Apparatus and method for processing an electronic document to derive a first electronic document with electronic-sign items and a second electronic document with wet-sign items

Abstract

An apparatus has a processor and a memory connected to a bus. The memory stores instructions executed by the processor to receive an electronic document from a network. Image processing segments are formed. The image processing segments are processed to generate classification data including text strings. Image processing segments are also processed to identify signing items such as signature lines, date and text fields, checkboxes, and radio-buttons. Each signing item is categorized as an electronic-sign item or a wet-sign item. A first electronic document is produced with pages from the electronic document that have electronic-sign items and a second electronic document is produced with pages from the electronic document that have wet-sign items. The first electronic document is augmented with metadata characterizing locations of and any conditional logic associated with the electronic-sign items. A signer identification code is also included for each item to indicate which signer the item applies to in the case of multiple signers. The first electronic document is sent to the network for delivery to a machine supporting an electronic signing service. The second electronic document is sent to the network for delivery to a client machine.