Multi-party reporting system and method

(65) Prior Publication Data

US 2003/0083966 Al May 1, 2003

(51) Int. CI.

G06F15/02 (2006.01)

(52) U.S. CI 705/32; 705/1; 358/1.13;

358/1.14; 358/1.15; 382/170; 382/182

(58) Field of Classification Search 705/30,

705/32

See application file for complete search history. (56) References Cited

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(Continued)

One or more parameters such as time is reported to a center using a form. The centerthen automatically extracts data from the form and converts it for storage and subsequent processing or review. The invention allows other parties, upon proper authentication, to annotate received data, to indicate acceptance or rejection of the reported data. Depending on the relationship of the various parties and business rules stored with the center, parties other than the sender and center may also download reported data for subsequent processing, even where they have different hardware and software platforms. The invention is particularly suitable for senders such as employees who need to submit time sheets, expense reports, and the like to an employer, or for automatic analysis of submitted inventory reports, product orders, etc. In one embodiment, the center acts as an automatic data collecting and reporting intermediary between the sender and an employment agency, on one hand, and between the agency and a client, on the other hand, where the sender is associated with the agency but performs tasks on behalf of the client.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets

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