Mechanism for sharing web-based imaging information from a mainframe computing environment

• US 7,426,549 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2002
• Issued: 09/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2002
• 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: Simpson, Shell S., Foster, Ward S., Livingston, Kris R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dalencourt; Yves
• Application Number:
  US10/159,199
• Publication Number:
  US 20030225726A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,300 Days
• Field of Search: 709/200, 709/202, 709/203, 709/206, 709/237, 715/725, 715/523, 715/526, 715/527, 715/745, 705/27, 358/1.15
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/50 of still image data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/93 Document management systems

Abstract

A method of providing distributed imaging capability to a user of a client device. Document creation, manipulation, editing, and output may be provided. Document design and image data may be associated with the originating user. Generic access instructions cause associated document data to be retrieved or stored. Multiple documents and output devices may be employed to accomplish the requesting user'"'"'s needs. Further, interactive graphical printing configuration and monitoring may be utilized.

Claims

1. A method for accessing data comprising:

prior to printing of data being initiated,

configuring the data at least partially obtained from a mainframe system;

after said data is configured, storing said data;

after said data is configured and stored, sending at least one generic access instruction from a first server to said mainframe system;

after the at least one generic access instruction has been sent, identifying said data to be accessed in response to the at least one generic access instruction;

after said data to be accessed has been identified, supplying from a printing apparatus having an embedded web server, a different at least one generic access instruction operable for providing a print dialog box with selectable options for printing said data with the printing apparatus, such that said data is printed with the printing apparatus after said data has been configured and stored, after the at least one generic access instruction has been sent and the different at least one generic accessed instruction has been supplied, and after said data to be access has been identified;

wherein said configuring is at least partially accomplished by an uploader; and

wherein said configuring includes said uploader interacting with said mainframe system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving said at least one generic access instruction; and

accessing at least said data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said interacting comprises interacting with an application executed by said mainframe system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said interacting comprises interacting with a printing system of said mainframe system.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating at least one generic access request via said at least one generic access instruction.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying comprises associating said data with a computer user.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying comprises utilizing server side technology.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying comprises utilizing client side technology.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said storing comprises storing at least a portion of said data in an independent image format.

10. A method for outputting data comprising:

providing a client having capability to execute a web browser;

providing an extension;

prior to printing of data being initiated,

configuring the data at least partially obtained from a mainframe system;

after configuring said data, identifying said data to be accessed in response to at least one generic access instruction;

after said data to be accessed has been identified, communicating a first web content to said client machine containing at least one generic access instruction causing said data to be accessed;

after the first web content containing the at least one generic access instruction has been communicated, communicating a second web content from a printer incorporating a web server to said client providing capability for outputting said data, the capability for outputting said data comprising a print dialog box including at least one selectable option;

outputting said data, wherein said data is output by the printer after said data has been configured, after the first web content containing the at least one generic access instruction and the second web content have been communicated, and after said data to be accessed has been identified;

wherein said configuring is at least partially accomplished by an uploader; and

wherein said configuring includes said uploader interacting with said mainframe system.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said identifying comprises associating said data with a computer user.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said identifying comprises utilizing client side technology.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said identifying comprises utilizing server side technology.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising tailoring said extension to characteristics of said client machine.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said outputting at least a portion of said data includes outputting additional data.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein said outputting said data includes outputting to multiple devices.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one generic access instruction causing said data to be accessed causes additional data to be accessed.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of said communicating said first web content utilizes a firewall.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said at least one generic access instruction is communicated by way of the Internet.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein said at least one generic access instruction is communicated in hyper text transfer protocol.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein said at least one generic access instruction is communicated by way of a firewall.

22. The method of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of said communicating said first web content utilizes the Internet.

23. The method of claim 10, further comprising storing at least a portion of said data in an independent image format.

24. A system for accessing data comprising:

data at least partially obtained from a mainframe system, said data being stored after having been configured, said data being configured and stored prior to printing of said data being initiated;

at least one generic access instruction;

an extension configured to respond to said at least one generic access instruction prior to printing of data being initiated;

a server configured to communicate at least one of said at least one generic access instruction, the extension configured after said at least one generic access instruction has been sent and prior to printing of data being initiated;

a printer with an embedded web server, the printer to print said data;

at least one of the at least one generic access instruction configured to generate a print dialog box including a print preview option for the data,

wherein said data is printed with the printer after said data has been configured and stored, and after said at least one generic access instruction has been sent and has been configured to generate the print dialog box;

wherein said data is at least partially obtained by way of an uploader; and

wherein said uploader at least partially obtains said data from said mainframe system.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein said at least one generic access instruction causes said extension to access said data.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein said data represents an image in an independent format.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein said uploader at least partially obtains said data from a mainframe printing system.

28. The system of claim 24, wherein said uploader at least partially obtains said data from an application executed by said mainframe system.

29. The system of claim 24, wherein said at least one generic access instruction causes at least one generic access request.

30. The system of claim 24, wherein said at least one generic access request is communicated by way of the Internet.

31. The system of claim 24, wherein said at least one generic access request is communicated by way of a firewall.

32. A system for sharing data comprising:

a client;

data at least partially obtained from a mainframe system, said data being stored after having been configured, said data being configured and stored prior to printing of said data being initiated;

a first server configured to provide at least one generic access instruction after said data has been stored and configured and prior to print of said data being initiated;

an extension configured to respond to at least one generic access instruction after the first server has provided the at least one generic access instruction and configured to communicate with web content containing at least one other generic access instruction configured for causing display of a print dialog box with a plurality of selectable options;

a second server comprising a printing device including a web server and operable for communicating the web content, the printing device to print said data after said data has been configured and stored, and after the at least one generic access instruction has been provided and the at least one other access instruction has been communicated and configured;

wherein said data is at least partially obtained by way of an uploader; and

wherein said uploader at least partially obtains said data from said mainframe system.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein said at least one generic access instruction of said web contact causes said extension to access said data.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein said data represents an image in an independent format.

35. The system of claim 32, wherein said extension causes said data to be output by way of said output device.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein said data is output by way of the Internet.

37. The system of claim 35, wherein said data is output by way of a firewall.

38. The system of claim 32, wherein said client is configured to execute a browser.

39. The system of claim 32, wherein said extension is tailored to characteristics of said client.

40. The system of claim 32, wherein said data is associated with a user of said client.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein said data is associated with said user by way of client side technology.

42. The system of claim 40, wherein said data is associated with said user by way of server side technology.