Systems and methods for providing electronic document services

• US 6,804,705 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2001
• Issued: 10/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 92104 LLC (Ni, Wang & Massand, PLLC)
• Original Assignee: Donald T. Beldock, Mario A. Aieta, Paul V. Greco, Ryder Daniels
• Inventors: Greco, Paul V., Daniels, Ryder, Beldock, Donald T., Aieta, Mario A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burgess, Glenton B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FLYNN, KIMBERLY D
• Application Number:
  US09/864,345
• Publication Number:
  US 20020120680A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,236 Days
• Field of Search: 709/219, 709/217, 709/201-203, 709/238, 709/218, 707/10, 705/26, 705/27, 705/37, 705/8, 345/744, 345/810
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/103 Formatting, i.e. changing of presentation of documents automatic justification G06F40/189; automatic line break hyphenation G06F40/191
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/166 Editing, e.g. inserting or deleting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A system facilitates the procurement of one or more document services for a document directly from a document preparation software application used to create the document. The system activates a graphical user interface within the document preparation software application, contacts a server to identify available document services, and configures the graphical user interface based on the available document services. The system detects selection of one of the available document services and provides the document from the document preparation software application to one or more service providers for performance of the selected document service.

Claims

1. An automated method for obtaining one or more document services for a document from a document preparation software application used to create or modify the document, comprising:

providing a graphical user interface within the document preparation software application;

contacting a server to identify available document services;

configuring the graphical user interface based on the available document services;

detecting selection of one of the available document services; and

providing the document from the document preparation software application to one or more service providers for performance of the selected document service, the providing the document includes

presenting the document to the server, and

forwarding the document from the server to the one or more service providers.

2. The automated method of claim 1, wherein the server is independent from the one or more service providers.

3. The automated method of claim 1, wherein the forwarding the document includes:

transmitting the document electronically to a secure location of the one or more service providers.

4. An automated method for obtaining one or more document services for a document from a document preparation software application used to create or modify the document, comprising:

providing a graphical user interface within the document preparation software application;

contacting a server to identify available document services;

configuring the graphical user interface based on the available document services;

detecting selection of one of the available document services;

obtaining instructions for processing the document; and

providing the document from the document preparation software application to one or more service providers for performance of the selected document service.

5. The automated method of claim 4, wherein the providing a graphical user interface includes:

integrating a toolbar within the document preparation software application.

6. The automated method of claim 5, wherein the toolbar includes at least one of a horizontal toolbar, a vertical toolbar, a floating toolbar, and a menu.

7. The automated method of claim 5, wherein the configuring the graphical user interface includes:

providing selectable objects on the toolbar corresponding to the available document services.

8. The automated method of claim 5, wherein the detecting selection includes:

detecting selection of one of the selectable objects, the selected object relating to the selected document service.

9. The automated method of claim 4, wherein the server includes the one or more service providers.

10. The automated method of claim 4, wherein the providing the document includes:

transmitting the document electronically to a secure location of the one or more service providers.

11. The automated method of claim 4, wherein the configuring the graphical user interface includes:

providing links to a plurality of service providers that provide the available document services.

12. The automated method of claim 4, wherein the providing the document includes:

electronically transmitting the document and the processing instructions to the one or more service providers.

13. The method of claim 4, wherein the available document services include at least one from a group comprising a service for adding a digital cryptographic signature to the document, a service for initiating delivery of the document via a courier service, a service for certifying the document by the U.S. Post Office, a service for registering the document with the U.S. Post Office, a service for obtaining delivery of the document by the U.S. Post Office, a service for obtaining translation of the document into a different language, a service for obtaining filing of the document with a government office, a government agency, or a court, a service for obtaining physical delivery of the document by a human messenger, and a service for creating a simultaneous collaboration session.

14. The automated method of claim 4, wherein the obtaining instructions for processing the document includes importing information relating to a recipient of the document from an address book associated with a user of the document preparation software application.

15. An automated method for obtaining one or more document services for a document from a document preparation software application used to create or modify the document, comprising:

providing a graphical user interface within the document preparation software application;

contacting a server to identify available document services;

configuring the graphical user interface based on the available document services;

detecting selection of one of the available document services;

providing the document from the document preparation software application to one or more service providers for performance of the selected document service;

receiving progress information regarding performance of the selected document service; and

presenting the progress information within the document preparation software application.

16. The automated method of claim 15, wherein the receiving progress information includes:

automatically receiving the progress information from the one or more service providers.

17. The automated method of claim 15, wherein the presenting the progress information includes:

providing the progress information in the form of a graphical progress meter.

18. The automated method of claim 15, wherein the presenting the progress information includes:

displaying the progress information within one of a pop-up window and a drop-down display.

19. The automated method of claim 15, wherein the presenting the progress information includes:

displaying the progress information in a display within the graphical user interface.

20. A system for obtaining a document service for a document from a document preparation application used to create or modify the document, comprising:

means for providing a graphical user interface within the document preparation application, the graphical user interface including a selectable object that corresponds to a document service from a group comprising a service for adding a digital cryptographic signature to the document, a service for initiating delivery of the document via a courier service, a service for certifying the document by the U.S. Post Office, a service for registering the document with the U.S. Post Office, a service for obtaining delivery of the document by the U.S. Post Office, a service for obtaining translation of the document into a different language, a service for obtaining filing of the document with a government office, a government agency, or a court, and a service for obtaining physical delivery of the document by a human messenger;

means for detecting selection of the selectable object;

means for obtaining instructions for processing the document; and

means for providing the document for performance of the document service.

21. A system for obtaining one or more document services, comprising:

a memory configured to store document preparation application software and graphical user interface software; and

a processor configured to modify a document using the document preparation application, execute the graphical user interface software to activate a graphical user interface within the document preparation application, contact a server to identify available document services, configure the graphical user interface based on the available document services, detect selection of one of the available document services, and provide the document from the document preparation application to one or more service providers for performance of the selected document service by presenting the document to the server which, in turn, forwards the document to the one or more service providers.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the server is independent from the one or more service providers.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein when presenting the document, the processor is configured to transmit the document electronically to a secure location of the server.

32. The system of claim 21, wherein when providing the document, the processor is configured to transmit electronically the document and the processing instructions to the one or more service providers.

24. A system for obtaining one or more document services, comprising:

a memory configured to store document preparation application software and graphical user interface software; and

a processor configured to modify a document using the document preparation application, execute the graphical user interface software to activate a graphical user interface within the document preparation application, contact a server to identify available document services, configure the graphical user interface based on the available document services, detect selection of one of the available document services, obtain instructions for processing the document from a user, and provide the document from the document preparation application to one or more service providers for performance of the selected document service.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein when activating the graphical user interface, the processor integrates a toolbar within the document preparation application.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the toolbar includes at least one of a horizontal toolbar, a vertical toolbar, a floating toolbar, and a menu.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein when configuring the graphical user interface, the processor is configured to provide selectable objects on the toolbar corresponding to the available document services.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein when detecting selection, the processor is configured to detect selection of one of the selectable objects, the selected object relating to the selected document service.

29. The system of claim 24, wherein the server includes the one or more service providers.

30. The system of claim 24, wherein when providing the document, the processor is configured to transmit the document electronically to a secure location of the one or more service providers.

31. The system of claim 24, wherein when configuring the graphical user interface, the processor is configured to provide links to a plurality of service providers that provide the available document services.

33. The system of claim 24, wherein when obtaining instructions for processing the document, the processor is configured to import information relating to a recipient of the document from an address book associated with the user.

34. A system for obtaining one or more document services, comprising:

a memory configured to store document preparation application software and graphical user interface software; and

a processor configured to modify a document using the document preparation application, execute the graphical user interface software to activate a graphical user interface within the document preparation application, contact a server to identify available document services, configure the graphical user interface based on the available document services, detect selection of one of the available document services, provide the document from the document preparation application to one or more service providers for performance of the selected document service, receive progress information regarding performance of the selected document service, and present the progress information within the document preparation application.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein when receiving progress information, the processor is configured to automatically receive the progress information from the one or more service providers.

36. The system of claim 34, wherein when presenting the progress information, the processor is configured to provide the progress information in the form of a graphical progress meter.

37. The system of claim 34, wherein when presenting the progress information, the processor is configured to display the progress information within one of a pop-up window and a drop-down display.

38. The system of claim 34, wherein when presenting the progress information, the processor is configured to display the progress information in a display within the graphical user interface.

39. A graphical user interface stored in a computer that facilitates obtainment of document services for a document, the graphical user interface being implemented within a document preparation application used to create or modify the document, the graphical user interface being generated from computer instructions comprising:

instructions for contacting a server to identify available document services;

instructions for configuring a plurality of graphical selectable objects based on the available document services, each of the graphical selectable objects corresponding to one of the available document services;

instructions for detecting selection of one of the available document services based on selection of one of the graphical selectable objects;

instructions for providing the document from the document preparation application to one or more service providers for performance of the selected document service;

instructions for obtaining progress information regarding performance of the selected document service; and

instructions for presenting the progress information within the document preparation application.

40. The graphical user interface of claim 39, wherein the instructions for providing include:

instructions for securely and electronically transmitting the document to a secure location of the one or more service providers.

41. A server in communication with one or more clients to provide a plurality of document services, comprising:

a memory configured to store data regarding the plurality of document services; and

a processor configured to receive a request from one of the clients for information regarding available ones of the document services, provide the requested information to the client to permit the client to configure a graphical user interface, obtain a document from the client and a selection of one of the available document services, and perform the selected document service on the document.

42. The server of claim 41, wherein the data stored in the memory includes:

user identification data that identifies each of the one or more clients, and

service provider data that identifies one or more service providers to perform the document services.

43. The server of claim 42, wherein the service provider data includes one or more links corresponding to the one or more service providers.

44. The server of claim 42, wherein the data stored in the memory further includes:

permission data that identifies permissible uses of the document services.

45. The server of claim 41, wherein the processor is further configured to identify the available document services for the client.

46. The server of claim 41, wherein when obtaining the document, the processor is configured to receive the document over a secure communications path.

47. The server of claim 41, wherein when performing the selected document service, the processor is configured to forward the document to a service provider to perform the selected document service on the document.

48. A method for providing a plurality of document services by a server in communication with one or more clients, the method performed by the server comprising:

receiving, by the server, a request from one of the clients for information regarding available ones of the document services;

providing the requested information to the client to permit the client to configure a graphical user interface;

obtaining a document from the client and a selection of one of the available document services; and

causing the selected document service to be performed on the document.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

storing user identification data that identifies each of the one or more clients and service provider data that identifies one or more service providers to perform the document services.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising:

identifying the available document services for the client based on the user identification data.

51. The method of claim 48, wherein the obtaining a document includes:

receiving the document over a secure communications path.

52. The method of claim 48, wherein the causing the selected document service to be performed includes:

forwarding the document to a service provider to perform the selected document service on the document.

53. A document preparation application executed on a computer, comprising:

instructions for activating a toolbar, the toolbar containing a plurality of selectable objects;

instructions for contacting a server to identify available document services;

instructions for configuring the selectable objects based on the available document services, each of the selectable objects corresponding to one of the available document services;

instructions for detecting selection of one of the selectable objects;

instructions for collecting processing instructions relating to a document prepared using the document preparation application; and

instructions for sending a document and the processing instructions over a secure communications path to one or more service providers for performing the available document service corresponding to the selected object.

54. An automated method for obtaining one or more document services for a document from a document preparation software application used to create or modify the document, comprising:

providing a graphical user interface within the document preparation software application;

contacting a server to identify available document services;

configuring the graphical user interface based on the available document services;

detecting selection of one of the available document services; and

providing the document from the document preparation software application to one or more service providers for performance of the selected document service.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the available document services include a service for adding a digital cryptographic signature to the document.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein the available document services include a service for initiating delivery of the document via a courier service.

57. The method of claim 54, wherein the available document services include a service for certifying the document by the U.S. Post Office.

58. The method of claim 54, wherein the available document services include a service for registering the document with the U.S. Post Office.

59. The method of claim 54, wherein the available document services include a service for obtaining delivery of the document by the U.S. Post Office.

60. The method of claim 54, wherein the available document services include a service for obtaining translation of the document into a different language.

61. The method of claim 54, wherein the available document services include a service for obtaining filing of the document with a government office, a government agency, or a court.

62. The method of claim 54, wherein the available document services include a service for obtaining physical delivery of the document by a human messenger.

63. A system for obtaining one or more document services, comprising:

a memory configured to store document preparation application software and graphical user interface software; and

a processor configured to modify a document using the document preparation application, execute the graphical user interface software to activate a graphical user interface within the document preparation application, contact a server to identify available document services, configure the graphical user interface based on the available document services, detect selection of one of the available document services, and provide the document from the document preparation application to one or more service providers for performance of the selected document service.

64. A graphical user interface stored in a computer that facilitates obtainment of document services for a document, the graphical user interface being implemented within a document preparation application used to create or modify the document, the graphical user interface being generated from computer instructions comprising:

instructions for contacting a server to identify available document services;

instructions for configuring a plurality of graphical selectable objects based on the available document services, each of the graphical selectable objects corresponding to one of the available document services;

instructions for detecting selection of one of the available document services based on selection of one of the graphical selectable objects; and

instructions for providing the document from the document preparation application to one or more service providers for performance of the selected document service.

65. A system for obtaining document services, comprising:

a document preparation application configured to create or modify a document; and

a graphical user interface integrated within the document preparation application, the graphical user interface including a plurality of graphical selectable objects, each of the graphical selectable objects corresponding to one of a plurality of different types of document services from a group including a service for adding a digital cryptographic signature to the document, a service for initiating delivery of the document via a courier service, a service for certifying the document by the U.S. Post Office, a service for registering the document with the U.S. Post Office, a service for obtaining delivery of the document by the U.S. Post Office, a service for obtaining translation of the document into a different language, a service for obtaining filing of the document with a government office, a government agency, or a court, and a service for obtaining physical delivery of the document by a human messenger, the graphical user interface detecting selection of one of the graphical selectable objects, and providing the document created or modified by the document preparation application to one or more service providers for performance of the document service corresponding to the selected graphical selectable object.

66. An automated method for obtaining one or more document services for a document from a document preparation software application used to create or modify the document, comprising:

providing a graphical user interface within the document preparation software application, the graphical user interface including a selectable object that corresponds to a document service from a group comprising a service for adding a digital cryptographic signature to the document, a service for initiating delivery of the document via a courier service, a service for certifying the document by the U.S. Post Office, a service for registering the document with the U.S. Post Office, a service for obtaining delivery of the document by the U.S. Post Office, a service for obtaining translation of the document into a different language, a service for obtaining filing of the document with a government office, a government agency, or a court, and a service for obtaining physical delivery of the document by a human messenger;

detecting selection of the selectable object; and

providing the document from the document preparation software application for performance of the document service.

67. A system for obtaining document services, comprising:

a document preparation application configured to create or modify a document; and

a toolbar integrated within the document preparation application, the toolbar including one or more graphical selectable objects, each of the one or more graphical selectable objects corresponding to one of a plurality of types of document services from a group including a service for adding a digital cryptographic signature to the document, a service for initiating delivery of the document via a courier service, a service for certifying the document by the U.S. Post Office, a service for registering the document with the U.S. Post Office, a service for obtaining delivery of the document by the U.S. Post Office, a service for obtaining translation of the document into a different language, a service for obtaining filing of the document with a government office, a government agency, or a court, and a service for obtaining physical delivery of the document by a human messenger, the toolbar detecting selection of one of the graphical selectable objects and providing the document created or modified by the document preparation application to one or more service providers for performance of the document service corresponding to the selected graphical selectable object.

68. An automated method for obtaining a digital signature service for a document from a document preparation software application used to create or modify the document, comprising:

providing a graphical user interface within the document preparation software application, the graphical user interface including a digital signature selectable object;

detecting selection of the digital signature selectable object; and

upon detecting selection of the digital signature selectable object, adding a digital cryptographic signature to the document from the document preparation software application.

69. The method of claim 68, further comprising:

transmitting the document with the digital cryptographic signature to an external entity to obtain authentication of the digital cryptographic signature.

70. An automated method for obtaining a courier service for a document from a document preparation software application used to create or modify the document, comprising:

providing a graphical user interface within the document preparation software application, the graphical user interface including a courier service selectable object;

detecting selection of the courier service selectable object; and

upon detecting selection of the courier service selectable object, sending the document, from within the document preparation software application, to a courier service for delivery of the document to a recipient.

71. The method of claim 70, further comprising:

upon detecting selection of the courier service selectable object, providing a price comparison for delivering the document by a plurality of different courier services.

72. The method of claim 70, further comprising:

upon detecting selection of the courier service selectable object, providing a price comparison for delivering the document by a plurality of different types of delivery methods.

73. The method of claim 70, wherein the courier service includes courier service provided by at least one from a group comprising Federal Express (FedEx™

), United Parcel Service (UPS™

), and Dalsey, Hillblom and Lynn (DHL™

).

74. An automated method for obtaining certification of a document by the U.S. Post Office from a document preparation software application used to create or modify the document, comprising:

providing a graphical user interface within the document preparation software application, the graphical user interface including a document certification selectable object;

detecting selection of the document certification selectable object; and

upon detecting selection of the document certification selectable object, obtaining certification of the document by the U.S. Post Office.

75. An automated method for obtaining registration of a document by the U.S. Post Office from a document preparation software application used to create or modify the document, comprising:

providing a graphical user interface within the document preparation software application, the graphical user interface including a document registration selectable object;

detecting selection of the document registration selectable object; and

upon detecting selection of the document registration selectable object, obtaining registration of the document by the U.S. Post Office.

76. An automated method for obtaining delivery of a document from a document preparation software application used to create or modify the document, comprising:

providing a graphical user interface within the document preparation software application, the graphical user interface including a Post Office delivery selectable object;

detecting selection of the Post Office delivery selectable object; and

upon detecting selection of the Post Office delivery selectable object, sending the document, from within the document preparation software application, to the U.S. Post Office for delivery of the document to a recipient.

77. The method of claim 76, further comprising:

upon detecting selection of the Post Office delivery selectable object, providing a price comparison for delivering the document by a plurality of different types of delivery methods offered by the U.S. Post Office.

78. An automated method for obtaining a translation service for a document from a document preparation software application used to create or modify the document, comprising:

providing a graphical user interface within the document preparation software application, the graphical user interface including a translation service selectable object;

detecting selection of the translation service selectable object; and

upon detecting selection of the translation service selectable object, sending the document, from within the document preparation software application, to a translation service for obtaining translation of the document to a different language.

79. An automated method for obtaining a government filing service for a document from a document preparation software application used to create or modify the document, comprising:

providing a graphical user interface within the document preparation software application, the graphical user interface including a government filing service selectable object;

detecting selection of the government filing service selectable object; and

upon detecting selection of the government filing service selectable object, sending the document, from within the document preparation software application, to a delivery service to file the document with a government office, a government agency, or a court.

80. An automated method for obtaining a hand-delivery service for a document from a document preparation software application used to create or modify the document, comprising:

providing a graphical user interface within the document preparation software application, the graphical user interface including a hand-delivery service selectable object;

detecting selection of the hand-delivery service selectable object; and

upon detecting selection of the hand-delivery service selectable object, arranging for physical delivery of the document to a recipient by a human messenger.