Method and apparatus for automatic form filling
A method and apparatus allowing for entry of form data in a browser. In the described embodiment, a browser automation program executes on the user's computer and communicates with a browser program in order to determine when forms are encountered.
1 . A method for inputting information into a form, comprising:
detecting an access to a first site that presents a form for receiving data from a user;
determining whether a script for completing at least a portion of the form resides in a database local to the user;
accessing a second site to ascertain whether the second site has a version of the script if the script does not reside in the local database; and
completing at least a portion of the form utilizing the script.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a browser is monitored for detecting the access to the first site.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second site is accessed via a network.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein an identifier associated with the first site is utilized to determined whether the script resides in at least one of the local database and the second site.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the identifier comprises a Universal Resource Locator (URL).
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the script includes contact information associated with the user for inputting into the form.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the script is utilized to present data for completing the at least a portion of the form prior to the user.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the user is permitted to modify the presented data prior to the completing.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the presented data is presented in a pop-up window displayed to the user.
10 . A system for inputting information into a form, comprising:
means for detecting an access to a first site that presents a form for receiving data from a user;
means for determining whether a script for completing at least a portion of the form resides in a database local to the user;
means for accessing a second site to ascertain whether the second site has a version of the script if the script does not reside in the local database; and
means for completing at least a portion of the form utilizing the script.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein a browser is monitored for detecting the access to the first site.
12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the second site is accessed via a network.
13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein an identifier associated with the first site is utilized to determined whether the script resides in at least one of the local database and the second site.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the identifier comprises a Universal Resource Locator (URL).
15 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the script includes contact information associated with the user for inputting into the form.
16 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the script is utilized to present data for completing the at least a portion of the form prior to the user.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the user is permitted to modify the presented data prior to the completing.
18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the presented data is presented in a pop-up window displayed to the user.
19 . A computer program product for inputting information into a form, comprising:
computer code for detecting an access to a first site that presents a form for receiving data from a user;
computer code for determining whether a script for completing at least a portion of the form resides in a database local to the user;
computer code for accessing a second site to ascertain whether the second site has a version of the script if the script does not reside in the local database; and
computer code for completing at least a portion of the form utilizing the script.
20 . The computer program product of claim 19 , wherein an identifier associated with the first site is utilized to determined whether the script resides in at least one of the local database and the second site.