Abstract: An image-based document processing system comprised of a plurality of hardware components arranged as a platform for processing documents using document images. The system employs a layered software architecture comprised of application programs, system services and a plurality of native operating systems provided for particular ones of the hardware components. The system services are callable by the application programs to provide an interface between the application programs and the native operating systems during operation of the system.

Abstract: An apparatus provides a network combining a local site having a host computer and a specialized storage and retrieval module for storing image information which is connected to a remote site having document processing equipment working with remote specialized storage retrieval modules for storage of image and information data. The single local main host computer can operate the network such that documents which are converted to digitized packets can be stored in and retrieved from both the remote storage retrieval modules and also stored int eh local storage retrieval module for use of the remote and the local peripheral devices.

Abstract: A storage/retrieval module apparatus for use in a document imaging system can receive digitized optical image and related information data, convert it to electrical digital data for storage on disk at high rates of speed. Concurrently with storage operations, the storage/retrieval module apparatus can also execute retrieval of stored data under command of a host computer or a connected workstation.

Abstract: A high-capacity high-speed storage/retrieval system for storage and retrieval of document images in digitized data form permits clusters of storage/retrieval modules (SRM's) to store and exchange digital data via local area networks within the cluster of SMR's. Additionally, one cluster of SRM's can exchange digitized data with another cluster of SRM's by means of optical links using point-to-point optical controllers.