Abstract:
A method and system is provided for increasing the accuracy and security of data capture from a paper form where the form was completed electronically and printed out prior to submission. The invention utilizes two-dimensional barcode technology to dynamically capture data entered electronically into the form. The data contained in this two-dimensional barcode is then encrypted for security and authentication purposes and printed on the form when the user prints the form. When the printed form is received by the Data Collector at a central processing site, the two-dimensional barcode is scanned and decrypted, the form is authenticated, and the data is extracted virtually error-free

Description:
[0001]    This application is a Continuation in Part of application Ser. No. 10/478,129, which was filed on Jun. 7, 2004, and which is the national phase under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT International Application No. PCT/US02/15948 which has an International filing date of May 21, 2002, which designated the United States of America. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates in general to computer software, and in particular to a method and system for increasing the accuracy and security of data capture from a paper form where the form was completed electronically and printed out prior to submission. The invention utilizes two-dimensional barcode technology to dynamically capture data entered electronically into the form. The data contained in this two-dimensional barcode is then encrypted for security and authentication purposes and printed on the form when the user prints the form. When the printed form is received by the Data Collector at a central processing site, the two-dimensional barcode is scanned and decrypted, the form is authenticated, and the data is extracted virtually error-free. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Background Art 
         [0005]    Electronic forms applications consist of three primary components: design software for the Form Author, filler software for the End-User completing the form, and server software for the Form Distributor and/or Data Collector (the Form Distributor and the Data Collector may or may not be the same entity, and either may or may not be related to the Form Author). 
         [0006]    The design software is used to create the electronic form (e-form), or user interface of the data container, as well as the algorithms associated with the e-form and data to be entered into the e-form. The Form Author may design the e-form as a traditional electronic form or integrate elements of hypertext markup language (HTML), extensible markup language (XML), portable document format (PDF), graphic elements (e.g., GIF, TIF. JPEG) and other objects to achieve the desired user interface. The designer may also specify data edits, validation, and other functions such as encryption, glyph generation, e-mail routing information, etc. that govern the behavior of the e-form in the filler application. 
         [0007]    Filler software allows End Users to view and interact with the e-forms created using the design software. User interactions include filling out the e-form electronically, saving the e-form, printing the e-form, submitting the e-form, and similar functions depending on the algorithms associated with the e-form by the designer. 
         [0008]    Server software allows form distributors and Data Collectors to process forms (e-forms and paper forms) automatically. For e-forms, the server software enables the Form Distributor to pre-fill forms with data from a database and distribute the pre-filled forms to End Users electronically (e.g., via email). Optionally, the distributor may encrypt the pre-filled data, or subsets of the pre-filled data, prior to distributing the e-forms. Server software also enables Data Collectors to process incoming e-forms electronically and automatically. 
         [0009]    An example of such processing would be to receive the incoming e-form, identify the form, authenticate the form, decrypt the form, extract the data from the form, and write the data to a database. For paper forms, the server software enables Data Collectors to automatically extract the form data from the paper form by scanning a two-dimensional barcode containing the form data, decrypt the data extracted from the bar code, authenticate the form, and write the extracted data to a database. 
         [0010]    Prior to this invention, if a Data Collector required the End User to submit the form on paper (as is the case if the form requires a ‘wet’ signature), the Data Collector had to rely on OCR/ICR/OMR, re-keying, or some other method to extract the data from the paper form. 
         [0011]    These data extraction methods are prone to transcription errors, are costly, and cannot detect counterfeit forms. This invention allows Data Collectors to receive the printed form (with the ‘wet’ signature) and extract the data by scanning a two-dimensional barcode printed on the form. This method is more accurate than prior data extraction methods, because scanning a two-dimensional barcode is an all-or-nothing proposition: either it scans correctly, and the data is extracted exactly as it was entered into the form; or it doesn&#39;t scan at all, so no data errors are introduced via the scanning process (the form would have to go to exception processing instead). It is also more secure, since the data in the printed two-dimensional barcode is encrypted, ensuring that only an authorized party (such as the Data Collector) can extract the data electronically. 
         [0012]    Counterfeit forms are not a new concept, but their likely frequency and the damage they can wreak on Data Collectors are dramatically increased in the world of PC-rendered paper forms (i.e., where, forms are obtained electronically by an End User and printed out by the End User before submission to the Data Collector). This scenario presents risks to the Data Collector, since a knowledgeable End User could conceivably alter a form before submitting it (either electronically or printed on paper). For example, using form design tools, an End User could change the perjury statement common to many forms to read as follows: “I do NOT declare under penalty of perjury . . . ”. The simple insertion of the word NOT in the perjury statement clearly violates the intention of the Data Collector. It then becomes a further obligation on the Data Collector to validate the authenticity of the submitted forms themselves, not just the data included on those forms. However, with this invention, the data imbedded in the two-dimensional bar code can only be successfully decrypted by an entity with the correct Form Lock password, or keyset. If the data cannot be decrypted with the correct Form Lock password, then the Data Collector or other authorized entity knows the form itself is counterfeit. The same is true for an electronic form submission, since the Data Collector will only be able to decrypt the data on the form if the original Form Lock password functions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present invention disclosed herein comprises a method and system for increasing the accuracy and security of data capture from a paper form where the form was completed electronically and printed out on paper prior to submission, and in authenticating the printed form. The invention utilizes two-dimensional barcode technology to dynamically capture data entered electronically into the form. This two-dimensional barcode is then encrypted for security and printed on the form when the user prints the form. When the printed form is received by the Data Collector, the two-dimensional barcode is scanned and decrypted, and the data is extracted virtually error-free, eliminating the need for more costly, less efficient data extraction technologies and techniques. Successful decryption of the data authenticates the form as well, since the decryption will fail if the form has been altered or otherwise tampered with. 
         [0014]    Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a graphic representation of a data processing system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates a two dimensional barcode, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates the creation process of a two dimensional bar code according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates an authentication and data retrieval process from a two dimensional bar code according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is depicted a graphic representation of a data processing system which may be utilized to implement the present invention. As may be seen, data processing system may include a plurality of networks, such as Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN) and Internet, each of which may include a plurality of individual computers respectively. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a plurality of workstations coupled to a host processor may be utilized for each such network. As is common in such data processing systems, each individual computer may be coupled to a storage device and/or printer/output device and/or input device. 
         [0021]    The data processing system may also include multiple server computers, such as mainframe computer, which may be coupled to computer, LAN, WAN or Internet by means of communications link. The server computers may also be coupled to a storage device which may serve as remote storage for the End User computer, LAN, WAN or Internet. 
         [0022]    Similarly, the End User computer, WAN and Internet may be coupled via communications link through a subsystem control unit/communications controller and communications link to a gateway server creating an inter-network link. 
         [0023]    With respect to the End User computer, LAN, WAN and Internet, a plurality of documents or resource objects may be stored within storage device and controlled by a server computer, as resource manager or library service for the resource objects thus stored. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the server computer may be located a great geographic distance from LAN and similarly, LAN may be located a substantial distance from the End User computer. For example, the End User computer may be located in Colorado while the LAN may be located in Washington and server computer may be located in New York. 
         [0024]    Software program code which employs the present invention is typically stored in the memory of a storage device of a stand alone work station or storage device of a server computer from which a developer may access the code. For distribution purposes, the software program code may be embodied on any of a variety of known media for use with a data processing system, such as a diskette or CD-ROM or may be distributed to users from the memory of one computer system over a network of some type to other computer systems for use by users of such other systems. Such techniques and methods for embodying software code on media and/or distributing software code are well known and will not be further discussed herein. 
         [0025]    With respect to the present invention, the End User  21  uses the End User computer  7  to access the e-form. The End User computer  7  is running software program code which employs the present invention. The e-form  20  is accessed directly from a storage device connected to the End User computer  7 , such as a local hard drive, or from some form of input media  6 , or from an email message from an email server  3 , or from a communications link to the Internet/Extranet  4  and web server  1 , or from a local Intranet  5  and Intranet server  2  or some similar access method. The End User  21  uses the End User computer  7  to view the eform  20 , fill in data  22  in the data fields  23 , save the eform  20 , and to perform other similar actions. When the eform is completed and the End User prints the eform to the printer  8 , the End User computer  7  carries out the instructions in the software program code which employs the present invention, creates the encrypted data set  24  from the field data contained in the eform  20  and prints the encrypted data along with identifying information  25  in a two-dimensional barcode  26  on the paper document  27 . The printed document  27  is then sent to the Data Collector  28 . When the Data Collector  28  receives the printed document  27 , the document is scanned using scanner  9  which is attached to a scanning station. The scanning station is running software program code which employs the present invention to decipher the two dimensional barcode and process the data appropriately (identifying the originating form, authenticating the form, decrypting the encrypted data set, identifying the correct database, and writing the data to the database  10 ). 
         [0026]    Once processed, the data may be written to a database  10  or some other storage device or passed to another system or application for continued processing or other purposes. 
         [0027]    When the e-form  20  is being designed using the designer software, the designer selects a set of fields  29 ,  30  on the e-form for creating the dynamic two-dimensional barcode  26  (the 2D barcode field set). This set of fields can include all of the fields on the form or only a selected subset of fields on the form. The designer also selects an encryption key info  31 , such as a password, that will be used to encrypt the data in the 2D barcode field set before it is printed on the paper form  27  as a two-dimensional barcode  26 . An example of a common two-dimensional barcode, the PDF417, appears in  FIG. 2 . When the End User  21  opens the e-form  20  in the filler software, the End User can enter data via PC keyboard and mouse selections into the data fields  23  electronically (e.g., type in the data; click on pull-down menus to select specific item (s)). When the user is done filling out the form  20 , the user  21  can print the form. When the user clicks the print button (or icon), the filler software automatically extracts the data from the 2D barcode field set, encrypts the data, and prints the two-dimensional barcode  26  containing encrypted data  24  onto the paper form  27 . The printed two-dimensional barcode  26  also contains some unencrypted data  25  (e.g., form ID number, registration number, or similar identifying information) that is used to identify the form  20  when it is returned to the Data Collector  28 . This process is transparent to the End User  21 , except that the End User  21  will see a two-dimensional barcode  26  printed on the form  27 . The End User  26  may then submit the printed form  27  to the Data Collector  28 . 
         [0028]    When the Data Collector  28  receives the printed form  27 , the Data Collector  28  may scan the two-dimensional barcode  26  printed on the form  27  to extract the form data electronically. This is done using a conventional two-dimensional barcode scanner  9  and the server software. The scanner  9  scans the barcode and extracts the encrypted field data  24  from the barcode  26 . The server software identifies the originating e-form  20  based on non-encrypted data  25  included in the two-dimensional barcode  26 . The server software then applies the registered keyset associated with the e-form identification information  25  to decrypt the encrypted field data  24 . Successful decryption of the dataset in the barcode  26  authenticates the form. After the data is decrypted it is written to a database  10 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a graphic representation of a data processing system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown for generating and printing an encrypted two-dimensional barcode  26  representing at least data  22  entered into an electronic form  20 . A field set  23  is specified by the author (not shown) to identify the data  22  that will be encrypted and contained in the two-dimensional barcode  26 . Also, names of fields in the field set  23  are specified, so that the fields correspond to fields in a database  10  associated with the electronic form  20 . Also, field names and/or other identifying information  29  along with a field content for each field in the field set  23  are included, such that each field name and the respective field content are and remain associated with each other. The author also specifies an encryption key  31  that will be used to encrypt the data  22 , and specifies form identification information  25 , that may be included in the two-dimensional barcode  26  and may or may not be encrypted, for identifying the electronic form  20  when the electronic form is printed and scanned. 
         [0030]    The two-dimensional barcode  26  may be provided on the printed electronic form  27 , such that the data content of the two-dimensional barcode includes the data  22  entered into the form by the End User  21  and includes the form identification information  25 . 
         [0031]    The two-dimensional barcode  26  may also be generated when the End User  21  prints the electronic form  20 , such that when the user, for example, clicks a print button, the data  22  and field identification information  25  from each field in the selected field set is extracted, the data  22  and field identification information  25  is encrypted with the specified encryption password, the identifying information may be included, but may not be encrypted, and the two-dimensional barcode  26  containing both the encrypted information  24  and the unencrypted identifying information  25  is printed on the form  27 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  illustrates an authentication and data retrieval process from a two dimensional bar code  26  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In order to extract data  22  from a printed, encrypted two-dimensional barcode  26 , the two-dimensional barcode  26  is scanned with a two-dimensional barcode scanner  9 . The electronic form template  29  is identified based on unencrypted identifying information  25  included in the two-dimensional barcode  26 . The encryption key  31 , which was used to encrypt the data  22  contained in the two-dimensional barcode  26  is retrieved based on an identification of the electronic form template  32 . The encrypted data  24  contained in the two-dimensional barcode  26  is decrypted based on the encryption key  31 . Optionally, at least one database  10  is identified to write the data  22  to based on the identification of the electronic form template  32 , which is associated with the database  10 . Thereafter, the decrypted data  33  is written to the database  10 , such that the decrypted data  33  is written to at least one field in the database based on a field name from the electronic form template  20  and an associated database field. A person skilled in the art would understand that the decrypted data  33  can be written to one or more databases or be provided to other software applications. 
         [0033]    In addition, in another exemplary embodiment, the printed version  27  of the electronic form  20  is authenticated from a printed and encrypted two-dimensional barcode  26 . First, the two-dimensional barcode  26  is scanned with a two-dimensional barcode scanner  10 . Then the electronic form template  20  is identified based on unencrypted identifying information  25  included in the two-dimensional barcode  26 . Also, the encryption key  31  is retrieved in order to decrypt the data  22  contained in the two-dimensional barcode  26  based on the identification of the electronic form template  32 . Next, the encrypted data  24  contained in the two-dimensional barcode  26  is decrypted, whereby the printed version  27  of the electronic form  20  is authenticated as the printed product  27  of the electronic form  20  based on a success or failure of the decryption process. 
         [0034]    The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.