Abstract: The subject application is directed to a system and method for tab text management. A user is prompted, via a thin client interface, for tab formatting data which includes tab stock identification data, position data of the tab sheet relative to the electronic document, and caption data. The received tab formatting data is stored in an associated object file. A document file is then received representing an electronic document associated with the tab formatting data. The electronic document data and the object file are then merged so as to generate output data. The generated output data includes the electronic document data with relative defined tabbed page portions according to the tab formatting data disposed within the object file. A printout of a tangible document according to the electronic data file is commenced, with the tangible document including tab pages interspersed within the tangible document based upon tab formatting data.

Abstract: A system and method for the secure transmission of a facsimile, which verifies that a selected user transmitted the document and only allows for the designated recipient or recipients to receive the facsimile is provided. A sending user scans a document, which is then encrypted and digitally signed using the sender's private key, which is retrieved from a central authority or server. The digitally signed document is then encrypted using the recipient's public key. The encrypted digitally signed document is then faxed to the recipient. The device receiving the facsimile transmission then notifies the designated recipient of the receipt of the encrypted fax job. The recipient then logs onto the receiving device, which retrieves the sender's public key and the recipient's private key from the server. The retrieved keys are then used to decrypt the document and verify the identities of both the sender and the user.

Abstract: The subject application is directed to a system and method for the automated configuration for document input devices. A document processing device first receives a document, which is scanned to detect an indicia on one of the sheets of the document. The indicia, in the form of a barcode or watermark, are then decoded to generate job data representing a desired device configuration for processing the received document. The job data is then used to program a job processor and the document processing device outputs the document in accordance with the job data.

Abstract: A server-to-client data delivery system and method is provided. The system includes a server capable of providing a variety of services to one or more client devices. Each client device periodically transmits a heartbeat signal to the server over an associated network including client device identification data. When the server fails to receive a heartbeat from an associated client device, an alert signal is generated indicating the non-responsiveness of the associated client device. For each responsive client device, the server performs an identification of the device and determines whether new or updated software, or supplemental data, is available for the client. The server then generates response data including the next heartbeat interval and the software or supplemental data. The response data is then transmitted to the responsive and identified client, whereupon the server proceeds to perform the same process for each responsive and identified client.

Abstract: A system and method for file-based configuration of a document output device is provided. Following the receipt of electronic document data and instruction data from an associated workstation, DEVMODE data is retrieved from an XML data file. The instruction data is then compared with the DEVMODE data to determine whether the DEVMODE data requires changes so that the document output device incorporates the instruction data into the output of the electronic document. When the DEVMODE data requires updating, data stored in the data file is used to generate a new DEVMODE structure associated with the document output device. This new data is then used to output the electronic document incorporating the instructions contained within the instruction data.

Abstract: A system and method for selective rerouting of document processing jobs is provided. A printer driver first converts electronic document data is into a device compatible format and assigned a unique document ID. The printer driver then determines a set of network devices, such as document processing devices, that are participating in the performance of received document processing jobs. The converted document data is then divided into portions and one or more portions are then sent to each of the participating network devices. One of the devices is then selected as the output device, whereupon the output device broadcasts/multicasts a request for processed data portions from each of the other network devices. The received portions are then recombined, and released for further processing in accordance with the received document processing job.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for routing electronic documents. More particularly, this invention is directed to a system and method for transferring at least one of a plurality of documents to at least one of a plurality of destinations.

Abstract: A file locking method and implementation are disclosed which allows a plurality of user sessions to open and read a file, but at any one time, only one session will be allowed to change the data displayed in the browser window and to update the file. This file locking method sets up a file access priority by using file locks that are date-time stamped and session stamped. The types of lock associated with the present invention include read lock, authority lock, write lock, and folder lock. When a session/user requests access to a file, the application will check a lock table associated with the requested file. For each lock on the file, there is an entry in the lock table for each of the attributes of the lock: lock type, session owner, date-time stamp. Depending on the lock and the existing locks on the file, the requesting session may be granted a lock. After the access request is fulfilled, the file lock may be removed.

Abstract: A method for directing customers to a business establishment. A query is received from an associated user representing a desired purveyor of a selected good or service in a selected geographic area. Data is then secured representing a set of purveyors of the desired goods or services in the selected geographic area. Business activity data is then acquired corresponding to business activities for each of the purveyors in the set. A business activity level signal is then generated to represent the level of business activity for each purveyor in the set. This data is then communicated to the associated user.

Abstract: An object-oriented processor for managing tab text information. The processor includes a data object and a view object. The data object is for storing data representative of the tab text, related attributes, and properties of the media on which the tab text is printed. The view object stores data representative of form and display control information for displaying the tab information in one of a single-line editable text format, a tab sheet thumbnail format or a readable text format.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for storing font image data, which is already rendered, in a history-based order on the server side. This avoids the server side processing time to render the font every time a request is received. This allows users to use many server side fonts that users may not have on their client workstations. In the method, the user uses a web browser to choose a font type, size, and style from a list of available fonts installed on the server. The system then determines if the selected font exists in the font repository. If the font exists, the system retrieves the font images from the font repository. If the font does not exist, the system creates the font images and stores the font images to the font repository.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for tracking sessions for web-based applications. The system and method comprise a browser disposed on an associated data terminal and having at least one browser window associated therewith. The browser is adapted to generate at least one interactive session with an associated web server. The system and method also comprises at least one session tracking application associated with an interactive session. The session tracking application includes monitoring means adapted for monitoring activity on the associated interactive session and testing means adapted for determining whether monitored activity includes an unload event. The session tracking application also includes termination means adapted for terminating the associated interactive session upon a determination of a selected unload event and notification means adapted for notifying the associated web server to close out the interactive session.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for printing electronic files. The present invention enables a user to create a plurality of electronic files, specify print setting information for each electronic file, and associate the specified print setting information with each electronic file in a manner adapted for storage. The present invention further enables a user to print a plurality of electronic files in response to a print request, wherein each of the electronic files is printed in accordance with the specified print setting information.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a system and method for routing electronic documents. More particularly, this invention is directed to a system and method for transferring at least one of a plurality of documents to at least one of a plurality of destinations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for implementing a pointer-based clipboard. The clipboard system comprises a plurality of information or description files for storing information about files that are edited, in addition to files for storing information relating to changes made to a document and to locations of temporary files relating to the document. In addition, the system employs temporary storage which is preferably deleted upon session termination.

Abstract: A method for dynamically configuring tab text information for a document. An object file is created that stores tab text, attribute and media type information for the document. When the document is processed, the document is merged with the object file, producing an output comprising the document with the tab text data from the object file. The tab text data is structured in at least one self-organized object. Preferably the object file is an XML file. A user interface comprised of independent modules written in XML provides the functionality to add, edit and/or delete the tab text data.

Abstract: A method for dynamically configuring page number information for a document. An object file is created that stores page number, attribute and media type information for the document. When the document is processed, the document is merged with the object file, producing an output comprising the document with the page number data from the object file. The page number data is structure in at least one self-organized object. Preferably the object file is an XML file. A user interface comprised of independent modules written in XML provides the functionality to add, edit and/or delete the page number data.

Abstract: An object-oriented processor for managing tab text information. The processor includes a data object and a view object. The data object is for storing data representative of the tab text, related attributes, and properties of the media on which the tab text is printed. The view object stores data representative of form and display control information for displaying the tab information in one of a single-line editable text format, a tab sheet thumbnail format or a readable text format.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for implementing a pointer-based historical buffer. The historical buffer system comprises a plurality of information or description files for storing information about files that are edited, in addition to files for storing information relating to changes made to a document and to locations of temporary files relating to the document. In addition, the system employs temporary storage which is preferably deleted upon session termination.

Abstract: A file locking method and implementation are disclosed which allows a plurality of user sessions to open and read a file, but at any one time, only one session will be allowed to change the data displayed in the browser window and to update the file. This file locking method sets up a file access priority by using file locks that are date-time stamped and session stamped. The types of lock associated with the present invention include read lock, authority lock, write lock, and folder lock. When a session/user requests access to a file, the application will check a lock table associated with the requested file. For each lock on the file, there is an entry in the lock table for each of the attributes of the lock: lock type, session owner, date-time stamp. Depending on the lock and the existing locks on the file, the requesting session may be granted a lock. After the access request is fulfilled, the file lock may be removed.