SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISTRIBUTED ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE DOCUMENTS

• US 20090024912A1
• Filed: 07/18/2008
• Published: 01/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DocuSign Incorporated
• Original Assignee: DocuSign Incorporated
• Inventors: Gonser, Thomas H., McCabe, Andrew David
• Granted Patent: US 8,949,706 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/64 Protecting data integrity, e.g. using checksums, certificates or signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/174 Form filling; Merging
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

Systems and methods for distributed electronic signature documents. A method for distributed electronic signature documents includes creating a signing template that contains information about how a signable document is to be signed. A signable document is created to be distributed to a signer for signing. The signable document is electronically transmitted to the signer. A message is sent using an activatable control in the signing document to a web signing server to invoke the signing process. A browser window is opened on a signer'"'"'s computer in order to execute the signing process.

Claims

1. A method for distributed electronic signature documents comprising

creating a signing template that contains information about how a signable document is to be signed;

creating a signable document to be distributed to a signer for signing;

electronically transmitting the signable document to the signer;

sending a message using an activatable control in the signing document to a web signing server to invoke the signing process; and

executing the signing process.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising enabling a signer to filling in fields prior to signing.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising creating an activatable control in the signable document that initiates the signing process.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising authenticating a user when logging into the web signing server.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising locking the content of a contract such that it cannot be modified.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising prompting a user to make changes to the contract as necessary.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising enforcing workflow and sequencing of a document at the web signing server.

8. A computer readable medium for distributed electronic signature documents comprising

a display;

a memory configured to store document information; and

a processor in data communication with the display and the memory further comprising;

a first component configured to create a signing template, the signing template configured to contain information about how a signable document is to be signed;

a second component configured to create a signable document containing contractual text;

a web signing server in communication with the processor and further configured to host application logic to correlate data between the signable document and the signing template; and

a electronic signature service configured to execute the signing template instructions through the web signing server.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising a third component configured to enable a signer to filling infields prior to signing.

10. The system of claim 8 further comprising a third component configured to create an activatable control in the signable document that initiates the signing process.

11. The system of claim 8 further comprising a third component configured to authenticate a user when logging into the web signing server.

12. The system of claim 8 further comprising a third component configured to lock the content of a contract such that it cannot be modified.

13. The system of claim 8 further comprising a third component configured to prompt a user to make changes to the contract as necessary.

14. The system of claim 8 further comprising a third component configured to enforce workflow and sequencing of a document at the web signing server.

15. A computer readable medium stored with a program for causing a computer to function as a distributor of electronic signature documents following a series of steps comprising:

creating a signing template that contains information about how a signable document is to be signed;

creating a signable document to be distributed to a signer for signing;

electronically transmitting the signable document to the signer;

sending a message using an activatable control in the signing document to a web signing server to invoke the signing process; and

executing the signing process.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15 further comprising enabling a signer to filling in fields prior to signing.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 15 further comprising creating an activatable control in the signable document that initiates the signing process.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 15 further comprising authenticating a user when logging into the web signing server.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 15 further comprising locking the content of a contract such that it cannot be modified.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 15 further comprising enforcing workflow and sequencing of a document at the web signing server.