Network server for providing scanning functionality to a computer

Abstract

A server enables a user at a station to scan a document. The station has a computer connected to the network, a browser installed on the computer to enable the user to browse the network, and a scanner in communication with the computer. The server has a database of scanner drivers, a driver selection system that enables the user to select a driver for the scanner from the database of scanner drivers, and a delivery system that transfers a selected driver to the computer and causes the computer to execute the driver. The user uses the browser and the driver selection system to select a driver for the scanner. The delivery system then sends the driver to the computer, and the computer executes the driver. The driver uses the scanner to scan a document, and scanning data corresponding to the document is saved in a predetermined location.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . A method comprising: 
 providing a selected scanner driver selected from among a plurality of scanner drivers, said selected scanner driver being selected by user inputs provided to a user interface of a computing device; and    determining a location for storing scanning data from said user inputs provided to said user interface, said scanning data being captured from use of said selected scanner driver in connection with scanning an image, said location being determined prior to said scanning of said image.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , and further comprising communicating with a browser hosted on said computing device to receive said user inputs, and wherein said providing said selected scanner driver further comprises transmitting said selected scanner driver to said computing device over a data communication network.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , and further comprising storing said plurality of scanner drivers in a database of scanner drivers.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said determining said location for storing said scanning data further comprises parsing a portion of said user inputs comprising text to extract information associated with said location.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said extracted information comprises a universal resource locator.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said extracted information comprises an email address.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said extracted information comprises information associated with a file directory on said computing device.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11 , and further comprising generating a transfer file based, at least in part, on said selected scanner driver and said determined location.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said transfer file is executable on said computing device.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , and further comprising transmitting said transfer file to said computing device over a data communication network.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 11 , and further comprising determining whether said user has permission to write information to said location.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 11 , and further comprising selectively enabling said user to access said plurality of drivers based, at least in part, on login information provided to said user interface.  
   
   
       23 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a server, said server being adapted to: 
 provide a selected scanner driver selected from among a plurality of scanner drivers, said selected scanner driver being selected in response to user inputs provided to a user interface; and  
 determine a location for storing scanning data from said user inputs provided to said user interface, said scanning data being captured from use of said selected scanner driver in connection with scanning an image, said location being determined prior to said scanning of said image.  
   
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said server is further adapted to: 
 communicate with a browser hosted on a computing device to receive said user inputs; and    transmit said selected scanner driver to said computing device over a data communication network.    
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said server comprises a database to store said plurality of scanner drivers.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said server is further adapted to parse a portion of said user inputs comprising text to extract information associated with said location.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein said extracted information comprises a universal resource locator.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein said extracted information comprises an email address.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein said extracted information comprises information associated with a file directory on a computing device.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said server is further adapted to generate a transfer file based, at least in part, on said selected scanner driver and said determined location.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein said transfer file is executable on a computing device associated with said user.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein said server is further adapted to transmit said transfer file to said computing device over a data communication network.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said server is further adapted to determine whether said user has permission to write information to said location.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said server is further adapted to selectively enable said user to access said plurality of drivers based, at least in part, on login information provided to said user interface.  
   
   
       35 . An apparatus comprising: 
 means for providing a selected scanner driver selected from among a plurality of scanner drivers, said selected scanner driver being selected by user inputs provided to a user interface of a computing device; and    means for determining a location for storing scanning data from said user inputs provided to said user interface, said scanning data being captured from use of said selected scanner driver in connection with scanning an image, said location being determined prior to said scanning of said image.    
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , and further comprising means for communicating with a browser hosted on said computing device to receive said user inputs, and wherein said means for providing said selected scanner driver further comprises means for transmitting said selected scanner driver to said computing device over a data communication network.  
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , and further comprising means for storing said plurality of scanner drivers in a database of scanner drivers.  
   
   
       38 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein said means for determining said location for storing said scanning data further comprises means for parsing a portion of said user inputs comprising text to extract information associated with said location.  
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein said extracted information comprises a universal resource locator.  
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein said extracted information comprises an email address.  
   
   
       41 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein said extracted information comprises information associated with a file directory on said computing device.  
   
   
       42 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , and further comprising means for generating a transfer file based, at least in part, on said selected scanner driver and said determined location.  
   
   
       43 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein said transfer file is executable on said computing device.  
   
   
       44 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , and further comprising means for transmitting said transfer file to said computing device over a data communication network.  
   
   
       45 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , and further comprising means for determining whether said user has permission to write information to said location.  
   
   
       46 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , and further comprising means for selectively enabling said user to access said plurality of drivers based, at least in part, on login information provided to said user interface.