Method of creating, processing and storing HTML documents

• US 20050268222A1
• Filed: 05/26/2004
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kai Ming Cheng
• Original Assignee: Kai Ming Cheng
• Inventors: Cheng, Kai Ming
• Application Number:
  US10/853,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20050268222A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/234
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/143 Markup, e.g. Standard Generalized Markup Language [SGML] or Document Type Definition [DTD]

Abstract

A method of creating an HTML form allowing input of data is disclosed as including the steps of providing a blank editable HTML form with a number of form fields; editing the HTML form by changing the first form fields or inputting new form fields; and storing the edited HTML form. Data may be inputted into the HTML form by opening the HTML form; entering data into the HTML form in accordance with the fields; and changing the source of the HTML form in accordance with the data inputted into the HTML form. Data may be extracted from filled-in forms by receiving the filled-in HTML forms with filled-in form fields; setting a criterion for selection of filled-in HTML forms; sorting the filled-in HTML forms on the basis of the sorting criterion; and reading and extracting the data in the filled-in HTML forms which fulfill the sorting criterion.

Claims

1. A method of creating an HTML document allowing input of data, including the steps of:

providing a blank editable HTML document carrying at least a piece of editable information;

editing said HTML document by editing said piece of editable information; and

storing said edited HTML document.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said HTML document is created on a data processing apparatus offline from a server.

3. A method according to claim 1 further including a step of providing a graphic user interface on a visual display unit.

4. A method according to claim 1 further including a step of generating system control information.

5. A method according to claim 4 further including a step of encoding said system control information.

6. A method according to claim 5 further including a step of creating at least one hidden field in said HTML document containing said encoded system control information.

7. A method according to claim 4 wherein said system control information includes at least one of form ID, creator ID, digital signature, and form creation date/time.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said method being carried out by a client-side computer program.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said computer program is executable on top of a web browser.

10. A method according to claim 1 further including a step of adding encryption information.

11. A method according to claim 1 wherein said edited HTML document is stored in a client-side machine, a file server, a removable data storage media.

12. A method according to claim 1 including a step of transmitting said edited HTML document via e-mail.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein said HTML document is an HTML form.

14. A method according to claim 1 wherein said editable information comprises a form field.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein said step of editing said HTML form comprises changing said form field or inputting a second form field.

16. A computer program loadable into a data processing apparatus and executable to carry out the method according to claim 1.

17. A method of inputting data into an HTML document carrying at least a piece of editable information, including the steps of:

opening said HTML document;

entering data into said HTML document; and

changing the source of said HTML document in accordance with the data inputted into said HTML document.

18. A method according to claim 17 further including a step of storing said edited HTML document with the changed source.

19. A method according to claim 18 further including a step of recording at least one of input user ID and system date time.

20. A method according to claim 17 further including steps of monitoring the data inputted into said HTML document, validating said data against pre-set criteria in hidden fields in said HTML document, and outputting a prompt to a user if said inputted data do not fulfill said pre-set criteria.

21. A method according to claim 17 further including a step of allowing a user to input information for subsequent encoding and storage in new hidden fields in said HTML document.

22. A method according to claim 17 further including a step of encrypting said filled-in HTML document.

23. A method according to claim 17 wherein said HTML document is opened and read by a web browser.

24. A method according to claim 23 wherein said web browser is installed on a client-side data processing apparatus.

25. A method according to claim 17 wherein said HTML document is an HTML form with at least one form field.

26. A method according to claim 25 wherein said step of entering data into said HTML document is effected in accordance with said at least one form field.

27. A computer program loadable into a data processing apparatus and executable to carry out the method according to claim 17.

28. A method of extracting data inputted into a plurality of HTML forms, including the steps of:

receiving said plurality of filled-in HTML forms each with at least one filled-in form field;

setting at least one criterion for selection of filled-in HTML forms;

sorting said plurality of filled-in HTML forms on the basis of said at least one criterion; and

reading and extracting said data in said filled-in HTML forms which fulfill said sorting criterion.

29. A method according to claim 28 further including a step of generating at least one data file on the basis of said data extracted from said filled-in HTML forms which fulfill said at least one criterion.

30. A method according to claim 29 wherein said data file is in MS Excel or CVS format.

31. A method according to claim 29 further including a step of looking up a configuration file to determine the format of said data file.

33. A computer program loadable into a data processing apparatus and executable to carry out the method according to claim 28.

32. A method according to 28 wherein said at least one criterion is the Form ID.