Form Patents (Class 715/221)
  • Patent number: 7665141
    Abstract: A method of authenticating a copy of a multi-page document, which includes digitizing a said multi-page document to generate one or more digitized files that together comprise a digitized transcript. A mark that is unique to the preparer of the document, such as a signature, is prepared and digitized. The preparer of the document is allowed to deposit the digitized transcript on an online repository. The operator of the online repository immediately establishes a verification process for the deposited digitized transcript. This verification process includes associating the digitized preparer mark with the deposited digitized transcript, and freezing the transcript, by encrypting it and deriving a checksum. The verification process also include associating a repository mark with the transcript. The operator of the online repository defines, under the direction of at least the preparer of the document, security rights to limit or otherwise control access to the deposited digitized transcript.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Ghada Young
  • Patent number: 7653694
    Abstract: A system and method is provided to enable an e-mail to display a Web-based form. A definition concerning an e-mail address may include form schema owned by a Web site. Alternatively, the definition may contain a link to a Web service that provides the form schema. An e-mail client may download the form schema from the Web service, preferably along with additional data such as information concerning previous e-mails sent to the e-mail address, a FAQ list concerning an e-mail distribution list if the e-mail address represents the e-mail distribution list, etc. The Web site owning the form schema may receive and process e-mail containing the form according to the metadata of the Web-based form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel B. Witriol, John M. Leen
  • Publication number: 20100010825
    Abstract: An improved computer system, input apparatus and method for providing a user-interactive means for completing common forms in the healthcare industry, such as a Minimum Data Set (MDS) collection form that is used for nursing home resident assessment and care screening. In addition to providing a caregiver fillable form, the claimed invention teaches a patient fillable form in which the patient is guided through the form using a scripted interview approach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Linda H. Kunz
  • Publication number: 20100005095
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include tools for extracting data of interest from the world wide web (WWW). The extraction is accomplished using descriptions of data of interest. The descriptions of data of interest can include computer programs comprising a sequence of instructions and extractor patterns. The extractor patterns can be developed interactively using a web browser integrated into the graphical development environment for creating the descriptions of data of interest. The instructions can be selected from a predetermined list of instructions designed for extracting information from the WWW. The descriptions of data of interest can be grouped into categories sharing common query elements. Multiple descriptions of data of interest in the same category can executed simultaneously using the same query. The descriptions of data of interest can be accessed by a client computer using a web browser to initiate a query.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: CBS Interactive, Inc.
    Inventors: Yeogirl Yun, Brad Park
  • Patent number: 7644350
    Abstract: Techniques for creating and processing electronic forms that include at least one field that is configured to accept multimedia information as input. Techniques are provided for creating an electronic form comprising at least one field that is configured to accept multimedia information. Techniques are provided for specifying and associating a set of constraints (or predicates) with fields of a multimedia form, including specifying and associating one or more constraints with fields configured to accept multimedia information. Techniques for validating the electronic form based upon the constraints, if any, associated with the fields of the form. Various actions may be performed depending upon the results of the validation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kurt Piersol
  • Publication number: 20090327005
    Abstract: A facility has been developed whereby an applicant (or his representative) may file corresponding applications in multiple jurisdictions using multiple associates while automating the preparation of filings in accordance with jurisdiction- and/or associate-specific requirements and/or procedures. An intellectual property filing portal or hub is employed, which in some realizations is hosted on public, packet switched data network and communicates with both applicants (or representatives) and associates. The intellectual property filing portal facilitates selection, by applicants (or representatives) of particular jurisdictions and associates based at least in part on fee quotations in accordance with particulars of an intellectual property filing and in accordance with fee structures of the particular jurisdictions and foreign associates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: Eugene M. Lee
  • Publication number: 20090323119
    Abstract: A method is provided of delivering a greeting card using a form and computer system. The form includes an interactive element associated with delivery of the greeting card and tags encoding data relating to the interactive element. The method is carried out in the computer system and includes receiving indicating data generated by a sensing device through interaction with the interactive element, identifying, using the received indicating data, the interactive element, and delivering, using the identified interactive element, a greeting card. The sensing device senses the tags through the interaction, decodes the data encoded by the sensed tags and generates the indicating data to include the decoded data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Jacqueline Anne Lapstun
  • Publication number: 20090327853
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for comparing and selecting form-based functionality may be provided. A user may select a particular functionality of an application. Various options for providing the functionality, which may be sorted by category, may be presented to a user in a single interface. The user may select each option to see more information about how the option would accomplish the desired functionality. The additional information may also preview the effect of choosing each option. If all of the options do not fit on the user's display, the options may be scaled to allow the display of more options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Erin Elizabeth Dean, Paula Guntaur, George Elias Hatoun, Jeffrey Lawrence Schoner, Jesse Clay Satterfield
  • Publication number: 20090319881
    Abstract: Methods and systems of automated data validation by client computer and by server computer based upon a form containing at least one form entry with at least one associated validation rule are presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventor: Sandip Chokshi
  • Patent number: 7634730
    Abstract: The present invention provides a set of task-based helpers that automatically generate formulas that complete a task for the user. In one embodiment, the task helpers automatically create a formula from one or more functions that help complete more complicated tasks. The present invention also provides embodiments of user interfaces that help the user select the appropriate task helper and receive the discrete parameters of the formula for the task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Brandon G. Weber, Charles D. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20090307576
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining the layout of a form automatically to accommodate text in the form. Under the method and apparatus, a set of parameters define the sizing and alignment of elements of the form. Sizing and positioning instructions that are separate from the sizing and alignment parameters set the sizing and positioning of elements of the form based on the sizing and alignment parameters. The instructions determine the minimum size for the form, based in part on text in the form. The difference between the minimum size for the form and a desired size for the form is then distributed across the form to size and position the elements in the form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Nicholas James Thomson, Dmitri Davydok, Anthony Lee, Ian Carl Legler
  • Publication number: 20090300110
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for automatically managing multiple types of applications, electronic forms, electronic forms data instances, network services and, network services. The methods and systems allow organizations with a mobile workforce that relies on established business processes to execute timely and secure exchange of information while providing easy to use, fast, accurate and flexible information capture capability in the field. These organizations and/or third-party providers may optimize the design of mobile applications to better match existing corporate processes and forms in order to reflect existing business needs, preferred graphical user interfaces, processes and experiences on the mobile devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Marc Chene, Liam Peyton, Kevin McGuire, Brant Drummond
  • Patent number: 7627592
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transforming a document to a web page can include a mapping module programmed to map document styles of a document to styles of a web page. The system can also include a conversion module programmed to convert contents of the document into hypertext markup language based on the map of the mapping module, and a rendering module programmed to render the web page based on the hypertext markup language. A method can include mapping document styles in a document to styles of a web page, converting contents of the document into hypertext markup language based on the mapping, and rendering the web page based on the hypertext markup language.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Sterling John Crockett, Nathan James Fink, William James Griffin, Bruce Arville Jones, George Perantatos, Ryan Robert Stocker
  • Publication number: 20090289901
    Abstract: Various embodiments of this invention disclose a computer-aided human resources employment system and method that electronically captures and shares, in real-time, human resources and unemployment events and the completed forms that relate to those events. Other embodiments of this invention disclose a computer-aided system for managing human resources and unemployment forms and data captured in those forms. Another embodiment of the invention relates to a system and method for managing unemployment claims. This invention also relates to a human resources employment computer-based product that manages human resources and unemployment forms and database information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Aleixo
  • Patent number: 7620893
    Abstract: A method of aiding a user in using features of a software application comprises receiving from a user a selection of layout. The layout is to be used in creating an informational display for displaying results of a data repository query. At least one input field and an image are displayed to the user. The image is of a sample informational display that is based on the selected layout. The at least one input field is displayed in association with at least one feature shown in the displayed sample image. A user input is received via the input field. The user input is to be used in modifying the at least one feature in the new informational display. That least one input field may be displayed on top of the displayed sample image, in close proximity to the shown feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventors: Gerd Forstmann, Carsten Heuer
  • Patent number: 7617491
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for the improved validation of information across a communications network provide a common validation rules library that may be accessed and executed either by a client or server. The provision of a minimal amount of logic either to the client or the server is achieved by generating only a requisite amount of validation logic. Furthermore, developers are enabled to reuse and build upon validation logic by subsequent validation logic inheriting validation logic from a parent rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: priceline.com Incorporated
    Inventor: Scott Nedderman
  • Patent number: 7613709
    Abstract: An improved system and method for editing operations of a text object model is provided. To this end, a text object model and a text editing object model are employed. The text object model may have a data abstraction represented by a sequence of symbols and may provide a formatted text programming interface. The text editing object model may include a text editor for performing editing operations on the data abstraction using the formatted text programming interface. The editing operations may include splitting an element of the data abstraction into two elements, merging two elements of the data abstraction into one element, and copying a text range of the data abstraction, including a subelement within the text range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Mogilevsky, Evgeny N. Veselov, Benjamin M. Westbrook
  • Patent number: 7613996
    Abstract: Systems and/or methods (“tools”) are described that convert or present conversion problems for electronic documents. The tools may convert a generally unstructured electronic document to a generally structured electronic document using non-visual textual and layout information of the unstructured document. The tools can also present possible problems with this or other types of conversion. And the tools can enable a user to alter an electronic document's schema without altering its visual layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas K Dallett, Scott M. Roberts, Brian C. Teutsch, Jun Jin, Willson Kulandai-Raj David, Joshua S. Bell, David M Snow, Aleksandr Tysbert, Shuk-Yan Lai
  • Patent number: 7610548
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for identifying a form, the form having a form template and including at least one object. A locale property definition is assigned for the at least one object of the form. The locale property definition is stored with the form template. The form is rendered, wherein the at least one object of the form is rendered in accordance with the locale property definition for the at least one object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Brinkman, Gavin F. Mckenzie, Mike P. Tardif
  • Publication number: 20090265354
    Abstract: A method and system for remotely modifying a database uses an electronic form stored on a remote computer. The electronic form is filled out by a user and submitted to the database. Once the database determines that the user is authorized, the database is updated to match the information contained in the form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph Machak, Rodney Machak
  • Publication number: 20090265605
    Abstract: A fixed-form information management system includes: an image input unit that captures an image of a document; a fixed-form recognition unit that recognizes a fixed-form type and an information structure of the document from the image captured by the image input unit; a comparison unit that compares the information structure of the fixed-form type recognized by the fixed-form recognition unit with information structure of a fixed-form type corresponding to the recognized fixed-form type and registered in advance; and a display unit that displays a result of the comparison by the comparison unit on a screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazushi KANESHIRO
  • Patent number: 7604161
    Abstract: A question paper forming apparatus, includes: an image reading unit that reads an image of a question original in which a character string for constituting an answer of a question is designated by marking; an answer list forming unit that extracts the character string from the image data of the question original to form an electronic data of an answer list; a question sentence forming unit that deletes the character string from the image data of the question original and that sets an answer column to a portion where the character string is deleted, so as to form an electronic data of a question sentence; and a printing unit that prints out an answer document which contains the electronic data of the answer list and the electronic data of the question sentence as a question paper on separate papers respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michihiro Tamune
  • Patent number: 7607078
    Abstract: A method for processing forms in a computer system includes receiving from a human operator a design of a unified from template including data fields and respective attributes. Paper forms and electronic forms (e-forms) are automatically produced based on the unified form template. Filled-in paper forms and filled-in e-forms are accepted from the clients of the computer system, the filled-in forms including data items filled into the respective data fields by the clients. The data items are extracted from the filled-in paper forms and the filled-in e-forms responsively to the unified form template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Amir Geva, Ehud Karnin, Eugeniusz Walach
  • Publication number: 20090259694
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for editing a production schedule. The system includes: a storage unit storing master data; a receiving unit receiving the master data; a duplicating unit generating editing data; an editing operation unit generating preliminarily-edited data based on an editing command; an identification unit identifying an item edited in the preliminarily-edited data with respect to the master data; a determination unit determining whether the inputted editing command is valid or invalid, wherein tag information is appended to an item being the same as the edited item; and an updating unit generating the preliminarily-edited data in which the editing command determined to be valid is reflected and to which the tag information is appended and updating the master data by using the generated preliminarily-edited data. A method and computer program are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Hama
  • Patent number: 7599938
    Abstract: A “URLIT” identifier is assigned to a URL and embedded in an HTML document located at the URL. The URLIT and other data are described using a Universal Advertisement Markup Language such that high-precision searching of the World Wide Web is possible. URLIT-enabled transactions are conducted through a Universal Toolbar Utility. A search method allows user-definition of search algorithms and includes a ranking method that assigns relevancy scores to documents by polling users. Transaction reliability is enhanced by user participation in a Universal Terms of Use system and a Universal Arbitration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: Shelton E. Harrison, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7590931
    Abstract: A form pooling system allows efficient management of various forms used by a computer application. The form pooling system provides a close form module and an open form module to manage closing and opening various forms related to the application. The form pooling system significantly reduces form load time for complex forms by not having to re-create a form each time a client requests a form. The form pool may contain various types of previously used modeless forms and manages an upper limit of the number of forms that may be pooled to limit memory overhead. A form used in the form pooling system may be designed in a manner such that the form performs an unbinding operation when it is placed in a form pool and it performs a rebinding operation every time that form is retrieved from the form pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Shannon Pahl
  • Patent number: 7590932
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method for creating an electronic form for use in healthcare management. The method can comprise initiating generation of at least one display image supporting a user in: selecting a template form from a repository of template forms; modifying said selected template form by linking a user selected object from a predetermined list of objects with a user selected data field of said selected template form, objects in said predetermined list being associated with at least one of, (a) a particular role of a healthcare worker and (b) a particular activity being performed in providing healthcare to a patient, said selected object being usable in determining a query to be used in soliciting data for entry in said user selected data field; and associating a name with said modified form. The method can also comprise storing said modified form in response to user command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Catherine Britton, Kiron Rao, Terri H. Steinberg
  • Patent number: 7584417
    Abstract: Systems and/or methods that enable creation and/or use of an action for an electronic form dependent on a role of a user are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ned B. Friend, Petru M. Moldovanu, Jane T. Kim, Miladin Pavlicic, Shiraz J. Cupala
  • Patent number: 7584416
    Abstract: User interface (UI) forms are rendered on different types of display targets. To generate a UI form that can be rendered on different types of display targets metadata stored in at least one application is transformed to build a logical user interface (UI) representation. The UI form is rendered on at least one of the different types of display targets based on the logical UI representation. Data and form layout from the at least one application is accessed for representation in the logical UI representation. The rendered UI form is populated with the data represented in the logical UI representation to provide content for the rendered UI form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Eric B. Beran, Jens Moller-Pedersen, Peter Sloth, Uffe Kjall
  • Publication number: 20090177956
    Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for managing session data. The process determines whether preexisting session data associated with a request for content is present in response to receiving the request. Responsive to an absence of the preexisting session data being associated with the request, the process generates session data associated with the request. The process then generates a response page having a set of forms including a set of hidden fields. The set of hidden fields include the session data. Thereafter, the process sends the response page to a client browser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Shiling Huang, Sean Michael Sundberg
  • Publication number: 20090164244
    Abstract: An imaging and workflow method, system, computer readable medium and user interface for processing information efficiently for the processing of medical prescription orders. The system includes support for document scanning, automated rules-based order processing, statistical reporting, document generation and document storage and retrieval. The present invention takes advantage of imaging technology to assist the user in scanning information into the system and software modules to improve the processing of orders. The present invention also includes database tables that identify to application processing logic the types and sequences of actions to be implemented for orders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. Helmus, Donna L. Rosen, Leo H. Bressman
  • Patent number: 7543226
    Abstract: A programming object can comprise an executable method for loading a state of the object and an executable method for saving the object's state. The programming object can be an instance of a programmer-defined class. The executable method of the object for loading the state of the object can load the object's state as markup language text, and the executable method of the object for saving the object's state can save the object's state as markup language text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: James Lee Francis, Frank Mantek, Andrew J. Layman, Robert A. Little, Darren A. Apfel
  • Patent number: 7539938
    Abstract: An improved method for facilitating the peer review process in scholarly publications is presented. This improved method streamlines and compresses the review process, eliminating unnecessary delays and costs inherent in the traditional process. The present invention implements a computer based manuscript tracking process the uses the World Wide Web to allow ubiquitous access to the manuscript under review. This ubiquitous access works in conjunction with automatic generation of potential reviewers and instant notification to authors, editors, and reviewers of significant milestones in the peer review process. Authors are allowed to communicate with anonymous reviewers to reduce the number of revisions leading to approval. Additionally, multiple authors are allowed to collaborate during the manuscript creation process as well as the manuscript review process. This allows several geographically disperse authors to conveniently co-author a manuscript.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Neoplasia Press, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Dale Ross, Lauren Daniel Stegman, Alnawaz Rehemtulla
  • Publication number: 20090125797
    Abstract: The form data extracting apparatus, even input form does not have a logical structure stored in the generic logical structure DB, by using logical elements in the existing logical structure and a registered form obtained on the basis of (a) the logical structure, (b) pieces of position information of the logical elements, and (c) a relation between the logical elements. A logical element and a logical structure are extracted from the input form, and the extracted logical structure can be defined as a new registered form or a new logical structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Akihiro Minagawa, Hiroshi Tanaka, Noriaki Ozawa, Hiroaki Takebe, Yusaku Fujii, Yoshinobu Hotta, Katsuhito Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20090113285
    Abstract: An form input support method for supporting to input data in a form-input-page displayed as a web page, wherein a screen storage function unit comprises a step for storing screens to store the form-input-page displayed as the web page, a data edit function unit comprises a step for editing data to display the form-input-page stored by the step for storing screens in an offline state and stores the data to be transmitted input in each input item in relation to the form-input-page, a data paste function unit comprises a step for taking out the data to be transmitted stored in relation to the form-input-page in the step for editing data, and for pasting and displaying the data to be transmitted in an input item of a corresponding form-input-page displayed as a web page in the online state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Kenji ISHII
  • Patent number: 7523100
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that uses a rendered form as a search template. During operation, the system obtains a form template for a form, wherein the form is not associated with predefined search fields. This form template includes presentation information specifying how the form is to be presented, and type information specifying data types for fields in the form. Next, the system uses the presentation information to generate a rendered form, and then allows an end-user to enter search criteria into fields in the rendered form. The system then generates a query based on the entered search criteria, and runs the query against a set of forms to identify forms matching the search criteria. Finally, the system generates a list of the matching forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Jon Bionda, William J. McGauley
  • Patent number: 7523025
    Abstract: Disclosed is a host terminal emulator installed in a client computer to detect a coordinate at which a non-protecting attribute is set from coordinates in CUI screen data when it is received from a host computer, to generate GUI screen data in which GUI parts corresponding to the non-protecting attribute are set at respective coordinates following the detected coordinate, to correct the GUI screen data so as to transform the GUI parts in response to the coordinate at which the non-protecting attribute is set, and to display a screen based on the corrected GUI screen data on a monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Akinori Masushige, Masahide Abe, Takashi Maruyama
  • Patent number: 7511847
    Abstract: A printer for printing a second interface onto a second surface, in response to sensed coded data received from a sensing device in the form of a stylus. The indicating data is sensed by the stylus from first coded data included in a first interface disposed on a first surface. The printer includes an input module and a printing module. The input module is configured to receive the sensed data from the stylus. The input module generates indicating data based on the sensed data. The indicating data is sent to a computer system. The printing module includes a printing mechanism configured to receive the response data derived from the sensed coded data from the computer system. The second interface is based at least partially on the response data. The printing module then prints the second interface onto the second surface using the printing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun
  • Patent number: 7500178
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for processing electronic forms. Techniques are provided for automatically filling out fields of electronic forms for a user based upon information stored for the user. This reduces the amount of information that a user has to enter on an electronic form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: AGIS Network, Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 7499867
    Abstract: A customer record is generated to include fields specifying at least one product, customer preferences, and a selected delivery option indicating a method to deliver generated output material on the product. A job record including a status field is added to a job status table and set to a first status. A first worker is invoked if the selected job has the first status to generate output material from processing the product and customer preference fields in the customer record for the selected job. The status for the selected job in the job status table is set to a second status after generating the output material with the first worker. A second worker is invoked if the selected job has the second status to determine whether a selected one of a plurality of delivery options from the customer record for the selected job and transmits the output material via the determined delivery option to the customer specified in the customer record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: InfoPrint Solutions Company LLC
    Inventors: Leonard Corning Lahey, Jagdish Mooljee Nagda, Robert Curt Nielsen, Dwight Ross Palmer, Anthony Franke Stuart, Adam Alvin Swartz
  • Patent number: 7495796
    Abstract: Methods for creating a customized document using downloadable product design tools executing in the user's browser. A template for a partially completed product design is selected byte user and downloaded to the user's computer for editing by the user at the user's computer using the downloaded design tools. While viewing the product design template, the user can enter text or other content into the template and modify template elements. The completed product design can be uploaded to the server for production of the corresponding printed product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: VistaPrint Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Robert Keane, Erik Robertson, Sebastien Coursol
  • Patent number: 7496832
    Abstract: A method and system for automatically creating a webpage using a scanned file created from a hard copy. A lookup table correlates a particular text symbol, such as a dollar sign (“$”), to a specific functionality. For example, if a chart in the hard copy has a dollar sign before values in the chart, then the lookup table associates the dollar sign with a pointer to an HTML routine (object) for creating an input box in a webpage. The HTML routines can be used to create new webpages or to modify existing webpages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yen-Fu Chen, John W. Dunsmoir, Hari Shankar
  • Patent number: 7493326
    Abstract: A method for analyzing a problem in a distributed processing business system used to provide a service is disclosed. The method comprises identifying the problem; preparing for an audit; performing the audit; reviewing the audit; developing an action plan; developing an execution plan; deploying a solution in accordance with the execution plan; monitoring the deployed solution; and recording lessons learned. Alternatively, the method may be applied to evaluate the capacity of a distributed processing business system to provide a prospective service. In this alternative embodiment, the method comprises identifying the problem; preparing for an audit; performing the audit; reviewing the audit; preparing a rating table; populating the rating table with results from the audit; calculating a service rating based upon the results entered in the rating table; and presenting the service rating to management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ellis E. Bishop, Randy S. Johnson, Tedrick N. Northway, Norman J. Peterson, Paul D. Peterson, H. William Rinckel
  • Patent number: 7487438
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for comparing blank forms represented in a digital format to digitized filled-in forms are described. Different errors are attributed different weights when attempting to correlate regions of blank and filled-in forms. Foreground pixels in the blank form which are not found in a corresponding portion of a filled-in form are attributed greater error significance than foreground pixels, e.g., pixels which may correspond to added text, found in the filled-in form which correspond to a background pixel value in the blank form. A virtual filled-in form including content, e.g., pixel values, from the filled-in form is generated from the content of the filled-in form and pixel value location mapping information determined from comparing the blank and filled-in forms. Various analysis is performed on a block basis, but in some embodiments the final pixel mapping to the virtual form is performed on a pixel by pixel rather than a block basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Pegasus Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: William Douglas Withers
  • Patent number: 7483160
    Abstract: In a communication system, an access source page is printed, together with an entry column and code regions on a sheet of paper, the entry column being provided for entering a command content to access destination pages, the code regions being provided for entering codes for specifying access destination pages corresponding to the entry column. Then, the sheet of paper on which the command content has been entered by a user is read. A URL of an access destination page corresponding to each entry column in which the command content has been entered is specified on the basis of contents entered in the code regions, a link list or a text file. At least one command to the specified URL is specified on the basis of check-off states of check columns constituting each entry column. Then, at least one process corresponding to the command is applied to the URL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuma Aoki, Kazuhiro Yamagata, Katsunori Enomoto
  • Patent number: 7469378
    Abstract: To provide a layout system suitable to implement layout with a high individuality. Layout result data of automatic layout processing is acquired as comparison destination layout result data. Business-type information, identical to business-type information corresponding to an input user ID, is retrieved from a user information registration database to read out a user ID corresponding to the associated business-type information. Comparison source layout result data, corresponding to the read-out user ID, is read out from layout result data registration database. Next, similarity between the comparison destination layout result data and the comparison source layout result data is calculated, and the comparison destination layout result data is corrected so that the degree of correction of the comparison destination layout result data increases as the calculated similarity increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nagahara, Hirotaka Ohashi
  • Patent number: 7466439
    Abstract: A method of delivering a facsimile using a printed form is provided. The form is adapted for entering a message thereon using a sensing device and include user information and coded data. The method comprises the steps of: (a) receiving, in a computer system, interaction data representing interaction of the sensing device with the coded data, the interaction data allowing the message to be electronically captured in the computer system; and (b) transmitting the message to a designated recipient address for facsimile delivery. The message is delivered with a reply number for sending a return message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Lapstun, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7467134
    Abstract: Data representing a visual form of data is received. The data including content data and format data indicating the manner in which the content data is to be visually represented. At least some of the content data is identified in accordance with a template, which includes one or more extraction instructions. The retrieved data may then be stored in the identified content data. Or, in response to the data, an action may be taken such as initiating a process. A template may be applied to several data files, storing visual forms of data and the information from those files may be stored in a database in association with the visual forms of data. A user may input an extraction instruction by visually identifying a region of a sample visual form of data and selecting a manner to extract the content data in reference to the identified region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: NuGenesis Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Edward L. Bayiates
  • Patent number: 7447988
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a documentation system including an augmenting mechanism that elicits more accurate conclusions through the analysis of entered information and predetermined criteria. The present invention also provides for a method of documentation based upon the augmenting mechanism and a method of augmenting to calculate more accurate conclusions based upon all entered information and related predetermined criteria. Additionally, the present invention includes a software program for operating the documentation system and method for the operation of the augmenting mechanism. The present invention provides for a computerized documentation entry system for determining more accurate conclusions including a software program having an augmenting mechanism and a graphic user interface for displaying, accessing and interacting with users of the documentation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventor: Gary E. Ross
  • Publication number: 20080267505
    Abstract: A method is provided for selecting fields of an electronic form for automatic population with candidate text segments. The candidate text segments can be obtained by capturing an image of a document, applying optical character recognition to the captured image to identify textual content, and tagging candidate text segments in the textual content for fields of the form. The method includes, for each of a plurality of fields of the form, computing a field exclusion function based on at least one parameter selected from a text length parameter, an optical character recognition error rate, a tagging error rate, and a field relevance parameter; and determining whether to select the field for automatic population based on the computed field exclusion function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Sebastien Dabet, Marco Bressan, Herve Poirier