US5704029A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for completing an electronic form
Assignee: Seven Networks LLC
•
Filing: 1994-05-23
•
Granted: 1997-12-30
•
Expires: 2014-05-23
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for providing computerized forms completion and processing. A forms designer utilizes a forms creation module that includes a scripting feature to create an electronic form. The scripting feature provides flow of control statements and a variety of functions useful in forms, e.g., such as questionnaires. These functions include data validation, field navigation/control (e.g., skip), context sensitive help, data formatting, alert sounds and dialog boxes. The scripting feature ensures that skip patterns are followed correctly and that the form is completed accurately. The forms creation program generates a field description record for each field created by the forms designer. The set of field description records that define the electronic form is then transferred to a handheld computer, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA). A user of the form, such as a respondent to a survey, utilizes the PDA to respond to the statements or questions that are part of the form. A forms engine executing on the PDA interprets one field at a time and displays that field in the sequence designed by the forms designer. Each field includes a prompt portion, an answer box portion, and a control portion that are displayed together on the display screen of the PDA. After the form is completed, the response data is optionally transferred to another computer for further processing or reporting.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald V. Wright, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:29
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F40/00; G06F40/10; G06F40/166; G06F40/174
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A system for completing an electronic form, comprising: a portable unit including a processor, a graphics display, an input device mechanism and a memory; an electronic form stored in the memory of the unit comprising a plurality of form descriptors that define displayable items, wherein each form descriptor includes a self-contained script program indicative of the next displayable item to be displayed, wherein each script program stores and retrieves data to and from the memory and wherein the order of display of the displayable items is defined by the script programs; a forms engine to display a single displayable item on the graphics display described by one of the form descriptors, wherein the displayable item includes a sentence and a set of possible response entries, wherein the script program of the displayable item is interpreted by the forms engine, and wherein the one displayable item utilizes the entire display; and wherein the input device mechanism accepts one or more of the responses selected by a user of the unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
A system for completing an electronic form, comprising: a portable unit including a processor, a graphics display, an input device mechanism and a memory; an electronic form stored in the memory of the unit comprising a plurality of form descriptors that define displayable items, wherein each form descriptor includes a self-contained script program indicative of the next displayable item to be displayed, wherein each script program stores and retrieves data to and from the memory and wherein the order of display of the displayable items is defined by the script programs; a forms engine to display a single displayable item on the graphics display described by one of the form descriptors, wherein the displayable item includes a sentence and a set of possible response entries, wherein the script program of the displayable item is interpreted by the forms engine, and wherein the one displayable item utilizes the entire display; and wherein the input device mechanism accepts one or more of the responses selected by a user of the unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein the input mechanism comprises: a stylus; a screen responsive to contact with the stylus and providing signals indicative to each contact; and software in communication with the screen for responding to each contact of the screen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein the forms engine is capable of receiving signals from an external peripheral device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system defined in claim 3, wherein the peripheral device includes one of the following: barcode reader, digital camera, and microphone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein the form descriptor includes a type field.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system defined in claim 5, wherein one of the field types is script.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system defined in claim 6, wherein the initial initiates an action.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system defined in claim 7, wherein the action includes a calculation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system defined in claim 7, wherein the action initiates a communication function.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system defined in claim 9, wherein the communication function includes a communications device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system defined in claim 10, wherein the communications device comprises a modem.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system defined in claim 10, wherein the communication device comprises a point-to-point communication link.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system defined in claim 10, wherein the communication device comprises a wireless device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein the displayable item requires an answer box input by the user.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system defined in claim 14, wherein the answer box input is indicative of one of a plurality of types.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system defined in claim 15, wherein one answer box input type includes a counter function.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system defined in claim 16, wherein the counter function displays a button and a number on the graphics display, and wherein the number is changed when the button is selected by the user.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system defined in claim 17, wherein the number is initialized to a predetermined value.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system defined in claim 17, wherein the number is incremented when the button is selected by the user.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system defined in claim 17, wherein the number is decremented when the button is selected by the user.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system defined in claim 1, wherein the displayable item includes a next button.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system defined in claim 21, wherein selection of the next button initiates evaluation of an expression to validate the response by the user.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system defined in claim 22, wherein a successful evaluation of the expression to validate the response initiates an evaluation of an expression to determine the next form descriptor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4730253A
Cited
US4651288A
Cited
US4603232A
Cited
US4863384A
Cited
US4937439A
Cited
US5047960A
Cited
US5208907A
Cited
US5204813A
Cited
US5100329A
Cited
US5283861A
Cited
US5225996A
Cited
US5335164A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-12-29 | 2001-06-30 | 2001-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-29 | 2005-06-30 | 2005-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-29 | 2009-06-30 | 2009-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |