Methods and systems for imaging device metadata management

• US 20060092097A1
• Filed: 10/21/2005
• Published: 05/04/2006
• 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 7,684,074 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/2.1
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/502 relating to the structure of the control menu, e.g. pop-up menus, help screens
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5075 Remote control machines, e.g. by a host
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/00109 Remote control of apparatus, e.g. by a host
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/41 where a single sign-on provides access to a plurality of computers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/84 output devices, e.g. displays or monitors
• 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 1/00352 Input means H04N1/00411 takes precedence; input arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32561 using a programmed control device, e.g. a microprocessor
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3221 of a job number or identification, e.g. communication number

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and devices for imaging device file metadata management.

Claims

1. A method for imaging device (IDev) file metadata management, said method comprising:

a) retrieving metadata configuration data (MCD) from a file folder;

b) identifying at least one metadata parameter with said MCD;

c) sending user prompt data to an IDev for prompting a user for metadata input that conforms to said metadata parameter;

d) receiving said metadata input from said IDev; and

e) storing said metadata input as a metadata file in said file folder.

2. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising receiving a file folder selection identifying said file folder.

3. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising correlating said metadata file with another file.

4. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said user prompt data comprises markup language content configured for an IDev UI display.

5. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said identifying comprises populating a metadata class object with field data from said MCD.

6. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising storing said metadata input.

7. A method for imaging device (IDev) file metadata management, said method comprising:

a) receiving a selection of a destination file folder for storing a data file;

b) retrieving metadata configuration data (MCD) associated with said destination file folder;

c) identifying at least one metadata parameter with said MCD;

d) sending user prompt data to an IDev for prompting a user for metadata input that conforms to said metadata parameter;

e) receiving said metadata input from said IDev;

f) storing said data file in said destination file folder; and

g) associating said metadata input with said data file.

8. A method as described in claim 7 wherein said associating comprises storing said metadata input as a metadata file in said destination file folder.

9. A method as described in claim 7 wherein said receiving a selection of a destination file folder comes from said IDev.

10. A method as described in claim 7 wherein said retrieving MCD comprises retrieving a file from a remote storage device.

11. A method as described in claim 7 wherein said sending user prompt data comprises sending a metadata class object populated with field data to said IDev.

12. A method as described in claim 7 further comprising receiving said data file from said IDev.

13. A method as described in claim 7 further comprising converting said metadata input to a markup language format.

14. A method as described in claim 7 further comprising validating said metadata input.

15. A method as described in claim 7 wherein said associating said metadata input with said data file comprises storing said metadata input as a file in said destination folder along with said data file.

16. A method as described in claim 7 wherein said associating said metadata input with said data file comprises storing said metadata input as a file in said destination folder and storing said data file in said destination folder and wherein said data file and said metadata file share a common file name element.

17. A system for imaging device file metadata management, said system comprising:

a) an application, said application comprising;

b) an metadata configuration data (MCD) retriever for retrieving MCD from a file folder;

c) an MCD reader for reading said MCD to identify at least one metadata parameter in said MCD;

d) a prompt sender for sending user prompt data to an IDev for prompting a user for metadata input that conforms to said metadata parameter;

e) a metadata receiver for receiving said metadata input from said IDev; and

f) an associator for associating said metadata input with a data file destined to be stored in said file folder.

18. A system as described in claim 17 wherein said application further comprises a folder selection receiver for receiving a selection identifying said file folder.

19. A system as described in claim 17 wherein said application further comprises a metadata validator for validating said metadata input.

20. A system as described in claim 17 wherein said IDev further comprises an IDev interface for initiating an IDev function.