Method and System for Formation of Electronic Documents

Abstract

A method and system for creation of customized documents over a network as well as for negotiation of contents for documents over a network (e.g., Internet) are disclosed. In one aspect, professional documents can be created in an automated manner. In another aspect, negotiation of documents (or their contents) can be performed in an automated manner. In either case, the customization and/or negotiation is efficient, cost-effective and useful.

1 . A computer-implemented method for producing a customized document using a network, said method comprising:
 receiving, from a local machine, a customization request to customize a document template at a server machine, the server machine being coupleable to the local machine via the network;   retrieving, at the server machine, an interview question set for the selected document template;   sending the interview question set to the local machine where questions from the interview question set are able to be presented;   receiving, at the server machine, answers to the questions of the interview question set;   performing expert processes to produce a customized document based on the selected document template and the answers; and   transmitting the customized document to the local machine or other machine via the network.   
     
     
         2 . A computer-implemented method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the customized document has a non-editable format, such that as received from the server machine the customized document is useable by not alterable. 
     
     
         3 . A computer-implemented method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said performing the expert processes are computer implemented and operate on the server machine. 
     
     
         4 . A computer-implemented method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one the answers are used to select from available alternative portions associated with the selected document template. 
     
     
         5 . A computer-implemented method as recited in  claim 1 ,
 wherein said selecting of the document template to be customized operates to select a document package,   wherein said performing the expert processes operate to produce a plurality of related customized documents based on the selected document package and the answers.   
     
     
         6 . A computer-implemented method for producing a customized document using a network, said method comprising:
 receiving a customization request for an electronic document, the customization request including or associating to customization data;   determining a template document based on the customization request;   obtaining a command set for use by an application program; and   producing a customized electronic document from the template document in accordance with at least a portion of the customization data by using the command set operating on the application program.   
     
     
         7 . A computer-implemented method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the customized electronic document is a completed electronic form. 
     
     
         8 . A computer-implemented method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the customization request is initiated by a requestor, and
 wherein said method comprises:
 sending the customized electronic document to the requestor via the network. 
   
     
     
         9 . A computer-implemented method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the customization data results from answers to an interview question set. 
     
     
         10 . A computer-implemented method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the customization request is initiated by a requestor, and
 wherein the customization data results from answers by the requestor to an interview question set.   
     
     
         11 . A computer-implemented method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the command set being obtained corresponds to the template document. 
     
     
         12 . A computer-implemented method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein different template documents have different command sets corresponding thereto. 
     
     
         13 . A computer-implemented method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the customized electronic document has a non-editable format, such that the customized electronic document is useable but not alterable by a recipient. 
     
     
         14 . A computer-implemented method as recited in  claim 6 ,
 wherein the template document pertains to a plurality of different electronic documents, and   wherein said producing produces a set of customized electronic documents from the template document.   
     
     
         15 . A method for enhancing functionality of a server coupled to a network, said method comprising:
 operating the server to receive a request for a file from a requestor;   linking an application program to the web server;   operating the application program in accordance with a command set to produce a processed file; and   returning the processed file to the requestor.   
     
     
         16 . A method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said operating of the application program operates to produce the processed file in accordance with requestor information associated with the request. 
     
     
         17 . A method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the command set is a macro or a program executable by the application program. 
     
     
         18 . A method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said returning of the processed file comprises placing the processed file in a non-alterable format.