Methods and systems for imaging device dynamic document creation and organization

• US 8,156,424 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2005
• Issued: 04/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Chrisop, Roy K., Richardson, Tanna Marie
• Primary Examiner(s): Hutton, Jr., Doug
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, BENJAMIN J
• Application Number:
  US11/232,827
• Publication Number:
  US 20060103588A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,392 Days
• Field of Search: 715/200, 715255-256, 715264-265, 715/234, 715/239
• US Class Current: 715/234
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/502 relating to the structure of the control menu, e.g. pop-up menus, help screens
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5087 for receiving image data
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5091 for user-identification or authorisation
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/00109 Remote control of apparatus, e.g. by a host
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/41 where a single sign-on provides access to a plurality of computers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/84 output devices, e.g. displays or monitors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00352 Input means H04N1/00411 takes precedence; input arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32561 using a programmed control device, e.g. a microprocessor
• 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 2201/0075 by a user operated remote control device, e.g. receiving instructions from a user via a computer terminal or mobile telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3221 of a job number or identification, e.g. communication number

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to systems, methods and devices for imaging device dynamic document creation and organization. Some aspects relate to imaging device dynamic document creation and organization, wherein a document format, a dynamic field structure and document static content are selected on an imaging device user interface and combined to form a dynamic document on the imaging device. Some aspects of the present invention relate to imaging device dynamic document creation and organization, wherein dynamic document menu options are sent to an imaging device from a remote computing device.

Claims

1. A method for imaging device dynamic document creation and organization, the method comprising:

identifying a user at an imaging device (IDev), based on user input at an IDev user interface (UI);

sending a user identification, formatted as a markup language message, from a web service on said IDev to a remote computing device (RCD);

receiving access to data related to said user via said RCD;

associating dynamic document editing functions with said user data, wherein said user data is linked to user data fields identified in a dynamic field structure;

receiving a document format selection from an imaging device (IDev) user interface (UI) on an IDev, wherein said document format selection defines a page size, a page orientation, a single-sided or double-sided page format, a margin parameter, a header parameter and a footer parameter and at least one of a text box parameter and a graphic box parameter, and wherein said IDev comprises a printer function and said IDev UI in a single hardware device;

defining a dynamic field structure on said imaging device (IDev) UI, wherein said dynamic field structure defines a plurality of data fields comprising numerical data, graphics data, and image data, wherein said dynamic field structure defines field attributes consisting of field size, field shape, field color, field background color, field shading, field rotation and field orientation, said dynamic field structure also comprising a field relationship relating content of a first field in said plurality of data fields to content of a second field in said plurality of data fields, wherein said field relationship defines a plurality of relationships consisting of a geographical relationship, a mathematical relationship and a logical relationship wherein said content of said first field is related to said content of said second field according to said relationships;

designating document static content on said imaging device (IDev) user interface, wherein said document static content defines content remaining constant in all instances of said dynamic document; and

compiling said document format, said dynamic field structure and said document static content into a dynamic document on said IDev, wherein said dynamic document is a selectable file, which, when selected, automatically populates said data fields to create a document defined by said document format, said dynamic field structure and said document static content.

2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said combining into a dynamic document is done on a remote computing device (RCD).

3. A method for imaging device dynamic document creation and organization, said method comprising:

receiving a user identification, formatted as a markup language message, from a web service on an imaging device (IDev) to a remote computing device (RCD);

accessing data related to said user with said RCD;

associating dynamic document editing functions with said user data, wherein said user data is linked to user data fields identified in a dynamic field structure;

receiving a dynamic document editing request as a markup language message received from said web service on said imaging device (IDev) at said remote computing device (RCD);

sending document format options menu content to said IDev web service from said RCD, wherein said document format options menu content is an XML message;

receiving a document format options menu selection from said IDev web service at said RCD, wherein said document format options menu selection defines a page size, a page orientation, a single-sided or double-sided page format, a margin location, a header dimension or a footer dimension and at least one of a text box parameter and a graphics box parameter and wherein said document format options menu selection is a markup language message;

sending a dynamic field structure options menu to said IDev, wherein said dynamic field structure options menu is in the form of a markup language message;

receiving a dynamic field structure options selection from said IDev, wherein said dynamic field structure options selection was received as user input on an IDev user interface (UI) at said IDev and wherein said dynamic field structure options selection defines a plurality of data fields comprising numerical data, graphics data and image data, wherein said dynamic field structure also defines field attributes consisting of field size, field shape, field color, field background color, field shading, field rotation and field orientation, said dynamic field structure also comprising a field relationship relating content of a first field in said plurality of data fields to content of a second field in said plurality of data fields, wherein said field relationship defines a plurality of relationships consisting of a geographical relationship, a mathematical relationship and a logical relationship wherein said content of said first field is related to said content of said second field according to said relationships;

sending a static content menu to said IDev from said RCD, wherein said static content menu is in the form of a markup language message;

receiving a static content menu selection from said IDev web service as a markup language message , wherein said static content menu selection defines content remaining constant in all documents created with said dynamic document;

compiling said document format options menu selection, said dynamic field structure options menu selection and said static content menu selection into a dynamic document on said RCD and wherein said dynamic document is a selectable file, which, when selected, automatically populates said data fields to create a document defined by said document format, said dynamic field structure and said document static content.

4. A method as described in claim 3 further comprising storing said dynamic document in a manner that provides access to any sources linked to a field in said dynamic document.

5. A method for imaging device dynamic document creation and organization, said method comprising:

identifying a user at an imaging device (IDev), based on user input at an IDev user interface (UI);

sending a user identification, formatted as a markup language message, from a web service on said IDev to a remote computing device (RCD);

accessing data related to said user with said RCD;

associating dynamic document editing functions with said user data, wherein said user data is linked to user data fields identified in a dynamic field structure;

sending a document format options menu with user specific data to said IDev from said remote computing device (RCD), wherein said document format options menu is a markup language message;

displaying said document format options menu on said IDev;

accepting a document format user selection of said document format options on said IDev, wherein said document format user selection defines at least one of a page size, a page orientation, a single-sided or double-sided page format, a margin location, a header dimension or a footer dimension and at least one of a text box parameter and a graphic box parameter;

sending said user selection to said RCD;

sending a dynamic field structure options menu with user specific data to said IDev from said RCD;

displaying said dynamic field structure options menu on said IDev;

accepting a dynamic field structure user selection of said dynamic field structure options on said IDev, wherein said dynamic field structure user selection defines a plurality of data fields comprising numerical data, graphics data and image data, wherein said dynamic field structure also defines field attributes consisting of field size, field shape, field color, field background color, field shading, field rotation and field orientation, said dynamic field structure also comprising a field relationship relating content of a first field in said plurality of data fields to content of another field in said plurality of data fields, wherein said field relationship defines a plurality of relationships consisting of a geographical relationship, a mathematical relationship and a logical relationship;

sending said user selection to said RCD;

sending a static content menu with user specific data to said IDev from said RCD;

displaying said static content menu on said IDev;

accepting a static content user selection of said static content menu on said IDev, wherein said static content user selection defines content remaining constant in all documents created with said dynamic document;

sending said user selection to said RCD; and

compiling said document format user selection, said dynamic field structure user selection and said static content user selection into a dynamic document on said RCD, wherein said dynamic document is a selectable file, which, when selected, automatically populates said data fields to create a document defined by said document format user selection, said dynamic field structure user selection and said document static content user selection if said selectable file is selected by an entity authenticated as said user.

6. A method as described in claim 5 wherein said dynamic field structure options comprise at least one option selected from the set consisting of relating a field to data stored on a remote device, relating a field to data on a web page and relating a field to user-specific data stored on a user database.

7. A method as described in claim 5 wherein said static content comprises at least one item selected from the set consisting of text, numerical data, graphical data, and images.

8. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising instructions for instructing a processor to execute a method for imaging device dynamic document creation and organization, said instructions instructing said processor to:

identify a user at an imaging device (IDev), based on user input at an IDev user interface (UI);

send a user identification, formatted as a markup language message, from a web service on said IDev to a remote computing device (RCD);

receive access to data related to said user via said RCD;

associate dynamic document editing functions with said user data, wherein said user data is linked to user data fields identified in a dynamic field structure;

receive a document format selection from an imaging device (IDev) user interface (UI) on an IDev, wherein said document format selection defines a page size, a page orientation, a single-sided or double-sided page format, a margin parameter, a header parameter and a footer parameter and at least one of a text box parameter and a graphic box parameter, and wherein said IDev comprises a printer function and said IDev UI in a single hardware device;

define a dynamic field structure on said imaging device (IDev) UI, wherein said dynamic field structure defines a plurality of data fields comprising numerical data, graphics data, and image data, wherein said dynamic field structure defines field attributes consisting of field size, field shape, field color, field background color, field shading, field rotation and field orientation, said dynamic field structure also comprising a field relationship relating content of a first field in said plurality of data fields to content of a second field in said plurality of data fields, wherein said field relationship defines a plurality of relationships consisting of a geographical relationship, a mathematical relationship and a logical relationship wherein said content of said first field is related to said content of said second field according to said relationships;

designate document static content on said imaging device (IDev) user interface, wherein said document static content defines content remaining constant in all instances of said dynamic document; and

compile said document format, said dynamic field structure and said document static content into a dynamic document on said IDev, wherein said dynamic document is a selectable file, which, when selected, automatically populates said data fields to create a document defined by said document format, said dynamic field structure and said document static content.

9. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising instructions for instructing a processor to execute a method for imaging device dynamic document creation and organization, said instructions instructing said processor to:

receive a user identification, formatted as a markup language message, from a web service on an imaging device (IDev) to a remote computing device (RCD);

access data related to said user with said RCD;

associate dynamic document editing functions with said user data, wherein said user data is linked to user data fields identified in a dynamic field structure;

receive a dynamic document editing request as a markup language message received from said web service on said imaging device (IDev) at said remote computing device (RCD);

send document format options menu content to said IDev web service from said RCD, wherein said document format options menu content is an XML message;

receive a document format options menu selection from said IDev web service at said RCD, wherein said document format options menu selection defines a page size, a page orientation, a single-sided or double-sided page format, a margin location, a header dimension or a footer dimension and at least one of a text box parameter and a graphics box parameter and wherein said document format options menu selection is a markup language message;

send a dynamic field structure options menu to said IDev, wherein said dynamic field structure options menu is in the form of a markup language message;

receive a dynamic field structure options selection from said IDev, wherein said dynamic field structure options selection was received as user input on an IDev user interface (UI) at said IDev and wherein said dynamic field structure options selection defines a plurality of data fields comprising numerical data, graphics data and image data, wherein said dynamic field structure also defines field attributes consisting of field size, field shape, field color, field background color, field shading, field rotation and field orientation, said dynamic field structure also comprising a field relationship relating content of a first field in said plurality of data fields to content of a second field in said plurality of data fields, wherein said field relationship defines a plurality of relationships consisting of a geographical relationship, a mathematical relationship and a logical relationship wherein said content of said first field is related to said content of said second field according to said relationships;

send a static content menu to said IDev from said RCD, wherein said static content menu is in the form of a markup language message;

receive a static content menu selection from said IDev web service as a markup language message , wherein said static content menu selection defines content remaining constant in all documents created with said dynamic document; and

compile said document format options menu selection, said dynamic field structure options menu selection and said static content menu selection into a dynamic document on said RCD and wherein said dynamic document is a selectable file, which, when selected, automatically populates said data fields to create a document defined by said document format, said dynamic field structure and said document static content.

10. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising instructions for instructing a processor to execute a method for imaging device dynamic document creation and organization, said instructions instructing said processor to:

identify a user at an imaging device (IDev), based on user input at an IDev user interface (UI);

send a user identification, formatted as a markup language message, from a web service on said IDev to a remote computing device (RCD);

access data related to said user with said RCD;

associate dynamic document editing functions with said user data, wherein said user data is linked to user data fields identified in a dynamic field structure;

send a document format options menu with user specific data to said IDev from said remote computing device (RCD), wherein said document format options menu is a markup language message;

display said document format options menu on said IDev;

accept a document format user selection of said document format options on said IDev, wherein said document format user selection defines at least one of a page size, a page orientation, a single-sided or double-sided page format, a margin location, a header dimension or a footer dimension and at least one of a text box parameter and a graphic box parameter;

send said user selection to said RCD;

send a dynamic field structure options menu with user specific data to said IDev from said RCD;

display said dynamic field structure options menu on said IDev;

accept a dynamic field structure user selection of said dynamic field structure options on said IDev, wherein said dynamic field structure user selection defines a plurality of data fields comprising numerical data, graphics data and image data, wherein said dynamic field structure also defines field attributes consisting of field size, field shape, field color, field background color, field shading, field rotation and field orientation, said dynamic field structure also comprising a field relationship relating content of a first field in said plurality of data fields to content of another field in said plurality of data fields, wherein said field relationship defines a plurality of relationships consisting of a geographical relationship, a mathematical relationship and a logical relationship;

send said user selection to said RCD;

send a static content menu with user specific data to said IDev from said RCD;

display said static content menu on said IDev;

accept a static content user selection of said static content menu on said IDev, wherein said static content user selection defines content remaining constant in all documents created with said dynamic document;

send said user selection to said RCD; and

compile said document format user selection, said dynamic field structure user selection and said static content user selection into a dynamic document on said RCD, wherein said dynamic document is a selectable file, which, when selected, automatically populates said data fields to create a document defined by said document format user selection, said dynamic field structure user selection and said document static content user selection if said selectable file is selected by an entity authenticated as said user.