Form Processing Engine with Field Overlay for Automated Document Completion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for processing and completing form documents require users to manually locate and select the correct form from a data store, re-enter information already known by the system, and often generate imperfect or outdated copies, leading to inefficiencies and errors.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a form processing engine that captures and processes images of form documents, extracts field metadata, and a form completion engine that renders the image with field overlays, populates fields with user data, and allows for editing, thereby streamlining the completion process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the system independently creates a PDF form for completion, then the form can be completed electronically, but the form may not be true to the original and may be outdated or of another variation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectronic form completionVSAvoidform accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system captures an image of the original form document and uses it as the basis for creating the fillable PDF form, ensuring the form accurately reflects the original document's layout, fields, and version rather than relying on independently created templates that may be outdated or incorrect

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary processing by capturing and storing the original form image before the user completes the form, ensuring the accurate form version is prepared in advance and preventing the use of outdated or incorrect form variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system requires users to locate and select the proper PDF form from a data store, then the system can manage forms centrally, but the user must manually identify and select the correct form version

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveform managementVSAvoidform location time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically captures and stores the original form document image that the user uploads, eliminating the need for users to manually search through and select form versions from a data store, as the system handles form identification and version management automatically

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the system requires users to enter all information manually, then the system can ensure data accuracy through user input, but the user must re-enter information already known by the system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidform completion speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system retrieves user information from previously submitted form documents and user profiles in advance, preparing this data for automatic population before the user begins completing the form, thereby reducing manual entry requirements while maintaining accuracy through pre-validated data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically populates form fields with retrieved user information and provides feedback to the user for verification and correction, allowing users to review and modify pre-filled data rather than entering all information manually from scratch

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10671805B2Digital processing and completion of form documents
Publication Date: 2020.06.02 HRB INNOVATIONS
  • US10671805B2 patent drawing
  • US10671805B2 patent drawing
  • US10671805B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system, a computer program, and a computerized method for the processing and completion of form documents. A form processing engine receives the form from the user. The form processing engine captures and stores an image of the form and extracts field metadata from the form, specifically each field on the form by name, type, and position. A form completion engine then renders the captured image of the form and generates a field overlay. The form completion engine populates the field overlay with user data as retrieved from a user information data store. The form completion engine may add additional objects and events to the form and invite the user to provide additional information. Completion of form documents is streamlined and largely or completely automated.