System and method for submitting and receiving images

• US 8,555,174 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2008
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Making Everlasting Memories, LLC (Service Corporation International)
• Original Assignee: Making Everlasting Memories, LLC (Service Corporation International)
• Inventors: Mindrum, Gordon Scott, Sefton, Steven Craig, Johnson, Jeffrey Jon
• Primary Examiner(s): HAILU, TADESSE
• Application Number:
  US12/178,943
• Publication Number:
  US 20080316542A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,902 Days
• Field of Search: 715/748, 715/769, 715/763, 715/764, 715/200, 358/1.15, 358/442, 358/402, 382/298
• US Class Current: 715/748
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

An image submission system comprises a server, a client, and a scanner. A scanner interface software module is loaded on the client for operating the scanner. An image submission software module loaded on the server remotely receives instructions through an Internet browser at the client, and presents a single click interface feature operable to receive a single click input by the user at the client, via the Internet browser. A control software module loaded on the client is in communication with the image submission software module, and is operative to direct the scanner interface software module to scan an image on the scanner and upload the scanned image to the remote server in response to a single click input by the user via the single click interface feature. A user may thus have an image both scanned an uploaded to a server, in response the same single click.

Claims

1. A method of remotely activating a scanner and uploading a scanned image from a client to a server, wherein the client includes a scanner, wherein the client is in communication with the Internet, wherein a user remains with the client and the scanner to provide instructions to the client, wherein the server is configured to receive images via the Internet, wherein the server is remote from the client and the user, the method comprising:

(a) providing a data entry tool at the server, wherein the data entry tool is configured to be presented to the user at the client in the form of a user interface accessible via a web browser;

(b) presenting the user interface at the client via the web browser, wherein the user interface comprises a single click feature;

(c) receiving a single click input from the user at the client via the single click feature of the user interface;

(d) remotely executing the data entry tool at the server in response to receipt of the single click input from the user at the client, wherein the act of remotely executing the data entry tool comprises;

(i) remotely causing the scanner at the client to scan a hard copy image, and

(ii) remotely causing the client to upload the scanned image to the server;

(e) receiving the scanned image at the server in response to receipt of the single click input from the user; and

(f) receiving a selection input from the user, wherein the selection input indicates whether the scanned image is to be published on a web page.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically manipulating the scanned image in response to the single click input from the user.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the act of automatically manipulating the scanned image comprises one or both of automatically cropping the scanned image or automatically deskewing the image.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting a copy of the scanned image to the user via the web browser.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the client further comprises an ACTIVE X controller and a TWAIN scanner interface, wherein the act of executing the data entry tool further comprises remotely activating the ACTIVE X controller to direct the TWAIN scanner interface to cause the scanner to scan the hard copy image.

6. A method of uploading a scanned image from a client to a server over the Internet, wherein a scanner is connected with the client, wherein the server is configured to receive images via the Internet, wherein the server is remote from the client and a user the method comprising:

(a) providing a data entry tool at the server, wherein the data entry tool comprises a user interface that is configured to be presented to the user at the client via a web browser, wherein the user interface comprises a single click feature;

(b) receiving a single click input via the single click feature of the user interface;

(c) executing the data entry tool to remotely scan a hard copy image at the client and remotely upload the scanned image to the server, wherein the act of executing is performed in response to receiving the single click input;

(d) receiving the scanned image at the server; and

(e) receiving a selection input from the user, wherein the selection input indicates whether the scanned image is to be stored at the server.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising automatically manipulating the scanned image in response to the single click input.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising presenting a copy of the scanned image to the user via the web browser.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein executing the data entry tool comprises remotely activating an ACTIVE X controller at the client to direct a TWAIN scanner interface at the client to cause the scanner to scan the hard copy image.

10. A method of uploading a scanned image from a client to a server over the Internet, wherein a scanner is connected with the client and the client includes an ACTIVE X controller and a TWAIN scanner interface, wherein the server is configured to receive images via the Internet, wherein the server is remote from the client and a user, the method comprising:

(a) providing a data entry tool at the server, wherein the data entry tool comprises a user interface that is configured to be presented to the user at the client via a web browser, wherein the user interface comprises a single click feature; and

(b) receiving a single click input via the single click feature of the user interface;

(c) executing the data entry tool to remotely activate the ACTIVE X controller at the client to direct the TWAIN scanner interface at the client to scan a hard copy image at the client and upload the scanned image to the server, wherein the act of executing the data entry tool is performed in response to receiving the single click input; and

(d) presenting a plurality of selection options, wherein the selection options comprise;

(1) publishing the scanned image to a publicly accessible web page;

(2) publishing the scanned image to a password protected web page; and

(3) storing the scanned image at the server.