Method and apparatus for generating configurable documents

• US 20030018481A1
• Filed: 03/15/2001
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Versata Development Group, Inc. (ESW Capital, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Versata Development Group, Inc. (ESW Capital, LLC)
• Inventors: Zhou, Cheng, Erickson, Charles
• Application Number:
  US09/810,515
• Publication Number:
  US 20030018481A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/174 Form filling; Merging
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/18 Legal services

Abstract

In an embodiment of the invention the documents discussed herein are representative of a document or set of documents that are customized to fit a particular situation. Thus, the invention enables users to generate a document that represents a specific arrangement between parties. For instance embodiments of the invention may be utilized to generate contracts relating to the sale or distribution of a certain product. Each document that is generated by the system is comprised of a set of interrelated components. Each of the components is assembled into a document template that when processed by a configuration engine forms a configured document. Each document template may comprise one or more textual components and/or compensation components. [The textual components comprise subject specific text that can be integrated into the document during the assembly processes. Compensation components comprise information relating to a schema for paying individual commissions. Each compensation component may draw from a commission model and utilize the bonus and quota components thereof.] During processing of the document template, the configuration engine may use a set of rules as input. These rules define the interrelationship between the various components of the document.

Claims

11-1. The method of claim 1 wherein said interrelationship comprises an includes relation.

12-2. The method of claim 1 wherein said interrelationship comprises an excludes relation.

15. In a computer system, a method for generating documents comprising:

obtaining at least one compensation component from a document template wherein said at least one compensation component is associated with at least one product;

obtaining at least one textual component from a document template, wherein said at least one textual component comprises textual elements;

obtaining at least one relationship that defines an interrelationship between said at least one compensation component or said at least one textual component and a document to be generated;

generating said document associated with said product according to said at least one relationship.

29. In a computer system, a method for enabling a user to define configurable documents comprising:

presenting a modeling interface to a user;

obtaining modeling information from said user via said modeling interface;

generating at least one compensation plan from said modeling information;

generating at least one compensation component by creating a relation between said at least one compensation plan and at least one product, said association representative of said at least one product said user wishes to distribute;

obtaining at least one textual element;

generating at least one textual component comprising said at least one textual element by creating a relation between said at least one textual component and said at least one product;

associating said at least one compensation component and said at least one textual component with a document template.

35. A computer program product comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code for generating documents embodied therein, said computer readable program code configured to;

obtain at least one of a plurality of components from a document template;

obtain at least one relationship from said document template, said relationship defining an association between said plurality of components and a document to be generated;

generate said document according to said at least one relationship;

provide said document to a user.

52. A computer program product comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, said computer readable program code configured to;

obtain at least one compensation component from a document template wherein said at least one compensation component is associated with at least one product;

obtain at least one textual component from a document template, wherein said at least one textual component comprises textual elements;

obtain at least one relationship that defines an interrelationship between said at least one compensation component or said at least one textual component and a document to be generated;

generate said document associated with said product according to said at least one relationship.

53. The computer program product of claim 52 wherein a configuration engine performs said generating said document associated with said product.

54. The computer program product of claim 52 wherein said compensation component comprises a commission associated with the sale of said product.

55. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said commission comprises monetary compensation to be distributed to a sales representative.

56. The computer program product of claim 54 wherein said compensation component is modeled using a commission model.

57. The computer program product of claim 52 wherein said textual elements are pre-defined.

58. The computer program product of claim 52 wherein said textual elements of said document are associated with said product.

59. The computer program product of claim 52 wherein said document comprises a contract.

60. The computer program product of claim 52 wherein said textual components are defined by a first user.

61. The computer program product of claim 52 wherein said at least one compensation component or said textual component may be defined as a standard component, required component, or optional component.

62. The computer program product of claim 52 wherein said at least one relationship comprises an includes relation.

63. The computer program product of claim 52 wherein said at least one relationship comprises an excludes relation.

64. The computer program product of claim 52 wherein said at least one relationship comprises a requires relation.

65. The computer program product of claim 52 wherein said interrelationship comprises an optional relation.

66. A computer program product comprising:

a computer usable medium, said computer usable medium comprising computer readable program code configured to;

present a modeling interface to a user;

obtain modeling information from said user via said modeling interface;

generate at least one compensation plan from said modeling information;

generate at least one compensation component by creating a relation between said at least one compensation plan and at least one product, said association representative of said at least one product said user wishes to distribute;

obtain at least one textual element;

generate at least one textual component comprising said at least one textual element by creating a relation between said at least one textual component and said at least one product;

associate said at least one compensation component and said at least one textual component with a document template.

67. The computer program product of claim 66 further comprising:

providing said document template to a configuration engine;

processing of said document template at said configuration engine to generate a document.

69. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein said one or more relations comprises an includes relation.

70. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein said one or more relations comprises an excludes relation.

71. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein said one or more relations comprises a requires relation.

72. The computer program product of claim 68 wherein said one or more relations comprises an optional relation.