Electronic Form Generation from Legacy Documents

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Solution Overview

Problem

The transition from paper forms to electronic forms is hindered by the time-consuming and resource-intensive process of creating electronic forms, especially when starting from legacy documents without metadata, which requires manual input and significant processing resources.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that detects elements in electronic documents using a predetermined interpretation rule set, generates an intermediate file with metadata, and converts it into a web-fillable electronic form format, reducing the need for manual input and processing resources by enabling automatic generation of electronic forms from documents like PDFs or word processing files.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If manual creation of electronic forms is performed, then the forms can be customized and functional, but the time and resources required for creation increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of electronic form creationVSAvoidtime required for form creation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the source document structure and content to automatically generate form fields, data entry areas, and submission functionality. This preliminary automated processing eliminates the need for manual creation of these elements, directly resolving the contradiction between form functionality and creation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy of the paper form and automatically extracts structural information, text content, and layout data to generate the electronic form template. This copying approach preserves the original form's functionality while eliminating manual recreation efforts, reducing both time and resource requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If automated element detection is performed on documents without metadata, then electronic forms can be generated from legacy documents, but processing resources and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to process legacy documentsVSAvoidprocessing resources required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The document processing system divides the legacy document into discrete elements such as text blocks, form fields, tables, and images. By segmenting the document structure, the system can process each element type with specialized algorithms, improving efficiency and reducing overall processing resources while maintaining the ability to handle diverse legacy document formats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediate representation layer that bridges the unstructured legacy document and the structured electronic form output. This intermediary stage uses optical character recognition and structure analysis to extract meaningful data, enabling automated form generation from documents without metadata while optimizing resource utilization through systematic processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive element detection rules are applied, then accurate form elements can be identified, but the complexity of the processing system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of element detectionVSAvoidcomplexity of processing system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different detection rules and algorithms to different regions and types of elements within the document. For example, text recognition rules are applied to text blocks, while different rules detect form fields, tables, and images. This localized approach maintains high detection accuracy for each element type while avoiding the need for a single complex universal detector.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes detection parameters such as confidence thresholds, region of interest definitions, and algorithm selection based on the detected element type and document characteristics. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows accurate detection of diverse form elements while keeping the base processing system relatively simple and modular.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11403455B2Electronic form generation from electronic documents

Publication Date: 2022.08.02 KUDZU SOFTWARE INC

AI summary

In some aspects, a method for converting legacy electronic forms and static electronic documents to web-fillable electronic forms includes receiving data corresponding to an electronic document. The electronic document has an input file format. The method includes detecting one or more elements of the electronic document from the data based on a predetermined element interpretation rule set. The method includes generating an intermediate file representing an electronic form based on the data. The intermediate file includes metadata indicating the one or more elements and has an intermediate file format. The method includes displaying a user interface configured to enable user selection of a target output file format. The method also includes converting the intermediate file to an output file having the target output file format. The output file represents the electronic form configured to support user entry of information. The method further includes outputting the output file.