Automatic digital document processing

Abstract

In a network of connected nodes, a system and method are provided for automatic digital document processing. The method comprises: embedding a processing profile with a digital document; and, processing the digital document in response to the embedded processing profile. Typically, embedding the processing profile includes generating a packet having a metadata section with the processing profile and a data section with the digital document. Then, processing the digital document includes a current node extracting current node process and routing instructions. In some aspects of the method, processing the digital document includes the current (first) node determining a next (second) network-connected node from the node routing instructions. Then, the method further comprises: sending the metadata section packet from the current (first) node to the next (second) node; and, receiving the packet at the current (second) node; and, processing the digital document at the current (second) node.

1 . In a network of connected nodes, a method for automatic digital document processing, the method comprising: 
 embedding a processing profile with a digital document at an originating node;    sending the digital document to a first node;    extracting first node process instructions and node routing instructions from the processing profile; and,    processing the digital document in response to the process instructions.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein embedding the processing profile with a digital document includes generating a packet having a metadata section with the processing profile and a data section with the digital document.  
   
   
       3 . (canceled)  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein embedding the processing profile with a digital document includes creating a metadata section with the processing profile written in the extensible markup language (XML).  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 determining a second network-connected node from the node routing instructions;    sending the metadata section packet from the first node to the second node;    receiving the packet at the second node; and,    processing the digital document at the second node.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein processing the digital document at the second node includes: 
 reading the processing profile in the metadata section; and,    processing the digital document in response to the process instructions in the processing profile.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein processing the digital document at the second node includes: 
 reading the processing profile in the metadata section;    identifying process instructions associated with the second node; and,    processing the digital document with the identified process instructions.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising: 
 determining a third network-connected node from the node routing instructions;    sending the metadata section packet from second node to the third node;    receiving the packet at the third node; and,    processing the digital document at the third node.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 5  wherein determining the second node from the node routing instructions includes determining a plurality next network-connected nodes from the node routing instructions; and, 
 wherein sending a packet with the digital document and embedded processing profile addressed to the second node includes sending the packet to the plurality of nodes.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 subsequent to processing the digital document at the first node, modifying the process instructions in the embedded processing profile for the second node;    wherein sending the metadata section packet from the first node to the second node includes sending the modified process instructions; and,    wherein processing the digital document at the second node includes processing the digital document with the modified process instructions.    
   
   
       11 . The method  1  further comprising: 
 generating a processing profile; and,    wherein embedding a processing profile with a digital document includes embedding the generated processing profile.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 2  wherein generating a packet having a metadata section with the processing profile and a data section with the digital document includes generating a beginning block, prior to the processing profile and data section, and an end block, subsequent to the processing profile and data section.  
   
   
       13 . In a network-connected device, a system for automatic digital document processing, the system comprising: 
 a metadata processor having a network-connected input to accept a processing profile, including processing instructions cross-referenced to device routing instructions, embedded with a digital document and an output to supply the digital document and a processing profile; and,    a document processor having an input connected to the metadata processor output, and an output to supply a processed digital document in response to the processing instructions.    
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the metadata processor accepts a packet with a metadata section including the processing profile, and a data section including the digital document; and, 
 wherein the document processor processes the digital document in response to instructions in the metadata section processing profile.    
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the metadata processor has a first address and accepts a packet with a metadata section from an originating device, the metadata processor extracting a first device processing profile associated with the metadata processor first address; and, 
 wherein the document processor processes the digital document in response to the first device processing profile instructions.    
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the metadata processor accepts a packet metadata section with a plurality of process instructions and a corresponding plurality of routing instructions addressed to other network-connected devices; and, 
 wherein the metadata processor accepts the processed digital document from the document processor, reassembles the packet with the processed digital document and sends the packet to a second network-connected device in response to the routing instructions.    
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the metadata processor accepts a packet metadata section with a plurality of process instructions and a corresponding plurality of routing instructions addressed to other network-connected devices; and, 
 wherein the metadata processor accepts the processed digital document from the document processor, reassembles the packet with the processed digital document and sends the packet to a plurality of network-connected devices in response to the routing instructions.    
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the metadata processor accepts a packet metadata section written in the extensible markup language (XML).  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the metadata processor accepts a packet including a beginning block, prior to the processing profile and data section, and an end block, subsequent to the processing profile and data section.  
   
   
       20 . In a network of connected devices, a system for automatic digital document processing, the system comprising: 
 a first device including: 
 a metadata processor having a network-connected input to accept a processing profile, with processing instructions cross-referenced to device routing instructions, embedded with a digital document and an output to supply the digital document and processing instructions;  
 a document processor having an input connected to the metadata processor output, and an output to supply a processed digital document in response to the processing instructions; and,  
   wherein the metadata processor accepts the processed digital document from the document processor, reassembles the packet with the processed digital document and sends the packet to a second network-connected device in response to the routing instructions;    at least a second device including: 
 a metadata processor having a network-connected input to accept a processing profile embedded with a digital document from the first device and an output to supply the digital document and processing instructions;  
 a document processor having an input connected to the metadata processor output, and an output to supply a processed digital document in response to the processing instructions.  
   
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the first device metadata processor accepts a packet additionally including third device process and routing instructions and sends a reassembled packet with a metadata section including the third device process and routing instructions to the second device; 
 wherein the second device metadata processor accepts the packet including third device process and routing instructions and sends a reassembled packet with a metadata section including the third device process and routing instructions to a third device; and    the system further comprising:    a third device including: 
 a metadata processor having a network-connected input to accept a processing profile embedded with a digital document from the second device and an output to supply the digital document and processing instructions; and,  
 a document processor having an input connected to the metadata processor output, and an output to supply a processed digital document in response to the processing instructions.  
   
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the first device metadata processor modifies the second device processing profile and sends the modified processing profile with the processed digital document in the reassembled packet.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 20  further comprising a plurality of devices, each device including: 
 a metadata processor having a network-connected input to accept a processing profile embedded with a digital document and an output to supply the digital document and processing instructions;    a document processor having an input connected to the metadata processor output, and an output to supply a processed digital document in response to the processing instructions; and,    wherein the first device metadata processor sends the reassembled packet to the plurality of devices in response to routing instructions.    
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the first device metadata processor accepts a packet metadata section written in the extensible markup language (XML) sends a reassembled packet metadata section written in XML.