Automated document drafting system6934905Abstract A system for automated drafting of a customized document, the system interfacing with a word processing application having a plurality of word processing functionalities and with a database having a plurality of data base functionalities, the system including a user interface and controller having a plurality of programming functionalities, the user interface and controller interfacing with a user by presenting a sequence of requests to the user so that the user provides information necessary to prepare the document, the user interface and controller communicating with the data base whereby the data base supplies data stored in the data base to the user interface and controller, the data being provided to the user interface and controller for providing a format for the requests to the user and for preparing text in the document, the user interface and controller and the word processing application communicating so that the user interface and controller controls the word processing application to prepare and generate the document, wherein the user interface and controller comprises a program for providing the sequence of requests to the user to obtain the information from the user for the preparation of the document and further for manipulating the document using the word processing application in response to the information received from the user, and further wherein the sequence of requests is dynamically altered by the program in response to the information provided in response to previous requests, the program determining the next request of the dynamically alterable sequence of requests to be provided to the user and when and how to manipulate the document. Claims 1. A system for automated drafting of a customized document, the system interfacing with a word processing application having a plurality of word processing functionalities and with a data base having a plurality of data base functionalities, the system comprising: Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, the overall system preferably comprises a user interface and controller comprising a full programming environment 10 comprising the program to be discussed herein and having full programming functionalities capable of being accessed by the program, a full word processing environment 20 comprising a word processing application having full word processing functionalities capable of being accessed by the program, and a full data base environment 30 comprising a database having full data base functionalities. The system creates a document 40 which is initially derived from a stored template 22, to be described below. The full programming environment 10 may be an application created through the use of the programming language Visual Basic, Version 6.0 and includes all functionalities provided in that programming language, as known to those of skill in the art. Full programming environment 10 provides instructions to the full word processing environment 20 which may be Microsoft Word, as explained above, installed on the computer 1. The full programming environment 10 sends instructions and data to the full data base environment 30 which may comprise Microsoft Access also installed on computer 1. Both of these applications are available from Microsoft and are well known. Microsoft Word includes a plurality of well known word processing functionalities, and Microsoft Access includes a plurality of well known data base control functionalities. Examples of programming environment functionalities include, without limitation, mathematical functions, verifying matches, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), and logical functions such as SELECT CASE, IF THEN, loops etc., or combinations of these. These are all functions well known to those of skill in the art. Examples of word processing environment functionalities include AUTOTEXT, bookmarks, fields, tables etc., also well known to those of skill in the art. The full data base environment 30 provides responsive data from the data base to the full programming environment 10. This data comprises two types of data. A first type is used to populate screen display forms so that appropriate questions are presented to the user to solicit information for the document. The second type comprises data displayed in the forms for insertion in the document, e.g., alternate provisions for insertion in the document. The full programming environment 10 comprises both a user interface (by presenting questions to the user soliciting information for the document) and a controller controlling the operation of the word processing environment 20 and the database 30. Full programming environment 10 provides instructions (14) to the full word processing environment 20 which operates (16) on the document 40. Optionally, programming environment 10 may operate directly on the document to be produced 40, as shown by line 12, in the event a word processing functionality is programmed in the programming environment 10 which is not present in the word processing environment 20. Such a functionality would then be provided by the programming environment 10. In addition, the full data base environment 30 may optionally provide data directly (32) to the document 40 which is inserted into the document 40 under programming environment 10 control. Generally, full data base environment 30 supplies data (34) to the full programming environment 10 in response to instructions (36) from the full programming environment 10. Optionally, full data base environment 30 supplies data (31) to the full word processing environment 20 in response to instructions from the full programming environment 10. The data base environment 30 comprises a program, well known to those of skill in the art, which manipulates a number of user defined data and tables, e.g., tables including alternative provisions for the document, lists of names, titles, cities, greetings, etc. In the present invention, unlike other document generation systems, the user interfaces with a full programming environment 10 programmed in a language such as Visual Basic to prepare a document which is generated by the full word processing environment 20 responding to instructions from the full programming environment 10 and data from data base environment 30. This provides significant advantages over prior art systems, in particular, this allows use of any and all logical functions, either alone, or in combination, and access to all the needed functionalities of the full word processing environment 20 while at the same time allowing access to all the needed functionalities of the full programming environment 10 to generate the document. This allows the system to dynamically structure the way in which information is obtained for preparing the document. FIG. 2 shows the basic subparts of the full programming environment 10. The full programming environment 10 comprises a program including three basic subparts, Forms 10A, Program Logic 10B and Insert Text function 10C. Program Logic 10B drives the other two functions, i.e., it defines the basic operation of the system for generating a document. Forms 10A is a user interface that generates screen displays called forms which solicit information from the user required to prepare the document. The content of these forms is dynamically alterable in response to the user provided information so that a basic form format can present different content to the user requesting different information depending on the information already provided by the user. The information for populating the forms is stored in database 30. A limited number of forms are used. The format of a form is defined. The content of the form, i.e., the information presented and questions asked, is dynamically alterable. In this say, the same form can be used for soliciting different information. Generally, however, if two different pieces of information are obtained by presenting similar type questions, the same form will be used for soliciting both pieces of information. For example, if both questions require a Yes or No answer, the same form is used, although the questions in each screen display generated by the form are different. The information solicited by Forms 10A is passed to the Program Logic 10B which is the basic logic flow which determines, based upon the information supplied by the user from Forms 10A, whether and to what extent to manipulate the document and the next form to be displayed to solicit additional information. The Program Logic 10B calls up the appropriate one of the forms of Forms 10A to populate the form with data, e.g., the relevant questions to ask the user based on the particular provision/s of the document then being processed. The Program Logic 10B together with its interface with Forms 10A and the insert text function 10C, is shown in more detail in FIG. 5 and in even greater detail in FIG. 6 herein. The Program Logic, at various points in the logic flow, provides directions to the insert text function 10C to manipulate the document to Insert Text. The Insert Text function 10C makes the appropriate changes to the document. Once the document is modified, the Insert Text function 10C returns to the Program Logic 10B to determine the next step, as shown schematically by line 10D. Although the program is discussed herein as having three parts, Program Logic, Insert Text and Forms, there need not be any sharp demarcation between the parts, i.e., the three parts can comprise a single integral program performing all three functions. For ease of presentation and understanding, they are discussed separately herein. FIG. 3 shows the functionality of Forms 10A. Forms 10A include both standard forms which are used to solicit the same type of information (although often with different questions) from the user repeatedly as well as custom forms designed to solicit specific information from the user. For standard forms, in order to complete the information requested from the user, information will be taken from the full data base environment 30 to populate the form which will then be displayed to the user. The communication between Forms 10A and data base environment 30 is shown by the line 10A1 where information is requested from the full data base environment 30 by Forms 10A and the line 10A2 whereby information is provided into a form by the full data base environment 30. These correspond to line 36 and 34 of FIG. 1, respectively. The Program Logic 10B, which will be described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, comprises the fundamental logical flow that drives the automated document generation system. Preferably, the Program Logic 10B is written using the Select Case logical function of Visual Basic, well known to those of skill in the art of computer programming. Within each case, any and all programming logical functions and combinations of these may be used to determine whether the Insert Text function is to be activated and the path to be taken by the system. Although the SELECT CASE function is preferred, other logical functions could be employed, such as IF-THEN statements. However, SELECT CASE provides efficiencies not obtainable using IF-THEN statements. Further, a review of FIG. 6, which shows the program flow of the invention in detail for determining the questions to ask (i.e., Program Logic), for soliciting information from a user (i.e., generating and displaying forms) and for modifying the document (i.e., Insert Test), will reveal to one of skill in the art, that it is best programmed using the SELECT CASE function primarily, with other logical functions used as necessary. FIG. 4 shows generally the Insert Text function. The Insert Text function calls up the word processing environment 20 to manipulate the document. The Insert Text function 10C is entered into from the Program Logic 10B whenever a modification of the document 40 is to be made. Based on the Program Logic 10B, which contains the instructions included for a particular procedure, the full programing environment 10 directs the functionality provided by the full word processing environment 20, as shown by line 14. Instructions are given to the full word processing environment 20 from the Program Logic 10B, and in particular, via the Insert Text function 10C. The full word processing environment 20 then makes changes to the document 40 by accessing the needed functionalities of the full word processing environment, for example, Microsoft Word, as shown by line 16. The Insert Text function also may perform logical functions, e.g., using SELECT CASE, etc. (or combinations of logical functions) to insert text in the document. Dashed lines 30A shows that the data base environment 30 can optionally provide data, upon instruction from the full programming environment, to the Insert Text function to be provided into the document 40. However, more typically, this will not be done because the data base 30 will provide data to populate the forms or for inclusion in the document 40 prior to entering into the Insert Text function. Further, line 30B shows that the data base 30 may, on instruction by the Insert Text function, provide data directly into document 40, although typically, this will not be done. Optionally, the Insert Text function 10C of the programming environment 10 may directly manipulate the document 40 as shown by line 10C1. This might be done if a desired word processing functionality is not available and is instead programmed directly in the programming environment. More typically, the Insert Text function 10C will control word processing environment 20 (line 14) thereby using the functionalities of the word processing application to generate document 40 (line 16). The full word processing environment 20 provides all or a selected portion of the inherent functionality of the base word processing environment 10 to be used by the system to prepare the document. The full data base environment 30 provides all or a selected portion of the inherent functionality of the data base environment to be used by the system in preparing the document. Both the full data base environment 30 and the full word processing environment 20 will not be described in detail herein because they are well known to those of skill in the art. As explained, the full word processing environment 20 may be Microsoft Word, well known to those of skill in the art, and the full data base environment 30 may be Microsoft Access, also well known to those of skill in the art. FIG. 5 is an overview of the program flow implemented in the full programming environment 10, preferably programed in Visual Basic. The basic flow involves a number of sub-routines 100, 240, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, 2600, 2700 and 2800, which comprise individual sub-routines of the program (including Forms 10A, Program Logic 10B and Insert Text function 10C) implemented by the programming environment 10 which allow the system to manipulate the document via the word processing environment 20. FIG. 6, comprising FIGS. 6A-6Z and 6AA-6QQ, is a detailed flow diagram of portions of the program comprising the Program Logic 10B and its interface with the Insert Text function 10C and Forms 10A, shown in general form in FIG. 5. Certain portions of the program shown generally in FIG. 5 are not shown in detail in FIG. 6, but the same principles employed in the detailed portions shown in FIG. 6 and described herein would be employed in those portions not shown in detail. A person of skill in the art, based upon what is shown in FIG. 6, having knowledge of the contents of the document desired to be generated, will be able to design a suitable program flow for the omitted portions. FIG. 5 shows the general flow of the program for the system according to the present invention. The user starts the document generation program at step 100. In step 100, a main form screen is presented to the user as shown in FIG. 7. This form is used as the startup form to allow the user to select what the user would initially like to do. As shown in FIG. 7, the user is presented with the option to generate a commitment letter at 120, customize tables 140, customize program settings 160 or customize template 170. The user is also presented with the option to exit 180. As shown in FIG. 6A, the program screen shown in FIG. 7 presents the user with the option of customizing tables (140), customizing programming settings (160) or customizing the template (170), a template being shown in detail in FIGS. 8A-E. The template shown in FIG. 8 is an example of a word processing template 22 of a type of document which can be generated by the system according to the present invention. In particular, FIG. 8 shows a template 22 for a loan commitment letter which will be used as an example to illustrate the operation of the invention. FIG. 8 shows a template of a word processing document in MS Word. The template includes language in the final document which will not be changed as well as bookmarks 8A indicating places where text will be inserted. The text indicated by the bookmarks 8A may be AUTOTEXT stored in Microsoft Word. In addition, there are certain fields 8B, for example, the date field, the text of which is inserted by the system according to the present invention to customize the document. Further, there are other fields 8C which may be inserted, as shown by the fields DOCVARIABLE . . . Bookmarks and fields are not ordinarily visible in the template. Essentially, the template is a Word document on which the word processing program 20 operates as controlled by the program flow of the full programming environment 10. Returning to FIGS. 5 and 6A, at step 100, before entering into the document generation program, the user is given the choice to customize the tables, customize the program settings or customize the template. If the user chooses to customize the database 30 tables, the user is led through steps 140A through 140D which enable the user to customize the tables. The tables comprises listings in the database of the database environment 30. The user can select a table to customize, for example, a table of names, a table of alternative textual provisions, etc. This customization of the database can also be performed directly by the user while the program is not running, e.g., to perform maintenance of the data base tables. Steps 160A-160C allow the user to customize program settings and steps 170A-170D allow the user to customize the template, i.e., the template of FIG. 8. Accordingly the template shown in FIG. 8 can be customized by the user, for example, to add text to the template or to adjust the existing text or syntax of the template. The user can also customize the program settings (steps 150A to 150C). For example, the user can set default values, whether confirmation dialogues are on or off, etc. The major functional areas according to the invention are shown by the screen of FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is the main interface which comprises a single form called a menu screen, presenting the user with four choices, 1) create document, 2) customize tables 3) customize template and 4) customize programming settings. 1) Choice 1) relates to the primary function of the invention, which is to create a document, such as a commitment letter, automatically. Although the invention is applicable to documents of various types, herein it is described with reference to a loan commitment letter for purpose of illustration. The invention may be used to create documents other than loan commitment letters. The same principles apply to the generation of other type documents. The system asks the user pertinent questions and based upon the user responses, will create a tailored document for that user in response to a dynamically altered series of questions. 2) Choice 2) relates to accessing the database 30. Through the use of the data base program 30, for example, Microsoft Access, the system allows the user to expand and maintain lists used by the system and add alternative provisions to those lists to supplement those included. To illustrate, the user can add "manager" to the titles list, and once added, it will be an available alternative in all subsequent operations. Also, the user is able to add to the alternative provisions provided by the system, for example, the definition of the prime rate. Further, in the case where the user selects a number of items from a list, such as a listing of representations to be included in the document, the user is able to categorize these lists so that when a selection from that list is required, the user can select the predefined list. 3) Choice 3) relates to customization of the template. The invention utilizes a template of the document in the word processing environment 20 in order to create the final document. The template can be customized by the user to modify the underlying template used by the system in preparing the document so that the template and final document includes provisions that are unique to that user. The user is able to modify the template in two ways. First, the user is able to add additional provisions to the template. Second, the provisions included in the template can be modified by the user. Thus, the system provides the user with the ability to make additions or modifications to the underlying template. The user can directly add to the underlying template, or change, any provisions that will always be included in the document. 4) Choice 4) relates to customizing the program settings. The system according to the invention gives the user the ability to customize or preset certain of the logical functions of the program as well as certain of the information to be supplied by the user. The user is able to set program settings that determine how the system operates, including default settings for each of the screen forms and whether confirmation dialogs are on or off. Confirmation dialogs allow the user to confirm the information that has been entered. In addition, the user is able to determine the information to be provided such as, e.g., names, titles and the contents of a list, such as a list of financial covenants. Further, the user has the ability to establish a number of different settings so that there are different defaults for different types of transactions or clients. Furthermore, at the end of preparing a document, the user is asked whether the user wants to save the choices made in preparing the document. Such saved choices can then be accessed to prepare modified versions of that document. After the user has optionally customized the template, program settings or tables, the user enters a portion 240 of the document generation program that allows the user to enter general information regarding the document to be generated. A screen comprising a form 20 as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed to welcome the user to the document generation program. As shown in FIG. 5, at step 240, the system requests general information regarding the document to be produced. In the illustrated embodiment of the system, the document is a commercial loan commitment letter. FIGS. 6B-6G show the detailed program flow for soliciting the necessary general information for a loan commitment letter. If another type of document is to be generated, persons of skill in the art will recognize that the program flow can be modified to reflect the different information required to be entered for that document. However, the same basic principles would apply. As shown, the controls of the Forms 10A(screen displays) are automatically and dynamically changed in response to user entered data. Accordingly, once certain data is entered, the series of following questions, and thus the contents of the forms presented to the user, are changed in response to the answers given to the previous questions. Further, once the necessary information has been entered to allow modifying the document 40 to reflect the entered data, the document 40 is modified to reflect all locations in the document where insertions/deletions can be made that are affected by the answers previously given. Accordingly, the program flow treats the document or series of related documents as a whole. The program makes all changes, at the appropriate time, required to a document or group of documents based on the answer or answers to a specific question or series of questions. Further, when the user provides data in response to the requests presented by the forms, should a subsequent request be redundant, inconsistent or unnecessary in view of information previously provided, such subsequent request will not be presented. The program will jump to the next non-redundant request consistent with information already provided, as determined by the program shown in FIG. 6. For example, if the user is selecting credit facilities (step 300 in FIG. 5), if a revolving credit facility (RCF) is not selected, the program will skip steps 400 and 500, which relate to RCFs and term loans to repay RCFs. As a person of skill in the art can determined by reviewing the program flow of FIG. 6, a preferable way of implementing the program logic is to use the SELECT CASE function of Visual Basic. General information solicited at step 240, in the illustrated embodiment, includes, for example, addressees, including name, title, company name, attention, etc. The user is presented with the opportunity to input the requested information by way of various form screens, one of which is shown in FIG. 10. The form screen of FIG. 10 is used to present the user with a request or in this case, choice, which allows the user to select a single item from the list of choices as a response. The screen shown in FIG. 10 is of the type commonly known as "radio buttons", since only one of the selections can be chosen. As shown in FIG. 10, the user is presented with the ability to specify the format for the addressees by name, title and company name or company name with attention or company name with no attention. Although the form of FIG. 10 shows a request for the format for addressees, the same "radio button" form is used for requesting other information in radio button format relevant to the preparation of the document. Thus, the same basic form can be used to request different information and is dynamically alterable by the Program Logic 10B. This is true of all standard forms. Accordingly, the format of the form would remain the same (i.e., radio button format) but the text of the form would be different. Further, the number of choices could also vary and be, e.g., less than or greater than the three choices shown in the form of FIG. 10. Returning to FIG. 5, during the entry of general information regarding the commitment letter as shown at step 240, at appropriate points when enough data has been entered to allow modification of the document 40, the text is inserted into the document. For example, when enough information has been provided to select a greeting for the commitment letter, the greeting is inserted into the document at the appropriate location. See step 6C2, for example, of FIG. 6C. Step 6C1 of FIG. 6C invokes the presentation of a form to the user. The form generated is shown in FIG. 15. Similarly, for other data, if that data affects the document at various points, all those points in the document where an effect is caused would be modified appropriately. See, for example, steps 6B1, 6B2, 6B3 and 6B4 of FIG. 6B and steps 6D1, 6D2, 6D3 and 6D4 of FIG. 6D. Each of these steps invokes the Insert Text function. Wherever the program of FIG. 6 requests user input, e.g., steps 6B5, 6B6, 6B7, 6B8, 6B9 and 6B10 of FIG. 6B, an appropriate form soliciting the necessary information will be generated and displayed. The flowcharts of FIG. 6 are self explanatory and will not be described in detail herein. There are many other locations in the program flow where forms are presented and text is inserted into the document 40, as shown, and which will not be specifically referred to herein. For the exemplary commitment letter being generated, other forms will be presented to the user to request information which will be used to prepare the document. For example, FIG. 11 shows a form which is a Boolean form that allows the user to respond to a specific question regarding termination of the commitment. Although the form shown in FIG. 11 is specific to the issue of termination, the same form (with changed content) is used for other questions requiring a yes or no or true or false (Boolean) answer. The text of the form is dynamically changed by the system according to the present invention depending upon the information solicited and the previous responses. FIG. 12 shows another form which is used to enter general information regarding the commitment letter to be generated. This form allows the entry of a date and includes drop down lists allowing the user to select month, day and year and increment buttons to allow the particular date to be incremented/decremented. The user can also directly enter the text. Furthermore, with respect to the date entry form, according to the invention, the date entry form has been specifically designed for inputting dates so that dates can be input using Smart Combo boxes for input of month, day and year. See for example, FIG. 12. FIG. 13 shows the form format which presents the user with a question which allows a user to select an item from a "combo box" as the answer. The drop-down list in the combo box is populated from the database. The user can also type in an entry into the list and if the item is not in the list, it will then ask the user if the item should be used permanently. If added permanently, the item will be added to the appropriate table stored in the database. See, e.g., steps 6B8 and 6B9 of FIG. 6B. FIG. 14 shows the format of the form which allows the user to type in text into a plurality of text boxes. As shown in FIG. 14, the form is being used to request the names of each party to the loan transaction. FIG. 15 shows the format of a form which can be used to select either one or multiple items from a list, in the case shown, an applicable greeting for the commitment letter. This form provides the ability to add an item to the table permanently or for only one transaction. This form allows the user to double click, which will "drill down"on a row/column to invoke a form known as "edit record" (FIG. 30), which allows the user to change the selection either permanently or temporarily. FIG. 15 also shows the split nature of the screen displays presented to the user. This is true of all screen displays and forms. As shown, in one portion 15A of the screen, say ⅔of the screen, the then applicable for is presented to the user. In a portion 15B, the then existing text of the document under generation is shown. The user thus can see the document being generated "on the fly". Optionally, the user can set the program settings so that the document under generation is not displayed, or not being processed. In the latter case, the document is generated afer all information is obtained from the user. FIG. 16 shows a smart combo form which can allow the user to select, from multiple drop down lists, text to be identified with parties to the transaction. The user can also type in an entry into the list and if the item is not in the list, it will ask the user if the item should be added permanently. If it is added permanently, the item will be added to the appropriate table in the database. FIG. 17 shows an example of the format of a form for specifying a date by month and year. The form allows the user to specify the month and the year using familiar drop down lists. FIG. 18 shows an example of a smart combo form which allows the user to select a number from a drop down list. The user can only enter numbers into this form. If the user enters anything else, no data entry will be accepted. The user can also type in an entry and if the number is not in the drop-down list it will ask if the user wants to add this number as a permanent number in the list. The user will be asked if the user wants to enter nothing should the user not enter a value. FIG. 19 is an example of the format of a form for entering text of a specific provision which is provided by the user. FIG. 20 is an example of a custom form which is used to solicit addressee information from the user for the commitment letter. This form is used only to obtain the information as shown, i.e., the text of the form itself is not altered. This form is loaded multiple times depending on how many addressees are specified. All data manipulation for information entered in this form must be done prior to unloading the form. Each drop down list will accept user keyboard entry and if the value entered by the user is not in the drop down list, the user will be asked whether or not to add the value to the list. Depending on the format of the addressee, the user selects all the values which will be set when the user selects either a last name or a company name. If the user makes a change to any field, the user will be asked if the user wants to make the change permanent. A new addressee record will be added to the database 30 if there are no current records with the same last name, first name and company name. This form adds records to the appropriate table in the database 30 and in the case shown, the letter addressees for the transaction. FIG. 21 shows an example of a form which is used to solicit issuer information from the user for the commitment letter. This form is loaded multiple times depending on how many issuers are specified. All data manipulation for information entered in this form should be done prior to unloading the form. Each drop down list will accept user keyboard entry and if the value entered by the user is not in the list, the user will be asked whether or not to add the value to the list. All the values will be set when the user selects an officer name. If the user makes a change to any field, the user will be asked if the user wants to make the change permanent. A new issuer record will be added if there are no current records with the same officer name. This form adds records to tables in the data base 30, in this case, the letter issuer and officer, for each issuer in the transaction. Once all the general information regarding the commitment letter has been entered (FIGS. 6B-6G), and at the appropriate points in the program, the information entered has been used to modify the document, the program then moves to step 300 in which, in the illustrated embodiment, selection is made of the desired credit facilities. In this portion of the program flow, the user specifies such items as the number of parties receiving credit facilities, the number of credit facilities, the number of credit parties, the specific type of credit facility to be provided, etc., as known to those of skill in the art of structuring commercial loan documents. See FIGS. 6H-6I. Further, such items as whether the borrowers and the account parties will be the same or different, the name of the parties receiving credit facilities, the number of borrowers, the number of account parties, the names of the borrowers, and the names of the account parties are also entered at this stage in the program flow. See FIGS. 6H-6I. According to the invention, once sufficient data has been entered so that the document can be modified, at certain points prior to modifying the document, a confirmation dialogue may be presented to the user, as shown for example in FIG. 6I at step 6I1 and in FIG. 22. The confirmation dialogue is presented to give the user the opportunity to confirm the information provided prior to alteration of the document. Upon confirmation, the document is altered. If not confirmed, the program will proceed to the beginning of the program logic for the topic of the confirmation dialogue to solicit changed information. Further, the system of the invention stores the requests and responses thereto, and, on user command will display same. The user can then enter a different response (even if the document has been altered) to a selected question and the program will run from that point to ask any other questions which might be affected by the changed response. Once all new information is received, the user will receive a new confirmation dialog (assuming the confirmation dialogs are still turned on) or the document will be altered. The confirmation dialogs are useful, although not required, in order to prevent unnecessary alteration of a document. The example shown in FIG. 22 relates specifically to the program flow at step 6I1 of FIG. 6I. Generally, at critical points in the program flow, the user may be presented with a summary of the information that has been provided by the user, prior to modification of the document. The user then has an opportunity to confirm that the information is correct, or, if the information is incorrect, to so indicate, at which point the program will return the user to the beginning of the dialog soliciting the requested information. Once the user confirms that the answers provided are correct, the document is then modified to reflect the entered information. See steps 6I1, 6I2, 6I3 and 6I4 of FIG. 6I, for example. After general credit facility information has been entered, the program then proceeds to credit facility subroutine 400 of FIG. 5. If a revolving credit facility (RCF) has been selected, the program will proceed further into routine 400. See 6J1 and 6J2 of FIG. 6J. If the user has not selected a revolving credit facility, the system proceeds to the next routine consistent with the prior choices, in this case, subroutine 600. See step 6J3 of FIG. 6J. In this case, if an RCF was not selected, routine 500 would be inconsistent with not selecting an RCF, so the logic would proceed to routine 600. Routine 500 shows a term loan to repay revolving credit facility. If the user has not selected an RCF, routine 400, the user would not be presented with questions directed to routine 500, because routine 500 is inconsistent with rejecting an RCF in routine 400. If the user has not selected an RCF, then the program flow is to routine 600 which reflects generation of a document having a term loan on a closing date (TLCD). Similarly, the other credit facilities which may be chosen include term loan A (700), term loan B (800), term loan C (900), standby term loan (1000) or letter of credit facility (1100). Detailed information regarding the appropriate credit facility is solicited from the user depending upon the type of facility selected. The detailed program logic for two of these credit facilities is shown in FIGS. 6J to 6T (revolving credit facility), 6U to 6Z and 6AA to 6CC (term loan on closing date). Similar principles can be used to develop program flowcharts for the other credit facilities shown in FIG. 5, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art, but which will not be described in detail herein. Further, as the program flows of FIGS. 6J to 6Z and 6AA to 6CC are self explanatory, and embody all of the techniques heretofore and hereafter described herein, a separate detailed description of these illustrated program flows will not be provided. As an example, however, of the illustrated program flows, if a revolving credit facility (RCF) is selected, for example, see routine 400 of FIG. 5 and step 6J1 of FIG. 6J, the appropriate Autotext relating to a revolving credit facility is inserted into the document. See step 6J2 of FIG. 6J. At another point, the user is presented with a form screen as shown in FIG. 23 which allows the user to select from multiple items from a list using check box controls. See step 6K1 of FIG. 6K. The user can select more than one of the items listed in the check box. As discussed, the check box form shown in FIG. 23 is being used for soliciting information regarding the borrowing base of a revolving credit facility. However, the same type of check box control form can be used for soliciting other information. The revolving credit facility portion FIGS. 6J to 6T of the program flow is illustrative of the operation of the invention. As previously discussed, the invention gives the user the ability to specify an approach to be taken to address a particular issue and then selects and modifies the user input screens based on the approach specified. In this case, the user has the option of using a revolving credit facility (RCF). If the user opts for an RCF, then certain forms (screens) are presented requesting information relevant only to an RCF. If the user does not specify an RCF, information relevant to an RCF will not be requested. Thus, the queue of questions are dynamically altered in response to the approach taken, or put another way, in response to previous responses. Although the format of this form is not altered, the format of some forms can be altered. The text of the form is usually altered in response to the previous responses. The request for information from the program flow drives the form that is shown. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 6, not all user inputs result in immediate changes to the document. Some initially only determine the future requests for input, i.e., determine the forms and the content thereof, to be displayed subsequently. The present invention thus provides a method and system for automatically generating a customized document by responding to a sequence of dynamically altered questions seeking information relevant to the preparation of the document. The system uses a program that allows logical functions to be employed at all stages of the program flow. Thus, the program initially provides a sequence of requests or questions. These requests solicit input which may require that logical functions be applied to information already received. At the stage when all information has been received necessary to modify a document, insofar as related to that information, the program invokes the Insert Text function to alter the document(optionally the program waits until all information has been received). Even at the stage of inserting text, the program may apply a logical function or functions to determine the text to be inserted. The logical functions can be used singly or in combination. Examples of the types of logical functions, without limitation, include SELECT CASE, IF THEN and loops and combinations of these. These logical functions are well known to those of skill in the art of computer programming. These logical functions can be implemented, as will be evident from reviewing FIG. 6, both in the Program Logic 10B and Insert Text 10C functions. Further, logical functions can be nested, or embedded, in other logical functions. For example, logical functions, such as SELECT CASE, are used to determine where in the program flow to go next. Logical functions are thereafter employed to process information already received or when inserting text into the document itself. FIG. 24 shows a formatted form which allows the user to enter a numerical amount, for example, a dollar amount of a loan, using a number of drop down lists for number amounts. According to the invention, this form will populate all windows to the right (less significant digits) of the entry window with zeros. Thus, for example, if the amount of the loan is two million dollars, as shown, zeros will be entered automatically to the right of the window at which the 2 has been selected, including digits to the right of the decimal point. FIG. 25 shows another form which can be used to allow the user to specify a certain number of periods including months and dates. Thus, the user can enter a starting and an ending period. The periods entered will automatically configure the format of other forms regarding these periods which are displayed later. FIG. 26 shows another form for entering periods, in this case, for entering periods which are described, in words, instead of by dates. For example, the user may state that a period begins a certain amount of time after closing and ends another certain amount of time after closing. Alternatively, the periods may be specified as beginning on the second Tuesday of a certain month and ending on another specified day of a certain month. FIG. 27 is an example of a form which allows a user to define an amortization schedule. The schedule can be set by date the payment must be made or by the number of each payment. The user then sets the amount for each period. As shown in FIG. 27, the payment amounts can be selected using drop down lists and the windows to the right of the selection are automatically populated by zeros or the drop down lists can be utilized to select the appropriate numerical entry. The program also preferably performs mathematical calculations to determine if the individual payment amounts are correct, e.g., determining that the payment amounts add up to the proper total. FIG. 28 shows another form which can be use to specify periods and amounts available under a credit facility, in this case, a revolving credit facility. However, as discussed, the same form may be used for entry of other data in connection with other credit facilities. FIG. 28 is illustrative of the system's ability to dynamically change the requests for user inputs as well as make alterations to the document. As shown in FIG. 28, the user has previously specified that there will be three periods with different amounts available under the RCF. The content of the form of FIG. 28 has been dynamically altered in response to that prior input to display the three periods and the amounts available. The Insert Text function will also dynamically modify the document 40 to indicate that there are three periods and to specify the amounts available in each period. It is also possible to select multiple credit facilities, in which case the form of FIG. 29 may be utilized. This form is used to allow the user to select the credit facilities the user wants in a commitment letter. Certain credit facilities have radio buttons and others have check boxes. Some facilities will not allow the selection of other facilities whereas others will allow it. Once the information concerning the particular credit facility has been entered (routines 300-110 completed) and the document modified, with any confirmation dialogs at the appropriate points as shown in FIGS. 6J to 6Z and 6AA to 6CC, a portion of the flow identified as "Use of Proceeds" is entered. In the use of proceeds portion, the user specifies the use of the loan proceeds. This is indicated by 1200 and 1300 in FIG. 5. The detailed program flow is shown in FIGS. 6DD to 6QQ. Once the document has been modified to specify the use of the proceeds in general as it applies to each selected credit facility, the program flow is to routines 1400 and 1500 of FIG. 5 where the applicable interest rate information is obtained, for example, the interest rate that applies, such as prime rate only, base only or some combination of prime and base, etc. Further, information is requested of the user concerning pricing and letter of credit fees. This is shown by routine l500 of FIG. 5. Once all interest rate and letter of credit fee information is obtained, and any other fee information (1600) is provided by the user, the user is prompted for information regarding any prepayments (1700). All of the underlying substantive provisions relating to these sections of the document are well known to preparers of commercial loan commitment letters. Further, those of skill in the art of computer programming, given knowledge of the substantive provisions of loan commitment letters, could generate the program for obtaining the information necessary to generate the corresponding provisions of the document based on the disclosure contained herein. The disclosure herein could also be used to generate the program for preparing and generating other types of documents. The user is thereafter prompted for information regarding parties 1800, guarantees 1900, collateral 2000, conditions precedent 2100, representation of warranties 2200, covenants 2300, 2400, 2500 and 2600, events of default 2700, and miscellaneous provisions 2800. These provisions are all known to preparers of commercial loan commitment documents, and those of skill in the art of computer programming can construct the program flow necessary to generate such provisions for inclusion in the document and to obtain the information to insert into these provisions based on the principles disclosed and illustrated herein. Further, similar principles can be applied to the generation of other types of documents, i.e., documents other than commercial loan commitment letters. For example, the invention could be used to prepare real estate contracts or trusts and wills, etc., or other documents that are legal or non-legal in nature. Throughout the program flow, the template of FIG. 8 is used to modify the document at appropriate points with text being entered into the document at the appropriate points when all information necessary to effect the changes has been obtained. Confirmation dialogs may be presented to the user at appropriate points prior to alteration of the document. In the miscellaneous (2800) portion of the program flow, certain miscellaneous items such as provisions related to tax, governing law, jury trial, jurisdiction, etc., are selected, as known to those of skill in the art of preparing such documents. Fields are updated to reflect name selections and a cleanup program is operated to clean up the format of the generated document. FIG. 30 shows the format of a form used for modifying a selection, called Form Edit Record. It shows the contents of a data base record the user has selected. If the record is not static, the user will be allowed to make changes to the record either permanently or for this specific transaction. As shown in FIG. 30, this form includes buttons allowing changing the selection for the particular transaction as indicated at A, changing the selection permanently at B and returning to a previous list at C. FIG. 30 illustrates the ability of the system of the invention to modify existing textual provisions while the program is running and either use the modified provision only once in connection with the preparation of a specific document or permanently modify the underlying provision. While running the program, the user can thus access the underlying textual provision to modify it to fit the requirements of the particular document being created. The modified provision can be used once or can become a permanent change. Further, using the same screen (FIG. 30), the user can add alternative textual provisions. The user has the ability to add alternative choices to the list of textual provisions to be inserted into the document and these provisions can either be used only once in connection with running the program for a single document or can be saved to become additional alternative choices for future uses of the program for the generation of other documents. Single use provisions are added while the program is being used. Permanent additions can be added by making the additions directly to the data base while running the program. In addition to being able to add alternative textual provisions in the data base, the user also has the ability according to the system of the invention to make permanent additions to the underlying template, shown in FIG. 8. The user can directly add to the underlying template any provisions that will always be included in the document. FIG. 31 shows an example of a form which can be used for maintenance of the data base tables. In the case shown, the table of officers of a party is presented for modification. This screen can be used to edit the records of any given table. This form is called if the user wants to add a permanent item to any drop-down list. Maintenance of the data base tables can be performed directly by the user without running the program. FIG. 32 shows the format of a form by which the user selects a table to be edited. A drop down menu appears listing all data base tables. Illustrated is the listing for the "City" table. To edit the table, the user clicks on "Edit table" and a form allowing editing of the selected Table (like FIG. 31) is displayed. Although the invention has been described with reference to a word processing, application and a database application, other applications can also be employed, such as any other applications in Microsoft Office, for example, the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet can also be imported. As discussed herein, the user is able to access certain portions of the program 10 directly from the document created by the program to run portions of the program 10 to modify the document. This can be done by generating mini-applications created using Visual Basic to address selected portions of the document so that the same type of logic and functionality used in the program 10 are employed. Further, the database can also store, for any alternative provision, commentary to assist the user in using such provision in the document. Such commentary is displayed in the form together with the alternative provision. Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention should be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.
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