Abstract: The present invention provides for automated capture of metadata associated with paper-based documents. A “reservation” for the metadata and a digital image of the paper-based document is created whenever a digital image of a paper-based document is to be associated with a computer record. The relevant metadata is automatically captured from a computer screen and is then stored in a previously created database record associated with the reservation. The metadata can also be associated with a later-captured digital image of the paper-based document by placing a label on the paper-based document. The label contains identifying information for the reservation and this information becomes embedded in the digital image of the paper-based document, which is subsequently created by scanning the paper-based document and label. The subsequently created digital image can then be related to the appropriate metadata by extracting the reservation identification information from the label embedded in the digital image.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a hardware/software combination that is configured to provide for automated capture of metadata associated with paper-based documents. A “reservation” for the metadata and a digital image of the paper-based document is created whenever a digital image of a paper-based document is to be associated with a computer record. The relevant metadata is automatically captured from a computer screen and is then stored in a previously created database record associated with the reservation. Additionally, the metadata can also be associated with a later-captured digital image of the paper-based document by placing a label on the paper-based document. The label contains identifying information for the reservation and this information becomes embedded in the digital image of the paper-based document, which is subsequently created by scanning the paper-based document bearing the label.

Abstract: The present invention is configured to provide optimization of printed output transmitted by a facsimile machine. By generating and comparing a baseline quality score with a companion quality score, optimization decisions can enhance the quality of facsimile transmissions. Optimization is also enhanced by recognizing the type of facsimile machine used and the optimal configuration settings for the facsimile. The settings for multiple facsimile machines are stored in a database, along with optimal settings for each facsimile machine. To further enhance the results of a facsimile transmission, a database of printers may also be consulted. By utilizing the best possible output from a printer, combined with the optimal settings for a fax machine, the optimal results for can be obtained. Additionally, the use of bar-coded identification for facsimile transmission provides a method of automating the optimization, thereby increasing efficiency by reporting the results of the optimization.

Abstract: The present invention allows users to index and label documents prior to scanning/imaging and then use dynamically generated fax cover sheets and a fax machine to create digital images of the paper-based documents. Each dynamically-generated fax cover sheet will contain a globally unique document identifier and, if desired, other relevant document-specific or user-specific information. The document-specific information and the user-specific information is contained in dynamic content zones on the fax cover sheet. Each dynamically-generated fax cover sheet generated by the digital filing system will be globally unique, with respect to at least one of the dynamic content zones and no two dynamically-generated fax cover sheets will ever be identical. In addition, each dynamically-generated fax cover sheet may also contain static content zones which contain information that will be duplicated over a certain range of dynamically-generated fax cover sheets.

Abstract: According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus and method for simultaneously managing paper-based documents and digital images of the same are disclosed. When used in conjunction with a digital filing apparatus, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,165, users of the present invention will be able to deploy a comprehensive system to manage both paper-based documents and the corresponding digital images of the paper-based documents in a digital filing operation. In this context, digital filing refers to the efficient management of paper-based information from its receipt at the desktop through an indexing, scanning, image storage and retrieval process, for both the paper-based document and the digital image of the paper-based document.

Abstract: According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus and method for simultaneously managing paper-based documents and digital images of the same are disclosed. When used in conjunction with a digital filing apparatus, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,165, users of the present invention will be able to deploy a comprehensive system to manage both paper-based documents and the corresponding digital images of the paper-based documents in a digital filing operation. In this context, digital filing refers to the efficient management of paper-based information from its receipt at the desktop through an indexing, scanning, image storage and retrieval process, for both the paper-based document and the digital image of the paper-based document.

Abstract: According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus and method for a digital filing system is disclosed. In this context, digital filing refers to the efficient management of paper-based information from its receipt at the desktop through an indexing, scanning, image storage, and image retrieval process. The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide for easy and effective indexing, imaging, storing, retrieving and managing of paper-based documents, transforming them into electronic documents using a system which incorporates many existing office resources. The proposed system and method implements a desktop solution for digital filing, which can be made available to each worker. Uniquely, the digital filing system of the present invention also allows users to index and label documents prior to scanning/imaging by using either a dedicated desktop labeling mechanism or pre-printed labels.