Electronic Document Management System for Automated Signature Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic signature systems are inefficient and inflexible, requiring unique programming for each document format, delaying transactions and lacking support for boolean outputs and multiple signature sequences, which undermines the speed and automation of electronic loan processing.

Innovation Solution

A system that formats documents as electronic packages, allowing access demonstration and authentication through boolean variables and text entry, enabling concurrent authentication sessions and pre-approval processes for multiple signers, and automatically managing signature placement and batch authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If unique programming is created for each document format, then document authenticity and proper signature placement are ensured, but system complexity and programming time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocument authenticityVSAvoidprogramming complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal template system where a single electronic signature program can handle multiple document formats through configurable templates. Each template defines signature placement rules for different document types, allowing the system to adapt to various formats without requiring unique programming for each one. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through proper template-based signature placement while reducing programming complexity through code reusability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses parameter-based configuration where document-specific attributes (such as signature position, document type, and formatting rules) are stored as adjustable parameters in templates. When a new document format is encountered, the system retrieves the appropriate template and applies the stored parameters rather than requiring new programming. This approach ensures document authenticity through proper parameter application while minimizing programming complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If manual programming modification is performed for each new agreement format, then proper electronic signature execution is achieved, but transaction speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignature execution accuracyVSAvoidtransaction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements pre-configured templates that contain all necessary signature placement instructions and document formatting rules before transactions occur. When a new agreement format needs to be processed, the appropriate template is already prepared and stored in the system, eliminating the need for manual programming modifications during transaction execution. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring signature execution accuracy through pre-validated templates while maintaining transaction speed through automated template retrieval.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates and stores template copies that can be reused across multiple transactions and document formats. Instead of programming each document format from scratch, the system copies and adapts existing templates to new formats by modifying parameters rather than code structure. This approach maintains signature execution accuracy through proven template patterns while significantly improving transaction speed through template reuse.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If electronic signature systems support multiple document formats with different signature positions, then versatility is improved, but program configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocument format supportVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the electronic signature system into modular components: document format identifiers, template repositories, signature placement rules, and configuration parameters. Each document format is associated with specific template segments that define signature positions and formatting requirements. This segmentation allows the system to support multiple document formats through modular template selection rather than monolithic complex programming, resolving the contradiction by improving versatility through format-specific templates while reducing configuration complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces templates as intermediary elements between the core electronic signature program and diverse document formats. Templates act as mediators that translate document format requirements into standardized signature placement instructions that the core program can execute uniformly. This intermediary layer improves versatility by accommodating various document formats while simplifying configuration, as the core program remains unchanged and only template parameters need adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8572388B2Electronic document management system
Publication Date: 2013.10.29 ICE MORTGAGE TECH INC
  • US8572388B2 patent drawing
  • US8572388B2 patent drawing
  • US8572388B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method, apparatus and program product provide a mechanism for managing the execution of electronic documents using electronic signatures. Documents requiring electronic signatures are automatically identified, mined, trimmed and split from a printer control data language stream. Status information pertaining to needed data, signatories, signature completions and authentication attempts is related to users during and after an electronic signing sequence.