2022 JAN 18 (NewsRx) — By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News — According to news reporting originating from Alexandria, Virginia, by NewsRx journalists, a patent by the inventors Elsamman, Sam (Springfield, MA, US), Krishnaswamy, Harish (Springfield, MA, US), filed on September 25, 2017, was published online on December 28, 2021.
The assignee for this patent, patent number 11210459, is Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (Springfield, Massachusetts, United States).
Reporters obtained the following quote from the background information supplied by the inventors: “Data intake forms (e.g., questionnaires) may provide an interactive cellular interface for data intake and processing. Online questionnaires can be locally run or network-based. The questionnaires can contain a single worksheet or a plurality of worksheets, whether related or unrelated to each other in content or form. As the processing power of computers allow for greater computer functionality and the Internet technology era allows for interconnectivity between computing systems, many institutions rely on online questionnaires to receive data from users and potential clients. However, new technical challenges have been identified. For example, conventional software solutions utilize a static method to display data intake questionnaires by rendering the questionnaires based on existing code (e.g., code stored within an internal or an external database). To combat this problem, many existing software solutions have attempted to dynamically render the questionnaires by allowing an employee to update and/or modify the corresponding code. However, this method requires the employees to be familiar with complex coding algorithms; this task has been proven difficult because most employees have little or no software programming knowledge. For example, an employee must be familiar with XML or HTML in order to modify the code and to customize the data intake questionnaire. The technical challenges become more challenging if the network page (displaying the questionnaire) should contain a set of labels and a set of fields, both of which would dynamically change in real-time, whether in content or type, based on a set of user inputs into the set of fields. The technical challenges become even more challenging if the set of labels must precisely match a preexisting content output, such as a paper document or an electronic document. The technical challenges become yet even more challenging if a file should be generated based on the set of user inputs.
“Furthermore, many data intake questionnaires are associated with sensitive data, such as medical or personal data. These data intakes questionnaires may be regulated by various state and/or federal laws. For example, several federal and/or state laws require various disclaimers to be displayed based upon a potential client’s responses to certain questions. Conventional online questionnaires display all the disclaimers associated with the data intake (whether relevant to the potential client’s responses or not). These disclaimers are complicated, wordy, and confusing; therefore, conventional solutions create a negative user experience by “crowding” the graphical user interface provided to the potential clients. Some disclaimers are often unnecessary and not-applicable to all users. However, conventional software solutions usually include all the relevant disclaimers because modifying the code that controls the rendering of the graphical user interface is too burdensome and technically challenging. Moreover, many entities are not willing to risk allowing employees to modify the code because the employees (e.g., field agents) typically do not have proper programming experience and knowledge.”
In addition to obtaining background information on this patent, NewsRx editors also obtained the inventors’ summary information for this patent: “For the aforementioned reasons, there is a need for an accurate and efficient computer-implemented system and method for dynamically generating and rendering an online data intake questionnaire, which is configured to be modified by a person with a minimal knowledge of programming. This disclosure at least partially addresses at least one of the above challenges. However, this disclosure can prove useful to other technical areas. Therefore, at least some claims should not be construed as necessarily limited to addressing any of the above challenges.
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“In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving, by a server, from a first computing device, a first file comprising a spreadsheet, wherein the spreadsheet comprises at least a first row and a second row, wherein the first row comprises a first statement cell comprising a first statement, a first data type cell comprising a first data type identifier, a first logic cell comprising a first logic, and a first field cell comprising a first field identifier, wherein the second row comprises a second statement cell comprising a second statement, a second data type cell comprising a second data type identifier, a second logic cell comprising a second logic, and a second field cell comprising a second field identifier; dynamically rendering, by the server, a graphical user interface configured to be displayed on a second computing device, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a first label and a first input element, wherein the first label comprises the first statement sourced from and corresponding to the first statement cell, wherein the first input element is configured for a first input according to the first data type identifier sourced from and corresponding to the first data type cell; in response to receiving, by the server, the first input from the second computing device: evaluating, by the server, the first input against the first logic, and in response to the first input corresponding to the first logic: dynamically rendering, by the server, a second label and a second input element to be displayed on the graphical user interface, wherein the second label comprises the second statement sourced from and corresponding to the second statement cell, and wherein the second input element is configured for a second input according to the second data type identifier sourced from and corresponding to the second data type cell; and in response to receiving, by the server, the second input: evaluating, by the server, the second input against the second logic, and in response to the second input corresponding to the second logic: generating, by the server, a second file, wherein the server inserts the first input into a first field of the second file based on the first field identifier and inserts the second input into a second field of the second file based on the second field identifier; and transmitting, by the server, the second file comprising the first input and the second input to the first computing device.
“In another embodiment, a computer system comprises a server, which is configured to a server configured to: receive, from a first computing device, a first file comprising a spreadsheet, wherein the spreadsheet comprises at least a first row and a second row, wherein the first row comprises a first statement cell comprising a first statement, a first data type cell comprising a first data type identifier, a first logic cell comprising a first logic, and a first field cell comprising a first field identifier, wherein the second row comprises a second statement cell comprising a second statement, a second data type cell comprising a second data type identifier, a second logic cell comprising a second logic, and a second field cell comprising a second field identifier; dynamically render a graphical user interface configured to be displayed on a second computing device, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a first label and a first input element, wherein the first label comprises the first statement sourced from and corresponding to the first statement cell, wherein the first input element is configured for a first input according to the first data type identifier sourced from and corresponding to the first data type cell; in response to receiving the first input from the second computing device: evaluate the first input against the first logic, and in response to the first input corresponding to the first logic: dynamically render a second label and a second input element to be displayed on the graphical user interface, wherein the second label comprises the second statement sourced from and corresponding to the second statement cell, and wherein the second input element is configured for a second input according to the second data type identifier sourced from and corresponding to the second data type cell; and in response to receiving the second input: evaluate the second input against the second logic, and in response to the second input corresponding to the second logic: generate a second file, wherein the server inserts the first input into a first field of the second file based on the first field identifier and inserts the second input into a second field of the second file based on the second field identifier; and transmit the second file comprising the first input and the second input to the first computing device.
“In another embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving, by a server, from a first computing device, a rendering request comprising a request to render a graphical user interface displayed on a second computing device; querying, by the server, a database to retrieve a spreadsheet associated with the graphical user interface, wherein the spreadsheet comprises at least a first row and a second row, wherein the first row comprises a first statement cell comprising a first statement, a first data type cell comprising a first data type identifier, a first logic cell comprising a first logic, and a first field cell comprising a first field identifier, wherein the second row comprises a second statement cell comprising a second statement, a second data type cell comprising a second data type identifier, a second logic cell comprising a second logic, and a second field cell comprising a second field identifier; upon retrieving the spreadsheet, dynamically rendering, by the server, the graphical user interface on the second computing device, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a first label and a first input element, wherein the first label comprises the first statement sourced from and corresponding to the first statement cell, wherein the first input element is configured for a first input according to the first data type identifier sourced from and corresponding to the first data type cell; upon displaying the first label, receiving, by the server, a first input from the second computing device; in response to receiving the first input: evaluating, by the server, the first input against the first logic, and in response to the first input corresponding to the first logic: dynamically rendering, by the server, a second label and a second input element to be displayed on the graphical user interface, wherein the second label comprises the second statement sourced from and corresponding to the second statement cell, and wherein the second input element is configured for a second input according to the second data type identifier sourced from and corresponding to the second data type cell; and in response to receiving, by the server, the second input: evaluating, by the server, the second input against the second logic.
“In another embodiment, a computer system comprised a server, which is configured to: receive from a first computing device, a rendering request comprising a request to render a graphical user interface displayed on a second computing device; query a database to retrieve a spreadsheet associated with the graphical user interface, wherein the spreadsheet comprises at least a first row and a second row, wherein the first row comprises a first statement cell comprising a first statement, a first data type cell comprising a first data type identifier, a first logic cell comprising a first logic, and a first field cell comprising a first field identifier, wherein the second row comprises a second statement cell comprising a second statement, a second data type cell comprising a second data type identifier, a second logic cell comprising a second logic, and a second field cell comprising a second field identifier; upon retrieving the spreadsheet, dynamically render the graphical user interface on the second computing device, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a first label and a first input element, wherein the first label comprises the first statement sourced from and corresponding to the first statement cell, wherein the first input element is configured for a first input according to the first data type identifier sourced from and corresponding to the first data type cell; upon displaying the first label, receive a first input from the second computing device; in response to receiving the first input: evaluate the first input against the first logic, and in response to the first input corresponding to the first logic: dynamically render a second label and a second input element to be displayed on the graphical user interface, wherein the second label comprises the second statement sourced from and corresponding to the second statement cell, and wherein the second input element is configured for a second input according to the second data type identifier sourced from and corresponding to the second data type cell; and in response to receiving the second input: evaluate the second input against the second logic.”
The claims supplied by the inventors are:
“1. A method comprising: displaying, by a server, a first graphical user interface to a first client, wherein the first graphical user interface comprises a check-out element configured for a check-out input related to a file and a check-in element configured for a check-in input related to the file, wherein the file comprises a spreadsheet, wherein the spreadsheet comprises a plurality of rows that are positioned immediately adjacent to each other, wherein each of the rows comprises a statement cell comprising a statement, a data type cell comprising a data type identifier, and a logic cell comprising a logic; in response to receiving, by the server, the check-out input from the first client, checking-out, by the server, the file such that the file cannot be modified by a second client until the server receives the check-in input from the first client; receiving, by the server, from the first client, a modification request associated with the file that is checked-out and a modification input associated with the modification request; modifying, by the server, for at least one of the rows, at least one of the statement, the data type identifier, or the logic based on the modification request and the modification input from the first client; in response to receiving, by the server, the check-in input from the first client after the at least one of the statement, the data type identifier, or the logic has been modified based on the modification request and the modification input from the first client, checking-in, by the server, the file such that the file can be modified by the second client; generating, by the server, a set of rendering instructions corresponding to a second graphical user interface based on the rows of the spreadsheet after the spreadsheet has been modified such that the second graphical user interface comprises a plurality of labels and a plurality of input elements, wherein the labels are conditionally generated based on the statement in each of the statement cells and the logic in each of the logic cells, wherein the input elements are conditionally generated based on the data type identifier in each of the data type cells and the logic in each of the logic cells, wherein the rows one-to-one correspond to the labels, wherein the rows one-to-one correspond to the input elements, wherein the labels one-to-one correspond to the input elements, wherein at least one of the labels comprises at least one of the statements, wherein at least one of the input elements is configured for an input based on at least one of the data type identifiers, wherein the second graphical user interface is a reflexive questionnaire formed via the labels and the input elements; and transmitting, by the server, the set of rendering instructions to a third client, whereby the set of rendering instructions causes the third client to display the second graphical user interface when the set of rendering instructions is executed by the third client.
“2. The method of claim 1, wherein the file is stored in the first client.
“3. The method of claim 1, wherein the spreadsheet is partially stored in the first client and the second client.
“4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: notifying, by the server, the second client that the file is checked out, in an event that the second client attempts to modify the file when the file is checked out.
“5. The method of claim 1, wherein the server notifies via a notification that comprises an identification of the first client.
“6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: upon rendering the second graphical user interface on the third client, receiving, by the server, a plurality of inputs corresponding to the input elements.
“7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating, by the server, a second file corresponding to the second graphical user interface rendered on the third client.
“8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second file comprises at least the inputs received from the third client.
“9. The method of claim 1, wherein the server receives the modification request from the first client.
“10. The method of claim 1, wherein the third client is a mobile device.
“11. A computer system comprising: a server comprising a hardware processor and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions that when executed by the hardware processor cause the hardware processor to perform operations comprising to: display a first graphical user interface to a first client, wherein the first graphical user interface comprises a check-out element configured for a check-out input related to a file and a check-in element configured for a check-in input related to the file, wherein the file comprises a spreadsheet, wherein the spreadsheet comprises a plurality of rows that are positioned immediately adjacent to each other, wherein each of the rows comprises a statement cell comprising a statement, a data type cell comprising a data type identifier, and a logic cell comprising a logic; in response to receiving the check-out input from the first client, check-out the file such that the file cannot be modified by a second client until the server receives the check-in input from the first client; receive from the first client, a modification request associated with the file that is checked-out and a modification input associated with the modification request; modify, for at least one of the rows, at least one of the statement, the data type identifier, or the logic based on the modification request and the modification input from the first client; in response to receiving the check-in input from the first client after the at least one of the statement, the data type identifier, or the logic has been modified based on the modification request and the modification input from the first client, check-in the file such that the file can be modified by the second client; generate a set of rendering instructions corresponding to a second graphical user interface based on the rows of the spreadsheet after the spreadsheet has been modified such that the second graphical user interface comprises a plurality of labels and a plurality of input elements, wherein the labels are conditionally generated based on the statement in each of the statement cells and the logic in each of the logic cells, wherein the input elements are conditionally generated based on the data type identifier in each of the data type cells and the logic in each of the logic cells, wherein the rows one-to-one correspond to the labels, wherein the rows one-to-one correspond to the input elements, wherein the labels one-to-one correspond to the input elements, wherein at least one of the labels comprises at least one of the statements, wherein at least one of the input elements is configured for an input based on at least one of the data type identifiers, wherein the second graphical user interface is a reflexive questionnaire formed via the labels and the input elements; and transmit the set of rendering instructions to a third client, whereby the set of rendering instructions causes the third client to display the second graphical user interface when the set of rendering instructions is executed by the third client.
“12. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the file is stored in the first client.
“13. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the spreadsheet is partially stored in the first client and the second client.
“14. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the server is further configured to: notify the second client that the file is checked out, in an event that the second client attempts to modify the file when the file is checked out.
“15. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the server notified via a notification that comprises an identification of the first client.
“16. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the server is further configured to: upon rendering the second graphical user interface on the third client, receive a plurality of inputs corresponding to the input elements.
“17. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the server is further configured to: generate a second file corresponding to the second graphical user interface rendered on the third client.
“18. The computer system of claim 17, wherein the second file comprises at least the inputs received from the third client.
“19. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the server is configured to receive the modification request from the first client.
“20. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the third client is a mobile device.”
For more information, see this patent: Elsamman, Sam. Systems, devices, and methods for software coding. U.S. Patent Number 11210459, filed September 25, 2017, and published online on December 28, 2021. Patent URL: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=11210459.PN.&OS=PN/11210459RS=PN/11210459
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