Method and Apparatus for Tracking Documents
First Claim
1. A method for tracking documents, comprising the steps of:
- a. imaging documents having unique document identifiers to produce electronic images of the documents;
b. reading the unique document identifiers from the electronic images and linking the unique document identifiers to their respective documents and their respective electronic images;
c. processing the electronic images according to a set of image processes and providing an electronic status of the image processes associated with the electronic images;
d. monitoring the physical location of the documents by detecting the unique document identifiers of the documents as documents are moved to selected locations and providing a physical status associated with the physical location of the documents;
e. analyzing the electronic status and the physical status for compliance with a selected set of conditions;
f. reporting whether the electronic status and physical status for the documents are in compliance with the selected set of conditions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for tracking documents. The documents are tracked by simultaneously monitoring each document'"'"'s electronic processing status and physical location. Determinations are made whether specific combinations of electronic processing states and physical locations are valid and whether specific movements of documents are permitted. Invalid combinations or movements are reported to a reporting station. The preparation of batches of documents prior to scanning may be monitored and operator metrics related to the batch prep process may be tracked. Exception documents rejected during document processing may be monitored to enable retrieval of such documents.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for tracking documents, comprising the steps of:
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a. imaging documents having unique document identifiers to produce electronic images of the documents; b. reading the unique document identifiers from the electronic images and linking the unique document identifiers to their respective documents and their respective electronic images; c. processing the electronic images according to a set of image processes and providing an electronic status of the image processes associated with the electronic images; d. monitoring the physical location of the documents by detecting the unique document identifiers of the documents as documents are moved to selected locations and providing a physical status associated with the physical location of the documents; e. analyzing the electronic status and the physical status for compliance with a selected set of conditions; f. reporting whether the electronic status and physical status for the documents are in compliance with the selected set of conditions.
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2. A method for tracking documents having unique document identifiers, comprising the steps of:
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a. processing electronic document images of the documents; b. assigning unique document identifiers in association with selected documents and their document images; c. assigning an electronic processing status for the documents corresponding to one or more electronic processing steps that operate on the document images; d. assigning a physical location status for the documents corresponding to a physical location of the documents upon detection of the unique document identifiers from the documents at such physical location of the documents; and e. associating the electronic processing status with the physical location of documents and reporting the associated electronic processing status and physical location to a user.
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3. A method for tracking batches of documents, comprising the steps of:
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a. assigning selected documents to a batch of documents; b. assigning a unique batch identifier to the batch of documents to distinguish a batch of documents from any other batches; c. processing document images of the documents in the batch according to a set of image processes; d. assigning a processing status reflective of a state of the image processes for the batch; e. detecting the unique batch identifier at a physical location of the batch of documents to provide a physical location for such batch; f. associating the processing status of such batch with the physical location for the same batch; and g. reporting the associated processing status and physical location of such batch. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification