Methods and systems for providing remote file structure access to an imaging device

• US 20060090128A1
• Filed: 07/29/2005
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Yamamura, Shinichi, Reddy, Amarender Reddy Kethi
• Granted Patent: US 7,934,217 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00352 Input means H04N1/00411 takes precedence; input arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00464 using browsers, i.e. interfaces based on mark-up languages
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00503 Customising to a particular machine or model, machine function or application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0049 By wire, cable or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0075 by a user operated remote control device, e.g. receiving instructions from a user via a computer terminal or mobile telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and devices for providing remote file structure data to an imaging device user interface and for providing access to remote file resources from an imaging device user interface.

Claims

1. A method for imaging device remote file structure data access, said method comprising:

a) reading storage device file structure data with a remote computing device (RCD);

b) converting said file structure data to a format that is compatible with an imaging device (IDev) user interface (UI); and

c) sending said converted file structure (CFS) data to said IDev.

2. A method as described in claim 1 converting comprises formatting said file structure data with a markup language.

3. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said reading is initiated by a request for file structure data from said IDev.

4. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said sending comprises using an XML/SOAP message.

5. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said converting comprises formatting said file structure data using a markup language.

6. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said reading comprises using a Framework API on the RCD.

7. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said reading comprises using an operating system API on the RCD.

8. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said reading comprises using a programming language API on the RCD.

9. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said file structure data comprises file folders available on a storage device that is part of said RCD.

10. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said file structure data comprises file folders available on a storage device that is remote to said RCD and said IDev.

11. A method for imaging device remote file structure data access, said method comprising:

a) receiving a file structure data request from an IDev at a remote computing device (RCD), wherein said request a file resource;

b) sending a storage device file structure data request from said remote computing device (RCD) to a remote resource;

c) receiving file structure data at said RCD from said remote resource

d) converting said file structure data to a markup language format that is compatible with an imaging device (IDev) user interface (UI) browser; and

e) sending said converted markup language file structure (CFS) data to said IDev.

12. A method as described in claim 11 wherein said sending a storage device file structure data request comprises using a Framework API on the RCD.

13. A method as described in claim 11 wherein said sending a storage device file structure data request comprises using an operating system API on the RCD.

14. A method as described in claim 11 wherein said sending a storage device file structure data request comprises using a programming language API on the RCD.

15. A method as described in claim 11 wherein said sending a storage device file structure data request comprises using a Microsoft NET API Directory.GetDirectories command on the RCD.

16. A file structure conversion device comprising:

a) a reader for reading file structure data;

b) a converter for converting said file structure data to a format compatible with an IDev UI;

c) a communication link for transmitting said converted file structure data to said IDev UI.

17. A device as described in claim 16 further comprising a receiver for receiving a request for file structure data.

18. A method as described in claim 16 wherein said converter converts said file structure data to a markup language construct.

19. A method as described in claim 16 wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting an XML/SOAP message.