Abstract:
A dynamic, intelligent user interface for an on-line, virtual application whereby user input customizes the subsequent display of application data and queries presented to the user/applicant. The present invention includes a facility for intelligent editing, data state presentation, and error flagging and correction. In one embodiment of the present invention, the intelligent user interface is implemented as part of a series of dynamically generated web pages (a form set) presented to a user of an ecommerce Internet web site. This presentation is in the form of a collection of tabbed panes of data, the selected pane being displayed on a web page, wherein each pane contains one or more pages of data and queries. This organization and presentation of the virtual application provides re-entrant editing; error trapping, flagging, and correction; and easy navigation from sub-pane to sub-pane (page to page) within each pane and from pane to pane using the tabs and conventional browser Back and Forward button functionality.

Description:
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the patent and trademark office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to computers and, more particularly, to computer-implemented systems for interfacing with application forms over on Internet or intranet. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Computer systems are routinely used to generate insurance quotes based on information provided by the insured. The information that is provided by the insured varies depending on both the subject of the insurance policy to be underwritten and the type of coverage desired. For instance, in the case of automobile insurance the information provided by the insured includes information about the vehicle or vehicles to be covered under the policy, the driver or drivers to be covered under the policy, and the type of coverage requested by the insured. 
     Since insurance quotes are typically based on statistical data which is correlated to the information provided by the insured, computers can greatly reduce the time and expense associated with generating insurance quotes. In particular, computer quoting systems allow insurance agents to provide accurate quotes to potential clients in a matter of minutes by inputting the client&#39;s information into the system and automatically generating quotes based on the information provided by the client. 
     The increasing popularity of the Internet and the World Wide Web (the web) have led to the development of automated insurance quoting systems that are accessible directly over the web. Operation of one such system is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In automated insurance quoting operation  100  of  FIG. 1 , a computer program is first executed in stage  110 , whereby information is collected from a user of a client computer connected to a server computer via the Internet. The information collected in stage  110  varies accordingly to the type of insurance quote requested by the user (e.g., automobile, homeowner, life, health) and may include information about the user (e.g., name, address, date of birth), information about the subject of the insurance policy to be underwritten (e.g., automobile information for auto insurance, medical history for health insurance) and information about the type of coverage requested (e.g., deductible amount, maximum liability). In stage  120 , the computer program evaluates the information provided by the user and generates a number of insurance quotes by comparing the information provided by the user with insurance rate information provided by insurance carriers. 
     A quote pad page is then presented to the user in stage  130 . The quote pad page contains information about both on-line and off-line quotes available to the user. On-line quotes can be presented directly to the user by the computer program, while off-line quotes are sent to the user by alternate means such as e-mail or regular mail at a later time. In stage  150 , the user elects whether to receive off-line quotes, in which case operation  100  proceeds to stage  152 . Otherwise, if the user elects to receive on-line quotes, operation  100  proceeds to stage  190 . 
     In addition, during stage  130 , the user can opt to save the information already entered for use at a later time by accessing an account creation page in stage  140 . 
     In stage  152 , off-line quoting, the user enters additional personal contact information. Stage  154  then determines whether any agents are able to provide a quote to the user, in which case operation  100  proceeds to stage  160 ; otherwise operation  100  proceeds to stage  170 . In stage  160 , an agent selection page is presented to the user. The user then selects an agent from whom to receive an off-line quote. The user information is then sent to the selected agent who, in turn, sends a quote to the user, typically, by mail. 
     In case the user elects to receive on-line quotes from companies that do not require agents to present quotes, a page displaying the quote details is presented to the user in stage  190 . If the user then elects to request coverage, personal contact information is entered by the user in stage  195  and forwarded to the quoting insurance company for further processing of the insurance application. Operation  100  then proceeds to stage  170 . 
     Finally, in stage  170 , a thank you page is presented to the user summarizing the quotes presented and providing the user with a further option for storing the information entered by accessing the account creation page in stage  180 . 
     This system, however, presents some limitations. The process used in the prior art to fill out the application is essentially linear, and this has caused some confusion among applicants and users of the system who want to make changes in information already entered. Specifically, those wishing to comparison shop for insurance covering a variety of situations (for example, different drivers or cars on an automobile policy or different residence locations on a homeowners policy) have been frustrated by having to re-enter all or part of the information required in the application. 
     Furthermore, the common convenience of the “Back” and “Forward” buttons (provided in all well-known Internet browsers) generally does not function properly when filling in on-line forms. Information is often lost when attempting to use the Back and Forward buttons to navigate within a multi-page virtual (on-line) form, particularly when using so-called “secure” forms such as those commonly employed in on-line ecommerce transactions. 
     What is needed is an intelligent on-line application form set that automatically configures itself, the questions it asks, and the data it displays in response to user/applicant input. Such an intelligent on-line application must also properly trap and handle user errors. Such trapping should include alert the user in a timely manner and provide an easy way to correct all errors. 
     Such an intelligent application would better personalize the on-line application process. It should allow easy navigation between arbitrary web pages and/or sections of the virtual application, including conventional use of browser Back and Forward navigation button functions. 
     SUMMARY  
     A dynamic, intelligent user interface for an on-line (virtual) application whereby user input customizes the subsequent display of application data and queries presented to the user/applicant. The present invention includes, in some embodiments, a facility for intelligent editing, data state presentation, and error flagging and correction. In one embodiment of the present invention, the intelligent user interface is implemented as part of a series of dynamically generated web pages (a form set) presented to a user to an ecommerce Internet web site. This presentation is in the form of a collection of tabbed panes of data, the top-most selected pane being displayed on a web page, wherein each pane contains one or more pages of data and queries. This organization and presentation of the virtual application provides a means for re-entrant editing; error trapping, flagging, and correction; and easy navigation from sub-pane to sub-pane (page to page) within each pane and from pane to pane using the tabs and conventional browser Back and Forward button functionality. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure may be better understood and its numerous features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a flow diagram of the operation of a prior art automated insurance quoting system. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are a high-level schematic view of a client-server computer system according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2C and 2D  illustrate the operation of a computer system according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of a web browser displayed page according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are state diagram of a virtual application process according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a screen shot of the Start pane of an intelligent user interface according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 , and  16  are screen shots of the various panes and sub-panes of an intelligent user interface according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a screen shot of a pane containing a flagged error according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a screen shot of a pane containing a flagged error according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a high-level flowchart of a representative virtual automobile insurance application, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     Introduction 
     One implementation of a computer system according to an embodiment of the invention is described in  FIGS. 2A and 2D .  FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate a client computer  200  executing a web browser program connected to a server computer  210  over a global network  220  such as the Internet and/or the web.  FIG. 2B  illustrates the logical structure of the hardware and software of client computer  200 . In  FIG. 2B , a web browser program such as Internet Explorer 5.0, available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond Wash., or Netscape Navigator® 4.0, available from Netscape Communications Corp. of Mountain View, Calif., is shown executing on top of an operation system such as Windows95®, Windows98®, Windows NT® 4.0, available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond Wash., or MacOS™ 8.5, available from Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino Calif. The operating system is, in turn, executing on top of the actual hardware of client computer  200  ( FIG. 2A ). 
       FIGS. 2C and 2D  illustrate the operation of the software program executed by server computer  210 . As shown in  FIG. 2C , a user accesses the automated insurance quoting system by first requesting the “home page” of the automated insurance quoting service via client computer  200  connected to server computer  210 . An executable program  230  running on server computer  210  then retrieves a hypertext template (HTT) file  240 , also stored on the server computer, and one or more conditional merge files  250 . Conditional merge files  250  store information such as individual insurance companies&#39; value propositions or state-specific or partner-specific information that is dependent on other data previously entered by the consumer that may vary within an HTT file  240 . 
     Executable program  230 , HTT file  240 , and conditional merge files  250  are protected by means of a network firewall installed on server computer  200  to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information such as insurance rating information. Executable program  230  then merges HTT file  240  and merge files  250  to generate processed HTML document  260 , which is then displayed on a screen of client computer  200 . 
       FIG. 2D  illustrates how the user accesses additional pages in a similar manner to the manner shown in  FIG. 2C . 
     MacOS is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., Windows95, Windows98 and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., Netscape and Netscape Navigator are registered trademarks of Netscape Communications Corp. of Mountain View, Calif. 
     The enhanced intelligent user interface for on-line requests or applications of the present invention consists of several elements, including a virtual application and a database. The virtual application is actually a set of logical forms, where each logical form presents information to and queries the user (i.e., the applicant for services or the requestor of data and/or products) for certain input information. These logical forms are comprised of hypertext template files and conditional merge files that are processed as described above to produce an HTML document that is displayed to the user in a conventional browser window. The database, which is not directly presented, contains both the information input by the user and error checking parameters used to determine if the user has mis-entered or failed to enter data. The database, which may be any conventional database including but not limited to computer codes for the generation of dynamic web pages using a mixture of static and dynamic data elements, provides the text and graphics (if any) used to query the user for information in each logical form. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the database and other elements of the software program executed by server computer  210  are written in the C++ programming language. One of ordinary skill in the art of course recognizes that other programming languages, including but not limited to Java and hypertext markup language (HTML) may be used. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to any one form of programming or hypertext markup language. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the virtual application is presented by the intelligent user interface as a web page containing a number of tabbed panes.  FIG. 3  shows an example of such a presentation. Web page  310 , as displayed by a conventional web browser, consists of displayed pane  320  and its corresponding tab  322 . Each pane represents a logical form within the virtual application. Also displayed are tabs  332 ,  342 ,  352 , and  362 , each corresponding to a different logical form pane in the set of logical forms that define the entire virtual application. 
     The display also includes quasi-static elements  370 - 373 , which do not necessarily vary with changes in the displayed pane. For example, advertising banner  371  may be static, animated, or variable depending on user information as conventionally seen in the web art. 
     Each tabbed pane may require several browser screens of data to present the necessary queries and information relating to the logical form. Each screen or frame of data is referred to here as a sub-pane. A “Continue” button  380  (where present) prompts the user to step to the next sub-pane of information in the logical form. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, tabs  322 ,  332 ,  342 ,  352 , and  362  and the Continue button  380  are all associated with hyperlinks that cause the display of a new data in displayed pane  320 . One of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate that this new display may be performed by any of several well-known web programming techniques, including but not limited to framing displayed pane  320  or another sub-pane of displayed pane  320  within web page  310  or rendering an entirely new web page  310  containing a new sub-pane and some or all of the quasi-static elements  370 - 373  previously displayed. 
     Not only are the queries and information in each pane and sub-pane of a logical form dynamically determined based on user input information, but the tabs themselves (both the quantity of panes and the name of each pane) can be self-configuring based on the user input. For example, in a case where the virtual application is an on-line application for auto insurance, the applicant&#39;s state of residence is used to determine if one or more affinity discounts may be available. Accordingly, once the applicant enters his or her state of residence in the appropriate logical form, the process determines if an affinity discount is available in that state and displays a new tab (and thus a link to a new logical form pane) entitled, in one embodiment of the present invention, “Discounts.” Selection of the Discounts tab will then display a new pane containing information and/or queries to determine applicant eligibility for a discount. 
     Although pane navigation tabs are described as located on the top edge of the pane, those skilled in the art will realize that such tabs may be placed anywhere within displayed web page  310 . In particular, but without limitation, tabs may be placed along any outer edge (top, bottom, or either side, or any combination thereof) of displayed pane  320 . Additionally, tabs may be displayed on any inner edge of combination of inner edges of web page  310 , all of which placements are commonly known and used in the web arts. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to any particular type of tab placement. 
     Furthermore, while a tab iconography is described herein, one of ordinary skill in the art can readily set that any number of icons or symbols representing a one-of-many selection, such as exclusive check boxes or radio buttons, may also be employed instead of or in combination with the presently described tabs. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to any particular type of tab iconography. 
       FIG. 4  shows a state diagram representing the progress of an applicant/user through a virtual automobile insurance application according to some embodiments of the present invention. (For clarity of presentation,  FIG. 4  is split into two parts,  4 A and  4 B). 
     The process begins from the default (Start) page  410 . The user either retrieves his or her previously stored information as a returning (existing) user  412  or logs in  414 . The login process  414  for new users includes display of the State pane and querying the user for state of residence information. 
     If an existing user is returning to complete an application (or to continue comparison shopping for quotes), the driver summary sub-pane  420  (within the Driver(s) pane form set) is displayed. The user may either delete a driver  422 , add or change driver information  425 , or proceed to the vehicle information form set  430  or  435  (further discussed below). 
     If there is no previous driver information in the system, as in the case of a new user, the initial Driver(s) pane  425  is displayed and the user is queried to enter his or her driver information. Once all driver information is successfully entered, the driver summary sub-pane  420  is displayed. If supplemental information on a driver is needed, a driver supplement sub-pane (or panes)  427  is displayed. 
     When the user selects the Continue button from the driver summary sub-pane  420  (or if the “Vehicle” tab is selected), the vehicle summary sub-pane  435  is displayed if information on at least one vehicle is found in the database. The user then has the opportunity to delete a vehicle  427 , add or change vehicle information  433  or proceed to the coverages pane  440 . 
     If no vehicle information is in the database (i.e., it is the first time that the user has reached this part of the application process), the vehicle lookup sub-pane  430  is displayed to query the user for type of vehicle. This process is iterative for however many vehicles the user wishes to insure. Specific vehicle information (e.g., model year, and accessories) is queried in Vehicle sub-pane(s)  433 . 
     The Coverages tab and associated pane  440  allows the user to select from a variety of offered insurance coverage for the driver(s) and vehicle(s) specified. However, if the user&#39;s selections and supplied information do not match the offerings of any company, a “Sorry” message  442  is displayed. At this point, the user can either exit to the “Thank You” sub-pane  499  or select additional companies and/or activate a QuoteWatch feature that monitors changes in insurance company offerings for products that match the user&#39;s needs. The latter choice provides a list of resources  450  to the user and supports printing  452  of that list. 
     Returning to Coverages pane  440 , several other possible conditions must be considered. If the user is in a state that affords affinity discounts, the Discounts tab  444  is displayed and the user is queried for discount eligibility according to his or her membership in certain enumerated affinity groups, such as those listed in  FIG. 14 . This process is iterative for all affinity groups to which the user may belong. When the user chooses to leave the affinity Discount pane, or if the user does not belong to any of the listed affinity groups, the process displays a list of companies offering insurance products matching the user&#39;s needs  446  or the Sorry message  442 . 
     Depending on whether the user selects companies offering on-line quotes or off-line quoting companies (or no companies at all), the process next displays either quote pad  460  or Thank You sub-pane  499 . From quote pad  460 , the user may either view quote details  462  or conclude the process at Thank You sub-pane  499 . The user viewing quote details  462  may also choose to enter sufficient personal information  464  to “Instant Buy” (purchase) the selected insurance coverage on-line  466 . 
     Prior Art On-line Applications 
     Several on-line applications are currently available, including those of InsWeb Corp., QuickenInsurance sm , eCoverage, esurance, Quicken.com, E-LOAN, and Amazon.com. While several offer graphical elements that look like tabs for triggering hyperlinks to other pages, questions, or data presentation relative to an on-line application for a service, all lack the enhanced user navigation capability provided by the present invention. In particular, while some application data state is preserved from page to page, the prior art lacks the ability to support arbitrary re-entry of application panes and sub-panes, dynamic pane and sub-pane customization dependant on user input, and real-time error flagging and guided user correction. 
     Representative Embodiment: Auto Insurance Virtual Application 
     Although a virtual automobile insurance application is described, those skilled in the art will realize that virtual applications other than those for auto insurance or even insurance can be created according to the presently disclosed invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to any particular type of insurance application or to applications for a service at all. Virtual, on-line applications for apparatus, product, or materials fabrication or delivery, as well as requests for any type of service to be performed are all equally within the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 5  shows a web page  510  containing the default or “Start” pane  520  of a virtual application for auto insurance coverage from an on-line insurance quote system such as that offered by InsWeb Corporation. There are eight tabs  522 ,  532 ,  542 ,  552 ,  562 ,  572 ,  582 , and  592  in the auto insurance virtual application: Start, State, Drivers, Vehicles, Usage, Discounts, Coverage, and Quotes (respectively). With the exception of the Discounts tab  572 , all the tabs will appear at the top of the page while the user is in the auto application. The functionality of the Discounts tab  572  is discussed below. 
     Each form set in the auto insurance virtual application is associated with a specific tab and therefore displayed in a separate pane. In the example of  FIG. 5 , the form set for the start tab is small and is completely displayed in pane  520 . The rest of web page  510  (i.e., other than the tabs and pane  520 ) consists of quasi-static elements such as sweepstakes advertisement  571 , Trust.e certificate  572 , legal and copyright notice  573 , and promotion  574 . 
     As can be seen from this example, the pane and its associated form set can be of any physical size relative to the displayed web page. Here, Start pane  520  is a small subset of the area of web page  510 . As will be seen in the examples that follow, a pane may also consume of all of the area of web page  510  and, in addition, requires several sub-panes each also filling web page  510  in order to present the complete form set for that pane. 
       FIGS. 6 through 16  show the panes corresponding with each tab, and (where applicable) the sub-panes used to display and gather additional information, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Multiple sub-panes are provided for some of the longer form sets; see, e.g.,  FIGS. 9 ,  11 , and  13 . 
     Dynamic Tabs 
     Affinity discounts are currently only available in certain “affinity” states. Therefore, users (also referred to as consumers) in non-affinity states do not need to see the Discounts tab. The Discounts tab is dynamically controlled so that it only appears to user/applicants who are in affinity states. Since the process cannot determine the Policy State (i.e., the geopolitical, as opposed to logical, state in which the policy will be issued) until the State pane has been completed, the process cannot show the Discounts tab to any users until after the State page is displayed and completed. 
     Procedurally, the decision logic behind the dynamic display of the Discount tab, and indeed any tab whose appearance is determined by user input or action, is as follows:
         1. Do not display the Discounts tab on the Start or State pages.   2. If the consumer selects an affinity state on the State page (i.e., in the State pane), include the Discounts tab on all subsequent pages where the tab navigation bar is displayed.   3. If the consumer selects a non-affinity state on the State page, do NOT display the Discounts tab on subsequent pages.   4. If the consumer clicks on the Continue button or Returning User button on the Start page, evaluate the state the consumer previously selected on the State page to determine whether or not the Discount tab will be shown.   5. This affinity state verification process should occur every time a consumer changes the criteria used, to determine the Discount Tabs presence. This ensures proper performance if the consumer changes their Policy State multiple times during the same shopping session.   6. If the consumer changes from a state that had affinity programs to a state that has no affinity programs, whatever affinity group data the consumer previously entered should be discarded.   7. If the consumer changes from a state that had no affinity programs to a state that has affinity programs, the new tab will appear and the consumer will proceed through the page in the normal course of events. Do not force the consumer to the Discounts page via error processing because this particular set of data is optional.   8. If the consumer remains in the same state but InsWeb has added a Discount tab in that state, the process will behave as if the consumer changed to a state that has affinity programs.   9. If the consumer remains in the same state but InsWeb has removed the discount tab in that state, the process will behave as if the consumer changed to a state that does not have affinity programs.   10. If the consumer remains in the same state but InsWeb has added or deleted affinity group programs from that state, without changing whether or not the tab appears, the consumer will not be forced to go back to the Discounts pane as the page is optional and any groups that no longer apply to this user would have been discarded.
 
Tab Navigation
       

     Tabs do not provide true random access to information; access is still constrained somewhat by linearity of the application process as driven by its internal data dependencies. However, tabs will allow the user much more flexibility in navigation once the core information is provided. In general, a user cannot access a tab if they have not successfully completed all previous tabs but the user can access tabs that have already been successfully completed. 
     Table 1 describes possible tab states for each tab and the associated actions available in each state. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Tab State 
                 Description 
                 Clickable/Not Clickable 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Active 
                 User has successfully comple- 
                 Clickable. User can click on 
               
               
                   
                 ted all sub-panes within the 
                 tab and access sub-panes. 
               
               
                   
                 tab. 
               
               
                 Active and 
                 User is in the process of fil- 
                 Not Clickable. If user is fil- 
               
               
                 Current 
                 ling out sub-pane(s) within the 
                 ling out sub-panes within cur- 
               
               
                   
                 tab. 
                 rent tab, clicking on the tab 
               
               
                   
                   
                 should not re-post form data. 
               
               
                 Inactive 1 
                 Not accessible to the con- 
                 Not Clickable. 
               
               
                   
                 sumer. 
               
               
                 Inactive 2 
                 Not accessible to the con- 
                 Not Clickable. 
               
               
                   
                 sumer; however an adjacent 
               
               
                   
                 tab to the left is in an 
               
               
                   
                 Active, Active and Current, or 
               
               
                   
                 Active and Error state 
               
               
                 Active and 
                 Consumer has an error on one 
                 Not Clickable. If user is cor- 
               
               
                 Error 
                 or more sub-panes within a 
                 recting a sub-pane within tab, 
               
               
                   
                 tab. 
                 clicking on the tab should not 
               
               
                   
                   
                 re-post form data. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     In one embodiment of the present invention, a consumer is not permitted to submit two Requests for Quotations (RFQs) in the same product during a shopping session, even if the consumer wants to submit a RFQ to a different carrier. Therefore, when displaying the Quote Thank You page at the end of the process, the process will not make it easy for the consumer go back and re-submit quotes. The consumer would only be frustrated with an “Our records show you have already submitted an RFQ” error message that prevents him or her from further shopping. 
     At this point, all tabs on the (online) RFQ Thank You page are disabled. The Quotes tab remains Active and Current. The only action the consumer can take from the Thank You page is to click on the “Shop for more Quotes” button (or use their browser&#39;s Back button). 
     For the Thank You pages that are displayed when a consumer only has offline quotes or no quotes (Offline Thank You, General Thank You, and Sorry Thank You), no tabs are disabled. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, multiple requests for quotes are allowed and prior tabs are therefore not disabled. In this embodiment, an additional data state is created based on the original state and including the revised data supplied by the user. 
     Subject to error processing described below, clicking on a completed tab (i.e., a tabbed pane for which all sub-panes representing the entire associated form set have been completely filled out) takes the consumer to the selected tab. 
     Clicking on the Continue button in a sub-pane (page) takes the user to the next logical page within the virtual application. 
     The most important aspect of the user interface of the present invention is not that it has tabs or that it enables a certain amount of non-sequential (non-linear) access to the various form sets within a virtual application, but that it maintains data state across all panes. As well known by those of ordinary skill, the Internet and web pages in particular are essentially stateless: no memory (or at most very little, such as the last page or pages visited) is preserved upon hyperlinking from one page to another. Prior art on-line forms have cached limited information either on the client or host server machines so that a form spanning several pages may be completed. Such caching has been limited to discrete, user-supplied information rather than including virtual application status and data dependencies as is provided by the present invention. 
     In contrast to the prior art, the present system, in all its embodiments, maintains virtual application information, relative dependencies, and information context obtained and/or derived from each pane accessed by the user/applicant. This state maintenance enables use of standard browser Back and Forward button functions without loss of data and without losing the user&#39;s “place” in the application process. A user can therefore “back up” one or more sub-panes or panes (i.e., switch to a logically “earlier” tab) and correct or change a data entry without having to re-enter any data from that earlier point forward to the point at which the user jumped back. 
     Consider the following example; a virtual application consists of five logical form sets presented in tabbed panes labeled (in logical order of completion) A, B, C, D, and E. Assume that the user has completed tabs A, B, C, and D and is viewing tab E. Assume further that the user now realizes a piece of information in tab B must be changed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, she can click on tab B, change the information, and use the conventional browser Back button to return to tab E. Alternatively, the user can simply select tab E directly while viewing tab B and return to where she left off in tab E without any loss of data or the need to re-enter information. 
     While this sound intuitive, it is in fact impossible under the prior art because the data entered in tabs C, D, and E (if any) will have been expired (i.e., erased and thus lost) by the act of switching to the tab B environment. Data may be lost due to insufficient page cache resources on the server or client computers or due to security restrictions set by either the user or a system administrator. As an example of the latter situation, the well-known Internet Explorer browser version 5.0 for the Macintosh automatically erases (i.e., deliberately does not cache) secure web pages so that the Back button always returns a blank (unfilled) form, rather than the previously filled-in one. 
     Dynamic Error Trapping and Handling 
     In general, the present invention approaches error correction by actively walking the user/applicant/consumer through the pages that need to be corrected rather than have the consumer walk themselves through the error correction process.  FIG. 17  shows an example of a pane containing an error (an “errored pane”). Indicator  1710  shows, in a contrasting color in one embodiment, that an error is present.  FIG. 18  shows an alternate method of altering an error by using error icon  1810 . 
     In the current art, if a consumer makes an error on a page of a virtual application, they have to backtrack to the point of the error and then progress through the application again, linearly, from that point until the end, even through pages that do not have errors. Using the tabbed pane and intelligent user interface of the present invention, the user can be directed to only the pages that need to be corrected. The consumer can then choose where they want to go after error correction is complete. 
     How errors are processed depends on where the consumer is in the application and whether they want to progress forward from the tab they are on or backward after they make (and correct) an error. For error processing, five state definitions are required:
         Previously Completed Backward Tab=Tab that user at one time completed successfully. In the tab order, this tab resides behind the tab the consumer is currently accessing.   Previously Completed Forward Tab=Tab that user at one time completed successfully. In the tab order, this tab resides in front of the tab the consumer is currently accessing.   Previously Completed Forward Page (or sub-pane)=Page (sub-pane in the current pane or tab) that user at one time completed successfully. In page order, this page resides in front of the page the consumer is currently accessing. This page can either be under the same tab that consumer is accessing or under a Previously Completed Forward Tab.   Initiating Tab=The Active and Current Tab when user clicks on a Destination Tab.   Destination Tab=The previously completed forward tab that the user has clicked on.       

     If the consumer clicks on a previously completed forward page, the process will re-validate all pages between the page the consumer is on in the initiating tab and up to, but not including, the first page of the destination tab. It is understood that this will have a performance impact, but that is preferred to the impacts of not having a fully complete set of data at time of quote and/or lead submission at the end of the virtual application process. 
     Table 2 shows a chart of tab navigation states in the presence of errors. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Consumer 
                   
               
               
                 Scenario 
                 Clicks On 
                 Error Trap Action 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Consumer enters erroneous data 
                 Continue 
                 Present errors to consu- 
               
               
                 on a page within a tab that has 
                   
                 mer on page they are ac- 
               
               
                 not been previously completed 
                   
                 cessing. 
               
               
                   
                 Previously 
                 Presents errors to consu- 
               
               
                   
                 completed 
                 mer and display 
               
               
                   
                 backward tab 
                 “Warning” message 
               
               
                   
                   
                 box. 
               
               
                   
                 Previously 
                 There are no forward 
               
               
                   
                 completed 
                 tabs available in this sce- 
               
               
                   
                 forward tab 
                 nario. (They are 
               
               
                   
                   
                 disabled.) 
               
               
                 Consumer changes information 
                 Continue 
                 Present errors to con- 
               
               
                 within a previously 
                   
                 sumer on page they are 
               
               
                 completed tab, causing an 
                   
                 accessing. 
               
               
                 error on that page 
                 Previously 
                 Present errors to con- 
               
               
                   
                 completed 
                 sumer and display 
               
               
                   
                 backward tab 
                 “Warning” message box. 
               
               
                   
                 Previously 
                 Presents errors to con- 
               
               
                   
                 completed 
                 sumer on page they are 
               
               
                   
                 forward tab 
                 accessing. 
               
               
                 Consumer changes information 
                 Continue 
                 Take consumer to the 
               
               
                 within a previously completed 
                   
                 next logical page in the 
               
               
                 tab, causing an error (or errors) 
                   
                 application. 
               
               
                 on other previously completed 
               
               
                 forward pages 
               
               
                   
                 Previously 
                 Save consumer&#39;s changes 
               
               
                   
                 completed 
                 and take consumer to the 
               
               
                   
                 backward tab 
                 backward tab. 
               
               
                   
                 Previously 
                 Take consumer to the 
               
               
                   
                 completed 
                 first previously com- 
               
               
                   
                 forward tab 
                 pleted forward page in 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the application with 
               
               
                   
                   
                 errors (potentially 
               
               
                   
                   
                 skipping pages without 
               
               
                   
                   
                 errors). This may or may 
               
               
                   
                   
                 not be within the tab 
               
               
                   
                   
                 clicked on. 
               
               
                 Consumer enters erroneous data 
                 Continue 
                 Presents errors to con- 
               
               
                 on a page within a tab that has 
                   
                 sumer on current,active 
               
               
                 not been previously completed. 
                   
                 page. 
               
               
                   
                 Previously 
                 Presents errors to con- 
               
               
                   
                 completed 
                 sumer and display 
               
               
                   
                 backward tab 
                 “Warning” message box. 
               
               
                   
                 Previously 
                 There are no forward 
               
               
                   
                 completed 
                 tabs available in this sce- 
               
               
                   
                 forward tab 
                 nario. (They are dis- 
               
               
                   
                   
                 abled.) 
               
               
                 Consumer changes information 
                 Continue 
                 Take consumer to next 
               
               
                 within a previously completed 
                   
                 logical pane or sub-pane 
               
               
                 tab, causing no errors. 
                   
                 (page) in the ap- 
               
               
                   
                   
                 plication. 
               
               
                   
                 Previously 
                 Take consumer to first 
               
               
                   
                 completed 
                 page in the tab pane 
               
               
                   
                 backward tab 
                 clicked on. 
               
               
                   
                 Previously 
                 Take consumer to first 
               
               
                   
                 completed 
                 page in the tab pane 
               
               
                   
                 forward tab 
                 clicked on. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     In some embodiments, if erroneous data is entered in a sub-pane or pane (page), or if newly entered data exposes previously entered data as erroneous, the tabs representing panes with errors are highlighted in a special color or otherwise distinguished from completed tabs as by animation of shading. If errors occur on multiple tabs, all errored tabs are not highlighted as Active and Error at the same time. Rather, the user is stepped through the errored tabs to correct the errors highlighted in each pane or sub-pane, one at a time. The tabs that are yet to be corrected will remain in the Error color until corrected. 
     All existing data dependencies will remain in place (with existing validation and error messaging unless otherwise specified), including, for example, but not limited to the following in the context of an on-line auto insurance application:
         State Change-&gt;(determines) Vehicle Garage City/Zip/State, Coverages   Add Driver-&gt;Usage   Add Vehicle-&gt;Usage, Coverages   Current Date-&gt;Coverage Effective Date   Spouse Licensed-&gt;Spouse Included       

     The purpose of the “Warning” message box discussed in Table 2 is to let the user know that they are will lose data on the current, Active page if they go back to a previously completed tab and to give the user the chance to complete the current page and/or fix the errors. In an alternate embodiment, the current consumer data is temporarily saved (and not lost) before jumping to a previously completed backward tab, thus eliminating the need to display the Warning message entirely. 
     Warning message operation in the context of selecting a previously completed backward tab is summarized as follows:
         The page the user created the error on is reloaded with conventional error messaging and flagging, such as by highlighting, animating, or coloring erroneous entries or inserting error messages. The erroneous data is re-displayed on this page.   After the page with error is rendered, the Warning message box appears.   If the user clicks on the “OK” button in the Warning message box, the user will lose the changes they made on the current page and be taken to the tab section they clicked on. The message box will disappear.   If the user clicks on the “Cancel” button in the Warning message box, the box will disappear and the user will be able to correct the information on the currently active page.   The process continues until the consumer corrects all information or clicks on the “OK” button in the Warning message box.       

     For users with browsers that cannot support conventional message box (pop-up) display technology (presumably a very small percentage of all browsers), the process automatically displays the active page with conventional error messages but without further explanation explanation. 
     Navigation Flowchart 
     The overall virtual application flowchart for an on-line automobile insurance quote is presented in  FIG. 19 . Grey card icons  1910 - 1917  represent the eight panes discussed above. The white boxes, such as Driver  1930  and Driver, Continued  1933  represent the sub-panes (pages) displayed in sequence for each tab. 
     Virtual application processing flow may be better understood in light of the following terminology for users:
         Tentative=Consumers who are within an InsWeb executable on-line application (including the application Start page) but have not logged in to an existing InsWeb account and have also not entered as a New User   Uncommitted=Consumers who are within an InsWeb executable on-line application (including the application Start page) and have entered an application as a New User.   Committed=Consumers who are within an InsWeb executable on-line application (including the application Start page) and have logged into an existing InsWeb account as a Returning User.       

     The tabbed intelligent user interface is intended to streamline the flow of the on-line application process in at least three ways:
         by parameterize the buttons on the application default (Start) page or pane based on determining if the user is “tentative”, “committed” or “uncommitted” when they reach that page;   by showing all consumers the same default (Start) page regardless of what channel they have come from (i.e. Yahoo or a personal information manager [PIM] interface); and   by actively depositing returning users to the most relevant page of the application based on what that user did in the application during their last visit (or lack of a last visit). For a returning user, it is desirable to help get them to where they need to go without having to step through the application linearly.       

     To determine which buttons to show the consumer on the application Start page, one needs to determine if the user is “Tentative,” “Uncommitted,” or “Committed” at the time they reach the default page. The intelligent user interface for any on-line application operating according to an embodiment of the present invention will thus have to understand the consumer&#39;s status before it can display the Start page. 
     For a “Tentative” user, the interface displays two button options on the Start page: New and Returning. The user will have to figure out if they are New users of the service or Returning users. For example: a consumer browsing the web enters an Auto Coverage Analyzer tool from the InsWeb Internet home page and has not previously entered a product application or logged into the site during that session. The consumer&#39;s status is “Tentative” because the consumer has neither logged in to an on-line application as a Returning User nor entered an application as a New User. Therefore, when the consumer clicks the “Get Auto Quotes Now” button from the tool, the Auto Insurance on-line application Start page will have both the New and Returning User buttons. 
     For the “Uncommitted” or “Committed” user, the interface displays only one button on the Start page, labeled “Continue.” The Continue button contains, in some embodiments, animation to draw the user&#39;s attention. Once the Continue button is clicked, the word Continue changes to “Retrieving Info . . . ” and the last completed page of that user&#39;s on-line application is displayed. In the case of an Uncommitted user, the Start page is displayed as that user will not have entered any application information for that particular type of service or product. 
     For example: a consumer has entered the Renter&#39;s Insurance on-line application as a New User. After completing the application, the user decides to shop for more quotes. She clicks a link to the Automobile Insurance on-line application. The Auto application Start page has only a “Continue” button on it because the consumer&#39;s status is “Uncommitted.” If the consumer had logged in to the Renter&#39;s application as a Returning User and followed the procedure described above, the Auto default page would still only have had the “Continue” button because the consumer would have a “Committed” status. 
     Once it is determined that a user is Committed, Uncommitted, or Tentative, the interface process needs to determine what page of the application the user should be taken to. This will depend on which button the consumer chooses on the Start page, what the user did last in the application, if anything, and if they currently have errors they need to correct. 
     If the consumer chooses the New User option, the consumer will be presented with the first data entry page of the application. If the user chooses the Returning User option (or clicks on the Continue button), Table 3 describes the general rules that determine the first page at which the user will begin. 
     Note that input validation (error checking) needs to take place on all data to determine where to start the user in the application. If the user is going to be taken straight back to the quote pad (i.e., the Quote tab in the automobile insurance representative embodiment described above), application filtering and risk rating (as known in the insurance quotation art) would also have to occur prior to presentation of quotes. 
                             TABLE 3                   Result           Processing Determination   (User begins at . . . )   Error Display                   User has never entered data   First application data entry   N/A       for the application   page       User was in application   Next logical page that   Upon checking the       Filled out partially   requires data entry   database, if page has zero       Returns with no errors       fields completed, then               error messages will not               be displayed.               Upon checking the               database, if page has one               or more fields completed,               then error messages will               be displayed.               Fields that we default for               the user don&#39;t count as               “being completed” unless               they are not committed to               the database       User was in application   First error page.   Errors will be displayed.       Filled out partially or went all       the way to the Quotes tab       User returns with errors       User was in application   First page under Quotes tab.   N/A       Went all the way to the       Quotes tab       User returns with no errors                    
Alternate Embodiments
 
     Although a set of single tabs each accessing a single pane or set of sub-panes is described, those skilled in the art will realize that there is no fundamental limit on the tab/pane hierarchy. In fact, each tab could access a pane itself containing tabs for accessing further panes or sets of sub-panes, ad infinitum. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to a single tab/pane hierarchy but instead contemplates any hierarchical, hyperlinked, and/or ordered structure of data and/or queries presented using a web browser or similar device. 
     The order in which the steps of the present method are performed is purely illustrative in nature. In fact, the steps can be performed in any order or in parallel, unless otherwise indicated by the present disclosure. 
     The method of the present invention may be performed in hardware, software, or any combination thereof, as those terms are currently known in the art. In particular, the present method may be carried out by software, firmware, or microcode operating on a computer or computers of any type. Additionally, software embodying the present invention may comprise computer instructions in any form (e.g., source code, object code, interpreted code, etc.) stored in any computer-readable medium (e.g., ROM, RAM, magnetic media, punched tape or card, compact disc (CD) in any form, DVD, etc.). Furthermore, such software may also be in the form of a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave, such as that found within the well-known Web pages transferred among computers connected to the Internet. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to any particular platform, unless specifically stated otherwise in the present disclosure. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspect and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit of this invention.