Systems and methods for populating user information on electronic forms

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for populating user information onto an electronic form such as a word processing document, template, application-specific form or web page. Fields are identified on the electronic form and matched with fields stored in a continuously-updated user profile before the content of the matching fields are populated onto the electronic form. The electronic form may be stored within a central forms library and selected by the user for completion, while a third-party form presented as a word processing document, template, application-specific form or web page may be populated using an application extension which communicates with an application, browser or third-party service to identify and populate the form fields. Additionally, a mobile application provides for physical forms to be captured by a camera on a smartphone or tablet, after which the fields are identified and populated onto the captured image of the form.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]Various embodiments described herein relate generally to the field of electronic management of information, and more particularly to populating user information on an electronic form, document, webpage or electronic media.[0003]2. Related Art[0004]The vision of a paperless modern society is quickly becoming a reality, as more and more communications, services and transactions take place digitally across networks such as the Internet. The need for paper copies of correspondence, financial documents, receipts, contracts and other legal instruments is dwindling as electronic methods for securely transmitting, updating and accessing these documents increases. In addition to the electronic transmission and access to documents and correspondence, the process of electronically submitting information is also commonplace, such as with online shopping or applications for loans, credit cards, health insurance, college or job applications, etc.[000...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system and method for automatically filling in user information on electronic forms. This is done by creating a user profile with all the relevant fields and values, and then identifying the fields on the form and matching them with the user profile. The content of the matching fields is then populated onto the form. The system can also work with physical forms captured by a camera on a smartphone or tablet, allowing for quick and easy customization. Overall, the technology simplifies the process of creating and completing electronic forms.

Problems solved by technology

However, much of the information required in these forms is common to other forms, and yet users manually repeat populating the form inputs with the same information over and over again.

The ability to collect, organize, update, utilize and reapply the input information required in these electronic documents, forms and applications remains highly difficult.

While some applications have been developed to store certain basic information about a user—such as the user's name, address and financial information—the ability to organize, access and apply this stored information for additional online activities remains very limited, especially when detailed input information and / or computations are required to complete forms such as college applications and family law declarations.

While these tools can save time and provide effective tools for budgeting etc., they do not address the numerous circumstances in which a user is required to provide personal information, financial information, forecasts, categorized expenditures, etc., in a specific format or in accordance with specific forms, etc.

The amount and complexity of the information needed for a form such as this typically requires the person completing the form—such as the party to the divorce or an attorney—to spend a significant amount of time obtaining all of the needed information and even performing calculations of information to obtain the desired values.

Even well-organized, financially savvy users using currently available personal financial software tools find completing and updating these forms to be burdensome, time-consuming, confusing, and susceptible to mistake.

The college application process is a high anxiety time for students and very often, their parents.

Also, college applications and financial aid opportunities have many different deadlines.

It is very difficult to stay organized and keep on top of all the information, deadlines and applications submitted.

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