JPH11110393A - Information processing method and document retrieving device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide access to a web to even a person who does not have connection to an internet or other networks/resource supply sources. SOLUTION: This method receives facsimile of a 1st document 106 from a 1st place 101, extracts a resource (e.g. document) identifier such as a URL from the facsimile image, also, retrieves a document that corresponds to the extracted resource identifier and sends the retrieved document to the place 101. With this, it is possible even for a person who does not have connection to an internet 105 or other networks/resource supplies to access a web 103.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an information processing method and a document search apparatus, and more particularly to a facsimile (FAX).
The present invention relates to an information processing method and a document search device that allow a document to be accessed using a device to a connection network such as the World Wide Web and other similar document resource sources.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The World Wide Web (hereinafter, the Web) is a term used to describe interconnected online documents that can be accessed through a computer system connected to the Internet using software clients. is there. In the prior art,
These software clients are graphical browsers such as Mosaic and Netscape that allow the user to select various documents. In selection, the graphical browser retrieves the documents and provides them to the user either by displaying them on a display screen or printing them on a hardcopy device such as a printer.

[0003] Documents displayed using a graphical browser include, in part, hypertext links. Hypertext links link the graphics or text of a document to other documents on the Web. Documents containing hypertext links are created before they are published on the web. That is, the document to be published is provided to a server that creates the document and publishes the document by essentially allowing access from strangers on the Web. Each hypertext link is associated with a Universal Resource Locator (URL) that recognizes and locates documents on the web. When a user selects a hypertext link, for example with a cursor, a graphical browser retrieves the corresponding document.

[0004]

[0003] World wide web servers and clients, such as mosaics, have opened the door to online publishers and consumers of information. However, these servers and publishers are only available to those who have access to the Internet. In other words, those without a direct Internet connection cannot access documents and other resources available through the Web. There is a problem that a person without such a direct connection cannot obtain a document from the Web or publish the document on the Web.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide access to the Web to those who do not have a connection to the Internet or other network / resource sources. The present invention also allows individuals to search or publish documents on the web as if they were actually connected to the web. Thus, the present invention can provide both client and server capabilities to individuals who do not have a direct connection to the network.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a facsimile of a first document is received from a predetermined location, and a universal resource locator (URL) is extracted from the facsimile as a resource identifier. And a step of searching a network for a second document corresponding to the resource identifier; and transmitting the image of the second document to the predetermined location by facsimile. is there. Thus, the present invention provides a method for information access. The present invention also provides a method for receiving a facsimile of a first document from a first location and extracting a resource (eg, document) identifier such as a URL from the facsimile image. The present invention also provides a method for retrieving a document corresponding to the extracted resource identifier and transmitting the retrieved document to a first location.

[0007] The information processing method may include a step of analyzing the document for the step of analyzing the first document to create the image. The information processing method may include, prior to the transmission, rendering a hypertext link in the machine-readable information near a link point of the image.

[0008] The step of extracting the resource locator in the above processing method may include the step of extracting information selected and encoded in a facsimile, and the step of combining the information to obtain a resource locator. Good. The encoded information may be composed of a barcode. The encoded information may be composed of digital paper.

[0009] The encoded information may be composed of run-length encoded information. Receiving the facsimile may include receiving the facsimile using a fax modem. The step of extracting the resource identifier includes a step of painting a facsimile area other than a circled area with a uniform color, and a step of combining the encoded information in the circled area with at least one Obtaining one code and recognizing at least one resource identifier using the at least one code.

[0010] Recognizing the resource identifier may include accessing a save list using the at least one code as a pointer to the at least one resource identifier. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document search apparatus for searching for a document from a source having a resource group in response to a document request received from a facsimile machine, wherein the bus, a processor connected to the bus, A system having at least one memory connected to the bus, a facsimile mechanism connected to the system for transmitting and receiving facsimile images, and a connection mechanism for connecting the system to the source, the system comprising: Receiving a facsimile image from the facsimile machine, recognizing an encoded portion selected by a user, generating decoded data by decoding the recognized encoded portion, and at least corresponding to the decoded data. Retrieving one document from the source and retrieving at least one document from the facsimile mechanism Use by facsimile transmission to the facsimile machine, the device itself is characterized in that it works as a gateway between the source and the facsimile machine.

[0011] The source may include a network, and the connection mechanism may connect the system to the network. The source may include a local area network (LAN), and the connection mechanism may connect the system to the local area network. The facsimile machine may have at least one fax modem.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A method and apparatus for accessing a network or other resources. In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth, such as types of resources and document identifiers, types of documents, etc., for an overall understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are represented in block diagram form, rather than in detail, to avoid obscuring the present invention.

Some portions of the detailed description that follows are represented by algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. The description and presentation of these algorithms is a means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. Steps require physical processing of physical quantities. Generally, although not required,
These quantities take the form of electronic or magnetic signals that can be stored, transmitted, combined, compared, and otherwise processed. Because of their well-known usage, these signals are represented by bits, values, elements, symbols, characters,
Representation as a number or the like has proven convenient at times.

However, it should be kept in mind that all these and similar terms are related to the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless otherwise noted, as will be apparent from the discussion below, "process,""operate,""calculate,""determine," or "display" throughout the present invention. Descriptions in terms such as terminology refer to data represented as physical (electronic) quantities in computer system registers and memory, computer system memory, registers, or other such information storage, transmission or transmission. It refers to the operation and processing of a computer system that converts and processes other data similarly represented as physical quantities in a display device, or a similar electronic arithmetic device.

The present invention also relates to an apparatus for performing the operation. This device may be specially constructed for the required purpose, or comprise a general purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored on the computer. There is also. The algorithms and displays herein are not uniquely related to any particular computer or other device. It will also be appreciated that various general purpose machines may be used with the programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or that it may be more convenient to make special equipment to perform the necessary method steps.

The required structure for a variety of these machines will appear from the description below. In addition, the description of the present invention does not refer to any particular programming language. As will be described, it will be apparent that various programming languages can be used to implement the teachings of the invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides access to electronic documents. In the present invention, electronic access to a document is accomplished by marking an image on the document or display, exchanging various documents, and displaying a bitmap of the various documents.

The present invention allows a facsimile (fax) machine to operate as a web client and to retrieve text and images from any web site. In this way, the user can browse multiple pages from the web. The present invention also allows a fax machine to operate as an interface to a web server that publishes online information for access by any web client. Thus, the present invention allows anyone to use a fax machine as a web client or as an interface to a web server. In this way, a person without a connection to the web can interact with the web as if a connection exists. <Using a fax machine as a web client>
1 and 2 show an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the system of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a fax machine 101 is connected to a gateway 102 through a telephone line 104. The gateway 102 is also connected to the Internet 105 or other network or document resource that provides access to the web 103.

In one embodiment, fax machine 101 operates as a typical fax machine of the prior art. This means that the fax machine can receive and transmit facsimile transmissions using the telephone line 104. Also,
The fax machine 101 stores a document, for example, a telephone line 104 later.
Includes a scanning mechanism for scanning a document, such as document 106, that may be communicated above. Fax machine 101 also includes a print engine for taking received facsimile transmission hardcopy, such as document 107.

In the present invention, the gateway 102 sends the fax machine 101 to the web 103 (Internet 1).
05) interface. In one embodiment, gateway 102 comprises a computer system or workstation connected to telephone line 104 through a fax modem, as is well known in the art. The function and exemplary implementation of the gateway 102 will be described below. The gateway 102 is not limited to interfacing with one fax machine (102) and may support any number of fax machines. However, the gateway 102 will always be limited by the number of document retrieval or publishing requests supported.

With respect to the web 103, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to publication or retrieval of documents on the Internet or WWW. The teachings of the present invention may be implemented on various types of networks having available documents and other information on demand, data and document storage and archive mechanisms, or other types of clients /
It may be applied to a server system.

The system of the present invention does not require a facsimile machine as long as the system includes devices and components having the functions provided by the facsimile machine. These functions include enabling exchange of documents, such as by receiving one version of a document and transmitting another version, and enabling viewing of the document by displaying the document in a bitmap or other display. However, it is not limited to these.

FIG. 2 shows a fax machine 10 according to the present invention.
5 is a flowchart of a document search process executed by one user. With reference to FIG.
The process is started by starting communication between the MFP and the fax machine 101 (processing block 201). In one embodiment, a user establishes communication with gateway 102 by sending a facsimile transmission of a particular document to gateway 102. In one embodiment, the document is a blank page.

As a result of establishing communication with the gateway 102,
The user receives a document, such as document 107, from gateway 102, which is the output from the fax machine in hard copy form (processing block 202).
The first document that the user receives from the gateway 102 will now be referred to as the home page (HP). The document may have multiple pages.

[0024] Other methods of establishing communications may be used to receive a document. For example, an individual verbally or otherwise notifies an operator of gateway 102 to request a document to be sent to a user of fax machine 101. The document is automatically sent, otherwise, for example, by another user on the web. Similarly, automated services (e.g., daily e-newspaper) notify the user when a particular page is updated. Note that the user may receive the document by other means, for example, mail, airmail, or home delivery. Documents received from gateway 102 include links to other documents that are retrieved by the user. In one embodiment, the link is a hypertext link. Links are encoded and formatted into machine-readable information in the document. The machine readable information may be in a digital format such as a bar code or digital paper, and one such embodiment is entitled "Method and Apparatus for Placing Data on Plain Paper", 1994.
It is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,337,362, issued August 9, and is assigned to the common assignee of the present invention. Other types of encoding may be used in the present invention as long as link identification and selection is possible.

In one embodiment, documents received from gateway 102 include machine-readable information pointing to hypertext links and hot spots that may be circled for subsequent document retrieval. In one embodiment, the machine readable information is located below an image or a piece of text. In this way, the user will immediately know which link is active. The machine readable information is the Universal Resource Locator (URL) of the linked document to be retrieved.
sal Resource Locator). URLs recognize and locate documents on the WWW, which are well known in the art. FIG. 3 shows a typical document showing a text and a barcode representing the link below this text. In another embodiment, the icons may be used to display links. Many icons can fit on one page, and the icons themselves can contain machine-readable information.

The user selects one or more links on the document indicating the desired document (processing block 20).
3). In one embodiment, the user selects a link on the document by circled on the link. Any manner of marking or circled links as a means of link selection may be used in the present invention. In other words, it may be boxed to select a link.

In another embodiment, the document includes a special link (eg, box) to the desired link, document, or some other information written by the user to recognize the desired document. For example, a document may include a form with an entry box to allow the user to write a selection. In such a case, Gateway 1
02 performs some type of character recognition to determine the selection. In this way, the present invention allows a user to fill out a form via fax.

In one embodiment, the links may be selected by entering a number associated with each link on a keypad, such as the keypad provided on fax machine 101. Referring to FIG. 3, one of the links is selected by the user by encircling the barcode corresponding to that link. You do not need to circle or select the text or graphics that accompany the link. The user can select any number of links on the document. In other words, the user can circle a number of barcodes contained in the document.

The selection includes highlighting (eg, a circled link) of the image portion and marking specific locations of the image. One or more documents are retrieved based on the highlight and mark locations. After selecting,
The user feeds the document into fax machine 101, faxes the document to gateway 102 (processing block 204), retrieves the document from anywhere in the world through WWW 103 or any electronically accessible source, and retrieves the document electronically. Fax the rendered version of the requested document to any accessible source or fax machine 101.

The fax machine 101 is a gateway 102
Provide a hard copy of the document that has been faxed and retrieved (processing block 205). User selects the link for the newly received new document (eg circled)
Then, further information can be retrieved by repeating processing blocks 204 and 205. <Gateway of the Present Invention> The gateway 102 receives and processes a facsimile transmission received from the fax machine 101 having a document search request. Gateway 10
2 satisfies the request by searching for the document corresponding to the selected link on the document. The theoretical process of gateway 102 for receiving and fulfilling a document search request is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

The theoretical process of the gateway 102 begins when a user faxes a document with a circled link (eg, hypertext) to the gateway 102. Referring to FIG. 4, gateway 102 first receives a fax image, such as the document image of FIG. 3, for example, through a fax modem (processing block 401).

Upon receiving the fax, gateway 102 determines the locator / identifier (eg, URL) of the document to be retrieved from the faxed image (processing block 402). The gateway 102 makes the decision by executing the machine readable information selected by the user. In one embodiment, gateway 102 extracts the selected link using recognition and electronic decryption techniques well known in the art. One embodiment of the extraction process performed by the gateway 102 is described below in connection with FIG.

In one embodiment, a barcode or one-dimensional digital paper that is insensitive to the resolution difference between bitmap representations of different images is used. The "barcode" consists of alternating black and white spaces. The information is contained in the relative length of the black width. Each code begins with a special marker in black and white followed by the first black space, the length of which is approximately equal to the length of the surrounding black space. The following black space is compared to the average width at the start and interpreted as a multiple of that length. An ending part similar to the start part is needed to make the code valid. If the white space width before the ending part is long, the code becomes invalid. Because machine readable code is based on the relative length of the width, it is not sensitive to resolution and is calculated quickly in a single pass through the image. Thick chords (e.g., their height) will add extraneousness that will desensitize them to skew and noise.

If the document comprises, for example, a form, the gateway 102 is required to perform recognition in a particular area or box on the image to recognize the document to be searched. The gateway 102 may also need to find marks (eg, "x", etc.) placed on the document by the user as part of the document selection process.

Using the locator / identifier, gateway 102 searches Internet 105 for the desired document (processing block 403). In one embodiment, gateway 102 uses the URL extracted from the fax received from the user to locate and retrieve the document.
Note that the gateway 102 may need to use a mark on the image (eg, “x”) in addition to the locator / identifier to retrieve the document. In such a case, a different document will be sent if the mark was made in a different location, even with the same locator / identifier.

When the desired document is obtained, the gateway 1
02 creates an image of each document for transmission to the user (processing block 404). In one embodiment, gateway 102 creates an image by parsing, rendering, and formatting a document. Document analysis is similar to rendering and formatting of the parsed document, as well as an identifier associated with the retrieved document to be included in the faxed image to the user (to allow user selection of additional documents). / Converting locators to machine readable codes (eg, bar codes, digital paper, etc.). For most documents, rendering is necessary to convert the data from ASCII to raster bitmaps and protocols used by fax machines (and other marking engines).

After the image is created, gateway 102 faxes the image to the user (processing block 405). Upon receiving the search document from gateway 102, the user may select a document for further search as described above. In this way, a fax machine can retrieve any document on the Web without having to use an Internet connection. The gateway 102 returns not only the requested page but also all or some of the pages pointed to by that page. Gateway 102, on the other hand, splits a page that is too long and returns only a portion of the page with links to the rest.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the extraction process performed by the gateway 102. Referring to FIG. 5, gateway 102 first extracts the circled area from the image received through its fax modem (processing block 501). In one embodiment, the circled area represents the entire image except for the circled area as one color (eg, black).
It is extracted by filling with. Thus, only the circled machine readable information (eg, barcode) remains after the image fill. An example of a filled image is shown in FIG. However, in FIG. 6, the painted portions are indicated by hatching.

Next, the theoretical processing of the gateway 102 searches the circled area of the document based on the pixel color until a circled area (unfilled area) is obtained. Once located, the information in the circled area is extracted. After extraction of the circled region, the information is decrypted to determine the identifier / locator and URL (processing block 502). In this way,
Bar codes and other machine-readable codes circled on the image received by fax are decrypted,
Another code is generated.

Using the generated code, gateway 102 obtains a locator / identifier (eg, a URL) (processing block 503). In one embodiment, the code comprises an identifier / locator (eg, a URL). In another embodiment, the code decoded by gateway 102 is used by gateway 102 as a pointer to an accessible storage location, list or table containing the identifier / locator. As a pointer, the code consists of a first part representing a pointer to a table or list,
Includes a second part indicating an entry in a table or list containing the identifier / locator. In one embodiment,
All of the identifiers / locators will be represented on the faxed image surface, along with a code indicating which user has selected from the list of identifiers / locators. <Use of Gateway as Web Server> The present invention also enables a user using the fax machine 101 to publish a document on the Web. FIG. 7 shows a document publishing process on the Web according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, to publish a document on the web, a user first obtains a hard copy of the document to be published (processing block 701). In one embodiment, the user prints a copy of the document or obtains the document from another source. The user then faxes the hard copy to the gateway server (processing block 702). In one embodiment, gateway 102 also operates as a gateway server.

The gateway server receives the fax image (processing block 703) and creates a document (processing block 704). In one embodiment, the faxed image is parsed by a gateway server to create a document. The document is a hypertext (eg, ht
ml) document. Also, creating a document involves folding it around the image (eg, h
A tml document can be as simple as including a fax image such as an embedded graphic, or the same as creating a form or performing OCR (optical character recognition) on a faxed image It can be quite complicated.

Once the document has been created, the gateway:
The document is stored with the image in a local memory (eg, a disk) associated with the fax user (processing block 705). The association may be indicative of the user's fax machine number. Next, the gateway generates an identifier / locator (eg, a URL) for the document (processing block 706) and adds the appropriate link to the identifier / locator (processing block 70).
7).

When this is complete, the gateway notifies the sender of the identifier / locator (processing block 70).
8). In one embodiment, a link to the identifier / locator from the initial (Home) page or Store Front is added. At this time, the gateway server service requests the document from the web client (processing block 709). When the gateway receives the document request, it notifies the requesting agent by fax or regular Internet "ht"
tp "protocol. Also, if a document is received as part of a document request, the gateway can recognize the requested document and forward it to the requesting agent.

Further, the gateway of the present invention can process a request from a client instead of a gateway server. For example, if the document is a completed form, the gateway can process the completed form and fax it to the user's fax machine. <One Embodiment of the Gateway of the Present Invention> One embodiment of the gateway of the present invention comprises a workstation or a computer system having at least a processor, a random access memory and a bus and running an operating system or the like. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a computer system including the teachings of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, computer system 800 includes:
A bus or other communication means 801 for communication information and a processor 8 connected to this bus 801 for processing information
02.

System 800 further includes a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device (called main memory) connected to bus 801 for storing information and instructions processed by processor 802. Main memory 804 may also be used to temporarily store variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions by processor 802.

Computer system 800 also includes a read-only memory (RO) connected to bus 801 for storing static information and instructions for processor 802.
M) and / or static storage device 8
06 and a data storage device 807 such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk and a disk device equivalent thereto.
And Data storage 807 is connected to bus 801 for storing information and instructions.

The computer system 800 further includes:
A fax modem 840 and an Internet connection 841 are provided. Internet connection 84
1 may be a local area connection (eg Ethernet) or possibly an ISDN line. In another embodiment, the Internet connection 84
1 may be a modem running PPP or SLIP. The present invention is not limited to use with the Internet, so connection 841 is
It is used to connect to any network that uses P or other protocols, but has a "router" connected to it that allows it to communicate with other networks. The two networks form an "internetwork". The Internet refers to the largest global collection of such connected networks that exchange information between networks. How to connect to the network
It includes Ethernet, ISDN, modem, and physical communication links such as telephone lines or wireless modems, as well as TCP / IP, SLIP, or PPP software.

The computer system 800 further includes
A liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CR) connected to the bus 801 for displaying information to a computer user
T) and various peripheral devices such as display devices. Alphanumeric input devices including alphanumeric and other keys are also available on bus 801.
And communicates information and command selections to the processor 802. Further added user input devices are:
A cursor control device, such as a cursor direction key, trackball, stylus or mouse, connected to the bus 801 for transmitting command selection and direction information to the processor 802 and controlling movement of the cursor on the display. Another device connected to the bus 801 is a hard copy device used to print instructions, data, or other information on a medium such as paper, film, or the like.

It should be understood that any or all of the components and connected hardware of system 800 may be used, but that any type of system configuration may be used for various purposes depending on user requirements. Will be. The user or client may have a similar computer system connected to the gateway of the present invention. In this case, it is possible to exchange documents (via a telephone line), display images, and select links by cursor control on the screen. As a gateway, the computer system 800 of the present invention comprises:
Run various software to perform various functions. In one embodiment, computer system 800
Runs Internet communication protocol software such as TCP / IP, which is well known in the art. Computer system 800
Runs fax modem driver software used to send and receive faxes, as well as HyperTexts Transfer Protocol (HTTP) server software such as CERN or NCSA server software, which is well known in the art. . Control software is also executed by computer system 800 to render the fax image as described above. The computer system also runs software (e.g., HTTP client software) to retrieve the identifier / locator (e.g., URL) and format it for use with a fax machine.

In one embodiment, the computer system 8 determines where to send the retrieved document back.
The software running at 00 gets the phone number to send back. The telephone number may also be obtained during handshaking that occurs as part of the standard interface to fax machine 101. Once the phone number is obtained from the handshake, the software uses the Tiff
Put in the image. In another embodiment, the fax machine maintains communication (connection) with the gateway while documents are retrieved and sent back.

In one embodiment, when processing an image, software running on computer system 800 crops the image margins, recognizes which active areas have been circled, and has no circles. Fill the image area and look for and analyze the remaining machine-readable identifiers, one for each decrypted machine-readable paper mark. Then, the software finds the corresponding URL in the URL database sent to the user.

In one embodiment, each document is assigned a unique ID when decrypted by the gateway. This ID is printed at the top of the document and specifies the file name that maintains the mapping between the machine readable code and the URL. After image processing, computer system 800 retrieves each URL and return telephone number and passes it to software for retrieval and rendering. The retrieval and rendering engine retrieves the URL, parses the document, renders the document (including digital paper), updates the database of document identifiers, and faxes the rendered document to the return telephone number.

The software for taking out and rendering is U
Retrieve the RL and convert each URL in the obtained document to a global URL that contains a complete specification of the link location. In one embodiment, the software converts documents retrieved in html format to Postscript format or G3 "fax" format. The images in the line are also retrieved and converted to PostScript for inclusion in the document. In this embodiment,
The html source is converted to "LaTEX" format. This means that the html source is converted to a source for the LaTEX document format system. The LaTEX source contains commands to create digital paper marks. Computer system 800
The software running on .NET assigns a link number to each link and includes LaTEX commands suitable for LaTEX source files, and the codes for these commands are printed in a machine-readable format. Note that one mark is generated to recognize the document, and is printed as a header of each page. The software also saves the URL and code list in a temporary file. A machine readable identifier is generated and a machine readable code is printed below the text. Software running on computer system 800 then generates the PostScript image, for example, using LaTEX dvips.

Latex is a macro package for Tex, a software program written by Donald Knuth of Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. Latex is "dv" from LaTEX source
i ”(device independent) output. These are translated into postscripts using the software program“ dvips ”, also created by Thomas Rokicki at Stanford University. All of these programs are well known in the art. ing.

In summary, in any WWW document,
It can be extracted through the gateway of the present invention. All the user needs is the telephone number of the gateway of the present invention. A gateway serves a local area or is a proxy machine for all accessible fax machines. The present invention is used for web transactions such as obtaining product information, searching for home information, entertainment information such as movies, and stock market information. Content is user-designed,
In one embodiment, the home page includes icons for product information, entertainment, and open house browsing. The page tracked by each icon may include a list of products, movies, restaurants, and so on.

In addition, each page contains some additional machine readable information. In one embodiment, one mark per page identifies the page and one bit of machine readable information is printed under each active link. In this way, URL queries can be performed in a robust, page-independent manner. The gateway of the present invention can also be used by companies that want to provide web access to customers using faxes with few changes or modifications. Businesses could expect web access for a large number of fax customers through gateways. For example, businesses may add advertising or charge for the use of gateway services.

Finally, a modified or modified version of the gateway can be a fax support or alternative machine that can be used directly by the user. The machine can interface directly with Internet protocols and dial up to Internet access points when requested to retrieve web documents. The advantage in this case is that access to the WWW using the basic fax function is greatly simplified. It should be noted that, in addition to web access, such machines can also provide email access. Gateways can also provide email access. A simple script running on the user's machine can convert the email to html format, and the gateway can deliver the converted mail to the accessing user.

After reading the above description, it is evident that many modifications and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are, for the purpose of illustration, illustrated and described in detail. It will be understood that the specific embodiments do not limit the invention. Therefore, references to details of various embodiments are not meant to limit the scope of the claims, which recite only those features regarded as essential elements of the invention. This is the end of the description of the embodiment of the document search and disclosure system.

The disclosure of the above-described embodiment can be summarized and listed as follows. First, receiving a first document image from a first location, extracting a document identifier from the first document image, and a second content corresponding to the document identifier as a resource identifier. An information access method, comprising: searching a document; and displaying a second document image at a first location.

The second content is an information access method according to the first content, characterized by comprising a step of transmitting the second document image to a first location. The third content is the information access method according to the first content, wherein the second document is transmitted by facsimile transmission. Fourth, receiving a facsimile of the first document from a predetermined location, extracting a resource identifier from the facsimile, searching for a second document corresponding to the resource identifier, Transmitting the image of the second document to the predetermined location by facsimile.

The fifth content is an information processing method according to the fourth content, characterized by comprising a step of analyzing the document for the step of analyzing the second document to create the image. A sixth aspect is the information processing method according to the fifth aspect, further comprising, before the transmission, rendering a hypertext link in the machine-readable information near the link point of the image.

The seventh content is an information processing method according to the fourth content, wherein the resource identifier is a universal resource locator (URL). The eighth content is the information processing method according to the fourth content, wherein the second document is retrieved from a network. Ninth contents are characterized in that the step of extracting the resource locator includes a step of extracting information selected and encoded in a facsimile, and a step of combining the information to obtain a resource locator. This is the fourth information processing method.

The tenth content is an information processing method according to the ninth content, wherein the encoded information comprises a bar code. An eleventh content is the information processing method according to the ninth content, wherein the encoded information is formed of digital paper. The twelfth content is the information processing method according to the ninth content, wherein the encoded information comprises run-length encoded information.

A thirteenth content is the information processing method according to the fourth content, wherein the step of receiving the facsimile includes the step of receiving the facsimile using a fax modem. Fourteenth content is that the step of extracting the resource identifier includes a step of painting a facsimile area other than a circled area with a uniform color, and a step of extracting encoded information in the circled area. A fourth information processing method according to claim 4, comprising the steps of: combining and obtaining at least one code; and recognizing at least one resource identifier using the at least one code. is there.

The fifteenth content is characterized in that the step of recognizing the resource identifier includes a step of accessing a storage list using the at least one code as a pointer to the at least one resource identifier. This is the fourteenth content information processing method. The sixteenth content is an information processing method according to the fourth content, characterized by comprising a step of rendering the second document.

The seventeenth content is characterized in that the second document is rendered as a bitmap.
6 is an information processing method. The eighteenth content includes a step of highlighting encoded information in an image on a sheet of paper to select at least one document to be searched;
Facsimile transmitting a copy of the paper along with the highlighted encoded information to a server adapted to retrieve the at least one document based on a composite of the highlighted encoded information. Process and
Receiving by facsimile at least one desired document retrieved by the server.

The nineteenth content is characterized in that the step of highlighting includes a step of marking a sheet so as to substantially surround the encoded information on the sheet, and the browsing of the document according to the eighteenth content is performed. Is the way. The twentieth content is a document browsing method according to the eighteenth content, wherein the encoded information comprises a barcode.

The twenty-first content is a document browsing method according to the eighteenth content, wherein the step of highlighting includes a step of enclosing the encoded information on the paper with a circle. The twenty-second content is characterized in that the step of highlighting includes a step of arranging a mark on the paper in order to select encoded information representing at least one hyperlink. This is the document browsing method.

The twenty-third content indicates at least one URL of the document to which the encoded information is linked, and in order for the user to browse the linked document associated with the highlighted URL, the user One URL
An eighteenth content browsing method characterized by highlighting one or more of the above. The twenty-fourth content is a document browsing method according to the eighteenth content, comprising a step of obtaining the image by transmitting a certain facsimile image to a server.

The twenty-fifth content is a document browsing method according to the twenty-fourth content, wherein the image is a blank page. Twenty-sixth content includes highlighting encoded information in one of the at least one document retrieved and received by the server; and copying the one of the at least one document. Retrieving one or more documents based on a composite of the encoded information highlighted in the one of the at least one document, together with the encoded information highlighted. An eighteenth content browsing method, comprising the steps of: facsimile-transmitting to the performed server; and facsimile receiving the one or more documents retrieved by the server.

The twenty-seventh content relates to a bus, a processor connected to the bus, and a connection to the bus in a document search apparatus for searching for a document from a source having a resource group in response to a document request received from a facsimile machine. A system having at least one memory, a facsimile mechanism connected to the system for transmitting and receiving a facsimile image, and a connection mechanism for connecting the system to the source, wherein the system is connected to the facsimile machine. Receiving the facsimile image, recognizing the encoded portion selected by the user, generating decoded data by decoding the recognized encoded portion, and generating at least one document corresponding to the decoded data. Retrieving at least one of the documents from the source using the facsimile mechanism Serial and facsimile transmission to a facsimile machine, a document retrieval system, characterized in that the device itself operates as a gateway between the source and the facsimile machine.

A twenty-eighth content is the document search device according to the twenty-seventh content, wherein the source has a network, and the connection mechanism connects the system to the network. A twenty-ninth aspect is the document search apparatus according to the twenty-seventh aspect, wherein the source has a local area network (LAN), and the connection mechanism connects the system to the local area network.

A thirtieth content is the document retrieval device according to the twenty-seventh content, wherein the facsimile machine has at least one fax modem. The thirty-first content includes, in a document search apparatus for searching for a document from a source having a group of resources in response to a document request, means for processing the document to obtain an identifier, And a means for rendering a document after searching, and a means for transmitting a second facsimile image of the document after searching and rendering.

A thirty-second content includes a document publishing method for publishing a document using a facsimile machine, a step of receiving a facsimile image from the facsimile machine, a step of analyzing the image and generating a document, Storing together with information indicating the association between the document and the facsimile machine, generating a resource locator for the document, adding a link to the resource locator, and responding to a request for the document. And a document publishing method.

A thirty-third content is a document disclosure method according to the thirty-second content, wherein the document is an html document. The thirty-fourth content is that the resource locator is UR
32. A document disclosure method according to a thirty-second content characterized by comprising: A thirty-fifth content is a document disclosure method according to the thirty-second content, comprising a step of notifying a sender of the image of the resource locator.

[0076] The thirty-sixth aspect includes generating machine-readable information indicating at least one document to be retrieved by the selection, and rendering the document with the machine-readable information. Is a document generation method. A thirty-seventh content is a document generating method according to the thirty-sixth content, wherein the document is an html document.

A thirty-eighth content is the document generating method according to the thirty-sixth content, wherein the document has a format having an input portion for information input by a user. A thirty-ninth content is a document generating method according to the thirty-eighth content, wherein the input portion is formed of a box. Forty contents include a step of indicating a document to be searched on an image, a step of transmitting the image to a gateway, and a step of determining a document to be searched based on the instruction on the image. A document search method comprising: searching for the document from a network; and transmitting the document.

A forty-first aspect is characterized in that the instructing step includes a step of inputting a document selection corresponding to a document to be searched for at a predetermined location of the image. This is a document search method for the contents of the above. The forty-second content is a document search method according to the forty-first content, wherein the predetermined location comprises a box.

A forty-third content is a document having a forty-first content wherein the determining step comprises a step of causing a gateway to execute the recognition processing of the predetermined location to identify the document. Search method. Forty-fourth content is that the indicating includes selecting machine readable information on the image, and marking at least one location on the image, wherein the selected machine readable information is selected. A fortieth content document search method wherein a document to be searched is recognized based on information and at least one marked location.

[0080]

According to the present invention, even a person who cannot directly access the World Wide Web or the like can access the Web or the like using a normal facsimile machine, and can obtain a desired document on the Web, such as a homepage. Can be easily obtained. In other words, you can easily obtain information on the Internet and other networks using only telephone lines and facsimile machines without purchasing expensive computer systems or receiving special communication services via dedicated line connection or dial-up connection. can do. This means that a facsimile machine that is widely used and whose operation method is well known can be used as an input / output device of a network.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a document search and document publication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a document search process performed by a facsimile machine user in the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example hardcopy document with machine readable information according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a document search process performed by the gateway of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an embodiment of extracting machine-readable information selected from a retrieved document according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a solid image resulting from the application of one embodiment of the extraction process of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a document publishing process of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a computer system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 Fax machine 102 Gateway 103 World Wide Web 104 Telephone line 105 Internet 106, 107 Document 801 Bus 802 Processor 804 Main memory 806 Read only memory 807 Mass storage 840 Fax modem / telephone line connection 841 Internet connection

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. receiving a facsimile of a first document from a predetermined location; extracting a universal resource locator (URL) as a resource identifier from the facsimile; and transmitting a second document corresponding to the resource identifier to a network. And transmitting the image of the second document to the predetermined location by facsimile. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of analyzing the document for the step of analyzing the first document to create the image. 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of rendering a hypertext link in the machine-readable information near a link point of the image before the transmission. 4. The step of extracting the resource locator comprises: extracting information selected and encoded in a facsimile; and combining the information to obtain a resource locator.
2. The information processing method according to claim 1, comprising: 5. The information processing method according to claim 4, wherein said encoded information comprises a bar code. 6. The information processing method according to claim 4, wherein said encoded information comprises digital paper. 7. The information processing method according to claim 4, wherein said encoded information comprises run-length encoded information. 8. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the step of receiving a facsimile includes the step of receiving the facsimile using a fax modem. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of extracting the resource identifier includes the steps of: filling a facsimile area other than the circled area with a uniform color; and encoding the encoded information in the circled area. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: obtaining at least one code, and recognizing at least one resource identifier using the at least one code. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein recognizing the resource identifier comprises: accessing a save list using the at least one code as a pointer to the at least one resource identifier.
The information processing method described. 11. A document retrieval apparatus for retrieving a document from a source having a group of resources in response to a document request received from a facsimile machine, comprising: a bus; a processor connected to the bus; A facsimile mechanism connected to the system for transmitting and receiving a facsimile image; and a connection mechanism for connecting the system to the source. The system receives a facsimile image from the facsimile machine. Recognizing an encoded portion selected by the user, generating decoded data by decoding the recognized encoded portion, and retrieving at least one document corresponding to the decoded data from the source. And facsimile the at least one document using the facsimile mechanism. A facsimile transmission to a millimeter machine, wherein the apparatus itself operates as a gateway between the source and the facsimile machine. 12. The document retrieval apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said source has a network, and said connection mechanism connects said system to said network. 13. The document retrieval apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said source has a local area network (LAN), and said connection mechanism connects said system to said local area network. 14. A fax machine according to claim 11, wherein said facsimile machine has at least one fax modem.
Document search device as described.