Abstract:
A system, method and computer readable medium for converting paper documents to electronic documents and sending the electronic documents to at least one destination, involves receipt from a remote server of user interface information which provides a user interface for enabling the user to designate a destination of the electronic document, local display of the user interface in accordance with the user interface information, and dissemination of a destination as designated by the user via the displayed user interface.

Description:
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/357,074, filed Feb. 21, 2006, which was a division of application Ser. No. 09/876,274, filed Jun. 6, 2001, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,019,858 on Mar. 28, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to converting documents from paper to electronic form, and more particularly, to a method for automatic conversion of a paper document to an electronic document and delivery of the electronic document to a desired destination. 
     2. Description of Background Art 
     People often wish to send copies of paper documents to a remote destination. These people sending copies of paper documents to remote destinations are “sending users.” However, conventional methods for performing this task are unsatisfactory. 
     In conventional methods for scanning and sending the document over the Internet, the sending user must manually enter many commands. The sending user first enters commands to scan the paper document. If the paper document has more than one page, the sending user then enters commands to combine the scanned pages into a single electronic document. The sending user then enters commands to send the electronic document to the destination. This requires the sending user to perform multiple steps, which is time consuming and inefficient. 
     Faxing is another conventional method for sending copies of paper documents to a remote destination. Faxing, too, has drawbacks. If the sending user faxes the document, the receiver must have the capability to receive faxes. Fax machines provide poor image quality. Also, the fax cannot be sent if the receiving fax machine is busy. 
     A third conventional method for sending copies of paper documents to a remote destination is to physically send a paper copy of the document. This can be done by overnight mail or a courier, for example. However, physically sending a paper copy of the document is expensive and takes more time than electronic delivery. 
     What is needed, therefore, is a method and system that allows a sending user to quickly and easily convert paper documents to electronic documents and send the electronic documents to a destination. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     The present invention is a system, method, and computer readable medium for converting paper documents ( 134 ) to electronic documents ( 138 ) and sending the electronic documents ( 138 ) to at least one destination ( 144 ). 
     The method includes the step of sending commands ( 142 ), from a server computer ( 102 ) to a sending computer ( 114 ) with a connected scanner ( 122 ), that control the sending computer ( 114 ) to scan the paper document ( 134 ), generate the electronic document ( 138 ), and send the electronic document ( 138 ) to the server computer ( 102 ). The method also includes the steps of receiving the electronic document ( 138 ) at the server computer ( 102 ) and sending the electronic document ( 138 ) to the destination ( 144 ). 
     The system ( 100 ) includes a user interface module ( 108 ). The user interface module ( 108 ) receives a selected destination ( 144 ) from a sending computer ( 114 ). In response, the user interface module ( 108 ) sends commands ( 142 ) to the sending computer ( 114 ). A command module ( 130 ) connected to the user interface module ( 108 ) generates the commands ( 142 ). The commands ( 142 ) control the sending computer ( 114 ) to scan a paper document ( 134 ), generate an electronic document ( 138 ), and send the electronic document ( 138 ) to the user interface module ( 108 ). A distribution module ( 146 ) is connected to the user interface module ( 108 ). After the user interface module ( 108 ) receives the electronic document ( 138 ), the user interface module ( 108 ) sends the electronic document ( 138 ) to the distribution module ( 146 ). The distribution module ( 146 ) then sends the electronic document ( 138 ) to the selected destination ( 144 ). 
     An advantage of the present invention is that it allows a sending user ( 136 ) to quickly and easily convert a paper document ( 134 ) to an electronic document ( 138 ) and send the electronic document ( 138 ) to a selected destination ( 144 ). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other more detailed and specific objects and features of the present invention are more fully disclosed in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system for converting paper documents to electronic documents and sending the electronic documents to a destination. 
         FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating how the system scans a paper document, generates the electronic document, and sends the electronic document to the destination. 
         FIG. 3  is a screen shot detailing how a sending user selects a general destination. 
         FIG. 4(   a ) is a screen shot detailing how the sending user enters archiving information. 
         FIG. 4(   b ) is a screen shot detailing how the sending user identifies a specific printer 
         FIG. 4(   c ) is a screen shot detailing how the sending user identifies a specific email address to which the electronic document will be sent, when the electronic document is sent as an attachment to the email message. 
         FIG. 4(   d ) is a screen shot detailing how the sending user identifies a specific email address to which directions for retrieving the electronic document will be sent. 
         FIG. 5  is a screen shot detailing how the sending user selects scan parameters. 
         FIG. 6(   a ) is a screen shot showing that a receiving user receives an email. 
         FIG. 6(   b ) is a screen shot showing a confirmation email received by the sending user. 
         FIG. 6(   c ) is a screen shot showing how the receiving user accesses the electronic document. 
         FIG. 6(   d ) is a screen shot showing what the receiving user sees after entering a PCode and phone number into the screen shown in  FIG. 6(   c ). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is a system, method, and computer readable medium for converting paper documents  134  to electronic documents  138  and sending the electronic documents  138  to at least one destination  144 . 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system  100  for converting paper documents  134  to electronic documents  138  and sending the electronic documents  138  to at least one destination  144 . The system  100  includes a server computer  102 . The server computer  102  is connected to storage  110  and to a network  112 . In one embodiment, the network  112  is the Internet. However, other networks  112  may also be used. 
     The server computer  102  includes a user interface module (a “UI module”)  108 , a command module  130 , a print module  106 , a message module  128 , and a repository module  104 . Each of these modules can be implemented in software, hardware, or firmware. 
     The UI module  108  sends information to a sending computer  114  via a network  112 . The information the UI module  108  sends to the sending computer  114  includes data to provide a user interface, as well as commands  142  from the command module  130  that control the sending computer  114 . In one embodiment, the UI module  108  sends Web pages to provide the user interface, and the commands  142  are ActiveX commands. The UI module  108  also receives information from the sending computer  114  via the network  112 . The information the UI module  108  receives from the sending computer  114  includes the sending user&#39;s  136  preferences for scanning the paper document  134 , at least one destination  144  selected by the sending user  136  for the electronic document  138 , and the electronic document  138  itself. Possible destinations  144  include a document repository  140 , a printer  126 , another user (known as a “receiving user”  132 ), and a facsimile (“fax”) machine  147 . Other destinations  144  are also possible. The UI module  108  also communicates with the command module  130 , the print module  106 , the message module  128 , and the repository module  104 . 
     The command module  130  of the server computer  102  generates commands  142  that control the sending computer  114 . In one embodiment, the commands  142  are ActiveX commands that control the sending computer  114  to scan the paper document  134 , generate the electronic document  138 , and send the electronic document  138  to the server computer  102 . The command module  130  sends the commands  142  to the user interface module  108 , which in turn sends the commands  142  to the sending computer  114 . 
     The repository module  104 , the message module  128 , and the print module  106  are all distribution modules  146 , which function to distribute the electronic document  138  to the selected destination. Other distribution modules  146  also exist in other embodiments to send the electronic document  138  to other destinations  144 . After the server computer  102  receives the electronic document  138  at the user interface module  108 , the user interface module  108  sends the electronic document  138  to the appropriate distribution module  146 , according to the selected destination  144 . 
     The message module  128  receives the electronic document  138  from the UI module  108  if the selected destination  144  is a receiving user  132 , and the electronic document  138  is to be sent to the receiving user  132  as an attachment to a message. In such a case, the message module  128  sends a message to the receiving user  132  with the electronic document  138  attached. In one embodiment, this message is an electronic mail message (an “email”). 
     If the selected destination  144  is a receiving user  132 , and the electronic document  138  is not to be sent to the receiving user  132  as an attachment, the electronic document  138  is sent from the UI module  108  to the repository module  104 . The repository module  104  sends information needed to retrieve the electronic document  138  to the message module  128 . The message module  128  then sends a message to the receiving user  132  with instructions on how the receiving user  132  may access the electronic document  138 . 
     The receiving user  132  receives the electronic document  138  using a receiving computer  124 . The receiving user  132  accesses the network  112  using the receiving computer  124 . In one embodiment, the receiving computer  124  is a personal computer. The receiving user  132  uses the receiving computer  124  to access the receiving user&#39;s  132  message, which either includes the electronic document  138  as an attachment or includes instructions how to access the electronic document  138 . 
     If the selected destination  144  is a document repository  140 , the repository module  104  receives the electronic document  138  from the UI module  108 . The repository module  104  then sends the electronic document  138  to the document repository  140  located in storage  110 . In one embodiment, the storage  110  is a hard disk drive, although other data storage devices may also be used. The repository module  104  also sends to the document repository archiving information that identifies the electronic document  138  and allows later retrieval of the electronic document  138  from the document repository  140  in storage  110 . The repository module  104  manages the document repository  140  to correctly store and track the electronic documents  138  so that the electronic documents  138  may be retrieved at a later time. The repository module  104  also receives and stores the electronic document  138  if the selected destination is a receiving user  132 , and the electronic document  138  is not to be sent to the receiving user  132  as an attachment. 
     If the selected destination is a receiving user  132 , and the electronic document  138  is not to be sent to the receiving user  132  as an attachment, the repository module  104  sends to the message module  128  information needed by the receiving user  132  to access the electronic document  138  to the message module  128 . The message module  128  then sends this information to the receiving user  132 . 
     If a paper copy of the electronic document  138  is to be printed, the print module  106  of the server computer  102  sends the electronic document  138  to a destination printer  126 . The print module  106  may receive the electronic document  138  and the identity of the destination printer  126  from either the UI module  108  or the repository module  104 . If the selected destination  144  is a printer  126 , the print module  106  receives the electronic document  138  from the UI module  108 . If the receiving user  132  accessed the electronic document  138  in the document repository  140 , the receiving user  132  may choose to print the electronic document  138 . In such a case, the repository module  104  retrieves the electronic document  138  from the document repository  140  and sends the electronic document  138  to the print module  106 . While only one printer  126  is shown in  FIG. 1 , multiple printers  126  are connected to the network  112  and are available to print the electronic document  138 . The print module  106  keeps track of the available printers  126  and sends the electronic document  138  to the destination printer  126  to be printed. 
     If the electronic document  138  is to be sent to a fax machine  147 , a fax module (not shown) of the server computer  102  sends the electronic document  138  to a destination fax machine  147 . The fax module may receive the electronic document  138  from either the UI module  108  or the repository module  104 . If the selected destination  144  is a fax machine  147 , the fax module receives the electronic document  138  from the UI module  108 . If the receiving user  132  accessed the electronic document  138  in the document repository  140 , the receiving user  132  may choose to fax the electronic document  138 . In such a case, the repository module  104  retrieves the electronic document  138  from the document repository  140  and sends the electronic document  138  to the fax module. While only one fax machine  147  is shown in  FIG. 1 , multiple fax machines  147  are connected to the network  112  and are available to receive the electronic document  138 . The fax module sends the electronic document  138  to the destination fax machine  147 . 
     The sending computer  114  sends the selected destination  144  and the electronic document  138  to the server computer  102 . In one embodiment, the sending computer  114  is a personal computer. While only one sending computer  114  is shown in  FIG. 1 , multiple sending computers  114  may exist. Each sending computer  114  is connected to the network  112 . By having multiple sending computers  114  at multiple different locations, the sending user  136  may send the paper document  134  from many different locations. A scanner  122  is connected to the sending computer  114  via a TWAIN interface module  120  in the described embodiment. In other embodiments, the scanner  122  is connected to the sending computer  114  via other interfaces. The TWAIN interface module  120  is connected to a scan module  118 , which controls the scanner  122  via the TWAIN interface module  120 . The sending computer  114  includes a communication module  116  that receives information from the UI module  108  and sends information to the UI module  108 . In one embodiment, the communication module  116  is a Web browser. The browser receives the Web pages and ActiveX commands  142  sent from the UI module  108 . 
     A receiving computer  124  is also connected to the Internet  112 . The receiving computer  124  is one possible destination for the electronic document  138 . Again, while only one receiving computer  124  is shown in  FIG. 1 , many may exist. This allows receiving users  132  at many different locations to receive the electronic document  138 . 
     In operation, the communication module  116  of the sending computer  114  receives the Web pages sent by the UI module  108  and displays them to provide an interface that allows a sending user  136  to select a destination  144  for the electronic document  138 . In some embodiments, the sending user  136  may select multiple destinations  144  for the electronic document  138 . 
     The UI module  108  of the server computer  102  receives the identity of the destination  144  from the communication module  116 . The command module  130  generates commands  142  and sends the commands  142  to the UI module  108 . The UI module  108  then sends the commands  142  to the sending computer  114 . The communication module  116  receives the commands  142  from the UI module  108 . The communication module  116  then sends the commands  142  to the scan module  118 . In response to the commands  142 , the scan module  118  controls the scanner through the TWAIN interface  120  to scan the paper document  134  and generate the electronic document  138 . The scan module  118  sends the electronic document  138  to the communication module. The communication module  116  then sends the electronic document  138  to the server computer  102  via the network  112 . 
     The server computer  102  receives the electronic document  138  at the UI module  108 . After receiving the electronic document  138 , the server computer  102  sends the electronic document  138  to one of the distribution modules  146 , which sends the electronic document  138  to the selected destination  144 , previously received from the sending computer  114 . 
       FIG. 2  is a flow chart  200  illustrating how the system  100  scans the paper document  134 , generates the electronic document  138 , and sends the electronic document  138  to the destination  144 . 
     First, the sending user  136  logs in  202  from the sending computer  114 . In one embodiment, the sending computer  114  is a personal computer with a scanner  122  connected via a TWAIN interface, with an Internet connection, and an Internet browser acting as the communication module  116 . In this embodiment, any computer with the Internet connection, browser, and scanner  122  with TWAIN interface may be used as the sending computer  114 . Since many computers have all these items, there are a large number of computers available for use as a sending computer  114 , providing many locations from which to send the paper document  134 , which provides the sending user  136  with flexibility and choice. To log-in, the sending user  136  accesses a Web site using the browser. In response, the UI module  108  of the server computer  102  sends a log-in Web page to the sending computer  114 . The sending user  136  enters log-in information, which includes a user name and password. This information is sent to the server computer  102 . 
     In one embodiment, the scan module  118  is implemented in software. At time of log-in, the sending computer  114  may or may not have the scan module  118  software installed. The server computer  102  detects whether the sending computer  114  has the scan module  118  software installed. If the sending computer  114  does not have the software, the server computer  102  sends  204  the software to the sending computer  114 . The sending computer  114  installs  206  the software upon receiving it. Thus, the sending computer  114  does not need to have the scan software pre-installed in order to use the scanning system  100 . By logging into the server computer  102 , the sending computer  114  will receive the scan software. By not requiring sending computers  114  to have the scan software pre-installed, the system  100  allows many computers to function as sending computers  114 . 
     After installing  206  the scan software, or after logging in  202  if the sending computer  114  already has the scan software installed, the server computer  102  sends  208  to the sending computer  114  a destination type selection Web page that allows the sending user  136  to select the destination type. The communication module  116  of the sending computer  114  displays the Web page and the sending user  136  enters information selecting  210  the destination type. In the described embodiment, the destination type is a printer  126 , the document repository  140 , a receiving user  132 , or a fax machine  147 . Other embodiments have additional destination types, and in some embodiments, the sending user  136  may select multiple destination types. The identity of the selected destination type is sent to the server computer  102 . 
     In response to the selected destination type, the server computer sends  211  to the sending computer  114  a specific destination selection Web page that allows the sending user  136  to select the specific destination. The communication module  116  of the sending computer  114  displays the Web page and the sending user  136  enters information selecting  213  the specific destination. The specific destination is the particular destination within the destination type where the electronic document is to be sent. For the destination type of “printers,” a specific printer is the specific destination. Similarly, a location within the document repository  140  is the specific destination for the document repository  140  destination type, a particular receiving user is the specific destination for the receiving user destination type, and a particular fax machine telephone number is the specific destination for the fax machine destination type. 
     The server computer then sends  212  a Web page to the sending computer  114  that allows the sending user  136  to select  214  scanning parameters. The server computer  102  receives the scanning parameters that the sending user  136  selects. 
     At this point, the server computer  102  has received the destination type, the specific destination, and the scanning parameters. The server computer  102  generates scanning commands  142  and sends  216  the scanning commands  142  to the sending computer  114 . In one embodiment, the scanning commands  142  are embedded in a Web page as an ActiveX control component and sent from the server computer  102  to the sending computer  114 . 
     The communication module  116  of the sending computer  114  receives  218  the ActiveX scanning commands  142  from the server computer  102 . The communication module  116  sends the scanning commands  142  to the scan module  118 . 
     In response to the commands  142 , the scan module  118  controls the TWAIN interface module  120  to scan  220  the paper document  134 . To scan the paper document  134 , the scan module  118  sends signals to the TWAIN interface module  120 , which controls the scanner  122  to scan the paper document  134 . The scanner  122  returns an electronic representation of each page of the paper document  134  to the TWAIN interface  120 . 
     The scan module  118  then receives the electronic representation of each page of the paper document  134  from the TWAIN interface and generates  222  the electronic document  138 . In one embodiment, to generate  222  the electronic document  138 , the scan module  118  converts the electronic representations into PDF-format electronic files. The scan module  118  combines the PDF-format electronic files into the electronic document  138 . 
     The scan module  118  sends the electronic document  138  to the communication module  116 , which in turn sends  224  the electronic document  138  to the server computer  102 . After receiving the electronic document  138 , the server computer  102  sends  226  the electronic document  138  to the selected destination. 
       FIG. 3  is a screen shot  300  detailing how the sending user  136  selects  210  a type of destination. After selecting the type of destination  144 , the sending user  136  still must select the specific destination  144 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the sending user  136  may select the document repository  140 , a printer  126 , or a receiving user  132  as the destination type. To select the document repository  140  as the destination type, the sending user  136  clicks on “Store”  302 . To select a printer as the destination type, the sending user  136  clicks on “RemoteCopy”  306 . To select the receiving user  132  as the destination type, the sending user  136  clicks on. “Send”  304 . In some embodiments, when the receiving user  132  is the destination type, the electronic document  138  is sent to the receiving user  132  as an attachment to an email. In other embodiments, an email with instructions describing how to access the document is sent to the receiving user  132 . In some embodiments, to select a fax machine  147  as the destination type, the sending user  136  clicks on “fax” (not shown). 
     The screen shown in  FIG. 3  also allows a receiving user  132  to access the electronic document  138 , which has previously been sent to the document repository  140 . To do so, the receiving user  132  selects “Pickup”  308 . The receiving user  132  may then view, download, or print the electronic document  138 . 
       FIGS. 4(   a ) through  4 ( d ) detail how a sending user  136  selects the specific destination  144  after choosing the destination type. 
       FIG. 4(   a ) is a screen shot  400  detailing how a sending user  136  enters archiving information that identifies the electronic document  138  and allows later retrieval of the electronic document  138  from the document repository  140 . This occurs after the sending user  136  has selected the document repository  140  as the destination type. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4(   a ), the sending user  136  enters a name for the electronic document  138  in the name field  402 , chooses a folder in which the electronic document  138  will be stored from the folder menu  404 , chooses a category for the electronic document  138  from the category menu  406 , enters any key words in the Keyword field  408 , enters a creation date in the date field  410 , and chooses an origin for the document from the origin menu  412 . The server computer  102  receives and stores this information. 
     The UI module  108  of the server computer  102  receives the electronic document  138 . The UI module  108  sends the electronic document  138  to the repository module  104 . The repository module  104  sends the electronic document  138  to storage  110 , where the electronic document  138  is stored in the document repository  140  according to the archiving information the server computer  102  already received. 
     Thus, the sending user  136  may send the document to a document repository  140  from remote locations using a sending computer  114  connected to a scanner  122  and a network  112 . Also, the sending user  136  does not need to separately scan the paper document  134 , combine the resulting electronic images into the electronic document  138 , and send the electronic document  138  to the document repository  140 . Once the sending user  136  selects the destination  144 , the server computer  102  sends commands  142  to control the sending computer  114  to perform these functions automatically. 
       FIG. 4(   b ) is a screen shot  420  detailing how a sending user  136  identifies a specific printer  126  after choosing a printer  126  as the destination type. As discussed previously,  FIG. 1  shows one printer  126  connected to the network  112 . However, many printers  126  may be connected to the network  112  and available to the server computer  102  to print the electronic document  138 . An identification of each of the printers  126  that is available to print the electronic document  138  is accessible from the screen shown in  FIG. 4(   b ). In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4(   b ), the printers  126  are listed in a printer menu  422  on the Web page. The sending user  136  selects the printer  126  on which to print the electronic document  138  from the printer menu  422 . 
     The server computer  102  receives the identification of the selected printer  126 . When the server computer  102  receives the electronic document  138  from the sending computer  114 , the UI module  108  receives the electronic document  138 . The UI module  108  sends the electronic document  138  to the print module  106 . The print module  106  sends the electronic document  138  to the selected printer  126 , where a paper copy of the electronic document  138  is printed. 
     Thus, the sending user  136  may cause a paper copy of the paper document  134  to be delivered to a remote location cheaply and quickly, by choosing the printer  126  at that location. The final print quality is higher than a fax, depending on the printer capabilities. Also, fax machines may be busy and prevent a connection at a time when a sending user  136  wishes to send a paper copy of the paper document  134 , necessitating further attempts to fax. 
     If the sending user  136  selects a receiving user  132  as the destination  144  for the electronic document  138 , the sending user  136  may send the electronic document  138  to the receiving user  132  in two ways. The sending user  136  may send the electronic document  138  to the receiving user  132  as an attachment to an email. Alternatively, the server computer  102  stores the electronic document  138  in storage  110  and sends an email with information that tells how to retrieve the electronic document  138  to the receiving user  132 . 
     After choosing the receiving user  132  as the destination type, the sending user  136  chooses whether to send the electronic document  138  to the receiving user  132  as an email attachment, or to send an email to the receiving user  132  with instructions on how to retrieve the electronic document  138 , which is stored in storage  110 . 
       FIG. 4(   c ) is a screen shot  440  detailing how the sending user  136  identifies the specific email address to which the electronic document  138  will be sent, in embodiments where the electronic document  138  is sent as an attachment to the email message. The sending user  136  enters the sending user&#39;s  136  email address in the sender field  442 , the receiving user&#39;s  132  email address in the receiver field  444 , a subject for the email message in the subject field  446 , optionally, a message in the message field  448 , and chooses an origin from the origin menu  450 . The server computer  102  receives and stores this information. 
     When the server computer  102  receives the electronic document  138  from the sending computer  114 , the UI module  108  receives the electronic document  138 . The UI module  108  sends the electronic document  138  to the message module  128 . The message module  128  sends an email to the receiving user&#39;s  132  email address. The electronic document  138  is sent as an attachment to the email. Thus, the receiving user  132  receives the electronic document  138 , and may review, print, modify, or otherwise use the electronic document  138 . 
     Thus, the sending user  136  may send the electronic document  138  to a receiving user  132  using a receiving computer  124  connected to the network  112 . Also, the sending user  136  does not need to separately scan the paper document  134 , combine the resulting electronic images into the electronic document  138 , attach the electronic document  138  to an email message, and send the email to the receiving user  132 . Once the sending user  136  selects the destination  144 , the server computer  102  sends commands  142  to control the sending computer  114  to perform these functions automatically. Further, the receiving user  132  may receive the electronic document  138  at any location where there is a receiving computer  124 . 
       FIG. 4(   d ) is a screen shot  460  detailing how the sending user  136  identifies the email address to which directions for retrieving the electronic document  138  will be sent, in embodiments where the receiving user  132  receives an email with instructions for retrieving the electronic document  138  instead of receiving the electronic document as an attachment. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4(   d ), the sending user  136  enters his or her email address in the sender&#39;s email field  462 , the receiving user&#39;s  132  email address in the recipient&#39;s email field  464 , the receiving user&#39;s  132  phone number in the recipient&#39;s phone number field  466 , and a subject for the email in the subject field  468 . The server computer  102  receives and stores this information. 
     The UI module  108  of the server computer  102  receives the electronic document  138 . The UI module  108  sends the electronic document  138  to the repository module  104 , which stores the electronic document  138  in the document repository  140  in storage  110 . The repository module  104  sends information needed to access the electronic document  138  to the message module  128 . The message module  128  sends an email to the receiving user&#39;s  132  email address. The email sent to the receiving user&#39;s  132  email address contains directions disclosing how the receiving user  132  may access the electronic document  138 . 
     Thus, the sending user  136  may give a receiving user  132 , using a receiving computer  124  connected to the network  112 , access to the electronic document  138 . The sending user  136  does not need to separately scan the paper document  134 , combine the resulting electronic images into the electronic document  138 , send the electronic document  138  to the document repository  140  in storage  110 , and send the receiving user  132  an email with instructions how to access the electronic document  138 . Once the sending user  136  selects the destination, the server computer  102  sends commands  142  to control the sending computer  114  to perform these functions automatically. Further, the receiving user  132  may receive the electronic document  138  at any location where there is a receiving computer  124 . 
     To identify the particular fax machine  147  to which the electronic document will be sent, the sending user  136  enters a fax machine telephone number in a fax machine telephone number field. The server computer  102  receives the fax machine telephone number. When the server computer  102  receives the electronic document  138  from the sending computer  114 , the UI module  108  receives the electronic document  138 . The UI module  108  sends the electronic document  138  to the fax module. The fax module sends the electronic document  138  to the selected fax machine  147 . 
     Thus, the sending user  136  may send the paper document  134  to a remote fax machine  147  quickly, by choosing the remote fax machine. Also, if the fax machine  147  is busy and unable to accept a connection at a time when a sending user  136  wishes to send the fax, the server computer is capable of making repeated fax attempts until the fax machine  147  can receive the fax. 
       FIG. 5  is a screen shot  500  detailing how the sending user  136  selects  214  the scan parameters. The sending user  136  chooses an image format from the format menu  502 , an image resolution from the resolution menu  504 , a page size for the paper document  134  from the page size menu  506 , and scanning brightness from the brightness controls  508 . After receiving the scan parameters, the server computer  102  sends to the sending computer  114  the commands  142 , generated by the command module  130 , to scan the paper document  134 , generate the electronic document  138 , and send the electronic document  138  to the server computer  102 , as discussed above. 
       FIGS. 6(   a ) through  6 ( d ) detail what happens after the sending user  136  enters the information shown in  FIG. 4(   d ).  FIG. 6(   a ) is a screen shot  600  showing that the receiving user  132  receives an email. This email informs the receiving user  132  that he or she has received the electronic document  138 . The email also informs the receiving user  132  how to access the electronic document  138 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6(   a ), the email message includes a Web address for the receiving user  132  to visit to access the electronic document  138 , as well as a PCode for the electronic document  138 . The PCode is a unique identifier for the electronic document  138 . 
     In some embodiments, the sending user  136  receives confirmation that the electronic document  138  was sent to the receiving user  132 .  FIG. 6(   b ) is a screen shot  620  showing a confirmation email received by the sending user  136 . This email confirms that the server computer  102  sent the electronic document  138  to the receiving user  132 . The email also provides information needed to access the electronic document  138 . Thus, the sending user  136 , as well as the receiving user  132 , may access the electronic document  138 . 
       FIG. 6(   c ) is a screen shot  640  showing how the receiving user  132  accesses the electronic document  138 . After the receiving user  132  accesses the Web address specified in the email, the Web page shown in  FIG. 6(   c ) is presented to the receiving user  132 . The receiving user  132  enters the information identifying the electronic document  138 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6(   c ), the information identifying the electronic document  138  is the PCode. The email sent to the receiving user  132 , shown in  FIG. 6(   a ), provided the receiving user  132  with the PCode for the electronic document  138 . The receiving user  132  enters this PCode into the PCode field  642 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6(   c ), the receiving user  132  also enters his or her phone number into the phone field  644 . This provides confirmation that the receiving user  132  is the person accessing the electronic document  138 . In an alternative embodiment, the receiving user  132  may register with a password prior to retrieving the electronic document  138 . The receiving user  132  then enters his or her password into a password field (not shown) instead of their phone number into the phone field  644 . 
       FIG. 6(   d ) is a screen shot  660  showing what the receiving user  132  sees after entering the PCode and phone number into the screen  640  shown in  FIG. 6(   c ). As shown in  FIG. 6(   d ), the receiving user  132  has a choice of how to receive the electronic document  138 . The receiving user  132  may view the electronic document  138  by selecting the view button  662 . This provides the receiving user  132  with the ability to view the electronic document  138  in electronic form. The receiving user  132  may also select to print a paper copy of the electronic document  138  by selecting the print button  664 . After selecting the print button, the receiving user  132  is then presented with a printer selection screen similar to the one shown in  FIG. 4(   b ). The receiving user  132  then selects a printer, which then prints a paper copy of the electronic document  138 . In an alternate embodiment, the receiving user  132  may also choose other ways to receive the electronic document  138 , such as downloading the electronic document  138  to the receiving computer  124 . 
     The above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the spirit and scope of the present invention.