US6662340B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Client-side form filler that populates form fields based on analyzing visible field labels and visible display format hints without previous examination or mapping of the form
Assignee: Mercury Kingdom Assets Ltd Virgin Islands
•
Filing: 2002-05-30
•
Granted: 2003-12-09
•
Expires: 2022-05-30
Abstract
Abstract Client side program code examines electronic documents such as web pages and automatically fills out fields of forms contained in the document with the appropriate data from a user profile, without requiring prior mapping or examination of the form. The application maps user data to the appropriate form field by examining label text on the form as the user sees it, i.e. text that is visually nearest the field. For fields lacking labels, the application examines the field context to determine the required data. To enter the information in the correct format, the application parses visual hints concerning, for example, the date format provided to the user and formats the data accordingly. In the absence of any usable visual cues or contextual information, the program code parses the form's underlying markup code.
Inventors
- 👤 Jai Rawat
- 👤 Ajoy Kumar Bhatia
- 👤 Vasileios Bill Zissimopoulos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:46
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/12; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/958; G06F16/972; G06F40/00; G06F40/10; G06F40/166; G06F40/174; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/04; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A client-based method for filling out an electronic form automatically without previous form examination or storing of mapping information about said form, comprising the steps of: identifying form fields based on analysis of visible field labels proximate said fields, when said visible field labels are present; evaluating user visible display format hints proximate said fields to determine required display format; mapping the electronic form based on said analysis; and populating form fields with correct data in correct format without user intervention, according to said mapping.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A client-based method for filling out an electronic form automatically without previous form examination or storing of mapping information about said form, comprising the steps of: identifying form fields based on analysis of visible field labels proximate said fields, when said visible field labels are present; evaluating user visible display format hints proximate said fields to determine required display format; mapping the electronic form based on said analysis; and populating form fields with correct data in correct format without user intervention, according to said mapping.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of identifying fields based on analysis of visible field labels comprises: traversing form elements in a first sequence.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
96 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein said step of identifying form fields based on analysis of visible field labels further comprises any of the steps of: if a field is positioned in a table cell, analyzing text expressions in adjacent cells; analyzing a text expression within a predetermined number of words and in at least one predetermined direction from said fields; based on form coordinates, examining general vicinity of said form in all directions from the field and analyzing text expression closest to said field; and disregarding text expressions embedded within parentheses or quotation marks.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein said step of identifying fields based on analysis of visible field labels further comprises the step of: comparing the analyzed text expressions with entries in a field label dictionary to find closest match with a metadata expression, wherein said field is mapped to correct metadata.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of: when a field lacks a visible field label, mapping the field according to context.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein mapping the field according to context comprises: identifying mapping of at least one field preceding a current field in said first sequence; and mapping said current field based on said mapping of said preceding field.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of: when a field lacks a visible field label, mapping the field based on analysis of a programmatic field name.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of: when a field lacks a visible field label, comparing the field's default value with entries in a field label dictionary to find closest match with a metadata expression, wherein said field is mapped to correct metadata.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of: if a field is a select field, comparing selection options with entries in a field label dictionary to find closest match with a metadata expression, wherein said field is mapped to correct metadata.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of: for sets of radio buttons, creating a new object for each set.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of: identifying block type, wherein a block comprises a plurality of related fields.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of identifying block type comprises one of the steps of: comparing programmatic field name of at least a current field with arrays of metadata expressions for each block type; comparing visible form elements for at least said current field with arrays of metadata expressions for each block type; and when said current field occupies a table cell, analyzing text expressions at least from first cell of said table to cell occupied by said current field.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 12 , said step of identifying block type further comprising the step of: when a close match is found, mapping said field to said block type.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein block type includes any of: billing address; shipping address; credit card information; and email address.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of: traversing form elements in a second sequence, said second sequence a reverse of a first sequence; identifying mapping of at least a field following a current field in said second sequence; and mapping said current field based on said mapping of said field following the current field.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of evaluating visible display format hints proximate said fields to determine required display format comprises the steps of: traversing form elements in a first sequence; analyzing a visible display format hint proximate a field; comparing said analyzed display format hint with a dictionary of data-entry prompts; mapping said field to a display format based on said comparison.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 16 , further comprising the step of: any of concatenating, truncating and re-formatting said correct data according to said display format.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 16 , further comprising the step of: for a field lacking a proximate visible display format hint, mapping current field to same display format of a preceding field if both fields are the same field type.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: identifying a form as a checkout form.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: masking confidential data from being displayed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
104 words
A computer program product for filling out an electronic form automatically without previous form examination or storing of mapping information about said form, said computer program product comprising a tangible medium having computer readable code embodied therein, the computer code including program code means for: identifying form fields based on analysis of visible field labels proximate said fields, when said visible field labels are present; evaluating user visible display format hints proximate said fields to determine required display format; mapping the electronic form based on said analysis; and populating form fields with correct data in correct format without user intervention, according to said mapping.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
104 words
A computer program product for filling out an electronic form automatically without previous form examination or storing of mapping information about said form, said computer program product comprising a tangible medium having computer readable code embodied therein, the computer code including program code means for: identifying form fields based on analysis of visible field labels proximate said fields, when said visible field labels are present; evaluating user visible display format hints proximate said fields to determine required display format; mapping the electronic form based on said analysis; and populating form fields with correct data in correct format without user intervention, according to said mapping.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer program product of claim 21 , wherein said code means for identifying fields based on analysis of visible field labels comprises code means for: traversing form elements in a first sequence.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
99 words
The computer program product of claim 22 , wherein said code means for identifying form fields based on analysis of visible field labels further comprises code means for any of: if a field is positioned in a table cell, analyzing text expressions in adjacent cells; analyzing a text expression within a predetermined number of words and in at least one predetermined direction from said fields; based on form coordinates, examining general vicinity of said form in all directions from the field and analyzing text expression closest to said field; and disregarding text expressions embedded within parentheses or quotation marks.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
55 words
The computer program product of claim 23 , wherein said code means for identifying fields based on analysis of visible field labels further comprises code means for: comparing the analyzed text expressions with entries in a field label dictionary to find closest match with a metadata expression, wherein said field is mapped to correct metadata.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer program product of claim 22 , further comprising code means for: when a field lacks a visible field label, mapping the field according to context.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
51 words
The computer program product of claim 25 , wherein said code means for mapping the field according to context comprises code means for: identifying mapping of at least one field preceding a current field in said first sequence; and mapping said current field based on said mapping of said preceding field.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer program product of claim 22 , further comprising code means for: when a field lacks a visible field label, mapping the field based on analysis of a programmatic field name.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
49 words
The computer program product of claim 22 , further comprising code means for: when a field lacks a visible field label, comparing the field's default value with entries in a field label dictionary to find closest match with a metadata expression, wherein said field is mapped to correct metadata.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer program product of claim 22 , further comprising code means for: if a field is a select field, comparing selection options with entries in a field label dictionary to find closest match with a metadata expression, wherein said field is mapped to correct metadata.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer program product of claim 22 , further comprising code means for: for sets of radio buttons, creating a new object for each set.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer program product of claim 22 , further comprising code means for: identifying block type, wherein a block comprises a plurality of related fields.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
85 words
The computer program product of claim 31 , wherein the code means for identifying block type comprises code means for: comparing programmatic field name of at least a current field with arrays of metadata expressions for each block type; comparing visible form elements for at least said current field with arrays of metadata expressions for each block type; and when said current field occupies a table cell, analyzing text expressions at least from first cell of said table to cell occupied by said current field.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer program product of claim 32 , wherein the code means for identifying block type further comprises code means for: when a close match is found, mapping said field to said block type.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer program product of claim 31 , wherein block type includes any of: billing address; shipping address; credit card information; and email address.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
60 words
The computer program product of claim 22 , further comprising code means for: traversing form elements in a second sequence, said second sequence a reverse of a first sequence; identifying mapping of at least a field following a current field in said second sequence; and mapping said current field based on said mapping of said field following the current field.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
69 words
The computer program product of claim 21 , wherein said code means for evaluating visible display format hints proximate said fields to determine required display format comprises code means for: traversing form elements in a first sequence; analyzing a visible display format hint proximate a field; comparing said analyzed display format hint with a dictionary of data-entry prompts; mapping said field to a display format based on said comparison.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer program product of 36 , further comprising the code means for: any of concatenating, truncating and re-formatting said correct data according to said display format.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer program product of 36 , further comprising the code means for: any of concatenating, truncating and re-formatting said correct data according to said display format.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer program product of claim 36 , further comprising code means for: for a field lacking a proximate visible display format hint, mapping current field to same display format of a preceding field if both fields are the same field type.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer program product of claim 21 , further comprising code means for: identifying a form as a checkout form.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer program product of claim 21 , further comprising code means for: masking confidential data from being displayed.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
128 words
A client-based system for filling out an electronic form automatically without previous form examination or storing of mapping information about said form, comprising: a client; at least one data file; rules for mapping visible form elements to correct data from said file; and computer-readable code means for: identifying form fields based on analysis of visible field labels proximate said fields, when said visible field labels are present; evaluating user visible display format hints proximate said fields to determine required display format; mapping the electronic form based on said analysis; and populating form fields with correct data in correct format without user intervention, according to said mapping; wherein said code means are executable on said client, and wherein said rules, and said code means are stored on said client.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
128 words
A client-based system for filling out an electronic form automatically without previous form examination or storing of mapping information about said form, comprising: a client; at least one data file; rules for mapping visible form elements to correct data from said file; and computer-readable code means for: identifying form fields based on analysis of visible field labels proximate said fields, when said visible field labels are present; evaluating user visible display format hints proximate said fields to determine required display format; mapping the electronic form based on said analysis; and populating form fields with correct data in correct format without user intervention, according to said mapping; wherein said code means are executable on said client, and wherein said rules, and said code means are stored on said client.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 41 , wherein said code means for identifying fields based on analysis of visible field labels comprises code means for: traversing form elements in a first sequence.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
97 words
The system of claim 42 , wherein said code means for identifying form fields based on analysis of visible field labels further comprises code means for any of: if a field is positioned in a table cell, analyzing text expressions in adjacent cells; analyzing a text expression within a predetermined number of words and in at least one predetermined direction from said field; based on form coordinates, examining general vicinity of said form in all directions from the field and analyzing text expression closest to said field; and disregarding text expressions embedded within parentheses or quotation marks.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 43 , wherein said code means for identifying fields based on analysis of visible field labels further comprises code means for: comparing the analyzed text expressions with entries in a field label dictionary to find closest match with a metadata expression, wherein said field is mapped to correct metadata.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 42 , further comprising code means for: when a field lacks a visible field label, mapping the field according to context.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 45 , wherein said code means for mapping the field according to context comprises code means for: identifying mapping of at least one field preceding a current field in said first sequence; and mapping said current field based on said mapping of said preceding field.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 42 , further comprising code means for: when a field lacks a visible field label, mapping the field based on analysis of a programmatic field name.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 42 , further comprising code means for: when a field lacks a visible field label, comparing the field's default value with entries in a field label dictionary to find closest match with a metadata expression, wherein said field is mapped to correct metadata.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 42 , further comprising code means for: if a field is a select field, comparing selection options with entries in a field label dictionary to find closest match with a metadata expression, wherein said field is mapped to correct metadata.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 42 , further comprising code means for: for sets of radio buttons, creating a new object for each set.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 42 , further comprising code means for: identifying block type, wherein a block comprises a plurality of related fields.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
83 words
The system of claim 51 , wherein the code means for identifying block type comprises code means for: comparing programmatic field name of at least a current field with arrays of metadata expressions for each block type; comparing visible form elements for at least said current field with arrays of metadata expressions for each block type; and when said current field occupies a table cell, analyzing text expressions at least from first cell of said table to cell occupied by said current field.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 52 , wherein the code means for identifying block type further comprises code means for: when a close match is found, mapping said field to said block type.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 51 , wherein block type includes any of: billing address; shipping address; credit card information; and email address.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system claim 42 , further comprising code means for: traversing form elements in a second sequence, said second sequence a reverse of a first sequence; identifying mapping of at least a field following a current field in said second sequence; and mapping said current field based on said mapping of said field following the current field.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system of claim 41 , wherein said code means for evaluating visible display format hints proximate said fields to determine required display format comprises code means for: traversing form elements in a first sequence; analyzing a visible display format hint proximate a field; comparing said analyzed display format hint with a dictionary of data-entry prompts; mapping said field to a display format based on said comparison.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
24 words
The system of 56 , further comprising code means for: any of concatenating, truncating and re-formatting said correct data according to said display format.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
24 words
The system of 56 , further comprising code means for: any of concatenating, truncating and re-formatting said correct data according to said display format.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 56 , further comprising code means for: for a field lacking a proximate visible display format hint, mapping current field to same display format of a preceding field if both fields are the same field type.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 41 , further comprising code means for: identifying a form as a checkout form.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 41 , further comprising code means for: masking confidential data from being displayed.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 41 , wherein said data file resides on said client or on a server.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5619635A
Cited
EP0585073A2
Cited
EP0585074A2
Cited
US5642522A
Cited
US5815657A
Cited
US6016484A
Cited
US6028938A
Cited
US20020032699A1
Cited
EP1170926A2
Cited
US5794259A
Cited
US6304915B1
Cited
US6341353B1
Cited
US6282522B1
Cited
US5899980A
Cited
US5960411A
Cited
US6101482A
Cited
US6105008A
Cited
EP0917119A2
Cited
EP0917120A2
Cited
US6199079B1
Cited
EP0949595A2
Cited
US6192380B1
Cited
US6421693B1
Cited
US6199762B1
Cited
US6345256B1
Cited
US6499042B1
Cited
US20020013788A1
Cited
US6236972B1
Cited
US6260024B1
Cited
US6499041B1
Cited
WO2000052900A1
Cited
US20010027439A1
Cited
EP1077419A2
Cited
EP1085443A2
Cited
WO2001045022A2
Cited
WO2001039031A2
Cited
US20020178062A1
Cited
EP1168264A2
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-12-08 | 2007-06-09 | 2007-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-12-08 | 2011-06-09 | 2011-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-12-08 | 2015-06-09 | 2015-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |