Document processing system and method

摘要

A software tool referred to as a “mailman” monitors certain folders on a network for new scanned documents. A user places a stamp on a document, then uses a digital copier to store the scanned document to one of the monitored folders on the network. When the mailman sees a new scanned document in one of the folders it is monitoring, the mailman retrieves the document, processes the document to determine the number on the stamp, queries a Post Office application for document processing instructions corresponding to the stamp number, performs any required processing of the document, then delivers the processed document to the Post Office. When the Post Office receives the processed document, the processed document is stored in a document repository in the Post Office, and is processed by the Post Office according to document processing instructions corresponding to the stamp number.

主权项

1. A networked computer system comprising:
a user workstation that includes an interface for a user to input a first stamp number corresponding to the user and to specify document processing instructions corresponding to the first stamp number, the first stamp number and document processing instructions corresponding to the first stamp number being stored in a post office; a first server coupled via network to the user workstation, the first server including a mailman application that receives a new scanned document, processes the new scanned document to determine a second stamp number on a stamp on the new scanned document, where the second stamp number comprises an identification number on the stamp, wherein the identification number on the stamp is the same for each stamp in a roll of stamps assigned to the user, the mailman application including an interface for communicating with a post office application in the post office; and a second server coupled via network to the user workstation, the second server including the post office, the post office application receiving from the mailman application the second stamp number corresponding to the new scanned document, determining the second stamp number matches the first stamp number entered by the user, determining from the user input the document processing instructions corresponding to the first stamp number, and returning to the mailman application the document processing instructions corresponding to the first stamp number that define how to process the new scanned document.