WO2002048819A2

WO2002048819A2 - Method and system for document creation

Info

Publication number: WO2002048819A2
Application number: PCT/GB2001/005341
Authority: WO
Inventors: Saeid Mokhtassi
Original assignee: Saeid Mokhtassi
Priority date: 2000-12-16
Filing date: 2001-12-04
Publication date: 2002-06-20
Also published as: AU2002220873A1; GB0031217D0; WO2002048819A3

Abstract

The present invention discloses a document creation method comprising the steps of: i. on a visual display unit, graphically representing a field and a item for the field; ii. on the visual display unit, associating the graphical representation of the field and the graphical representation of the item, and iii. creating a document in which the graphically represented item is inserted in the graphically represented field of the document. A corresponding computer program and system are also disclosed.

Description

Improvements In and Relating to Document Creation

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to methods of document creation, to computer programs embodying such methods and to corresponding systems .

Background to the Invention

Many documents produced for legal and/or commercial matters can be reduced to a standard text in which a variety of options can be inserted at specified portions. One such example is that of a Will, which will have certain standard sections and, generally, a limited number of variable sections. An example of such a Will follows:

"THIS is the Last Will and Testament of me John William Thomas of 17 Kingsway, Manchester.

1. I REVOKE all former WILLS codicils and Testamentary dispositions made by me and declare this is to be my last WILL.

2. Appointment of Executors or Trustee

I appoint James Gordon Whitaker of 14 Station Road, Bury and Marion Granger of 2 Middle Street, Liverpool to be the Executors and Trustees of this Will and I declare that the expression ^λMy Trustees' means my executors and the trustees of this Will and of any trust that might arise under it. 3. Appointment of Guardians

I appoint Martin Goodman of 17 Riley Drive, Prestwich, Manchester to be the guardian of my children, Ev and John.

4. Funeral Directions

I wish my body to be buried.

Gift of Residue

My Trustees shall distribute my residuary estate as follows -

1. As to a 100.00% share of Car - vehicle registration L236 PWW to my daughter Emma Bridle of 12 Castle Terrace, Kingsway, Manchester absolutely.

2. As to a 100.00% share of James Villa to my Son in law James Bridle of 12 Castle Terrace, Kingsway, Manchester absolutely.

3. As to a 50.00% share of Laptop to my Daughter Emma Bridle of 12 Castle Terrace, Kingsway, Manchester.

If under this clause any share fails such share shall return to my residuary estate and be distributed to the other beneficiaries pro rata according to their shares .

6. Trustee Powers I direct that my Trustees may exercise the power of appropriation conferred under Section 41 of the Administration of Estates Act 1925 without obtaining any of the consents required under that section.

To make and change investments as freely as if they were absolute beneficial owners.

To make any payment or transfer to the parent or guardian of any beneficiary who is a minor or personally if that person has reached 16 years of age and the receipt of such person shall be good discharge to my Trustees .

To delegate their powers of investment to any company or person and may allow any investments to be held in their names .

Attestation.

Dated this 15 November 2000

SIGNED by the above named testator in our joint presence and then by us in the testator's presence and in the presence of each other.

First Witness Second Witness

Signature Full Name Address

Occupation

Emphasis (underlining) has been added to highlight those sections of the Will that are variable. The other sections tend to remain the same from Will to Will.

It is known for manual Will creation kits to be provided in which standard sections of a Will are reproduced and variable sections (such as those highlighted above) are added by the Testator according to their wishes. Such a process can be laborious and overly complex.

It is aim of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide an advantageous documentation creation method.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a document creation method comprising the steps of:

i. on a visual display unit, graphically representing a field and a item for the field; ii. on the visual display unit, associating the graphical representation of the field and the graphical representation of the item, and iii. creating a document in which the graphically represented item is inserted in the graphically represented field of the document.

The term "item" is used in its broadest sense to including anything that can fall within a relevant field. It need not be a physical object. For instance, in the case of a Will it may be an intellectual property right or a name.

Suitably, in step i, the graphical representation of the field depicts an icon associated with the field.

Suitably, in step i, the graphical representation of the item depicts an icon associated with the item.

Suitably, the graphical representation of the field and the graphical representation of the item are associated with one another by moving the graphical representation of one relative to the other. Suitably, one is moved to the other. Suitably, the graphical representation of the field and the graphical representation of the variable are associated with one another by dragging and dropping one on the other. Suitably, the graphical representation of the item is dragged and dropped to the graphical representation of the field.

Suitably, a plurality of fields are graphically represented on the visual display unit. Suitably, a plurality of items are graphically represented on the visual display unit.

Suitably, a field can be defined by a user. Suitably, an item can be defined by a user. Suitably, the association of an item with a field can be varied, whereby in the created document a relative association is included. Suitably, said relative association comprises a numerical value, typically a percentage.

Suitably, the relative association of an item with a field is displayable. Suitably, the numerical remainder of association of an item is displayable.

Suitably the document is a Will .

Suitably, the graphical representation is provided by a WINDOWS (trade mark) operating system graphical user interface.

Suitably, the method comprises an additional step of printing the document.

According to the present invention is a second aspect, there is provided a document creation system comprising a visual display unit and a processor, whereby the system is configured to operate according to the method of the first aspect of the invention.

According to the present invention in a third aspect, there is provided a computer program configured and adapted to operate a method according to the first aspect of the invention. The system will generally comprise a computer. The computer may operate according to a program according to the second aspect of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings that follow; in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for putting embodiments of the present invention into effect .

Figure 2 is a functional flow diagram illustrating a mode of operation of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a screen-layout of a visual display unit as part of the method shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a functional flow diagram illustrating operation of part of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic representation corresponding to figure 3 further along the method.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The present invention will be described in relation to the creation of a Will document, but it will be appreciated that the present invention can be extended to the creation of any document in which an item is to be inserted in the field. For instance, the invention could be used for documentation relating to divorces or conveyancing.

Embodiments of the present invention may be embodied by a computer program configured and adapted to operate as described below.

In the present embodiment, referring to Figure 1 the invention is embodied on a computer 2 comprising a central processing unit 4 with an associated hard drive memory device 6 on which is stored a software program

(schematically at 8) to operate the computer 2 for the present embodiment . The computer 2 further comprises peripheral input devices, a keyboard 10 and a mouse 12, and a visual display unit (VDU) 14. Other components of the computer 2 are deemed to be present, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment the present invention is configured to operate in a WINDOWS (trade mark) operating system environment.

When the software program 8 is first installed and executed a user is given the opportunity to register the software (for updates, new versions etc) by fax, mail or on-line.

Figure 2 is a schematic functional flow diagram illustrating operation of this embodiment of the present invention.

After executing the software program 8, the user is presented with a basic information input form, to input basic information (step 100) . The basic information is a) first name, b) surname, c) middle name(s), d) address, e) date of birth, f) male/female, g) married/single. To produce the Will exemplified above, the user may have inserted the following:

a) John b) Thomas c) William d) 17 Kingsway, Manchester e) 1 February 1959 f) male g⁾ single

The user may be able to select some of these options (for instance dates, male/female, married/single) from lists (which may be drop-down lists) on-screen. Date entry may be permitted in various formats and standardised. These are features familiar to those skilled in the art.

Next the user inputs whether they wish to leave all of their estate to one person (step 102) . If the answer is "yes" the user is provided with a beneficiary basic information screen is provided for the user to input beneficiary basic information (step 104) . If the answer is "no" or after step 104 the user is taken to an advanced setting window (step 106) .

In the advanced settings window the user is presented with further fields to complete and options to select . The options are selectable from a menu-bar as follows:

i) Appoint executor (s) and trustee (s) ii) Storing documents iii) Guardianship iv) Funeral preferences v) Assets outside country of residence.

In i) for executor/trustee the user is required to enter h) full name and i) address. In the example above the entries are:

hi) James Gordon Whitaker il) 14 Station Road, Bury h.2) Marion Granger i2) 2 Middle Street, Liverpool

In ii) the user is given the option of specifying where any valuable documents (share certificate, investment details, Will, Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, properties, Building Society account books, insurance documents etc) are stored. A default set of documents can be provided that can be edited by the user. There is no entry for this section in the above example.

In iii) details of up to two guardians for any relevant child/children under 18 can be provided. Entries are: j) full name of guardian; h) name of child/children and 1) full address of guardian. In the example above, the entries are:

j ) Martin Goodman kl) Ev k2) John 1) 17 Riley Drive, Prestwich, Manchester. In iv) funeral preferences in free text can be entered. In the above example: m) "I wish my body to be buried" is the entry.

In v) foreign assets can be entered and bequest details specified as a free text entry. There is no entry for this section in the above example.

After step 106 the method proceeds to an interactive Will- maker window (step 108) .

In the "interactive Will-maker" window, as show diagrammatically in figure 3, the screen of the visual display unit has three sections:

Assets section (300)

Beneficiary section (302)

Menu bar section (304)

And each section has three buttons.

NEW (306, 308) EDIT (310, 312) DELETE (314, 316)

The general principle is that a user enters details of their assets (items) and beneficiaries (fields) and associates one with the other by moving the corresponding asset icon to the relevant beneficiary icon. The degree of association of asset to beneficiary can be varied by modifying the numerical percentage of the asset to be bequeathed to that beneficiary. The movement of an icon on a NDU in this way is referred to generally as "drag and drop" as is known to those skilled in the art.

In more detail, with reference to figure 4 a user creates beneficiary field (step 400) by clicking the NEW button (308) in the beneficiary section 302. This calls up a form requesting the following information about a beneficiary m) full name, n) address, o) relationship to testator. In the above example the entries are:

ml) Emma Bridle nl) 12 Castle Terrace, Kingsway, Manchester

01) daughter

m2 ) James Bridle n2 ) 12 Castle Terrace , Kingsway, Manchester

02) Son-in-law

For each such beneficiary a separate icon is created with, optionally, the full name of the beneficiary shown with the icon as an identifier.

In step 402 an icon can be selected to represent the beneficiary. A range of facial appearances are presented.

Next, at step 404, the user enters details of the or each asset by clicking on the NEW button 306 in the assets section 302 to generate a free text entry. In the above example three asset items are created, the entries for which are:

.pi) Car-vehicle registration L236 PWW p2) James Villa p3 ) Laptop

A selection of icons is provided for each asset as a ready identifier. For instance the icons may include: a car, a tricycle, a pet, a horse, a computer, a ring, money etc (step 406) .

To associate a beneficiary (field) with an asset (item) (step 408) the user drags the item and drops it on the relevant beneficiary. So, far instance to insert in the Will to be created that the asset "car - vehicle registration L236 PWW" is to be bequeathed to the beneficiary "Emma Bridle" , the corresponding asset icon is dragged and dropped on to the "Emma Bridle" beneficiary icon from the assets section 302 to the beneficiary section 304. As the asset is dropped (typically done by releasing a mouse key) a small window appears for the user to insert the percentage of the asset to be bequeathed (associated) with the beneficiary (step 410) . The default is 100%. This action for pi), p2) and p3) creates variables ql) , q2) and q3) as corresponding percentages.

The next time the same asset is dragged and dropped it only shows the percentage of the asset remaining taking into consideration the percentages bequeathed elsewhere, in which case the default percentage value at step 408 becomes the remaining percentage. If 100% of the asset has already been bequeathed elsewhere an error message to this effect appears if a further bequest is attempted.

Once a beneficiary receives an asset in the system this beneficiary icon is modified to show that they have been bequeathed an asset. Typically this is by the addition of a further icon, which further icon can be double-clicked for information on the item and the percentage bequeathed.

A right click on such a bequeathed asset provides the option for it to be copied, deleted or the percentage bequeathed changed.

After creation of any asset or beneficiary, their details can be edited by highlighting the relevant asset/beneficiary and activating the corresponding EDIT buttons 310, 312 in the relevant section.

The system is configured so that (in a WINDOWS (trade mark) environment) with the mouse pointer (which expression includes cursor) over any items the item is highlighted. An enter function (mouse click or enter key) while an item is highlighted generates an information table specific to that item.

The menu bar provides the following option:

Next - Closes the current window and opens the "advance setting window" .

Default - Sets the interactive page back to the default configuration (a YES/NO confirmation is sought before proceeding.

Save - Save current file

Save As - Save current file in different name.

Open - open existing file, Exit terminate program (after requests to save unsaved changes)

View option to move between available screens.

Create - creates documents on screen and gives option to print.

Help Help library option.

Referring to figure 5, a screen layout is shown similar to that in figure 3 (the same numerals being used for corresponding integers) with two asset icons 500, 502 and two beneficiary icons 504, 506. Arrow 508 indicates a drag and drop operation.

Based on the above steps at step 412 a document is created in which the data entered by the user is inserted in a pro forma document as follows, using the reference letter given above .

"THIS is the Last Will and Testament of me a) c) b) of d) .

3. I REVOKE all former WILLS codicils and Testamentary dispositions made by me and declare this is to be my last WILL.

Appointment of Executors or Trustee

I appoint 11) of il) and 12) of i2) be the Executors and Trustees of this Will and I declare that the expression ^λMy Trustees' means my executors and the trustees of this Will and of any trust that might arise under it.

3. Appointment of Guardians

I appoint j) of 1) to be the guardian of my children, kl) and k2.

4. Funeral Directions

m) .

5. Gift of Residue

My Trustees shall distribute my residuary estate as follows -

1. As to a ql) share of pi) to ol) ml) absolutely.

2. As to a q2) share of p2) to my o2) m2) of n2) absolutely.

3. As to a q3) share of p3) to ol) ml) nl) .

6. Trustee Powers

I direct that my Trustees may exercise the power of appropriation conferred under Section 41 of the Administration of Estates Act 1925 without obtaining any of the consents required under that section.

To make and change investments as freely as if they were absolute beneficial owners .

To delegate their powers of investment to any company or person and may allow any investments to be held in their names.

Attestation.

Dated this (DATE)

First Witness Second Witness

Signature

Full Name Address Occupation

This generates the Will first shown above as an example,

The numbered paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Will are only included because entries were made in the respective fields. As, for instance, no entry was made in the "storing documents" option, that section does not appear.

Once created the document can be printed Step (414) as is well known in the art.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a convenient, simple, fast and accurate way of creating documents in which variable items fall to be placed in variable fields.

The Will shown is by way of example only, it is not necessarily compliant with the Laws of any country.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification

(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s) . The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A document creation method comprising the steps of:

i . on a visual display unit, graphically representing a field and a item for the field; ii. on the visual display unit, associating the graphical representation of the field and the graphical representation of the item, and iii. creating a document in which the graphically represented item is inserted in the graphically represented field of the document .

2. A document creation method according to claim 1, in which in step i, the graphical representation of the field depicts an icon associated with the field.

3. A document creation method according to claim 1, in which in step i, the graphical representation of the item depicts an icon associated with the item.

4. A document creation method according to any preceding claim, in which the graphical representation of the field and the graphical representation of the item are associated with one another by moving the graphical representation of one relative to the other.

5. A document creation method according to claim 4, in which one is moved to the other.

A document creation method according to claim 4 or claim 5, in which the graphical representation of the field and the graphical representation of the variable are associated with one another by dragging and dropping one on the other.

7. A document creation method according to claim 6, in which the graphical representation of the item is dragged and dropped to the graphical representation of the field.

8. A document creation method according to any precedig claim, in which a plurality of fields are graphically represented on the visual display unit .

9. A document creation method according to claim 8, in which a plurality of items are graphically represented on the visual display unit.

10. A document creation method according to any preceding claim, in which a field is defined by a user.

11. A document creation method according to any preceding claim, in which an item is defined by a user.

12. A document creation method according to any preceding claim, in which the association of an item with a field can be varied, whereby in the created document a relative association is included.

13. A document creation method according to claim 12, in which said relative association comprises a numerical value.

14. A document creation method according to claim 12 or claim 13, in which the relative association of an item with a field is displayable.

15. A document creation method according to claim 14 , in which the numerical remainder of association of an item is displayable.

16. A document creation method according to any preceding claim, in which the document is a Will.

17. A document creation method according to any preceding claim, in which the graphical representation is provided by a WINDOWS (trade mark) operating system graphical user interface.

18. A document creation method according to any preceding claim, in which the method comprises an additional step of printing the document .

19. A document creation system comprising a visual display unit and a processor, whereby the system is configured to operate a document creation method according to any preceding claim.

20. A computer program configured and adapted to operate a method according to any one of claims 1 to 18.