Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for capturing and processing visually perceptible data, such as address or telephone numbers, within a broadcast video signal. Optically recognizable text, numbers, or visual barcodes representative of text or numbers are transmitted within various frames of broadcast video signals. The broadcast video signal is then received and selected video frames are captured, digitized and stored as Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) in response to a user initiated command. Barcode readers or optical character recognition processes are then utilized to extract textual or numeric data from the captured video frames and that data is stored for future utilization. In one depicted embodiment a user defined template may be utilized to assist the optical character recognition process.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for efficiently managing the transformation of a document from a first document type to a second document type within a data processing system. It is often necessary for a document within a data processing system to be transformed into a second document type which is recognizable by a second entity upon a transfer of that document. In accordance with the method and system of the present invention, a transform information object is created for each object within a data processing system. An indication of each document type which has been created as a result of a transformation of that document and an identification of the application which can perform the transformation are then stored within the transform information object along with an indication of selected entities within the document which were not transformable by the application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for permitting the consensual delegation of selected software command operations by one user to another user in a data processing system. An Affinity Activity Object (AAO) is established and associated with a selected user. A plurality of parameters are then listed within the Affinity Activity Object (AAO) and these parameters are then utilized to identify selected software command operations, an identification of those users for which the associated user consents to undertake those software command operations and a selected time frame during which such undertaking will be permitted. In response to a request for delegation of a software command operation, these listed parameters are then evaluated and only those selected software command operations satisfying the listed parameters are delegated to the associated user.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatically deleting a temporary document relationship within a data processing system. A relationship between one document and one or more documents is specified as a temporary document relationship. Thereafter, each time a document is to be deleted from the data processing system, all relationships of that document are examined to determine if any have been specified as temporary document relationships. After all documents linked to a selected document by a temporary document relationship have been deleted, the selected document itself is automatically deleted by the system. In this manner, a temporary electronically designated folder may be created to store a plurality of documents in a linear and hierarchical manner. After the last document within the folder has been deleted, the folder itself is automatically deleted by this system. Similarly, a temporary stapler document relationship may be created by stapling a first document to a second document.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for automatically transmitting a message to the originator of an electronic document from an intended recipient upon a failure of the system to successfully deliver that document. In one embodiment of the present invention, a user is prompted to enter a selected message in response to any action which disables the delivery of an electronic document. Thereafter any attempted delivery of an electronic document will result in an automatic transmittal of the selected message to the originator of the electronic document. Additionally, the user may specify that the selected message is to be transmitted to a selected group of document originators and no others; that the selected message is to be transmitted only in response to a particular type of delivery failure; or, that the selected message is only valid during a selected time frame.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of identifying attributes when documents are grouped to form document relationships within a document management system. Document groupings frequently require the identification of all documents within the relationship with a particular attribute. However, when individual documents store attributes along with document contents, individual querying of each document is required when the information is sought later. This invention provides a Vector Relational Characteristical Object, available to access mechanisms, and containing fields to identify a particular attribute. Each field in the Vector Relational Characteristical Object is followed by an identifier which uniquely identifies the document which possess the particular attribute.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a time frame selective document history log within a data processing system having multiple resource objects which are accessible by a plurality of users within the data processing system. A history log is created and associated with each resource object for which a document history log is desired. Next, a selected date-time frame of interest is specified and utilized to filter all activities which take place with respect to a particular resource object. Thereafter, only those activities which take place within the selected date-time frame of interest are recorded within the document history log. In one embodiment of the present invention a user may further specify that only selected activities which occur within the date-time frame of interest shall be recorded. In this manner it is possible to accurately record only selected activities during a prespecified date-time frame such that memory space within the system is more efficiently utilized within the document history log.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for retaining access to deleted documents in a data processing system. In a data processing system multiple documents may be stored and accessed by a plurality of users. Each user may be authorized a particular access authority to a document which limits the activities that user may undertake with regard to that document. In accordance with the method of the present invention any user having access authority to a document may designate that document as a retained document. Thereafter, any attempted deletion of that document by the owner thereof will result in the retention of the document for those users who have designated it as a retained document. Further, any attempted alteration of the user's access authority for that document which results in a denial of future access will result in the automatic creation of a copy of that document with the user's original access authority.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for efficiently transferring documents stored within a data processing system. An identifying reference is created and associated with a particular document within the data processing system, the identifying reference including identifying information and at least a location wherein the document is stored. Thereafter, the identifying reference may be selectively transmitted to selected users. In one embodiment of the present invention, an originator of a document may identify a first group of users to receive only the identifying reference and a second group of users to receive the document. Upon the identification of the first and second groups of users, the identifying reference is automatically transmitted to the first group of users while the document is automatically transmitted to the second group of users. The originator of an identifying reference may also assign different levels of access authority to the selected users.

Abstract: A method for memory management within a document history log in a data processing system having multiple resource objects which are accessible by a plurality of users within the data processing system. A history log is created and associated with each resource object for which documentation of selected activities is desired. Next, a maximum memory size for each document history log is specified along with a protocol which dictates the order in which that memory shall be allocated after the maximum memory size has been exceeded. Thereafter, documentation of each activity which relates to a selected resource object is stored within its associated document history log after determining whether or not sufficient memory space is available. In the event sufficient memory space does not exist within the document history log, new activities are overwritten in accordance with the specified protocol. In the event such overwriting has not been specified, an appropriate error message is generated.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for automating a selected delay within a data processing procedure. A desired deferral time is specified and associated with a particular document or process within a data processing system. Thereafter, the occurrence of the desired deferral time results in the automated processing of the associated document by the system. In one embodiment of the present invention a user may specify a particular date and time after which a response to a particular document is desired. The desired deferral time is then associated with the particular document in a distribution profile and utilized to either prompt a recipient to respond after the elapse of the specified time or to automatically defer the transmission of the recipient's response until the desired time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting manipulation of individual documents within a multi-document relationship in accordance with a plurality of user specified preferences. A user preference object is created and utilized to store a plurality of user specified preferences for selected documents or for all documents which contain a selected attribute. Thereafter, any attempted manipulation, such as transmission, copying or deleting, of a document within the multi-document relationship will be limited in accordance with the stored preferences within the user preference object. In this manner, a distribution service may relay and distribute a selected document which might not normally be distributed due to incompatible characteristics of other documents which exist in a relationship with the selected document.

Abstract: A method for automatically generating document history log exception reports in a data processing system having multiple resource objects which are managed by one or more resource managers, each resource object being accessible by as plurality of users within a data processing system. A history log is created and associated with a selected resource object. Thereafter, the occurrence of each event and/or action relating to the selected resource object is recorded within the history log. The status of the history log is periodically determined and an exception report is automatically generated and transmitted to a previously designated individual in the event a lack of memory space within the history log will prevent the recordation of a subsequent event or activity. In one embodiment of the present invention an exception report is also generated in the event the selected resource object has been transferred to a resource manager which will not support a document history log.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a selective document history log within a data processing system having multiple resource objects which are accessible by a plurality of users within the data processing system. A history log is created and associated with each resource object for which documentation of selected activities is desired. Next, a list of one or more types of activity is generated and utilized to filter all activities which take place with respect to a particular resource object. Thereafter, documentation of each activity which corresponds to an entry on the list of activities of interest is recorded within the selective document history log. In this manner it is possible to accurately record only those activities of interest such that memory space is more efficiently utilized within the document history log. The system administrator or other manager may limit the authority of a user to establish a document history log.

Abstract: A method for maintaining an alterable document history log in a data processing system having multiple resource objects which are accessible by a plurality of users within the data processing system. A history log is created and associated with each resource object for which documentation of selected activities is desired. A list of one or more specified types of activities is generated and utilized to filter all activities which take place with respect to a particular resource object in order that the occurrence of selected activities may be documented. A characterization of these activity types is recorded in association with the document history log such that subsequent users may ascertain what types of activity occurrences have been recorded. In the depicted embodiment of the present invention access to a resource object may be locked and the list of specified types of activity altered.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for efficiently managing the distribution of multiple documents within a data processing system. In many modern data processing systems an intended document recipient may selectively permit one or more alternate recipients to receive documents transmitted to the intended recipient. In accordance with the method of the present invention, a confirmation of delivery status log entry is created upon the transmittal of a document to an intended recipient. Thereafter, the data processing system automatically determines the identity of the actual recipient of the document and generates a confirmation of delivery message which includes an identification of the actual recipient of that document.