Abstract:
A system and method for completing document processing operations between a user device and a document processing device such as multifunction peripheral includes capturing a user gesture at the user device. This gesture is digitized and associated with one or more electronic documents, one or more targeted multifunction peripherals and instructions for processing of the document. This information is communicated to the document processing device where a user inputs a second gesture which is digitized and compared to the first gesture. Sufficient coincidence allows for the document processing operation to proceed.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application relates generally to document processing operations between a user device and a networked document processing device. The application relates more specifically to secure transmission of documents to devices for processing. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Document processing devices include printers, copiers, scanners and e-mail gateways. More recently, devices employing two or more of these functions are found in office environments. These devices are referred to as multifunction peripherals (MFPs) or multifunction devices (MFDs). MFPs are used in connection with example embodiments disclosed in detail below, but it is to be appreciated that any suitable document processing device can be used. 
     Given the expense in obtaining and maintain MFPs, devices are frequently shared among users via a data network. Users may send document processing jobs, such as a print request, to one or more networked devices. In a typical shared device setting, one or more workstations are connected via a network. When a user wants to print a document, an electronic copy of that document is sent to a document processing device via the network. The user may select a particular device when several are available. The user then walks to the selected device and waits for the printed document to be output. If multiple users send their requests to the same device, the jobs are queued and outputted sequentially. 
     A user may have to look at one or more documents that have been printed to determine which one is associated with their request. This can be particularly problematic when sensitive information exists in any printed document. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with an example embodiment of the subject application, a document processing device receives a document processing command from a mobile data device. The mobile data device specifies at least one electronic document for processing. The user mobile data device captures and digitizes primary gesture data. The document processing device includes a user interface which captures and digitizes a secondary gesture from a device user received at the document processing device. The primary and secondary gesture data is compared, and document processing is selectively enabled as a result of the comparison. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  an example embodiment of a gesture-based system for processing of document processing tasks; 
         FIG. 2  is an example embodiment of a digital processing system suitably comprised within document device; 
         FIG. 3  is an example embodiment of a digital processing system suitably comprised within an MFP; 
         FIG. 4  is an example embodiment of a software module block diagram; 
         FIG. 5  is an example embodiment of a flowchart for operation within a user device to commence a document processing job; and 
         FIG. 6  is an example embodiment of a flowchart for operation within a document processing device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The systems and methods disclosed herein are described in detail by way of examples and with reference to the figures. It will be appreciated that modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, devices methods, systems, etc. can suitably be made and may be desired for a specific application. In this disclosure, any identification of specific techniques, arrangements, etc. are either related to a specific example presented or are merely a general description of such a technique, arrangement, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to be, and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unless specifically designated as such. 
     In accordance with the subject application, security is provided for network document processing jobs such that a user can securely commence a document output at a shared device, such as an MFP, by providing unique information to the device which was supplied earlier by the user. While passwords may be associated with a document and entered by a user at an MFP to commence printing, this presents disadvantages. A user&#39;s commonly-used password or passwords may be subject to discovery by another user. Job specific passwords can require a user to remember long strings of characters. A user may forget job specific or temporary password and have to return to their workstation to regain it or generate a new one. Or, a user may write down a temporary password, making it possible for someone to intercept it. Writing down a password, even a temporary password, can lead to further inconveniences. The user may misplace their note, creating a security risk, or mis-transcribe the password, requiring a password to be reset by the user. 
     While long strings of numbers can be difficult to retain, a user can more readily repeat a gesture-based input, such as a particular shape, a handwritten entry, a signature, or an identifying mark. Given that everyone&#39;s writing or sketching selections vary between persons, there will be subtleties between gesture renderings, even of the same or similar gesture, between various users. It will be understood that any suitable gesture input device is suitably used in conjunction with the teachings herein, including any suitable touch-sensitive mechanism or video input for obtaining one or more gestures from a user. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , illustrated is an example embodiment of a gesture-based system  100  for processing of document processing tasks by multiple users over one or more shared devices. In the illustrated example, electronic files are suitably saved to and recalled from a data cloud  102 , suitably comprised of one or more servers  104 . A user suitably has access to a data device, such as a networked computer, tablet, smartphone, workstation, notebook, smart watch, or any other suitable device. In the illustrated example of  FIG. 1 , tablet  110  includes a touchscreen  112  that suitably accepts input from pressure, such as via a stylus or finger press as illustrated. A user suitably uses hand  114  to create a graphical element  118  on touchscreen  112  which is digitized for future use as will be detailed below. The graphical element  118  is suitably associated with a document selection and document processing commands issued by the user via the same device. By way of particular example, a user may select a particular document or documents embodied in electronic files stored in data cloud  102 . 
     The user may also select parameters for processing each selected document. By way of example, a user may specify a number of copies, duplex mode, color mode, such as black-and-white, grayscale, twin color, and the like. Other user selections may include paper type, paper size, stapling, collating, hole-punching, binding or the like. 
     When a user commences a document processing operation, a default device or devices may be automatically implemented, or a listing of one or more document processing devices, such as MFPs, displayed. This listing is suitably from previously set device options, or obtained via polling for available devices. Such polling may be in conjunction with a polling of capabilities of the available devices to determine whether they are candidates for a particular job selected for processing. 
     In the illustrated example of  FIG. 1 , electronic files associated with a print job  120  are communicated to one or more document processing devices, such as an MFP. A MFP user interface  130  includes a gesture input, suitably comprised of touch screen  132 . The user enters a graphical element  140  on touch screen  132 . That graphical element  140  that is input on the touch screen  132  is checked against the graphical element  118  that was entered previously on tablet  110 . If sufficient coincidence is determined, the device proceeds to process the print job  120  as requested. The particulars of the forgoing will be described in further detail, below. Sufficient coincidence may be more loosely or more tightly controlled as may be desired for a particular level of security suitably set by a system administrator. Once coincidence has been determined, document processing is completed and job  150  is released. 
     It will be appreciated that device selection, document selection, finishing selections, and the like, alone or in combination, are suitably linked to a particular gesture, such that a user need only approach an MFP and enter their gesture to trigger completion of the document processing operation associated with it. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , illustrated is an example of a digital processing system  200  suitably comprised within document device, such as an MFP or forming constituent components for any suitable user device, such as tablet. Included are one or more processors, such as that illustrated by processor  204 . Each processor is suitably associated with non-volatile memory, such as ROM  208  and random access memory (RAM)  210 , via a data bus  212 . 
     Processor  204  is also in data communication with a storage interface  214  for reading or writing to a storage  216 , suitably comprised of a hard disk, optical disk, solid-state disk, cloud-based storage, or any other suitable data storage as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Processor  204  is also in data communication with a network interface controller (NIC)  230  which provides a data path to any suitable data path, including a wireless data connection via wireless network interface  234  or a physical network via physical network interface  238 . Example wireless connections include cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, near-field communication, wireless universal serial bus (wireless USB), satellite, and the like. Example wired interfaces include Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), or the like. 
     Processor  204  is also in data communication with a user input/output (I/O) interface  240  which provides data communication with user peripherals, such as touch screen display  244 , keyboards, mice, track balls, touch screens, or the like. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , illustrated is an example of a digital processing system  300  suitably comprised within an MFP. Included in controller  310  are one or more processors, such as that illustrated by processor  302 . Each processor is suitably associated with non-volatile memory, such as ROM  304 , and random access memory (RAM)  306 , via a data bus  312 . 
     Processor  302  is also in data communication with a storage interface  308  for reading or writing to a storage  316 , suitably comprised of a hard disk, optical disk, solid-state disk, cloud-based storage, or any other suitable data storage as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Processor  302  is also in data communication with a network interface  310  which provides an interface to a network interface controller (NIC)  314 , which in turn provides a data path to any suitable wired or physical network connection via network interface connection (NIC)  314 , or to a wireless data connection via wireless network interface  318 . Example wireless connections include cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, wireless universal serial bus (wireless USB), satellite, and the like. Example wired interfaces include Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), telephone line, or the like. NIC  314  and wireless network interface  318  suitably provide for connection to an associated network  320 . 
     Processor  302  is also in data communication with a user input/output (I/O) interface  322  which provides data communication with user peripherals, such as touch screen  324 , displays, keyboards, mice, cameras, track balls, touch screens, or the like. Also in data communication with data bus  312  is a document processor interface  326  suitable for data communication with MFP functional units. In the illustrated example, these units include copy hardware  324 , scan hardware  326 , print hardware  328  and fax hardware  330  which together comprise MFP functional hardware  332 . It will be understood that functional units are suitably comprised of intelligent units, including any suitable hardware or software platform. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , illustrated is an example embodiment of a software module block diagram  400  for accomplishing the MFP functionality noted above. MFP front panel control module  404  accomplishes input and output, such as with user interface  130  detailed above. Control panel module  408  handles other inputs, such as keypads, Bluetooth, near field communications, or the like. Main unit controller module  420  includes job manager module  422  for managing job queuing, execution and the like. Main unit controller module  420  also includes password comparison module  424  for comparing inputs, such as gesture inputs, and job search module  428  for locating electronic files needed for job completion. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example embodiment of a flowchart  500  for operation within a user device to commence a document processing job. The process commences at block  502  with a user request to complete a document processing operation. The particular operation or operations are selected at  506 , along with document processing options at block  510 . A poll is suitably made for available document processing devices at block  514 . The polling may result in all available devices, or may suitably be limited to those devices to which the user has access or which include sufficient capabilities to complete the requested operation. User history is suitably checked at block  518  to facilitate incorporation of particular user preferences, such as from prior jobs that were completed by that user. The above-described information is suitably used to generate an ordered device list at block  522 , from which a user may select one or more devices for document processing at block  526 . The user&#39;s document selection is obtained at block  534 . Documents may be resident or otherwise available on the user&#39;s device, or available in server or cloud storage. Document selection may include the document itself, or address or location data to allow for subsequent retrieval. Documents may also already reside on a selected MFP. The user&#39;s gestures are captured at block  538 , and digitized at block  542 . Digitized, captured gesture data is communicated to the targeted document processing devices, along with instructions for job processing and job content at block  546 , and the process suitably ends at block  550 . 
       FIG. 6  is an example embodiment of a flowchart  600  for operation within a document processing device, such as an MFP. The process commences at block  602 , and notice is received at block  606  relative to a remote document processing operation commencement. The system suitably response as available at block  610 , suitably in connection with a device polling which may be in connection with a polling of device capabilities relative to the task at hand. Digitized gesture data is received at block  614 , which data may suitably be coupled with other data relating to the electronic document or documents to be processed and the parameters for processing. If not already present, documents are suitably retrieved at block  618 , such as from the user device, from a server or from cloud storage. Document processing parameters are received at block  622 . 
     Next, a check is made at block  622  to determine if and when the user associated with sending the job is present at the device. If the user is not present at the device, passing of a preselected duration may preclude job processing, thus requiring retransmission. A check for such a timeout is made at  628 . If the limit has not yet been reached, the process returns to block  626  to check for the user again. If the duration has timed out, an error message is suitably sent at block  630 , and the process ends at block  634 . 
     If a determination is made at block  626  that the user is at the device, the user&#39;s gesture is captured at the device at block  638 , digitized at block  642  and compared with the digitized gesture received earlier at block  646 . A test is made at block  650  to determine if the gestures are sufficiently similar as indicated by a comparison between their digitized values. If the comparison is acceptable, processing of the document is commenced at block  654  with the document and processing parameters received earlier. The process then suitably ends at block  634  to be recommenced when another document processing operation is requested. If the comparison is not deemed to be sufficiently close to be acceptable, a test is suitably made at block  660  to determine if a preselected number of attempts has been made. If so, the process suitably generates an error message at block  630  and terminates at block  634 . If not, the system returns to block  638  and another gesture is captured, digitized and analyzed. 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the spirit and scope of the inventions.