Abstract:
An interactive electronic method for selecting and ordering subsections of a form has a user aspect that includes accessing a database housing a record containing at least one form that includes a plurality of subsections and indicia relating to the form and the subsections. At least a portion of the indicia are viewed, from which at least one of the subsections are chosen, if desired, by selecting the related indicia. When the selections are complete, the chosen subsection is ordered, and the user receives an electronic file containing an automatically assembled, unitary document incorporating the ordered subsection. The provider&#39;s aspect includes electronically offering and delivering the form subsections to the user by providing an electronic interface between a user and the database, permitting the user to choose and order a subsection, assembling the ordered subsection into a unitary document, and delivering the unitary document electronically to the user.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of and incorporates by reference co-pending application Ser. No. 60/372,749, filed Apr. 15, 2002, which is commonly owned with the present invention and which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to systems and methods for customizing and ordering forms, and, more particularly, to such systems and methods for electronically creating and printing a desired form from a network.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0005]    Printed or electronically stored forms may comprise a plurality of individual sections. In the area of testing, such individual sections are referred to as subtests. Although tests comprising a plurality of subtests may be designed for delivery in their totality, it is also known in the art for test deliverers to elect to excise one or more subtests for delivery to a student/patient/client.  
           [0006]    It is also known in the art to order forms such as tests electronically, such as over the Internet, and systems and methods for online ordering are also well known in the art. When ordering, however, the customer is typically forced to order and pay for full forms, even if only a part of the form is desired. This can lead to a particular problem for vendors of printed material, which is illicit photocopying of copyrighted materials, which obviously impacts profitability.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention provides a system and method for electronically providing access to subsections of a form, and for electronically selecting and ordering one or more subsections of one or more forms. Further, a system and method are provided for electronically verifying user authorization to order a selected subsection of a form, as well as for formatting and printing the selected and ordered form subsections. In addition, form subsection orders may be tracked and reported on.  
           [0008]    These systems and methods provide a method of doing business over a network such as the Internet, and for building a user interface for electronically providing access to, selecting, and ordering one or more subsections of a form.  
           [0009]    The present invention thus comprises an interactive system and method for electronically selecting and ordering subsections of a form. The user&#39;s aspect of the method comprises the steps of accessing a database that contains a record comprising at least one form, the form comprising a plurality of subsections. The record further comprises indicia relating to the form and the subsections thereof. At least a portion of the indicia are viewed, from which at least one of the subsections are chosen, if desired, by selecting the indicia relating thereto.  
           [0010]    When all the selections a user desires are made, the subsection for which the indicia relating thereto was selected is ordered, and the user receives an electronic file containing an automatically assembled unitary document containing the chosen and ordered subsection.  
           [0011]    The provider&#39;s aspect of the present invention includes a method for electronically offering and delivering the form subsections to the user. This embodiment comprises the step of providing an electronic interface between a user and a database comprising at least one form comprising a plurality of subsections, the interface having means for permitting the user to select and order at least one subsection. The method further comprises the steps of assembling the chosen and ordered subsections into a unitary document and delivering the unitary document electronically to the user.  
           [0012]    The system of the present invention comprises the hardware and software for achieving the above-recited methods. The hardware comprises a processor at a central site and a database accessible by the processor, the database having stored therein the form and subsections thereof. Means are provided for establishing electronic communication between the processor and a network such as the Internet.  
           [0013]    The software of the present invention, which is installable on the processor, comprises means for enabling the above-recited method steps.  
           [0014]    A method of doing business over a network is also provided, which includes a method for electronically offering, receiving payment for, and delivering form subsections to the user. This method comprises the step of providing an electronic interface between a user and a database comprising at least one form comprising a plurality of subsections, the interface having means for permitting the user to select and order at least one subsection. The method further comprises the step of assembling the chosen and ordered subsections into a unitary document, requesting and receiving payment electronically for the unitary document, and delivering the assembled document electronically to the user.  
           [0015]    The features that characterize the invention, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description used in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. It is to be expressly understood that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. These and other objects attained, and advantages offered, by the present invention will become more fully apparent as the description that now follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a schematic system diagram of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIGS. 2A, 2B is a flow chart for the user sector of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is an exemplary screen for selecting subtests for order.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is an exemplary screen for subtest selection and ordering.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is an exemplary screen for finalizing and titling an order.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is an exemplary screen for recalling a previously stored order.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a flow chart for the administrative sector of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]    A description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be presented with reference to FIGS.  1 - 7 .  
         [0024]    The system  10  (FIG. 1) and exemplary methods  100 ,  200  of the present invention are directed to providing for a selection and ordering of at least one subsection of a prepared form wherein the form subsections are intended to be coherent, self-contained, and substantially immutable. In the particular example of a test  11  comprising a plurality of subtests  11   a,    11   b,  . . . , additional control is desired to be exercised against unauthorized access to the test  11 , against tampering with the test&#39;s contents to prevent misuse, and against misapplication of full test data to any subsection(s) thereof.  
         [0025]    The system  10  comprises a processor  13  at a central site  14  and a database  15  accessible by the processor  13 . The database  15  has stored therein a plurality of tests  11 ,  11 ′,  11 ″, . . . , metadata associated therewith, subtests  11   a,    11   b,  . . . ,  11   a′ ,  11   b′ , . . . thereof, metadata associated therewith, and registered customer information. A communication device  16  provides electronic communication between the processor  13  and a network such as the Internet  17  for providing user communications, for example. A software package  18  is resident on the processor  13  for performing the functions of the invention to be described in the following.  
         [0026]    A link is also provided for administrative (non-user) functions, such as building and maintaining the user interface established by the software package  18  and for collecting data on user interactions. Such a link may comprise, for example, an internal electronic communications line  20  between an administrative processor  21  and the central site processor  13 . Alternatively, an administrative processor  22  may also reside off-site  23 , with communications then established again over the Internet  17 . In either case the software package  18  would further comprise means for performing desired administrative functions such as those that will be described in the following.  
         [0027]    A user desiring to access the system  10  will typically access the Internet  17  via a user processor  24  housed at a user site  25  remote from the central site  14  via, for example, a modem  26  or other link known in the art, including a wireless link. Exemplary peripheral devices such as a display  26 , keyboard  27 , pointing device  28 , and printer  29  are all in electronic communication with the user processor  24 , by means well known in the art.  
         [0028]    It will be understood that alternate configurations and communications protocols are also intended to be embraced by the present invention and that no limitations are intended by the above-described hardware and software configurations.  
         [0029]    A first embodiment of a method  100  of the present invention (FIGS. 2A, 2B) is for permitting a user to electronically select and order subsections of a form, such as subtests  11   a,    11   b,  . . . of a test  11  in this exemplary embodiment, interactively and dynamically, to form a “cross-battery” record form. The method comprises the steps of accessing a network such as the Internet (block  101 ) and calling up a website hosted by a purveyor of tests  11  (block  102 ). A choice is offered (block  103 ) to enter the site as a new customer (block  104 ) or an established customer (block  105 ).  
         [0030]    If the user is a new customer, identification and registration information is requested to be established (block  106 ), such as a user ID and password. In addition, qualification information is requested (block  107 ) for the purpose of authorizing the purchase of tests  11 . In a particular embodiment for ordering psychological instruments, for example, one level a three-tiered qualification would be associated with each test, requiring (A) no additional requirement, (B) a Master&#39;s level degree in psychology or education or the equivalent in a related field with relevant training in assessment, and (C) a PhD-level degree in psychology or education or the equivalent in a related field with relevant training in assessment. Further qualification information may include, but is not intended to be limited to, authorization to submit a purchase order from an organization.  
         [0031]    Upon verification and entry into the customer sector of the database  15  (block  108 ), the new user is notified, such as via email (block  109 ), of their approval, and the new user is then able to access the system  10  (block  101 ) and proceed into the test-selection and order-placement phase at the appropriate level of test  11 . The verification and notification steps are at present contemplated to be performed by customer service personnel; however, it will be understood by one of skill in the art that, given access to electronic records on customer qualification, these steps could in future be automated and performed completely electronically.  
         [0032]    If the user is a registered customer, a sign-in process is initiated, such as by requesting an identification and password (block  110 ). The entered data are compared with the customer sector of the database  15  (block  111 ). If the data are not validated, a message is sent of an invalid ID (block  112 ), and the user may try again (block  113 ) or request their password to be sent to them (block  114 ) for subsequent system entry. If the entered data are valid as belonging to an authorized user, the login process is successful, a screen  30  (FIG. 3) is presented to permit the user to select (block  115 ) from full assessments  31 , subtests  32 , and previously stored customized tests  33 . If the full assessment selection is made, the user may order from a list of full tests (block  116 ). If the subtest selection  32  is made, the user is presented with a screen  34  (FIG. 4) that has a drop-down menu  35 . A selection of a full assessment  11  from the drop-down menu  35  (block  117 ) causes a display of a list  36  of all the subtests  11   a,    11   b,  . . . in the selected full assessment. The user can choose to view information about a subtest by selecting the “?”  37  on the screen  34 , examine the subtest by selecting the magnifying glass  38 , or order the subtest by selecting the pointing hand  39  (block  118 ).  
         [0033]    A selected subtest  11   a  is then added to a purchasing list  40  (block  119 ). An item appearing on this list  40  may also be removed therefrom by selecting the pencil eraser symbol  41  next to the list  40 . The order may then be completed (block  120 ) by proceeding to screen  42  (FIG. 5), wherein the user may entitle  43 , preview  44 , save  45 , and order multiple copies of  46  the customized test. The preview  44  preferably comprises a display on the user&#39;s display device  26  of the order; however, the subtest contents will not be displayed, in order to prevent unauthorized copying from the browser. The purchase total  47  appears, and the user may then complete the purchase  48 , using an accepted payment method such as credit card or purchase order (block  121 ). If using a credit card, approval is sought (block  122 ); if declined, a message is sent to the user (block  123 ), who can try again (block  124 ) or cancel (block  125 ). If approved, a confirmatory message is sent (block  126 ).  
         [0034]    If the order is approved, the order is electronically assembled (block  127 ) and sent to the user&#39;s printer  29  (block  128 ) or saved electronically on the user&#39;s system in a nonreproducible form for subsequent printout in the order selected. The print function is also verified (block  129 ) to ensure proper delivery to the user.  
         [0035]    The purchased subsections are preferably assembled and delivered to the user in unitary form, as a unitary document, which has the appearance of a coherent document, rather than a collection of unrelated subtests cut and pasted together. The related information for each selected and ordered subtest  11   a  accompanies the subtest  11   a  itself, such as copyright information and administration directions. A cover and table of contents are created based upon the user&#39;s selections.  
         [0036]    If anything less than a complete test  11  is selected and ordered, the scoring information provided to the user does not include normative data, demographic information, or scoring pages, as these elements are in the present embodiment appropriate only for a complete test  11 . In this case a disclaimer is displayed to the user to indicate that the test  11  was intended to be delivered in toto, and that it cannot be scored using normative data. If a complete test  11  is selected and ordered, the entire assessment record form is printed, including demographic and summary information.  
         [0037]    As indicated above, the system  10  also has the capability of storing user information in the customer sector of the database  15  (block  130 ) to minimize user reentry upon subsequent orders. In this way, a repeat order of the same subtest assembly (block  131 ) is made easier when accessing screen  30  (FIG. 3) and selecting the button  33  for retrieving previously stored customized tests, which displays screen  50  (FIG. 6).  
         [0038]    A drop-down menu  51  of previously stored tests is displayed, the selection of one of which (block  132 ) causes a display of the components  52  thereof, which may be edited if desired (block  133 ). Order finalization then proceeds as above (block  120 ).  
         [0039]    Links are also provided to other aspects of the purveyor&#39;s website, such as a “home”page, customer support, and an “FAQ” (frequently asked questions) page.  
         [0040]    Another aspect of the present invention includes a method  200  for electronically offering and delivering a selected and ordered document to a user, and for performing attendant administrative and reporting functions on the purveyor side (FIG. 7). This method  200  comprises establishing an electronic interface, for example, a website, between a user and the database  15  comprising the at least one test  11  comprising a plurality of subtests  11   a,    11   b,  . . . (block  201 ). The interface preferably comprises a series of website screens such as described above in method  100 , and the method  200  thus includes performing the attendant validation, authentication, and qualification functions, which will not be repeated here.  
         [0041]    Additional administrative steps include various maintenance and reporting functionalities carried out in communication between an administrator at administrative processor  21 , 22  and the central site processor  13 . For example, the administrator logs on to the system  10  (block  202 ) and, if verified (block  203 ), is presented with choices (block  204 ) of administrative functions to perform.  
         [0042]    If it is chosen to edit a test  11 , the selected test  11  is accessed from the database  15  and presented to the administrator for the desired editing (block  205 ). If it is chosen to add a new subtest  11   a  to a test  11 , the selected test  11  is accessed from the database  15  and presented to the administrator, and the administrator adds the new subtest  11   a  (block  206 ). If it is chosen to edit a subtest  11   a,  the selected subtest  11   a  is accessed from the database  15  and presented to the administrator for the desired editing (block  207 ). The administrator may also choose to view and/or update customer data (block  208 ), which entails accessing the customer sector of the database  15  and editing the appropriate data. Similarly, the administrator can validate a new customer and send approval notification (block  209 ). The administrator can also edit the FAQ screen (block  210 ) by changing an extant item, add a new item, or delete an item. Finally, the administrator can request a report, select the items for reporting, and perform other spreadsheet functions such as known in the art (block  211 ). As an example, a timing function can operate to track orders; for example, a sales report may be generated once a day or at some other desired interval and automatically sent to a list of administrative personnel. As is well known in the art, such sales data can be sorted by any desired criterion, such as total number of orders, orders broken down by subtest, or revenue. Another type of reporting function includes tracking copyright and royalty information, to ensure, respectively, updating of copyright information and proper payment of test authors, for example.  
         [0043]    It may be appreciated by one skilled in the art that additional embodiments may be contemplated, including the use for selecting and ordering different types of prepared forms.  
         [0044]    In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for description purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the embodiments of the system and method illustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details disclosed herein.  
         [0045]    Having now described the invention, the construction, the operation and use of preferred embodiment thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby, the new and useful constructions, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.