Mechanism and method for sharing imaging information from an enterprise resource planning computing environment

• US 7,464,134 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2002
• Issued: 12/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2002
• 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:
  US10/056,687
• Publication Number:
  US 20030140095A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,511 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: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A distributed imaging capability to a user of a client device using data partially obtained from an enterprise resource planning system. Document creation, manipulation, editing, and output is provided by and 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 distributed imaging functionality. Interactive graphical printing configuration and monitoring can 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 an enterprise resource planning system;

storing said data;

sending one or more generic access instructions from a first server to a client device to identify said data that has already been stored so that said data can be printed, where said data is configured and stored prior to sending the generic access instructions;

identifying said data to be accessed in response to a generic access instructions so that said data can be printed; and

after said data to be accessed has been identified, supplying from a printing apparatus having an embedded web server, a different one of the generic access instructions operable for providing a print dialog box with selectable options for printing said data with the printing apparatus, where said data is configured and stored prior to providing the print dialog box for printing of said data by the printing apparatus.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving said a generic access instruction; and

accessing said data.

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

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a generic access request in response to said generic access instruction.

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

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

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

8. 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 partially obtained from an enterprise resource planning system;

identifying said data that has already been stored to be accessed in response to a generic access instruction so that said data can be printed, where said data is configured and stored prior to sending the generic access instruction;

communicating a first web content to said client containing a generic access instruction causing a portion of said data to be accessed so that said data can be printed;

after the first web content containing the at least one generic 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 lest one selectable option; and

outputting said data, where said data is configured and stored prior to providing the print dialog box for printing said data.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said identifying comprises associating said data with a computer user.

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

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said identifying comprises utilizing server side technology.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising tailoring said extension to characteristics of said client.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein said outputting said data includes outputting additional data.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein said outputting said data includes outputting to multiple devices.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein said generic access instruction causes a portion of said data to be accessed causes additional data to be accessed.

16. The method of claim 8, wherein a portion of said communicating said first web content utilizes a firewall.

17. The method of claim 8, wherein a portion of said communicating said first web content utilizes the Internet.

18. The method of claim 8, further comprising storing a portion of said data in an independent image format.

19. A system for accessing data comprising:

apparatus for obtaining data from an enterprise resource planning (“

ERP”

) system;

apparatus for implementing a generic access instruction related to identifying the data that has already been stored for printing the data;

an apparatus configured to communicate said generic access instruction prior to printing of the data being initiated, where the data is configured and stored prior to communication of said generic access instruction, and where the data is configured and stored prior to printing of the data being initiated;

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

a printer with an embedded web server; and

at least one other generic access instruction configured to generate a print dialog box including a print preview option for the data, where the data is configured and stored prior to generation of the print dialog box for printing the data.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said generic access instruction causes said extension to access said data.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein said data represents an image having an independent format.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein said generic access instruction causes a generic access request.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein said apparatus for implementing a generic access instruction includes communicating using the Internet.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein said generic access instruction includes instruction communicated in hyper text transfer protocol.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein said generic access request includes requests communicated by way of the Internet.

26. A system for sharing data comprising:

apparatus for partially obtaining data from an enterprise resource planning system;

apparatus configured to provide a generic access instruction related to identifying the data that has already been stored for printing the data, where the data is configured and stored prior to providing the generic access instruction where the data is configured and stored prior to printing of the data being initiated, and where the generic access instruction is provided prior to printing of the data being initiated;

an extension configured to respond to the generic access instruction and for communication with web content containing a second generic access instruction configured for causing display for a print dialog box with a plurality of selectable options; and

a second server comprising a printing device including a web sever and operable for communicating the web content, where the data is configured and stored prior to display of the print dialog box for printing the data.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein said generic access instruction causes said extension to access said data.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein said data from an enterprise resource planning system includes an image having an independent format.

29. The system of claim 26, wherein said extension causes said data to be output using said output device.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein said data output includes data output using the Internet.

31. The system of claim 26, wherein said extension includes executing a browser.

32. The system of claim 26, wherein said extension includes the characteristics of said client.

33. The system of claim 26, wherein said data is associated with a user of said client.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein said data is associated with said user using client side apparatus.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein said data is associated with said user using server side apparatus.