DE60035794T2 - APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE DIGITAL STORAGE - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical area

This invention relates generally to document management, and more particularly to an apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method according to the preamble of claim 34. Such an apparatus and method are out of the art WO 99 / 34304A known. The invention further relates to a program product according to the preamble of claim 64.

2. State of the art

Even though most modern computer systems for business, education and entertainment purposes can be used concerns the most widespread application for computers today the processing of information. Word processing, page layout, Database, spreadsheet, and desktop publishing applications used to prepare information and about the whole society to spread. The raised Availability of computer systems and computer networks such as e.g. the internet have huge depots of information for an immense segment of ours population available made. As in the popular Media was discussed extensively, Indeed, modern computer systems have brought our world into the information age.

One the promise of the information age, that of these ubiquitous computer systems announced was the advent of a "paperless" society. computer would in the theory of liberating the world from the flood of paper currently underway River and the management of information obstructed. Systems up Computer base with advanced information processing capabilities would allegedly the immediate electronic exchange of information from one place to another without the need for an "expression". Many businesses actually have Computer systems recorded with the specified goal, the seemingly endless flow of paper that flows in and out of an office to eliminate or at least significantly decrease. Reducing burdens paper-based information has become widespread Aim. The simple truth, however, is that today we have more information paper-based, document processing labor costs, document storage costs and expression-related dependencies in our society than ever before.

Actually stays the dream of a paperless society in the tired eyes Today's information workers have a faint glimmer. Large quantities of paper pile up on tables and fill filing cabinets up to overflow into Offices in the whole world. If any, has the increased Number of computers the rapidly increasing flow of paper in makes our society worse. By providing information systems for the masses available computers have enabled more and more people to to produce ever-increasing amounts of paper that, with it she useful are read somewhere and processed by anyone have to.

It is estimated, that shops Generate more than 2 trillion pages of documents annually worldwide. Despite the rapid proliferation of computer systems and computer users will also estimated, that less than 25% of the information used in the world today in a for accessible to the computer Format available stands. The average office worker Spends 10% -40% of his Time to look for information, much of it on a paper basis. And for each $ 1 spent to make a paper document $ 10 spent processing and saving this document. The extraordinary Paper that most stores and organizations is slowly starting to increase the productivity of some to strangle them, as these businesses are unable to provide information to manage paper efficiently and efficiently.

In Aware of this problem, attempts have been made to that flows into the flow of information every single day, better to manage and control. Some of these previously implemented solutions are based on the idea of generation, storage and access on electronic images directly in a computer system, taking a Expression complete is bypassed. This solution makes sense only if a society or organization is one pretty tight control over achieved the production and use of documents and therefore the Can effectively reduce paper flow in certain situations. A lot of However, paperwork in a given organization is direct Attributed to paper-based documents from external sources be generated. This means that most businesses and organizations regardless of their internal systems, still paper-based information receive and process.

Other known solutions include document imaging systems that can scan paper-based documents and store / retrieve the resulting electronic images. Although many different document imaging systems have been commercialized since the late 80's, they have not gained widespread acceptance. Even if the quantifiable burdens of storing, accessing and managing paper information are well-known and unanimously complained, document imaging systems have not been widely adopted as an alternative to the conventional filing cabinet. Document imaging systems today capture less than 1% of the paper tray volumes. Filing cabinets continue to fill, the paper piles continue to grow and many business processes and tables are still tied to paper. The International Data Corporation (IDC) estimates that in 1997, the US business spent $ 25-35 billion on paper storage, storage and retrieval. This number is approaching $ 100 billion, according to the IDC, when calculating the total lifecycle paper management costs.

One key reason for the existing preference for Paper-based document management versus electronic document imaging systems despite the problems and costs associated with the use of paper connected, comes from a fundamental disability for the acquisition imaging technology on a broad scale at the workplace. Basically thwarted the lack of an efficient, cost-effective, adaptive process to drive paper through the scanning and indexing process the efforts of most organizations that try to be far-reaching Document imaging solutions to take over. The lack of simple office automation platforms image capture and indexing remains a key barrier for the widened Use of document illustration.

The Subsystems for document capture (scanning and indexing) are usually the most expensive, labor-intensive, time-consuming and error-prone Component of a conventional document imaging solution. Around To be effective, there must be a system for converting paper in digital at least the following activities: document composition; Document preparation for scanning; Documents batch processing; Document scanning; Scanning quality control; Image caching before transmission; Documents indexing; Database updates; and permanent image storage. Traditional document imaging systems build an input compilation line of process workers, hardware, Software and related Network Activity on to accomplish these tasks. They require network caching and transmission of in-process images, indexing stations with large viewing monitors, to support typing in from the screen, and human and machine controls for the entire process of document input. The developed for these requirements expensive, integrated systems generally result in a rigid Process for a targeted structured paper flow with a high volume. Because tailor made Document input subsystems for targeted business applications justified and constructed, they do not fit well together, to various document imaging needs, smaller workgroup filing systems or special filing systems. Various smaller workgroup filing and special filing systems unfortunately put the bulk of the paper tray The paradigm of a document input compilation line does not fit well with many existing paper moving and Filing patterns that are common in most stores and organizations are found.

The most conventional For example, document imaging systems operate a centralized Input device with earmarked scanning and indexing system and dedicated scanning and indexing personnel. In this scenario paper-based documents are merged into the "mapping" department where the document image workers identify the documents, batch process, organize, prepare, scan and index. Although this System for the illustration of a structured paper flow with high volume is effective, is it for the natural one Flow and the use of documents in most offices counterintuitive and is therefore not applicable. Most office workers receive a document paper-based at her desk and want to use it, then so that she or her staff will file the document if it is necessary to recover quickly. The original one A user of a document is ordinary the most qualified person to index it. The centralized Control and disposal of documents separates the office worker from the source of his information and isolates the two entities.

Further, many of these conventional document imaging systems also require the acquisition of expensive new equipment and the training of new workers, simply to manage and process the incoming paper-based documents. This requirement adds a cost barrier to adoption that many organizations can not overcome. Additionally, many of the currently available document imaging systems use proprietary software for creating, storing, and using document images. By design, these systems limit the availability of electronic images to the public within the proprietary document imaging system, thereby reducing the likelihood of document exchanges with other systems and external organizations can request access to a given document.

The Challenges of the acquisition and implementation of solutions for paper to digital pictures are not on the mechanics and technologies limited to the document image acquisition process. conventional Document imaging technologies also introduce significant changes at the user's table and at the overall flow of documents in the business process one. Like already mentioned before, is used in most large scale document imaging environments Alienated and end-user from the whole mapping / indexing process does not control the flow or disposal of its own documents. So a document solution From paper to digital is truly useful, the end user needs the process must be comfortable and he must adopt the new procedures. The user acceptance factors are crucial, though, with the solidified in the handling of paper related burdens are and often be accepted, the changes, the adoption and implementation of document imaging systems involved, far-reaching and potentially resounding.

• • Bestehen signifikante zusätzliche Kosten und Arbeit, die an einem Bildeingabeprozess beteiligt sind, im Vergleich zur herkömmlichen Papierablage? Wenn ja, sind die zusätzlichen Kosten es für den resultierenden Bildnutzen wert?
• • Kann sich das System mit der herkömmlichen Papierverwendung kombinieren und den Vorteil und die Benutzervorlieben für jedes Medium (Papier und Bild) im Informationslebenszyklus maximieren?
• • Kann eine elektronische Lösung den existierenden Papierinformationsverwaltungsprozess, der beginnt, wenn Papier am Tisch ankommt, verbessern?
• • Können Benutzer eine neue Weise zur Ablage von Papier (digital) leicht lernen und sich an diese anpassen?
• • Weist das neue System Nähe zu existierenden Papierprozessen und Büroautomatisierungsbetriebsmitteln als Ausgangspunkt auf?

In general, the successful implementation of a paper-to-digital document solution, and the subsequent successful user adoption, depend on the appropriate dedication to at least these basic issues:

• • Are there significant additional costs and labor involved in an image input process compared to traditional paper filing? If so, are the additional costs worth it for the resulting image benefit?
• • Can the system combine with traditional paper usage and maximize the benefit and user preference for each medium (paper and image) in the information lifecycle?
• • Can an electronic solution improve the existing paper information management process that starts when paper arrives at the table?
• • Can users easily learn and adapt to a new way to store paper (digital)?
• • Does the new system have proximity to existing paper processes and office automation resources as a starting point?

As soon as These issues can be dealt with successfully solution developed and adopted become. Without a better system and procedure for eliminating the significant limitations of the present document indexing, However, imaging, storage, retrieval and handling systems are dependent the world increasingly from obsolete solutions that continuously the productivity reduce.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The The invention provides a device according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 34 and a program product according to claim 64 ready. According to the preferred Embodiments of The present invention provides a device and a method for a digital filing system disclosed. Related in this context Digital Filing focuses on the efficient management of information paper-based from their receipt at the table by an indexing, Scanning, image storage and image retrieval process. The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide easy and effective indexing, Imaging, storage, retrieval and management of documents based on paper, using a system that many existing office resources includes, transformed into electronic documents. The Proposed systems and procedures implement a desktop solution for the digital Filing for every worker available can be made. The digital filing system of the present Invention allows users also unique, documents before scanning / mapping using either a dedicated table labeling mechanism or to index and label pre-printed labels, where Each label contains a globally unique document identifier. The most preferred embodiments of the present invention use individual preprinted labels, which are outputted one by one from an "ejection" output mechanism. Alternatively, a table label printer or a table labeling mechanism be included to produce labels as needed.

By providing the ability for people at their table to quickly and easily control the identification, indexing and storage of paper-based documents, images of these documents can be effectively adapted to almost any work environment. By indexing the paper-based documents before scanning, a document inventory is created at the earliest possible moment, extending the integrity of paper and image control efforts. The pre-scan indexing provides the information required to generate a globally unique document identifier prior to scanning and to store activities and to use the information contained in the pre-printed label to guide this information through the scanning process. This simplifies the subsequent scanning and storage processes, reduces system and operating costs, increases integrity and security, and enables an open file storage system so that the document repositories are transportable and accessible using non-proprietary methods. This process also enables physically and logically independent indexing, scanning, and storage operations. Finally, because the system removes traditional proprietary software dependencies, development costs are radically lower than previous alternatives.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments The present invention will hereinafter be described in connection with the attached Drawings in which the same designations are the same Denote elements, and in which:

1 Figure 10 is a block diagram of a digital filing apparatus for indexing, mapping, storing and retrieving documents in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

2 FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a computer for use with the device of FIG 1 suitable is;

3 Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a desk-top label printing mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

3a Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a desk-top labeling system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

3b Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a table label dispenser for dispensing pre-printed labels according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

3c Figure 10 is a side view of a table label dispenser for dispensing pre-printed labels in accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention;

3d Figure 4 is a perspective view of a table label dispenser for dispensing pre-printed labels according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention;

3e Figure 4 is a perspective view of a table label dispenser for dispensing pre-printed labels according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a typical label used by the table label printer of 3 or the document labeling mechanism of 3a is produced;

4a is a typical label used by the table label dispensers of 3c . 3d and 3e is issued;

4b is a typical label used by the table label dispensers of 3b is issued;

4c Figure 3 is a side view of a block of preprinted labels, which is different from the one in 3b dispensers shown are issued;

4d Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a roll of pre-printed labels different from those in Figs 3d and 3e dispensers shown are issued;

5 Figure 4 is a general illustration of a document naming and labeling convention in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

6 Figure 4 is a specific illustration of a document naming and labeling convention in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

6a is a specific illustration of a label according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

7 Fig. 10 is a flowchart for processing paper-based documents according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

7a Fig. 10 is a flowchart for processing paper based documents according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention;

7b Fig. 10 is a flowchart for processing paper based documents according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention;

8th Fig. 11 is a screenshot of a user interface for storing a document using a digital filing system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

9 is a screenshot of a user interface for retrieving a document using a digital filing system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

10 Fig. 10 is a block diagram of an image indexing and storage system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

11 Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a fold-out basket according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

12 . 13 and 13a 10 are simplified views of a user interface for dynamically resizing and rotating digital images of a paper-based document in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

14 Fig. 12 is a schematic view illustrating the functionality of an automatic turning mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

15 Fig. 12 is a schematic view of an inspection / action mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

16 Figure 12 is a screenshot of a user interface for synchronizing globally unique file identifiers in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE TO PERFORM THE INVENTION

The The present invention provides a simple and efficient way to store and retrieve documents in a digital filing system. Using the preferred embodiments of the present invention Invention can be a comprehensive system for storing, managing and retrieving of digital images of paper-based documents become.

Detailed description

The digital filing system and the methods of the present invention provide a complete solution Indexing documents, imaging / scanning documents, saving documents and retrieve documents. By implementing In the present invention, a user can quickly and easily Manage paper-based documents in any business environment. Of the digital filing process involves receiving a document on paper, indexing the document on the workstation of the User, attaching a globally unique document identifier at the document, mapping / scanning the document, winning the document globally unique document identifier from the label and the electronic storage of the document using the im Label containing the document identifier and supplied by the user Indexing information. This process enables the general document mapping using a standard Office infrastructure, while he adapts to different preferences for paper document disposal.

By Attach a pre-printed, globally unique document identifier on a paper-based document before scanning can also have more significant benefits can be achieved. All paper-based documents can for example during the image processing cycle from the point of scanning forward self-managing. This makes possible, that the indexing, scanning, storage and retrieval processes are physically and be logically isolated. In the case of pre-printed labels also allows the nature of the globally unique document identifier that the Labels on different types of documents without any predetermined relationship between the document, the content of the document and the pre-printed label. As an alternative for the am Most preferred embodiments In the present invention, a master cover sheet containing the global contains unique document identifier, printed and related be used with a paper-based document to the same To accomplish purposes.

With reference now to 1 includes a digital filing system 100 According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention: a computer 200 ; a table label dispenser 202 ; an optional fold-out basket 203 ; a document input mechanism 110 ; an image storage mechanism 130 ; and a communication connection 120 , Put together, the digital filing system 100 a way for office workers to index, store and manage paper-based documents regardless of their origin.

The table label dispenser 202 is a specialized device capable of outputting preprinted labels typically comprising a computer readable document identifier and / or a bar code along with corresponding human readable information (eg, eye readable content). The document identifiers, which in the most preferred embodiment are pre-printed on labels used in the desk-top label dispenser 202 can be implemented as barcodes which conforms to some industry accepted bar code standard, such as nested 2 out of 5, code 39, code 138, PDF 417, or other high density symbology. Alternatively, proprietary or customized bar code symbologies can be used.

Various label dispensers will continue to be used in conjunction with 3b . 3c . 3d and 3e described below. Alternatively, a tabletop label printer or table labeling mechanism (in 3 and 3a shown) can be used to print labels on demand. When a desktop label printer or table labeling mechanism is used to create globally unique document identifiers and / or labels containing globally unique document identifiers, it may be the location of the desk top label dispenser 202 who in 1 and can be connected using any serial, parallel or other industry standard computer connection. In addition, in some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the table label dispenser 202 used in conjunction with a desk-top label printer or table labeling mechanism. The use of a desk top label printer or table labeling mechanism is associated with 3 and 3a described below. Regardless of the method used to generate the labels, each of the labels includes a document identifier that is globally unique and that identifies the paper-based document to which the label is applied. A preferred embodiment of a representative label is further associated with 4 . 4a and 4b described below.

The fold-out basket 203 is an optional accessory that comes with the system 100 can be effectively used. The fold-out basket 203 is intended as a physical table storage and storage site used for indexing paper-based documents, storing paper-based documents, and transporting paper-based documents after they have been indexed and tagged by the user. The documents on paper basis can in the Ausklappkorb 203 be stored during the day and then transported to a centralized scanning location for serial scanning at predetermined intervals or on a base as desired. The fold-out basket 203 will be in contact with 11 described in more detail below. In addition to the fold-out basket 203 Additional system components such as collection and storage boxes / containers can be used. These collection and storage boxes can be paper-based documents stored in multiple fold-out baskets 203 are kept, maintained and could be used to transport and archive the paper-based documents after using the system 100 were pictured.

The document input mechanism 110 is any type of device that is capable of scanning or imaging a document. For paper-based documents, flatbed scanners, drum scanners, digital copiers, fax machines, multifunction copiers ("mopers"), etc. are all examples of document input mechanisms 110 which can be used in various embodiments of the present invention. The purpose of the document input mechanism 110 It consists of scanning / imaging a paper-based document and creating a computer file containing a digital image of a paper-based document. This file will then be in the image storage mechanism 130 saved. In addition, the digital transmission of e-mail, faxing, etc. can also be considered as various forms of the document input mechanism 110 be considered. If the document is already a digital image, then there is no need to scan the document, and the image may be processed according to the procedure described in 7 . 7a or 7b stored procedures described below.

The image storage mechanism 130 represents a secondary storage on a large scale for the storage of images generated by the document input mechanism 110 scanned / imaged. Various components, such as hard disk drives, recordable CD-ROM / DVD and jukebox drives, magnetic tapes, and other devices known to those skilled in the art may be used to control the image storage mechanism 130 to implement. Digital document images generated by the document input mechanism 110 can be detected via the communication link 120 to the image storage mechanism 130 be transmitted. Digital document images stored in the image storage mechanism 130 can be stored over the communication link 120 to the computer 200 be transmitted. The image storage mechanism 130 may contain removable, transportable image storage media such as magneto-optic media, a DVD disc or a CD-ROM disc.

The communication connection 120 is any suitable computer communication connection or computer communication mechanism, including a hardwired connection, an internal or external bus, a telephone access connection via a modem, or a high-speed T1 line, infrared or other wireless Communications, computer network communications over the Internet or an internal network (eg, "intranet") over a wired or wireless connection, or any other suitable connection between computers and computer components, whether currently known or developed in the future. It should be noted that parts of the communication link 120 may be a dial-up telephone connection, a broadcast cable transmission line, a digital subscriber line, an ISDN line or similar public feature type access media. The computer 200 will be in contact with 2 further described below.

In operation, a paper-based document is issued by a user of the system 100 receive. The user uses the system 100 to index the document. Indexing a document is the process of assigning "metadata", which describes the document and / or the content of the document, and using the computer to capture the metadata. The metadata or indexing information is stored in a record in a picture index database at the time of indexing. The system 100 creates or coordinates a globally unique image document identifier for the paper-based document at the indexing point. Because the system 100 Tracing each unique document identifier, it can iterate through a series of pre-programmed document identifiers in a preprogrammed manner in a sequence. This sequence corresponds exactly to the sequence of pre-printed labels. Thus, the user may receive a label containing the globally unique document identifier from the label dispenser 202 on the paper-based document. Because the system 100 the document identifier traced, the document identifier on the label to the next sequential document identifier in the system 100 is available, to be customized.

Because the two document identifiers match, the globally unique document identifier is used to effectively associate the document image with the record in the database, which facilitates later retrieval of the document image, typically via the indexes. Alternatively, the computer communicates 200 with a desktop label printer that creates a label for the paper-based document that contains the globally unique document identifier and any other descriptive information used to identify the document, or uses a table labeling mechanism to directly add the globally unique document identifier to the document Print document. In any case, that represents the system 100 The associated software has the ability to "automatically increment" the document identifier, with the next identifier automatically generated or synchronized, with the next identifier printed on the pre-printed labels.

Once the globally unique identifier has been applied to the first page of the paper-based document, the document can be placed in the pull-down basket 203 be kept in the system until the document is ready 100 using the document input mechanism 110 to be introduced. In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, instead of placing a globally unique identifier on only the first page, a separate identifier may be placed on each page of a paper-based document prior to scanning. When the paper-based document is subsequently scanned, an image of the paper-based document (including the globally unique document identifier) is generated and the predetermined document identifier is obtained. After imaging / scanning, the image of the paper-based document is stored in an image depot at a default location, such as in the image storage mechanism 130 stored using the previously generated document identifier as the basis for the image file name for the image, thereby linking the document image to a record in an image index database. In some embodiments of the present invention, the globally unique document identifier is the file name or forms the basis for creating the file name used in naming the digital image of the paper-based document.

The communication connection 120 Provides communication between the various components of the system 100 provides and allows the document image to be transferred from device to device. In this way, a user can quickly and easily access the electronic images of paper-based documents. Examples of the communication connection 120 include a local area network (LAN), an intranet, or the Internet. The through the communication connection 120 established connection can also be wireless. The communication connection 120 connects the physical components of the system 100 logically with each other regardless of their physical proximity. This is especially important because in many preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is expected that the computer 200 , the document input mechanism 110 and the image storage mechanism 130 can be geographically remote, and that the indexing process, the scan / map process, and the storage process occur in sequential order but are operationally independent. By tagging the document before scanning and creating the image identifier in advance and recording of the identifier in the label, this method removes the need for any other communication or direct convectivity between the index, scan, and storage processes.

The Image of the paper-based document carries the information required are to the index, the scan and the storage process, if and as necessary to link. By associating or assigning a given group of pre-printed ones Labels that contain unique document identifiers A person or group of people can also take greater security measures for the digital images of paper-based documents are created, as soon as the paper-based documents are scanned. By examining the relationship between the identifier obtained from the digital image, may be the "property" of the digital image be determined without further human intervention. The access The digital images can then be controlled as desired.

Although it is primarily intended to handle incoming paper-based documents, as previously mentioned, it is also considered that incoming electronic documents (e-mail, documents downloaded from the Internet, etc.) are also made using the system 100 could be indexed and stored. In the case of electronic documents, scanning / imaging of the document would not be required. In the case of electronic documents, the label containing the globally unique document identifier could be printed directly on the front of a document. Then, when the document is subsequently scanned, the document identifier can be used to associate the image of the document with a database containing metadata for the document image. This is particularly useful in a situation such as delivery vouchers, where an invoice is generated by a company, sent for delivery, signed at the delivery point, and then returned to the point of origin for proof of delivery.

With reference now to 2 is a computer 200 According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an IBM compatible personal computer system. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods and apparatus of the present invention are equally applicable to any computer system, regardless of whether the computer system is a complicated multiple user computing device or a single user device such as a personal computer or workstation. In particular, it is contemplated that a hand-held computer or a palm computing device may be all or substantially all of the one associated with the computer 200 can perform functions described.

The computer 200 suitably comprises at least one central processing unit (CPU) or processor 210 , a main memory 220 a memory controller 230 , an auxiliary memory interface 240 and a terminal interface 250 all over a system bus 260 connected to each other. Note that various modifications, additions or omissions to the in 2 illustrated computer system 200 can be made within the scope of the present invention, such as adding a cache memory or other peripherals. The computer 200 For example, it also includes a monitor or other display device (not shown) connected to the system bus 260 connected is. Alternatively, the computer is expected 200 may be a non-CPU terminal connected to a network as a network computer (NC). In this case, the responsibilities and functions of the CPU 210 taken over and performed by any other device on the network. 2 is not an exhaustive representation of any particular computer system or configuration, but is presented to simply illustrate some of the salient features of a preferred embodiment for the computer system 200 display.

The processor 210 performs the computing and control functions of the computer 200 and may include a single integrated circuit, such as a microprocessor, or may include any suitable number of integrated circuit devices and / or boards that function in concert to perform the functions of a processor. The processor 210 typically runs an operating system 222 within a main memory 220 and works under its control.

The auxiliary storage interface 240 allows the computer 200 Information on or from auxiliary storage devices, such as the image storage mechanism 130 , Magnetic disk drives (eg hard disks or diskettes) or optical storage devices (eg CD-ROM), stores and retrieves. A suitable storage device is a direct access storage device (DASD). 270 , As in 2 shown, the DASD 270 a floppy drive that reads programs and data from a floppy disk 280 can read. It is important to note that while the present invention has been described in the context of a fully functional computer system (and will be further described), those skilled in the art will recognize that the various mechanisms of the present invention are a program product in a variety of ways Forms can be distributed and that the present invention applies equally regardless of the particular type or location of signal bearing media used to actually perform the distribution. Examples of signal carrying media include: recordable type media such as floppy disks (eg, disk 280 ) and CD-ROMs and transmission-type media such as digital and analog communication links, including wireless communications links.

The memory controller 230 is by using one from the processor 210 separate processor (not shown) for moving requested information from main memory 220 and / or via the auxiliary memory interface 240 to the processor 210 responsible. Although for the purposes of explanation, the memory controller 230 As a separate entity, it is understood by those skilled in the art that in practice, portions of the memory controller 230 The function actually provided in the processor 210 , the main memory 220 and / or the auxiliary storage interface 240 associated circuitry can be located.

The terminal interface 250 allows system administrators and computer programmers, with the computer system 200 normally communicate via programmable workstations. Although the in 2 illustrated computer 200 just a single main processor 210 and a single system bus 260 It should be understood that the present invention applies equally to computer systems having multiple processors and multiple system busses. Although the system bus 260 In the preferred embodiment, a typical multi-station hardwired bus could be any connection means that supports bidirectional communication in a computer-related environment.

The main memory 220 suitably contains an operating system 222 , a web browser 225 , a digital storage application 227 ; and an image index database 228 , The term "memory" as used herein refers to any memory location in the virtual memory space of the computer 200 , It should be understood that the main memory 220 does not necessarily contain all parts of all the mechanisms shown. Parts of the operating system 222 For example, in an instruction cache (not shown) for the processor 210 while other files can be stored well on magnetic or optical disk storage devices (not shown). Although the image index database 228 as being in the same location as the operating system 222 In addition, it should be understood that the main memory 220 can consist of several different storage locations.

The operating system 222 includes the software that is used to the computer 200 to operate and control. The operating system 222 is typically from the processor 210 executed. The operating system 222 may be a single program or, alternatively, a collection of several programs that act in concert to perform the functions of any typical operating system, the functions being well known to those skilled in the art.

The web browser 225 can be any Web browser software application that is currently known or later developed. Examples of suitable web browsers 225 include Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. It is expected that the other vendors will develop web browsers suitable for use with the various preferred embodiments of the present invention.

The picture depot 226 may be any type of computer storage or memory structure known to those skilled in the art. In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, the image depot is 226 simply a directory or subdirectory or a series of directories or subdirectories containing a series of images, each image having a globally unique document identifier taken from the pre-printed labels, or alternatively, as described below in connection with 5 and 6 explained, created and assigned. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image depot 226 a structured query language (SQL) compatible database file that can store records containing images. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image depot is 226 a picture directory on a DVD or CD-ROM disc that can be easily transported from one geographical location to another.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the digital storage application operates 227 in conjunction with the web browser 225 In order to provide the various functions of the present invention with a user interface and indexing tools used to prepare a document for subsequent scanning / imaging and electronic filing. Alternatively, the digital storage application 227 be a stand-alone program product that does not use the web browser 225 used for additional functionality and via an office intranet works in conjunction with any typical network operating system such as Windows NT.

The digital storage application 227 Also includes standard database management tools for record management capabilities (add, modify, delete, etc.) for the image depot 226 and the image index database 228 and to provide various management service features. As in 2 shown includes the digital storage application 227 also a mechanism 223 for automatic turning, an audit / action mechanism 224 and a security mechanism 221 , The mechanism 223 for automatic turning is used in conjunction with 14 discussed and the audit / action mechanism 224 will be in contact with 15 discussed.

Preferably, the image index database 228 a structured query language (SQL) compatible database file capable of providing information, including indexed document names, to the image depot 226 to save saved pictures. In addition, the image index database 228 in a place other than main memory 220 be physically arranged. The image index database 228 For example, it can be stored on an external hard disk drive (not shown) connected to the computer 200 via the auxiliary memory I / F 240 is coupled. Alternatively, the image depot 226 and the image index database 228 each stored at different remote locations over the Internet using the web browser 225 are accessible.

It should be noted that a picture or pictures from the picture depot 226 in the main memory 220 and / or a cache location (not shown) for viewing by the digital storage application 227 and / or the web browser 225 can be loaded. As is typical for web browsers, previously viewed images can be retrieved using a "backward" or "forward" key. Since the present invention works with standard web browsers, this functionality is for images generated using the digital file application 227 be considered available. If no web browser is used, any other standard image viewer may be used. As the images are stored using industry standard formats such as Portable Document Format (PDF) or Tagged Image File Format (TIFF), those skilled in the art will recognize that there are many options for viewing images, including readily available system software and viewing devices can be downloaded from the Internet. In addition, the use of PDF and TIFF is not exhaustive, it is expected that various types of image formats may be used in various preferred embodiments of the present invention. The most preferred embodiments of the present invention also use the head of the digital image file to store index information related to the digital image. In this way, a complete restore of the image index database 228 from the picture depot 226 be reconstructed.

With reference now to 3 is a table label printer 310 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In a first preferred embodiment, the table label printer generates 310 a bar code and eye-readable information on an undetached label raw material 311 , The unsecured label raw material 311 can then be separated into individual labels, which then hand over to a paper-based document using the system 100 from 1 be scanned and stored. In an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, the table label printer is 310 a standard printer and prints an entire document, with bar code information included on the printed document. This is particularly useful when a company or organization is preparing paper-based documents that are written to and that will be mapped at a later date. For example, if a company prints an invoice with a globally unique document identifier printed on it, the invoice may be sent out with a delivery driver, signed, and then returned to the company. After receipt, the bill can be paper-based using the system 100 be scanned and the bill is automatically filed using the methods of the present invention.

With reference now to 3a prints a preferred embodiment of a Tischetikettierungsmechanismus 320 a label and attach it directly to the paper-based document (like an electronic stapler). As in 3a shown has the table labeling mechanism 320 an opening 330 to capture paper-based documents or pages of a paper-based document. The user can put the paper in the opening 330 and the table labeling mechanism 320 puts the printed label directly on the paper. In yet another alternative preferred embodiment of the table labeling mechanism 320 For example, the label information (bar code and eye-readable content) is printed directly on the paper-based document without the use of a separate label. The contents of the bar code and the eye-readable In formations for all in connection with 3 . 3a . 3b . 3c . 3d . 3e . 4 . 4a . 4b . 4c and 4d described labels will be used in conjunction with 5 . 6 and 6a discussed below.

With reference now to 3b includes a table label dispenser 360 for printing pre-printed labels according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention: a part containing a label 362 ; a selectively removable adhesive attachment member 364 ; and a block of pre-cut, individual opening labels 366 , The label output part 312 Gives custom labels from the block 366 individually in a discharge mode. A single ejection label 420 from a typical block of ejection labels 366 is in 4b shown. 4c shows a side view of a block of ejection labels 366 , In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, the selectively removable adhesive attachment member 364 a piece of double-sided tape or other suitable mechanism for securing the label-containing part 362 at a table or other similar surface.

With reference now to 3c includes a table label dispenser 370 for dispensing labels according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention: a housing part 372 ; a role of undemanding labels 374 ; and a cutting edge 376 , If the donor 370 is used to customize labels from the roll of labels 374 output, the user grasps the free end of the roll of labels 374 and uses the cutting edge 376 to get a single label from the roll of labels 374 to separate. In use, this is very similar to the act used to dispense a piece of clear plastic tape from a standard tape dispenser.

With reference now to 3d includes a table label dispenser 380 for dispensing labels according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention: a box part 386 and a role of labels 388 , The role of labels 388 includes a carrier pad 384 and a set of individual pre-cut, pre-printed labels 382 , The box part 386 is used to custom pre-cut, pre-printed labels 382 store and the role of labels 388 issue.

With reference now to 3e includes a table label dispenser 390 for dispensing labels according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention: a label containing part 398 ; an issue slot 396 ; a receiving slot 394 ; and a roll of individual, pre-cut, pre-printed labels 392 on the backing 399 are arranged. In use, the label-containing part contains 398 a role of labels 392 and the backing 399 is first through the issue slot 396 and then through the receiving slot 392 guided. This allows a user to wear the backing 399 with his hand to grab and the backing 399 to draw. If the carrier pad 399 is pulled, becomes a single label 392 between the issue slot 396 and the receiving slot 394 displayed. The user can see the displayed label 392 from the backing 399 remove and arrange it on a document.

With reference now to 4 is a sample label 400 through the table labeling mechanism 202 is generated, shown. As in 4 shown, contains the label 400 two separate parts, an information part readable by the eye 410 and a computer readable bar code portion 420 , The information part readable by the eye 410 is as a convenience for the user of the system 100 and provides basic information about a paper-based document or how a given paper-based document should be processed. The computer readable part 420 is used to identify the document identifier to be used when the scanned image is in the image storage mechanism 130 from 1 is stored, contained, transported and stored.

Although the information contained in these two different parts may be identical, the information in these two different parts may be different for security reasons. It should be noted that the use of the typical bar code symbology to encode the document identifier expects the use of many different types of symbologies. This includes those symbologies that represent digital information as shading within an icon (2d bar code symbology) or any other symbology that is capable of displaying large amounts of information in a digital format. In many preferred embodiments, the preprinted document identifier is simply a globally unique number represented in conventional bar code symbology, such as nested 2 of 5 or code 39. Note also that the bar code or machine readable portion of the label contains additional information besides the document identifier, which is to be used when the digital image of the paper-based document is stored. Information about the document or additional index For example, the document may be contained in the barcode.

With reference now to 4a is a preprinted sample label 410 That's for the kind of labels that come from the table label dispensers 370 . 380 and 390 are shown, typically, shown. The table label dispensers 370 . 380 and 390 Output individual labels from a roll of sequentially numbered labels. As with the in 4 The label shown contains the typical label 410 two separate parts, an information part readable by the eye 412 and a computer readable bar code portion 414 ,

The most preferred embodiments of preprinted labels used in connection with the present invention use the interleaved bar code symbology of Fig. 2 to represent the document identifier for a digital image to be generated in the future. When pre-printed labels are used, the digital storage application becomes 227 synchronized with the barcode numbers on the pre-printed labels. The digital storage application 227 enables a user of the system 100 to easily increment or decrement numbers used as document identifiers to maintain synchronization in the event a user accidentally destroys a label. Because the pre-printed bar code numbers on the labels are sequential, once the digital file application is in place 227 was synchronized with the first preprinted label created by the Digital Filing application 227 generated numeric document identifiers and the numbers on the pre-printed labels in a synchronization step sequence forward. Once a roll or block of labels has been consumed, a new roll or block of labels can be inserted and redone with the digital tray application 227 be synchronized.

With reference now to 4b is a typical pre-printed label 420 that from the table label dispenser 360 (in 3 shown). The label 420 is for a single label from the block 366 is spent as in 4c shown, typical. As in 4b shown, contains the label 420 an informational part readable by the eye 424 and a computer readable bar code portion 426 that on an acetate or similar film product 422 is printed. The label 420 most preferably comprises an impermeable part 425 and a clear part 428 , The information part readable by the eye 424 and the computer readable bar code portion 426 are on the opaque part 425 printed. In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, the surface of the clear part is 428 suitable for writing on this. This allows the user to make comments regarding the paper-based document to which it is attached.

With reference now to 4c is the block 366 from a series of individual labels 420 , The individual labels 420 are bonded together by an adhesive to form a fanfolding configuration. If the user has a first label 420 from the donor 360 pulls, the next label 420 by the power of removing the first label 420 pulled in a discharge mode in the issue position. If the second label 420 from the donor 360 is pulled, is also the third label 420 pulled into the issue position. In this way, each of the individual labels 420 in the block 366 be issued individually and applied to documents.

With reference now to 4d is an alternative preferred embodiment for a roll of individual pre-printed labels 460 shown. The role 460 is typical of the type of labels that come from the label dispensers 380 and 390 could be spent. The role 460 includes a carrier pad 464 and a set of individual pre-printed pre-cut labels 462 pointing to an optional core 466 are wound. The optional core 466 is used to provide stability for the role 460 during the dispensing operation, and may be sized as needed. labels 462 can be printed on any suitable pressure sensitive backed adhesive paper. The labels 462 can use a repositionable adhesive or a permanent adhesive, depending on the application requirements.

With reference now to 5 becomes a general description of the contents of a label 500 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As in 5 shown, includes the label 500 a unique document number that can be used to relate the scanned image to the image file name, or that can become the actual image file name after the document is scanned, and can include the following components: a software serial number field 510 ; a security field 520 ; an indexing data field 530 ; a user ID field 540 ; and a document counter field 550 , The software serial number field 510 is used to identify a unique customer. It is anticipated that each copy of the software program product that provides the features of the present invention will have a unique serial number associated therewith. This provides a unique code for identifying each user of a system 100 ready, which, when chained to the other numbers, guarantees that that every document number is globally unique. This is important because third-party vendors are expected to provide storage for images and vendors must have a reliable method of uniquely identifying, reading, saving and storing images from multiple customers. An alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention uses the serial number or a unique customer identification number to identify each customer in a database over the Internet.

When pre-printed labels are used, individual users of the system will be 100 Assigned ranges of numbers and no preprinted labels provide duplicate numbers. Alternatively, different symbologies may be used by different users, and the numbers of one symbology may thereby be distinguished from identical numbers generated using a different symbology. In the case of pre-printed numbers, the only piece of information printed on the label is the numeric document identifier. In the 5 Other information shown may still be in the image index database 228 are stored and accessed by reference to the unique document identifier contained in the label.

The security field 520 is used to provide various security features, such as user-created code, to ensure that document numbers are created under the control or security of the company that owns the documents. In addition, the security field 520 customized and configured to provide internal security measures, limiting access to sensitive document images. The indexing data field 530 Provides the date to which the document is to be taken by the user of the system 100 was indexed. The user ID field 540 is used to identify the user who indexed the document for storage. The identity of the user is typically determined by the system via a login ID. The document counter field 550 is used to track the number of documents indexed by a user on a given date.

With reference now to 6 is a special example of a label 600 with field components that 5 correspond, shown. As in 6 shown contains the software serial number field 610 "TAL123456". This identifies a specific customer and can accurately specify the licensed digital file application software that issued that particular document number. As in 6 shown contains the safety field 620 a security code "4697" describing a user-defined security aspect for accessing that particular document. The indexing data field 630 contains "97292", which is the Julian date representation for the date of the indexing session (ie October 19, 1997). The user ID field 640 contains the user identification number "0023". This indicates that the user 0023 is the user who indexed the document. The document counter field 650 contains 11002111, indicating that this particular label is indexed by this user for that date 21 , Document is generated. To create a frame memory filename, a file name extension is added to the in 6 attached number attached. In order to adapt to image file formats and conventions that require unique file names for each individual page of a multi-page document, an optional page numbering field may also be added to the ones in 6 attached number can be attached. In addition, other fields can be added for other purposes. It is contemplated that various additional fields will be developed for specific processing environments.

With reference now to 6a is a specific example of a simplified label 880 shown. As in 6a shown contains the part readable by the eye 882 the numerical value 001001001. This numeric value is actually the same as that in the bar code part 884 illustrated bar code number. In this embodiment, only the eye-readable part 882 contained number and the bar code part 884 as a unique document identifier for the digital image of the paper-based document containing the label 880 is used.

With reference now to 7 becomes a procedure 700 for processing documents according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As in 7 The procedure begins when a document arrives at the table of a user (step 710 ). When the user is ready to index the document, the user activates the digital file application 227 to index documents (step 712 ). This step is shown as an optional step because the user may have activated the software at the table prior to the arrival of the document. Although the digital storage application 227 can be a standalone software package, is the digital storage application 227 In an alternative preferred embodiment, a web browser-based program that, when invoked, automatically launches a web browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer and works directly with the web browser software to index, tag, and retrieve documents. The digital storage application 227 can also be implemented as a JAVA applet or plug-in for a web browser which is activated within the web browser.

After activating the digital storage application 227 For example, the user can access the user interface and designate the indexed document filing parameters, processes, and indexes (step 714 ). The drop parameters may include the location where the digital image should be stored as well as metadata describing the document to categorize the document content for later retrieval and retrieval. In addition, the indexing operation may include the step of specifying paper-based processing instructions for the digital image of the document. These processing commands may include elements such as "emailing" a document image or a command to export the digital image and associated index information to another software program. These processing instructions are stored in the image index database 228 and "paused" until such time as the paper-based document is scanned. Once the document has been scanned, the unique document identifier is used to find the correct record in the image index database 228 find and the appropriate processing commands can be executed. It should be noted that the physical location of the image index database 228 and / or the image depot 226 a local hard disk drive on the user's computer system, a network storage device at the user's location, or any storage location at a physically and / or geographically different location. Any one for the system 100 accessible memory location can be used. This is especially important for intranet and internet applications. By storing images at a remote location, automatic backup and security features can be easily implemented.

Next, identify the digital storage application 227 the globally unique document identifier, which is eventually used to store the image file name for the document according to the above in 5 . 6 or 6a to produce agreements (step 716 ). In the case of pre-printed labels, the digital storage application becomes 227 synchronized with the preprinted labels and the image filename taken from the digital filing application 227 is generated, the next bar code number is in the order on the next pre-printed label. In the case of preprinted labels, the label is retrieved from a table label dispenser and applied to the document (step 718 ). In addition to acting as a document identifier for the document, the document identifier is used to create a database record with the filing indices and filing commands and to use the label to adapt the paper-based digital image to the appropriate filing indices and commands.

As previously explained, a label may also be provided by the table labeling mechanism 202 and then applied to the document by the user or directly to the document through the table labeling mechanism 202 be applied. Regardless of how the label is created for this labeling process, a user shares the system 100 with how to drop the document and the filing commands are "flagged" on the document. Regardless of whether the label is pre-printed or printed on demand, once a document has been tagged or tagged, the document is inventoried and merged with the system 100 linked as an intelligent, self-managing document.

After the document has been indexed and labeled, the document can optionally be stored in a pull-out basket, waiting for subsequent scanning / imaging (step 720 ). Next, the paper-based document is scanned or imaged using a scanning subsystem (step 722 ), which produces an electronic image of the document. After the scanning process, the label is decoded by the scanning subsystem and the previously generated / issued document identifier is retrieved from the label (step 724 ). The process of decoding the label and retrieving the document identifier from the label can be accomplished by many different methods. The most preferred embodiments of the present invention use a method whereby the image of the paper-based document is used to produce a bitmap image for processing. The bitmap is searched for blocks of data that are candidates for barcodes. Each of the data blocks is then processed to determine the content of each unique object within the data block. A variation of this particular methodology is found in significant detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,557,091 which patent is incorporated herein by reference. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are numerous other similar methods that may be suitably used. The actual method used is not as important as the ability of the method to accurately and reliably decode the digital image and extract the file identifier from the digital image of the paper-based document.

Using the commands associated with the label, the document image is electronically processed and can be stored at a specified location in the Image storage mechanism 130 be archived using the previously generated document identifier (step 726 ). Also, the actual stored name may include an appended file name extension, such as .tif or .pdf, to identify the type of image that was stored. The filing indices and filing commands for the paper based document are contained either in the bar code or in a database record identified by the document identifier printed on the preprinted label, which in turn is attached to a paper based document. Regardless of how the label is created, the globally unique identifier printed on the label is used to associate the digital image of the paper-based document with the indices and processing information for the associated paper-based document. The document identifier obtained from the label can be used directly as the name of the file, or alternatively as part of the final file name or as an index for a database containing the actual file names.

Operation rules, color coded baskets, eye-readable label content, or other user-defined procedures determine the availability of the original paper-based document after scanning (step 728 ) (eg return to the sender's original basket, central filing, destruction, etc.). After saving the image, the document image can be recalled by the user for review, printing, editing, etc. (step 730 ). In addition, the paper-based document can be retrieved using a document organization scheme (step 730 ) if the paper-based document was withheld. As indicated by the dashed arrow lines in 7 A user can repeat the indexing and labeling process for additional paper-based documents and then scan the stored documents all at once. In addition, step 730 to be repeated for as many documents or document images as desired.

To retrieve the document image, the user calls the digital storage application 227 separately or in conjunction with the web browser 225 and uses the user interface to select the desired document image. The digital storage application 227 takes on the image index database 228 Reference and uses the previously generated unique document number for the desired document image to the document image in the image depot 226 find. This is also the same number printed on the label applied to the paper document. The digital storage application 227 and / or the web browser 225 uses the file name extension (.tif or .pdf, for example) of the image to identify the software support required to display the image. The software support for image display, faxing, printing, integration, etc. can be directly through the digital filing application 227 or the web browser 225 or alternatively from the web browser 225 , which calls other supporting third-party application software as needed. As indicated by the arrows in 7 This process may be repeated for each individual document that the user receives, if desired.

A system facility allows the user to specify the default location for the image depot 226 specifies, such as a main system secondary storage location, a centralized storage location or a third storage location. If the system 100 In addition, the system parameters can be set to work with images in any standard image file format such as TIFF or PDF. In addition, the scan / map software may be configured to output any standard image file format and use a default scan mode such as TIFF. Although the system 100 initially configured with different presets, the user may override the presets and optionally select another image format for scanning / imaging documents and / or saving document images. If desired, write the system 100 automatically an appropriate file name extension according to the user selected image file format or the default file format if no override is performed by the user.

With reference now to 7a becomes a procedure 701 for processing documents according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. As in 7 The procedure begins when a document arrives at the table of a user (step 740 ). Unlike the previous implementation, the user typically attaches labels to the document (s) (step 742 ) before the document is indexed. Of course, the user can index the document and then apply the label as long as the unique identifier on the label has the unique identifier for that document in the system 100 is synchronized. As discussed above, the label may be generated by the system software and printed directly onto the document by a table labeling mechanism, printed on a "demand-based" label stock and then placed on the document, or may simply be withdrawn from a table-top dispenser and opened the document will be applied. Regardless of how the label is generated, it contains a unique Do a document identifier associated with a record in the image index database 228 synchronized with the paper-based document on which the label was placed.

After the document has been labeled, the document can optionally be stored in a fold-out basket waiting for subsequent scanning / imaging (step 744 ). Next, the paper-based document is scanned or imaged using a scanning subsystem (step 746 ), which produces an electronic image of the document. After the scanning process, the bar code portion of the label is decoded by the scanning subsystem and the previously issued / generated document identifier is retrieved from the bar code (step 748 ). Using the instructions printed on or associated with the label, the document image is electronically stored at a predetermined location in the image storage mechanism 130 archived using the previously created document identifier (step 750 ). In addition, the actual stored name may also include an appended file name extension, such as .tif or .pdf, to identify the type of image that was stored. Since the pre-printed labels and associated document identifier can be assigned or assigned to specific persons, as discussed above, the digital images of the paper-based documents can be sorted without further human intervention and directed to the correct owner. As described below in connection with step 756 As discussed, filing indices and processing instructions may be applied to the digital images at a later time. It also allows centralized control and management of all document identifiers, wherever they may be physically located. In fact, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, all document identifiers are managed by a single database and all document identifiers are assigned and controlled from a single location.

When the user is ready to index the previously marked and scanned document, the user activates the digital storage application 227 to index documents (step 752 ). Although the digital storage application 227 can be a standalone software package, is the digital storage application 227 In an alternative preferred embodiment, a web browser-based program that, when invoked, automatically launches a web browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer and works directly with the web browser software to index, tag, and retrieve documents. The digital storage application 227 can also be implemented as a JAVA applet or plug-in for a web browser.

After activating the digital storage application 227 the user can access the record for the digital image of the paper-based document (step 754 ) to check, print and / or specify additional drop parameters and indexes for the document under consideration (step 756 ). It should be noted that the physical storage location of the image index database 228 and / or the image depot 226 a local hard disk drive on the user's computer system, a network storage device at the user's location, or any storage location at a physically and / or geographically different location. Any location for the system 100 accessible, can be used. This is especially important for intranet and internet applications. By storing images at a remote location, automatic backup and security features can be easily implemented.

As before, the digital storage application generates 227 or assigns the document identifier, which is eventually used to store the image file name for the document in accordance with the methods described in 5 . 6 and 6a to create agreements. Alternatively, in the case of pre-printed labels, the digital storage application becomes 227 synchronized with the preprinted labels and the one of the digital filing application 227 generated image file name is the next bar code number in the order on the next pre-printed label. Regardless of whether the label is preprinted or printed on demand, once the document has been tagged or tagged, a document is inventoried and merged with the system 100 linked as an intelligent, self-managing document.

As indicated by the dashed arrow lines in 7a As shown, the user may repeat the retrieval and indexing processes for as many additional paper-based or document images as desired. To retrieve the document image, the user calls the digital storage application 227 separately or in conjunction with the web browser 225 and uses the user interface to select the desired document image. The digital storage application 227 takes on the image index database 228 Reference and uses the unique document name / identifier previously created for the desired document image to the document image in the image depot 226 find. This is referred to by the name / identifier printed on the label applied to the paper document. The digital storage application 227 and / or the web browser 225 use the file name extension (for example, .tif or .pdf) of the image to identify the software support required to display the image. The software support for displaying, faxing, printing, integrating etc. the image can be obtained directly from the digital filing application 227 or from the web browser 225 or alternatively from the web browser 225 , which calls other supporting application software programs as required. As from the arrows in 7a This process may be repeated for each individual document that the user receives, if desired.

As explained above, a system device allows the user to specify the default location for the image depot 226 such as a main system secondary location or a third location. If the system 100 In addition, the system parameters may be set to work with images in any standard image file format, such as TIFF or PDF. In addition, the scan / map software may be configured to output any standard image file format and use a default scan mode such as TIFF. Although the system 100 initially configured with different presets, the user may override the presets and optionally select another image format for scanning / imaging documents and / or saving document images. The system 100 automatically writes an appropriate file name extension according to the user-selected image file format or default file format if the user does not override.

With reference now to 7b becomes a procedure 702 for processing documents according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. All basic features and operating procedures are similar or identical to those described above in connection with 7 and 7a described steps. As in step 776 from 7b As shown, this preferred embodiment of the present invention enables the digital storage application 227 creates and / or synchronizes a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with any given document. Using this variation on the present invention, a user can automatically place paper-based documents on the World Wide Web (WWW) as in the steps 784 and 786 shown.

When this particular embodiment of the present invention is used, the URL printed on the label becomes at least part of the URL for the digital image of the paper-based document on the World Wide Web or an index pointer on the digital image of the paper-based document on the World Wide Web , This means that when the document is scanned for paper (step 782 ), the barcode is decoded and the URL or part of the URL is retrieved from the label (step 784 ). Then the digital storage application can 227 automatically generate a web page and use the URL information from the label to name the URL for the digital image of the paper-based document. The URL is also in the image index database 228 saved. This allows the user to be directed to the appropriate page on the WWW by selecting the link for the desired document. For example, if the URL information included in the label was 100100100, then the URL for the digital image or paper-based document could be http://www.imagestorage.com/100100100. The URL or index to the URL is assigned to the paper-based document at the time the pre-printed label is placed on the paper-based document, and the web page is generated at the time the paper-based document is scanned. As discussed above, the preprinted document identifier may be used as a URL or as a pointer to an index of URLs that are related to the unique identifier printed on the preprinted label.

In summary, to retrieve the digital image of a paper-based document, the user calls the digital file application 227 separately or in conjunction with the web browser 225 and uses the user interface to select the desired document. The digital storage application 227 takes on the image index database 228 Reference and uses the unique URL previously assigned to the desired document to retrieve the image of the paper-based document on the WWW. This URL is directly or indirectly related to the URL information printed on the pre-printed label that has been applied to the paper document. Additional software support for viewing, faxing, printing, integration, etc. of the image can be obtained directly from the Digital Filing application 227 or from the web browser 225 or alternatively from the web browser 225 which calls other supporting application software programs as required. As from the arrows in 7b This process may be repeated for each individual document that the user receives, if desired.

It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the specific sequence of events occurring in 7 . 7a and 7b can be performed in an almost limitless number of combinations and sequences. Some steps can be eliminated, additional steps can be taken can be added and many steps can be rearranged. The special combinations and sequences used in 7 . 7a and 7b are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting.

It should be noted that several significant deviations from conventional document image processing systems have been adopted in the methods of the present invention. According to various of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, paper-based documents are indexed on demand, then physically labeled with a link (using a filename, ie, a globally unique number or a globally unique URL) with its index prior to scanning. At least a portion of the label includes a computer or machine readable image file name that is from the digital storage application 227 is used and in the image index database 228 located. The document identifier printed on the bar code label is used by the scanning subsystem to identify and refer to the paper-based digital image of the document, or to name it when the document image is in the image depot 226 writes, and the image with those in the image index database 228 related metadata, thereby completing the input process. This eliminates the need for the extensive hardware, software, network integration, and system and user process required when indexing occurs after scanning. For example, image display stations with large view monitors, network and local image cache and cache management, image input process processing, scan index work scheduling, image indexing work, and update write handover activity are not required in the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

The present invention eliminates by predefining the document identifier and using it as a link between the image index database 228 and the one in the document image depot 226 Document images contain the need for a process after scanning to either the image index database 228 to update with a frame store pointer or to create an intermediate lookup table for this purpose. Using the pre-printed document identifier to represent or refer to the final image file name and to use the bar code to transport this file name / identifier with the associated paper-based document is different from conventional document bar code strategies that only use bar code data. to point to a database record that receives additional related index information. These methods or the present invention, as part of the unique strategy of indexing documents before scanning, make it possible to implement a common document imaging solution, ie "digital storage".

This Process allows the user also, control at the point of document reception, i.e. at the user's table. In addition, the conventional step-by-step processes isolated from monolithic imaging solutions and separated into components in many different ways independently can be implemented. The operations for indexing, scanning and saving documents can physically, time and / or logically separated or decomposed. This makes possible, that optimized operating components are put together and implemented be to the needs the user of the system to serve best. Finally, this one Split digital filing process also a way ready for it Parts of the process are outsourced to third-party service providers who logically separated from the indexing process. The control of the Document is from the user from the initial receipt to the final disposal of the document and to the transition of the paper-based document into a digital image.

For example, indexed and tagged documents may be scanned at a third-party service provider, the scanning subsystem knowing how to name the image files based on the barcode information printed on the document label. Because these third party vendors are not part of a dedicated system, the document input mechanism is not logically linked to the computer system that indexed the documents. Digital images of the paper based documents may be written on removable, transportable image storage media (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.) for return to the originating system where the existing image index database 228 knows how to access the images based on the document identifier. And / or the images may be physically stored at a third-party service provider, such as an Internet service provider, since image retrieval requests are based on a web browser, Internet conventions, standard client-server processes, and reference to a document number that identifies the document owner and with using the globally unique image file name / identifier at the designated location. Again, the image storage mechanism 130 usually not with the computer 200 at the time of image scanning or image storage, only at the time of image recovery lo gisch connected. This is in direct contrast to the conventional monolithic document imaging systems or hybrid paging services of the past and is possible as the user of the system 100 the document indexes and the system generates the memory file name / identifier for each document before the document is scanned using the pre-printed global unique identifier.

The digital storage application 227 can be deployed as a single-user product and in network-enabled versions. For the network version may be the image depot 226 and the image index database 228 on a server connected to any network, intranet, or the Internet. For network environments, the digital storage application 227 downloaded from the network, and the images, document numbers, and image index database records are all transmitted over network connections and standard network interactions.

By Implement the user interface for the digital filing system as a web browser plug-in or JAVA applet, the standards, availability, the functionality and the features of web browsers implemented and used with great advantage become. The imaging machines already used by web browsers to view images can For example, visual representations are used on the screen for the to provide imaged documents. A pictured document can be done using the industry standard image formats, the professionals are known or later taken over in the industry will be saved. Because most standard web browsers use this already able to read and display different image formats or automatically other resources (i.e., third-party document viewing web browser plug-ins) to display these default image formats, there is no Needs, on-screen image, print, fax, e-mail, etc. mechanisms to develop or provide.

By Create an open image file storage system in which the image indexes managed and managed by a standard SQL database, The images are easily imported into more demanding storage systems or exported when the need arises. Because the digital pictures be stored in non-proprietary formats and via standard software packages accessible are, the digital images are easily from a hardware / software platform transferred to another. This Feature allows a user and third-party applications (document management systems, Workflow systems), easily access image storage devices or to change these or simply move document images from system to system when the needs of the Change user. The use of unique document identifiers provides Also, make sure you have documents from different systems in one single image depot can be combined while the unique identity of each Document is maintained.

Further, by isolating the indexing operation from the scanning and memory operation and isolating the scanning operation from the indexing and memory operation, significant advantages can be realized. In particular, it is expected that commercial third-party service providers such as Kinko's ^® and Alpha Graphics ^®, the service centers at various locations to provide nationwide, enter the document scanning market. A user can index documents in a series and apply labels to them, then transport the stack of indexed documents to a third-party scanning service provider. The service provider scans the previously indexed documents and stores digital images of the documents on recordable, transportable media (ie, CD-ROM, DVD, etc.). The third-party scanning service provider's software is an extension of the digital storage application 227 and therefore is able to name the digital images using the globally unique document identifier included in the barcode portion 420 each document is included. When the transportable media back into the system 100 can be introduced at the user's location, the image index database 228 find the scanned images using the document identifier, which is now related to the image file name or is the image file name. As an alternative to transportable media, images may be moved back from a scanning service provider to the user location through any known data transmission lines. This outsourced scanning procedure allows users to implement digital filing without incurring the cost of obtaining dedicated scanning subsystems. Third-party scanning can also be used for bulk save file conversions of existing documents.

Another important aspect of the present invention is the independence of the document identifier from the label and document to which it is attached. In the various preferred embodiments of the present invention, there is no predetermined or pre-established relationship between any given label and any given document. The labels may be assigned to any arbitrary document in any desired order without relating to any particular document content standing record.

This is in stark contrast to most known digital filing systems that rely on a predetermined relationship between a document and the label. For example, many systems have determined that a particular label must be placed on certain documents in order to use the information contained on the label in the document storage / retrieval process. Although useful in some highly structured storage applications, this requirement is too rigid and structured for many specialized storage systems. Consequently, the methods of the present invention do not rely on this artificial constraint to relate the digital image to the paper-based document. Instead, the document identifier on the preprinted label serves to associate any given preprinted label with any given document by merely placing the preprinted label on the document and that of the digital tray application 227 used document identifier is "synchronized" with the printed on the pre-printed label document identifier. If the same document is scanned or imaged more than once, each subsequent image will be "versioned" or added to the database with a new number. This allows a document history to be generated when a paper-based document passes through several stages as an information container.

Finally, third-party document-image storage can allocate space for a user's document images without worrying about the details of indexing and scanning. Fax machines or similar machines modified for this specific purpose can be used to scan images and transfer them to third-party image storage devices. Images can be transmitted over standard dial-up lines (such as today's fax transmission), dedicated data transmission lines, or the Internet. Users can rent or lease storage space for their document images and do not have to invest valuable resources in the physical facilities and computer equipment required to archive volumes of digitized images. Using the web browser 225 and the digital storage application 227 For example, a user can navigate to the desired location and access the stored image files wherever they may be physically stored. This allows businesses to quickly and affordably take digital storage solutions without the traditional cost of image storage systems. It also generates extensively accessible image depots on a cost-efficient, secure basis.

With reference now to 8th is a user interface 800 for indexing paper based documents and for retrieving and managing digital images of the paper based documents according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The user interface 800 is an example of a graphical user interface (GUI) suitable for use in the preferred embodiments of the present invention. As with other GUIs, the user interface does 800 of buttons, icons and windows extensive use. Professionals will easily recognize that there are many possible changes to the user interface 800 gives. This particular embodiment is disclosed for illustrative and illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting in any way.

As in 8th shown, the user of the system 100 the interface 800 Use the desired document storage category (cabinet) or sub-category (drawer) in the image depot 226 set. The user interface 800 stands with the system level security components for the digital storage application 227 in interactive traffic to restrict access to sensitive documents, and allows only users of the system 100 to access related documents. All cabinets available for a given user are in a cabinet display area 840 are listed and represented by a corresponding icon. Each cabinet contains one or more drawers and the drawers for a given cabinet can be viewed by moving a mouse or other pointing device to the icon of the desired cabinet and clicking on the icon representing the desired cabinet. Cabinets and drawers are references to logical storage areas within the image index database 228 and / or the image depot 226 , In addition, various drawers and / or cabinets may be adapted to automatically export digital images and associated index information to other computer systems.

The tab display area 830 shows the user the currently open interface elements, which may include both drawers and cabinets, as well as search features, notes regarding the status of various documents, system security settings, etc. each in a tab display area 830 Displaying individual tabs displays a separate screen "window" and the various windows can be displayed by clicking on the representative tab. In addition, a given display window by clicking on the appropriate screen icon such as a standard Windows "lock box" icon.

The area 860 New Documents is a representative image icon that allows a user to view newly scanned images for review and quality control purposes. In the example of the user interface 800 the user would click on the screen icon that represents the area 860 new documents, and a new tabbed window showing the user's most recent documents will be displayed for review. Similarly, a drawer display area allows 870 a user to access a given drawer by clicking on the image icon representing the desired drawer. When the user clicks on a given drawer image icon in the drawer display area 870 A new tabbed window will appear displaying the documents contained in this drawer. Once the list of documents is displayed, the user can view any given document by clicking on the icon representing the desired document.

The notification display area 850 displays a listing of notes relating to various documents and user generated or system generated actions for these various documents. Each in the notification display area 850 Notification provided provides feedback to the user regarding the status of documents and activities such as scanning and e-mailing the various documents. As with cabinets and drawers, the user can click on the desired notification and the notification is extended into a window on the screen for the user to review.

With reference now to 9 is a user interface 900 for a typical window with tab for a typical drawer, a drawer called "Invoices" is shown. In this example, the user can open the invoice drawer by clicking on the corresponding drawer image icon from the drawer display area 870 selected. Alternatively, the user may have a special cabinet containing the bill drawer by clicking on an icon in the cabinet display area 840 selected. In both cases, once selected, a new window will be displayed with a tab titled "Invoice Drawer" and all of the individual documents contained in the Invoice Drawer will appear in the document display area 940 displayed. Each line in the document display area 940 represents a single document and a user can view any digital image of any document contained in the invoice drawer by clicking anywhere on the line for the desired document. A set of icons in each line of the document provide visual feedback to the user regarding the current status of each document, such as whether or not the document has been scanned, and whether or not there is additional activity related to a given document, such as e-mail, pending notifications, etc. As previously shown, a tab display area 830 a tab for each window that is currently open, and a new window can be displayed by clicking on the corresponding tab.

As in 9 shown is supposed to be a document 920 paper based for use with the system 100 indexed, stored and mapped. A document may be input to the system using the index display area 910 displayed index fields. Each individual index field has a corresponding index name adjacent to the index field in the index field name display area 930 will be shown. The user can add any additional desired indexing information using the predetermined index fields for the documents in the selected cabinet and folder. It should be noted that in the index display area 910 index fields typically vary from drawer to drawer and are user definable for each drawer. Once the document has been indexed on paper, a new document identifier is created / synchronized with the pre-printed labels on the user's table, a new line, which in this case is the document 920 paper-based, appears in the document display area 940 , The system 100 keeps track of a set or sequence of unique document identifiers for each user. Once a user enters the system 100 logs in and indexes a new document, the system knows 100 the next document identifier that should be available to this user. The user simply verifies that the unique identifier or label is the same as that of the system 100 expected document identifier. The user can work with the system 100 interact and the next expected document identifier in the system 100 resynchronize to match the document identifier to the next pre-printed label, if necessary. A sample user interface for synchronizing the computer-expected document identifier with the physical label containing a document identifier is shown in FIG 16 shown. As further in connection with 7 described above, once the document identifier on the label with the document identifier in the system 100 synchroni The label is applied to the paper-based document and the document can be scanned whenever it is desired. If the document 820 later scanned, the system saves 100 thus referring to the digital image and referring to the digital image for retrieval using the previously generated / synchronized document identifier.

In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, fast input methods are programmatically implemented to speed up the indexing process. The most preferred embodiments of the present invention provide voice recognition features for data selection and entry, thereby enabling the user to index documents quickly and easily. It should be noted that the visual display that is in 9 the user is shown the logical place to store the image of the document 820 paper-based, but the digital filing application 227 the physical location of the digital image of the document 820 controls.

With reference now to 10 is an indexing and storage system 1000 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As in 10 shown contains the image index database 228 a set of records 1010 , Every record 1010 Contains a unique document number provided by the system 100 is generated when a user a paper-based document for inclusion in the image depot 226 using the above in conjunction with 5 and 6 indicated naming conventions. The unique document number for each record 1010 is in a field 1011 stored and acts in this example as a pointer to a specific image 1020 in the picture depot 226 is stored. As in 10 is shown in the box 1011 in every record 1010 saved name almost identical to the file name of the corresponding image, the image depot 226 is stored. In the most preferred embodiment, the only difference between the document number and the corresponding image file name is the additional file name extension (.tif) for the image in the image depot 226 indicating that the referenced file is a TIFF file. As in 10 represented, the record can 1010 also contain additional fields for storing other information relating to the image of the paper-based document. These other fields may include the date and time of document indexing, a scan flag indicating whether or not the paper-based document has been scanned or imaged, the document index information, user-defined comments, and so on. In addition, not all preferred embodiments of the present invention use all of the specified fields.

With reference now to 11 includes a fold-out basket 203 According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention: a document filing part 1110 ; a flap part 1150 ; an extendable document storage part 1120 with two side parts 1130 ; a ribbed attachment part 1160 and a selectively releasable connector part 1140 , In the most preferred embodiment, the Ausklappkorb 203 near the computer 200 arranged to facilitate the convenient storage of paper-based documents when they are received by the user. The fold-out basket 203 Most preferably, it is constructed from a lightweight, yet high performance material such as rigid paperboard, paperboard, or thin semi-rigid plastic. The goal is to create a lightweight yet powerful fold-out basket 203 manufacture.

In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, the document depositing section 1110 on the extendable document storage part 1120 at one end by the ribbed attachment part 1160 appropriate. The selectively releasable connector part 1140 is used to selectively lock the ends of the document filing section 1110 and the pull-out document storage part 1120 leading to the ends attached to the ribbed fastener 1160 are fixed, are opposite, connect.

To the fold-out basket 203 For example, a user selectively secures the releasable fastener part 1140 between the document filing part 1110 and the extractable document storage part 1120 , The selectively releasable connector part 1140 serves two main functions. First, the selectively releasable fastener part 1140 Stability for the pull-out basket 203 ready to share with the document filing section 1110 and the extractable document storage part 1120 acts to form a pyramid-like structure, thereby preventing the underside of the document depositing part 1110 and the bottom of the extendable document storage part 1120 separate each other. Second, the selectively releasable connector member is used 1140 as a locking mechanism that allows the user to documents 1170 placed in the pull-out document storage section 1120 were safely transported.

Once set up, a user creates one or more documents 1170 on the document filing part 1110 , where the bottom of the documents 1170 on the flap part 1150 rests. The Benut zer indexes every document 1170 according to one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, as in 7 . 7a and 7b described. After placing a label on the document 1170 the user puts the document 1170 in the pull-out document storage section 1120 , The extendable document storage part 1120 resembles a bag and is capable of documents 1170 in the interior of the extendable document storage part 1120 take. In the most preferred embodiment, the side panels comprise 1130 on the side walls of the document storage part 1120 lie, accordion-like folds that allow the pull-out document storage part 1120 Documents with different thicknesses as well as several documents 1170 receives.

Once all documents 1170 indexed and in the extractable document storage section 1120 the document filing part can 1110 using the ribbed attachment part 1160 be turned as a fulcrum, so that the ribbed attachment part 1160 over the opening of the document storage part 1120 is folded. Then the flap part 1150 at the document storage section 1120 using the selectively releasable connector part 1140 be attached, reducing documents 1170 inside the pull-out document storage section 1120 be secured. The ribbed attachment part 1160 allows flexibility to cover the opening of the extendable document storage part 1120 because the ribbing is at different thicknesses of the extendable document storage part 1120 can adjust. The user can then open the pull-out basket 203 use to documents 1170 to a scan / map location for input to the system 100 to transport. The exact dimensions of the folding basket 203 are based on the type, number and dimensions of the pull-out basket 203 to be stored and stored papers.

Optional sleeves or receptacles (not shown) may be on the front or back of the document tray 1110 or on the inside or outside of the extendable document storage part 1120 be attached. These optional sleeves or receptacles may be used to provide user identification cards and / or any special instructions that the user uses to process the documents 1170 record, such as clear handling instructions or routing information to keep. In addition, "special handling" preprinted coversheets could be included for setting up the scanner for any particular scanning task in an external / internal sleeve / external / internal receptacle.

With reference now to 12 . 13 and 13a is a user interface for dynamically resizing and rotating digitally displayed images of paper-based documents. As in 12 was shown a paper-based document using the system 100 indexed and scanned and the pages of the paper-based document are displayed as a series of thumbnail icons on a computer monitor 1201 displayed. The first position 1230 and the second position 1235 put two different places on the screen of the monitor 1201 To resize one of the thumbnail icons 1205 dynamically change the selected thumbnail image 1205 is made larger, the user places a cursor 1210 above the selected thumbnail icon 1205 in a first position 1230 at. The user then "clicks and pulls" the cursor in a downward direction to a second position 1235 , As in 12 shown, when the user selects the cursor 1210 from the first position 1230 in the second position 1235 moves the size of the selected thumbnail icon 1205 to when the mouse is moved down.

As in 13 As shown, the process can also be reversed by putting in a first position 1240 is started and the cursor 1210 in a second position 1245 moves up, increasing the size of the selected thumbnail icon 1205 is reduced. In yet another variation of the preferred embodiments, the user may simply "click" on the thumbnail and the full size digital image is displayed. This is especially useful for checking image quality.

With reference now to 13a there is shown a user interface for rotating digital images of paper based documents in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, sideways movement of the cursor rotates 1210 in a horizontal direction, the digital image in increments of 90 °. Clicking on the digital image 1206 for example, at a first location and then dragging to the left in a horizontal direction, the digital image rotates 1206 90 ° to the left. Clicking on the digital image 1206 at a first location and then pulling to the right in a horizontal direction also rotates the digital image 120 90 ° to the right. Combinations of these various clicks and pulls allow a user to view the digital image 1206 quick and easy to resize and rotate.

With reference now to 14 is the functionality of a mechanism 223 for automatic turning (in 2 shown) according to a preferred Embodiment of the present invention shown. Since most scanning devices accept paper based documents in a variety of orientations relative to the scanner feed path, it is possible to scan documents in four basic orientations. For portrait-oriented documents, these different orientations are in 14 through the document 1450 and documents 1455 shown. Most commercial scanning devices take a paper-based document in any of the documents 1450 and the documents 1455 shown four orientations. However, these scanning devices generally display the digital image of the scanned paper-based document according to how it was scanned. That is, in 3 out of 4 scanning orientations, the digital image of the paper-based document is displayed so that the eye-readable content is rotated out of the normal reading position as it is displayed on the computer monitor. Although this problem can be corrected in a post-scan operation, this extra step is unproductive and generally undesirable.

In 14 is a paper-based document 1450 a document with text or graphics in a standard portrait orientation and one in the upper right corner of the document 1450 arranged label 1451 , The eye-readable content on the label 451 is oriented so that it is the reading orientation of the text or graphic that is on the document 1450 printed, corresponds. Documents 1455 On a paper basis, various alternative orientations for transferring a paper-based document to a scanner feed path. In a standard scanning operation, each of the four orientations would produce a different orientation for the digital image of the paper-based document.

The mechanism 223 The automatic rotation determines the orientation of the eye-readable content on the label and automatically rotates and orients the scanned image as required to hold the digital image in the correct reading orientation regardless of the orientation of the paper-based document and the document's relationship to the document Display scanner feed path. In particular, most labels have a numeric bar code anywhere on the label. The system 100 may read the bar code and capture the most significant digit of the label and the least significant digit of the bar code printed on the label, thereby determining the orientation of the eye-readable content on the label. In addition, other versions of labels with only eye-readable content of text only may be read by the OCR technology to automatically rotate the digital images according to the orientation of the eye-readable content. Because the reading orientation of the label 1451 typically the reading orientation of the text and graphics on the document 1450 Paper equivalent, the resulting digital image 1440 regardless of the orientation of the paper-based document as it was scanned, displayed in the optimal reading orientation.

In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mechanism uses 223 to automatically rotate the most significant digit of the label 1451 printed barcodes to get the correct orientation for the digital image 1440 to determine. In a similar manner, a landscape oriented document 1475 paper-based as a digital image 1470 with the correct orientation regardless of the orientation of the document 1475 and the documents 1480 to the scanner feed path. This in turn assumes that the reading orientation of the eye-readable content on the label 1476 on the paper-based document 1475 with the reading orientation of the text and / or the graphic, the on the document 1475 printed on paper matches. In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user may also specify specific orientations and rotational preferences.

With reference now to 15 Figure 3 is a plan view of an audit / action mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Because the various preferred embodiments of the present invention are specifically designed to be used in a pre-scan indexing mode, there are certain advantages that can improve productivity and increase overall system integrity. In particular, using the audit / action mechanism 224 Many previously unavailable system performance and tracking indicators will be developed.

As in 15 shown, the examination / action mechanism 224 enabled and used to provide functionality such as notifications, verification, error handling, e-mail and import / export capabilities to system users 100 provide. These features are especially important for maintaining the integrity of the system when multiple users index, scan, and retrieve documents. Each of these specific elements will be described below. The implementation of these various functions is possible because the unique pre-scan indexing methods of the present invention enable the system 100 developed an inventory of documents prior to generating any digital images and managed. Once the digital images are generated, the system can 100 use the previously created inventory to validate the performance or identify failure points within the system. The result is a high level of trust for users of the system 100 , The audit / action mechanism 224 constantly parses the various databases that store information regarding the digital images of the paper-based documents, syntactically, and performs any specified operations or commands after scanning.

Notifications are messages generated by the system that provide feedback to a user regarding the status of the paper-based documents and the resulting digital images when the system 100 from 1 is used. Since each unique document identifier is assigned to an individual user, the system can 100 Generate messages for the individual users as soon as a document with a label belonging to a given user is scanned. These different notifications can be made by the system 100 "saved" and identified for later execution once the document is scanned. Once a user has indexed a paper-based document in accordance with any of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the notification capability of the audit / action mechanism may 224 For example, send the user a message when the document is scanned on a paper basis and the resulting digital image is ready for viewing. Also, using management theories by exception, when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed and the paper-based document has not yet been scanned, the alerting capability of the audit / action mechanism may also be used 224 send the user a message of this content and the user can take the appropriate action. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are many other similar types of notifications that are made by the audit / action mechanism 224 could be generated. These additional notifications include e-mail verification, document retention messages, etc. It is important to note that all actions for execution may be "queued" prior to scanning the documents. The unique document identifier allows the stored actions for the correct document to be executed at the time the document is scanned.

In addition to the notification, the audit / action mechanism may 224 Checking functions for the system 100 provide. For example, in the case of certain high-priority documents, the user may specify that a verification message should be generated as soon as the paper-based document is scanned. This allows the user to import important documents through the system 100 to track and verify that the documents are available and secure.

In addition to the functionality given above, the error handling capabilities of the audit / action mechanism 224 additional confidence regarding the integrity of the system 100 stored documents. Since documents can be indexed before scanning, the review / action mechanism can be used 224 For example, check the properties of the paper-based documents and compare them to the actual paper received at the scanning subsystem. For example, during the indexing process, a user may specify that a document 10 Has pages. If the document is subsequently scanned, the scanning subsystem can count the actual scanned pages and send a message to the user if the page number is incorrect. If any document identifier with the system 100 is synced and does not show up, a message may also be generated warning the user that a document is missing.

Another important function for the audit / action mechanism 224 is the generation of e-mail messages that contain digital images of paper-based documents using the system 100 were pictured. A user may specify that a digital image of any given paper-based document be sent to another person using an e-mail message. This can be done before or after the document is scanned. If the document has not been scanned yet, when the user sets an e-mail action, the audit / action mechanism saves 224 the relevant e-mail address, the recipient and other important data and puts the e-mail to be sent in a queue. Once the paper-based document is actually scanned, the audit / action mechanism hangs 224 the digital image of the paper-based document to the e-mail and sends it out using standard e-mail protocols.

Recognizing the need to work within the parameters and limits of existing systems, the audit / action mechanism allows 224 the easy import and export of images. The most preferred embodiment of the audit / action mechanism 224 uses the Extensible Markup Language (XML) to perform these functions. One For example, users can take digital pictures of the system 100 want to send to a document management system. The user can set the export destination before or after the document is scanned. As with email, the audit / action mechanism retains 224 If the paper-based document has not yet been scanned, it will return the relevant export information and export the digital image if the paper-based document is scanned.

Another important feature of the digital filing application is that of the security mechanism 221 who in 2 shown provided functionality. The security mechanism 221 provides security for the digital images of the paper-based documents that are in the image depot 226 are stored. User of the system 100 can determine how safe a picture should be and the system 100 allows only authorized users to access the stored images. Since a document can be indexed prior to scanning, it is possible to set the desired level of security prior to generating the digital image for a given paper-based document. This is far safer than commercial systems that use a methodology of scanning, then indexing. If the document is scanned on a paper basis before indexing, the image must be cached and made available in the system for subsequent indexing. This means that the image is stored in a way that can jeopardize the security of the content. This security feature is very important for images containing sensitive material. Because each globally unique identifier on each pre-printed label can be assigned to an individual user, the security mechanism 221 Security for a digital image of a paper-based document by reference to the globally unique identifier printed on each of the preprinted labels at the time the document is scanned. By checking the user identification for the user requesting access and comparing it with the registered owner of the globally unique identifier contained in the document image, the security mechanism 221 control access to the requested image.

As explained above, The present invention provides an apparatus and method for a digital filing system ready. The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide easy and effective indexing, Imaging, storage, retrieval and management of documents based on paper, using a system that many existing office resources includes, transformed into electronic documents. The Proposed systems and procedures implement a desktop solution for the digital Filing for every worker available can be made. In one embodiment of the present invention Invention has a person complete control over the electronic storage and retrieval of their documents from a standard desktop computer using a dedicated one digital file application or a standard web browser application. The digital filing system of the present invention allows users unique, documents before scanning / mapping using either a dedicated table labeling mechanism or pre-printed To label and label labels.

one or more critical parts of the present solution is the administration of the globally unique document identifier. The integrity of document images can be ensured by controlling the delivery of pre-printed labels become. Furthermore can check digits Badges, holograms and other secure printing methods used to check the source of the pre-printed labels and the integrity of the digital filing process.

Using globally unique document identifiers, it is possible to receive any document from any source and attach a preprinted label to the document without any regard to a predetermined relationship between the document and the preprinted label. The document and the label are from the digital filing application 227 at the time the label is placed on the document "synchronizes" and is related by the information printed on the pre-printed label. In addition, multiple digital document images from multiple sources can be combined in a single database without worrying about which system has generated which digital image. Since each is unique, there are never any duplicates.

Even though the invention in particular with reference to preferred embodiments has been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art, that different changes in the form and the details can be made in it, without deviate from the scope of the invention.

Claims (72)

Device comprising: at least one processor ( 210 ); a memory ( 220 ) coupled to the at least one processor; at least one digital image of a document paper based, the digital image comprising an image comprising an image of a label, the at least one digital image being in memory; and a digital storage application ( 227 ), which is located in the memory and by the at least one processor ( 210 ), the digital storage application ( 227 ) extracts a globally unique identifier from the image of the label and uses the globally unique identifier to associate the digital image with a database record created prior to the generation of the digital image; the label being a pre-printed label having a globally unique document identifier bar code printed in advance; and wherein the digital file application is synchronized with the preprinted label such that the globally unique identifier printed on the preprinted label matches an identifier used by the digital file application to create the database data set, characterized in that the digital A filing application further comprises an automatic turning mechanism, wherein the automatic turning mechanism automatically rotates the at least one digital image for display using the most significant digit of the bar code in the image of the preprinted label to determine a correct display orientation. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the digital storage application the digital image with the record using at least one Part of the globally unique document number linked to a file name for to create the digital image. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least a part of the globally unique document number is the filename for the digital Picture is. The device of claim 1, further comprising a communication link includes, which is coupled to the at least one processor. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the communication link a computer network. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the digital storage application the digital image of the paper-based document via the communication link transfers to a picture depot. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the computer network the internet is. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the computer network an intranet is. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a Table label dispenser includes a variety of pre-printed Ejection labels individually, and wherein each of the plurality of pre-printed ejection labels with a globally unique document identifier is printed. The device of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of labels on one of a variety of paper-based documents and using the digital storage application is indexed. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a Folding basket includes. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the digital Storage application further comprises: an audit / action mechanism, the audit / action mechanism is at least one Performs notification function; and a security mechanism, the security mechanism access to the at least one digital image by reference controls on the globally unique identifier. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the at least a verification function, that of the audit / action mechanism carried out will, sending a review message to a user regarding the at least one digital image includes. Device according to claim 1, wherein the correct Display orientation is an orientation, the one with the eye readable part of the at least one digital image in one orientation indicating to an eye-readable part of the preprinted Label is identical. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the safety mechanism access to the at least one digital image by reference to the globally unique identifier and compare it with a record in a database to determine access controls. Apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a User interface for dynamic resizing and rotation of at least a digital image using an eye-readable one Part of the pre-printed label includes. The device of claim 12, wherein the audit / action mechanism is at least executes a filing instruction at the time the at least one of the a digital image of a paper-based document is generated. The device of claim 17, wherein the at least a filing command is an e-mail command that is initiated at the time becomes at least one digital image of a paper-based document is produced. The device of claim 17, wherein the at least a filing command is an export command. The device of claim 1, wherein the globally unique Identifier includes a number that is a machine-readable barcode is shown on the label. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the digital Storage application further comprises: a user interface, the size of the at least dynamically changes a digital image, using the user interface is activated using a mouse. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the globally unique Identifier includes a number that appears as a bar code on the label is pictured. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the digital Storage application an audit / action mechanism includes; the digital storage application being globally unique Identifier from the image of the preprinted label wins and the globally unique identifier used to capture the digital image to associate with a database record that was created before creation the digital image was created; and where the audit / action mechanism executes at least one filing command. The device of claim 23, wherein the at least a filing command is an e-mail command. The device of claim 23, wherein the at least a filing command is an export command. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the globally unique Identifier includes a number that appears as a bar code on the label is pictured. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the digital Storage application includes a security mechanism; the digital filing application a globally unique identifier wins from the image of the pre-printed label and the globally unique one Identifier used to view the digital image with a database record to link that was created before the generation of the digital image; and where the security mechanism gives access to the at least one digital one Image controls. The device of claim 27, wherein the security mechanism access to the at least one digital image by reference to the unique identifier from the image of the pre-printed Labels controls. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the globally unique Identifier includes a number that appears as a bar code on the label is pictured. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the audit / action mechanism comprises the database record analyzed syntactically and at least one command for processing after sampling. The device of claim 30, wherein the at least a command for processing after scanning an e-mail command is. The device of claim 30, wherein the at least a command to process after the scan an export command is. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the globally unique Identifier includes a number that appears as a bar code on the label is pictured. Method for digital filing with the steps: Produce an index record in a database, the index record identified by a globally unique document identifier that is an identifier bar code that is printed in advance on a preprinted Label is printed, corresponds; Save a variety of data describing a paper-based document in the index record; secure of the preprinted label carrying the globally unique document identifier bar code on a Paper-based document; Generating a digital image of the document on a paper basis by scanning the paper-based document; Win of the globally unique document identifier barcode from the Label; and Link of the digital image with the index record in the database below Using the globally unique document identifier; thereby marked that the method further comprises the step of using a mechanism for automatic turning involves the digital Image based on the orientation of the pre-printed label automatically which are using a most significant digit of the barcode is determined. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of accessing the digital image using the global unique document identifier. The method of claim 34, which further the step of obtaining the label from an ejector dispenser that dispenses labels one at a time before attaching the label bearing the globally unique document identifier to the paper-based document. The method of claim 34, wherein the globally unique Document identifier includes a bar code number, which using a standard barcode symbology is printed. The method of claim 37, wherein the standard barcode symbology the nested symbology of 2 out of 5. The method of claim 37, wherein the standard barcode symbology the symbology of the code 39 corresponds. The method of claim 37, wherein the standard barcode symbology the symbology of PDF 417. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step comprising: dispensing the at least one pre-printed label a label dispenser. The method of claim 41, further comprising the step the stain removal and straightening of the digital image of the Paper-based document. The method of claim 41, further comprising the step of using a security mechanism to access controlling the digital image. The method of claim 43, wherein the step of Using a security mechanism to access the control digital image of the paper-based document, the steps includes: Assign a set of pre-printed labels too a special user, each of the pre-printed labels contains a globally unique identifier; Compare the digital image associated with globally unique identifier with a list of globally unique identifiers assigned to a user who requests access to the digital image; Check if the globally unique identifier is assigned to the particular user is when an access to the digital image is requested, and Allow access only in those cases where the globally unique Identifier assigned to the specific user who has the access to the digital image request. The method of claim 41, further comprising the steps of includes: Using an audit / action mechanism, an operation after scanning for the digital image of the document paper-based prior to scanning the paper-based document; and Link the specified operation after sampling with the record for the at least an index for the paper-based document using the globally unique Identifier contained in the pre-printed label scanning the paper-based document. The method of claim 45, wherein the step of Using an audit / action mechanism, an operation after scanning for the digital image of the document on paper basis, the step of generating an e-mail command for the digital image of the paper-based document before scanning the paper Paper-based document. The method of claim 41, further comprising the step using a pop-up basket for stacking and storage of the paper-based document. The method of claim 47, wherein the step of Using a Ausklappkorbes for stacking and storing the Paper-based document comprising the steps: Laying the document paper-based on a document storage part of the Ausklappkorbes, while the document is indexed; Laying the paper-based document in a document storage part of the deployment basket after mounting of at least one pre-printed label on the document Paper-based; and transporting the paper-based document a scanning device using the Ausklappkorbes. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of Dispensing at least one preprinted label from a label dispenser, the pre-printed label being a globally unique identifier contains the step of dispensing at least one preprinted label with a barcode number that points to the at least one preprinted Label is printed from the label dispenser covers. The method of claim 34, further comprising the steps of: indexing the paper-based document having at least one index value, the step of generating the index data set including the at least one index value; and storing the digital image of the paper-based document in a computerized image depot using the globally unique identifier, obtained from the pre-printed label to associate the at least one index value with the digital image of the paper-based document. The method of claim 50, further comprising the step includes: Stain removal and straightening of the digital image of the paper-based document. The method of claim 50, further comprising the step includes: automatic rotation of the digital image of the document paper based on the orientation of the preprinted Label. The method of claim 50, further comprising the steps of includes: Specify a post-scan operation for the digital Image of the paper-based document before scanning the document paper-based; and Link the specified operation after sampling with the record for the at least an index for the paper-based document using the globally unique Identifier contained in the pre-printed label scanning the paper-based document. The method of claim 53, wherein the step of Specifying an operation after scanning for the digital image of the document paper-based the step of creating an e-mail message to send the digital image of the paper-based document via Computer network includes. The method of claim 53, further comprising the step of performing the specified operation after scanning for the digital image of the document paper-based. The method of claim 50, further comprising the step outputting at least one preprinted label with a Bar code number printed on the at least one pre-printed label printed, comprising a label dispenser. The method of claim 34, further comprising the steps of includes: Save the globally unique identifier for the document on a paper basis in the index record, whereby the index record in the database is synchronized with the paper-based document; and Save the digital image in a video depot using the globally unique identifier to associate the image with the index record in the database. The method of claim 57, wherein the step of Attach a label to the paper-based document step outputting a single ejection label from a table label dispenser and arranging the label on the paper-based document. The method of claim 57, further comprising the step retrieving the image from the image depot using a Web browser-based interface. The method of claim 57, wherein the step of Save the image in a image depot the step of transferring of the image to the image depot the internet includes. The method of claim 57, wherein the step of Save the image in a image depot the step of transferring of the image on a CD-ROM disc includes. The method of claim 57, wherein the step of Save the image in a image depot the step of transferring of the image on a DVD disc. The method of claim 34, further comprising the steps of includes: indexing the paper-based document using a digital storage application based on web browsers; Use a fax machine, to scan the paper-based document and the label attached to the document, Transfer the digital image to an image depot via the Internet; Attach a Extension to the file name to the graphic format of the digital Indicate image; Control access to the digital image using the globally unique identifier to access privileges for the set digital picture; Create a URL and a web page to display the digital image of the paper-based document using the globally unique identifier; and Recall of the digital image the Internet using a web browser-based application. A program product comprising: a digital staging application that decodes at least one digital image of a paper-based document and extracts a globally unique identifier from a label image contained within the at least one digital image and that uses the globally unique identifier to identify the at least one digital image designate a digital image and associate it with a dataset in a database, wherein the dataset was created in a database at a time prior to the generation of the at least one digital image; and signal bearing Media carrying the digital storage application, the label being a preprinted label having a globally unique document identifier bar code printed in advance; and wherein the digital file application is synchronized with the preprinted label so that the globally unique identifier printed on the preprinted label corresponds to an identifier used by the digital file application to create the database record, characterized in that the digital file application and an automatic turning mechanism that automatically rotates the at least one digital image for display using a most significant digit of the bar code in the image of the preprinted label to determine a correct display orientation. The program product of claim 64, wherein the digital Stacker application implemented as a web browser-based application becomes. The program product of claim 64, wherein the signal supporting media recordable media include. The program product of claim 64, wherein the signal carrying media include transmission media. The program product of claim 64, wherein the digital Storage application further comprises: an audit / action mechanism; and a security mechanism. The program product of claim 68, wherein the audit / action mechanism comprises at least one of Executes a filing command. The program product of claim 68, wherein the security mechanism controls access to the at least one digital image. The program product of claim 63, wherein the digital Storage application uses the globally unique identifier, a URL and a web page to display the at least one digital image. The program product of claim 64, wherein the digital Storage application further comprises: a mechanism for automatic Turn, with the mechanism for automatic turning at least a digital image for display using the image of the pre-printed Labels to determine correct display orientation automatically rotates; an audit / action mechanism, the audit / action mechanism is at least one Executes filing instruction; and a security mechanism, the security mechanism controls access to the at least one digital image.