Document delivery application

• US 20040044949A1
• Filed: 08/28/2002
• Published: 03/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Rowe, Robert P.
• Application Number:
  US10/229,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20040044949A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/500
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/174 Form filling; Merging

Abstract

An apparatus and method is described that allows for automatic generation and delivery of customized documents upon request over a network, increasing efficiency and response time of document generation while reducing the number of personnel required for document handling. The improved device apparatus and method also allows for creation of a matter number in a database and entry of the executed and returned document. The improved device apparatus and method additionally allows for tracking of the generated document and automatic generation of reminders after a selected time period for the requestor via electronic mail or webpage.

Claims

1. A method of automatically generating a document, comprising:

receiving an electronic form containing document information from a requestor;

generating a document with the document information;

sending the generated document to the requestor;

executing the generated document;

returning the executed document; and

updating a database with the executed document.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving an electronic form containing document information from a requestor further comprises the requestor filling out the form and submitting the form over a network.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the form further comprises an interactive form that selectively extracts differing information from the requester according to the nature of the request.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein generating a document with the document information further comprises opening a matter number for the document information.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein generating a document with the document information further comprises allowing the requester to request supporting document generation with opening a matter number for the document information.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein generating a document with the document information further comprises inserting the document information in a database.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein generating a document with the document information further comprises generating a document and associated document instructions with the document information.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the generated document to the requestor further comprises sending the generated document to the requestor by placing the generated document on a webpage.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the generated document to the requestor further comprises sending the generated document to the requester by sending the generated document in an email.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the generated document to the requestor further comprises selectively encrypting the generated document.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein executing the generated document further comprises executing the generated document with a digital signature.

14. A method of operating a computer system, comprising:

receiving an electronic form containing submitted information from a requestor;

populating a database with the submitted information;

generating a document with the submitted information;

sending the generated document to a destination;

executing the generated document;

returning the executed document; and

updating the database.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein receiving an electronic form containing submitted information from a requestor further comprises the requestor filling out the form and submitting the form over a network.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the form further comprises an interactive form that selectively extracts submitted information from the requestor in response to one or more submitted information inputs of the requestor.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein generating a document with the submitted information further comprises opening a case for the submitted information.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein generating a document with the submitted information further comprises enabling the requestor to further request additional document generation that is in support of the generated document when a case has been opened.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein generating a document with the submitted information further comprises generating a document and document instructions that are specific to the generated document with the submitted information.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein sending the generated document to a destination further comprises sending the generated document to a requester.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein sending the generated document to the requester further comprises sending the generated document to the requestor by placing the generated document on a webpage.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein sending the generated document to the requester further comprises sending the generated document to the requestor by sending the generated document in an email.

23. The method of claim 14, wherein sending the generated document to the requestor further comprises selectively encrypting the generated document.

26. The method of claim 14, wherein executing the generated document further comprises executing the generated document with a digital signature.

27. The method of claim 14, wherein returning the executed document further comprises sending a reminder to the requestor if a selected time period has passed and the executed document has not been returned.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein sending a reminder to the requestor further comprises sending a reminder that has a form that allows the requestor to state the reason for any delay.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein sending a reminder to the requester further comprises updating the database with a response from the requestor.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein updating the database with a response from the requestor further comprises closing the case if the response from the requestor indicates the matter has been abandoned.

31. A machine-usable medium having machine-readable instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to perform a method comprising:

receiving an electronic form through a network interface containing submitted information from a requestor;

populating a database with the submitted information;

generating a document with the submitted information;

sending the generated document to a destination through the network interface;

executing the generated document;

returning the executed document; and

updating the database.

32. The machine-usable medium of claim 31, wherein receiving an electronic form containing submitted information from a requestor further comprises the requestor filling out the form and submitting the form over a network.

33. The machine-usable medium of claim 31, wherein generating a document with the submitted information further comprises opening a case for the submitted information.

34. The machine-usable medium of claim 31, wherein sending the generated document to the requestor further comprises sending the generated document to the requestor by placing the generated document on a webpage.

35. The machine-usable medium of claim 31, wherein sending the generated document to the requestor further comprises sending the generated document to the requestor by sending the generated document in an email.

38. The machine-usable medium of claim 31, wherein returning the executed document further comprises sending a reminder to the requester if a selected time period has passed and the executed document has not been returned.

39. The machine-usable medium of claim 38, wherein sending a reminder to the requestor further comprises sending a reminder that has a form that allows the requestor to state the reason for any delay.

40. The machine-usable medium of claim 38, wherein sending a reminder to the requester further comprises updating the database with a response from the requestor.

41. A computer system, comprising:

a communication link; and

a plurality of computing devices coupled to the communication link, wherein at least one of the plurality of computing devices comprises;

a processor;

a network interface coupled to the communication link and the processor, wherein the network interface communicates on the communication link utilizing a communication protocol; and

wherein the processor is adapted to;

receive a form through the network interface containing submitted information from a requestor;

populate a database with the submitted information;

generate a document with the submitted information;

send the generated document to a destination through the network interface;

receive the executed generated document; and

update the database.

42. The computer system of claim 41, wherein at least one of the plurality of computing devices transmits the form via the communication link.

43. The computer system of claim 41, wherein the processor receiving a form containing submitted information from a requester further comprises the requestor filling out the form and submitting the form over a network.

44. The computer system of claim 41, wherein the processor generating a document with the submitted information further comprises the processor opening a case for the submitted information.

45. The computer system of claim 41, wherein the processor sending the generated document to the requestor further comprises the processor sending the generated document to the requestor by placing the generated document on a webpage.

46. The computer system of claim 41, wherein the processor sending the generated document to the requestor further comprises the processor sending the generated document to the requester by sending the generated document in an email.

48. A document server, comprising:

a processor;

a network interface coupled to the processor, wherein the network interface communicates utilizing a communication protocol; and

wherein the processor is adapted to;

receive a form through the network interface containing submitted information from a requestor;

populate a database with the submitted information;

generate a document with the submitted information;

send the generated document to a destination through the network interface;

receive the executed generated document; and

update the database.