Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT
FOR PERSONAL DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed, in general, to
personal document storage and management, and more
specifically to publicly accessible document management
tools.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Document storage and management has become an important
issue for many businesses. Recordkeeping and documentation
requirements ensure that there is an ever-growing collection
of documents that must be retained for extended periods of
time.
Of course, storing these documents often takes an
enormous amount of space, and if sent offsite to a document-
archival site, is also more expensive as the document
collection grows. This cost and inconvenience is ongoing
for as long as the documents are retained, often
indefinitely.
Many businesses have addressed this issue by storing
only an electronic version or image of the actual documents,
by scanning or imaging each document, indexing and archiving
the electronic version, and destroying the paper originals.
The electronic version can then be used to reproduce the
original document when needed.
The electronic documents can then be stored on any
suitable computer-readable medium, and therefore take up
very little space when archived. Further, the expense and
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inconvenience of the imaging process is a one-time cost, and
storing the electronic documents does not carry the ongoing
storage expense of paper documents.
The same document-storage issues are becoming an
increasing concern to individuals, families, and small
businesses. Unfortunately, these people usually do not have
access to the same electronic document management hardware
and software as large businesses, and can't afford to
acquire them. As a result, these people currently have no
reasonable option except to continue to store paper copies
of all important documents.
There is, therefore, a need in the art for a system and
method for enabling persons to quickly and conveniently
convert paper documents to electronic documents, to archive
the electronic documents, and to retrieve and reproduce the
electronic documents.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the
prior art, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a system and method for enabling persons to quickly
and conveniently convert paper documents to electronic
documents, to archive the electronic documents, and to
retrieve and reproduce the electronic documents.
According to a preferred embodiment, there is a system
and method for allowing persons to scan and archive
electronic versions of paper documents at any automated
transaction machine. The electronic documents are then
archived on a server in a central repository, preferably
managed by the bank itself, and/or returned to the user via
email or on a removable medium such as a disk, CDROM, or
non-volatile memory. In this way, individuals can
conveniently enjoy the benefits of electronic document
archival, without the expense of purchasing the required
hardware or software themselves. The preferred embodiment
similarly allows the user to retrieve and print archived
documents.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features
and technical advantages of the present invention so that
those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed
description of the invention that follows. Additional
features and advantages of the invention will be described
hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the
invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that
they may readily use the conception and the specific
embodiment disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing
other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the
present invention. Those skilled in the art will also
realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart
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from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest
form.
Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
INVENTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth
definitions of certain words or phrases used throughout this
patent document: the terms "include" and "comprise," as
well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without
limitation; the term "or" is inclusive, meaning and/or; the
phrases "associated with" and "associated therewith," as
well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be
included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained
within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be
communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose,. be
proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of,
or the like; and the term "controller" means any device,
system or part thereof that controls at least one operation,
whether such a device is implemented in hardware, firmware,
software or some combination of at least two of the same.
It should be noted that the functionality associated with.
any particular controller may be centralized or distributed,
whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words
and phrases are provided throughout this patent document,
and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that
such definitions apply in many, if not most, instances to
prior as well as future uses of such defined words and
phrases.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the present
invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made
to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the
5 accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers designate like
objects, and in which:
Figure 1 depicts a block diagram of an ATM with
integrated scanner and printer, in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 depicts a block diagram of a network system in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 depicts a flowchart of a process in accordance
with a preferred embodiment; and
Figure 4 depicts a flowchart of a process in accordance
with a preferred embodiment.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGURES 1 through 4, discussed below, and the various
embodiments used to describe the principles of the present
invention in this patent document are by way of illustration
only and should not be construed in any way to limit the
scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will
understand that the principles of the present invention may
be implemented in any suitably arranged device. The
numerous innovative teachings of the present application
will be described with particular reference to the presently
preferred embodiment.
According to a preferred embodiment, there is a system
and method for allowing persons to scan and archive
electronic versions of paper documents at any automated
transaction machine. The electronic documents are then
archived on a server in a central repository, preferably
managed by the hank itself, and/or returned to the user via
email or on a removable medium such as a disk, CDROM, or
non-volatile memory. In this way, individuals can
conveniently enjoy the benefits of electronic document
archival, without the expense of purchasing the required
hardware or software themselves. The preferred embodiment
similarly allows the user to retrieve and print archived
documents.
Automated transaction machines (ATMs) are known in the
prior art. One very common type of automated transaction
machine is an automated teller machine. ATMs have been
developed which are capable of performing a variety of
transactions. These transactions may include the dispensing
of currency notes or other documents of value. ATMs may also
accept deposits in the form of sheets or envelopes. ATMs are
also sometimes provided with the capabilities of dispensing
or receiving tickets, travelers checks, vouchers, stamps,
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gaming materials or other items of value. Other types of
automated transaction machines may be operated by service
providers such as cashiers and bank tellers. Such
transaction machines may dispense or receive cash or other
documents. Other types of automated transaction machines may
include currency counting units, currency acceptors, scrip
terminals or other devices. For purposes of this disclosure,
an automated transaction machine shall be considered to be
any. machine that is capable of carrying out transactions
involving transfers of value.
It is common for some types of automated transaction
machines to provide the user with a printed record or
receipt for each transaction. Such receipts typically show
the type of transaction and the value or amount involved.
Other information may also be included on the receipt
depending on the type of machine and the transaction.
Receipts may include information such as the user's name,
the time of day, a location where the transaction was
conducted, an account involved as well as one or more
account balances.
Certain types of automated transaction machines also
enable a user to obtain a printed record of transactions
that have been conducted. This record may comprise an
account statement that indicates activity concerning a
particular account. For example, a consumer operating
certain ATMs may obtain an account statement that shows
additions and withdrawals to their savings or checking
account. An account statement, in the case where the
transaction machine is operated by a service provider, may
include information concerning transactions carried out by
the service provider or transactions carried out at a
particular machine. Such statements may include information
concerning a plurality of transactions that were conducted
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over a certain time period or information concerning
transactions of particular types or in ,particular
categories.
Figure 1 depicts a block diagram of an ATM with
integrated scanner and printer, in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present~invention. While this
particular ATM is described as an automated-teller machine,
those of skill in the art will recognize that the integrated
scanner and techniques disclosed herein can be easily
applied to any type of ATM.
ATM 100 includes a processor 105, which is connected to
operate display 110 via a conventional video processing
device, not shown. Processor 105 is also connected to
operate memory 115, which Can be a random-access memory, and '
non-volatile storage 120, which can be a non-volatile
memory, a magnetic disc, an optical media, or any other
suitable non-volatile storage. The memory 115 and/or non-
volatile storage 120 can also include a read-only memory.
Processor 105 also communicates with input device 125~
which can be a keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, or any other
keypad, touchpad, or other input device. For simplicity or
description and illustration, it is understood that input
device 125 can include multiple different input devices, and
typically will include a card reader for reading magnetic
cards such as debit and credit cards.
Processor 105 also controls currency receiver 130~
which is configured to detect, receive, and validate
currency, and currency dispenser 135~ which is configured to
dispense currency to a user. Further, the processor 105,
currency receiver 130, and currency dispenser 135 all
interact with currency storage 155, so that received
currency can be stored, and stored currency can be
dispensed. ~f course, where the claimed embodiments are not
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integrated into an automated teller machine, currency
receiver 130, currency dispenser 135, and currency storage
155 may be omitted.
Processor 105 also communicates with scanner 140, that
is preferably a sheet-fed scanner capable of receiving and
scanning multiple paper sizes and types, including but not
limited to A4, letter, and legal sizes, and other irregular
sizes such as store receipts, checks, etc. Scanner 140 is
configured to receive documents from a user, scan them, and
then return the original documents to the user.
Processor 105 also communicates with printer 145, that
is preferably capable of printing multiple paper sizes,
including but not limited to A4 and letter-sized paper. The
printer can be a dot-matrix printer, thermal printer, laser
printer, inkjet printer, or any other type of printer as is
common. ~f course, to reduce expense or complexity, the
printer in any particular implementation can be limited to
printing only a specific size or type of paper.
Processor 105 also communicates with multimedia storage
unit (MMSU) 150. MMSU 150 is a device capable of storing
data to one or more types of removable computer-readable
media, so that the user can retain the media with any
necessary data stored thereon. In the preferred embodiment,
the MMSU 150 is capable of reading from and writing to one
or more of the following types of removable media: CD-RW
(normal 5" - 640MB), CD-RW (mini/pocket 3" 105MB), or any-
sized, FLASH memory sticks (of any common type, capacity, or
interface), 3.5°° "floppy'° diskette, and DVD+/-RW.
Processor 105 also communicates with communications
device 160, which can be a modem, network interface card, or
any other known device for communicating with other data
processing systems. Communications device 160 is used to
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send and receive data to and from server systems, as
described below.
As will be understood by those of skill in the art,
some functions and processes described herein can be
5 performed by the ATM as a stand-alone unit; other functions
and processes are performed as part of the networked system
described below. Further, the block diagram of Figure 1
omits, for simplicity of display and illustration; other
known components and interfaces such as system buses, device
10 interfaces, adapters, and other components that need not be
described to enable one of skill in the art to reproduce the
claimed inventions.
Figure 2 depicts a block diagram of a network system
200 in accordance with an embodiment of the' present
invention. In this figure, server 205 is shown
communicating with storage 210~ scan/print system 215, and
ATM systems 220.
ATM systems 220 are, in the preferred embodiment, as
described as ATM 100 with relation to Figure 1. They
communicate, using any suitable electronic means, such as
via telephone modem, xDSL, fiber optic, wireless, etc., with
server 205. These communications will include data
pertaining to document storage and retrieval, financial
transactionso and other functions, as known in the art
and/or as specifically described below.
Server system 205 is a data processing system server,
configured to communicate with multiple different client
systems, such as storage 210, scan/print system 215, ATM
systems 220, and others. Server system, in some
embodiments, is operated by a financial institution to
perform standard banking and financial transactions as are
familiar to users and operators of automated teller
machines, in addition to other functions described herein.
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Server system 205 is used, in various embodiments, to manage
the document management functions described herein.
Storage 210 is preferably a large-volume data storage
device, such as a magnetic or optical drive system, or other
common data storage device, and is also understood to
include multiple data storage devices operable by the server
system 205. Further, it is understood that storage 210 and
server system 205 may be co-located or placed at different
locations, may be integrated into a single data processing
system, or be otherwise structured as known to those of
skill in the art, so long as they are capable of together
performing the functions described and claimed herein.
Scan/print system 215 is preferably a high speed, high
volume document printing and scanning system, which can be
implemented in a separate document printer and document
scanner. The scan/print system communicates with server
205, and is used for processing higher volumes of documents
(contrasted with ATMs 220, which are intended for low-volume
document processing). The scan/print system 215 can be
located in the same facility as server 205, or in a separate
facility altogether. In various embodiments, the single or
multiple scan/print sGystems are present in the network, and
scan/print servers are located at banks, post offices, and
other retail or service establishments.
It should be noted that in different embodiments, as
described or claimed below, the network system 200 can
include or omit scan/print systems 215, ATMs 220, or
multiples of each, depending on the user or service provider
requirements.
Figure 3 depicts a flowchart of a process for scanning
and archiving documents in accordance with a preferred
embodiment. Here the user approaches the ATM and identifies
himself (step 305), typically by allowing the ATM to scan a
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magnetic stripe on an ATM card and entering a corresponding
PIN, as is well known in the art. Of course, the user could
simply enter a user identification, with or without a
password, using any known means. The ATM will then verify
this identification with a server system (step 310).
The ATM will present a list of functions to the user
(step 315), and will receive the user's choice to scan
documents (step 320). The ATM will prompt the user to
insert documents (step 325), and the user will place the
documents in the scanner sheet feeder. The ATM will scan
the documents into memory (step 330) as an electronic
document. The electronic document can be in any suitable
form, such as a JPEG file, a TIFF file, an Adobe PDF file,
or other form.
The ATM will then associate a set of identifying
keywords or tags with each document (step 335). These
keywords are obtained either by automatically performing an
optical character recognition (OCR) on the document, or by
receiving them as an entry from the user.
The ATM will receive the user's choice of storage
locations (step 335), either on a removable media, or on
server storage, or both.
The ATM will then store the electronic document, along
with the user identification and any identifying keywords,
according to the user's preference (step 340), by storing it
on the removable media, transmitting it to a server system
for storage, or both.
The process then ends (Step 345)~ the user can then opt
to scan additional documents, perform another function on
the ATM, or quit using the ATM altogether. If the user had
stored the electronic documents to a removable media, the
user can remove the removable media from the ATM.
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Figure 4 depicts a flowchart of a process for
retrieving and printing documents in accordance with a
preferred embodiment. Here the user approaches the ATM and
identifies himself (step 405), typically by allowing the ATM
to scan a magnetic stripe on an ATM card and entering a
corresponding PIN, as is well known in the, art . Of course,
the user could simply enter a user identification, with or
without a password, using any known means. The. ATM will
then verify this identification with a server system (step
410).
The ATM will present a list of functions to the user
(step 415), and will receive the user's choice to retrieve
electronic documents, and indicate the source of the
electronic documents, either on a removable media that the
user inserts into the ATM to be read, or from a document
storage on a server system (step 420).
The ATM will retrieve a list of electronic docu~ients
from the selected source (step 425), including, in the
preferred embodiment, keywords or mete-tags associated with
each documents. The ATM will display a list of electronic
documents to the user (step 430), and will optionally
receive search terms from the user, search the electronic
documents for the terms, and display electronic documents
that match the search terms (step 435).
The ATM will then receive the user's selection of one
or more electronic documents (step 440). The ATM will
retrieve the electronic documents from the selected source
into the ATM memory.
The ATM will then print the selected electronic
documents, using an integrated printer (step 445), and
optionally allowing the user to select the paper size and
type for the printout. Preferably, the electronic document
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will contain information defining the default print
parameters.
The process then ends (step 450); the user can then opt
to scan additional documents, perform another function on
the ATM, or quit using the ATM altogether. If the user had
stored the electronic documents to a removable media, the
user can remove the removable media from the ATM.
According to another embodiment of the invention, after
a user has scanned and archived electronic copies of his
documents on the server storage system, he can then list,
search, and retrieve the documents from home or any other
location using a conventional web browser. The user will
connect with a server system using his web browser, over the
Internet, and will 'enter his user identification., After
being validated, the user can then access the electronic
copies of his documents, and can view them, save them to a
local storage device, and/or print them. The meth~ds and
means for accessing documents over the Internet are known to
those of skill in the art.
Charging the user for the use of the document
management system is particularly convenient when an
automatic teller machine is used. The ATM is already
capable of performing financial transactions, including cash
transactions and crediting/debiting bank and credit card
accounts, according to known methods. In some disclosed
embodiments, therefore, any charges for document scanning,
storing, retrieving, or printing are calculated by the ATM
and collected from the user, either by receiving currency or
by charging the user's bank or credit accounts.
According to at least some embodiments, in addition to
storing documents on removable media or on a server system,
or printing them for the user, the ATM is capable of
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emailing a copy of the electronic document to an email
address specified by the user.
According to at least some embodiments, when the user
inserts a removable media into the MMSU, the ATM will scan
5 the contents of the removable media to ensure that no
viruses are present.
According to at least some embodiments, the document
processing functions are performed in bulk by a processing
center, e. g. , at a bank or "copy shop. " In this case, the
10 document owner would simply giver his stack of documents to
an employee of the facility. The employee would scan the
documents substantially as described with regard to Figure
3, and using a scan/print system as shown in Figure 2,
preferably allowing the system to automatically 'OCR the
15 documents to identify keyword identifiers. The electronic
documents would then be st~red either on a server or on a
removable media, as requested by the document owner. The
original documents are then returned to the owner. If the
electronic documents are stored on a server, the document
owner is preferable given means to access the documents
either over the Internet, at an ATM, or both, as described
herein.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that, for
simplicity and clarity, the full structure and operation of
all systems suitable for use with the present invention is
not being depicted or described herein. Instead, only so
much of an ATM system and network as is unique to the
present invention or necessary for an understanding of the
present invention is depicted and described. The remainder
of the construction and operation of the disclosed systems
may conform to any of the various current implementations
and practices known in the art.
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It is important to note that while the present
invention has been described in the context of a fully
functional system, those skilled in the art will appreciate
that at least portions of the mechanism of the present
invention are capable of being distributed in the form of a
instructions contained within a machine usable medium in any
of a variety of forms, and that the present invention
applies equally regardless of the particular type of
instruction or signal bearing medium utilized to actually
carry out the distribution. Examples of machine usable
mediums include: nonvolatile, hard-coded type mediums such
as read only memories (ROMs) or erasable, electrically
programmable read only memories (EEPROMs), user-recordable
type' mediums such as floppy disks, hard 'disk drives and
compact disk read only memories (CD-ROMs) or digital
versatile disks (DVDs), and transmission type mediums such
as digital and analog communication links.
Although an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the
art will understand that various changes, substitutions,
variations, and improvements of the invention disclosed
herein may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention in its broadest form.
None of the description in the present application
should be read as implying that any particular element,
step, or function is an essential element which must be
included in the claim scope: THE SCOPE OF PATENTED SUBJECT
MATTER IS DEFINED ONLY BY THE ALLOWED CLAIMS. Moreover,
none of these claims are intended to invoke paragraph six of
35 USC ~112 unless the exact words "means for" are followed
by a participle.
