Data reproduction system and method

• US 7,058,681 B1
• Filed: 07/10/2000
• Issued: 06/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Information Systems Incorporated (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Information Systems Incorporated (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Uno, Keiichi, Yamaguchi, Shin, Greenberg, Jeffrey Roy
• Primary Examiner(s): Barot, Bharat
• Application Number:
  US09/613,533
• Time in Patent Office: 2,157 Days
• Field of Search: 709201-206, 709/213, 709/219, 709227-229, 709/246
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/56 Provisioning of proxy services store-and-forward switching systems in data switching networks H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/568 Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00209 Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00326 with a data reading, recognizing or recording apparatus, e.g. with a bar-code apparatus arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus G11B31/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0097 Storage of instructions or parameters, e.g. customised instructions or different parameters for different user IDs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0067 Converting to still picture data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0089 Image display device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0091 Digital copier; digital 'photocopier' H04N2201/0093 and H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0093 Facsimile machine H04N2201/0094 takes precedence

Abstract

A data storage and reproduction system is provided using a computer network that comprises a server, at least one attachment unit that is coupled to the server and first and second reproduction devices. The server storing data to be reproduced. At least one attachment unit comprising means for interfacing with a portable memory device having a reference to the reproduction data. The first reproduction device capable of performing a first data reproduction of the reproduction data and the second reproduction device capable of performing a second data reproduction of the reproduction data, the second data reproduction being different than the first data reproduction. Wherein the server responds to a request from the at least one attachment unit by transmitting the reproduction data and where the reproduction data is determined to be a format unsuitable for the reproduction device, the data is reformatted for use by the reproduction device.

Claims

1. A data storing and reproducing system using a computer network comprising:

server comprising means for storing reproduction data in response to a request to reproduce data without reference to a specific reproduction device;

at least one attachment unit coupled to the server, the at least one attachment unit comprising means for interfacing with a portable memory device having a reference to the reproduction data;

first and second reproduction devices coupled to one or more of the at least one attachment unit, the first reproduction device capable of performing a first reproduction of the reproduction data and the second reproduction device capable of performing a second reproduction of the reproduction data, the second data reproduction being different than the first data reproduction,

wherein, in response to selection of a function to be performed by one of the first and second reproduction devices using the stored reproduction data, the at least one attachment unit requests the stored reproduction data from the server, and

wherein the server responds to the request from the at least one attachment unit by transmitting the reproduction data, and where the stored reproduction data is determined to be a format unsuitable for the selected function to be performed by the reproduction device, the data is reformatted for use by the reproduction device.

2. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment unit is internal to the first reproduction device.

3. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second reproduction devices further comprise means for sending data to the server.

4. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 3, wherein the at least one attachment unit further comprises means for receiving information corresponding to the sent data for storage in the portable memory device.

5. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 4, wherein all or a portion of the information is received from the server.

6. A data storing and reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein the portable memory device is usable with multiple attachment units and reproduction devices.

7. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment unit further comprises a user interface for outputting information and receiving instructions.

8. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 7, wherein the user interface comprises a portion that is common to all reproduction devices and another portion that is customized to an attached reproduction device.

9. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 8, wherein the customizable portion of the user interface is generated based on function information received from the attached data reproduction device.

10. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 7, wherein the user interface displays for selection at least one entry corresponding to a data reference stored in the portable memory device and at least one selectable function associated of a reproduction device.

11. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 1, wherein the server further comprises:

means for determining whether to convert the data into a format suitable for a reproduction device; and

means for converting the data to such a format based on the determination by the determining means.

12. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 11, wherein the suitable format for the identified reproduction device is image data format and the data is not image data, the conversion means causing the data to be converted to image data.

13. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 12, wherein the image data is in the form of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) image data.

14. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment unit further comprises:

means for generating a conversion request directed to the server, the conversion request based on information stored in the portable memory device received from the attachment unit.

15. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 14, wherein the generation means further comprising:

means for determining whether or not the data is of a format that is suitable for the reproduction device;

means for sending a conversion request to the server based on the determination by the determining means.

16. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 15, wherein the sending means further comprises:

means for determining whether the attachment unit is capable of converting the data; and

means for sending a conversion request when it is determined that the attachment unit is not capable of converting the data.

17. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 1, wherein the portable memory device stores information received from the server.

18. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 17, wherein the stored information includes personal information unique to a user of the portable memory device.

19. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 17, wherein the stored information includes a file reference corresponding to each data file sent to the server using the portable memory device.

20. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 17, wherein the stored information includes a format attribute identifying a format of a data file sent to the server using the portable memory device.

21. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 17, wherein the stored information includes personal facsimile information used in sending the data as a facsimile message.

22. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 17, wherein the stored information includes email information used in sending the data as an email message.

23. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 1, wherein the first or second reproduction device is a computer.

24. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 1, wherein the first or second reproduction device is one of a print, copier, facsimile and display devices.

25. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment unit sends a request to transmit the data, the server further comprises means for sending the data as an electronic mail message to a specified destination.

26. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 25, wherein the at least one attachment unit sends a request to transmit the data, the server further comprises means for sending the data as a facsimile to a specified destination.

27. A data storing and reproducing system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment unit further comprises means for sending a delete request to cause an entry to be deleted from the portable memory device and the corresponding data stored on the server to be deleted.

28. An attachment unit connectable to plural types of data processing devices, comprising:

means for interfacing with a portable memory device having information including a reference to data stored as reproduction data in response to a request to reproduce the data without reference to a specific reproduction device;

means for sending a request for the reproduction data in response to selection of a function to be performed by one of the plural types of data processing devices;

means for receiving the reproduction data from the network terminal and determining whether the reproduction data is in a format suitable for the selected function to be performed by the data processing device; and

means for causing the at least one of the plural types of data processing devices to perform a data reproduction of the received data,

wherein the reproduction data is converted to a suitable format for the selected function to be performed by the data processing device in a case that the stored reproduction data'"'"'s format is determined to be unsuitable.

29. An attachment unit according to claim 28, further comprising a user interface that comprises a portion that is common to all reproduction devices and another portion that is customized to an attached reproduction device.

30. An attachment unit according to claim 29, wherein the customized portion of the user interface is generated based on function information received from the attached reproduction device.

31. An attachment unit according to claim 29, wherein the user interface displays for selection at least one entry corresponding to a reproduction data reference stored in the portable memory device and at least one selectable function associated with a reproduction device.

32. An attachment unit according to claim 28, wherein the means for receiving the reference data further comprising:

means for determining, based on information stored in the portable memory device, whether to request the network terminal to format the reproduction data before sending the reproduction data to be reproduced by the reproduction device;

means for sending the conversion request if it is determined to request the network terminal to format the reproduction data.

33. An attachment unit according to claim 32, wherein the determination means further comprising:

means for determining whether the format of the data is compatible with the reproduction device;

means for determining whether the attachment unit is able to format the data if it is determined that the format is not compatible with the reproduction device;

means for sending the conversion request to the network terminal, if it is determined that the attachment unit is not able to format the data.

34. An attachment unit according to claim 28, further comprising means for forwarding reproduction data received from the connected reproduction device to the network terminal.

35. An attachment unit according to claim 28, further comprising means for causing access information corresponding to reproduction data sent to the network terminal to be stored in the portable memory device.

36. An attachment unit according to claim 28, wherein the stored information includes personal information unique to a user of the portable memory device.

37. An attachment unit according to claim 28, wherein the stored information includes a file reference corresponding to each reproduction data sent to the server using the portable memory device.

38. An attachment unit according to claim 28, wherein the stored information includes a format attribute identifying a format of a reproduction data file sent to the server using the portable memory device.

39. An attachment unit according to claim 28, wherein the stored information includes facsimile information used in sending the reproduction data as a facsimile message.

40. An attachment unit according to claim 28, wherein the stored information includes an electronic mail information used in sending the reproduction data as an electronic mail message.

41. An attachment unit according to claim 28, wherein the reproduction device is a computer.

42. An attachment unit according to claim 28, wherein the reproduction device is a printer, copier, facsimile or display device.

43. An attachment unit according to claim 28, wherein the reproduction device sends a request to transmit the data, the attachment unit further comprises means for requesting the server to send the reproduction data as an electronic mail message to the specified destination.

44. An attachment unit according to claim 28, further comprising means for sending a delete request to cause an entry to be deleted from the portable memory device and the corresponding reproduction data stored on the server to be deleted.

45. A method of storing and reproducing data on at least one of plural types of reproduction devices, the method comprising:

storing data on a server in response to a request to reproduce the data without reference to a specific reproduction device;

retrieving information stored on a portable memory device in response to a request to perform an operation to reproduce the reproduction data using one of plural types of reproduction devices, the stored information on the portable memory device corresponding to the reproduction data;

using the stored information to access the reproduction data on the server and to determine whether the reproduction data is of a format suitable for the requested reproduction operation and device;

reproducing the reproduction data using the requested reproduction devices,

wherein the reproduction data is converted to a suitable format where the stored reproduction data'"'"'s format is determined to be unsuitable.

46. A method according to claim 45, further comprising sending data to be reproduced by at least one of the plural types of reproduction devices to the server.

47. A method according to claim 46, wherein sending data to be reproduced is performed in response to an identification of data as reproduction data.

48. A method according to claim 47, wherein the operation comprises a dragging operation in a user interface wherein a representation of the data is dragged and dropped onto a representation of the portable memory device.

49. A method according to claim 47, wherein the data sent to the server is in its current format.

50. A method according to claim 45, further comprising:

displaying in a user interface entries for each of data stored on the server for which there is information in the portable memory device, each entry including information retrieved from the portable memory device.

51. A method according to claim 45, further comprising:

displaying in a user interface functionality that is common to the plural types of reproduction devices and functionality that is unique to a given reproduction device.

52. A method according to claim 45, wherein the step of using the stored information of the portable memory device further comprises:

determining whether to convert the data into a format suitable for the requested reproduction device;

causing the data to be converted to a suitable format if it is determined that the format is unsuitable for the requested reproduction device.

53. A method according to claim 52, wherein the network server converts the reproduction data.

54. A method according to claim 52, wherein an attachment unit coupled to the requested reproduction device converts the reproduction data.

55. A method according to claim 45, wherein the suitable format for the requested reproduction device is an image data format.

56. A method according to claim 45, wherein the image data is in the form of Hypertext Markup Language image data.

57. A method according to claim 45, wherein the stored information comprises reference information to access the reproduction data on the server.

58. A method according to claim 57, wherein the stored information comprises personal information unique to a user of the portable memory device.

59. A method according to claim 57, wherein the stored information comprises a file reference corresponding to each reproduction data sent to the server using the portable memory device.

60. A method according to claim 45, wherein the stored information comprises a format attribute identifying a format of a data sent to the server using the portable memory device.

61. A method according to claim 45, wherein the stored information comprises facsimile information used in sending the reproduction data as a facsimile message.

62. A method according to claim 45, wherein the stored information includes email information used in sending the reproduction data as an email message.

63. A method according to claim 45, wherein the requested reproduction device is a computer.

64. A method according to claim 45, wherein the requested reproduction device is one of a print, copier, facsimile and display devices.

65. A method according to claim 45, wherein the requested reproduction device is the server, reproducing the reproduction data further comprising:

sending the reproduction data as an electronic mail message to a destination specified in a request for the reproduction data directed to the server.

66. A method according to claim 45, wherein the requested reproduction device is a facsimile, reproducing the reproduction data further comprising:

sending the reproduction data as a facsimile to a destination using the requested reproduction device.

67. A method according to claim 45, further comprising:

deleting the reproduction data on the server and corresponding information on the portable memory device.

68. A method of reproducing data using an attachment unit connectable to plural types of reproduction devices and to a network server, the method comprising:

interfacing with a portable memory device to store and retrieve information including a reference to reproduction data stored on the network server in response to a request to reproduce the data without reference to a specific reproduction device;

detecting a request to reproduce the data using a requested reproduction operation and one of the plural types of reproduction devices;

determining, using the stored information, whether the reproduction data stored on the network server is to be converted to a format suitable for the requested reproduction device;

sending a request to the network server for the reproduction data;

causing the requested reproduction device to reproduce the reproduction data received from the network servers,

wherein the reproduction data is converted to a suitable format for the selected operation and reproduction device in a case that the stored reproduction data'"'"'s format is determined to be unsuitable.

69. A method according to claim 68, further comprising:

displaying in a user interface entries for each of data stored on the server for which there is information in the portable memory device, each entry including information about the data retrieved from the portable memory device.

70. A method according to claim 68, further comprising:

displaying in a user interface functionality that is common to the plural types of reproduction devices and functionality that is unique to a given reproduction device.

71. A method according to claim 70, wherein the functionality that is unique to a given reproduction device is specified by the given reproduction device.

72. A method according to claim 71, wherein receiving the reference data further comprising:

determining, based on information stored in the portable memory device, whether to request the network terminal to format the reproduction data;

sending the conversion request if it is determined to request the network terminal to format the reproduction data.

73. A method according to claim 72, wherein determining whether to request the network terminal to format the reproduction data further comprising:

determining whether the format of the data is compatible with the reproduction device;

determining whether the attachment unit is able to format the data if it is determined that the format is not compatible with the reproduction device;

sending the conversion request to the network terminal, if it is determined that the attachment unit is not able to format the data.

74. A method according to claim 68, further comprising forwarding reproduction data received from the connected reproduction device to the network terminal.

75. A method according to claim 68, further comprising causing access information corresponding to reproduction data sent to the network terminal to be stored in the portable memory device.

76. A method according to claim 68, wherein the stored information includes personal information unique to a user of the portable memory device.

77. A method according to claim 68, wherein the stored information includes a file reference corresponding to each reproduction data sent to the network server using the portable memory device.

78. A method according to claim 68, wherein the stored information includes a format attribute identifying a format of a reproduction data file sent to the network server using the portable memory device.

79. A method according to claim 68, wherein the stored information includes facsimile information used in sending the reproduction data as a facsimile message.

80. A method according to claim 68, wherein the stored information includes an electronic mail information used in sending the reproduction data as an electronic mail message.

81. A method according to claim 68, wherein the reproduction device is a computer.

82. A method according to claim 68, wherein the reproduction device is a print, copier, facsimile or display device.

83. A method according to claim 68, wherein the reproduction device sends a request to transmit the data, the method further comprises:

requesting the network server to send the reproduction data as an electronic mail message to the specified destination.

84. A method according to claim 68, further comprising:

causing an entry to be deleted from the portable memory device and the corresponding reproduction data stored on the server to be deleted.

85. A computer-readable memory medium in which computer-executable process steps are stored, the process steps for storing and reproducing data on at least one of plural types of reproduction devices, wherein the process steps comprise:

a storing step to store the reproduction data on a server in response to a request to reproduce the data without reference to a specific reproduction device;

a retrieving step to retrieve information stored on a portable memory device in response to a request to perform an operation to reproduce the reproduction data using one of plural types of reproduction devices, the stored information on the portable memory device corresponding to the reproduction data;

an accessing step to access, using the stored information, the reproduction data on the server and to determine whether the reproduction data is of a format suitable for the requested reproduction operation and device; and

a reproducing step to reproduce the reproduction data using the requested reproduction device,

wherein the reproduction data is converted to a suitable format where the stored reproduction data'"'"'s format is determined to be unsuitable.

86. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 85, further comprising a sending step to send data to be reproduced by at least one of the plural types of reproduction devices to the server.

87. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 85, wherein sending data to be reproduced is performed in response to an identification of data as reproduction data.

88. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 87, wherein the operation comprises a dragging operation in a user interface wherein a representation of the data is dragged and dropped onto a representation of the portable memory device.

89. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 87, wherein the data sent to the server is in its current format.

90. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 85, further comprising:

a displaying step to display in a user interface entries for each of data stored on the server for which there is information in the portable memory device, each entry including information retrieved from the portable memory device.

91. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 85, further comprising:

a displaying step to display in a user interface functionality that is common to the plural types of reproduction devices and functionality that is unique to a given reproduction device.

92. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 85, wherein the accessing step further comprises:

a determining step to determine whether to convert the data into a format suitable for the requested reproduction device;

a causing step to cause the data to be converted to a suitable format if it is determined that the format is unsuitable for the requested reproduction device.

93. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 92, wherein the network server converts the reproduction data.

94. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 92, wherein an attachment unit coupled to the requested reproduction device converts the reproduction data.

95. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 85, wherein the suitable format for the requested reproduction device is an image data format.

96. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 85, wherein the image data is in the form of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) image data.

97. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 85, wherein the stored information comprises reference information to access the reproduction data on the server.

98. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 97, wherein the stored information comprises personal information unique to a user of the portable memory device.

99. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 97, wherein the stored information comprises a file reference corresponding to each reproduction data sent to the server using the portable memory device.

100. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 85, wherein the stored information comprises a format attribute identifying a format of a data sent to the server using the portable memory device.

101. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 85, wherein the stored information comprises facsimile information used in sending the reproduction data as a facsimile message.

102. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 85, wherein the stored information includes email information used in sending the reproduction data as an email message.

103. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 85, wherein the requested reproduction device is a computer.

104. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 85, wherein the requested reproduction device is one of a print, copier, facsimile and display devices.

105. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 85, wherein the requested reproduction device is the server, the step of reproducing the reproduction data further comprising:

a sending step to send the reproduction data as an electronic mail message to a destination specified in a request for the reproduction data directed to the server.

106. A computer-readable memory medium according to 85, wherein the requested reproduction device is a facsimile, the step of reproducing the reproduction data further comprising:

a sending step to send the reproduction data as a facsimile to a destination using the requested reproduction device.

107. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 85, further comprising:

a deleting step to delete the reproduction data on the server and corresponding information on the portable memory device.

108. A computer-readable memory medium in which computer-executable process steps are stored, the process steps for reproducing data using an attachment unit connectable to plural types of reproduction devices and to a network server, wherein the process steps comprise:

an interfacing step to interface with a portable memory device to store and retrieve information including a reference to data stored as reproduction data in response to a request to reproduce the data without reference to a specific reproduction device;

a detecting step to detect a request to reproduce the data using a requested one of the plural types of reproduction devices;

a determining step to determine, using the stored information, whether the data stored on the network server is to be converted to a format suitable for the requested reproduction device;

a sending step to send a request to the network server for the reproduction data;

a causing step to cause the requested reproduction devices to reproduce the reproduction data received from the network server,

wherein the reproduction data is converted to a suitable format in a case that the stored reproduction data'"'"'s format is determined to be unsuitable.

109. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 108, further comprising:

a displaying step to display in a user interface entries for each of data stored on the server for which there is information in the portable memory device, each entry including information about the data retrieved from the portable memory device.

110. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 108, further comprising:

a displaying step to display in a user interface functionality that is common to the plural types of reproduction devices and functionality that is unique to a given reproduction device.

111. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 110 wherein the functionality that is unique to a given reproduction device is specified by the given reproduction device.

112. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 111, wherein the receiving step to receive the reference data further comprising:

a determining step to determine, based on information stored in the portable memory device, whether to request the network terminal to format the reproduction data;

a sending step to send the conversion request if it is determined to request the network terminal to format the reproduction data.

113. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 112, wherein the determining step to determine whether to request the network terminal to format the reproduction data further comprising:

a determining step to determine whether the format of the data is compatible with the reproduction device;

a determining step to determine whether the attachment unit is able to format the data if it is determined that the format is not compatible with the reproduction device;

a sending step to send the conversion request to the network terminal, if it is determined that the attachment unit is not able to format the data.

114. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 108, further comprising a forwarding step to forward reproduction data received from the connected reproduction device to the network terminal.

115. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 108, further comprising a causing step to cause access information corresponding to reproduction data sent to the network terminal to be stored in the portable memory device.

116. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 108, wherein the stored information includes personal information unique to a user of the portable memory device.

117. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 108, wherein the stored information includes a file reference corresponding to each reproduction data sent to the network server using the portable memory device.

118. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 108, wherein the stored information includes a format attribute identifying a format of a reproduction data file sent to the network server using the portable memory device.

119. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 108, wherein the stored information includes facsimile information used in sending the reproduction data as a facsimile message.

120. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 108, wherein the stored information includes an electronic mail information used in sending the reproduction data as an electronic mail message.

121. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 108, wherein the reproduction device is a computer.

122. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 108, wherein the reproduction device is a print, copier, facsimile or display device.

123. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 108, wherein the reproduction device sends a request to transmit the data, the method further comprises:

a requesting step to request the network server to send the reproduction data as an electronic mail message to the specified destination.

124. A computer-readable memory medium according to claim 108, further comprising:

a causing step to cause an entry to be deleted from the portable memory device and the corresponding reproduction data stored on the server to be deleted.