System and method for identifying form type in a handwriting recognition based form completion system

Abstract

The system of the present invention includes a form design component, a form description repository, and a forms processing component Each form used with the system has a layout including a form identifier field with a common location space for each given form of the plurality of different types of forms. The forms processing component is coupled to the form description repository and receives data from an electronic clipboard, through an interface port, which permits recognition of a unique form identifier, communication with the form description repository, receipt of a form definition corresponding to the unique form identifier, and correct processing of the data on the given form (based on the identifier) The method includes generating a form identifier field having a common location space for each different type of form, prompting a user of the system to enter a unique form identifier into the field, via input of at least one handwritten stroke, recording electronic stroke data indicative of the at least one handwritten stroke, storing the stroke data together with electronic entry field data indicative of contents of other fields of the given form, and then invoking a handwriting recognition engine on the stroke data so as to obtain correct identity of each given form, thereby permitting proper processing of the electronic entry field data.