1 and 2, keep columns 3 to 22, 56 to 59 and 77 to 80 and fill in the remaining columns as desired; in this case, instead of handling a single "file" card, one will handle a bundle of two, three, etc... cards joined together.

In particular, in the case of patents that are divisions of earlier patents (or certificates of addition converted into patents) and whose annuities follow the basic patent regime, it is possible to include in columns 23 to 55 or 60 to 76 of a "subject file" card a note—useful for processing payments—such as

"DIVB3? 92834212457" being interpreted as "French patent division No. 928342 filed on 12-4-57", or

"âDD BE 124 2356?2658" interpreting as: "ex-certificate of addition to Foreign Patent 1242356, filed on 12-6-58" (the country in question being likely to be explained by columns 77-78).

In fact, it could even be agreed that these latter entries be integrated into columns 60 to 76 of the map in Figure 5, in place of the holder, and that the holder, with a more extensive description, be entered in the "bis file" entries for French and foreign patents whose holder does not correspond to the clients coded in columns 11 to 15.

m 59 —

Munis î

- on the one hand, "annuity cards" (4) as defined above,

- on the other hand, supplementary cards such as "name cards", "address cards" and "file cards"; it is possible to set up a rational method of exploiting these cards.

On the sorting machine (Ï5), the "annuity cards*" and "file cards" (the latter relating to the month, or the period of due dates covered by the annuity cards) are sorted in such a way as to pair the cards of the two types bearing, respectively, the same patent numbers and the same country numbers; we obtain,

Thus, a deck of cards consisting of a series of bundles relating, each, to the same patent.

Since the "annuity cards" and the "file cards" corresponding to the same patent are thus paired, it is evident that there will remain a residue of "file cards" (0 23), not relevant for the month of expiry in question and which will not correspond to any of the patents whose expiry falls during that month; this residue can be recycled by the *eH circuit through a new sorter (2*5) which will reorder it at the same time as the others, at the end of their cycle, by increasing patent numbers.

The complex pile, from sorter 25, is sorted again, in (26) by ascending customer numbers, each bundle, specific to a remaining customer, itself ordered by patent numbers*

• If, beforehand, the "name cards" and the "address cards" are themselves sorted into (ïï'6) by

Customer numbers, an interleaving folder "1" can easily insert "annuity" cards and "file" cards following "name" cards and "address" cards, relating to the same customer, while eliminating "name" and "address" cards that are not followed by an annuity card and are therefore irrelevant to this operation. Thus, a complex bundle will be created in which one will find successively and in order

- a "name card",

- an "address card",

- a "patent file card",

- the "annuity card" of the patent referred to in the "file card" above,

- a new "file card" if the client has more than one patent,

-a new "annuity card", etc.*.

until, for the next customer, the order of the cards is, once again, the same as that which has just been indicated.

It should also be noted that the code numbers in columns 2 of these different cards were chosen in such a way that the numbers in the second column grow regularly within each elementary bundle, which allows us to verify the judicious ordering of the latter.

Such a stack of cards makes it possible to perform without any difficulty the tabulation "t3" of documents likely to be used, both for the reminder and the payment of annuities and this by means of computers of the gamma 10 type, for example.

After the documents were printed, the mass of

» 41 ■

cards are subjected in Ï7 to a separator sort which separates the different kinds of cards, by reference to the code numbers appearing in columns 1 and 2.

His "annuity cards" can then be sorted again by due date before being archived or used for other purposes, including accounting.

0» will note that the "annuity" card has six columns (63 to 68), indicated by the reference E and which have not, until now, been the subject of any comment.

These columns can usefully be reserved for material accounting operations because the "annuity" card constitutes, as such, a remarkable accounting document taken at work. It is therefore conceivable that the cards collected in 7 (figure 6) can be taken up by an accounting service which will limit itself to transcribing in the "E" columns the materiality of a certain number of entries without explaining the details which are, in advance, integrated into the cards.

Furthermore, if, as these entries are made, these cards are removed from their tray to be placed,

in an archive bin, the remaining cards represent the mass of unregulated annuities, which can easily be compared, for control purposes, with the corresponding administrative files.

Returning to the two horizontal rows of perforations & and lj£ (figure 2a) that may be provided above the conventional perforations, these can, moreover, be used for various purposes.

For example, although the timeframe is not explicitly stated,

on the other tariffs* than in a single column (column 70), or can use s

- on the one hand, the W2W perforation and,

- on the other hand, the perforation available in the Mbrt row to print a "12", for example, from the single column 70.

This allows, while using only one column, d1 to express exceptional deferments in two figures as is the case for 3a Türkiye and Luxembourg.

Likewise, rows a and b of columns 13 to 18 of the tariff card can be used in combination with columns 63 to 78 of the annuity cards, to allow the totaling, in six different currencies, of the amounts punched on the annuity cards relating to a due month.

Finally, the numbers in columns 70 to 73 of tariff cards can be used to provide special signals for currency, for example, amounts expressed in pounds, shillings and pence must always be separated by a dot, a perforation in & or b, associated with the perforations expressing British currency, in the classic rows from 0 to 9, will allow the dot to be placed in the necessary locations, between the numbers, without immobilizing an intermediate column.

The terms thus defined lend themselves to easy manipulation and, above all, to relatively simple verifications.* Indeed, one of the essential concerns® regarding patent annuities lies in the fear of a "recall mission." However, it is possible to issue, at the same time as the tabulation t3,

- on the one hand, the number "n" of "26" cards and • on the other hand, the total "t" of the reference numbers of columns 16 to 22 (or, better, of only columns 19 to 22 by eliminating any letter from these columns).

Admittedly, this total is meaningless, but, precisely because of the random nature of the totaled numbers, it illustrates, with remarkable accuracy and a statistical error rate of practically 1/1000, a mass and assortment of annuity cards. This means that, from one year to the next, it is possible, based on these two factors "n" and "t" and taking into account the entries and exits that occurred in the interval, to predict the number Mn' of cards and the total "t" that will have to be delivered by tabulation.

The accounting of "entry" and "exit" cards may, at first glance, seem difficult, but experience proves, on the contrary, that the total of the annuities taken into account is automatically obtained during the tabulations following the perforations, after a simple sorting by month of due date, and that the total of the annuities that have lapsed or been abandoned is also easily available after judicious accounting treatments of the monthly trays.

As a result, we obtain a level of security and control over the number and identity of reminders that is not even conceivable within the framework of current systems, because these checks can be generalized to the totalization of many other arbitrary criteria such as, for example, deadlines.

We will now describe the variant mentioned.

- 44

in the preamble" in which absolute security is ensured© in oe which concerns certain critical data, the "matrix" cards 35" "names" 10,

"Addresses" 12 and "folders" 23 are substantially the same as those in figures 1, 4a, 4b and 5.

However, in the matrix map î

a) the deposit number (col. 3 to 7) is reported in columns 11 to 15; the broker code (col. 8 to 11 in figure 1) and the client code (col. 11 to 15 in figure 1) are respectively shifted to the left in columns 3 to 5 and 6 to 10;

b) the empty columns 74 and 75 occupied by a two-digit number specifying the year from which, regardless of any delivery, the annuity will become due! This year is determined either

by local legislation (Germany» Great Britain.*.) or» depending on spontaneous advance payments.

In addition, a special perforation is provided in column 69 and in area & (figure 2) to identify patents whose annuities are only payable after issue! In this way, it is no longer necessary, as above, to wait for this issue to display the tariff number; it can be punched out as soon as the matrix card is created.

On the other hand, there are more tariff cards, four in number, and their structure is substantially different! They include (Figure 7): a) a code number identifying a type of card—here, numbers 41, 42, 43, or 44, depending on the order of the annuities contained in that card. For twenty

- 45

Due dates, it is necessary to provide four tariff cards, so card 41 contains the information relating to the first five due dates, card 42, those relating to due dates of ranks 6 to 10, card 43, those relating to due dates of ranks 11 to 11, card 44, those relating to due dates of ranks 16 to 20 (columns 1 and 2) |

b) the broker number (columns 3 to 5);

c) the date of the update of the "fare card* (col. 6 to 10) |

d) for a card 41} the information relating to the first annuity is broken down as follows t

- rank of the annuity, i.e. number 1 (columns 11 and 12),

- the amount M1 of this annuity (columns 13 to 17),

*• the amount M?1 m Ml of this annuity (columns 18 to 11), it will be noted that the amount MM is a simple repetition of the amount Ml,

e) same for the annuity of rank 2 (columns 23

at 34), at 46), at

at 70),

f) same for the annuity of rank 3 (columns 35

g) same for the annuity of rank 4 (columns 47

h) same for the 5th rank annuity (columns 59

i) the monetary unit, in plain language, in which the amount of the annuities is expressed (columns 71 to 73)

|) a coded number specifying the monetary unit (column 74) î ;V\

46 -

k) the deferment in number of months (column 75)} 1) m coded number specifying the tariff method (column 76) corresponding to amounts M1, M2, M3, etc...)j m) tm coded number indicating the country (columns

77 and 78)j a) the total number of annuities to be paid in the country of cause (coi* 79 and 80);

A conversion card is provided for each AFIA tariff to convert amounts expressed in various monetary units into standard currency.

This "conversion" card includes:

a) the card code, here, for example 40 (columns

1 and 2) |

b) the date of update (columns 6 to 10);

c) the conversion factor (columns 66 to

70 ) j d) the monetary unit, in plain English, corresponding to the conversion coefficient (columns 71 to 73);

e) a coded number specifying this currency (column 74) f) a number indicating the tariff to which this conversion card is associated (columns 76 to 78, analogous to those of the tariff cards)

The four tariff cards 41 to 44 can bear the same tariff number if the machines handling these punched cards have sufficient memory to record the information relating to the life annuities consecutively, without the need to differentiate the cards, as explained above.*

47 —

In accordance with the principle described above, but through computer processing which will be indicated below, the comparison of the "matrix" card and the "rate" card, along with its "conversion" card, will allow the creation of an "annuity" card which is composed as follows (figure 8)

a) a coded number identifying the card, here number 26 (col* 1 and 2) %

b) a broker number (columns 3 to 5);

f) a customer number (columns 6 to 10) j d) the date on which the "annuities" card is created (col* 11 h 10) |

•} the patent issue number (columns

16 to 22} t f) the amount of the due date converted into 1*basic monetary unit (columns 23 to 29);

g) a free space reserved for subsequent accounting operations (col* 30 to 53);

h) the rank of the annuity calculated by comparing the year of the first zero annuity in the "matrix" chart with that of the current year (columns 54 and 55)

i) the due date (columns 56 to 59);

j) the suspended sentence in number of months (col. 60)

k) the double deduction of the amounts of 1*annuity preceded by the rank of the annuity (col* 61 to 72), as they are noted on the tariff card;

1) the monetary unit (col* 73 to 75)

m) the coded number indicating the country (col* 77

and 78) }

*) the duration, in number of years, during

which annuities will have to be paid.

Be m$me qu’on ont des cartes 41, 42, 42, 44» il est, aussi, possible de établissement un jeu absolu homologue de oartes 61, 62, 63; 64 dans qui les montants entrés n’on annuities s’en ...

It is therefore necessary to produce "price including fine" cards which can also be associated with conversion cards (code 60), equivalent to code 40 conversion cards.

Sometimes, the fine rate, for a given year, varies depending on the delay; in such cases, a conventional amount is entered, for example, the maximum rate, and to indicate its ceiling nature, a special perforation is made on the card, for example, on card 61, a perforation in zone b (figure 7), in column 6.

®ar suite, just as it is possible to produce annuity cards 26 from matrix cards 35 and tariff cards 41 to 44, so too, during a single operation, "annuity fine included" cards 67 can be produced that are exactly equivalent to these cards 26*

To indicate on these cards 67 that the amounts shown correspond to maximum values, it is sufficient to provide perforations in zone "b", in columns 67 and 72 (figure 8)*

All of these maps are used in the following way (figure 9) t

- 49 -

The "matrix" cards, whose due dates fall during the month to be processed, are first sorted into 101 by tariff number. Following this operation, they are interclassified with the tariff cards in such a way that each "tariff" card, arranged in ascending order of number, is followed by all the "matrix" cards to which the tariff in question must be applied.

Operation 102 essentially consists of eliminating "fare" cards that do not correspond to any "matride" card, i.e., fares that do not have to be applied during the month in question; the elimination of a "matrix" card that does not correspond to any "fare*" card would indicate an anomaly.

These interleaved "tariff" and "matrix" cards are then fed into the gamma 10 machine (operation 105) which, using a global program based on the processing principle already described above, produces and punches the "annuity" cards 26 and the "annuity including fine" cards 67. At the end of this operation, we therefore obtain:

a) the set of "tariff" and "conversion" cards which are intended to be returned to their original tray after reclassification by tariff number and, possibly, by broker number

b) the deck of cards "matrix", "annuities" and "annuities amended included"•

Operation 104 consists of separating the matrix cards from the annuity cards 26 and 27, which matrix cards are kept to assist, subsequently, these

maps 26 and 67, during their subsequent use?

o) the pack of cards 35 for which there is no need to manufacture card 26, nor a fortiori, card 67. They are subdivided into s

"cards corresponding to unissued patents, for which annuities are only payable after issuance (and have a "b" perforation in column 69 of their matrix card),

- cards in which the year in columns 74 and 75 is later than that of the current year, i.e., whose annual payment has already been made in advance,

- soul cards where the result of this difference corresponds to a rank devoid of information on the "tariff" card (case of Israel where the annuity is payable one year out of four),

- cases in which the result of the difference between the current year and the aeronautical annuity year (columns 60 and 61) is greater than the total number of annuities to be paid (columns 79 and 80 of the "tariff4'" chart), i.e., corresponding to expired patents*

These cards are delivered to a special compartment upon receipt by the computer in order to be checked and archived after possible tabulation*

Referring to Figure 10, we see that shares $2 and $67 are tied by maturity date in 105,

then translated into plain text in step 107 to obtain in step 108 a tabulation L1 constituting a chronological control calendar; they are then taken and sorted in step 110 by customer period number to obtain in step 111 a second tabulation L2 by customers.

51 -

"Jointly" the 35 cards that did not result in the production of card 26 are sorted by deadlines in 106 for 1*obtaining in 109 of an L3 tabulation.

These operations allow, as above, a 5th control of the tabulations before the final exploitation of the manufactured parts, which is schematically represented in figure 11 and which we will now describe as "

Cards 26 and 67 on the one hand, cards 35 associated with these cards on the other hand, and finally, cards 10 titles and files 53-54 are sorted in ascending order

"a, 112 on t

- the 2nd digit of the card code (column 2)

- the deposit number (columns 22 to 16)

* the customer code (columns 10 to 6)

15 - the broker code,

In conjunction, the name and address cards 10-12 are sorted into 112 b by broker code.

All of these cards are interleaved into 113 by client code and broker code so that 20 are obtained in order and for each client î

- m© card name 10

- an address card 12

- a title card 53

- a file card 54 25 - a matrix card 35

- an annual 26 card

- a card with annual fine included 67"

It is therefore possible to produce in 114 the L4 operating documents which will contain all the information taken from these cards.

In the course of this work, it is easy to sum the totals of the amounts M1 and M*1 respectively;

HAS

the finding of their identity confines the correct exploitation of the data* Similarly, by totaling respectively, columns 54455 on the one hand and 61-62 on the other hand, of cards 26 (and possibly 67), we are certain that the dates exploited have not been disturbed during the work.

It should be noted that it is possible to equip certain cards, and in particular address card 12, with a series of ordering criteria other than those already described.

Thus, we can predict, on map 12 î

•» by a perforation Mbw in column 56, a signal characterizing customers for whom the annuity is payable automatically, within a certain period, unless otherwise instructed» A corresponding note may be included on the M $ documents

- by a perforation HbM in column 70, a signal characterizing the customers who wish to receive annual and not monthly reminders, the 35 cards of the patents of these customers are then processed in parallel with the monthly cards as shown in 0'35 on figure 9. Similarly, the MaH and M1M totalizations mentioned above are processed separately;

- by a perforation nbM in column 72, a signal Characterizing US customers for whom months and days must be presented in a way that is the reverse of the European way;

- by a perforation "b" in column 74, a signal identifying customers who wish the shipping address to be different from the address indicated on reminders and accounting documents. A suitable printed signal

can have them spotted on documents 14;

-by a perforation. BaM in column 76, a signal characterizing the clients for whom the text mentions to be printed must be written in German, (similarly, a ttbw signal in the same column for English language clients) 1*absence of perforation identifying for example the French language;

- by a perforation "b" in column 78, a signal characterizing customers wishing to receive, in addition to individual reminders by patent, a summary statement of the patents in question called "global reminder".

Figure 12 illustrates, moreover, the processing scheme for the latest patents;

The maps processed in 114 are collected in two groups t

&) cards 10 not being subject to a global recall,

Cards 12 not subject to a global recall*

all 53 cards,

all 34 cards,

Cards 35 are not subject to a global recall.

since part 26 is not subject to a global recall,

all 67 cards;

b) cards 10 which are subject to reminders in

« » 12 B M w

« « 55 » i» n

"n 26 " M"

54 -

distinguished by customers whose oarts 12 bear the signal "b" in column 78.

the Mb" parties are processed in 115 for the printing of its additional global reminders.

Then all the "aM and wbM" cards are reunited to be redistributed into their original bins - firstly, by a sorting 116 on the card code (column 2),

• then, by sorting 117 on expiry dates of cards 35, 118 on expiry dates of cards 53 and 54 and, finally, 119 on customer number of cards 10 and 12.

"By definition, the invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described and represented, but on the contrary encompasses all variants." Its particularity:

"• although we have spoken above of deadlines - and that, as a corollary, the degrees of the variable modalities have been made explicit according to a criterion of time - these terms should not be interpreted in a restrictive way; indeed, the operations could, as well, have to be carried out not at a repeated deadline in time, but according to a factor which would designate either, in space, a given abscissa, or, in a series, a given number;

• Furthermore, the use of the final memory, which contains all the information necessary for processing a deadline, can be carried out using a wide variety of methods.* In particular, one could, quite simply, reverse the relative order of the cards constituting the elementary bundles by organizing

55

10

15

20

differently the cards and successive sortings, it is thus, by providing for additional sorting operations, it could be arranged so that within each elementary bundle concerning a client, the patents are grouped by "invention" based on the information in columns 35 to 55 of the matrix cards;

- Finally, it is clear that one could easily modify certain more or less characteristic features without ceasing to benefit from the others; in this regard, it should be noted that one of the essential advantages of the maps described above lies in the fact that the information they contain is:

sufficiently detailed to allow the creation, on simple routes, of documents that can be used by administrative or accounting departments and sufficiently coded to reduce bulk and the volume of transcriptions.

This results in a serious saving in operating costs, not only in terms of equipment, but also in terms of machine downtime, and it is clear that, depending on considerations of opportunity, one can waive this or that subsidiary provision or adopt an equivalent solution without going out of the scope of the present invention.

Claims (1)

REMDI GATIONS I. A pair of memories, usable at periodic intervals and in which are stored - in one, individual, definitive information relating to various subjects - and, in the other, information, subject to change over time, illustrating the range of methods for carrying out the operations to which the subjects are, respectively, likely to be subject at successive deadlines CÀRâCÎESISS SET CE QUE t - at least one of the execution methods has varying degrees depending on the gap between a variable factor, linked to successive deadlines, and m permanent homologous factor, characterizing respectively, the subjects -of the first memory. II» Pair of memories according to claim I, characterized in that the permanent homologous factor is the vintage of the virtual zero-order deadline, while the variable factor is the vintage of the current year. III. A pair of memories according to one of claims 1 or II, relating to patent annuities and characterized in oe que - The code serving as the linking point between the individual's memory and any auxiliary memories relating to the subjects is constituted by the official administrative filing number* IV. Pair of memories according to I to III, characterized in that a ~ 51 - - the code serving as a pivot for bringing together the first "individual" memories and the second "physiognomy" memories is constituted by a country code, possibly accompanied by a pricing code. V* Pair of memories according to X to IV, in which a code serves as a pivot for linking individual memories and those containing the names of their holders, characterized in that the "name" memories contain exploitable distinctive signs, representative of the national, linguistic or contractual characteristics of said holders* VI» Pair of memories according to I to V, characterized in that the information of the physiognomy memory and in particular the degrees of modality corresponding to the various ranks of the variable factor, are doubled so as to allow the double retrieval of each piece of information* V2I* Pair of memories according to I to V, characterized in that the physiognomy memories include an indication of the number of deadlines to which the subjects they concern are likely to be subjected* A mechanized method for monitoring and triggering an operation that must periodically, according to complex and variable modalities, and with a view to a given deadline, involve a series of subjects with themselves complex and variable characteristics; and in particular the reminder and payment of patent annuities, this method consisting of combining memory systems on machines adapted to the operation of these systems, with a view to establishing a document containing all the information necessary for the completion of the operation that must be carried out at the deadline, one of said Memory systems – called "individual memory" – individualizing, in particular, the subjects of operation; the other of these memory systems – called "physiognomy memory" – comprising a range of execution modalities as well as their different degrees corresponding to the various deadlines to which the subjects are likely to be exposed, the process being characterized in that a) On the one hand, the "individual memories", usable for all deadlines relating to the same subject of operation, include - at least with regard to characterizing the subject of operation - definitive identification information; predetermined locations being reserved for information possibly unknown at the time the memory is established and, b) On the other hand, the degree of execution modality relating to a given deadline is defined by the result of a comparison of two pieces of information, one of which is taken from the "individual memory" and the other, external and variable, notably the current year, linked to the factor, in particular chronological, according to which the degrees of execution modalities vary. IX» Method according to claim VIII, characterized in that, at each deadline, the "individual" memories and the "physiognomy" memories are grouped into a single memory after calculation and selection of the degrees of "physiognomy memory" concerned by the deadline# X. A method according to any one of claims VIII and IX, characterized in that the single memory, produced by combining the two memories, is delivered by reserving in - 59 - within it, cells awaiting information* 22* Method according to any one of claims ¥111 to X, characterized in that, at each due date, the administrative deposit numbers are totaled, in order to verify their correspondence with their input and output accounting. XII. A method according to any one of claims XIII to XI, characterized in that the calculated difference between the 10 variable and permanent factors is stored in a single memory location in order to be compared, during the various stages of operation, with the rank, also recorded, of the degree of modality taken from the physiognomy memory* ORIGINAL in pages containing — References word added word crossed out word Industrial Property Consultant 28, Boulevard Princesse CfiG-rtatte, 2 S MONTE » CARLO By proxy CFA 1.