System and method for completing forms

• US 20030023625A1
• Filed: 07/27/2001
• Published: 01/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Thomason, Tamra L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,185,273 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/505
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/174 Form filling; Merging

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method for completing forms. In one arrangement, the method comprises the steps of receiving location information for user information to be added to a form, retrieving the user information, configuring the user information for merging with the form, and printing a form that contains at least a portion of the user information. This method can be practice, for example, through use of a printing device comprising printing hardware with which hardcopy documents can be generated, a card reader that is adapted to read data from a user data card, a network interface device that is adapted to transmit and receive data via a network, and device memory that stores forms data.

Claims

1. A method for completing forms, comprising the steps of:

receiving location information for user information to be added to a form;

retrieving the user information;

configuring the user information for merging with the form; and

printing a form that contains at least a portion of the user information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the location information is received by reading a data card of the user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the location information comprises a universal resource locator (URL).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of retrieving the user information comprises retrieving the user information from a remote location via a network.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the network comprises the Internet.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of merging the user information by populating form data fields.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of confirming authorization to access the user information.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of confirming authorization comprises receiving a correct passcode.

9. A system for completing forms, comprising:

means for receiving location information for user information;

means for retrieving the user information;

means for configuring the user information for merging with a form; and

means for printing a form that contains at least a portion of the user information.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the means for receiving location information comprises a card reader that is adapted to read data from a user data card.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the means for retrieving the user information comprises a network interface device.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the network interface device is adapted to transmit and receive data via the Internet.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the means for printing a form comprises a printer.

14. A printing device, comprising:

printing hardware with which hardcopy documents can be generated;

a card reader that is adapted to read data from a user data card;

a network interface device that is adapted to transmit and receive data via a network; and

device memory that stores forms data.

15. The printing device of claim 14, wherein the card reader is adapted to read information from a magnetic strip of the user data card.

16. The printing device of claim 14, wherein the network interface device is adapted to retrieve user information via the network and merge it with the forms data stored within device memory.

17. The printing device of claim 14, further comprising a network browser.

18. The printing device of claim 17, wherein the network browser is an Internet browser.

19. The printing device of claim 14, wherein the printing device comprises a printer.

20. The printing device of claim 14, wherein the printing device comprises a multifunction peripheral (MFP) device.