Patent ID: 6466329
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A multifunction processor for managing a page-responsive hardcopy and softcopy reproduction and retransmission facility, comprising:(a) a page-oriented storage arrangement, said pages stored therein being addressable by identification indicia (ID); (b) an input mechanism including an optical scanner for electronically imaging a hardcopy original page or receiving an electronic page image from an extrinsic source; (c) a first logic arrangement coupling the input mechanism for ascertaining from the electronic page image the presence of any page ID and providing signal indication of either the absence of an ID on the page or a digital representation thereof; (d) a second logic arrangement for comparison matching the ascertained ID with the ID of any of the page images recorded in the storage arrangement; (e) a page replication arrangement coupling the storage arrangement, the input mechanism, and the first and second logic arrangements; and (1) responsive to the absence of any ascertained ID on the page or in the presence of a comparison indicia mismatch, for reproducing in hardcopy or for transmitting the electronic page image in softcopy; and (2) responsive to the presence of a comparison indicia match, for accessing the previously recorded electronic image with the same page ID from the storage arrangement, and for either reproducing said accessed image in hardcopy or for transmitting the accessed image in softcopy; and (f) a fourth logic arrangement responsive to a signal indication from the first logic arrangement of the absence of an ID on the current page image for selectively embedding a predetermined ID within the page image, and for causing the second logic arrangement to comparison match as if the ID had originally been ascertained from the current page image.