Information processing methodology

• US 6,683,697 B1
• Filed: 12/09/1999
• Issued: 01/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eon-Net LP (Mitchell A. Medina)
• Original Assignee: Millennium LP (VINCI SA)
• Inventors: Elias, Catherine B., Medina, Mitchell A., Lech, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BRINICH, STEPHEN M
• Application Number:
  US09/458,162
• Time in Patent Office: 1,510 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.15, 382/175, 382/177, 382/180, 382/282, 382/287, 382/306, 382/317
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/10 Character recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/1444 Selective acquisition, locating or processing of specific regions, e.g. highlighted text, fiducial marks or predetermined fields
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/1452 based on positionally close symbols, e.g. amount sign or URL-specific characters
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/40 Document-oriented image-based pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00236 using an image reading or reproducing device, e.g. a facsimile reader or printer, as a local input to or local output from a computer image input to or image output from a computer via a network H04N1/00209
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00241 using an image reading device as a local input to a computer input via network, e.g. network scanners H04N1/00225

Abstract

An information processing methodology gives rise to an application program interface which includes an automated digitizing unit, such as a scanner, which inputs information from a diversity of hard copy documents and stores information from the hard copy documents into a memory as stored document information. Portions of the stored document information are selected in accordance with content instructions which designate portions of the stored document information required by a particular application program. The selected stored document information is then placed into the transmission format required by a particular application program in accordance with transmission format instructions. After the information has been transmission formatted, the information is transmitted to the application program. In one operational mode, the interface interactively prompts the user to identify, on a display, portions of the hard copy documents containing information used in application programs or for storage.

Claims

1. A multimode information processing system for inputting information from a document or file on a computer into at least one application program according to transmission format instructions, and to operate in at least one of:

a. a definition mode wherein content instructions, at least one of which is not a location of said information derived from a pre-scanned image of a blank form, are used to define input information from within said document or file required by said at least one application program; and

b. an extraction mode to parse at least a portion of said document or file to automatically extract at least one field of information required by said at least one application program and to transfer said at least one field of information to said at least one application program.

2. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 1, wherein said definition mode is operative to store said content instructions in said system in association with said extraction mode.

3. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 1, wherein said definition mode is operative to store said content instructions in said system as a template for use in said extraction mode.

4. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 1, wherein said extraction mode is operative to match at least a portion of said document or file with a template created with or available to said system.

5. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 2, wherein said extraction mode is operative to match at least a portion of said document or file with a template created with or available to said system.

6. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 1 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

7. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 3 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

8. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 7 in which said template is stored in said first computer.

9. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 7 in which said template is stored in said second computer.

10. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 4 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

11. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 10 in which said template is stored in said first computer.

12. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 10 in which said template is stored in said second computer.

13. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 5 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

14. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 13 in which said template is stored in said first computer.

15. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 13 in which said template is stored in said second computer.

16. A multimode information system as recited in claim 3, 4, or 5 in which said document or file, said at least one application program and/or said template is/are distributed among more than one computer.

17. A multimode information processing system for inputting information from a document or file on a computer into at least one application program according to transmission format instructions, and to operate in:

a. a definition mode wherein content instructions, at least one of which is not a location of said information derived from a pre-scanned image of a blank form, are used to define input information from within said document or file required by said at least one application program; and

b. an extraction mode to parse at least a portion of said document or file to automatically extract at least one field of information required by said at least one application program and to transfer said at least one field of information to said at least one application program.

18. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 17, wherein said definition mode is operative to store said content instructions in said system in association with said extraction mode.

19. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 17, wherein said definition mode is operative to store said content instructions in said system as a template for use in said extraction mode.

20. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 17 wherein said extraction mode is operative to match at least a portion of said document or file with a template created with or available to said system.

21. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 18, wherein said extraction mode is operative to match at least a portion of said document or file with a template created with or available to said system.

22. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 17 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

23. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 19 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

24. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 23 in which said template is stored in said first computer.

25. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 23 in which said template is stored in said second computer.

26. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 20 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

27. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 26 in which said template is stored in said first computer.

28. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 26 in which said template is stored in said second computer.

29. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 21 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

30. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 29 in which said template is stored in said first computer.

31. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 29 in which said template is stored in said second computer.

32. A multimode information system as recited in claim 19, 20, or 21 in which said document or file, said at least one application program and/or said template is/are distributed among more than one computer.

39. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 30 wherein said definition mode is operative to store said content instructions in said system in association with said extraction mode.

42. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 39, therein said extraction mode is operative to match at least a portion of said document or file with a template created with or available to said system.

50. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 42 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

51. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 50 in which said template is stored in said first computer.

52. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 50 in which said template is stored in said second computer.

33. An application program interface comprising:

a. utilities for enabling selection of portions of a stored document or file in accordance with content instructions, at least one of which is not a location of said information derived from a pre-scanned image of a blank form, as selected stored document information, said content instructions designating portions of said stored document or file required by an application unit;

b. utilities for enabling formatting of said selected stored document information into a transmission format used by said application unit based on transmission format instructions; and

c. utilities for automatically enabling transmission of formatted selected stored document information to said application unit in an extraction mode.

34. An application program interface as recited in claim 33 further comprising utilities for enabling storage of said content instructions.

35. An application program interface as recited in claim 33 or 34 further comprising:

utilities for enabling definition of a template which associates portions of said document or file with specific variables.

36. An application program interface as recited in claim 33 or 34 which operates in a distributed computing environment.

37. An application program interface as recited in claim 35 which operates in a distributed computing environment.

38. An method of doing business comprising the steps of:

inputting information from a document of file on a computer into at least one application program according to transmission format instructions;

processing the information in at least one of;

a. a definition mode wherein content instructions, at least one of which is not a location of said information derived from a pre-scanned image of a blank form, are used to define input information from within said document or file required by said at least one application program; and

b. an extraction mode to parse at least a portion of said document or file to automatically extract at least one field of information required by said at least one application program and to transfer said at least one field of information to said at least one application program.

40. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 38, wherein said definition mode is operative to store said content instructions in said system as a template for use in said extraction mode.

41. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 38, wherein said extraction mode is operative to match at least a portion of said document or file with a template created with or available to said system.

43. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 38 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

44. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 40 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

45. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 44 in which said template is stored in said first computer.

46. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 44 in which said template is stored in said second computer.

47. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 41 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

48. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 47 in which said template is stored in said first computer.

49. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 47 in which said template is stored in said second computer.

53. A multimode information system as recited in claim 40, 41, or 42 in which said document or file, said at least one application program and/or said template is/are distributed among more than one computer.

54. An method of doing business comprising the steps of:

inputting information from a document of file on a computer into at least one application program according to transmission format instructions;

processing the information in;

a. a definition mode wherein content instructions, at least one of which is not a location of said information derived from a pre-scanned image of a blank form are used to define input information from within said document or file required by said at least one application program; and

b. an extraction mode to parse at least a portion of said document or file to automatically extract at least one field of information required by said at least one application program and to transfer said at least one field of information to said at least one application program.

55. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 54, wherein said definition mode is operative to store said content instructions in said system in association with said extraction mode.

56. multimode information processing system as recited in claim 54, wherein said definition mode is operative to store said content instructions in said system as a template for use in said extraction mode.

57. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 54, wherein said extraction mode is operative to match at least a portion of said document or file with a template created with or available to said system.

58. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 55, wherein said extraction mode is operative to match at least a portion of said document or file with a template created with or available to said system.

59. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 54 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

60. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 56 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

61. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 60 in which said template is stored in said first computer.

62. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 60 in which said template is stored in said second computer.

63. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 57 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

64. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 63 in which said template is stored in said first computer.

65. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 63 in which said template is stored in said second computer.

66. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 58 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

67. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 66 in which said template is stored in said first computer.

68. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 66 in which said template is stored in said second computer.

69. A multimode information system as recited in claim 56, 57, or 58 in which said document or file, said at least one application program and/or said template is/are distributed among more than one computer.

70. A method of processing information comprising the steps of:

inputting information from a document of file on a computer into at least one application program according to transmission format instructions;

processing the information in at least one of;

a. a definition mode wherein content instructions, at least one of which is not a location of said information derived from a pre-scanned image of a blank form, are used to define input information from within said document or file required by said at least one application program; and

b. an extraction mode to parse at least a portion of said document or file to automatically extract at least one field of information required by said at least one application program and to transfer said at least one field of information to said at least one application program.

71. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 70, wherein said definition mode is operative to store said content instructions in said system in association with said extraction mode.

72. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 70, wherein said definition mode is operative to store said content instructions in said system as a template for use in said extraction mode.

73. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 70, wherein said extraction mode is operative to match at least a portion of said document or file with a template created with or available to said system.

74. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 71, wherein said extraction mode is operative to match at least a portion of said document or file with a template created with or available to said system.

75. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 70 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

76. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 72 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

77. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 76 in which said template is stored in said first computer.

78. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 76 in which said template is stored in said second computer.

79. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 73 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

80. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 79 in which said template is stored in said first computer.

81. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 79 in which said template is stored in said second computer.

82. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 74 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

83. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 82 in which said template is stored in said first computer.

84. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 82 in which said template is stored in said second computer.

85. A multimode information system as recited in claim 72, 73, or 74 in which said document or file, said at least one application program and/or said template is/are distributed among more than one computer.

94. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 76 in which said template is stored in said second computer.

86. A method of processing information comprising the steps of:

inputting information from a document of file on a computer into at least one application program according to transmission format instructions;

processing the information in;

a. a definition mode wherein content instructions, at least one of which is not a location of said information derived from a pre-scanned image of a blank form, are used to define input information from within said document or file required by said at least one application program; and

b. an extraction mode to parse at least a portion of said document or file to extract at least one field of information required by said at least one application program and to automatically transfer said at least one field of information to said at least one application program.

87. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 86, wherein said definition mode is operative to store said content instructions in said system in association with said extraction mode.

88. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 86, wherein said definition mode is operative to store said content instructions in said system as a template for use in said extraction mode.

89. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 86, wherein said extraction mode is operative to match at least a portion of said document or file with a template created with or available to said system.

90. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 87 wherein said extraction mode is operative to match at least a portion of said document or file with a template created with or available to said system.

91. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 86 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

92. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 88 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

93. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 92 in which said template is stored in said first computer.

95. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 89 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

96. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 95 in which said template is stored in said first computer.

97. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 95 in which said template is stored in said second computer.

98. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 90 in which said document or file is on a first computer, and said application program is on a second computer.

99. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 98 in which said template is stored in said first computer.

100. A multimode information processing system as recited in claim 98 in which said template is stored in said second computer.

101. A multimode information system as recited in claim 88, 89, or 90 in which said document or file, said at least one application program and/or said template is/are distributed among more than one computer.