SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR SCANNING

• US 20090323128A1
• Filed: 06/27/2008
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kofax Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kofax Incorporated
• Inventors: Mehrabian, Armond, Asuri, Hari
• Application Number:
  US12/163,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20090323128A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/403
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/93 Document management systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00212 Attaching image data to computer messages, e.g. to e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00225 details of image data generation, e.g. scan-to-email or network scanners using an image reading device as a local input to a computer H04N1/00241
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00228 Image push arrangements, e.g. from an image reading device to a specific network destination push-based network services H04L67/55
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00233 details of image data reproduction, e.g. network printing or remote image display using an image reproducing device as a local output from a computer H04N1/00238; digital output from computer to printer unit G06F3/12
• 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 1/00424 using a list of graphical elements, e.g. icons or icon bar
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00482 outputting a plurality of job set-up options, e.g. number of copies, paper size or resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00795 Reading arrangements details of scanning heads H04N1/024; scanning arrangements therefor H04N1/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00798 Circuits or arrangements for the control thereof, e.g. using a programmed control device or according to a measured quantity
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00973 from a remote device, e.g. receiving via the internet instructions input to a computer terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/324 intermediate the transmitter and receiver terminals, e.g. at an exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32438 Informing the addressee of reception
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• 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 2201/3222 of processing required or performed, e.g. forwarding, urgent or confidential handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3229 further additional information (metadata) being comprised in the file name (including path, e.g. directory or folder names at one or more higher hierarchical levels)
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3288 Storage of two or more complete document pages or image frames

Abstract

A system, method, and computer program product are provided for scanning. In use, a plurality of virtual files is stored. Additionally, several of the virtual files are each associated with a particular document type. Further, selection of one of the virtual files is detected. Further still, availability of a scanner is determined. Also, a scan is initiated using the scanner. In addition, scan data is received from the scanner. Further, the scan data is processed according to parameters in the selected virtual file. Further, the scanned images are displayed to the user for repair and acceptance, optionally based on a parameter in the selected virtual file or user request. Further still, a scan file is output to at least one of a user, a memory, and another process. Additional systems, methods and computer program products are also presented.

Claims

1. A method for scanning, comprising:

storing a plurality of virtual files, several of the virtual files each being associated with a particular document type;

detecting selection of one of the virtual files;

determining availability of a scanner;

initiating a scan using the scanner;

receiving scan data from the scanner;

processing the scan data according to parameters in the selected virtual file; and

outputting a scan file to at least one of a user, a memory, and another process.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the scan file is saved in a location specified in the virtual file.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual file is selected from within an email program, wherein the scan file is automatically attached to an electronic mail message after generation thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying scanned images based on the scan data to the user for correction and acceptance.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a hyperlink to the scan file is automatically attached to an electronic mail message after generation thereof.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameters in the selected virtual file includes contrast, color setting, page size, type of output file, quality setting, and destination for output file.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the several of the virtual files associated with the particular document types have names reflecting the particular document types.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing a user to adjust the parameters in the selected virtual file.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing a user to create a new virtual file and define at least some of the parameters in the new virtual file.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein selection of the selected virtual file is detected upon user selection of a desktop icon.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a composite electronic document comprising the scan file and at least one additional document from anywhere.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the following operations are performed without further input from the user except for placing a physical document in the scanner:

determining availability of a scanner;

initiating a scan using die scanner;

receiving scan data from the scanner;

processing the scan data according to parameters in the selected virtual file; and

outputting a scan file.

13. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer code thereon, which when executed on a computer causes the computer to:

store a plurality of virtual files, several of the virtual files each being associated with a particular document type;

detect selection of one of the virtual files;

determine availability of a scanner;

initiate a scan using the scanner;

receive scan data from the scanner;

process the scan data according to parameters in the selected virtual file for generating a scan file; and

outputting the scan file.

14. A method for creating an electronic mail message with a link to a file, comprising:

detecting selection of one of a plurality of virtual files, several of the virtual files being associated with particular document types;

determining availability of a scanner;

initiating a scan using the scanner;

receiving scan data from the scanner;

processing the scan data according to parameters in the selected virtual file for generating a scan file;

storing the scan file to a predefined location; and

automatically attaching a hyperlink to the scan file to an electronic mail message.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the selection of the one of the virtual files is performed by a user through an attach file feature of an electronic mail program.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the virtual file is selected outside of an electronic mail program.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the selection of the one of the virtual files is performed by a user through an application program.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the selection of the one of the virtual files is performed by a user selecting a desktop icon.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the parameters in the selected virtual file includes contrast, color setting, page size, and type of output file.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the several of the virtual files associated with the particular document types have names reflecting the particular document types.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising allowing a user to adjust the parameters in the selected virtual file.

22. The method of claim 14, further comprising allowing a user to create a new virtual file and define at least some of the parameters in the new virtual file.

23. The method of claim 14, further comprising generating a composite electronic document comprising the scan file and at least one additional document, the scan file being attached to the electronic mail message as part of the composite document.

24. A method for creating a scan file, comprising:

detecting selection of one of a plurality of virtual files, several of the virtual files being associated with particular document types, wherein the virtual file is selected from within an application program using an open file feature of the application program;

determining availability of a scanner;

initiating a scan using the scanner;

receiving scan data from the scanner;

processing the scan data according to parameters in the selected virtual file for generating a scan file; and

outputting the scan file.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the parameters in the selected virtual file includes contrast, color setting, page size, type of output file, quality setting, and destination for output file.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising allowing a user to adjust the parameters in the selected virtual file.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising generating a composite electronic document comprising the scan file and at least one additional document, the scan, file being attached to the electronic mail message as part of the composite document.