KR100804918B1 - Meta information handling - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for transmitting to a data network 2 image information acquired as a digital image file 6 in an image information acquisition operation by the image information acquisition means 5. The system comprises an input device 4 for input of meta information about the selected image comprising image information obtainable by said image information obtaining means 5. In addition, the system further comprises means for connecting said meta information about said selected image to said digital information file 6 associated with said image information obtaining operation, thereby obtaining said image information. The means 5 obtains image information of the selected image. The system also includes means for transmitting the meta information 18b relating to the selected image and digital image file 18a to the data network 2.

Description

Meta information processing method and system {META INFORMATION HANDLING}

The present invention relates to a system and method for transmitting image information acquired as a digital image file to a data network in an image information acquisition operation by the image information acquisition means.

Advances in computers have led to different ways of processing documents and images. Today, documents and images are processed in both paper and computer digital forms. This means that there is a need to transform a paper document or image into a digital form suitable for a document for computer processing. The transformation from a paper document to a digital document, or from a paper form image to a digital representation, is performed by several kinds of image acquisition. The acquired image is captured as a digital image file that can be processed on a computer.

Digital image files hold a large amount of information, a large amount of resources required for a computer for analysis and processing. Therefore, the user must attach special information about the digital image file to the computer to instruct the computer how to process the digital image file. Such special information can be, for example, searchable information about a database or other information about the contents of a digital image file.

Currently, special information must be added to the document to be scanned, and the user must go to the scanner to scan the document and then go to the client station to enter the special information. At a client station where the user can access the scanned document, the user must retrieve the file from the file system before special information can be added. This method is inefficient for the user because the user has to add additional steps after the actual scanning process. This also requires access to the client station to which special information can be added.

However, there is another way of obtaining special information. This method can be accomplished by software that interprets the scanned document image and derives other image processing and OCR (optical character recognition) techniques to derive special information from the document itself. The problem with this method is that the method is very complicated and resource intensive. In addition, a server may be required for processing the scanned document or image. Processing software should also be aware of exactly how different documents are formatted to extract special information. Thus, the method cannot be very easily applied to new documents.

A method for scanning and adding special information to EP 0 748 107 A2 is disclosed. According to this document, information about the scanned document is recorded or printed in a certain form. The form is then scanned and special information is extracted using image recognition techniques. Information extraction is not as complicated as the scanning device when information is extracted from the document itself, but still requires image processing and adds another problem. The scanning device should be able to recognize that the paper being scanned is in the form of information and therefore other designs of this form may be used in limited quantities. If the shape is changed, for example if some other information is required, the scanning device must be reprogrammed to extract the information.

In known techniques in which special information is added in the scanning procedure, the purpose of the special information is simply to notify the computer how to process the digital image file. If the digital image file is transferred from the first user who acquired the image to the second user, the second user must analyze the digital image file. The first user may wish to add special information to the second user to instruct what the second user should do. This kind of information will have to be added by the first user in an additional step when the digital image file is sent to the second user.

It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the above mentioned problems and to provide the possibility for the user to conveniently enter special information about the digital image file in the image acquisition operation.

This is achieved by providing a system according to claim 1 or a method according to claim 9. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims 2-8 and 10-14.

Thus, a system is provided for connecting image information acquisition means to a data network for transferring the acquired image information as a digital image file. The system includes an input device for inputting meta information about the selected image, means for connecting the meta information about the selected image to a digital image file associated with an image information acquisition operation, and the meta information and digital image about the selected image. Means for transferring a file to the data network.

The image information acquiring means acquires the image information in the image information acquiring operation. Thus, the operation obtains image information of the selected image and provides a digital image file.

Meta information is extra information about an image, the content of the image, or other information associated with this particular document. This meta information can be used to control how the digital image file is processed by another user or device such as a database, file server, computer, or the like. Therefore, it is appropriate to add meta information to the digital image file so that the user who transmits the digital image file can later process the file appropriately. The meta information also simplifies the subsequent processing of the digital image file and enables resourceless automatic processing since no new commands need to be added to the digital image file.

Such a system allows a user to enter meta information that is connected to a digital image file during an image acquisition operation. This does not involve additional effort and reduces data processing. A user who wants to send a document to a recipient who needs instructions on how to process the document can perform image acquisition, transmission, and instructions in one step.

In a preferred embodiment the system comprises means for requesting input of the meta information in response to the selected image.

This makes it easy to interpret the meta information as the system recognizes what information is required when the input is made. In addition, this helps the user by knowing what information is needed about the digital image file.

In another preferred embodiment, the system further comprises means for using the control file for dynamic control of the request of meta information.

Thus, the information required by the system can be easily modified in various ways to suit different image files or destination applications.

In another preferred embodiment, the means for using the control file for dynamic control in response to the input destination for the digital image file is arranged to request meta information in accordance with the request of the input destination.

The request for meta information can be controlled so that when a user enters a specific destination for the digital image file, a specific request for that destination is performed.

In another preferred embodiment, the system further comprises means for controlling the format of meta information transmitted over the data network.

As a result, the file transmitted over the network will be configured for the destination and the user will not need to adapt the information format. The system can use the predetermined input information to determine the format in which the meta information should be transmitted.

The object of the present invention is also achieved by a method for providing meta information in a digital image file, the digital image file comprising image information of the selected information and obtained by image information obtaining means, wherein the method comprises: image acquisition Requesting meta information about the selected image in connection with the operation, inputting meta information via an input device in response to the request, accessing the meta information about the selected image to a digital image file, and selecting the selected image Transmitting the meta information about the digital image file and the digital image file.

This method allows the user to enter meta information that is connected to the digital image file during the image acquisition operation. This requires no additional effort and reduces data processing. A user who wants to send a document to a recipient who needs instructions on how to process the document can perform image acquisition, transmission, and instructions in one step. In addition, the advantage of requiring meta information is that the system does not need to determine what kind of information is input and the user does not need to remember the order in which specific data should be entered.

Preferably, the digital image file is obtained by the scanning device.

A scenario where this may be useful is that when a user attempts to scan a document on a scanning device such as a digital copier, scanner or MFP, the user may attach some special information to the image. For example, if an invoice is scanned, the user can connect the invoice number and the last payment date to the image. This connected meta information can then be used by other applications, such as, for example, accounting software, or to store in a database server with a unique name.

In a preferred embodiment, the method includes using a control file for dynamic control of meta information requests.

This means that control can be performed so that the user inputs meta information required for the digital image file. In addition, the request for information may depend on what the user enters. For example, a specific destination for the digital image file can be entered by the user, and the request can then be configured to adapt the meta information to the destination's application.

In another preferred embodiment, the control file can be edited by the administrator.

This means that administrators can control the needs of information, for example to meet the needs of applications or people. This allows all administrators to adapt the required information to the data network.

In another preferred embodiment, the method further comprises controlling the format of meta information transmitted over the data network.

This is useful because information and digital image files can be adapted to suit the destination application, which may have very different needs if it is an email recipient or database.

Preferably, the method further comprises validating the input information.                 

Because of this, the information can be controlled in the correct format. For example, if quantity is required for validation, you must ensure that the information entered is numeric.

The invention will be described in more detail in the detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic diagram of a data network with another application comprising a system according to the present invention.

2 is a schematic diagram of a system implementation in accordance with the present invention.

3 is a schematic diagram of an operating procedure according to the present invention.

1, a preferred embodiment of the system 1 according to the invention is shown connected to a network 2. The system 1 comprises a connection to a network document server (NDS) 3, an input device 4 and image information obtaining means 5. Moreover, the system includes means for requesting information regarding the image information. This image information obtaining means 5 is mostly a scanner but may also be a digital copier, a fax machine, a digital camera, or the like. The input device 4 may for example be an input device such as a keyboard or a pen scanner, and the information may be input by simply inserting data or selecting from a list displayed in relation to the request. The information requesting means may be a voice device for requesting information by some kind of display or voice.

The NDS 3 is the central part of the system 1 and connects the scanner to the data network 2. The NDS 3 may be a separate device implemented in the scanner 5 or placed near the scanner 5. The NDS 3 processes the information received from the scanner 5 and the input device 4 and additionally manages the transmission to the data network 2.

2, the function of the NDS 3 will be described in detail. The NDS 3 receives the image information 6 from the image information obtaining means 4 in the form of a digital image file.

The control file 7 controls the type of data input to the meta information and controls the interface between the NDS 3 and the user. This control file 7 is retrieved from the FTP, HTTP, database or general file server by the NDS 3. The NDS 3 uses parsing means 10 to analyze the control file, validate it and form the object model representation 8 of the control file 7. From this object model representation 8 the NDS 3 will request meta information from the user 12. The meta-information is special information about the digital image file 6, such as where the destination should be transmitted, what kind of information the digital image file 6 holds, and how the information should be interpreted.

XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is used as a language for defining required meta information. The definition file 9 or XML scheme is used to describe the syntax of the control file 7 format. The control file 7 will be in accordance with the agreement defined in the definition file 9 or the XML scheme. The definition file 9 or XML method is used for analysis and validation of the control file 7. The definition file 9 can describe procedures and flows using XML as well as documents. This is used to describe how the meta information input process for the user works.

The system administrator can form or change the control file 7. The control file 7 can be downloaded to the NDS 3 to adapt the NDS 3 requiring new meta information. However, the control file 7 can also be downloaded directly from the destination selected by the user for the digital image file 6. This of course implies that the selected destination maintains a service providing control file 7 to NDS 3.

The object model representation 8 dynamically controls the required information. Depending on what information is input by the user, different meta information is required. This includes the information whose meta information is required by the recipient of the digital image file 6. This may also limit the information in the meta information to useful information. In the preferred embodiment, the required information depends on the selected destination for the digital image file 6. If multiple destinations are selected, meta information is required for all destinations. Meta information may be transmitted in a format that allows other applications at the destination to adapt the information as needed. The NDS 3 may send all the meta information of different sections to all destinations to adapt the meta information to other applications. The destination application then reads a particular section of meta information related and ignores the other section.

The request is presented to the user by means 14 for requesting entry of meta information. The meta information is input by the user via the input device 4. The NDS 3 receives the meta information and validates it via the input validator 16. This means that a check is made to see if the correct type of information has been entered, for example a value in the valid range. The input of the meta information may be performed during or after image acquisition. In addition, the system can be designed to prevent image acquisition until meta information is input.

The system administrator can also arrange the control file 7 to automatically add some additional meta information. This allows the NDS 3 to access it without expansion processing such as the time stamp for scanning, the size of the digital image file 6 or the name of the scanner 5 generating the digital image file 6.

When the NDS 3 receives the digital image file 6 and all the meta information is input, the NDS 3 connects the meta information 18b to the digital image file 18a. Meta information 18b may be implemented in the same file as digital image file 18a, which is referred to as 18 in FIG. 2, but the meta information may also be in a file separate from digital image file 18a. If the meta information 18b is in a separate file, the meta information 18b is preferably supplemented with a pointer to the image file.

The NDS 3 sends the digital image file 18a and meta information 18b to the selected destination of the data network 2. These destinations are not necessarily the same for the digital image file 18a and the meta information 18b, the digital image file 18a may for example be sent to a catalog on a file server, while the meta information ( 18b) is sent to another catalog on another file server.

Components shown as internal NDS components of FIG. 2 may also be external components accessed through the network when needed.

3, a process using the present invention will be described. In step 101 the administrator writes the control file 7 and in step 102 the manager places the control file 7 on the server. In step 103 the administrator configures the NDS 3 to retrieve the control file 7. The NDS 3 then retrieves the control file at step 104. The control file 7 is then processed by the NDS 3 in step 105. In step 106, the control file 7 is analyzed and validated during processing, and if the control file 7 is not correct, error information is sent to the administrator interface and the control file 7 is ignored. If the administrator corrects the control file 7 in step 107, the process returns to step 102.

If the control file 7 is determined to be correct at step 105, the control file 7 can be used to control the meta information request of the NDS 3. In connection with the image information acquisition operation, the user is then required to enter meta information. The requested information is prompted on the NDS display in step 108. In step 109 the user enters a value that is checked according to the specifications of the control file in step 110. If the values do not match, the process returns to step 108.

If the correct value is entered in step 110, then in step 111 the NDS 3 checks whether more information is required according to the control file 7. If so, the process returns to step 108; otherwise, an output file containing meta information is formed in step 112. Certain additional meta information may be automatically added to the output file. This is information that the NDS 3 can access without extension processing, such as the time stamp for scanning, the size of the digital image file 6 or the name of the scanner 5 generating the digital image file 6. The control file 7 maintains a format specification for the output file corresponding to the format required by the destination for the output file. The output file is then sent to the destination in step 113.

Finally, in step 114, a check is made to see if the meta information and digital image file should be sent to more destinations. If so, the NDS 3 may be designed to restart in step 108 to prompt the user for the information required for the destination. The NDS 3 may optionally request all information for all destinations first and then send meta information to the destination. In such case NDS 3 forms a new output file for the next destination in step 112. The output file is then prepared for the destination application. If there are no more destinations in step 114, the process ends.

Specific applications of the present invention will be described below. Such an application is an example of how the system is used and how the system relates to invoice processing. Many others in the company can receive invoices. However, all invoices can be processed in the same part or by accounting software. When a person receives an invoice, the invoice must be sent to the invoice processor. The invoice processor attempts to receive specific information about the invoice so that no additional analysis of the invoice is required. This information may be the invoice number, the date of payment and the name of the orderer.

The system administrator designs a control file for the system according to the present invention such that specific information required by the invoice processor is required from the user when the invoice processor is selected as the destination for the scanned document. Administrators assign attributes to information based on whether the information is required, optional, or hidden. If information is required, the user must enter information so that the document can be sent, while if the information is optional, the user is also optional. If the information is hidden, the user does not see the information added, so the information is obtained automatically. In addition, the administrator sets a pattern to check the lexical accuracy of the entered value. In this case, the invoice number can be set to a 5-digit number, the payment date can be set to a date in the form of DD / MM / YY and the orderer's name can be set to free text.

The person receiving the invoice can scan the invoice in the scanning device equipped with the system according to the present invention to transmit the scanned document to the invoice processor. At the moment of scanning, the person is asked for meta information about the invoice. When a person enters the invoice processor as a destination for the scanned document, the dynamic control of the request causes the person to be prompted for specific information required by the invoice processor. When all the requested information is entered, the scanned document along with the meta information is sent to the destination. The receiver then has all the information required for further processing of the document.

The preferred embodiments described herein do not limit the invention and many alternative embodiments are possible within the scope of protection defined by the appended claims. For example, XML and other languages can be used to define the required information.

Claims (14)

A system for connecting image information acquiring means to the data network for transmitting the acquired image information as a digital image file to the data network, An input device for inputting meta information about the selected image; Means for accessing the meta information about the selected image to a digital image file associated with an image information acquisition operation; And Means for transmitting said meta information about said selected image and said digital image file to said data network. A system according to claim 1, wherein said image information obtaining means comprises a scanning device. 3. The system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising means for requesting input of the meta information in response to the selected image. 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising means for using a control file for dynamic control of the meta information request. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said means for using a control file for dynamic control in response to a destination entered for said digital image file is arranged to request said meta information in accordance with the requirements of said entered destination. system. 3. The system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising means for controlling the format of the meta information transmitted over the data network. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the input device is a keyboard. 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising means for displaying the request for input of the meta information. A method of providing meta information in a digital image file including image information of a selected image and obtainable by image information obtaining means, Requesting meta information about the selected image in association with an image information acquisition operation; Inputting the meta information through an input device in response to the request; Accessing the meta information about the selected image to the digital image file; And Transmitting said meta information about said selected image and said digital image file to said data network. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the digital image file is obtained via a scanning device. 11. The method of claim 9 or 10, further comprising using a control file for dynamic control of the meta-information request prior to the requesting step. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the control file can be edited by an administrator. 11. The method of claim 9 or 10, further comprising controlling the format of meta information transmitted to the data network between the input and the transmitting. 11. The method of claim 9 or 10, further comprising validating the input information between the input and the transmitting.

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