Automated Harvesting Engine for Scanned Contract Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contract management systems do not allow for automated access to scanned contracts, hindering full text searches and AI/NLP analysis.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a memory component, an interface with a contract management system, and an automated harvesting engine that uses a browser automation tool to emulate human interaction, access cached metadata, search for contracts, locate workspaces, access and download scans, and store them in a database for analytics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated access methods are implemented, then productivity and efficiency are improved, but the contract management system's access restrictions prevent successful automation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a browser automation tool as an intermediary between the external system and the contract management system. This intermediary emulates human user interactions through a graphical user interface, bypassing the need for direct programmatic access that is blocked by the system's security measures. The automation tool acts as a mediator that translates automated requests into human-like navigation actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical automation approaches (direct API calls, database access) with a simulated human interaction system. Instead of attempting to mechanically access the system through technical interfaces, the solution uses a browser automation tool that replicates human clicking, typing, and navigation behaviors, thereby substituting a rigid mechanical approach with a flexible simulation-based approach.
2Extent of automation
If programmatic access attempts are made, then automation capability is improved, but access to scanned contracts remains unsuccessful
Solution Approach 1:
The browser automation tool serves as an intermediary layer that translates high-level automation commands into low-level human-like interactions with the contract management system. This intermediary handles the complexity of emulating user behavior, making the automation process easier to implement and maintain while successfully accessing previously unreachable resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The browser automation tool provides universal access capability that can interact with various interfaces and functionalities within the contract management system. Rather than requiring separate access methods for different contract types or system features, the single automation tool can perform multiple functions including navigation, data extraction, and file access across different system areas.
3Reliability
If manual retrieval processes are used, then access to scanned contracts is achieved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the browser automation tool with the necessary navigation paths, login credentials, and search criteria. This preliminary setup enables the automation to execute retrieval operations quickly without requiring manual configuration for each contract, significantly reducing the time loss while maintaining reliable access.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system performs self-service by autonomously navigating to contract records, identifying scanned attachments, and retrieving them without human intervention. The browser automation tool independently executes the entire retrieval workflow, from logging in to downloading files, eliminating the need for manual operation while ensuring consistent and reliable access.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present invention is directed to programmatically accessing a contract management system and executing a complex series of interfaces to navigate to the part of the site where it may use previously cached metadata to execute searches for known contracts of interest. Once the workspace for each contract is located, heuristics and/or AI inside the driving code may seek out the scans of signed contracts, and use a managed web browser to download them.