MOBILE SOLUTION FOR IMPORTING AND SIGNING THIRD-PARTY ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE DOCUMENTS

• US 20130050512A1
• Filed: 10/26/2012
• Published: 02/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DocuSign Incorporated
• Original Assignee: DocuSign Incorporated
• Inventors: Peterson, Donald G., Gonser, Thomas H.
• Granted Patent: US 10,511,732 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6209 to a single file or object, e.g. in a secure envelope, encrypted and accessed using a key, or with access control rules appended to the object itself
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/64 Protecting data integrity, e.g. using checksums, certificates or signatures
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00424 using a list of graphical elements, e.g. icons or icon bar
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00448 horizontally
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00472 using a pop-up window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00474 outputting a plurality of functional options, e.g. scan, copy or print
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2187 with image input from a plurality of different locations or from a non-central location, e.g. from one or more users
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2191 for simultaneous, independent access by a plurality of different users
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32112 in a separate computer file, document page or paper sheet, e.g. a fax cover sheet H04N1/32122 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4413 involving the use of passwords, ID codes or the like, e.g. PIN
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3233 of authentication information, e.g. digital signature, watermark

Abstract

Techniques for signer-initiated electronic document signing via an electronic signature service using a mobile or other client device are described. Example embodiments provide an electronic signature service (“ESS”) configured to facilitate the creation, storage, and management of documents and corresponding electronic signatures. In some embodiments, when a signer user receives a hard copy (e.g., paper) signature document, the signer may capture an image of the signature document with a camera of a mobile device. The signer can then import the captured image into the ESS for signature, storage, and/or transmission to other parties.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating electronic signatures on a client device that is operated by a signer and that is communicatively coupled to a camera, comprising:

by the client device,

capturing an image of a signature document with the camera;

causing the captured image of the signature document to be stored at a remote electronic signature service as an electronic signature document; and

causing an electronic signature of the signer to be stored in association with the electronic signature document stored at the remote electronic signature service.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein capturing an image of a signature document includes receiving image data from the camera, the image data representing at least one page of the signature document.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting the captured image on a display of the client device for review by the signer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the captured image is an image of a first page of the signature document, and further comprising:

capturing an image that represents a second page of the signature document; and

causing the captured image that represents the second page of the signature document to be stored at the electronic signature service as part of the electronic signature document.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein causing an electronic signature of the signer to be stored in association with the electronic signature document includes:

receiving signature data from the signer; and

causing the signature data to be stored by the electronic signature service along with the electronic signature document.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein causing the signature data to be stored by the electronic signature service includes transmitting the signature data along with the captured image to the electronic signature service.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein causing the signature data to be stored by the electronic signature service includes:

receiving an image of the electronic signature document from the electronic signature service;

presenting the image for review by the user; and

receiving the signature data after the image is reviewed by the user; and

transmitting the signature data to the electronic signature service.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing the remote electronic signature service to provide access to the stored electronic signature document.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein causing the remote electronic signature service to provide access to the stored electronic signature document includes causing the electronic signature service to transmit to a recipient a message that includes a copy of the electronic signature document.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein causing the causing the remote electronic signature service to provide access to the stored electronic signature document includes causing the electronic signature service to transmit to a recipient a message that includes a link that can be used by the recipient to view the electronic signature document and/or the associated electronic signature of the signer.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein capturing the image of the signature document includes capturing an image of a paper document.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a Web browser executing on the client device to access the electronic signature document stored at the remote electronic signature service and to cause the electronic signature of the signer to be stored in association with the electronic signature document.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically populating form fields in the electronic signature document based on prior form entries made by the signer.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having contents that, when executed by a client device, facilitate electronic signatures via the client device by performing a method comprising:

capturing an image of a signature document with an image capture device that is communicatively coupled to the client device;

causing the captured image of the signature document to be stored at a remote electronic signature service as an electronic signature document; and

causing an electronic signature of a signer to be stored in association with the electronic signature document stored at the remote electronic signature service.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises:

causing the electronic signature service to provide access to the electronic signature document to a person who is not an operator of the client device;

causing the electronic signature service to receive signature data from the person.

16. A computing system configured to facilitate electronic signatures, comprising:

a client device that has a memory and that is communicatively coupled to an image capture device; and

a module stored on the memory that is configured, when executed by the client device, to;

capture an image of a signature document with the image capture device;

cause the captured image of the signature document to be stored at a remote electronic signature service as an electronic signature document; and

cause an electronic signature of a signer to be stored in association with the electronic signature document stored at the remote electronic signature service.

17. The computing system of claim 16, wherein the image capture device is a scanner that is separate from the client device.

18. The computing system of claim 16, wherein the client device is a mobile computing device, and wherein the image capture device is a camera that is part of the client device.

19. The computing system of claim 18, wherein the mobile computing device is one of a smart phone, a tablet computer, or a laptop computer.

20. The computing system of claim 19, further comprising:

an electronic signature service that is remote from the client device and that is configured to perform electronic signature management functions and to provide access to the electronic signature management functions via a Web browser executing on the client device.