Natural Language Form Authoring Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electronic form generation tools are complex and inefficient, particularly for novice users, especially on mobile devices, due to the need for specialized knowledge of structured languages and the requirement to navigate multiple interface elements, and they often perform processing that is infeasible on mobile devices due to resource limitations.

Innovation Solution

A simplified text-based interface for creating electronic forms using natural human language, which allows users to describe forms in a single text-entry field, with optional supplemental information, and provides a real-time preview, enabling efficient form authoring on both desktop and mobile devices by leveraging a client-server architecture that offloads processing to a server for mobile compatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional electronic form generation tools are used, then forms can be created with complex functionality and validation, but the interface complexity and difficulty of use increase significantly, especially for novice users and mobile devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveform functionalityVSAvoidinterface usability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a natural language processing intermediary that translates user-friendly text descriptions into complex form configurations. Instead of requiring users to directly manipulate complex form elements and validation rules, the system mediates by interpreting natural language input and automatically generating the corresponding form structure, field types, and validation logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical drag-and-drop interface system with a text-based natural language processing system. Instead of requiring physical manipulation of form elements through GUI operations, the system substitutes this mechanical interaction with linguistic input that is processed algorithmically to generate the same form outcomes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If GUI tools with multiple interface elements are used, then comprehensive form creation capabilities are provided, but the number of interface elements and navigation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveform creation capabilityVSAvoidinterface elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential form creation capability from the complex GUI toolset and isolates it into a single text input interface. By taking out only the critical function of specifying form requirements and removing all surrounding interface complexity, the system achieves versatile form creation through a minimal interface consisting primarily of a text input field.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal text input interface that performs multiple functions simultaneously: it captures form structure requirements, specifies field types, defines validation rules, and describes form behavior all through a single natural language input mechanism, replacing the need for multiple specialized interface elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Speed

If processing is performed on the client side, then real-time form generation is achieved, but resource consumption exceeds mobile device capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveform generation speedVSAvoiddevice resource usage

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional client-side processing model by implementing server-side processing with minimal client computation. Instead of requiring mobile devices to perform complex natural language processing and form generation algorithms locally, the system reverses the architecture so that the mobile device only needs to transmit input text and receive generated form code, shifting the computational burden to the server.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11507736B2Automated electronic form generation

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 PAYFORMIX LLC

AI summary

Methods and systems for automated electronic form generation are provided. According to one embodiment, a non-transitory machine readable medium stores instructions that when executed by a processing resource of a computer system cause the processing resource to facilitate electronic form authoring. An interactive form authoring interface is displayed on the computer system including a single text entry field and a form preview area. Text input relating to an electronic form being authored by an authoring user is accepted via the text entry field. The text input is sent to a software component operable to obtain form definition information from the text input and to generate a rendered view of the electronic form based on the form definition information. The authoring user is provided with feedback regarding an appearance and functionality of the electronic form by updating the form preview area based on the rendered view.