Mechanism for sharing web-based imaging information from a mainframe computing environment

• US 20030225726A1
• Filed: 05/31/2002
• Published: 12/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2002
• 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 7,426,549 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/50 of still image data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/93 Document management systems

Abstract

The method of the present invention is capable of providing distributed imaging capability to a user of a client device. Document creation, manipulation, editing, and output may be provided by the present invention. Document design and image data may be associated with the originating user. Generic access instructions cause associated document data to be retrieved or stored in accordance with the present invention. Multiple documents and output devices may be employed to accomplish the requesting user'"'"'s needs. Further, interactive graphical printing configuration and monitoring may be utilized.

Claims

1. A method for accessing data comprising:

configuring data at least partially obtained from a mainframe system;

storing said data; and

identifying said data to be accessed in response to at least one generic access instruction.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving said at least one generic access instruction; and

accessing at least said data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said configuring is at least partially accomplished by an uploader.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said configuring includes said uploader interacting with said mainframe system.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said interacting comprises interacting with an application executed by said mainframe system.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said interacting comprises interacting with a printing system of said mainframe system.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating at least one generic access request via said at least one generic access instruction.

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

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

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

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

12. A method for outputting data comprising:

providing a client having capability to execute a web browser,

providing an extension;

configuring data at least partially obtained from a mainframe system;

identifying said data to be accessed in response to at least one generic access instruction;

communicating a first web content to said client machine containing at least one generic access instruction causing said data to be accessed;

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

outputting said data.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said identifying comprises associating said data with a computer user.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said identifying comprises utilizing client side technology.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said identifying comprises utilizing server side technology.

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

17. The method of claim 12, wherein said outputting at least a portion of said data includes outputting additional data.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein said outputting said data includes outputting to multiple devices.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein said at least one generic access instruction causing said data to be accessed causes additional data to be accessed.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of said communicating said first web content utilizes a firewall.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of said communicating said first web content utilizes the Internet.

22. The method of claim 12, further comprising storing at least a portion of said data in an independent image format.

31. The system of claim 20, wherein said at least one generic access instruction is communicated by way of the Internet.

32. The system of claim 20, wherein said at least one generic access instruction is communicated in hyper text transfer protocol.

33. The system of claim 20, wherein said at least one generic access instruction is communicated by way of a firewall.

23. A system for accessing data comprising:

data at least partially obtained from a mainframe system;

at least one generic access instruction; and

an extension configured to respond to said at least one generic access instruction.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said at least one generic access instruction causes said extension to access said data.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein said data represents an image in an independent format.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein said data is at least partially obtained by way of an uploader.

27. The system of claim 23, wherein said uploader at least partially obtains said data from said mainframe system.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein said uploader at least partially obtains said data from a mainframe printing system.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein uploader at least partially obtains said data from an application executed by said mainframe system.

30. The system of claim 23, wherein said at least one generic access instruction causes at least one generic access request.

34. The system of claim 26, wherein said at least one generic access request is communicated by way of the Internet.

35. The system of claim 26, wherein said at least one generic access request is communicated by way of a firewall.

36. A system for sharing data comprising:

a client;

data at least partially obtained from a mainframe system;

an extension configured to respond to at least one generic access instruction and configured to communicate with web content containing at least one generic access instruction; and

an output device.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein said at least one generic access instruction of said web contact causes said extension to access said data.

38. The system of claim 36, wherein said data represents an image in an independent format.

39. The system of claim 36, wherein said extension causes said data to be output by way of said output device.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein said data is output by way of the Internet.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein said data is output by way of a firewall.

42. The system of claim 36, wherein said client is configured to execute a browser.

43. The system of claim 36, wherein said extension is tailored to characteristics of said client.

44. The system of claim 36, wherein said data is associated with a user of said client.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein said data is associated with said user by way of client side technology.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein said data is associated with said user by way of server side technology.