Efficient data entry system for electronic forms
A method for efficient data entry in a field of an electronic form displayed on a mobile device screen is disclosed. The method comprises a user selecting a camera function using a camera selector and taking a picture of information. Selectable text is extracted from the picture and displayed in a data entry screen where the form is displayed. The user selects a one or more elements from the selectable text; and the selected elements are inserted into the field.
1. A method for efficient data entry in a first field of a form displayed on a mobile device screen comprising:
displaying, on said mobile device screen, at least two sections, wherein a first section displays said form and a second section displays a data entry screen;
displaying a camera selector for selecting a camera function, in a data recognition mode, from said data entry screen;
in response to a user taking a picture of information;
extracting, cropping and rotationally correcting selectable text from said picture and displaying said selectable text in said data entry screen;
in response to a user selecting one or more elements from said selectable text;
automatically inserting said one or more elements from said selectable text into said first field.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein when said one or more elements are not collocated, said inserting comprises merging said one or more elements into said first field.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein when said one or more elements are in multiple lines, said inserting comprises merging said one or more elements into said first field.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising live character tracking to give a preview of the selectable text.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying a keyboard selector enabling the user to modify the selectable text.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying a soft button enabling the user to take a picture without extracting selectable text for inserting in a second field of the form.
7. An apparatus comprising:
a processor; and
a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the apparatus to:
display at least two sections on a mobile device screen, wherein a first section is displaying a form and a second section is displaying a data entry screen;
display a camera selector for selecting a camera function, in a data recognition mode, from said data entry screen;
in response to a user taking a picture of information;
extract, crop and rotationally correct selectable text from said picture, and display said selectable text in said data entry screen;
in response to a user selecting one or more elements from said selectable text;
automatically insert said one or more elements from said selectable text into a selected first field of the form.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein when said one or more elements are not collocated on the picture, said inserting comprises merging said one or more elements in said first field.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein when said one or more elements are in multiple lines, said inserting comprises merging said one or more elements into said field.
10. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the instructions further configure the apparatus for character tracking to give a preview of the selectable text.
11. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the instructions further configure the apparatus to display a keyboard selector enabling the user to modify the selectable text.
12. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the instructions further configure the apparatus to display a soft button enabling the user to take a picture without extracting selectable text for inserting in a second field of the form.