Web-based electronically signed documents

Abstract

Techniques for electronic signature process management are described. Some embodiments provide an electronic signature service (“ESS”) configured to manage electronic signature processes represented by way of templates. In some embodiments, the ESS transmits a URL or other identifier of a template that specifies required electronic signature data, such as a singer name and/or signature. Then, the ESS dynamically prepares a form based on a received request for the identified template. Next, the ESS receives the electronic signature data by causing the form to be presented by a Web browser or other client. In some embodiments, the ESS and associated client systems perform these techniques without use of a Portable Document Format processing module.

1 . A method in an electronic signature service, comprising:
 without use of a Portable Document Format processing module,
 creating a template that specifies required electronic signature data; 
 transmitting a URL that identifies the template; 
 receiving a request based on the transmitted URL; 
 in response to the received request, preparing a form based on the template; 
 presenting the form within a Web browser; and 
 receiving the required electronic signature data. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the received request includes one or more arguments along with a portion of the transmitted URL, and wherein preparing the form includes populating the form with the included arguments. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the request is based on a URL that is dynamically generated by a module executing on a client device that executes the Web browser. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the module executing on the client device is a script executed by the Web browser. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the request is based on a URL that includes argument values received from data collection performed by a client device that executes the Web browser. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 after transmitting the URL that identifies the template, modifying the template to include additional required electronic signature data; and   in response to the received request, preparing the form to include controls for receiving the additional required electronic signature data.   
     
     
         7 . A system comprising:
 an electronic signature service computer configured, without use of a Portable Document Format processing module, to:
 transmit a URL that identifies a template that specifies required electronic signature data; 
 receive a request based on the transmitted URL; 
 in response to the received request, prepare a form based on the template; 
 present the form within a Web browser; and 
 receive the required electronic signature data. 
   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the transmitted URL is included in a Web site accessed by the Web browser. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the electronic signature service computer is further configured to transmit the received electronic signature data to one or more recipients specified by the template. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the template specifies usage restrictions, and wherein the electronic signature service computer is further configured to enforce the usage restrictions. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the usage restrictions specify a maximum number of times the template can be used for electronic signature purposes. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a client device that executes the Web browser and that is configured, without use of a Portable Document Format processing module, to:
 receive the transmitted URL; 
 dynamically generate the request based on the transmitted URL, by including one or more arguments in the generated request; and 
 transmit the request to the electronic signature service computer. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the client device is further configured to execute a module in the Web browser that dynamically generates the request based on the transmitted URL. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the module is a script executing in the Web browser. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the client device is further configured to:
 collect data values from a user of the client device; and 
 include the collected data values as the one or more arguments in the generated request. 
 
     
     
         16 . A computer-readable storage medium that includes instructions configured, when executed by a client device, to perform a method for interacting with an electronic signature service, the method comprising:
 without use of a Portable Document Format processing module,
 receiving a URL that identifies a template that specifies required electronic signature data; 
 transmitting a request based on the received URL; 
 receiving a form prepared based on the template; 
 collecting the required electronic signature data by presenting the received form in a Web browser executing on the client device; and 
 transmitting the collected data to the electronic signature service. 
   
     
     
         17 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein method further comprises executing a module in the Web browser that dynamically generates the request based on the transmitted URL. 
     
     
         18 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 17  wherein the module is a script executing in the Web browser. 
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 16  wherein the method further comprises:
 collecting data values from a user of the client device; and 
 including the collected data values as the one or more arguments in the generated request.