Abstract:
A scan system and method provides users the ability to quickly and efficiently transfer images from a scanner to a destination location. In particular, the scan system can be implemented as follows. The scan system includes a scanner and a transferring mechanism. The scanner generates a scanned document or image. The transferring mechanism connects to a destination location and transfers the scanned document or image to the destination location for storage. The present invention can also be viewed as providing a method for scanning documents directly to a destination location. The method operates by selecting a scanner icon and associating the icon with the destination location. The association of the icon with the destination location causes the scanner to connect to the destination location, scan a document or image using the scanner, and transfer the scanned document to the destination location for storage.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to computers and software, and more particularly, to a scan system and method for providing users the ability to quickly and efficiently transfer documents and images from a scanner to a remote location. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Currently, scanning multiple pages with a flatbed scanner into an application program is fairly invasive. Typically, a user must raise the lid of the scanner and place a single document page on the scanning surface, or place the document in an automatic document feeder. Then, the user must launch a scanning application, navigate through a maze of scanning options, and finally transport the resulting scanned document into a target folder. If this folder is on a remote server, the user must then first connect and log-on to the remote server before downloading the resulting scanned document. 
     A key difficulty with saving image documents to a server on the Internet or Intranet, is that of simplicity for novice users. Typically, the prior solution for providing web page construction of scanned documents requires the user to (1) scan the document (2) connect to a remote server; (3) log-on to the remote server; (4) manually specify the destination folder; and (5) manually transfer the document to the remote server. Needless to say, each of the previous steps is a complicated and time-consuming task for even the most experienced scanner owner. 
     Different problems occur with other types of image-acquiring devices. These other types of image-acquiring devices include, for example, but are not limited to, digital cameras, digital videocassette recorder equipment, and the like. The problems for digital cameras, digital video cassette recorder equipment, and the like, include requiring proper adapters and cables for connecting to a target folder on a computer system, maintaining the correct version of device software for image execution, and the like, in addition to the problems mentioned above. 
     Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally directed to a scan system and method for providing users the ability to quickly and efficiently transfer documents and images from a scanner to a remote location. 
     Briefly described, in architecture, the scan system can be implemented as follows. Generally, the scan system includes a scanner and a transferring mechanism. The scanner is provided to generate a scanned document or image. A transferring mechanism initiates the scanning of the document or image, connects to a destination location and transfers the scanned document or image to the destination location for storage. 
     The present invention can also be viewed as providing a method for scanning documents directly to a destination location. In this regard, the method can be broadly summarized by the following steps: (1) selecting a scanner icon; (2) accociatng the icon with the destination location; (3) scanning a document or image using a scanner; and (4) automatically transferring the scanned document to the destination location for storage. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included herein within the scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of various possible scan systems of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram further illustrating in greater detail the possible scan systems of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  is a block diagram illustrating a scan system of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and a browser program situated within a computer readable medium, for example, in a user computer system that is used in connection with the scan system. 
         FIG. 3B  is a block diagram illustrating the scan system of  FIGS. 1 and 2  situated within a stand-alone scanner. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart of the scan system for the user computer system or stand-alone scanner of the present invention, as shown in respective  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart of the automatic document feeder user interface process for the scan system of the present invention, on both the computer-controlled and stand-alone scanner, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart of the document drag-and-drop process for the scan system of the present invention, on both the computer-controlled and stand-alone scanner, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention will now be described in detail with specific reference to the drawings. While the invention will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed therein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     The present invention provides the functionality of a single drag and drop solution that enables a user to initiate scanning a document on a scanner, connecting to a remote location and saving the scanned document in a folder with just one move of the mouse. 
     Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a block diagram of possible system configurations that illustrate the flexibility and platform independence of the present invention. While the scan system of the invention ca take many forms, the diagram of  FIG. 1  illustrates a plurality of scan devices  16  and  22 , that are directly connected to a network  32 , for example, but not limited to, a dial-in, LAN, WAN, PSTN, Intranet and Internet communications links ( 18  and  24 ). Each of the scan systems in  FIG. 1  is uniquely illustrated to emphasize that scan systems may be comprised of diverse hardware platforms. 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 1 , the scan systems may be comprised of a scanner  22  that is connected to a computer  21 . This allows the computer  21  to execute a scan system that interacts with scanner  22 . 
     It is also illustrated in  FIG. 1  that a stand-alone scanner  16  may be directly connected to a local server  26  via a communication link  18 . Network  18  may be, for example, an Ethernet type network (e.g., 10 BASE 2, 10 BASE 5, 10 BSAF, 10 BASE-T, base band network, a coaxial cable, a dial-in, LAN, WAN, PSTN, Intranet or Internet. 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 2  is a more detailed figure showing that a scanner  16  may be connected directly to a user computer  21  or with an optional keyboard and display directly connected via a link  18  to a network  32 . The stand-alone scanner  16  includes the scan system  100  that is specifically designed to operate on stand-alone scanner systems. 
     Some stand-alone scanners  16  can provide for scanned documents or images directly to a LAN, WAN, Intranet or Internet, local server site  26  or remote server site  31 . The stand-alone scanner  16  may include a keypad and a limited display. In those instances where the stand-alone scanner  16  does not include an optional keypad or display, the user presets the destination network site. The identification of this preset destination network site can be downloaded via the communication links  18  or  23 , or programmed utilizing standard methods. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3A , a computer system that employs the scan system  100  may also include a browser program  53  (e.g., Netscape, Internet Explorer, or other browser type program) for use in accessing locations on a network  32 . The browser program  53  provides for a variety of hardware platforms. Browsers are most commonly recognized for their utility for accessing information over the Internet  32 . A browser is a device or platform that allows a user to view a variety of service collections. 
     In the example illustrated, the browser program  53  retrieves information from a remote server  31  or local server  26 , using HTTP. The browser program  53  then interprets HTML code, formats the code, and displays the interpreted result on a workstation display, such as display  46 . The browser program  53  resides in computer memory  51  and accesses communication facilities modem  47  to bring resources from the network  32  to the user&#39;s browser using the modem. In order to find a resource, the user should know the network location (i.e., site) of the resource denoted by a network location identifier or URL. These identifiers are often cryptic, following very complex schemes and formats in their naming conventions. 
     Computer systems identify, access, and process these resources desired by a user by using the processor  41 , storage device  42 , and memory  51  with an operating system  52  and browser program  53 . The processor accepts data from memory  51  and storage  42  over the local interface  43 , for example, one or more buses. Direction from the user can be signaled by using one or more input devices, for example, mouse  44  and keyboard  45 , as well as by actuating a pushbutton on the front of the scanner itself. The actions input and result output are displayed on the display terminal  46 . Also illustrated in  FIG. 3A  is the scan system  100  of the present invention situated in a user&#39;s computer system  12 . This scan system  100  will be further explained hereafter with regard to  FIGS. 4–6 . 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 3B  is a block diagram of a stand-alone scanner  16  including the scanning application  62 . Scanner  16  usually includes a processor (not shown) and a memory (not shown) that utilizes a scanning application  62  to control the scanner and an optical input device (not shown). The processor accepts data from the optical input device and memory over a bus (not shown). Direction from the user can be signaled by using the input devices such as a keypad  65 , as well as by actuating a pushbutton (not shown) on the front of the scanner itself. The actions input and result output may be displayed on the optional display terminal  66 . The stand-alone scanner  16  also includes a modem or network card  67  to establish communication with the remote server  31  on network  32 . Scanner  16  can also be implemented utilizing non-processor circuitry. 
     Also illustrated in  FIG. 3B  is the scan system  100  of the present invention situated in the stand-alone scanner  16 . This scan system  100  resides in hardware, software or firmware of the stand-alone scanner  16 . The scan system  100  will be further explained hereafter with regard to  FIGS. 4–6 . 
     With regard to  FIG. 4 , illustrated is an example of a scan system  100  executing on a computer system  12  or stand-alone scanner  16 . The first step of scan system  100  is to initialize itself at step  101 . If the scan system  100  is implemented using a browser program  53  ( FIG. 3A ), scan system  100  is initialized in that environment. The scan system  100  then directs the scanner  16  or  22  to initialize the scanning application  62  ( FIG. 3B ) at step  101 . The scanning application  62  is the general purpose scanning software that enables a scanning system  16  or  22  to acquire a digitized image. The scanning application  62  is utilized to control the scanner and the optical input device to create the digitized image. 
     At step  103 , the scan system  100  determines whether an automatic document feeder (ADF) is connected and ready. If it is determined at step  103  that the ADF is not connected or is not ready, the scan system  100  then proceeds to step  107  to proceed with the common scanning user interface of the scanning application  62 . If it is determined at step  103  that the ADF is connected and ready, the scan system  100  executes the display ADF user interface process at step  104 . The display ADF user interface process is herein defined in further detail with regard to  FIG. 5 . 
     After execution of the display ADF user interface process  104 , the scan system  100  then executes the document drag and drop process at step  105 . The document drag and drop process is herein defined in further detail with regard to  FIG. 6 . After executing the document drag and drop process at step  105 , the scan application is terminated on the scanner system at step  106 . At step  109 , the scan system  100  exits from the stand alone scanner or on the computer. 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 5  is a flow diagram example of the display user interface process  120 . The display user interface process  120  is first initialized at step  121 . At step  22 , the display user interface process  120  displays a list of available servers, and an icon or picture representing the automatic document feeder or the document image to be scanned. The list of available servers can be either a text list in a graphical user interface system or can comprise icons representative of the available destination servers. 
     At step  123  the display user interface process  120  then determines whether the user has chosen a server from the available list of servers. If it is determined at step  123  that the user has not chosen a server from the list of available servers, the display user interface process  120  then utilizes the default server as the destination location at step  124 . After setting up the default server or if the user did select a server from the list of available servers, the display user interface process  120  then establishes a connection at step  125 , with either the selected server, or if no server was selected at step  123 , the default server. 
     Next, at step  126 , the display user interface process  120  determines whether the connection to the destination server attempted at step  125  was completed successfully. 
     If the attempt to connect to the server at step  125  was not successful, the display user interface process displays an error message and switches to scanning off-line at step  127 . After displaying the error message, the display user interface process  120  exits at step  139 . 
     If it is determined at step  126  that the connection attempted at step  125  was successful, the display user interface process  120  then queries the destination server for any personal and available folders for storage at step  131 . At step  132 , the display user interface process  120  displays the icons representing available folders. At step  133 , the display user interface process  120  indicates that the automatic document feeder is ready for use. The display user interface process  120  then exits at step  139 . 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 6  is an example of a flow diagram of the document drag and drop process  140 . First, at step  141 , the user initializes the document drag and drop process  140  by dragging an icon representing the automatic document feeder or document into one of the personal folder icons. The icons representing the automatic document feeder or documents were previously displayed at step  132  ( FIG. 5 ). At step  142 , the document drag and drop process  140  then commands the scanner to scan the document. 
     At step  143 , it is determined whether it is necessary to convert the scanned document or image into a different document format. If it is not necessary to convert the scanned document into a different document format type, the document drag and drop process  140  proceeds to step  145 . If it is necessary to convert the scanned document into a different document format, the document drag and drop process  140  converts the scanned document to the different document format at step  144 . 
     Next, the document drag and drop process  140  transfers the scanned document to a remote server at step  145 . This transfer preferably utilizes the FTP protocol to transfer the document, however, other methods of transferring the document are feasible. After transferring the document to the remote server at step  145 , the documents are then stored in the selected folder. At step  146 , the document drag and drop process  140  determines whether the transfer was successful. If the transfer at step  145  was successful, the drag and drop process  140  displays a transfer success message at step  152 . If the transfer attempted at step  145  was determined not to be successful, the document drag and drop process  140  then displays a transfer error message at step  151 . 
     After displaying either a transfer error or success message at step  151  and  152 , respectively, the document drag and drop process  140  then displays a message indicating that the ADF automatic document feeder is now ready for continued use at step  153 . The display message preferably utilizes the scrolling text to display the message, however, other methods of displaying the message are feasible. The document drop and drag process  140  then exits at step  159 . 
     The previously defined flow charts show the architecture, functionality, and operation of a possible implementation of scan system  100  for scanning images to a remote location. In the preferred embodiment, the scan system  100  comprises an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions and can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” can be any means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer readable medium can be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a nonexhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection (electronic) having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a random access memory (RAM) (magnetic), a read-only memory (ROM) (magnetic), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) (magnetic), an optical fiber (optical), and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM) (optical). Note that the computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via for instance optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory. 
     In this regard, each block represents a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order. For example, blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved, as described herein above. 
     The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment or embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly and legally entitled.