Transmitting miniature versions of files to receiving devices

• US 7,242,493 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2002
• Issued: 07/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Hall, John M., Loyd, Gerald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Douglas Q.
• Application Number:
  US10/196,710
• Publication Number:
  US 20040008367A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,821 Days
• Field of Search: 358 11- 118, 358/523, 358/538, 358/540, 358/403, 358/462
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00212 Attaching image data to computer messages, e.g. to e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00222 details of image data generation or reproduction, e.g. scan-to-email or network printing
• 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 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0015 Control of image communication with the connected apparatus, e.g. signalling capability
• 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 2201/0055 By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0089 Image display device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3249 data relating to a linked page or object, e.g. hyperlink
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/325 Modified version of the image, e.g. part of the image, image reduced in size or resolution, thumbnail or screennail
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3266 of text or character information, e.g. text accompanying an image H04N2201/3226 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3273 Display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 Transmission

Abstract

An image file is created, such as by scanning a document in a digital sending device. A corresponding text file is created, such as by optical character recognition. Both are stored where they are retrievable through use of URLs. Miniaturized versions of both files are created. A message is created including miniaturized versions of the files and URLs addressing the originals. The message is sent to a wireless web-enabled device user. The message recipient can display the miniaturized versions of files and thus determine whether to view the corresponding full versions using the also enclosed URLs.

Claims

1. A method, operating in a computing environment, for digital sending electronic files comprising the steps of:

creating a first image file and a first text file, wherein the first text file is created with optical character recognition based on a portion of the first image file;

making the first image file and the first text file accessible at a predefined World Wide Web URL address;

creating miniaturized versions of the first image file and the first text file configured to be viewable on a wireless web-enabled device; and

automatically creating and sending an electronic message to the wireless web-enabled device that includes the miniaturized versions and a hyperlink to the predefined World Wide Web URL address of the first image file and first the text file.

2. The method in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

miniaturizing a second image file and a second text file; and

including the second miniaturized files in the electronic message.

3. The method in claim 1, further comprising:

scanning a document to create the first image file.

4. The method in claim 3 further comprising:

utilizing optical character recognition on the second text file.

5. The method in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

transmitting the message to a receiving device.

6. The method in claim 1 wherein:

the step of miniaturizing comprises creating a thumbnails of the first image and text files.

7. The method in claim 1 wherein:

the step of miniaturizing comprises selecting a portion of the first image and text files to miniaturize.

8. A computer implemented system for digital sending electronic files comprising:

a scanner configured to create a first image file;

an optical character recognition processor configured to create a first text file based on a portion of the first image file;

a transmission module configured to make the first image file and the first text file accessible at a predefined World Wide Web URL address;

a miniaturization module configured to create miniaturized versions of the first image file and the first text file configured to be viewable on a wireless web-enabled device; and

an email module configured to create and send an electronic message to the wireless web-enabled device that includes the miniaturized versions and a hyperlink to the predefined World Wide Web URL address of the first image file and first the text file.

9. The system in claim 8 wherein the

the wireless web-enabled device is a cellular phone.

10. The system in claim 8 wherein:

the miniaturization module comprise computer instructions for creating a thumbnails of the first image and text files.

11. A computer readable medium containing computer instructions for:

using a scanner to create a first image file;

creating a first text file based on a portion of the first image file using optical character recognition;

sending the first image file and the first text file to a server;

configuring the server to allow user access to a predefined World Wide Web URL address;

creating miniaturized versions of the first image file and the first text file configured to be viewable on a wireless web-enabled device, wherein miniaturizing the first image file includes reducing the resolution and size of the first image file and wherein miniaturizing the first text file includes truncating the first text file after specified number of characters or words;

creating an electronic message that includes the miniaturized versions and a hyperlink to the predefined World Wide Web URL address of the first Image file and first the text file; and

sending the electronic message to the wireless web-enabled device.