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What is an Application Data Sheet?

An application data sheet or “ADS” is a document that provides the bibliographic data for an application to the USPTO. The USPTO prefers, but does not require, the use of an ADS. An ADS can be advantageous, however, because it tends to reduce errors in the conversion/recordation of application data into the USPTO’s official electronic data record. While electronic filing via the USPTO’s EFS-Web has certainly reduced some errors, the USPTO relies on the uploaded documents (e.g., declaration, specification), rather than a user’s input, to create its official electronic record. For example, in a national stage application filed under 35 USC & 371, the USPTO might look to the publication of the international application for the title and to other documents for the listing of inventors and the correspondence address. The use of an ADS, because it provides this information in a single document and in a specified format, improves the accuracy of this conversion and the resulting electronic record.

Examples of What Can Happen Without an ADS

The USPTO’s procedures for converting the application data of paper applications and for recording electronic data into its official data record are surprisingly accurate, in view of the number of application data records it must create. Nonetheless, as with any system, errors do occur. And, even when they are remedied early in the prosecution process, they still take time and can cause processing delays. Worse yet, sometimes errors in the USPTO data records are not corrected. Consider the following U.S. patents, which could have benefited from an ADS:

   1. U.S. Patent Nos. 6,112,451, 6,631,400, and 6,637,044, each for a “Statement Regarding Federally Sponsored Research or Development”;

   2. U.S. Patent No. 7,263,562 for a “Method and System for Describing Uploaded Files Statement Regarding Federally Sponsored Research or Development”; and

   3. U.S. Patent No. 6,389,215 for “Low Birefringent Polyimides for Optical Waveguides Statement Regarding Federally Sponsored Research or Development”.

And then there are:

   1. U.S. Patent No. 6,930,045 for “Cross Reference to Related Application”;

   2. U.S. Patent No. 6,829,526 for a “Train Detection System and a Train Detection Method Cross Reference to Related Application”; and

   3. U.S. Patent No.  6,786,734 for an “Electrical Adapter With a Foldable Housing Cross-Reference to Related Application”.

Clearly, there are instances when an ADS would have helped the USPTO more accurately convert bibliographic information into an official data record.

The Requirements for an ADS

Section 1.76 of Title 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations governs application data sheets and sets forth specific requirements for each ADS. The following are some of the more noteworthy.

1. An ADS may be used in provisional and nonprovisional applications.

2. The USPTO offers a fillable pdf form (Form PTO/SB/14) on its website. Try to use the USPTO fillable form whenever possible, because an ADS must be submitted as a text-based PDF file. A scanned version of the ADS fillable form will be rejected via EFS-Web because EFS-Web will not be able to auto-load scanned in data into backend systems.

3. An ADS must be in a specific format. An ADS must be titled “Application Data Sheet” and must contain all of the following section headings, with any appropriate data for each section heading:

• Applicant information (i.e., the name, residence, mailing address, and citizenship of each applicant);
• Correspondence information (i.e., the correspondence address, which may be indicated by reference to a customer number);
• Application information (i.e., the title of the invention, a suggested classification, by class and subclass, the Technology Center to which the subject matter of the invention is assigned, the total number of drawing sheets, any docket number assigned to the application, the type of application);
• Representative information (i.e., the registration number of each practitioner having a power of attorney in the application);
• Domestic priority information (i.e., the application number, the filing date, the status, and relationship of each application for which a benefit is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §§ 119(e), 120, 121, or 365(c));
• Foreign priority information (i.e., the application number, country, and filing date of each foreign application for which priority is claimed) (NOTE – providing this information in the application data sheet constitutes the claim for priority as required by 35 U.S.C. § 119(b); and
• Assignee information.

4. Providing domestic priority information in an ADS constitutes the specific reference required by 35 USC § 119(e) or 120, and 37 CFR §§ 1.78(a)(2) or 1.78(a)(5), such that this information need not otherwise be made part of the specification.

5. The USPTO will interpret any blank section in an ADS to mean that there is no corresponding data for that label anywhere in the application.

6. In the event of an inconsistency between the ADS and other submitted documents, the timing of the submission of the conflicting information controls.  So, when the conflicting information is submitted at different times, the latest submitted information governs regardless of how it is supplied, except that an oath or declaration governs inconsistencies in the naming of inventors or their citizenship.  Conversely, when the conflicting information is submitted at the same time, the ADS will govern when the inconsistent information is supplied at the same time, except that an oath or declaration governs inconsistencies in the naming of inventors or their citizenship.

Michael E. Kondoudis is a Washington DC patent attorney and the principal of The Law Office of Michael E. Kondoudis, PC, a Washington DC patent law firm. Mr. Kondoudis invites you to join the over 10,000 readers who visit his patent prosecution blog Patentably Defined every month.

Competing in today’s fast-paced environment prompts operators to rethink their fundamental business models. Such shifts in the telecom market include deregulation; prevalence of new technologies; and changing subscriber expectations and new, nontraditional competitors.

In order to adapt to such changes, identifying the right Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is a critical step in business network optimization. KPIs are able to provide operators quantifiable rubric that are necessary for long-term profitability. Being able to identify, measure and manage the right KPIs sets the demarcation line between the success and failure of a firm.

Today’s networks are multi-technology hybrids which sources its equipment from a variety of vendors. Each element has its specified method of data collection. And, correlating each data from multiple sources poses significant challenges like synchronizing collection intervals; managing diverse data types and formats; and standardizing data aggregation.

On the other hand, even if all network equipment is supplied by the same vendor, it does not guarantee that data production and delivery process are consistent in all products. The result may be an incoherent mix of data from multiple measurement sources which may not provide viable solutions to operators seeking quality of service in its network-wide operations. Furthermore, the variety of portfolio services that telecom companies provide-voice, video and beta, across networks are using a wide array of technologies, protocols and access types. Unifying these services requires proper combination of network elements. Operators also need to negotiate with partner networks through inter-operator agreements in order to meet service performance and satisfy customer expectations.

Data collection issues echo throughout the business. Inefficient data collection automatically impacts negatively the firm’s short and long term business objectives, customer relationships and network planning and optimization.

KPI Management Model: Measure, Manage, Monetize

The KPI Management model consists of measuring, managing and monetizing data. It offers a systematic approach to continuously improve the processing of selected KPI data. The model has three important steps namely, identify the most important KPI for improving efficiency and profitability; validate the quality of the network data utilized to develop the KPI metrics; and leverage the KPI data across the right organization to formulate decisions geared towards realization of business goals.

Let’s say a telecommunications firm would like to focus on network optimization. The firm must look into network performance metrics. The KPIs that the firm identified are: answer seizure ratio (ASR); network efficiency ratio (NER); average length of call; and average set-up time. Other in-network metrics may be taken into consideration such as service usage and trends based on application performance such as prepaid service success and failures. The firm may also look into the SLA management with operators with KPIs for service quality like ASR, NER, average set-up time and abnormal call release. Other metrics like service usage and trends based on the performance of an application like for instance the number portability may be taken into account.

In terms of network-wide monitoring system, firms are to collect signaling data to generate xDR (call/transaction/session detail records). xDRs are used to calculate signaling-based KPIs to solve problems of operators. It is in effect a centralized monitoring and performance solution to operators which can generate a network-wide multi-protocol trace for troubleshooting and diagnostics.

The information derived from signaling-based KPI data can be leveraged across the organization-from operations to marketing departments in order to drive profitability and improve work flow. Operators, now becomes proactive instead of being reactive due to the fact that signaling-based KPI alerts them of business and network related issues.

Signaling-based KPI data offers a diagnostic overview of the entire network’s health. The network’s ability to analyze the quality of service and usage patterns aids operators to determine profitability based on income rather than on a usage basis. Being able to analyze customer usage patterns on a per region and end-point gives viable information to the company to create a more targeted marketing plan that in the end would yield the company’s profitability. Moreover, it gives customer care centers the information they need to isolate and resolve network problems in a quick and efficient manner. Furthermore, issues such as fraud, interconnect issues, and other resources of revenue leakage can be addressed in real-time hence, allowing operators to minimize the impact.

The KPI Management Model can also be utilized to formulate performance and management system. A comprehensive review of the entire network will be able to provide a real-time network traffic that is directly related for ensuring network optimization, evolution, profitability and business innovation. KPIs enable the firm to assess its performance through the quantifiable metrics indicated in the model. The data can be leveraged across the operator’s organization for them to be able to make informed, intelligent business decisions.

The adaptation of the measure-manage-monetize scheme of the KPI management model will be able to assist operators to diagnose their system to support and achieve their short and long term business goals.

Jonnadeth Coja Mesa is the Editor/Associate Publisher of NBI Magazine., responsible for the content of the magazine every issue. The magazine is free for subscription and published quarterly. The purpose of NBI Magazine is to provide people working in the Telco industry inside information about trends and activities in the telecom network business intelligence area and at the same time give an opportunity to learn from the front-runners and experts in business intelligence. Visit http://www.nbi-magazine.com or email at jonnadeth.mesa@nbi-magazine.com

Like any other machinery, computers and their components are also prone to errors. However, you can’t be sure that when can it happen? In the end, every computer user has to do something about his/her malfunctioning system. During such critical crisis, the biggest fear on your mind is loss of data. There can be innumerable reasons causing loss of data. When such a thing happens, the only alternative that left is to get back the data from a back up resource. This marks an immediate need for taking regular data back ups which is however must to prevent heavy losses.

With a plethora of online data back-up resources, you can easily have a restoration of your data including videos, files and folders. Online data back ups are a better option than opting for traditional back up methods like using tape drives, CD-s, CD-RWs, and DVDs. Today, this is by far the easiest and simplest form of data backup option available in the market.

Online data back-up services are highly functional and helpful for people who do a lot of writing work on their computers in, or photography, as well as project managers who need to keep a record of everything. Leading computer support companies offer excellent service package to fulfill computer support requirements of computer users and small businesses.

Likewise, there is a plethora of technical support resources that allow you to upload files directly to their server. Other advantages are off-site storage and ease of access. Most technical support resources take great pains to ensure your data safety. They neither allow spyware malware nor any other security concern to become an issue for your data.

Buying data backup tools are not the only solution enough for protecting data stored in your PCs. They need to be used properly and on a regular basis. It is like having the most organized personal assistant to protect your computer data. With online data back-up resources, there is no need for you to remember when you last backed up or the time when your next backup is due.

Techs working with online data back-up centers take care of everything and ensure regular data backups for you. They will check that backups are executed in a proper way and do not go corrupt.

Joseph John is a technical expert with iYogi. iYogi a Computer support, computer repair and technical support vendor is the winner of Red Herring Top 100 Award, helps millions of busy customers in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Singapore by Microsoft certified technician. Watch this new Affordable tech support video and discover the excellence of iYogi which gives 93% of Customer Satisfaction and Resolution Rate of 84% in Computer Support Industry.

Online data back up is a necessity for your business. Business continuity and disaster recovery depends on a reliable data backup and restoration process. The backups should include the capability of backing up related computer drive data and associated database data. Statistics would demonstrate that having both of these types of data backups will usually provide the best overall data coverage. An online back up service provider is a viable solution and finding the right one can be a challenge. Through this article we assist you making this all-important choice of identifying the right online data backup vendor for your business.

Use A Two-pronged Method
First, you should know the minimum short and long-term standards of online backup service you are looking for. Now, identify a short list of appropriate online backup service providers based on that criteria.

Secondly, we will assess the assembled list of online data backup service providers against the complete set of requirements. The key requirements for assessing the short list of online data backup candidates is as follows:

Experienced Vendors
If a candidate has been in business for 5 or more years, he is more likely to be of long-term assistance. Statistics would demonstrate that many new services start with vigor but end up busted in a short span of time.

Sizable Business Clientèle
To gauge a company’s satisfaction percentage, it is always advisable to check if they have had a large database of business clients that have been with them for long durations. If possible find out the specific online data backup solution that the clients used.

Security
Candidates who have world-class data storage centers as a rule provide protection against unauthorized access and should be the first on your list. They are also protected against natural disasters and fire, hence assuring you of good physical security for your data.

Expandable plans
As your business grows, you will require additional storage. Besides fulfilling your `immediate needs, the candidate must have expandable data back up plans on offer for your long term needs.

Affordability
The vendor must provide backup services according to your budgeted plans. However enticing ‘free for life’ storage plans sound, these companies are hard pressed in the long term for their own survival and must be excluded from the short list of candidates.

Using the above criteria, you will have the list of short listed candidates who offer the minimum level of services to support your online data back up requirements

James Redder is an expert on data backup solutions and writes for an informative Online Data Backup website. For a limited time only free report related to Online Data Backup visit http://www.remotedatabackupmart.com

No matter the computer files and folders you have are personal or business related; having proper backup for them is extremely important. All computers are unfortunately fatal to failure like hard drive crashes, virus attacks, theft and natural disasters, which can erase everything in fraction of seconds. Malfunctioning of a single component in your PC can lead to a big loss. It’s better that you take timely backup to avoid data corruption which can lead to loss of time, money and even resources.

An easy, inexpensive way to make sure you’re the safety of your data is to avail back-up services from online technical support companies. A copy of your data is stored in a secure, remote location for safekeeping, so that your data can be obtained back in the event of disaster. Such resources cater you and your business on a budget. Moreover, they make paying for the storage extremely simple. You can also ask them for customized back up solutions according to your specific needs.

Whether your own a small scale business or simply uses computer for fun you feel always feel a need to store your data. Your company has no doubt spent several hours, not to mention the money spent paying employees, working on the information that is contained in your files. And you ought to save it at any cost.

Gone are the days when computer users used to save data on CDs and DVD’s. Reduce your risks and increase productivity with online data back-up services that are easily available with online computer support centers. Since these are online services, you don’t have to worry about their availability. And you can access your data anytime you need to with the help of your unique userID and password.

As far as your data privacy is concerned, be tension-free regarding this aspect as well. There are many companies that let you create your own encryption keys to guarantee privacy. Although all respectable data back-up resources value your concerns about maintaining strict privacy, it is still advisable to check out for credentials of any particular company before you narrow down on it.

Alina Wilson is a technical and security specialist, associated with numerous tech firms including iYogi. iYogi is synergistic ally aligned to offer tech support, Microsoft support, computer repair, PC help services, computer support, online technical support, data back-up services to its clients in Australia, US, UK and Canada by Microsoft certified technician.

To achieve high levels of contact center ROI, certain performance metrics should reveal positive figures. In the same way, the performance metrics selected should provide a link between where a company is at present and where it wants to be in the future.

A contact center, also called a call center, is an office that is especially organized and created for transmitting and receiving large volumes of telephone requests. Inbound call centers are usually hired by companies to provide product support and answer information inquiries posed by their consumers. Outgoing call centers, on the other hand, are usually tasked to do telemarketing, customer acquisition, and debt collection tasks. To measure call center performance, such factors as proficiency level, quality control, and customer service are continuously monitored through a special computer technology or software. Most of these technologies apply the concepts of workforce management, quality monitoring, and queue management. Moreover, these special call center software applications combine historical call center information with projected need to be able to address current staffing needs.

It is not enough to measure the success of call centers by getting data like the number of calls handled per agents and average handling time. It is also important to determine the Return of Investment of call centers by subtracting the revenue from dissatisfied customers from the revenue collected from satisfied customers. The difference is then divided to the total cost of operating a call center. Call center ROI is considered to be a very effective call center metric because it can be drastically affected by the number of dissatisfied customers. Given the relationship between customer satisfaction and call center ROI, it can be concluded that the former is critical success factor for any call center. In response to this fact, several call centers use a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution to assist them in assessing their success rates and to help them identify areas for improvement. In addition, this technology determines whether proper forecasting, adhering, and scheduling are done to meet the service level requirement of a call center.

Certain call center metrics or performance indicators are also often used for call centers to be able to assess their performance. Unfortunately, many call centers use unnecessary metrics as bases for their success. Industry experts recommend that metrics should be linked or associated with the call center’s overall objectives and strategies. Moreover, these metrics should be measures of efficiency, as efficiency is a primary concern for call centers. After all, an efficient company is able to have more work done in a short period of time. However, call centers should not focus too much on efficiency, as it may also curtail customer satisfaction. Agents would no longer care so much if they were able to assist the customers with their needs as long as they were able to keep the calls short. Customer satisfaction should also be given importance and should be regularly assessed through quality assurance call monitoring or customer service. With high customer satisfaction levels, high levels of contact center ROI follows.

If you are interested in contact center ROI, check this web-site to learn more about contact center scorecard.