Methods and systems for providing remote file structure access on an imaging device

• US 8,213,034 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2005
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• 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: Reddy, Amarender Reddy Kethi, Yamamura, Shinichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Haskins, Twyler
• Assistant Examiner(s): RODRIGUEZ, LENNIN ROBINSON
• Application Number:
  US11/192,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20060103873A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,531 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.15, 715/744
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• 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 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00352 Input means H04N1/00411 takes precedence; input arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00384 Key input means, e.g. buttons or keypads electromechanical details of key input means in general H01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00389 Programmable function keys, e.g. for one-touch operation H04N1/00387 takes precedence; for automation of transmitter jobs H04N1/32058
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00411 the display also being used for user input, e.g. touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00503 Customising to a particular machine or model, machine function or application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00973 from a remote device, e.g. receiving via the internet instructions input to a computer terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0074 Arrangements for the control of a still picture apparatus by the connected apparatus arrangements for the control of the connected apparatus by the still picture apparatus H04N2201/0013; control of image communication with the connected apparatus H04N2201/0015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to systems, methods and devices for providing remote file structure data access to an imaging device user interface. Some aspects relate to methods and systems wherein a request for file structure data is sent from an imaging device (IDev) to a remote computing device (RCD) that is capable of retrieving and converting file structure data. Some aspects relate to reading the file structure data of a remote resource and converting that file structure data to a format that is compatible with an IDev user interface (UI). The converted file structure data may then be received by the IDev and displayed at the IDev UI.

Claims

1. A method for imaging device remote file structure data access, said method comprising:

requesting remote storage device file structure organization data from an RCD using an imaging device (IDev) user interface (UI), wherein said requesting comprises identifying IDev UI characteristics with IDev UI parameter data;

receiving said request at said RCD;

reading said remote storage device file structure organization data from a storage device with said RCD;

wherein said remote storage device file organization structure data indicates what files are stored on said remote storage device and provides access data for accessing files stored on said remote storage device, but said file organization structure data is not stored in a format that is compatible with a user interface (UI) on said IDev (IDev UI);

converting, at said RCD, said remote storage device file structure organization data to a format that is compatible with said IDev UI, based on said IDev UI parameters;

sending said converted storage device file structure organization data to said IDev;

receiving said converted remote storage device file structure organization data at said IDev;

displaying said remote storage device file structure organization data with said IDev UI;

accepting a user input selection of a file location at said IDev UI in response to said displaying;

sending said user input selection of a file location to said RCD;

enabling an IDev image send function from said RCD by sending an enable function message from said RCD to an IDev device control application programming interface (API) on said IDev; and

sending an image file from said IDev to said file location designated by said user input selection.

2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said requesting comprises an XML/SOAP message.

3. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said reading comprises using a Framework API on the RCD.

4. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said reading comprises using an operating system API on the RCD.

5. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said reading comprises using a programming language API on the RCD.

6. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said reading comprises using a Microsoft .NET API Directory.GetDirectories command on the RCD.

7. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said sending comprises an XML/SOAP message.

8. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising allowing a user to select a file based on said file structure data displayed on said IDev UI.

9. A method as described in claim 8 further comprising retrieving said file selected by said user.

10. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising allowing a user to select a file folder based on said file structure data displayed on said IDev UI.

11. A method as described in claim 10 further comprising saving a file to said file folder selected by said user.

12. A method for imaging device remote storage device file structure organization data access, said method comprising:

a) requesting remote storage device file structure organization data from an RCD using an imaging device (IDev) user interface (UI), wherein said remote storage device file organization structure data indicates what files are stored on said remote storage device and provides access data for accessing files stored on said remote storage device, but said file organization structure data is not stored in a format that is compatible with said IDev UI;

b) sending IDev UI parameters to said RCD, wherein said IDev UI parameters identify IDev UI characteristics;

c) reading said remote storage device file structure organization data from a storage device, with said RCD;

d) converting said remote storage device file structure organization data to a format that is compatible with said IDev UI as defined in said UI parameters;

e) sending said converted file structure data to said IDev; and

f) providing for selection of a file location based on said storage device file structure organization data displayed on said IDev UV;

g) sending said file location to said RCD;

h) enabling an IDev image send function from said RCD by sending an enable function message from said RCD to an IDev device control application programming interface (API) on said IDev; and

i) sending an image file from said IDev to said file location designated by said user input selection.

13. A method as described in claim 12 further comprising retrieving said file identified in said selection.

14. A method as described in claim 12 further comprising allowing a user to select a file folder based on said file structure data displayed on said IDev UI.

15. A method as described in claim 14 further comprising saving a file to said file folder selected by said user.

16. A system for providing remote file structure data to an imaging device (IDev), said system comprising:

a) an imaging device (IDev), said IDev comprising;

i) a user interface (UI), said UI comprising

(1) a display,

(2) an input device for accepting a user input selection of a file location at said IDev UI in response to displaying converted remote storage device file structure organization data;

ii) a browser,

iii) an embedded application for sending a request for storage device file structure organization data, for sending IDev UI parameters to a remote computing device (RCD) and for receiving converted storage device file structure organization data;

iv) an input sender for sending a user input selection of a file location received at said IDev UI to said RCD; and

i) a file sender for sending an image file from said IDev to said file location designated by said user input selection;

b) an RCD, said RCD comprising;

i) a retriever for retrieving remote storage device file structure organization data from a remote storage device,

ii) a converter for converting said remote storage device file structure organization data to a format compatible with said IDev UI parameters,

iii) a sender for sending converted remote storage device file structure organization data to said IDev; and

iv) an enabler for enabling an IDev image send function from said RCD by sending an enable function message from said RCD to an IDev device control application programming interface (API) on said IDev.

17. A system as described in claim 16 wherein said embedded application is a Web Service.

18. A system as described in claim 16 wherein said retriever employs an API to retrieve said remote storage device file structure organization data.

19. A system as described in claim 16 wherein said input sender sends messages in an XML/SOAP format.