Electronic Form Builder Mediator for Data Integrity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic data collection methods require advanced technical expertise to create custom forms and often compromise security and integrity, making it difficult for users to integrate custom forms with proprietary information systems.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows users to create and manage electronic forms through a user-friendly interface, integrating with two levels of storage without direct access, using a pre-publication database for user input and a post-publication database for published data, enabling secure and customizable data collection without advanced technical training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users are allowed to create custom electronic forms with direct access to proprietary information systems, then form customization capability is improved, but system security and data integrity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a form builder as an intermediary layer between users and the proprietary information system. This form builder provides a user-friendly interface that allows users to create custom forms without direct access to the underlying system, thereby maintaining security while enabling customization. The form builder acts as a mediator that translates user requirements into system-compatible data collection forms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional layers: a user-facing form builder interface and a backend proprietary information system. This segmentation allows users to interact with the form creation interface without accessing the core system, maintaining security boundaries while providing customization capabilities. The form definitions are stored separately from the proprietary system data structures.
2Reliability
If proprietary information systems restrict access to maintain security, then system security is improved, but user ability to create customized forms deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The form builder enables users to create their own customized forms through a self-service interface without requiring access to the proprietary information system or advanced technical knowledge. Users can define custom fields, form layouts, and data collection requirements independently, and the system automatically handles the integration with the backend system.
Solution Approach 2:
The form builder provides universal access to form creation capabilities for all users regardless of their technical expertise. It serves multiple functions: allowing users to create custom forms, store form definitions, submit data, and integrate with the proprietary system, all through a single unified interface that maintains security while providing versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If advanced technical expertise is required to create custom forms, then form functionality is improved, but ease of use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The form builder serves as an intermediary that shields users from the complexity of the proprietary information system. It provides a simplified interface with intuitive form creation tools, drag-and-drop functionality, and pre-configured options that eliminate the need for programming knowledge while still enabling sophisticated form functionality and integration with the backend system.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a method manages data integrity of an electronic form. In the method, a request from a client device for access to the electronic form is received. Access is provided during a session to the electronic form to the client device, wherein the electronic form is configured to receive user input into fields of the electronic form via the client device, the user input comprising one or more field values corresponding to the fields of the electronic form, transmit the user input to at least one computing device, and transmit a publication request message to the at least one computing device, the publication request message indicative of an end of a session. The user input is received. During the session and before receiving the publication request message, the one or more field values of the user input is updated in a pre-publication database. The publication request is received, and in response to receiving the publication request message, a post-publication database is updated with the one or more field values stored in the pre-publication database according to a mapping of pre-publication database fields and post-publication database fields.