Abstract: A high availability method and system manipulate and store document images and coded data. The method and system include an image local area network and a coded data local area network. The image local area network is operated at a high utilization because of the relatively large size of the image files transmitted over it. The coded data local area network is operated at a relatively low utilization level because of a relatively small size of the coded data files transmitted over it. Two or more work group servers are connected to the image local area network. Each work group server is connected through a work group local area network to the coded data local area network. Each work group server operates in both a primary mode to service its own work group LAN and in a hot standby mode to serve as a backup processor for its corresponding work group server when the corresponding work group server is in a failure mode.

Abstract: A multimedia document form system enables the definition, manipulation, storage and editing of a form which contains multimedia objects. Image objects and text objects can be displayed on the form in the conventional manner. Nonvisual presentation objects such as video objects and audio objects are represented by check boxes on the form. If a nonvisual object is to be associated with the form, then a mark is applied to the corresponding check box on the form. When the form is scanned-in in an optical scanner, presence of a mark in the check box prompts the operator to enter the nonvisual object. For example an audio object will be entered in digitized form and stored in association with the form. When the form is then displayed on a visual display device, the corresponding check box is highlighted to indicate to the operator the presence of a nonvisual presentation object which is stored in association with the form.

Abstract: A data processing system stores and displays digital images, and includes a workstation having a document input scanner for digitizing document images at a first resolution, an image display unit for displaying digitized document images at a second resolution which is less than the first resolution and a printer for printing digitized document images at a third resolution greater than the second resolution. The system reduces communications traffic and assures fast access time on the network since the bulk of the traffic will utilize the smaller compressed data records required for the second resolution. However, these improvements in communication traffic and access time do not sacrifice the availability of high resolution compressed data records occasionally needed for printing and other high resolution operations.

Abstract: A system is described in which a user enters a search term at a user location, that search term being associated with a plurality of image objects which are stored at a plurality of geographically diverse locations within the system. The search term is then transmitted to a central index location where there is stored a central index which includes the object name and location and associated data for each of the distributed objects associated with the search term. Optionally, the associated data may be transmitted from the central location back to the user location for display to the user, who can then select which of the several objects or perhaps all of the objects to be accessed from the diverse geographic storage locations. The user can enter his selection at the user location and that selection will be transmitted back to the central index location.

Abstract: In a system for capturing an image of a document having a characterizing indicium associated therewith, the invention includes the step of storing in the system a plurality of document templates. Each document template defines locations of a first type and second type information blocks on a corresponding one of a plurality of document types. The document templates are accessible by an indicium value. The invention further includes storing in the system a table relating the first type information block to first type processing parameters and a second type information block to second type processing parameters. The invention further includes the step of capturing an image of the document and storing the image in an image buffer. Then, a characterizing indicium associated with the document is recognized by the system. Thereafter, one of the plurality of document templates is accessed in response to a value of the recognized characterizing indicium associated with the document.

Abstract: The method merges an alphanumeric data stream with a digitized image file. It comprises the steps of inputting a digitized image file in a first input terminal and storing the digitized image file on a first storage medium. The method then inputs an alphanumeric character string in a second input mechanism and stores the alphanumeric character string in a second storage medium. The method then converts the alphanumeric character string stored in the second storage medium into a bit pel image of the alphanumeric character string by substituting a two dimensional bit pattern of pels for each respective character in the string. The method then performs a logical combination of the bit pattern for each respective alphanumeric character with the digitized image at respective intended character locations in the digitized image area and outputs the logically combined digitized image with the alphanumeric character string superimposed thereon.