Automatic document exchange and execution management

• US 7,996,439 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2007
• Issued: 08/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adobe Inc.
• Original Assignee: Echosign Incorporated (Adobe Inc.)
• Inventors: Zwelling, Jeffrey M., Foygel, Dan A., Lemkin, Jason M.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, DEBBIE M
• Application Number:
  US11/652,371
• Publication Number:
  US 20070198560A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,671 Days
• Field of Search: 707 9- 10, 707/205, 709/229, 358/1.15
• US Class Current: 707/803
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00209 Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00212 Attaching image data to computer messages, e.g. to e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2179 Interfaces allowing access to a plurality of users, e.g. connection to electronic image libraries
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2183 the stored images being distributed among a plurality of different locations, e.g. among a plurality of users
• 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 1/324 intermediate the transmitter and receiver terminals, e.g. at an exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32411 Handling instructions for routing or relaying

Abstract

The exchange of documents for signature can be performed efficiently using an automatic routing system that associates a document with appropriate identifying metadata. The routing can be facilitated through facsimile in which the metadata is encoded on a return facsimile cover sheet that is routed with the document. Appropriate central exchange servers have appropriate input and out subsystems to perform the document routing. The executed documents can be conveniently archived for efficient document storage and access, such as network access to one or more of the parties.

Claims

1. A method for exchanging documents for execution implemented by a computer system, the method comprising:

receiving routing information for a document, the routing information comprising the document source and a routing protocol for the document;

automatically receiving the document from the document source after receiving the routing information;

routing the document automatically according to the routing protocol for signature or approval along with instructions for return of the executed document and along with identifying metadata associated with the document based on the routing information, wherein the routing of the document comprises the automatic transfer of a copy of the document directly to a recipient address, and wherein the system receives the routing information before receiving the document for routing; and

automatically tracking the return of the executed document.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the routing of the document is performed through a facsimile sent over phone lines or internet.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the facsimile sent out includes a return facsimile cover sheet, markings on the documents themselves or a combination thereof, with the metadata identified via a physical marker identifying the document.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the physical marker comprises a bar code.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the routing of the document is automated by optical character recognition of some or all of the document and comparison to a database of potential matches.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the routing of the document is performed with one or more email messages along with any attachments thereto.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the email message is sent over the Internet.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the routing information is received in a process comprising inputting the information through a website or computer interfaced with the Internet.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein receipt of the routing information prompts the sending of a facsimile to the originating or receiving party with a fax cover sheet or physical markings to automate the input of the document and the association of the document with the metadata and further comprising receiving a facsimile with the document and associating the metadata from the marker applied to the document and/or the facsimile cover sheet associated with the document.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the routing information prompts the receipt of a document uploaded, downloaded or otherwise acquired from the website and the association of the metadata with the document.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a document for signature with the metadata associated with the document after prompting the originator.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the receiving of the document comprises sending a facsimile of the document with a return facsimile cover sheet, physical markers or a combination thereof to identify the document for further routing.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the receiving of the document comprises forwarding the document or a link or other reference to the document by email along with associated metadata.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving the executed document.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the document is received by facsimile.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the document or a link or other reference to the document is received by email.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the received document comprises a scanned document with a physical signature.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the document is received by a process of interfacing with a website or web service to electronically sign the document.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the executed document is archived for later access by authorized individuals.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the routing of the document comprises forwarding of the document to a plurality of signatories.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein one of the signatories is the originator.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the instructions for return of the executed document and metadata are principally generated by using of e-mail, an e-mail like interface, or a program that collects data from or through e-mail.

23. A data storage medium comprising instructions for implementing the method of claim 1 on the computer system.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein tracking comprises reviewing the document for satisfaction of the routing instructions to determine whether the transaction is complete.

25. A central exchange server comprising an input subsystem comprising data connections to external addresses for the input of data, a processor programmed to associate metadata with a document received through the input subsystem based on routing information comprising the document source and a routing protocol, and an output subsystem comprising data connections to external addresses for the output of data, wherein the processor is programmed to automatically receive the document from the document source after receiving the routing information receive the routing information before receiving the document for routing and automatically route the document based on the routing protocol information.

26. The central exchange server of claim 25 further comprising a non-volatile storage device that stores the document during routing and archives executed documents.

27. The central exchange server of claim 25 wherein the input comprises a facsimile receiver that receives digital data from a phone line and/or an Internet connection that receives data from a web page, a computer or an email message.

28. The central exchange server of claim 25 wherein the input comprises a facsimile transmitter that receives facsimile formatted data over a phone line, the internet or both, and the output comprises an Internet connection that can send email messages over the Internet or download or access files through a website or web service.

29. A method for electronic management of documents implemented on a computer system, the method comprising:

automatically routing a document for execution, based on routing information, to a plurality of requested parties;

automatically receiving the document following execution by a requested party;

automatically identifying the received document as executed by of the plurality of requested parties, based on the routing information;

automatically archiving the executed document following execution of the document by all of the plurality of requested parties following automatic routing to the requested parties wherein archiving comprises organizing the executed document within a database and storing document access information and wherein the archived document is available through a network for access by all of the requested parties.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the archived document is indexed by one or more signatories and is accessible to one or more signatories or other parties.

31. The method of claim 29 further comprising receiving from an originator routing information for execution of the document and routing the document for signature.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein the document is executed prior to receipt of the document into a central server, with metadata associated with the document identifying one or more signatories.