Distributed Computer Architecture and Process for Document Management

Abstract

A system and/or method enables a typical PC user to add electronic paper processing to their existing business process. The system and/or method extends the notion of copying from a process that involves paper going through a conventional copier device, to a process that involves paper being scanned from a device at one location and copied to a device at another location. In its more sophisticated form, the system and/or method can copy paper from a device at one location directly into a business application residing on a network or on the Internet, or visa versa. The system and/or method is software that manages paper so that it can be electronically and seamlessly copied in and out of devices and business applications (such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes) with an optional single-step operation. The system and/or method can reside on a PC, LAN/WAN server, digital device (such as a digital copier), or on a web server to be accessed over the Internet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer data management system including at least one of an electronic image, graphics and document management system capable of transmitting at least one of an electronic image, electronic graphics and electronic document to a plurality of external destinations including one or more of external devices and applications responsively connectable at least one of locally and via the Internet, comprising:
 at least one memory storing a plurality of interface protocols for interfacing and communicating; and   at least one processor responsively connectable to said at least one memory, and implementing the plurality of interface protocols as a software application for interfacing and communicating with the plurality of external destinations including the one or more of the external devices and applications.   
     
     
         2 . A computer data management system according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more of the external devices and applications include a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner. 
     
     
         3 . A computer data management system according to  claim 1 , wherein the computer data management system includes the capability to integrate an image using software so that the image gets seamlessly replicated and transmitted to at least one of other devices and applications, and via the Internet. 
     
     
         4 . A computer data management system according to  claim 1 , wherein the computer data management system includes the capability to integrate the electronic images into a destination application without the need to modify the destination application. 
     
     
         5 . A computer data management system according to  claim 1 , wherein the computer data management system includes an interface that enables copying images between physical devices, applications, and the Internet using a single “GO” operation. 
     
     
         6 . A computer data management system according to  claim 1 , wherein the computer data management system includes the capability of adding at least one of electronic document and paper processing with a single programming step. 
     
     
         7 . A computer data management system according to  claim 1 , wherein the software application comprises:
 at least one input module managing data comprising at least one of paper and electronic paper input to the computer data management system, and managing at least one imaging device to input the data through at least one of a scanner and a digital copier, and managing the electronic paper from at least one third-party software applications;   at least one output module managing the data output from the computer data management system, managing at least one imaging device to output the data to at least one of a standard Windows printer, an image printer, and a digital copier, and managing the output of the data to the third-party software application;   at least one process module applying at least one data processing to the data comprising the at least one of the paper and the electronic paper as it is being copied, applying additional functionality including at least one of workflow and processing functionality to the data comprising the at least one of paper and electronic paper as it is being copied, and applying multiple processes to a single virtual copy;   at least one client module presenting the data comprising the at least one of paper and electronic paper as it is being copied, and information related to at least one of the input and output functions; and   at least one server module communicable with said at least one input, output, client, and process modules and external applications, and capable of dynamically combining the external applications with at least one of digital capturing devices and digital imaging devices.   
     
     
         8 . A computer data management system according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more of the external devices and applications integrates the computer data management system into an external application via one of running the computer data management system, as an external service and embedding the computer data management system as an embedded service. 
     
     
         9 . A computer data management system according to  claim 7 , wherein the server module includes:
 enable virtual copy operation means for initiating, canceling, and resetting said computer data management system;   maintain list of available module means for maintaining a registry containing a list of said input, output, and process modules that can be used in said computer data management system, said list being read on startup, and maintaining another copy of said list in a modules object accessible by said input, output, client, process and server modules;   maintain currently active modules means for maintaining said input, output, and process modules currently being used for a current computer data management system copy operation in a program object, and saving the currently active modules in a process template file; and   maintain complete document information means for maintaining information regarding a current file being copied, and saving the information in a document template file.   
     
     
         10 . A computer data management system according to  claim 7 , wherein the server module includes at least one server module application programmer interface (API). 
     
     
         11 . A computer data management system according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one server module application programmer interface (API) comprises the following COM-based interfaces:
 at least one modules object maintaining a first list of available input, output, and process modules;   at least one program object maintaining a second list of currently selected input, output, and process modules;   at least one document object maintaining information regarding a current document being copied;   at least one system management method object used to initiate, cancel, and reset said computer data management system; and   at least one system management event object used to provide feedback to the Client Module.   
     
     
         12 . A computer data management system including at least one of an electronic image, graphics and document management system capable of transmitting at least one of an electronic image, electronic graphics and electronic document to a plurality of external destinations including one or more of external devices and applications responsively connectable at least one of locally and via the Internet, wherein the system comprises:
 means for integrating an image using software so that the image is transmitted into at least one of other devices and applications, and via the Internet;   means for integrating electronic images into existing applications without the need to modify the destination application;   means for interfacing via a software application enabling copying images between physical devices, applications, and the Internet using a single copy operation; and   means for adding at least one of electronic document and paper processing with a single programming step.