Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods and apparatus for sharing data. A system maintains the integrity of the data by controlling access to and from the data. For example, one entity may wish to cooperate with another entity by sharing information with the other entity. The sharing entity may, however, wish to block access to certain portions of the data. The system, therefore, includes a processor configured for processing stored rules that, when processed, control transfer of the data to the other entity. The processor maintains integrity of the data because, among other reasons, the processor can determine that certain portions of the data to be transferred should be excluded from an intended recipient based upon a processed rule. Examples of such data sanitization include the deletion of information regarding the data owner, the data provider and/or other entity specific sensitive portions of the data.

Abstract: A document processing system may include a document processing device (e.g., a copier), a host (e.g., a computer server), and a multi-device compatible interface for enabling operation of the host and the document processing device from among a plurality of different possible document processing devices. That is, the multi-device compatible interface may determine a set of signals to use with the document processing device upon being connected therewith, and thereafter use the determined set of signals. Accordingly, the multi-device compatible interface may advantageously be used with numerous types of document processing devices despite the differences in their various protocols, connector types, etc.

Abstract: A document processing system may include a document processing device (e.g., a copier), a host (e.g., a computer server), and a multi-device compatible interface for enabling operation of the host and the document processing device from among a plurality of different possible document processing devices. That is, the multi-device compatible interface may determine a set of signals to use with the document processing device upon being connected therewith, and thereafter use the determined set of signals. Accordingly, the multi-device compatible interface may advantageously be used with numerous types of document processing devices despite the differences in their various protocols, connector types, etc.