WO2001065414A2 - Computerized communication platform for electronic documents - Google Patents

Computerized communication platform for electronic documents Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001065414A2
WO2001065414A2 PCT/US2001/006419 US0106419W WO0165414A2 WO 2001065414 A2 WO2001065414 A2 WO 2001065414A2 US 0106419 W US0106419 W US 0106419W WO 0165414 A2 WO0165414 A2 WO 0165414A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
user
document
electronic
computerized system
documents
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/006419
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2001065414A3 (en
Inventor
Thomas O. Wells
Eric K. Yee
Original Assignee
B4Bpartner, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by B4Bpartner, Inc. filed Critical B4Bpartner, Inc.
Priority to AU2001238717A priority Critical patent/AU2001238717A1/en
Publication of WO2001065414A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001065414A2/en
Publication of WO2001065414A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001065414A3/en

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F16/00Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
    • G06F16/90Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types
    • G06F16/93Document management systems

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the generation, storage, retrieval, handling, tracking, distribution, encrypting, decrypting and use of electronic documents, and more particularly to efficient and secure storage, retrieval, access and use of electronic documents on an open network or group of servers such as the Internet, a closed network or group of servers such as an Intranet, or a local area network ("LAN"), .and recording .and reporting the access to and the activities performed with respect to such electronically-stored information, data and documents.
  • an open network or group of servers such as the Internet, a closed network or group of servers such as an Intranet, or a local area network (“LAN”), .and recording .and reporting the access to and the activities performed with respect to such electronically-stored information, data and documents.
  • LAN local area network
  • the Internet Hard-Drive Systems are predominantly focused on serving as an alternative to the user's hard drive maintained on his personal computer or network server.
  • the Internet Hard-Drive System does not facilitate the conversion of a physical document into an electronic document.
  • Internet Hard-Drive Systems do not provide the level of tracking and document history to allow the user to properly control and manage access to the document.
  • the ESDB System identifies each of the users and each of the electronic files representing written information, data or documents with an alphanumeric code.
  • the ESDB System electronically stores written information, data and documents sent to the ESDB System: (a) by mail, or by overnight delivery or other private courier/hand delivery in hard copy, which hard copy is electronically scanned and converted it into an electronic file; or (b) by fax which is converted to an electronic file and automatically inserted into the user's dedicated area within the ESDB System (collectively, "Offline Documents").
  • Another prior art problem with electronic documents is the authenticity and credibility of electronic signatures attached to them.
  • This issue is currently addressed in the prior art through the use of a double key system, in which a private key of the sender is used to encrypt the hash value of an electronic document, and a public key of the sender is used by the recipient to decrypt the hash value and also calculate the hash value of the electronic document.
  • the problem with this double key system is the difficulty in its use to encrypt and decrypt an electronic document.
  • Another problem is that the private key typically resides solely within the user's personal computer or server. Thus, there has arisen a need for a more efficient system for providing security for electronic documents.
  • telefacsimile transmissions Another problem with telefacsimile transmissions is that the transmission is sent to a particular telefacsimile number that is associated with a particular telefacsimile machine. The recipient of the telefacsimile may not be near the telefacsimile machine to retrieve the fax. Also, the telefacsimile transmission produces a paper document that may be read by other people who have unauthorized access to the telefacsimile machine. Thus, a need has arisen for a more efficient and secure way to communicate electronic documents among users.
  • Fig. 1 is a screen shot of an initial HTML page after the system has authorized the user to enter the system and access its functionality;
  • Fig. 2 is a screen view occurring after a user has selected the "Start-Up and Small Business Legal Department" option from the menu shown in Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a screen view of a dynamic HTML page occurring after a user has selected
  • Fig. 4 is .an exemplary screen view showing a menu of available legal forms after the user has selected the "Business Trusts" option in the menu of Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 5 5 shows a menu of general information to assist the user in the generation and storage of an electronic document
  • Fig. 6 shows the contents of an applet containing a series of questions that may be associated with the creation of a Business Trust for a Single Beneficiary
  • Fig. 7 shows the contents of an applet showing the electronic document in progress, again for the Business Trust for a Single Beneficiary;
  • Fig. 8 shows the applet referred to in Fig. 6 with the first question answered with "Februciry";
  • Fig. 9 shows the applet referred to in Fig. 7 containing a partially completed legal document reflecting the information previously inputted by the user;
  • Fig. 10 is an exemplary screen view presented to a user that is a member of the ESDB System
  • Fig. 11 is an exem.pl.ary screen view presented to the user who has selected to enter the ESDB System from the screen shown in Fig. 10;
  • Fig. 12 shows a menu of electronic documents contained in the user's electronic safe deposit box to the user who has correctly inserted a PIN in the appropriate place on the screen shown in Fig. 11;
  • Fig. 13 shows a menu of electronic documents contained in the user's electronic safe deposit box with the history of the Business Trust - Single Beneficiary that was previously created with the electronic form generator;
  • Fig. 14 shows a separate "pop-up" screen with the Business Trust - Single Benefici.ary generated document after the user has selected to view such document;
  • Fig. 15 shows a menu of electronic documents contained in the user's electronic safe deposit box with the updated history of the Business Trust - Single Beneficiary that was viewed in Fig. 14;
  • Fig. 16 shows a menu of electronic documents contained in the user's electronic safe deposit box with the updated history of the Business Trust - Single Beneficiary indicating that the document was moved from the Inbox Contents to the Save Deposit Box Contents;
  • Fig. 17 shows an exemplary screen to the user that desires to email a document from his electronic safe deposit box;
  • Fig. 18 shows a menu of electronic documents contained in the user's electronic safe deposit box with the updated history of the Business Trust - Single Beneficiary that was emailed in Fig. 17;
  • Fig. 19 shows a menu of electronic documents contained in the user's electronic safe deposit box with the updated history of the Business Trust - Single Beneficiary indicating that the document was moved from the Save Deposit Box Contents to the Trash Box
  • Fig. 20 is an exemplary screen view presented to the user that desires to email a document from his electronic safe deposit box.
  • Fig. 21 is an exemplary screen view presented to the user that desires to upload a document from the user's personal computer or server into his electronic safe deposit box.
  • the present invention relates to an integrated electronic document solution for generating, storing, retrieving, managing, tracking and handling electronic documents.
  • a user logs on to a network or collection of servers, such as the Internet, the user may access a web site containing a menu-driven series of options.
  • This system incorporates features described in the Provisional Applications entitled “Electronic Legal Form Generator,” S/N 60/162,286, and filed on October 28, 1999, .and “Electronic Safe Deposit Box,” S N , and filed on December 30, 1999, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
  • the system directs the user to specify a particular type of document required, along with other pertinent information, in .an interactive, real-time environment.
  • the user is presented with two "applets," or windows: a question/answer window, and a document-in-progress window, both of which may be simultaneously viewed on screen.
  • the user is presented with a query screen containing a series of questions. For example, in connection with generating a legal document for the organization of a company, the first question might be the name of the company. Additional questions might pertain to address of the company, the officers, and the like.
  • the user responds to the queries in the question/answer window, and the answers appear therein.
  • the second applet initially contains a template or form pertaining the type of document desired. While the user is entering responses to the series of questions presented in the first applet, the second applet updates the electronic document being created for the user. In this way, the user may view both his or her answers to the questions and the document being created. In addition, the user may backtrack and edit information that has been inputted as desired.
  • the user may indicate that the system should generate the document for further review and editing.
  • the answers that have been inputted into the document are sent back to the web site's server.
  • the web site's server labels or "tags" the answers to the date-stamped and archived template that the user has requested to complete.
  • the system then inputs the answers into the date-stamped and archived template and presents it to the user.
  • the system can present the document at any time after the template has been completed, including several days, months or years after the user completed the document. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the system comprises an archiving and retrieval process that is consistent with a virtual electronic safe deposit box, as described below.
  • the system may download all of the questions and template file to the user's browser responsive to the user's document selection type.
  • the system then imports the answers to such questions directly into the template as they are inputted as answers to the particular questions without sending information to the web site's server and only sending answers to the template to the web site's server to generate the template.
  • This method is much faster and more efficient than the prior art system of exchanging information multiple times between the user's browser and the web site's server.
  • the web site's server can more quickly present the requested template with the retrieved answers when requested by the user and the cost of storing only the answers on the web site's server is much smaller than having to store the entire document inclusive of the answers.
  • the generated document may be output into a rich text format, or .RTF, so that additional edits, including font, bold, underline, italics, and the like, may be made.
  • the document may be output in any other desired format, such as that supported by Microsoft Word.
  • the generated document may be transferred to a user's electronic safe deposit box which acts a repository of important documents for the user, and the user or other persons designated by the user could retrieve the document days, months or years after the document has been generated.
  • the system could also be used as software to produce and prepare templates other than those templates on the web site's server.
  • the system could be used by a corporation that already has its own proprietary templates to allow the employees of such corporation to prepare such templates in an interactive, question and answer Intranet or Internet system.
  • the answers would be stored separate from the date-stamped and archived templates to reduce storage space within such corporation's system and allow for faster retrieval of such answers with the date-stamped and archived template at a later date.
  • the method of storing answers separate from the template allows for "one- click" updating of documents by having a user indicate that the answers should be tied to an updated legal template in lieu of the old template. For example, if a state's laws change as to a living will, the system could present the user with .an alternative to attach the answers into an updated document. In essence, the user has reinputted his information into another template without having to retype the information.
  • the system also allows repetitive information to be inserted into multiple templates (e.g., repetitive information inserted into annual corporate minutes for small businesses could be inserted into subsequent annual minutes with the user only having to modify the date of the resolution).
  • Certain electronic document generation systems assist the user in preparing duplicative documents but the user is forced to save/store the entire document, including the duplicative sections of a document.
  • an insurance policy may only contain a limited amount of data that varies between policyholders.
  • a more efficient electronic storage and presentment system is to save/store only the portion of the data that varies between policyholders.
  • the insurance policy with the particular data is requested for presentment, the particular data is imported into the template for an insurance policy and presented to the user.
  • This document compression methodology reduces electronic storage space because the template is only being saved once but being presented multiple times with the particul.ar data being imported into the document.
  • Another application for electronically prepared documentation is with e-commerce transactions.
  • a computer lease agreement may be generated by XYZ Financial Services and faxed to the purchaser for the purchaser's signature.
  • XYZ Financial Services may charge the user a substantial document preparation fee.
  • the purchaser may then be directed to sign the lease agreement, fax a copy of the lease agreement to XYZ Financial Services, and send the originally signed lease agreement to XYZ Financial Services.
  • the purchaser is provided with an option to complete the lease agreement in an interactive question and answer format, attach the purchaser's digital signature to the lease agreement and store the lease agreement in an electronic safe deposit box which facilitates the purchaser's subsequent review and electronic transmission of the lease agreement and tracks when the lease agreement was completed, electronically signed by the purchaser and electronically signed by XYZ Financial Services.
  • the digital signature for the purchaser and XYZ Financial Services resides within the system.
  • the digital signature is assigned to the purchaser upon receipt of unique information associated with the purchaser (e.g., social security number, driver's license and credit card info ⁇ nation).
  • the purchaser is assigned a unique log-on, pass-phrase and PIN to which the digital signature is associated.
  • the system When the purchaser inserts his log-on, pass-phrase and PIN, the system identifies the purchaser and associates his digital signature with the purchaser allowing the purchaser to digitally sign the lease agreement. This process greatly simplifies the use of digital signatures because the purchaser need only click the "Sign Document” button to digitally sign the lease agreement. In other words, the system facilitates a "one-click" process to digitally sign an electronic document.
  • the system further includes an electronic safe deposit box system (the "ESDB System").
  • the ESDB System identifies each of the users and each of the electronic files representing written information, data or documents with an alphanumeric code.
  • the ESDB System electronically stores written information, data and documents sent to the ESDB System: (a) by mail, or by overnight delivery or other private courier/hand delivery in hard copy, which hard copy is electronically scanned and converted it into an electronic file; or (b) by fax, e-mail, modem, or network, which is converted to an electronic file (collectively, "Offline Documents").
  • Offline Documents A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that information may also be transmitted to the ESDB System by other conventional means.
  • the ESDB System may be integrated with the electronic document generator described above to present a "virtual" document to the user in which an electronic file containing certain answers to a specified legal template is combined with a separate electronic file containing the specified legal template ("Virtual Documents").
  • Both the Offline Documents and the Virtual Documents maintained in the ESDB System may be accessed using an open network or group of servers such as the Internet or a closed network or group of servers such as an Intranet or LAN.
  • Each user is assigned a user identification, password and personal identification number ("PIN").
  • PIN personal identification number
  • the electronic files contained in the ESDB System can be accessed immediately by the user from any computer.
  • This ESDB System eliminates the inherent problems in sending written information, data or documents by mail, overnight delivery or other private courier hand delivery service, fax or email.
  • the EDSB System also allows the user to retrieve faxes sent to the EDSB System regardless of the user's location by accessing the user's dedicated area within the ESDB System.
  • This ESDB System allows the user to designate third parties to access certain documents designated by the user within the user's electronic safe deposit box.
  • the ESDB System Upon request by the user, the ESDB System sends the third party an email with a pass-phrase and hypertext link to a location within the System.
  • the third party is then requested to insert the pass-phrase and his email address to access the particular document.
  • the third party may only view or print specific the document to which the user has previously granted the third party access.
  • the ESDB System tracks the activity of third parties within the user's electronic safe deposit box, and automatically notifies, by email, the owner of the box of third party's access of the document.
  • both the private key and public key reside within the system and the private key is associated with the user through unique pass- phrases, log-on names and personal identification numbers (PIN).
  • PIN personal identification numbers
  • the telefacsimile transmission is sent to the user's own dedicated area located within a centralized system's database.
  • the user can then access, modify, download, track and distribute the transmission from any computer by accessing the system.
  • the user will no longer need to check to his telefacsimile machine to receive and review telefacsimiles.
  • the telefacsmile is received by the user in electronic format allowing the user to make modifications to and electronically store and distribute the document without the need to create an electronic copy of the fax by scanning the paper fax copy.
  • the transmission can be encrypted upon its receipt within the user's dedicated area within the centralized system's database.
  • this system also eliminates the security breach associated with transmissions sent to a telefacsimile machine by those unauthorized persons who have access to such machine.
  • the user may enter input information in a member log-in box and member password box, reflecting the user's login name and password, respectively.
  • this input information may not be required by the web site.
  • the user may proceed to a menu of options such as that set forth in Fig. 1.
  • the menu may appear on the screen, such as with respect to menu listings 10, 11 and 12.
  • the user may select the startup and small business option 13 within menu listing 10, shown in Fig. 1.
  • the user may select any available option.
  • the user selects the business trusts option 31 by depressing the hyperlink thereby.
  • the user would be presented with screen view in Fig. 4 indicating the particular interactive legal forms currently available under the "Business Trusts" category. The selection is predicated upon the legal need of the user as well as the jurisdiction in which the user is interested. Assuming the user depresses the Business Trust Agreement - Single Beneficiary in option 32, the user will proceed to the document generation screen for the document selected.
  • the document generation screen includes three windows.
  • the first window is shown in Fig. 5 and contains general information to assist the user in the generation and storage of the interactive document.
  • the second window is shown in Fig. 6 and contains a series of questions that are pertinent to the document being created in the electronic document in progress ("EDP") shown in Fig. 7.
  • Fig. 7 shows the EDP.
  • Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are displayed to the user as two separate by simultaneously viewable applets.
  • the form is concurrently updated in the EDP Fig. 7 to reflect the user's responses.
  • the form automatically scrolls to the next answer corresponding to the next question presented to the user. In this way, the user may examine the document being created while responding to the questions.
  • Fig. 8 shows the question box 40 after the user has entered a response of
  • the EDP in item 41 shown in Fig. 9 is concurrently displayed on the form generation screen. Referring to the EDP window shown in Fig. 9, one can see that the month "February” is translated into the appropriate location in the document, reflecting the response entered by the user in the company name window 40 shown in Fig. 8.
  • the user may prompt the system to generate and retrieve the file with the answers and the file with the date-stamped and archived form.
  • the two files are then merged together such that the answers appear to be inserted into the form.
  • the two merged files are presented to the user in rich-text format so that the user may further edit and review the document or download it to his computer or server.
  • Other output formats such as those pertaining to commonly utilized word processors or databases, may also be used.
  • the system and method of the present invention may also include the archival, retrieval, tracking, use and distribution of electronically-stored information, data and documents such as bank records, account statements, insurance policies, tax returns, legal agreements and other forms; and recording and reporting the access to and the activities performed with such electronically-stored information, data and documents.
  • a user logs on to a network or collection of servers, such as the Internet, an Intranet or a LAN
  • the user may access a web site containing a menu-driven series of options. These options direct the user to add his or her Member Log-In (also referred to as the user's identification), Member Password and PIN.
  • the user's identification also referred to as the user's identification
  • Member Password also referred to as the user's identification
  • a message will prompt the user to submit this information before access is granted.
  • a screen as in Fig. 10 This screen indicates that a copy of the document has been automatically placed in the user's inbox.
  • the user's inbox is a component of the ESDB System. If the user depresses the hypertext link 50, he will be presented with the screen shown in Fig. 11.
  • Fig. 11 is a screen that prompts the user to insert his PIN in box 60 and depress key 61 to gain access to his electronic safe deposit box.
  • the PIN is an alphanumeric code that is between 4 and 12 characters in length.
  • Fig. 12 After the user has gain access to his electronic safe deposit box, he will be presented with the screen shown in Fig. 12.
  • Fig. 12 the user is greeted by name and shown the electronic documents that are stored in his electronic safe deposit box.
  • the ESDB System bifurcates the user's electronic safe deposit box into 4 components - the inbox contents in menu 70, the save deposit box contents in menu 71, the trash box contents in menu 72 and the document viewing room contents.
  • the user For electronic documents in the inbox, the user is presented with options to view the document in "VIEW” button 73, delete the document in "DELETE” button 74 and store the document in "STORE” button 75.
  • the user can also review the history of an electronic document by depressing button 76. If the user depresses button 76 in Fig.
  • the user will be presented with a real-time tracking mechanism that indicates the activity of the document as shown in Fig. 13 at 80. If the user chooses to view the document by depressing the view button 81, the user will be presented with a copy of the electronic document initially in .rtf format as shown in Fig. 14 in a separate window. The user can then review, edit or download the document. When the user closes the window revealing the document in Fig. 14, he will be presented with Fig. 15 that indicates the electronic documents stored in the ESDB System for that user. Item 90 indicates the real-time tracking .and history of the activity of the electronic document. The user may select button 91 on Fig.
  • Electronic documents contained in the Save Deposit Box Contents may be viewed by depressing "VIEW” button 101, deleted by moving the document to the Trash Box Contents by depressing "DELETE” button 102, may be emailed by depressing "MAIL” button 103 or may be moved the document viewing room.
  • the user chooses to email the electromc document as an attachment by depressing "MAIL" button 103, he will be presented with a screen shown in Fig. 17.
  • the user may add the recipient's email address in box 110, send a copy of the email to another address placed in box 111 and place a short message to both recipients in box 112.
  • the user would send the email by depressing button 113.
  • the items in menu 120 indicate the history of the electronic document.
  • the information at 121 indicates that the electronic file was emailed and is another example of the real-time tracking of the electronic document.
  • the user can select to delete the electronic document by depressing "DELETE" button 122 as shown in Fig. 18.
  • the electronic document is then moved from the Save Deposit Box Contents to the Trash Box Contents as shown in Fig. 19.
  • Item 130 indicates within the history of the electronic document that the electronic document was moved from the Save Deposit Box Contents to the Trash Box Contents.
  • the user has the option of submitting print documents into the ESDB System.
  • the form and instructions for submitting a document in this manner are presented to the user by depressing the hypertext link 131 in Fig. 19.
  • hypertext link 131 is depressed, the user is presented with the screen shown in Fig. 20.
  • the user can upload the document by depressing hypertext link 132 in Fig. 19.
  • the user is then presented with a screen shown in Fig. 21 that allows the user to move a copy of an electronic document from the user's personal computer or server to the Inbox Contents of his electronic safe deposit box.
  • the user has the option of placing a copy of an electronic document from the Save
  • the ESDB System will automatically generate an alphanumeric pass-phrase for such electronic document and prompt the user to provide an email address to send the pass-phrase to the recipient.
  • the recipient When the email is transmitted, the recipient will receive the email with the pass-phrase and a hypertext link to the ESDB System.
  • the recipient When the recipient depresses the hypertext link, the recipient will be presented with a screen welcoming him to the ESDB System. If the recipient's email address and pass-phrase correspond with the information contained in the ESDB System's database with respect to such electronic document, the recipient will be able to view the electronic document. The recipient will not be able to download or modify the electromc document. Future versions of the ESDB System will provide for the email to be encrypted using a double-key process residing within the ESDB System.
  • the ESDB System will assign a private key and public key to each user (i.e., owner of an electronic safe deposit box). The user may use his public key to encrypt documents within his electronic safe deposit box.
  • the double key system will reside within the ESDB System.
  • the ESDB System will -associate the user with his private key when the user provides a unique alphanumeric phrase assigned to the user within the ESDB System.
  • the user By having the double key system reside within the ESDB System and accessible by providing a alphanumeric phrase, the user will may view his encrypted documents from any computer and the user may digitally sign documents through a "one-click" process in which the user clicks a "SIGN DOCUMENT" button and then provides his unique alphanumeric phrase associated with the user's private key. This process is much simpler than current applications and methods of private and public key systems.
  • the user may also receive telefacsimiles within his electronic safe deposit box that could be encrypted upon receipt of the transmission using the double key system within the ESDB System. Each user will be assigned a general telefacsimile number with a unique numeric code relating to the user's electronic safe deposit box. When a telefacsimile is sent to such telefax number, it is automatically encrypted when received by the ESDB System and placed in the user's Inbox Contents.
  • Users may also transfer electronic documents from one electronic safe deposit box within the ESDB System to another electronic safe deposit box within the ESDB System.
  • the user In order to move a copy of an electronic file from one box to another, the user would depress the "TRANSFER" key in the Save Deposit Box Contents menu. The user would then be prompted to add the unique log-in name of the intended recipient of the electronic document.
  • the "SEND" button When the user depresses the "SEND" button, a copy of the electronic document is moved from the user's dedicated area in the ESDB System's database to the recipient's dedicated area within the ESDB System's database. The electromc document never leaves the ESDB System.
  • the ESDB System generates automatic emails every 24 hours to users who have had activity in their electronic safe deposit box in the prior 24 hours.
  • the ESDB System also generates an automatic monthly and annual email report as a summary of activity during the prior period.
  • all communications to .and from the ESDB System are encrypted using SSL technology.
  • Electronic documents prepared using the electronic form generator are presented to the user or third party in a form template prepared in dynamic HTML with the answer file prepared in Java and Java Script and inserted into the dynamic HTML form template.
  • Other electronic documents that are faxed or scanned into the ESDB System may be converted from a word-processing format or other language into a gif, jpeg, rtf or other standardized file (such as those viewable by Adobe's Acrobat Reader®) and presented to the user or third party in such file format.
  • Electronic documents that are uploaded into the ESDB System may be converted into gif, jpeg, rtf or other standardized file (such as those viewable by Adobe's Acrobat Reader®) or may remain in the same language as the original uploaded electronic document.
  • Attached as Appendices 1 through 5 are Java source code printouts for programs which accomplish features of the present invention, including placing the answers from query screens into the EDP window while the user is entering information.

Abstract

An integrated electronic document management system and method is disclosed for generating, storing, retrieving, handling, tracking, transmitting, encrypting, decrypting and using electronic documents in a network or online environment. When generating a document, a template and question and answer file are communicated to the user's browser corresponding to a user-selected document type. Answers to the questions are input directly into the document-in-progress as they are entered by the user. An answer file is then sent to a server to generate the electronic document. The electronic document may be securely stored in an electronic safe deposit box. Activity with an electronic safe deposit box is tracked, and automatic email notices are periodically sent to users of the computer network. The network further facilitates the issuance of a private and public key to users associated with a unique alphanumeric pass-phrase allowing the user to encrypt, decrypt and digitally sign electronic documents within the computer network.

Description

COMPUTERIZED COMMUNICATION PLATFORM FOR ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The protection owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document, or of the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent .and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the generation, storage, retrieval, handling, tracking, distribution, encrypting, decrypting and use of electronic documents, and more particularly to efficient and secure storage, retrieval, access and use of electronic documents on an open network or group of servers such as the Internet, a closed network or group of servers such as an Intranet, or a local area network ("LAN"), .and recording .and reporting the access to and the activities performed with respect to such electronically-stored information, data and documents.
II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The generation of electronic documents has long been accomplished by word processor applications and other programs such as computer aided-design ("CAD") applications, databases and spreadsheets. An obvious advantage of electronic documents is that they are often similar to, or based upon, earlier documents, and the earlier documents can simply be modified to generate the new document.
A common problem with the generation of electronic documents via this modification method, however, is that the user must manually search for the location of information that must be replaced, and manually replace it. Oftentimes, certain items of old information are inadvertently retained in the new document. In addition, storage of each modified document requires roughly the same space as the original, notwithstanding the fact that much of the information is common to many documents.
Another approach to the generation of electronic documents consists of modifying form files. Prior art forms, such as legal forms, on the Internet are either non-interactive {i.e., static), or are interactive based upon answers to certain questions that are relayed from the user's browser to the web site's server, prompting the server to send additional information back to the user's browser prompting another question. This exchange of information can be a slow, tedious process. A more efficient model for document generation and storage is thus needed.
Traditionally, electronic documents have been stored on a storage device such as a floppy diskette or hard drive, or on remote storage via a network. More recently, companies have looked to become "paperless," wherein substantially all documents, including very important documents, may be generated and securely stored electronically.
Just as with storage of paper documents, however, electronic storage can require large and costly quantities of "space." As electronic documents are accumulated, additional storage devices must be acquired and maintained by trained information systems personnel. One approach to reducing the costs of electronic storage has been to "outsource" storage to a remote site, where economies of scale may be had and the storage devices are maintained by third parties. Even this solution, however, can be expensive.
Some online systems ("Internet Hard-Drive Systems") have also approached these issues by allowing users to electronically store information, data and documents via the
Internet. However, the Internet Hard-Drive Systems are predominantly focused on serving as an alternative to the user's hard drive maintained on his personal computer or network server. In order to communicate or collaborate with a third party regarding a document, the Internet Hard-Drive System does not facilitate the conversion of a physical document into an electronic document. Also, Internet Hard-Drive Systems do not provide the level of tracking and document history to allow the user to properly control and manage access to the document.
Other methods to share documents .among people include mail, overnight delivery or other private courier/hand delivery service, fax and email. All of these methods have inherent advantages and disadvantages. Mailing documents or sending documents by overnight delivery or other private courier hand delivery service is costly, labor-intensive and slow. Faxing a document is also labor intensive, is dependent upon open access through telephone lines, and requires both the sender and the recipient to have access to fax machines. Sending a document as an attachment to email spreads email viruses, may not be opened with certain word processing programs, requires the sender to know the recipient's current email address, requires the sender and the recipient to maintain an email address, may suffer from lack of security if transmitted over the Internet, and may require that the recipient access the email and attachment only on the computer that received such email.
In a preferred embodiment, these problems are solved by an electronic safe deposit box system (the "ESDB System") of the present invention. The ESDB System identifies each of the users and each of the electronic files representing written information, data or documents with an alphanumeric code. The ESDB System electronically stores written information, data and documents sent to the ESDB System: (a) by mail, or by overnight delivery or other private courier/hand delivery in hard copy, which hard copy is electronically scanned and converted it into an electronic file; or (b) by fax which is converted to an electronic file and automatically inserted into the user's dedicated area within the ESDB System (collectively, "Offline Documents"). A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that information may also be transmitted to the ESDB System in other ways, such as via e-mail or modem. Thus, there is a need for an integrated system for generating, storing, retrieving, accessing, managing, distributing, tracking and updating electronic documents, as in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Another prior art problem with electronic documents is the authenticity and credibility of electronic signatures attached to them. This issue is currently addressed in the prior art through the use of a double key system, in which a private key of the sender is used to encrypt the hash value of an electronic document, and a public key of the sender is used by the recipient to decrypt the hash value and also calculate the hash value of the electronic document. The problem with this double key system is the difficulty in its use to encrypt and decrypt an electronic document. Another problem is that the private key typically resides solely within the user's personal computer or server. Thus, there has arisen a need for a more efficient system for providing security for electronic documents.
Another problem with telefacsimile transmissions is that the transmission is sent to a particular telefacsimile number that is associated with a particular telefacsimile machine. The recipient of the telefacsimile may not be near the telefacsimile machine to retrieve the fax. Also, the telefacsimile transmission produces a paper document that may be read by other people who have unauthorized access to the telefacsimile machine. Thus, a need has arisen for a more efficient and secure way to communicate electronic documents among users.
III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS References are made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a screen shot of an initial HTML page after the system has authorized the user to enter the system and access its functionality;
Fig. 2 is a screen view occurring after a user has selected the "Start-Up and Small Business Legal Department" option from the menu shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a screen view of a dynamic HTML page occurring after a user has selected
"Start-Up and Small Business Legal Department - Legal Forms" option from the menu in
Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is .an exemplary screen view showing a menu of available legal forms after the user has selected the "Business Trusts" option in the menu of Fig. 3;
Fig. 55shows a menu of general information to assist the user in the generation and storage of an electronic document;
Fig. 6 shows the contents of an applet containing a series of questions that may be associated with the creation of a Business Trust for a Single Beneficiary; Fig. 7 shows the contents of an applet showing the electronic document in progress, again for the Business Trust for a Single Beneficiary;
Fig. 8 shows the applet referred to in Fig. 6 with the first question answered with "Februciry";
Fig. 9 shows the applet referred to in Fig. 7 containing a partially completed legal document reflecting the information previously inputted by the user;
Fig. 10 is an exemplary screen view presented to a user that is a member of the ESDB System;
Fig. 11 is an exem.pl.ary screen view presented to the user who has selected to enter the ESDB System from the screen shown in Fig. 10; Fig. 12 shows a menu of electronic documents contained in the user's electronic safe deposit box to the user who has correctly inserted a PIN in the appropriate place on the screen shown in Fig. 11;
Fig. 13 shows a menu of electronic documents contained in the user's electronic safe deposit box with the history of the Business Trust - Single Beneficiary that was previously created with the electronic form generator;
Fig. 14 shows a separate "pop-up" screen with the Business Trust - Single Benefici.ary generated document after the user has selected to view such document;
Fig. 15 shows a menu of electronic documents contained in the user's electronic safe deposit box with the updated history of the Business Trust - Single Beneficiary that was viewed in Fig. 14; Fig. 16 shows a menu of electronic documents contained in the user's electronic safe deposit box with the updated history of the Business Trust - Single Beneficiary indicating that the document was moved from the Inbox Contents to the Save Deposit Box Contents; Fig. 17 shows an exemplary screen to the user that desires to email a document from his electronic safe deposit box; Fig. 18 shows a menu of electronic documents contained in the user's electronic safe deposit box with the updated history of the Business Trust - Single Beneficiary that was emailed in Fig. 17;
Fig. 19 shows a menu of electronic documents contained in the user's electronic safe deposit box with the updated history of the Business Trust - Single Beneficiary indicating that the document was moved from the Save Deposit Box Contents to the Trash Box
Contents;
Fig. 20 is an exemplary screen view presented to the user that desires to email a document from his electronic safe deposit box; and
Fig. 21 is an exemplary screen view presented to the user that desires to upload a document from the user's personal computer or server into his electronic safe deposit box.
IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention relates to an integrated electronic document solution for generating, storing, retrieving, managing, tracking and handling electronic documents. When a user logs on to a network or collection of servers, such as the Internet, the user may access a web site containing a menu-driven series of options. This system incorporates features described in the Provisional Applications entitled "Electronic Legal Form Generator," S/N 60/162,286, and filed on October 28, 1999, .and "Electronic Safe Deposit Box," S N , and filed on December 30, 1999, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
If the user desires to generate an electronic document, the system directs the user to specify a particular type of document required, along with other pertinent information, in .an interactive, real-time environment. When the specific document which is desired to be created has been selected by the user, the user is presented with two "applets," or windows: a question/answer window, and a document-in-progress window, both of which may be simultaneously viewed on screen. In the first applet, the user is presented with a query screen containing a series of questions. For example, in connection with generating a legal document for the organization of a company, the first question might be the name of the company. Additional questions might pertain to address of the company, the officers, and the like. The user responds to the queries in the question/answer window, and the answers appear therein. The second applet initially contains a template or form pertaining the type of document desired. While the user is entering responses to the series of questions presented in the first applet, the second applet updates the electronic document being created for the user. In this way, the user may view both his or her answers to the questions and the document being created. In addition, the user may backtrack and edit information that has been inputted as desired.
When all of the questions in the first applet have been answered, the user may indicate that the system should generate the document for further review and editing. When the user requests that the system generate the document, the answers that have been inputted into the document are sent back to the web site's server. The web site's server labels or "tags" the answers to the date-stamped and archived template that the user has requested to complete. The system then inputs the answers into the date-stamped and archived template and presents it to the user. The system can present the document at any time after the template has been completed, including several days, months or years after the user completed the document. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the system comprises an archiving and retrieval process that is consistent with a virtual electronic safe deposit box, as described below. In connection with the preparation of the document, the system may download all of the questions and template file to the user's browser responsive to the user's document selection type. The system then imports the answers to such questions directly into the template as they are inputted as answers to the particular questions without sending information to the web site's server and only sending answers to the template to the web site's server to generate the template. This method is much faster and more efficient than the prior art system of exchanging information multiple times between the user's browser and the web site's server. By storing the .answers separate from the template, archiving and date-stamping the particular template into which the answers are to be inserted and specifying the proper archived, date-stamped legal template to be used within the answer file, the web site's server can more quickly present the requested template with the retrieved answers when requested by the user and the cost of storing only the answers on the web site's server is much smaller than having to store the entire document inclusive of the answers. In a preferred embodiment, the generated document may be output into a rich text format, or .RTF, so that additional edits, including font, bold, underline, italics, and the like, may be made. Alternatively, the document may be output in any other desired format, such as that supported by Microsoft Word. It is contemplated that the generated document may be transferred to a user's electronic safe deposit box which acts a repository of important documents for the user, and the user or other persons designated by the user could retrieve the document days, months or years after the document has been generated. The system could also be used as software to produce and prepare templates other than those templates on the web site's server. For example, the system could be used by a corporation that already has its own proprietary templates to allow the employees of such corporation to prepare such templates in an interactive, question and answer Intranet or Internet system. The answers would be stored separate from the date-stamped and archived templates to reduce storage space within such corporation's system and allow for faster retrieval of such answers with the date-stamped and archived template at a later date.
Further, the method of storing answers separate from the template allows for "one- click" updating of documents by having a user indicate that the answers should be tied to an updated legal template in lieu of the old template. For example, if a state's laws change as to a living will, the system could present the user with .an alternative to attach the answers into an updated document. In essence, the user has reinputted his information into another template without having to retype the information. The system also allows repetitive information to be inserted into multiple templates (e.g., repetitive information inserted into annual corporate minutes for small businesses could be inserted into subsequent annual minutes with the user only having to modify the date of the resolution).
Certain electronic document generation systems assist the user in preparing duplicative documents but the user is forced to save/store the entire document, including the duplicative sections of a document. For example, an insurance policy may only contain a limited amount of data that varies between policyholders. A more efficient electronic storage and presentment system is to save/store only the portion of the data that varies between policyholders. When the insurance policy with the particular data is requested for presentment, the particular data is imported into the template for an insurance policy and presented to the user. This document compression methodology reduces electronic storage space because the template is only being saved once but being presented multiple times with the particul.ar data being imported into the document. Another application for electronically prepared documentation is with e-commerce transactions. For example, when computer equipment is purchased online from XYZ Computer Corporation and the purchaser desires to lease the computer equipment, a computer lease agreement may be generated by XYZ Financial Services and faxed to the purchaser for the purchaser's signature. XYZ Financial Services may charge the user a substantial document preparation fee. The purchaser may then be directed to sign the lease agreement, fax a copy of the lease agreement to XYZ Financial Services, and send the originally signed lease agreement to XYZ Financial Services.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the purchaser is provided with an option to complete the lease agreement in an interactive question and answer format, attach the purchaser's digital signature to the lease agreement and store the lease agreement in an electronic safe deposit box which facilitates the purchaser's subsequent review and electronic transmission of the lease agreement and tracks when the lease agreement was completed, electronically signed by the purchaser and electronically signed by XYZ Financial Services. The digital signature for the purchaser and XYZ Financial Services resides within the system. The digital signature is assigned to the purchaser upon receipt of unique information associated with the purchaser (e.g., social security number, driver's license and credit card infoπnation). The purchaser is assigned a unique log-on, pass-phrase and PIN to which the digital signature is associated. When the purchaser inserts his log-on, pass-phrase and PIN, the system identifies the purchaser and associates his digital signature with the purchaser allowing the purchaser to digitally sign the lease agreement. This process greatly simplifies the use of digital signatures because the purchaser need only click the "Sign Document" button to digitally sign the lease agreement. In other words, the system facilitates a "one-click" process to digitally sign an electronic document.
In a preferred embodiment, the system further includes an electronic safe deposit box system (the "ESDB System"). The ESDB System identifies each of the users and each of the electronic files representing written information, data or documents with an alphanumeric code. The ESDB System electronically stores written information, data and documents sent to the ESDB System: (a) by mail, or by overnight delivery or other private courier/hand delivery in hard copy, which hard copy is electronically scanned and converted it into an electronic file; or (b) by fax, e-mail, modem, or network, which is converted to an electronic file (collectively, "Offline Documents"). A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that information may also be transmitted to the ESDB System by other conventional means.
The ESDB System may be integrated with the electronic document generator described above to present a "virtual" document to the user in which an electronic file containing certain answers to a specified legal template is combined with a separate electronic file containing the specified legal template ("Virtual Documents"). Both the Offline Documents and the Virtual Documents maintained in the ESDB System may be accessed using an open network or group of servers such as the Internet or a closed network or group of servers such as an Intranet or LAN.
Each user is assigned a user identification, password and personal identification number ("PIN"). Upon correct input of the user's identification, password and PIN, the electronic files contained in the ESDB System can be accessed immediately by the user from any computer. This ESDB System eliminates the inherent problems in sending written information, data or documents by mail, overnight delivery or other private courier hand delivery service, fax or email. The EDSB System also allows the user to retrieve faxes sent to the EDSB System regardless of the user's location by accessing the user's dedicated area within the ESDB System.
This ESDB System allows the user to designate third parties to access certain documents designated by the user within the user's electronic safe deposit box. Upon request by the user, the ESDB System sends the third party an email with a pass-phrase and hypertext link to a location within the System. The third party is then requested to insert the pass-phrase and his email address to access the particular document. The third party may only view or print specific the document to which the user has previously granted the third party access.
The ESDB System tracks the activity of third parties within the user's electronic safe deposit box, and automatically notifies, by email, the owner of the box of third party's access of the document.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention both the private key and public key reside within the system and the private key is associated with the user through unique pass- phrases, log-on names and personal identification numbers (PIN). By associating the private key with the user and having the private key reside within a centralized closed system, the user is able to digitally sign and encrypt a document within the system by clicking a button marked "Sign Document" - a "one-click" process. The user is also able to digitally sign a document from any computer because the private key resides within a centralized, closed system. This system also allows the user to encrypt and decrypt the documents stored within the ESDB System from any computer.
The telefacsimile transmission is sent to the user's own dedicated area located within a centralized system's database. The user can then access, modify, download, track and distribute the transmission from any computer by accessing the system. The user will no longer need to check to his telefacsimile machine to receive and review telefacsimiles. The telefacsmile is received by the user in electronic format allowing the user to make modifications to and electronically store and distribute the document without the need to create an electronic copy of the fax by scanning the paper fax copy. Also, the transmission can be encrypted upon its receipt within the user's dedicated area within the centralized system's database. Therefore, this system also eliminates the security breach associated with transmissions sent to a telefacsimile machine by those unauthorized persons who have access to such machine. As is well known in the art, when a user accesses the Internet web site associated with the present invention, the user may enter input information in a member log-in box and member password box, reflecting the user's login name and password, respectively.
Alternatively, this input information may not be required by the web site.
After submitting this information by pressing the "login" key and obtaining authorization from the system to further access the contents of the web site, the user may proceed to a menu of options such as that set forth in Fig. 1. The menu may appear on the screen, such as with respect to menu listings 10, 11 and 12. Assuming the user chooses to access the legal document generating system of the present invention, the user may select the startup and small business option 13 within menu listing 10, shown in Fig. 1.
In one aspect of the present invention, this would bring the user to the start-up and small business legal department home page shown in Fig. 2. If the user selected option 20 in Fig. 2, the user would be presented with a legal form selection shown in Fig. 3.
Upon considering the various options available to the user as set forth, e.g., in start-up and small business legal form selection menu 30 in Fig. 3, the user may select any available option. For purposes of this example of use of the present invention, the user selects the business trusts option 31 by depressing the hyperlink thereby. The user would be presented with screen view in Fig. 4 indicating the particular interactive legal forms currently available under the "Business Trusts" category. The selection is predicated upon the legal need of the user as well as the jurisdiction in which the user is interested. Assuming the user depresses the Business Trust Agreement - Single Beneficiary in option 32, the user will proceed to the document generation screen for the document selected.
In the preferred embodiment, the document generation screen includes three windows. The first window is shown in Fig. 5 and contains general information to assist the user in the generation and storage of the interactive document. The second window is shown in Fig. 6 and contains a series of questions that are pertinent to the document being created in the electronic document in progress ("EDP") shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 shows the EDP. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are displayed to the user as two separate by simultaneously viewable applets. As a user responds to the questions, the form is concurrently updated in the EDP Fig. 7 to reflect the user's responses. The form automatically scrolls to the next answer corresponding to the next question presented to the user. In this way, the user may examine the document being created while responding to the questions. For example, Fig. 8 shows the question box 40 after the user has entered a response of
"February" for the date in which the agreement is being signed. The EDP in item 41 shown in Fig. 9 is concurrently displayed on the form generation screen. Referring to the EDP window shown in Fig. 9, one can see that the month "February" is translated into the appropriate location in the document, reflecting the response entered by the user in the company name window 40 shown in Fig. 8.
At any time, the user may prompt the system to generate and retrieve the file with the answers and the file with the date-stamped and archived form. The two files are then merged together such that the answers appear to be inserted into the form. In one embodiment, the two merged files are presented to the user in rich-text format so that the user may further edit and review the document or download it to his computer or server. Other output formats, such as those pertaining to commonly utilized word processors or databases, may also be used.
As discussed above, the system and method of the present invention may also include the archival, retrieval, tracking, use and distribution of electronically-stored information, data and documents such as bank records, account statements, insurance policies, tax returns, legal agreements and other forms; and recording and reporting the access to and the activities performed with such electronically-stored information, data and documents. When a user logs on to a network or collection of servers, such as the Internet, an Intranet or a LAN, the user may access a web site containing a menu-driven series of options. These options direct the user to add his or her Member Log-In (also referred to as the user's identification), Member Password and PIN. When all these items correlate to the same user, that user is granted access either to his or her own electronic safe deposit box or to the electronic safe deposit box of another party. If the user fails to submit all of this information prior to accessing the ESDB
System, a message will prompt the user to submit this information before access is granted.
If the user is a member and been given certain rights by the system to move documents into the ESDB System, the user will be presented with a screen as in Fig. 10. This screen indicates that a copy of the document has been automatically placed in the user's inbox. The user's inbox is a component of the ESDB System. If the user depresses the hypertext link 50, he will be presented with the screen shown in Fig. 11.
Fig. 11 is a screen that prompts the user to insert his PIN in box 60 and depress key 61 to gain access to his electronic safe deposit box. The PIN is an alphanumeric code that is between 4 and 12 characters in length.
After the user has gain access to his electronic safe deposit box, he will be presented with the screen shown in Fig. 12. In Fig. 12, the user is greeted by name and shown the electronic documents that are stored in his electronic safe deposit box. The ESDB System bifurcates the user's electronic safe deposit box into 4 components - the inbox contents in menu 70, the save deposit box contents in menu 71, the trash box contents in menu 72 and the document viewing room contents. For electronic documents in the inbox, the user is presented with options to view the document in "VIEW" button 73, delete the document in "DELETE" button 74 and store the document in "STORE" button 75. The user can also review the history of an electronic document by depressing button 76. If the user depresses button 76 in Fig. 12, the user will be presented with a real-time tracking mechanism that indicates the activity of the document as shown in Fig. 13 at 80. If the user chooses to view the document by depressing the view button 81, the user will be presented with a copy of the electronic document initially in .rtf format as shown in Fig. 14 in a separate window. The user can then review, edit or download the document. When the user closes the window revealing the document in Fig. 14, he will be presented with Fig. 15 that indicates the electronic documents stored in the ESDB System for that user. Item 90 indicates the real-time tracking .and history of the activity of the electronic document. The user may select button 91 on Fig. 15 that would move a copy of the electronic file from the user's Inbox Contents to the user's Save Deposit Box Contents as shown in Fig. 16. Electronic documents contained in the Save Deposit Box Contents may be viewed by depressing "VIEW" button 101, deleted by moving the document to the Trash Box Contents by depressing "DELETE" button 102, may be emailed by depressing "MAIL" button 103 or may be moved the document viewing room.
If the user chooses to email the electromc document as an attachment by depressing "MAIL" button 103, he will be presented with a screen shown in Fig. 17. The user may add the recipient's email address in box 110, send a copy of the email to another address placed in box 111 and place a short message to both recipients in box 112. The user would send the email by depressing button 113.
After the email is sent, the user is returned to his electronic safe deposit box as shown in Fig. 18. The items in menu 120 indicate the history of the electronic document. The information at 121 indicates that the electronic file was emailed and is another example of the real-time tracking of the electronic document. The user can select to delete the electronic document by depressing "DELETE" button 122 as shown in Fig. 18. The electronic document is then moved from the Save Deposit Box Contents to the Trash Box Contents as shown in Fig. 19. Item 130 indicates within the history of the electronic document that the electronic document was moved from the Save Deposit Box Contents to the Trash Box Contents.
The user has the option of submitting print documents into the ESDB System. The form and instructions for submitting a document in this manner are presented to the user by depressing the hypertext link 131 in Fig. 19. When hypertext link 131 is depressed, the user is presented with the screen shown in Fig. 20. The user can upload the document by depressing hypertext link 132 in Fig. 19. The user is then presented with a screen shown in Fig. 21 that allows the user to move a copy of an electronic document from the user's personal computer or server to the Inbox Contents of his electronic safe deposit box.
The user has the option of placing a copy of an electronic document from the Save
Deposit Box Contents to the Document Viewing Room. When the user moves the document to the Document Viewing Room, the ESDB System will automatically generate an alphanumeric pass-phrase for such electronic document and prompt the user to provide an email address to send the pass-phrase to the recipient. When the email is transmitted, the recipient will receive the email with the pass-phrase and a hypertext link to the ESDB System.
When the recipient depresses the hypertext link, the recipient will be presented with a screen welcoming him to the ESDB System. If the recipient's email address and pass-phrase correspond with the information contained in the ESDB System's database with respect to such electronic document, the recipient will be able to view the electronic document. The recipient will not be able to download or modify the electromc document. Future versions of the ESDB System will provide for the email to be encrypted using a double-key process residing within the ESDB System.
The ESDB System will assign a private key and public key to each user (i.e., owner of an electronic safe deposit box). The user may use his public key to encrypt documents within his electronic safe deposit box. The double key system will reside within the ESDB System. The ESDB System will -associate the user with his private key when the user provides a unique alphanumeric phrase assigned to the user within the ESDB System. By having the double key system reside within the ESDB System and accessible by providing a alphanumeric phrase, the user will may view his encrypted documents from any computer and the user may digitally sign documents through a "one-click" process in which the user clicks a "SIGN DOCUMENT" button and then provides his unique alphanumeric phrase associated with the user's private key. This process is much simpler than current applications and methods of private and public key systems. The user may also receive telefacsimiles within his electronic safe deposit box that could be encrypted upon receipt of the transmission using the double key system within the ESDB System. Each user will be assigned a general telefacsimile number with a unique numeric code relating to the user's electronic safe deposit box. When a telefacsimile is sent to such telefax number, it is automatically encrypted when received by the ESDB System and placed in the user's Inbox Contents.
Users may also transfer electronic documents from one electronic safe deposit box within the ESDB System to another electronic safe deposit box within the ESDB System. In order to move a copy of an electronic file from one box to another, the user would depress the "TRANSFER" key in the Save Deposit Box Contents menu. The user would then be prompted to add the unique log-in name of the intended recipient of the electronic document. When the user depresses the "SEND" button, a copy of the electronic document is moved from the user's dedicated area in the ESDB System's database to the recipient's dedicated area within the ESDB System's database. The electromc document never leaves the ESDB System.
The ESDB System generates automatic emails every 24 hours to users who have had activity in their electronic safe deposit box in the prior 24 hours. The ESDB System also generates an automatic monthly and annual email report as a summary of activity during the prior period. In a preferred embodiment, all communications to .and from the ESDB System are encrypted using SSL technology. Electronic documents prepared using the electronic form generator are presented to the user or third party in a form template prepared in dynamic HTML with the answer file prepared in Java and Java Script and inserted into the dynamic HTML form template. Other electronic documents that are faxed or scanned into the ESDB System may be converted from a word-processing format or other language into a gif, jpeg, rtf or other standardized file (such as those viewable by Adobe's Acrobat Reader®) and presented to the user or third party in such file format. Electronic documents that are uploaded into the ESDB System may be converted into gif, jpeg, rtf or other standardized file (such as those viewable by Adobe's Acrobat Reader®) or may remain in the same language as the original uploaded electronic document. Attached as Appendices 1 through 5 are Java source code printouts for programs which accomplish features of the present invention, including placing the answers from query screens into the EDP window while the user is entering information.
While the invention has been described in the context of a preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be modified in numerous ways and may assume many embodiments other than that specifically set out and described above. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications of the invention that fall within the true scope of the invention.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:
1. A computerized system for managing electronic documents by a user over a network of computers comprising: an interactive document generator for generating an electronic document, the document generator including a connection for a user terminal; an electronic safe deposit box in electronic communication with said document generator, wherein said electronic safe deposit box stores document content data corresponding to said electronic document; a document handler allowing said user to view and modify said electromc document from said user terminal and track activity associated with a user's electronic safe deposit box; and a document transmitter with which said user can cause such electronic document to be transmitted to a third party remote from said systems.
2. The computerized system for managing electronic documents of claim 1, fiirther comprising a computer telefacsimile receiver that allows documents to be faxed/encrypted directly into the user's Inbox Contents of his electronic safe deposit box.
3. The computerized system for managing electronic documents of claim 2, further comprising a computer email sender which automatically notifies the user of box activity on a periodic basis and allows the user to email electronic documents from his Save Deposit Box Contents.
4. The computerized system for managing electronic documents of claim 3, further comprising: a private and public key computer generator which automatically assigns private and public keys to users for encryption, decryption and digital signatures of electronic documents associated with a unique alphanumeric pass-phrase; and a cipher that enciphers and deciphers electronic documents.
5. The computerized system of claim 4, wherein said document generator comprises a document-in-progress window and a question and answer window.
6. The computerized system of claim 5, wherein said document-in-progress window and said question and answer window are simultaneously viewable by said user.
7. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein said document generator transmits a question and answer file to said user terminal.
8. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein said document generator transmits a template file to said user terminal.
9. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein said data corresponding to said electronic document comprises an answer file including answers input by said user.
10. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein said electronic safe deposit box system stores an answer file for the electronic document.
11. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 1, further comprising means to combine the template file and answer file into a document file and present it to the user's terminal.
12. The computerized system of claim 10, wherein said electronic safe deposit box stores only an answer file for the electronic document and a document indicator, said document indicator identifying the type of document to which the answer file for the electronic document pertains.
13. The computerized system of claim 3, further comprising elecfronic document tracking software for real-time tracking of when said electronic document was accessed by said user or a third party.
14. The computerized system of claim 3, wherein said tracking software tracks, in realtime, when said electronic document is transmitted to a remote location.
15. The computerized system of claim 3, further comprising communication means to electronically transmit a message to said user indicating when the electronic document is accessed.
16. The computerized system of claim 3, further comprising communication means to electronically transmit a message to said user indicating when the electronic document is transmitted to another location.
17. The computerized system of claim 3, fiirther comprising means to electronically transmit said document file to an email address within said system for subsequent use by a recipient.
18. The computerized system of claim 9, further comprising means for said user to import data from a first answer file having predetermined answer locations to a second answer file having predetermined answer locations, wherein said data from said predetermined locations of said first answer file is inserted into said predetermined locations of said second answer file.
19. The computerized system of claim 9, further comprising means for automatically inserting selected of said answers in said first answer file into a second answer file.
20. The computerized system of claim 4, further comprising a receiver to receive and route a telefacsimile transmission in the system which can be immediately encrypted upon receipt using a double key system associated with a particular user.
21. The computerized system of claim 4, further comprising assigning means to assign a private key and a public key to said user, said private key and public key both being associated with a unique alphanumeric pass-phrase, to allow said user to encrypt said electronic document within said system.
22. The computerized system of claim 21, wherein said allows said user to decrypt said electronic document.
23. The computerized system of claim 4, further comprising assigning means to assign a private key and a public key to said user, said private key and public key both being associated with a unique alphanumeric pass-phrase, to allow the user to digitally sign electronic documents within the system.
24. The computerized system of claim 4, further comprising a document sharing subsystem for said user to share said electronic document with a third party, said document sharing subsystem comprising an e-mail notification for notifying said third party, said e-mail notification being sent from said system and including a unique alphanumeric pass-phrase and a hypertext link back to said system, whereby said third party can access said electronic document by submitting said pass-phrase to said system.
PCT/US2001/006419 2000-02-28 2001-02-28 Computerized communication platform for electronic documents WO2001065414A2 (en)

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