US 7158978 B2
A computerized record keeping system and method using a network to keep records that cannot be erased by a user thereby guaranteeing the accuracy of records kept with the system. A client computer system contacts, through a computer network, a server system which stores a client database accessible by a password. The client system can review, search, and add records to the database. The client database on the server system is automatically backed-up to avoid inadvertent loss of records or data. Once a record is entered into the server system through the client system, it is permanently stored in the server system as a part of the client database. While a client system may enter a modified record, the original record is always maintained and displayed with the now modified record.
1. A method for keeping a permanent, undeleteable record using a network comprising:
(a) establishing a client system;
(b) establishing a server system;
(c) establishing a back-up system;
(d) connecting said client system, said server system, and said back-up system;
(e) under the control of said client system, displaying a record form, and in response to data entered on said client system, completing data fields in said record form and sending said completed record form to said server system with a unique client identifier;
(f) under the control of said server system, receiving said record with said data and said unique client identifier, and storing said record in a segregated database keyed to said client identifier whereby once said record is stored using said identifier said record cannot hereafter be deleted;
(g) under the control of said back-up system, receiving said completed record form permanently stored in said server system, and making a permanent back-up so that a back-up of said segregated database is made,
whereby said client system, said server system, said back-up system, and said means for connection are used to make and store an undeleteable permanent record in said server system that is accessible to said client system and backed up in said back-up system.
2. A method for keeping a permanent, undeleteable record using a network of
3. A method for keeping a permanent, undeleteable record using a network of
4. A method for keeping a permanent, undeleteable record using a network of
5. A method for keeping a permanent, undeleteable record using a network of
6. A method for keeping a permanent, undeleteable record using a network of
7. A method for keeping a permanent, undeleteable record using a network of
8. A computerized record keeping system comprising:
(a) a client computer having a display, a keyboard for data entry, a network connection, and software enabling said client computer to connect to said network connection;
(b) a server computer with a network connection and record keeping software;
(c) back-up data storage computer having a network connection;
(d) means for making a record on said client computer and sending said record on said network connection to said server computer, said record keyed to a unique client identifier;
(e) means for receiving a client system generated record in said server and storing and organizing said client system generated record with record keeping software in said server computer whereby once a client system generated record is recorded and stored in said server system, it is thereafter undeleteable by said client system;
(f) means for making a back-up copy of said client generated record in said back-up data storage computer.
9. A computerized record keeping system of
10. A computerized record keeping system of
11. A computerized record keeping system of
12. A computerized record keeping system of
13. A computerized record keeping system of
14. A computerized record keeping system to insure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and to assure accuracy of records kept comprising:
(a) a client computer having a display, means for data entry, means for connection to a network, and software using said means for network connection to connect a remote server computer;
(b) said remote server computer with means for network connection to said client computer and said client computer software, and with record keeping software for Federal Aviation Administration records to record compliance with regulations;
(c) said record keeping software with means for providing automatic warnings of non-compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations to said client computer;
(d) said record keeping software in said remote server computer with means for storing records to record compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations so that a record once stored is thereby undeleteable by using said client computer;
(e) said record keeping software accessible to a client computer only through use of a unique client identifier
whereby said client computer, said remote server computer, and said record keeping software can be used to make and store undeleteable permanent record in said server computer of records that assure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration records.
15. A computerized record keeping system to assure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and to assure accuracy of records kept of
16. A computerized record keeping system to assure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and to assure accuracy of records kept of
17. A computerized record keeping system to assure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and to assure accuracy of records kept of
18. A computerized record keeping system to assure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and to assure accuracy of records kept of
19. A computerized record keeping system to assure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and to assure accuracy of records kept of
20. A computerized record keeping system to assure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and to assure accuracy of records kept of
The technical field relates to a computer method and system for maintaining records using a network system whereby records are electronically maintained at more than one location.
In many different areas, it is desirable to maintain careful records of an activity. For example, an inventor may keep an inventor's notebook which documents when and how an inventor conceived of an idea and how he reduced that idea to practice. This type of record is often kept in a bound notebook where witness' statements may be placed including notarized documents and the like. All of this greatly increases the credibility these records would have in the event an inventor was required to prove his date of invention and his activities toward perfecting his invention in some administrative or court proceeding that may be questioning his right to a patent for his invention. Additionally, it is desirable to keep maintenance records for many types of equipment. For example, one will often see a used car advertised with the notation that the owner has “all the maintenance records”. In a similar fashion, maintenance logs are kept for boats, industrial equipment like earth-moving equipment and other expensive machinery. An owner who can clearly document appropriate preventative maintenance can sell used equipment of this type at a premium over a seller who does have these kinds of records.
A specialized area of this type of record keeping is found in the general aircraft industry. Maintenance log books are required by the Federal Aviation Administration for an aircraft engine or engines, the air frame, the prop or props, and the avionics. These records are often kept in a bound log book or in a format with consecutively numbered pages. When maintenance is performed by an aircraft and power plant mechanic, ordinarily licensed by the FAA, this mechanic is required to make a log book entry of what maintenance was performed and sign every entry with his name and license number. This constitutes a permanent record of the maintenance performed on the plane, which is necessary for the plane to be deemed air-worthy, hence, legal to fly. When the FAA determines there is a safety issue for a particular aircraft or specific engine type, they will issue an air-worthiness directive. The aircraft owners are then required to have a certified mechanic check the aircraft for compliance with this air-worthiness directive and then record in the log book that the air-worthiness directive has been completed. In order for the aircraft to be continually deemed air-worthy, there must be written records that show compliance with all air-worthiness directives. If there is no written record, then the air-worthiness directive work must be done again in order for the plane to be deemed air-worthy. Over the life of a complex aircraft it is not uncommon to have multiple air-worthiness directories, sometimes numbering as high as 50, for which compliance must be shown. By the same token, an aircraft pilot must maintain a log book of the amount of times and the circumstances where he or she is acquiring flying experience. One must have a certain amount of current flying time in order to be appropriately licensed to operate a plane.
In a like fashion, hospitals are required to keep charts recording the medical records for a patient during a hospital stay. These hospital charts have to be kept in compliance with standards imposed on the hospital by accrediting agents like the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals. A hospital that does not keep and maintain medical records or charts on patients to the appropriate standards can lose their accreditation.
When a bound record keeping book is used, then records are entered by hand into the record book. This creates many problems. First, handwritten entries are difficult to read. Second, log books can be lost. For aircraft applications, if the maintenance log book is lost, it can reduce the re-sale price of an aircraft by as much as 15%. Moreover, lost log books may require expensive reduplication of work to comply with aircraft directives which have already been performed in the past but for which no documentation exists if a log book is lost. Third, paper log books, even if carefully kept in bound notebooks, can be altered. In a malpractice claim against a hospital, an altered medical chart can be disastrous because it implies guilty knowledge on the part of the hospital. By the same token, there could be residual doubt in a purchaser of a used airplane or other piece of expensive equipment that the log books accurately reflect what has been done on the plane or other equipment. There is a fear there could be forged entries or altered entries.
Consequently, there is a need for properly maintained, legible, and unalterable records. There is a specific need in the field of aircraft maintenance logs and pilot logs. Such unalterable records can be useful for maintaining records on boats, expensive automobiles, for medical records, or anywhere there is a premium on accurately kept and maintained records with independent verification of the records.
It has been widely recognized that electronic monitoring of maintenance needs can be helpful. For example, Bazarnik, U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,641, discloses a maintenance monitor that alerts one that equipment is due for a particular type of maintenance. Chapin, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,878, discloses a computerized prompting system that informs a user that a scheduled maintenance is due to be performed at a selective date. It is contemplated that there could be a connection to a network, specifically the Internet, between a service system and the database whereby a server could send updates from manufacturers to a service system or client system. Nguyen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,808, provides a maintenance and warranty control system for an aircraft. Here, an onboard engine performance monitoring computer uses a fault code as part of an HTML address. Maintenance actions are automatically recorded for validating or generating warranty claim applications.
In the aircraft maintenance field, some aircraft manufacturers or technical publishers provide computerized engine and air maintenance systems that provide for electronic record keeping and information management. Examples of this type of system are seen in the Sandifer, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,778,381 and 5,987,474. Disclosed in these patents is a computer based apparatus and method to provide access to complex technical information employed to maintain and repair complicated equipment such as aircraft. This system provides a central source for aircraft technical information which is periodically updated. The Sandifer inventions provide a maintenance and repair information system based on a database of aircraft technical information used on a CD-ROM based computer system. This allows such browsing and search capabilities as are common on CD-ROM based information systems. These inventions also allow a log book to be kept as part of use of the system. This system anticipates that an aircraft owner may wish to gain access to the information on his home computer remotely through a telephone connection.
Despite this earlier work there is still a need to facilitate keeping of accurate, legible, and unalterable maintenance records for aircraft or other types of records that require that records be scrupulously and accurately kept in a form that reduces the possibility of alteration or spoilation. To this end, it is recognized that a recent technological development commonly called the “Internet” can be used to facilitate accurate and unalterable records.
Roughly speaking, the Internet is a large number of computers and computer networks that are interconnected all to each other through various types of communication links. These interconnected computers can be used by a user to exchange information with someone at a far removed computer using various programs to facilitate the exchange of the information. These programs include such things as electronic mail (e-mail), gopher, and the World Wide Web (WWW). The World Wide Web service allows a computer system, usually called a web server or web site, to send web pages of information to a remote client receiving computer system. These web pages usually contain graphical as well as text based information and may have links to other web pages or other web sites. Every site on the World Wide Web is uniquely identifiable by a uniform resource locator (URL). Thus, if a user with a client computer wishes to view a particular worldwide web page, then that user will type in or otherwise input the URL for the desired web page m a request. This type of request is usually called a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP). The client computer is ordinarily linked to the Internet through an Internet service provider, which maintains resources and programs to take the client computer request (HTTP request) which is then forwarded to the web server that supports the web page specified by the URL. When the web server receives the request, it sends information to the client computer system that allows the client computer system to reconstruct the web page and display it using a particular program usually called a browser. A browser is a special purpose or special type of application program that facilitates requesting web pages and displaying of web pages on the computer that is running that browser program.
Currently, web pages are constructed using HyperText mark-up language (HTML). HTML provides a standard set of conventions, sometimes called “tags”, that define how a web page is to be displayed. Thus, when a user requests a server to display a web page, the browser sends that request to the server computer system to transfer the appropriate HTML programming document that defines the web page. When that HTML programming document is received by the client computer system, the browser then displays the web page as defined by the HTML programming document. The HTML programming document contains the various protocols or tags that control the display of the text graphics and other features on that web page. Among other things that may be displayed on the web page are the uniform resource locators of other web pages which allows a user to immediately link from that web page through the Internet to the remote web page identified by that URL.
The World Wide Web is especially useful for conducting various types of electronic information exchanges, including many types of commercial displays. Web servers and web pages can advertise and sell products, deliver information about products, store and retrieve information, among many other uses. The particular programming for HTML documents is well established and understood to one of skill in the art in constructing and administering web sites and web pages. For this reason, the exchange and storage of information, be it a computer generated order for an item, computer generated dialog, or computer storage of documents, are easily accomplished through the World Wide Web using browser and HTML documents.
The Internet operates ordinarily by breaking a communication into discreet packets of information and then sending these packets out on the Internet to the destination identified by the URL. These packets may travel through different channels to reach their ultimate destination. In doing so, they may pass through a number of computers along the way. Therefore, sensitive information can be intercepted and viewed at the computers that serve as “way stations” as the packets of information find their way to their ultimate destination identified by the URL. Consequently, information transmitted over the Internet is frequently encrypted or coded. If encrypted or coded information is intercepted, then unless the code can be broken or the encryption scheme deciphered, the information contained in the communication is unreadable hence, useless to the person who intercepted it. Moreover, some web sites may themselves contain sensitive information or valuable information which the owners of those web sites may not wish to make generally available. Consequently, access to these web sites are limited to those with appropriate passwords or other “keys” that will allow one to enter the web site and make use of the information displayed there.
This invention contemplates that there will be at least one electronic storage area for records accessible through an electronic media. Ordinarily, this would be an Internet based system but it could be an Intranet or some other type of network connection. The remote storage facility can be accessed by a client-user to make new records. However, the client-user will not have the capacity to alter records that have been previously recorded in the remote server/storage system. Hence, the records maintained in the remote server will be unalterable and unerasable by the client-user.
The client-user will have appropriate software in its own client-user input device. The client-user input device in current technology will be a desktop computer connected to the network through cables, be it phone cables, fiber optic cables, coaxial cables, or such similar data transmission cables. However, it is anticipated that in the near future many people will be connected to the Internet by wireless means with a hand-held small computer-like device combining features of current cellular phones and digital assistant-type devices, such as the Palm Pilot. The client-user uses the input device to gain access to the remote storage facility. Once access is gained to the remote storage facility, a variety of methods exist for putting records into the remote storage facility. One way of gaining access would be the use of a specialized software that is part of the client system or a generalized software designed for keeping records within the client computer that constitutes the input device. Under these circumstances records will be first made within the client input device or client-user computer. Once the entries are complete and there have been necessary corrections made and the client-user is ready to record the information, it will be transmitted electronically over the Internet to the remote server where it will be permanently recorded and stored. At this point, the user will have no opportunity to erase or alter those remotely stored records. The user may make follow-up notes to indicate how or why a particular record was incorrect at the time it was made, but will not be able to overwrite or otherwise erase records in the remote server database. Alternatively, the client-user may use a web browser or similar software to directly access a remote server that will serve as the remote storage facility. The remote server will send a web page for display on the client-user's computer. The client-user can make entries into the web page for transmission over the Internet connection to the remote server. Once the record making is complete and the client has signed off from the remote server's web page, the records will be permanently recorded and stored. At that point, the user would have no further opportunity to change those records, although the user could make follow-up notes or corrections to a previously stored record. The corrections would not be in the form of a “over write” but would be additional notes appended to the previously stored and otherwise unaltered records.
As part of the service provided to the client-user, the remote server will maintain and keep records not only entered by the client but also other information of use to the client, such as maintenance requirements, or generalized useful information depending on the particular application. For example, if it is an aircraft maintenance log that is being maintained, then all air-worthiness directives or other service bulletins directed toward that particular type of aircraft could be accessed at the remote server by the client system through the electronic connection over the Internet. The service could keep track of regulations that the client user is required to comply with. If the service notices that records are not kept in compliance with regulations or if, for example, an air worthiness directive has not been complied with, the client can be notified of this failure of compliance and warned to make sure his aircraft is in compliance with the applicable air worthiness directive. The service can also schedule and keep track of required maintenance. This will allow a client to schedule maintenance with a maintenance provider sufficiently in advance of the time maintenance is required to minimize disruptions caused by the maintenance. That is, parts could be ordered and be on hand when required for a particular maintenance procedure. The remote server can maintain schedules and send reminder notices to the client system as may be required. The data and records in the remote server can be printed out by a client system. The remote system will have appropriate graphics and the software implementing the system will be designed in such a way as to make it user friendly and require no particular skills of users like mechanics making entries other than checking, typing, or filling in the appropriate blanks.
The usual functions of data management software to sort, search, and display will be utilized to facilitate ease of use for the client-user. If the public Internet is used, then appropriate privacy and encryption software will be used to insure that data transmission will not be compromised or intercepted. The database maintained for the client at the remote storage facility will be continually updated and backed up and access to the database for a client will be password protected.
The advancing data transmission and data storage capabilities of the Internet and of computers has provided a means for meeting a long-felt, but previously unmet, need for records that are not only readily accessible and easily used, but also whose accuracy is guaranteed by a third party so that it will be impossible for a user, however motivated, to corrupt or alter the records once they have been entered into the remote database. This guaranteed integrity of the record keeping process will add to resale value of complex equipment, could reduce insurance rates in industries or for individuals, and provide an important guarantor of the integrity of records that are being kept wherever that guarantee is needed, be it for an inventor, a hospital, a plane owner, or a pilot.
Alternatively, as in the preferred embodiment the connecting software (2) may simply be software which may be used to connect with and interact with the network server (20). In current technology, that connecting software would be an Internet browser program like Netscape® or Internet Explorer®, the two dominant brands of Internet browsers as this application is written. In this embodiment, the uniform resource locator (URL) for the network server (20) would be entered into the Internet browser program, which would then make appropriate connection over the network connection (10) to the network server (20). The network server (20) would then transmit to the client system (1) web pages to be displayed on the client system (1). As will be explained in subsequent paragraphs, the client using the connecting software (2) will enter a password or other identifying information to give the client access to the client database (22) which is stored on the network server (20). Using the linking function of the world wide web software, the client can move from one part of the client database to another part of the client database (22) maintained on the network server (20) to make appropriate entries for new records, to review old records, to find particular kinds of information, and to do all the other types of functions available through database programming. In this embodiment, any computer like device which has means for inputting of data and information and which is connected to the Internet with browser software could be used by a client as a client system (1). All that is required for the client system connecting software (2) is an Internet browser program and the client identifying information or a password.
It is anticipated the network server (20) would use world wide web software to display the client database (22) in a web page format. A variety of web pages will be nested within the site. The introductory web page (21) will be available to anyone generally just as many businesses have web pages that provide information about their business. There may be access on the network server (20) to generalized information (25) such as weather information, stock market information, sports information, news information, as well as links (26) from the network server (20) to other sites. However, the introductory web page (21) will give access to a specific client database (22) which will be accessible only to a particular client subscriber to this system. The client database (22) will require a password to enable the client system (1) to have access to client database (22) that is otherwise inaccessible to a casual visitor to the introductory web page (21). For example, a client who has subscribed to a maintenance record service would have access to client specific web page information (24) of relevance to that subscription. For example, if the client is using the system for an aircraft maintenance log book, then the specific web page information (24) might consist of air-worthiness directives, maintenance information required for a particular type of plane, maintenance reminders that are keyed to previously recorded maintenance work that had been done on the plane and so on.
Once a client has obtained access to the client database (22) the client will then use the software in the network server (20) to do various functions relevant to the specific types of record being maintained in the client database (22). For example, if the client database (22) consists of maintenance records, database software will ordinarily have such functions as the ability to search for a particular type of record which may be done on the basis of the appearance of a particular word. It could also look for records that were completed on a particular day or time, completed by a particular person, and so on. This will enable the client to readily review previously entered maintenance records. As necessary, the client will enter new records using the client system (1), the connecting software (2), the network connection (10), and the network server (20). New records could record recently completed maintenance work. In this way, a client would have a complete up-to-date set of maintenance records maintained in the client database (22) on the network server (20). Ordinarily, the maintenance records will be first typed or keyed into the client system (1) transmitted by the connecting software (2) using the network connection (10) to the network server (20). The client would carefully review the records to be sure they are accurate before entering them permanently in the client database (22). Once the records are permanently entered in the client database (22), they are thereafter undeleteable by the client.
Once records have been entered into the client database (22), they will be permanently stored in the database back-up (30) as a duplicate client database (22A). Any permanent record entered into the client database (22) will be permanently stored in the duplicate database (22A). In the event something happens to the network server (20) to alter or destroy the client database (22), it can be readily restored using the database back-up (30) and the duplicate database (22A).
In this way, many clients may have four sets of maintenance records. First, will be the actual paper maintenance records which are not part of the network record system (50). Secondly, in one embodiment of the network record system (50), there may be a set of records maintained as part of the connecting software (2). Third, there will be the client database (22) maintained on the network server (20) and available to the client through the client system (1) and the connecting software (2). Fourth, will be the duplicate database (22A) maintained in the database back-up (30) in a location different from the network server (20). In this fashion, the network record system (50) maintains permanent, backed-up records for a client, which are undeleteable by the client, and serve as a guarantor of the accuracy and completeness of records.
The remaining figures in the Detailed Description of the Drawings are directed toward a specific embodiment of the network record system (50) invention. For this particular embodiment, the figures shown are for a record keeping system for a plane maintenance log record. On the client system (1) a URL is entered for the server system (20). In using standard Internet technology, the client system (1) sends a request through the network connection (10) to the server system (20) to send the web page represented by the URL entered into the Internet browser on the client system (1). The server system (20) will transmit the information, usually in hypertext mark-up language, to the client system (1) so that the client system (1) will visually display the web page that represents the beginnings of the network record system (50).
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On the page shown in