Mechanism and method for sharing imaging information from an enterprise resource planning computing environment

• US 20030140095A1
• Filed: 01/24/2002
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Simpson, Shell S., Foster, Ward S., Livingston, Kris R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,464,134 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A distributed imaging capability to a user of a client device using data partially obtained from an enterprise resource planning system. Document creation, manipulation, editing, and output is provided by and associated with the originating user. Generic access instructions cause associated document data to be retrieved or stored. Multiple documents and output devices may be employed to accomplish distributed imaging functionality. Interactive graphical printing configuration and monitoring can be utilized.

Claims

1. A method for accessing data comprising:

configuring data at least partially obtained from an enterprise resource planning system;

storing said data; and

identifying said data to be accessed in response to a generic access instruction.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving said a generic access instruction; and

accessing said data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said storing said data comprises storing a portion of said data in an independent image format.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a generic access request in response to said generic access instruction.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying comprises associating said data with a computer user.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying comprises utilizing server side technology

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying comprises utilizing client side technology

8. A method for outputting data comprising:

providing a client having capability to execute a web browser,

providing an extension;

configuring data partially obtained from an enterprise resource planning system;

identifying said data to be accessed in response to a generic access instruction;

communicating a first web content to said client containing a generic access instruction causing a portion of said data to be accessed;

communicating a second web content to said client providing capability for outputting said data; and

outputting said data.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said identifying comprises associating said data with a computer user.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said identifying comprises utilizing client side technology.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said identifying comprises utilizing server side technology.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising tailoring said extension to characteristics of said client.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein said outputting said data includes outputting additional data.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein said outputting said data includes outputting to multiple devices.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein said generic access instruction causes a portion of said data to be accessed causes additional data to be accessed.

16. The method of claim 8, wherein a portion of said communicating said first web content utilizes a firewall.

17. The method of claim 8, wherein a portion of said communicating said first web content utilizes the Internet.

18. The method of claim 8, further comprising storing a portion of said data in an independent image format.

19. A system for accessing data comprising:

apparatus for obtaining data from an enterprise resource planning (“

ERP”

) system;

apparatus for implementing a generic access instruction; and

an extension configured to respond to said generic access instruction.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said generic access instruction causes said extension to access said data.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein said data represents an image having an independent format.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein said generic access instruction causes a generic access request.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein said apparatus for implementing a generic access instruction includes communicating using the Internet.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein said generic access instruction includes instruction communicated in hyper text transfer protocol.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein said generic access request includes requests communicated by way of the Internet

26. A system for sharing data comprising:

apparatus for partially obtaining data from an enterprise resource planning system;

an extension configured to respond to a generic access instruction for communicating with web content containing a generic access instruction; and

an output device.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein said generic access instruction causes said extension to access said data.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein said data from an enterprise resource planning system includes an image having an independent format.

29. The system of claim 26, wherein said extension causes said data to be output using said output device.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein said data output includes data output using the Internet.

31. The system of claim 26, wherein said extension includes executing a browser.

32. The system of claim 26, wherein said extension includes the characteristics of said client.

33. The system of claim 26, wherein said data is associated with a user of said client.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein said data is associated with said user using client side apparatus.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein said data is associated with said user using server side apparatus.