Image generation and retrieval system integrated with arbitrary application using layered interface

• US 5,586,240 A
• Filed: 09/14/1994
• Issued: 12/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lexmark International Technology, S.A. (Ninestar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Genesis Software, Inc.
• Inventors: Khan, Humayun H., Potts, Wesley F., McDonough, Russell R., Davis, Tracy F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Herndon, Heather R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fetting, Anton W.
• Application Number:
  US08/306,165
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 395/148, 395/158, 395/160, 358/403, 358/442, 358/468, 382/41, 382/282, 382/305
• US Class Current: 715/201
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0035 User-machine interface; Control console input or output arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00413 using menus, i.e. presenting the user with a plurality of selectable options H04N1/00464 takes precedence

Abstract

An interface for establishing an imaging functionality with a user application program includes an alternative data input channel/buffer/storage combination which intercepts data stream information of a user application program without interference therewith. The diversion of the data stream into a separate storage area enables a hierarchy of control actions to be performed on the data stream without interference with the application program. The control actions in the form of programmable process control logic includes means for establishing a data pattern of selectable indicia associated with each screen of the user application program. The data pattern is combined with a positional key provided by the imaging system which is indicative of the location of the image document data in a database. This combination is stored in a key database and is available for comparison with subsequently formed data patterns. Upon a match being found the associated positional key is utilized by the imaging system to locate and display the imaged document. The use of the data patterns enables an interface to be established between the application program and imaging system without the need to modify the logic of the application program.

Claims

1. A method for associating image data of a document with a selected screen display of an user application program with the document being manipulated by an independent image system capable of storing and retrieving the document in an image data form, the method comprising the steps of:

directing a first stream of data information from the user application program corresponding to the selected screen display to a video terminal;

rendering the first stream of data information corresponding to the user application screen display on a video terminal;

splitting said first stream into a parallel stream of said data information forming said screen display without interfering with said first stream of data information of said screen display;

monitoring said parallel stream without interfering with said first stream;

selecting label indicia of the screen display, said indicia identifying variable data associated with the indicia, the data provided by the user application program;

utilizing said parallel stream for calculating a position of each of said selected indicia and associated data in the screen display;

placing the calculated positions of each of said selected indicia in the screen display in a first storage area;

choosing a document to correspond with said selected screen display;

transporting said document to a scanner of the imaging system;

utilizing the image system scanner for optically scanning the transported document for generation of image data therefrom corresponding to said document;

utilizing the image system for storing said image data in a second storage area;

utilizing the image system for calculating a position of the stored image data in said second storage area;

recalling from the first storage area the calculated positions of each of said selected indicia in the screen display;

assembling the data appearing at each of said calculated positions of said selected indicia in the screen display into a data string;

associating the calculated position of the stored image data in said second storage area with said data string;

storing said associated calculated position and said data string in a third storage area.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of displaying the stored image data from said second storage area to user corresponding to the document associated with the selected screen display.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said display step comprises the steps of:

rendering the selected user application screen display on the video terminal, said selected application screen display being formed by said first stream of data information;

recalling said calculated positions of each of said selected indicia of said rendered screen display from said first storage area;

gathering from said parallel stream of data information forming the screen display, the data appearing on the screen at each of said calculated indicia positions into a data string;

matching the gathered data string with the data string stored in said third storage area;

finding a position in said second storage area corresponding to the calculated position associated with the matched data string in said third storage area;

converting said image data at said found position into a user readable form.