Electronic Form Automation via OCR Field Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques struggle to automate the conversion of paper forms to electronic forms, especially when form field definitions are inconsistent or undefined, leading to inaccuracies in creating fillable and interactive fields, and require manual matching and visual verification, which is inefficient and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A system that automatically imports and deploys fillable electronic forms, allowing users to select and populate form fields across multiple forms, with shared fields, using a network-connected database and processor-readable code to ensure consistency and accuracy in data input and form completion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If existing form filling techniques are used to convert paper forms to electronic forms, then automation is achieved, but the techniques require explicit form field definitions and cannot handle forms with undefined or inconsistent field definitions across different vendors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of form conversionVSAvoidcompatibility with different form vendors and undefined fields

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a digital copy of the paper form by capturing an image of the paper form and using optical character recognition (OCR) to extract text and form field information. This copying approach allows the system to work with any paper form regardless of vendor-specific field definitions, as it directly extracts information from the visual representation rather than requiring pre-defined field structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual visual verification and matching processes with automated image processing and OCR technology. The system automatically identifies form fields, extracts data, and populates electronic forms without requiring human intervention to match fields across different vendor formats, thereby achieving both automation and versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of substance

If existing techniques are used to create fillable electronic forms, then paper consumption is reduced, but manual processes are required for visual verification and matching, reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaper consumption reductionVSAvoidefficiency of form conversion process

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically capturing the paper form image, processing it through OCR to extract form field information, and populating the electronic form without requiring manual verification. The automated workflow includes image capture, text extraction, field identification, and data population, eliminating the need for human operators to visually verify and match fields manually.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a continuous automated workflow where the form conversion process flows seamlessly from paper form capture to electronic form population without interruption. The system continuously processes forms through image capture, OCR extraction, data validation, and electronic form filling, maintaining uninterrupted productive action throughout the conversion process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Extent of automation

If independently created electronic forms are generated instead of perfect copies, then automation is improved, but the forms may not be true to the original and may be outdated or of another variation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of electronic form creationVSAvoidaccuracy of form replication

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by capturing an accurate image of the original paper form before any processing occurs. This initial image capture preserves the exact layout, fields, and structure of the original form, ensuring that subsequent automated processing maintains fidelity to the source document. The system uses this captured image as the foundation for all subsequent extraction and population operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through data validation and verification steps that compare extracted information against expected form structures and patterns. The automated process includes validation checks that ensure the extracted form fields and data accurately reflect the original paper form, correcting any discrepancies and ensuring precision in the electronic form replication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11947904B2System and method for completing multiple electronic forms

Publication Date: 2024.04.02 QUICK CLICK E-FORMS

AI summary

A system and method for completing fillable electronic forms. One exemplary technique involves automatically importing one or more fillable electronic forms from a database, receiving, at a user interface component via a network, a request to select the one or more fillable electronic forms, presenting a set of selectable fillable form fields from the one or more fillable electronic forms, presenting the one or more fillable electronic forms, receiving a user response for populating one or more fillable form fields from the set of selectable fillable form fields, and automatically deploying the user response in a second and subsequent fillable electronic form from the one or more fillable electronic forms, the second fillable electronic form having one or more fillable form fields shared in common with the one or more fillable form fields from the set of selectable fillable form fields.