Patent ID: 6460069
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
A data communications system, comprising:a plurality of data collection systems, each connected to a distributed computer network and operative to collect document information based on the color of a document and to transmit a data collection message comprising the document information via the distributed computer network; a plurality of data processing systems, each connected to the distributed computer network and operative to receive the data collection message via the distributed computer network and to extract the document information from the data collection message; and a central control system, connected to the distributed computer network, operative to transmit an authorization message via the distributed computer network in response to receiving a data source message from a selected one of the data collection systems, the data source message comprising an identifying characteristic of a source for the document information, the authorization message comprising an address identifying one of the data processing systems for receiving the data collection message based on the identifying characteristic of the source of the document information, document index information, and at least one data entry field defining document-related information to be entered at the selected data collection system, wherein the selected data collection system is operative to collect the document-related information in response to presentation of the at least one data entry field defining the document-related information to be entered at the selected data collection system and to create an electronic image of the document based on the color of the document prior to transmission of the data collection message, the selected data collection system further operative to present the electronic document image for verification prior to transmission of the document information to the identified data processing system by presenting the electronic document image for review, determining whether the electronic document image is acceptable, and in the event that the electronic document image is acceptable, then generating the data collection message comprising the electronic document image, the document-related information, and document index information, otherwise, the selected data collection system creates another electronic image of the document based on a selection of an alternative color for the document, the selected data system further operative to transmit the data collection message to the data processing system having the address identified by the authorization message.