US6192165B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for digital filing
Assignee: HP Inc
•
Filing: 1997-12-30
•
Granted: 2001-02-20
•
Expires: 2017-12-30
Abstract
Abstract According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus and method for a digital filing system is disclosed. In this context, digital filing refers to the efficient management of paper-based information from its receipt at the desktop through an indexing, scanning, image storage and image retrieval process. The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide for easy and effective indexing, imaging, storing, retrieving and managing of paper-based documents, transforming them into electronic documents using a system which incorporates many existing office resources. The proposed system and method implements a desktop solution for digital filing, which can be made available to each worker. In one embodiment of the present invention, an individual has complete control over the electronic storage and retrieval of their documents from a standard desktop computer, using a standard web browser application. Uniquely, the digital filing system of the present invention also allows users to index and label documents prior to scanning/imaging by using a dedicated desktop labeling mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven W. Irons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:36
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/21; H04N1/2166; G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/93; H04N1/00127; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945; Y10S707/99948
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 75
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; a memory coupled to the at least one processor; a labeling mechanism, the labeling mechanism providing an attachable label that includes a computer readable unique document identifier for identifying an attached paper-based document; and a digital filing application residing in the memory and being executed by the at least one processor, the digital filing application parsing a scanned image of the paper-based document that includes the attachable label for the unique document identifier the digital filing application using the parsed unique document identifier to link the scanned image of the paper-based document to a previously created record for the paper based document in an image index database.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; a memory coupled to the at least one processor; a labeling mechanism, the labeling mechanism providing an attachable label that includes a computer readable unique document identifier for identifying an attached paper-based document; and a digital filing application residing in the memory and being executed by the at least one processor, the digital filing application parsing a scanned image of the paper-based document that includes the attachable label for the unique document identifier the digital filing application using the parsed unique document identifier to link the scanned image of the paper-based document to a previously created record for the paper based document in an image index database.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a communication link coupled to the at least one processor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the communication link comprises a computer network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the digital filing application transfers the digital image of the paper-based document to an image storage mechanism via the communication link.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the labeling mechanism provides the attachable labels by dispensing adhesive backed printed labels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the labeling mechanism applies the attachable label to the paper based document.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the labeling mechanism comprises a printer for printing the machine readable unique document identifier on the paper based document.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the labeling mechanism comprises a printer, the printer providing the attachable labels by printing the machine readable unique document identifier on adhesive backed labels.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; a memory coupled to the at least one processor; a labeling mechanism, the labeling mechanism providing an attachable label that includes a computer-readable unique document identifier for identifying an attached paper-based document; an image indexer residing in the memory, the image indexer providing an interface for users to enter document index information for the paper-based document, the document index information including the unique document identifier; an image repository residing on an image storage mechanism, the image repository storing a scanned digital image of the paper-based document, the scanned digital image of the paper-based document including a scanned image of the attachable label; a digital filing application residing in the memory and being executed by the at least one processor, the digital filing application parsing the scanned digital image of the paper-based document that includes the attachable label for the unique document identifier, the digital filing application using the parsed unique document identifier to link the scanned digital image of the paper-based document to the document index information for the paper-based document.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; a memory coupled to the at least one processor; a labeling mechanism, the labeling mechanism providing an attachable label that includes a computer-readable unique document identifier for identifying an attached paper-based document; an image indexer residing in the memory, the image indexer providing an interface for users to enter document index information for the paper-based document, the document index information including the unique document identifier; an image repository residing on an image storage mechanism, the image repository storing a scanned digital image of the paper-based document, the scanned digital image of the paper-based document including a scanned image of the attachable label; a digital filing application residing in the memory and being executed by the at least one processor, the digital filing application parsing the scanned digital image of the paper-based document that includes the attachable label for the unique document identifier, the digital filing application using the parsed unique document identifier to link the scanned digital image of the paper-based document to the document index information for the paper-based document.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the digital filing application comprises a web browser-based user interface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the digital filing application transfers the image of the document from the image repository via a computer network.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the computer network is the Internet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the computer network is an intranet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a folding out basket.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the folding out basket comprises: a main portion; a plurality of repositionable side portions attached to the main portion; a repositionable cover attached to the main portion; a flat, two-sided hook-and-loop covered tab portion attached to the repositionable cover; and a cooperating hook-and-loop attachment portion affixed to at least one of the plurality of repositionable side portions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the folding out basket further comprises at least one sleeve affixed to the repositionable cover.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The folding out basket of claim 14 wherein the plurality of repositionable side portions and the repositionable cover are comprised of a flexible plastic material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the label additionally comprises: an eye-legible information portion; and wherein the computer-readable unique document identifier is implemented in a computer-readable bar code portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the unique document identifier comprises: a software serial number field; a security field; a date field; a UserID field; and a document counter field.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the labeling mechanism provides the attachable labels by dispensing adhesive backed printed labels.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the labeling mechanism applies the attachable label to the paper based document.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the labeling mechanism comprises a printer for printing the machine readable unique document identifier on the paper based document.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the labeling mechanism comprises a printer, the printer providing the attachable labels by printing the machine readable unique document identifier on adhesive backed labels.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
223 words
An apparatus for digital filing, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; a memory coupled to the at least one processor; a labeling mechanism, the labeling mechanism providing an attachable label that includes a computer-readable unique document identifier for identifying an attached paper-based document; an image indexer residing in the memory, the image indexer providing an interface for users to enter document index information for the paper-based document, the document index information including the unique document identifier; a document input mechanism, the document input mechanism creating a scanned digital image of the paper-based document, the scanned digital image of the paper-based document including a scanned image of the attachable label; a communication link coupled to the at least one processor; an image storage mechanism coupled to the communication link; an image repository stored on the image storage mechanism, the image repository storing the scanned digital image of the paper-based document; and a digital filing application residing in the memory and being executed by the processor; wherein the digital filing application parses the scanned digital image of the paper-based document that includes the attachable label for the unique document identifier, the digital filing application using the parsed unique document identifier to link the scanned digital image of the paper-based document stored in the image repository to the document index information for the paper-based document.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
223 words
An apparatus for digital filing, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; a memory coupled to the at least one processor; a labeling mechanism, the labeling mechanism providing an attachable label that includes a computer-readable unique document identifier for identifying an attached paper-based document; an image indexer residing in the memory, the image indexer providing an interface for users to enter document index information for the paper-based document, the document index information including the unique document identifier; a document input mechanism, the document input mechanism creating a scanned digital image of the paper-based document, the scanned digital image of the paper-based document including a scanned image of the attachable label; a communication link coupled to the at least one processor; an image storage mechanism coupled to the communication link; an image repository stored on the image storage mechanism, the image repository storing the scanned digital image of the paper-based document; and a digital filing application residing in the memory and being executed by the processor; wherein the digital filing application parses the scanned digital image of the paper-based document that includes the attachable label for the unique document identifier, the digital filing application using the parsed unique document identifier to link the scanned digital image of the paper-based document stored in the image repository to the document index information for the paper-based document.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the digital filing application comprises a web browser-based application.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the document input mechanism is a multi-function copier.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the document input mechanism is a fax machine.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the document input mechanism is a scanner.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the communication link is a computer network and wherein the image is transferred from the document input mechanism to the image repository via the computer network.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the computer network is the Internet.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the computer network is an intranet.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the label additionally comprises: an eye-legible information portion; and wherein the computer-readable unique document identifier is implemented in a computer-readable bar code portion.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the unique document identifier comprises: a software serial number field; a security field; a date field; a UserID field; and a document counter field.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
103 words
A method comprising the steps of: affixing a label bearing a machine-readable document identifier to a paper-based document; entering indexing information for the paper-based document, the indexing information including identification data corresponding to the machine-readable document identifier; subsequently scanning the paper-based document and creating a digital image of the paper-based document, the digital image including a digital image of the machine-readable document identifier; parsing the digital image of the paper-based document for the machine-readable document identifier; storing the digital image in an image repository; linking the stored digital image of the paper-based document to the indexing information using the parsed machine-readable document identifier.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
103 words
A method comprising the steps of: affixing a label bearing a machine-readable document identifier to a paper-based document; entering indexing information for the paper-based document, the indexing information including identification data corresponding to the machine-readable document identifier; subsequently scanning the paper-based document and creating a digital image of the paper-based document, the digital image including a digital image of the machine-readable document identifier; parsing the digital image of the paper-based document for the machine-readable document identifier; storing the digital image in an image repository; linking the stored digital image of the paper-based document to the indexing information using the parsed machine-readable document identifier.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the step of affixing a label to the paper-based document comprises the step of using a desktop labeling mechanism to affix the label to the paper-based document.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 34 further comprising the step of retrieving the digital image from the image repository using the linked index information.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 34 further comprising the step of using a desktop labeling mechanism to create the label bearing the machine-readable document identifier.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
115 words
A computer-implemented method for the digital filing of paper-based documents, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a paper-based document; creating a database record for the paper-based document; storing a unique document identifier for the paper-based document in the database record; affixing a label to the paper-based document, the label including the unique document identifier; scanning the paper-based document to create a digital image of the paper-based document, the digital image including an image of the label; extracting the unique document identifier from the digital image of the paper-based document; and storing the digital image of the paper-based document in an image repository using a file name which that corresponds to the unique document identifier.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
115 words
A computer-implemented method for the digital filing of paper-based documents, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a paper-based document; creating a database record for the paper-based document; storing a unique document identifier for the paper-based document in the database record; affixing a label to the paper-based document, the label including the unique document identifier; scanning the paper-based document to create a digital image of the paper-based document, the digital image including an image of the label; extracting the unique document identifier from the digital image of the paper-based document; and storing the digital image of the paper-based document in an image repository using a file name which that corresponds to the unique document identifier.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 38 further comprising the step of retrieving the image of the paper-based document using the file name.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 38 further comprising the step of using a desktop labeling mechanism to generate the label for the paper-based document.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the step of storing the image of the paper-based document in an image repository comprises the step of transferring the image of the paper-based document to the image repository via a dial-up phone line.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the step of storing the image of the paper-based document in an image repository comprises the step of transferring the image of the paper-based document to the image repository via a computer network.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 42 wherein the computer network is the Internet.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 42 wherein the computer network is an intranet.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
122 words
A method comprising the steps of: receiving a paper-based document; creating a record in an image index database for the paper-based document, the record having at least one field; storing a unique document identifier for the paper-based document in the at least one field; affixing a label to the paper-based document, the label bearing a bar code indicia which corresponds to the unique document identifier; scanning the paper-based document and creating an image of the paper-based document and the affixed label; and storing the image in an image repository; parsing the image of the paper-based document for the unique document identifier; linking the stored image of the paper-based document to the record in the image index database using the unique document identifier.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
122 words
A method comprising the steps of: receiving a paper-based document; creating a record in an image index database for the paper-based document, the record having at least one field; storing a unique document identifier for the paper-based document in the at least one field; affixing a label to the paper-based document, the label bearing a bar code indicia which corresponds to the unique document identifier; scanning the paper-based document and creating an image of the paper-based document and the affixed label; and storing the image in an image repository; parsing the image of the paper-based document for the unique document identifier; linking the stored image of the paper-based document to the record in the image index database using the unique document identifier.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 45 further comprising the step of retrieving the image from the image repository using a web browser-based interface.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 45 wherein the step of storing the image in an image repository comprises the step of transferring the image to the image repository via the Internet.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 45 wherein the step of storing the image in an image repository comprises the step of transferring the image to a CD-ROM disk.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 45 wherein the step of storing the image in an image repository comprises the step of transferring the image to a DVD disk.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for indexing, storing, and retrieving a digital image of a paper-based document, the method comprising the steps of: receiving the paper-based document; launching a web-based interface for indexing the paper-based document; creating a record in an image index database for the paper-based document, the record having at least one field; storing a unique document identifier for the paper-based document in the at least one field; using a desktop labeling mechanism to provide a label, the label bearing a bar code indicia which includes the unique document identifier; affixing the label to the paper-based document; scanning the paper-based document and label affixed to the document, thereby creating a digital image of the paper-based document and the affixed label; parsing the unique document number from the digital image of the paper-based document; transferring the digital image to an image repository via the Internet; storing the digital image in the image repository; linking the stored digital image of the paper-based document to the record in the image index database using unique document identifier.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for indexing, storing, and retrieving a digital image of a paper-based document, the method comprising the steps of: receiving the paper-based document; launching a web-based interface for indexing the paper-based document; creating a record in an image index database for the paper-based document, the record having at least one field; storing a unique document identifier for the paper-based document in the at least one field; using a desktop labeling mechanism to provide a label, the label bearing a bar code indicia which includes the unique document identifier; affixing the label to the paper-based document; scanning the paper-based document and label affixed to the document, thereby creating a digital image of the paper-based document and the affixed label; parsing the unique document number from the digital image of the paper-based document; transferring the digital image to an image repository via the Internet; storing the digital image in the image repository; linking the stored digital image of the paper-based document to the record in the image index database using unique document identifier.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
86 words
A program product comprising: a digital filing application, the digital filing application receiving a scanned image of a paper-based document that includes an attached label having a unique document identifier, the digital filing application parsing the scanned image for the unique document identifier, the digital filing application using the parsed unique document identifier to link the scanned image of the paper-based document to a previously created record for the paper based document in an image index database; and signal bearing media bearing the digital filing application.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
86 words
A program product comprising: a digital filing application, the digital filing application receiving a scanned image of a paper-based document that includes an attached label having a unique document identifier, the digital filing application parsing the scanned image for the unique document identifier, the digital filing application using the parsed unique document identifier to link the scanned image of the paper-based document to a previously created record for the paper based document in an image index database; and signal bearing media bearing the digital filing application.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
19 words
The program product of claim 51 wherein the digital filing application is implemented as a web browser based application.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
14 words
The program product of claim 51 wherein the signal bearing media comprises recordable media.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
14 words
The program product of claim 51 wherein the signal bearing media comprises transmission media.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the labeling mechanism provides the attachable labels by dispensing adhesive backed printed labels.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the labeling mechanism applies the attachable label to the paper based document.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the labeling mechanism comprises a printer for printing the machine readable unique document identifier on the paper based document.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the labeling mechanism comprises a printer, the printer providing the attachable labels by printing the machine readable unique document identifier on adhesive backed labels.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
128 words
A method comprising the steps of: providing a machine-readable label for a paper-based document at a first geographic location, the label containing a document identifier which will subsequently be used as a reference for a digital image of the paper-based document; affixing the label to the paper-based document; transporting the paper-based document to a second geographic location; scanning the paper-based document, including the label, to create a document image which includes an image of the label; parsing the document image of the paper-based document for the unique document identifier; storing the document image in an image repository, the image repository being in a third geographic location; and linking the stored image of the paper-based document to the record in the image index database using the unique document identifier.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
128 words
A method comprising the steps of: providing a machine-readable label for a paper-based document at a first geographic location, the label containing a document identifier which will subsequently be used as a reference for a digital image of the paper-based document; affixing the label to the paper-based document; transporting the paper-based document to a second geographic location; scanning the paper-based document, including the label, to create a document image which includes an image of the label; parsing the document image of the paper-based document for the unique document identifier; storing the document image in an image repository, the image repository being in a third geographic location; and linking the stored image of the paper-based document to the record in the image index database using the unique document identifier.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 59 wherein the step of creating a label for a paper-based document comprises the step of using a desktop labeling mechanism to create the label.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 59 wherein the first, second, and third geographic locations are separated by a distance of greater than 1 mile.
Claim 71
Independent Claim
142 words
A method comprising the steps of: using a desktop computer to index a paper-based document, thereby providing a unique document identifier for the paper-based document; storing the unique document identifier in an image index database; affixing a label containing the unique document identifier to the paper-based document; transporting the paper-based document to a document input mechanism which is logically disconnected from the desktop computer; creating a digital image of the paper-based document; retrieving the unique document identifier from the digital image of the paper-based document; incorporating the document identifier into a file name for the digital image to link the digital image to the image index database; and storing the digital image of the paper-based document on an image storage mechanism which is logically disconnected from the desktop computer, the document input mechanism, and the image index database, using the file name.
Claim 72
Independent Claim
142 words
A method comprising the steps of: using a desktop computer to index a paper-based document, thereby providing a unique document identifier for the paper-based document; storing the unique document identifier in an image index database; affixing a label containing the unique document identifier to the paper-based document; transporting the paper-based document to a document input mechanism which is logically disconnected from the desktop computer; creating a digital image of the paper-based document; retrieving the unique document identifier from the digital image of the paper-based document; incorporating the document identifier into a file name for the digital image to link the digital image to the image index database; and storing the digital image of the paper-based document on an image storage mechanism which is logically disconnected from the desktop computer, the document input mechanism, and the image index database, using the file name.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 62 further comprising the step of logically connecting the desktop computer to the image storage mechanism and retrieving the digital image of the paper-based document.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 63 wherein the step of retrieving the digital image of the paper-based document from the image storage mechanism is accomplished via a computer network.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 63 wherein the step of retrieving the digital image of the paper-based document is accomplished by using a web browser-based interface to retrieving the digital image of the paper-based document.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-20 | 2008-08-21 | 2009-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-20 | 2012-08-21 | 2013-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |