Database program with automatic creation of user features

Abstract

Integrated document management system automatically creates pull down lists and pop up buttons based on the project specifications.

1. A method, comprising:
 defining, by a computing device, a project including having at least one field for association with documents, wherein the project includes a list of project specifications comprising lists of data values associated with the at least one field; 
 automatically forming, by the computer device, at least one data entry screens screen based on said original list of project specifications in response to defining the project, each wherein said at least one data entry screen including includes choices for said data entry that are automatically formed from said list of project specifications; and 
 automatically forming, by the computer device, search queries based on said original list of project specifications in response to defining the project, including choices for search queries that are formed automatically based on said project specifications. 
 
     
     
       2. A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said project is a legal case. 
     
     
       3. A method as in  claim 1  wherein said data entry screens include pull down lists including said choices, each pull down list including a list of possible alternatives for said data entry screen. 
     
     
       4. A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising fill in capabilities, which allow additional information to be typed into the list box. 
     
     
       5. A method as in  claim 4 , further comprising allowing a user to remove a name from the list. 
     
     
       6. A method as in  claim 1  wherein said search queries comprise a plurality of pushbutton elements, each individual ones of which is are associated with a textual command, and each individual ones of which can be selected to execute a search query associated with said textual command. 
     
     
       7. A method as in  claim 6 , further comprising ordering search results based on a specified order. 
     
     
       8. A method as in  claim 7  wherein said specified order is chronological order. 
     
     
       9. A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising selecting a search, and, after in response to selecting said search, automatically forming additional search queries based on a narrowed down list of search queries. 
     
     
       10. A method as in  claim 1  wherein said defining comprises scanning a document, optically character recognizing said document, and automatically creating records for the optically character recognized document in response to the optical character recognizing. 
     
     
       11. A method as in  claim 10 , wherein said automatically creating records comprises automatically creating database entries for each said document in response to the optical character recognizing. 
     
     
       12. A method as in  claim 11 , further comprising enabling selecting a database entry, wherein said enabling comprises automatically executing a program which enables viewing said database entry in response to the creating records. 
     
     
       13. A method as in  claim 1  wherein said defining comprises automatically creating said project specifications by in response to an automatic entry of documents. 
     
     
       14. A method as in  claim 1  wherein said defining a project comprises entering documents about a project, and categorizing said documents. 
     
     
       15. A method as in  claim 1  further comprising automatically forming a time map of specifications within the project in response to receiving a choice at the at least one data entry screen. 
     
     
       16. A method as in  claim 1  wherein said project is a medical project. 
     
     
       17. A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising enabling certain aspects of said project to be flagged as key aspects. 
     
     
       18. An article comprising a tangible computer readable storage media and storing computer executable instructions to organize a specified project, said in instructions causing the computer configured to cause a computer to perform operations comprising:
 enterreceiving information about a project, the project having at least one field for association with documents, the information comprising lists of values associated with the at least one field; 
 automatically forming data entry screens in response to receipt of the information, the data entry screens based on said information about said project; and 
 automatically forming search queries in response to receipt of the information, the search queries based on said information about said project. 
 
     
     
       19. An article as in  claim 18 , wherein said enter receiving further comprises entering receiving documents automatically, and causing information about said documents to automatically form said data entry screens information about the project in response to receipt of the information. 
     
     
       20. An article as in  claim 18 , wherein said project is one of a legal case, a medical case, a corporate case, or a research case. 
     
     
       21. An article as in  claim 18 , wherein said search queries are one of a pull down list box, or a pushbutton box. 
     
     
       22. An article as in  claim 21 , further comprising an additional function which enables said search queries to be expanded by adding or removing an item from said pull down box or said pushbutton box. 
     
     
       23. A method, comprising:
 entering information about a project using a computing device, the project having at least one field for association with documents, the information including at least specifications about said project comprising lists of values associated with the at least one field, at least part of said entering including automatic determination of said information using the computing device; 
 based on said information, determining categories of information, and automatically forming data entry parameters based on said categories via the computing device, in response to the entering, said data entry parameters including a list of possible data entry parameters; and 
 automatically forming search queries based on said information via the computing device, in response to the entering, said search queries including a list of possible search queries. 
 
     
     
       24. A method as in  claim 23  wherein said list comprises one of a pull down list or a pushbutton box with text therein. 
     
     
       25. A method as in  claim 24 , wherein said project is one of a medical project, a legal project, a corporate project, or research project. 
     
     
       26. A method as in  claim 23  wherein said entering comprises obtaining electronic versions of documents, first entering contact information, next, entering names of fields which are related to one another, next entering potential lists of choices for each field, and forming records from said fields and linking said fields to specified electronic versions of documents. 
     
     
       27. A method as in  claim 26 , wherein said entering further comprises, for each individual ones of a plurality of documents, entering database information for said document based on said choices. 
     
     
       28. A method as in  claim 26 , wherein said automatically forming search queries form comprises forming said search queries based on said in response to entering the potential lists of choices. 
     
     
       29. An apparatus comprising:
 a computing device;   a database configured to store at least one project having at least one field associated with documents, the project also having at least one project specification comprising lists of values associated with the at least one field, and wherein the database is accessible with the computing device;   a display device in communication with the computing device;   the computing device configured to form data entry screens for display on the display device based on the at least one project specification stored in the database, in response to receipt of the projection specifications, wherein project information is associated with values stored in the at least one project specification, and the computer is configured to form search queries based on the at least one project specification, in response to receipt of the project specifications, wherein the search queries retrieve project information associated with values stored in the project specification.   
     
     
       30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the data entry screens include choices for data entry that are formed from the at least one project specification, in response to receipt of the project specifications, and the search queries include choices that are formed based on the at least one project specification, in response to receipt of the project specification. 
     
     
       31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the data entry screens include pull down list boxes including a list of possible alternatives for the data entry screens. 
     
     
       32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the computer is configured to allow additional information to be typed into the pull down list box. 
     
     
       33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the computer is configured to allow removal of a name from the list of values associated with the at least one field. 
     
     
       34. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the search queries comprise a plurality of pushbutton elements associated with a textual command which can be selected to execute a search query associated with the textual command. 
     
     
       35. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the computer is configured to form additional search queries based on a narrowed down list of search queries, in response to selection of one of the search queries, wherein the additional search is performed subsequent to a first search query. 
     
     
       36. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the computer is configured to scan a document, optically character recognize the document, and create records for the optically character recognized document in response to optical character recognition. 
     
     
       37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the computer is configured to populate the at least one field for individual ones of the documents in response to optical character recognition. 
     
     
       38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the computer is configured to create the project specifications by automatic entry of documents in response to optical character recognition. 
     
     
       39. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the computer is configured to form a time map of specifications within a project in response to receipt of data entry. 
     
     
       40. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the computer is configured to enable certain aspects of a project to be flagged as key aspects. 
     
     
       41. An apparatus comprising:
 means for computing;   means for storing a project comprising at least one field associated with documents, the project further comprising a plurality of project information and one or more project specifications comprising lists of values associated with a plurality of fields, wherein values associated with the fields differentiate individual ones of the project information, and wherein the means for storing is configured to be accessed by the computing means; and   means for causing the computing means to form data entry screens based on the one or more project specifications, in response to receipt of project information, wherein project information is associated with values stored in the project specification, and means for causing the computing means to form search queries based on the one or more project specifications in response to receipt of project information.   
     
     
       42. The apparatus of claim 41, comprising means for causing the computing means to form additional search queries based on a narrowed down list of search queries, in response to selection of a search query, wherein the additional search is performed subsequent to a first search query. 
     
     
       43. The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising means for causing the computing means to create the project specifications in response to automatic entry of documents. 
     
     
       44. The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising means for enabling certain aspects of a project to be flagged as key aspects.