WO2001031488A2

WO2001031488A2 - Electronic document/form generator

Info

Publication number: WO2001031488A2
Application number: PCT/US2000/029762
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas O. Wells; Eric K. Yee
Original assignee: B4Bpartner, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-10-28
Filing date: 2000-10-27
Publication date: 2001-05-03
Also published as: AU1242401A; WO2001031488A3

Abstract

A faster and more efficient system and method is disclosed for electronically generating and signing documents, such as legal or financial documents, via the Internet or an Intranet. A question file and a template file are transmitted from a server to the user's browser when the user selects a specific form. Answers to such questions are inputted directly into the form as the user completes them and the user tabs to the next question without the user transmitting information to such server. The user can choose to electronically sign the document causing the system to associate the user's name, date and time at which the document was generated, a unique serial number and such other data with such document and present such data with the document when the system is requested to present such document. When the user generates the document, an answer file is sent to such server to generate the document.

Description

ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT/FORM GENERATOR

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The protection owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document, or of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.

I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to the computer-assisted generation, signature and retrieval of documents and other forms, and more particularly to an electronic, guided system and method for the preparation, signature and retrieval of documents such as legal or financial agreements, tax forms, letters, pleadings and other writings on an open network or group of servers such as the Internet, a closed network or group of servers such as the Internet, an Intranet or a local area network ("LAN").

II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The generation of an electronic document has long been accomplished by word processor applications and other programs such as computer aided-design ("CAD") applications, database and spreadsheets (collectively, "PC-based document processing software"). There are several problems with the generation of electronic documents via such prior art methods.

One problem is that in such methods and systems, data needed to complete a document generally must reside within the computer or on the network on which the PC- based document processing software resides. Therefore, in order to complete a document, the user must collect and insert the data into the document. If a third party provides the data, oftentimes, the user must rekey data into the document - a costly, time-consuming and error- prone process.

A second problem is that once the document is prepared with the appropriate data, the document is saved as one file with both the repetitious, form template and the inserted data. If the user wants to share an electronic copy of the document with a third party, the entire file is electronically transmitted to the third party. Therefore, redundant form template files with customized data are copied and proliferated creating excess storage requirements. A third problem arises from the modification of the document by the user. With PC- based document processing software, the user must revise a prior agreement with different data for a new party. This process may be time-consuming and can result in data being inadvertently included in the revised document. In addition, storage of each modified document requires roughly the same space as the original document, notwithstanding the fact that much of the information is common to the original document and the modified document.

Alternatively, the user could create form template files on his computer or within his network using such commercially-available software as HotDocs™. Other parties who have access to the user's computer or network may use these templates. However, it is difficult to use these templates over an open network or group of servers such as the Internet because the various users may not have compatible PC-based document processing software and the templates must be duplicated for the various users creating further excess data storage.

A fourth problem arises when the user desires to electronically share an electronic document with a third party. In order to access and view the document, the third party needs compatible PC-based document processing software. For example, if the user prepared a document using Microsoft Word™ and emailed it as an attachment to a third party that did not have any PC-based document processing software, the third party could not view the document.

Some current Internet-based systems attempt to address the inefficiencies of PC-based document processing software by allowing the user to answer questions via the Internet. Such systems then send the data to a web-based server, process the data and present additional questions to the user. After multiple exchanges of data between the user's PC and the web- based server, a final document is presented to the user. Each two-way transmission between a user's PC and a web-based server is referred to herein as a "round-trip." These systems are less efficient and more time-consuming than ideal, because: (a) they rely on multiple transmissions (multiple round-trips) to a web-based server before the final document is presented to the user; (b) they do not allow the user to see how the answers are being used within the final document or the progress of the final document; (c) they cannot show the elimination of sentences and paragraphs from the final document until the document is generated; and (d) the document with the inserted answers are presented to the user as one file and require the user to store both the template and the inserted answers as one file. Finally, these systems fail to authenticate the user or allow the user to electronically sign the generated document. Therefore, there has arisen a need for a more efficient system for generating documents, as accomplished by the present invention.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS References are made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1A is a screen view of an exemplary sign-in HTML page and Fig. IB is a screen view after the user has inserted his unique login name, which together with the user's password, authenticates the user and grants the user access to the system; Fig. 2 is a screen view of an initial HTML page greeting the user after the system has authenticated and authorized the user to enter the system and access its functionality;

Fig. 3 is a screen view occurring after a user has selected the "Form Generator" option from the menu show in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an exemplary screen view showing a menu of available legal forms after the user has selected the "Escrow Agreements" option in the menu of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 shows a screen view after the user has selected the "Sample Custody Agreement" in Fig. 4 which provides for the frame to the left containing some navigational links, the frame to the top right containing an explanation of the selected document, some interview-like questions and text boxes opposite such questions for the user to insert answers to such questions and the bottom right frame containing the selected document with underscores relating to the questions in the top right frame and that will be replaced with the answers inserted by the user.

Fig. 6 shows a screen view of the first answer box in the top right frame after the user has inserted text and the bottom right frame in which the text replaces the underscore in Fig. 5 immediately after the user has tabbed to the next question and without transmitting information from the user's PC to the web server.

Fig. 7 shows a screen view after the user has completed the appropriate questions and selected to sign the document in the top right frame by checking the particular box and the bottom right frame indicates that the user is electronically signing the particular document immediately after the particular box is checked and without transmitting information from the user's PC to the web server.

Fig. 8 shows a screen view after the user has selected to GENERATE the document in the top right frame of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 shows the document that was completed by the user, including page 6 of Fig. 9 which shows the Document ID, that the document was electronically signed, the name of the person that electronically signed the document, the capacity in which the person signed the document and the date and time stamp of the document being electronically signed. Fig. 10 shows a screen view of a login page to a Safe Deposit Box referenced in Fig.

8.

Fig. 11 shows a screen view of the Box Administration after the user has authenticated himself and gained access to the Safe Deposit Box by inserting his PIN in Fig. 10 together with a copy of t he Sample Custody Agreement in the user's Inbox. Fig. 12 shows a screen view of the Sample Custody Agreement that was previously prepared by the user and which the user has moved to his personal Safe Deposit Box. Fig. 13 shows a screen view after the user selects the MODIFY button opposite the Sample Custody Agreement in Fig. 12 in which the answers from the previous Sample Custody Agreement have been auto-filled into a Sample Custody Agreement for the user allowing the user to quickly review and modify a prior generated document or choose to sign the document.

Fv^~. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a method and system for generating electronic copies of documents and forms. The system and method of the present invention provides storage of a form template on a server accessible through the Internet. When the user requests to prepare a document, the user is presented with interactive questions in an interview-like format on one-half of the computer screen and the form template on the other half of the screen. As the user answers a question and tabs to the next question, the answer would automatically inserted into the form template. Because the interview-like questions and the form template are transferred to the user's PC as an application when the user requests to complete, or is presented with, a particular form, the user can complete the agreement without the need for multiple transmissions (multiple round-trips) to the web server as with other Internet-based document preparation systems. When the user prompts the invention to generate the document, the invention sends the answers inserted by the user to a server for storage in an answer file separate from the template. The server labels or "tags" the answer file to the date- stamped and archived template and presents the completed document to the user. If the user desires to store the completed document within the server, the invention provides a data compression solution by storing a single web template for multiple users and presentmg that template with the separate, customized answer file when requested from the system By only havmg to retrieve the answer file, the server can present the user with the completed document more quickly and efficiently because the archive data is much smaller The storage and archiving cost of this mvention are also much smaller than other Internet-based document preparation systems

Some of the benefits of preferred embodiments of this invention compared to PC- based document processing software are that (a) the repetitious form template is not saved duphcative times because the data that is inserted mto the template is stored separately from the template for more efficient storage, (b) the form template can be easily and efficiently changed so that all parties subsequently preparing similar documents are usmg the correct template, (c) one user can prepare a document usmg this invention, share the document with a second user and the second user can review the document usmg this mvention such that the data from the pπor document is auto-filled mto the answer boxes next to the interview-like questions and in the form template allowing the second user to quickly review or modify the inserted answers; and (d) the user does not need any PC-based document processmg software to prepare or view the document Some of the benefits of this mvention compared to other Internet-based document preparation systems are that (a) the user prepares the document at the browser level avoiding multiple transfers (multiple round trips) of data to and from a server via the Internet, (b) the answer file is stored separately from the form template (1) providmg a more efficient storage and data compression system, (2) allowing for the faster retrieval and presentment of the document to the user because the data archived for each user is much smaller and (3) allowing customized, inserted data to be transmitted directly to an institution's data processmg system, (c) one user can prepare a document usmg this mvention, share the document with a second user and the second user can review the document usmg this mvention such that the data from the pnor document is auto-filled mto the answer boxes next to the interview-like questions and in the form template allowing the second user to quickly review or modify the inserted answers, and (d) the mvention facilitates the association or attachment of information to a document based upon the user authenticating himself to the system constituting an electronic signature process

The system can authenticate the user either through a "shared-secret" approach (also known as a " challenge password" approach), digital certificate or PKI system, or other method allowing the user to electronically sign the prepared document by associatmg or attaching such authenticated user information with the particular answer file. The system is designed to allow a third party to auto-fill the answer file for the user so that the user need only review the answers to the questions and electronically sign and generate the document through a "one-click" process. For example, if a customer requested to electronically complete a brokerage agreement with a financial institution, the financial institution, using this invention, could present the user with pre-loaded answers to each of the particular questions for the brokerage agreement together with an auto-filled brokerage agreement. The user could correct and update any information in the pre-loaded answers and electronically sign and generate the document. The signed document would then be presented to the user as well as delivered to the institution. Any corrected answers by the user would be delivered to the institution to update its database and added to the user's "master-answer" file for future document preparation and database processing.

When a user logs on to a network or collection of servers, such as the Internet, the user may access a web site containing a menu-driven series of options. These options allow the user to specify a particular type of document. When the user has selected the specific document that is to be created, the user is presented with three applets or windows, which may be simultaneously viewed on the screen.

In the preferred embodiment, the signed document is presented to the user in the user's electronic safe deposit box referenced in Provisional Application entitled "Electronic Safe Deposit Box," S/N 60/174,053 and filed on December 30, 1999 and Patent Application entitled " Computerized Communication Platform for Electronic Documents," S/N 09/514,726 and filed on February 28, 2000. This invention greatly decreases the sales cycle of financial products by eliminating the inefficiencies associated with the transmission and physical signature of paper documents to obtain such products. This invention also greatly reduces the costs associated with the preparation, presentment, storage and retrieval of paper documents.

In the first applet, the user is greeted by name and presented with some navigational links. In the second applet, the user is presented with an explanation of the selected document and a series of questions with adjacent text boxes for the user to answer the questions. For example, in connection with generating a document for a custody agreement, the first question might request the name of the party to the custody agreement. Additional questions might pertain to the address of the company, the officers, and the like. The third applet contains a template or form pertaining the type of document. While the user is entering responses to the series of questions presented in the second applet, the third applet updates the document by replacing the underscores with the answers provided by the user to the questions in applet 2. The template in the third applet scrolls down to present the text of the document pertaining to the question the user is addressing. The document is updated immediately because this system downloads a temporary application to the user's PC that is running on the user's browser. There is no information being exchanged with the server as the user is completing the document. This process allows the user to view the answers to the questions and the document being completed in "real-time." In addition, the user may backtrack and edit information that has been inputted as desired without having to transmit information to the server.

The user may request that the system generate the document for further review and editing. When the user requests that the system generate the document, the answers that have been inputted into the document are sent back to the web site's server. The web site's server labels or "tags" the answers to the date-stamped and archived form that the user has requested to complete. The system then inputs the answers into the date-stamped and archived form and presents it to the user. The system can present the document at any time after the form has been generated, including several days, months or years after the user generated the document because the system includes a storage and sequencing process in which updated templates do not modify or eliminate prior templates. Therefore, the system embodies an archiving and retrieval process that is consistent with a virtual electronic safe deposit box.

If the user answers selected questions, the user can also choose to electronically sign the document by checking the appropriate box at the end of the questions in applet 2 above the GENERATE button. If the user selects this sign document box, the system will add "Document signed by" and the user's name. After the user generates the document, the system will associate additional information with the electronically signed document, including a Document ID, the name of the user, the capacity that he has signed the document and the time and date at which the document was generated. The administrative features of the system allow for the signed document to be searched by the signer's name, the name of the document, the date on which the signed document was generated, the parties to the document and the Document ID.

In a preferred embodiment, the generated document may be output into a rich text format, or .RTF, so that additional edits, including font, bold, underline, italics, and the like, may be made. Alternatively, the document may be output in any other desired format, such as that supported by Microsoft Word™. It is contemplated that the generated document may be transferred to a user's electronic safe deposit box which acts a repository of important documents for the user, and the user or other persons designated by the user could retrieve the document days, months or years after the document has been generated. The system also allows the user to modify the document after it has been generated. In this scenario, the user is provided with a new document in the form generator in which all of the text boxes contain answers to the previously prepared document. The system allows a form to be transferred from one user's electronic safe deposit box to another user's safe deposit box and for the second user to modify the document prepared by the first user through this feature. For example, an insurance agent could use the system to prepare an insurance application for a customer, generate the application, then transfer the application to the customer and allow the customer to review, modify and electronically sign the application in the form generator. This process prepares a new document and does not "overwrite" the previously prepared document. If the previously prepared document was electronically signed, the system removes the signature information from the new document being modified but not from the previously prepared document.

The system could also be used as software to produce and prepare forms other than those forms on the web site's server. For example, the system could be used by a company that already has its own proprietary forms to allow the employees of such corporation to prepare such forms in an interactive, question and answer Intranet or Internet system. The answers would be stored separate from the date-stamped and archived forms to reduce storage space within such company's system, allow for such answers to more easily be transferred to the database of such institution for additional processing and allow for faster retrieval of such answers with the date-stamped and archived form at a later date. Because the answer file is stored separate from the legal template, the system also allows for "one-click" updating of documents or preparation of other similar documents by either changing the answer file's reference from the old template to the new template (i.e., replaces the old form with a new form) or by creating a new answer file that references a new template (i.e., preserves the old document while creating a new document using the same answer file). Also, as previously explained, the system allows for the same user to use answers from a prior a document to quickly prepare similar documents and for virtual documents generated by the system to be shared and edited by multiple users without subsequent users having to rekey the answers to a previously generated document. Further, the method of storing answers separate from the legal form template allows for "one-click" review and signature of documents by having a user indicate that the answers should be tied to an updated legal form in lieu of the old form. For example, if a state's laws change as to a living will, the system could present the user with an option to associate the answers with an updated document. In essence, the user has reinputted his information into another legal form without having to retype the information. The system also allows repetitive information to be inserted into multiple legal forms (e.g., repetitive information such as name, address, and Social Security number to be inserted into multiple agreements that must be prepared and signed before an online brokerage account can be created). Certain electronic document generation systems assist the user in preparing duplicative documents but the user is forced to save/store the entire document, including the duplicative sections of a document. For example, an insurance policy may only contain a limited amount of data that varies between policyholders. A more efficient electronic storage and presentment system is to save/store only the portion of the data that varies between policyholders. When the insurance policy with the particular data is requested for presentment, the particular data is imported into the form template insurance policy and presented to the user. This document compression methodology reduces electronic storage space because the form template is only being saved once but being presented multiple times with the particular data being imported into the document. The system also facilitates state specific forms to be offered to the user. The system allows the user to choose a state and a particular document and then the system presents the document that is associated with such state. For example, in the insurance industry, many documents are state-specific and not generic.

Referring now to Figs. 1A and IB, when a user accesses the Internet web site associated with the present invention, the user may enter input information in member log-in box 1 and member password box 2, reflecting the user's login name and password, respectively. Alternatively, this input information may not be required by the web site.

After obtaining authorization from the system to further access the contents of the web site, the user may proceed to a menu of options such as that set forth in Fig. 2. The menu may appear on the screen, such as with respect to menu 20.

Assuming the user chooses to access the Form Generator of the present invention, the user may select a particular form category as shown in menu 30, shown in Fig. 3. The particular documents in a category are presented to the user after he selects the form category as shown in option 40 in Fig. 4. In a preferred embodiment, the form generation screen includes three separate but simultaneously viewable applets as shown in Fig. 5. The applet to the left (window 50) greets the user and contains some navigational links. The applet on the top right (window 51) presents an explanation of the document and a series of questions that are pertinent to the requested document. The applet on the bottom right (window 52) presents the requested document with underscores associated with the text necessary to complete the document. As a user responds to the questions, the document is concurrently updated in the form window 52 to reflect the user's responses. In this way, the user may examine the document being created while responding to the questions. This application is rurrning at the user's browser and eliminates the need for multiple transmissions of data between the user's PC and the web servers. As the user answers questions in window 51, the document in window 52 scrolls down to present the portion of the document relating to the particular question.

For example, Fig. 6 shows the question box 60 after the user has entered a response. The text inserted into box 60 is Java Script, and as can be seen in item 61, the system inserts the answer from box 60 into the document that is presented as dynamic hypertext markup language (dHTML).

Similarly, Fig. 7 shows the document after the user has completed box 70 and pressed the tab key which then modifies the document as indicated in item 71. If the user selects to electronically sign the document by checking box 72, the document is modified with the information indicated in item 73. Again, this function is occurring without the transmission of information from the user's PC to the web server.

At any time, the user may prompt the system to generate the document by pressing the key shown as option 74 in Fig. 7. At this point, the answers inserted by the user prior to generating the document are transmitted to the web server and stored separately from the web template. The web server then sends a screen view as shown in Fig. 8 providing the user the option to review the generated document or access the user's personal electronic Safe Deposit Box.

If the user selects to review the generated document by selecting option 80 in Fig. 8, the web server presents the user with the web template together with the answers merged into such document as a single file for user as shown in Fig. 9. The user can then save the entire document as one file on his PC. Each answer file includes header or tag information associating such answer file with a date stamped and archived web form template. Therefore, even if the web form template is updated, it will not affect the presentment of the generated document to the user. In one embodiment, the two merged files are presented to the user in rich-text format, so that further editing and review are facilitated. Other output formats, such as those pertaining to commonly utilized word processors or databases, may also be used.

Fig. 9 shows the document in a rich-text format with the appropriate answers inserted into the document after the user has requested that the system generate the document. The user may then edit the document, print the document, download and save the document, or send it to another person via e-mail or other means. The user may also save the document in the user's virtual electronic safe deposit box for retrieval at a later time.

Item 90 on page 6 of Fig. 9 indicates that the user has electronically signed the document. When the user electronically signs a document using this system, the system records that such document has been signed, the user that has signed the document, the capacity of the user signing the document and the date and time the document was generated. The system also dynamically assigns a Document ID to the signed document. When the system is prompted to present a signed document, the system then merges this data to the end of the document together with the appropriate answer file and the date-stamped and archived form template which can be saved as one complete file by the user on his PC. If this document is modified by anyone using the MODIFY button as shown as option 120 in Fig. 12, the signature information is not presented in such new document.

Fig. 10 shows the login page to the user's personal electronic safe deposit box that is presented to the user if the user selects option 81 in Fig. 8. In the preferred embodiment, the system would present a link to the generated document in the user's Inbox of his personal electronic safe deposit box as shown in item 110 of Fig. 11. If the user selects the STORE button as shown in option 111 on Fig. 11, the link to the document is moved to the user's Safe Box as shown in item 120 on Fig. 12. If the user selects the MODIFY button in option 121 on Fig. 12, the answers previously inserted into such document referenced as a link as shown in item 120 are auto- filled into the text boxes for answers in window 130 as shown in items 132 to 136 of Fig. 13 in order to quickly complete and/or electronically sign a new document. This data is also inserted into the document shown in window 131 as indicated in item 137 in Fig. 13. The system with preferred embodiment of an electronic safe deposit box facilitates such document being transferred to multiple users. Therefore, multiple users can quickly review and modify a previously prepared document or use such previous document to prepare other similar documents using this feature. While the invention has been described in the context of a preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be modified in numerous ways and may assume many embodiments other than that specifically set out and described above. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications of the invention that fall within the true scope of the invention.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method of generating an electronic document by a user utilizing a computer system having a display and data entry device, comprising: creating and storing a template file for said electronic document, wherein said template file contains designated locations for answers obtained from said user; creating and storing a question file having questions for presentation to said user on said display; presenting said questions from said question file on said display to said user; storing said answers entered by said user on said data entry device in an answer file; electronically or digitally signing a document by associating a unique serial number and data of an authenticated user to the said answer file; and generating a final electronic document by combining said answers in said answer file with said template file.

2. The method of generating an electronic document of claim 1, wherein said template file and said answer file are stored separately.

3. The method of generating an electronic document of claim 1, wherein a document window is displayed on said display, and wherein said document window displays an electronic document in progress by combining said answers and said template file in real time.

4. The method of generating an electronic document of claim 3, wherein said electronic document in progress is automatically generated without said user transmitting data to a web server.

5. The method of generating an electronic document of claim 3, wherein a question window is displayed on said display simultaneously with said document window, and wherein said answers in said answer file are edited by the user in said question window, and wherein said document window is updated without the user transmitting data to a web server to display said current view of said electronic document in progress.

6. The method of generating an electronic document of claim 3, wherein a user that is authenticated by the system using a shared secret/challenge password approach, digital certificate or public key infrastructure approach or other electronic authentication approach can check a box as to electronically signing a document and the system will associate data such that the user's name, a unique serial number for the signed document, the date and time at which the document is generated and such other data shall appear on the document when the system presents the document.

7. The method of generating a document in claim 1, wherein a user can access a document previously generated by the user with the method in claim 1 and wherein the answers from the previously generated document are auto-filled in the answer boxes in the question window and included in the document in the document window facihtating the expedited generation of subsequent documents by the user based on the previously generated document.

8. The method of generating a document in claim 1, wherein a second user can access a document previously generated by a first user with the method in claim 1 and wherein the answers from the previously generated document are auto-filled in the answer boxes in the question window and included in the document in the document window facilitating the expedited generation of subsequent documents by the first user based on the previously generated document.

9. A system for generating an electronic document comprising: a server accessible over a network, said server having server storage; a template file for said electronic document stored in said server storage; a question file having questions for said electronic document stored in said server storage; a computer system having a user, a communications mechanism, a display and a data entry device, said computer system in communication with said server via said communications device, wherein said questions from said question file and the said template from the template file are viewable on said display; and an answer file having answers responsive to said questions in said question file and stored in said server storage.

10. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, further comprising a signature file containing data relating to an electronic signature process.

11. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 10, wherein said signature file is stored in said server storage.

12. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, wherein a document window is displayed on said display, and wherein said document window displays an electronic document in progress by combining said answers and said template file to provide said user with a current view of said electronic document in progress.

13. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 12, wherein said electronic document in progress is displayed in said window without said user transmitting data to said server, [verify with Tom]

14. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, further comprising a question window viewable on said display simultaneously with said document window, wherein said answers may be edited by said user in said question window.

15. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 14, wherein said document window is updated without said user transmitting data to a web server.

16. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, wherein a user that is authenticated by said system by an electronic authentication mechanism can electronically sign a document and the system will associate data such that said user's name, a unique serial number for said document, a date and a time at which said document was generated and such other data shall appear on the document when the system presents the document. [Work]

17. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9 wherein said server is configured to automatically alert said user when said template file has been updated.

18. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, further comprising an inbox for presentation and retrieval of said electronic document.

19. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, further comprising a viewing window for viewing said electronic document.

20. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, wherein said server is configured to recall said electronic document from said storage upon receiving a recall command from said user.

21. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, wherein said server is configured to allow modification of said electronic document recalled from said storage by said user.

22. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, wherein said server is configured for real-time tracking of when said electronic document is electronically generated.

23. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, wherein said server is configured for real-time tracking of when said electronic document is electronically signed.

24. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, wherein said server is configured for real-time tracking of when said electronic document is transmitted to another location.

25. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, wherein said server is configured to electronically transmit a message to said user indicating when said electronic document was accessed.

26. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, wherein said server is configured to electronically transmit a message to said user indicating when said electronic document was transmitted to another location.

27. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, wherein said server is configured to merge said template file and said answer file into a document file.

28. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 27, wherein said server is configured to electronically transmit said document file to an independent location for subsequent use by a recipient.

29. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, further comprising storage for storing said template file.

30. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, further comprising means to electronically store said question file.

31. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, further comprising means to electronically store said answer file.

32. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, further comprising means for the user to import data from a first answer file having predetermined answer locations to a second answer file having predetermined answer locations, wherein said data from said predetermined locations of said first answer file is inserted into said predetermined locations of said second answer file facilitating an auto-filled document.

33. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, further comprising means for automatically inserting selected of said answers in said first answer file into a second answer file.

34. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, further comprising means for designated third parties to search for an electronically signed document according to its unique serial number.

35. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, further comprising means for designated third parties to search for an electronically signed document according to the name of the document.

36. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, further comprising means for designated third parties to search for an electronically signed document according to the parties to the agreement.

37. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, further comprising means for the systems administrator to search for an electronically signed document according to the date the agreement was signed.

38. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 9, further comprising means for designated third parties to search for an electronically signed document according to parties signing the document.

39. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 17, further comprising means for said user to access said document, modify said document and upload and store said modified document in said user's inbox.

40. The system for generating an electronic document of claim 17, further comprising means for allowing other parties to electronically sign a document generated by such system or modified by the user and uploaded and stored in user's inbox referenced in claim 13 above.