US20110164279A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20110164279A1
Application number: US12/986,025
Authority: US
Inventors: Jianxin Wang; Truc Nguyen; William Su; Peter Tran
Original assignee: Toshiba Corp; Toshiba Tec Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Corp; Toshiba Tec Corp
Priority date: 2007-01-22
Filing date: 2011-01-06
Publication date: 2011-07-07
Also published as: JP2008176784A; US20080174805A1; US7889374B2

Abstract

The subject application is directed to routing electronic documents for processing using a transient email address. A document processing gateway automatically generates a transient email address in response to a non-electronic mail request to do so. A mail server routes a document processing request directed to the transient email address to a document processing device. Upon completion of the routing process or other similar event, the transient email address is deleted.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

This patent is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/625,638, filed Jan. 22, 2007, entitled “System And Method For Providing Mobile Document Processing Services.”

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHTS AND TRADE DRESS

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. This patent document may show and/or describe matter which is or may become trade dress of the owner. The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and trade dress rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

The subject application is directed to a system and method for providing mobile document processing services. In particular, the subject application is directed to a system and method for providing mobile document processing services that are accessed by a user via an electronic mail request to the service.

A professional or other mobile user is routinely required to work with documents or other data while away from an office environment. Such a user needs to generate image data, by printing, faxing, storing or scanning a document, and then needs to distribute or perform other functions on such image data. A user may access such document processing services by submitting an electronic mail request to a document processing service or provider. The electronic mail server dedicated to receiving document processing requests for the document processing service will typically receive numerous unsolicited or disruptive electronic mail messages, known as Spam. Spam is generally used to promote a product or service or broadcast some political or social commentary. The efficiency with which the electronic mail server is able to process the document processing requests may be significantly compromised by the receipt of large volumes of such unsolicited electronic mail. Difficulties in remote processing of documents by fee based services are compounded when junk electronic mail is taken into account. Unsolicited electronic mail messages may be routed to a document processing device for printing, facsimile transmission or storage, resulting in unwanted charges for processing of useless, personal or otherwise undesirable electronic mail messages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, there is provided a system and method for providing mobile document processing services.

Further, in accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, there is provided a system and method for providing mobile document processing services that are accessed by a user via an electronic mail request to the service.

Further, in accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, there is provided a system and method that allows a user to mobile document processing wherein a document processing request is transmitted to a transient electronic mail address and then routing the request to a document processing device corresponding to the transient address

Still further, in accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, there is provided a system for a mobile document processing system. The system comprises means adapted for receiving a transient address request for generation of a transient address from an associated user and means adapted for generating transient address data for routing of electronic documents in accordance with a received request. The system further comprises means adapted for receiving a document processing request for processing of at least one electronic document and means adapted for routing the at least one electronic document to an associated document processing device corresponding to the transient address. The system also comprises means adapted for commencing a document processing operation by the associated document processing device in accordance with a received document processing request and means adapted for deleting the transient address upon occurrence of a selected event.

In another embodiment of the subject application, the selected event is suitably an expiration of a selected time period. In another embodiment, the selected event is commencement of a selected number of document processing operations.

In yet another embodiment of the subject application, the transient address data is an electronic mail address associated with the user. Preferably, the transient address includes data representative of an electronic mail server associated with user and identification data associated with the user

In another embodiment of the subject application, the associated document processing device is at least one device chosen from a set comprising a printer, a facsimile device, and a data storage.

Still further, in accordance with the one embodiment of the subject application, there is provided a method for mobile document processing in accordance with the system as set forth above.

Still other advantages, aspects and features of the subject application will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description wherein there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of the subject application, simply by way of illustration of one of the best modes best suited to carry out the subject application. As it will be realized, the subject application is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects all without departing from the scope of the subject application. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject application is described with reference to certain figures, including:

FIG. 1 is an overall diagram of the mobile document processing system according to one embodiment of the subject application;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating controller hardware for use in the mobile document processing system according to one embodiment of the subject application;

FIG. 3 is a functional diagram illustrating the controller for use in the mobile document processing system according to one embodiment of the subject application;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a server for use in the mobile document processing system according to one embodiment of the subject application;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a mobile document processing method according to one embodiment of the subject application; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a mobile document processing method from a client side perspective according to one embodiment of the subject application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject application is directed to a system and method for providing mobile document processing services. In particular, the subject application is directed to a system and method for providing mobile document processing services that are accessed by a user via an electronic mail request to the service. More particularly, the subject application is directed to a system and method for mobile document processing wherein a document processing request is transmitted to a transient electronic mail address and then routing the request to a document processing device corresponding to the transient address. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art that the system and method described herein are suitably adapted to a plurality of varying electronic fields including, for example and without limitation, communications, general computing, data processing, document processing, or the like. The preferred embodiment, as depicted inFIG. 1, illustrates a document processing field for example purposes only and is not a limitation of the subject application solely to such a field

Referring now toFIG. 1, there is shown an overall diagram of thesystem100 for mobile document processing services in accordance with one embodiment of the subject application. As shown inFIG. 1, thesystem100 is capable of implementation using a distributed computing environment, illustrated as acomputer network102. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that thecomputer network102 is any distributed communications system known in the art capable of enabling the exchange of data between two or more electronic devices. The skilled artisan will further appreciate that thecomputer network102 includes, for example and without limitation, a virtual local area network, a wide area network, a personal area network, a local area network, the Internet, an intranet, or the any suitable combination thereof. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the subject application, thecomputer network102 is comprised of physical layers and transport layers, as illustrated by the myriad of conventional data transport mechanisms, such as, for example and without limitation, Token-Ring, 802.11(x), Ethernet, or other wireless or wire-based data communication mechanisms. The skilled artisan will appreciate that while acomputer network102 is shown inFIG. 1, the subject application is equally capable of use in a stand-alone system, as will be known in the art.

Thesystem100 also includes adocument processing device104, depicted inFIG. 1 as a multifunction peripheral device, suitably adapted to perform a variety of document processing operations. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that such document processing operations include, for example and without limitation, facsimile, scanning, copying, printing, electronic mail, document management, document storage, or the like. Suitable commercially available document processing devices include, for example and without limitation, the Toshiba e-Studio Series Controller. In accordance with one aspect of the subject application, thedocument processing device104 is suitably adapted to provide remote document processing services to external or network devices. Preferably, thedocument processing device104 includes hardware, software, and any suitable combination thereof, configured to interact with an associated user, a networked device, or the like

According to one embodiment of the subject application, thedocument processing device104 is suitably equipped to receive a plurality of portable storage media, including, without limitation, Firewire drive, USB drive, SD, MMC, XD, Compact Flash, Memory Stick, and the like. In the preferred embodiment of the subject application, thedocument processing device104 further includes an associateduser interface106, such as a touch-screen, LCD display, touch-panel, alpha-numeric keypad, or the like, via which an associated user is able to interact directly with thedocument processing device104. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the subject application, theuser interface106 is advantageously used to communicate information to the associated user and receive selections from the associated user. The skilled artisan will appreciate that theuser interface106 comprises various components, suitably adapted to present data to the associated user, as are known in the art. In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, theuser interface106 comprises a display, suitably adapted to display one or more graphical elements, text data, images, or the like, to an associated user, receive input from the associated user, and communicate the same to a backend component, such as acontroller108, as explained in greater detail below. Preferably, thedocument processing device104 is communicatively coupled to thecomputer network102 via a suitable communications link112. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, suitable communications links include, for example and without limitation, WiMax, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11(x), Bluetooth, the public switched telephone network, a proprietary communications network, infrared, optical, or any other suitable wired or wireless data transmission communications known in the art.

In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, thedocument processing device104 further incorporates a backend component, designated as thecontroller108, suitably adapted to facilitate the operations of thedocument processing device104, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Preferably, thecontroller108 is embodied as hardware, software, or any suitable combination thereof, configured to control the operations of the associateddocument processing device104, facilitate the display of images via theuser interface106, direct the manipulation of electronic image data, facilitate electronic mail communications, and the like. For purposes of explanation, thecontroller108 is used to refer to any myriad of components associated with thedocument processing device104, including hardware, software, or combinations thereof, functioning to perform, cause to be performed, control, or otherwise direct the methodologies described hereinafter. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the methodologies described with respect to thecontroller108 are capable of being performed by any general purpose computing system, known in the art, and thus thecontroller108 is representative of such a general computing device and is intended as such when used hereinafter. Furthermore, the use of thecontroller108 hereinafter is for the example embodiment only, and other embodiments, which will be apparent to one skilled in the art, are capable of employing the mobile document processing system and method according to one embodiment of the subject application. The functioning of thecontroller108 will better be understood in conjunction with the block diagrams illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, explained in greater detail below.

Communicatively coupled to thedocument processing device104 is adata storage device110. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the subject application, thedata storage device110 is any mass storage device known in the art including, for example and without limitation, magnetic storage drives, a hard disk drive, optical storage devices, flash memory devices, or any suitable combination thereof. In the preferred embodiment, thedata storage device110 is suitably adapted to store document data, image data, electronic database data, or the like. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while illustrated inFIG. 1 as being a separate component of thesystem100, thedata storage device110 is capable of being implemented as internal storage component of thedocument processing device104, a component of thecontroller108, or the like, such as, for example and without limitation, an internal hard disk drive, or the like. In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, thedata storage device110 includes, for example and without limitation, electronic mail data, electronic documents, document processing requests, and the like.

Additionally, thesystem100 ofFIG. 1 includes aportable data device114, suitably adapted for sending and receiving electronic mail communications, browsing, personal data assistance operations, and the like. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, suitable portable data devices include, for example and without limitation, personal data assistants, proprietary network personal communications devices, smart phones, web-enabled cellular telephones, or the like. Preferably, theportable data device114 is communicatively coupled to thecomputer network102 via acommunications link116. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that a suitable communications link includes any wired or wireless data communications mediums known in the art including, for example and without limitation, Bluetooth, WiMax, Wi-Fi, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11(x), a proprietary communications network, the public switched telephone network, optical, infrared, or any other suitable data transmission communications known in the art. In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, auser126 is capable of requesting a transient address for accessing document processing services via theportable data device114. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theuser126 is capable of requesting the transient address via a web portal accessed via thecomputer network102 through a suitable browser on theportable data device114, or via telephonic operations through theportable data device114.

Thesystem100 illustrated inFIG. 1 further depicts auser device118, in data communication with thecomputer network102 via acommunications link120. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theuser device118 is shown inFIG. 1 as a personal computer for illustration purposes only. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, theuser device118 is representative of any personal computing device known in the art, including, for example and without limitation, a computer workstation, a laptop computer, a personal data assistant, a web-enabled cellular telephone, a smart phone, a proprietary network device, or other web-enabled electronic device. The communications link120 is any suitable channel of data communications known in the art including, but not limited to wireless communications, for example and without limitation, Bluetooth, WiMax, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11(x), a proprietary communications network, infrared, optical, the public switched telephone network, or any suitable wireless data transmission system, or wired communications known in the art. Preferably, theuser device118 is suitably adapted to generate and transmit electronic documents, document processing instructions, document processing requests, electronic mail communications, user interface modifications, upgrades, updates, personalization data, or the like, to thedocument processing device104, or any other similar device coupled to thecomputer network102.

Thesystem100 illustrated inFIG. 1 further includes an electronic mail service component, shown as anelectronic mail server122, communicatively coupled to thecomputer network102 and adapted to provide electronic mail services to users associated with the mobile document processing system. Theelectronic mail server122 is capable of implementation as any hardware, software, or suitable combination thereof, able to perform the functions described hereinafter. Preferably, theelectronic mail server122 is communicatively coupled to thecomputer network102 via a suitable communications link124. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the communications link124 includes, for example and without limitation, infrared, optical, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11(x), Bluetooth, WiMax, the public switched telephone network, a proprietary communications network, or any other suitable wired or wireless data transmission communications known in the art. The functioning of theelectronic mail server122 is more fully explained in detail below with respect toFIG. 4. In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, theelectronic mail server122 is suitably adapted to provide transient electronic mail addresses to requestingusers126, via the public switched telephone network, to requesting

devices

114 and118 via thecomputer network102, and the like. Preferably, theelectronic mail server122 is further capable of functioning as a mail server as are known in the art.

Thesystem100 further illustrates anetwork storage server128 coupled to adata storage device130. Preferably, thenetwork storage server128 is representative of any network storage device known in the art capable of storing document data, image data, video data, sound data, multimedia data, or other suitable electronic data, as will be known in the art. In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, thedata storage device130 includes a plurality of electronic data, including image data, document data, or the like. Thenetwork storage server128 is communicatively coupled to thecomputer network102 via a suitable communications link132. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the communications link132 includes, for example and without limitation a proprietary communications network, infrared, optical, Bluetooth, WiMax, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11(x), the public switched telephone network, or any suitable wireless data transmission system, or wired communications known in the art.

Turning now toFIG. 2, illustrated is a representative architecture of a suitable backend component, i.e., thecontroller200, shown inFIG. 1 as thecontroller108, on which operations of thesubject system100 are completed. The skilled artisan will understand that thecontroller108 is representative of any general computing device, known in the art, capable of facilitating the methodologies described herein. Included is aprocessor202, suitably comprised of a central processor unit. However, it will be appreciated thatprocessor202 may advantageously be composed of multiple processors working in concert with one another as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. Also included is a non-volatile or readonly memory204 which is advantageously used for static or fixed data or instructions, such as BIOS functions, system functions, system configuration data, and other routines or data used for operation of thecontroller200.

Also included in thecontroller200 israndom access memory206, suitably formed of dynamic random access memory, static random access memory, or any other suitable, addressable and writable memory system. Random access memory provides a storage area for data instructions associated with applications and data handling accomplished byprocessor202.

Astorage interface208 suitably provides a mechanism for non-volatile, bulk or long term storage of data associated with thecontroller200. Thestorage interface208 suitably uses bulk storage, such as any suitable addressable or serial storage, such as a disk, optical, tape drive and the like as shown as216, as well as any suitable storage medium as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Anetwork interface subsystem210 suitably routes input and output from an associated network allowing thecontroller200 to communicate to other devices. Thenetwork interface subsystem210 suitably interfaces with one or more connections with external devices to thedevice200. By way of example, illustrated is at least onenetwork interface card214 for data communication with fixed or wired networks, such as Ethernet, token ring, and the like, and awireless interface218, suitably adapted for wireless communication via means such as WiFi, WiMax, wireless modem, cellular network, or any suitable wireless communication system. It is to be appreciated however, that the network interface subsystem suitably utilizes any physical or non-physical data transfer layer or protocol layer as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. In the illustration, thenetwork interface214 is interconnected for data interchange via aphysical network220, suitably comprised of a local area network, wide area network, or a combination thereof.

Data communication between theprocessor202, read onlymemory204,random access memory206,storage interface208 and thenetwork interface subsystem210 is suitably accomplished via a bus data transfer mechanism, such as illustrated bybus212.

Also in data communication with bus the212 is adocument processor interface222. Thedocument processor interface222 suitably provides connection withhardware232 to perform one or more document processing operations. Such operations include copying accomplished viacopy hardware224, scanning accomplished viascan hardware226, printing accomplished viaprint hardware228, and facsimile communication accomplished viafacsimile hardware230. It is to be appreciated that a controller suitably operates any or all of the aforementioned document processing operations. Systems accomplishing more than one document processing operation are commonly referred to as multifunction peripherals or multifunction devices.

Functionality of thesubject system100 is accomplished on a suitable document processing device, such as thedocument processing device104, which includes thecontroller200 ofFIG. 2, (shown inFIG. 1 as the controller108) as an intelligent subsystem associated with thedocument processing device104. In the illustration ofFIG. 3,controller function300 in the preferred embodiment, includes adocument processing engine302. A suitable controller functionality is that incorporated into the Toshiba e-Studio system in the preferred embodiment.FIG. 3 illustrates suitable functionality of the hardware ofFIG. 2 in connection with software and operating system functionality as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

In the preferred embodiment, theengine302 allows for printing operations, copy operations, facsimile operations and scanning operations. This functionality is frequently associated with multi-function peripherals, which have become a document processing peripheral of choice in the industry. It will be appreciated, however, that the subject controller does not have to have all such capabilities. Controllers are also advantageously employed in dedicated or more limited purposes document processing devices that are subset of the document processing operations listed above.

Theengine302 is suitably interfaced to auser interface panel310, which panel allows for a user or administrator to access functionality controlled by theengine302. Access is suitably enabled via an interface local to the controller, or remotely via a remote thin or thick client.

Theengine302 is in data communication with theprint function304,facsimile function306, and scanfunction308. These functions facilitate the actual operation of printing, facsimile transmission and reception, and document scanning for use in securing document images for copying or generating electronic versions.

Ajob queue312 is suitably in data communication with theprint function304,facsimile function306, and scanfunction308. It will be appreciated that various image forms, such as bit map, page description language or vector format, and the like, are suitably relayed from thescan function308 for subsequent handling via thejob queue312.

Thejob queue312 is also in data communication withnetwork services314. In a preferred embodiment, job control, status data, or electronic document data is exchanged between thejob queue312 and the network services314. Thus, suitable interface is provided for network based access to thecontroller function300 via clientside network services320, which is any suitable thin or thick client. In the preferred embodiment, the web services access is suitably accomplished via a hypertext transfer protocol, file transfer protocol, uniform data diagram protocol, or any other suitable exchange mechanism. The network services314 also advantageously supplies data interchange withclient side services320 for communication via FTP, electronic mail, TELNET, or the like. Thus, thecontroller function300 facilitates output or receipt of electronic document and user information via various network access mechanisms.

Thejob queue312 is also advantageously placed in data communication with animage processor316. Theimage processor316 is suitably a raster image processor, page description language interpreter or any suitable mechanism for interchange of an electronic document to a format better suited for interchange with device functions such asprint304,facsimile306 or scan308.

Finally, thejob queue312 is in data communication with aparser318, which parser suitably functions to receive print job language files from an external device, such as client device services322. Theclient device services322 suitably include printing, facsimile transmission, or other suitable input of an electronic document for which handling by thecontroller function300 is advantageous. TheParser318 functions to interpret a received electronic document file and relay it to thejob queue312 for handling in connection with the afore-described functionality and components.

Turning now toFIG. 4, illustrated is a representative architecture of asuitable server400 on which operations of the subject system are completed. Included is aprocessor402, suitably comprised of a central processor unit. However, it will be appreciated that theprocessor402 may advantageously be composed of multiple processors working in concert with one another as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. Also included is a non-volatile or readonly memory404 which is advantageously used for static or fixed data or instructions, such as BIOS functions, system functions, system configuration, and other routines or data used for operation of theserver400.

Also included in theserver400 israndom access memory406, suitably formed of dynamic random access memory, static random access memory, or any other suitable, addressable memory system. Random access memory provides a storage area for data instructions associated with applications and data handling accomplished by theprocessor402.

Astorage interface408 suitably provides a mechanism for volatile, bulk or long term storage of data associated with theserver400. Thestorage interface408 suitably uses bulk storage, such as any suitable addressable or serial storage, such as a disk, optical, tape drive and the like as shown as416, as well as any suitable storage medium as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Anetwork interface subsystem410 suitably routes input and output from an associated network allowing theserver400 to communicate to other devices. Thenetwork interface subsystem410 suitably interfaces with one or more connections with external devices to theserver400. By way of example, illustrated is at least onenetwork interface card414 for data communication with fixed or wired networks, such as Ethernet, token ring, and the like, and awireless interface418, suitably adapted for wireless communication via means such as WiFi, WiMax, wireless modem, cellular network, or any suitable wireless communication system. It is to be appreciated however, that the network interface subsystem suitably utilizes any physical or non-physical data transfer layer or protocol layer as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. In the illustration, thenetwork interface414 is interconnected for data interchange via aphysical network420, suitably comprised of a local area network, wide area network, or a combination thereof.

Data communication between theprocessor402, read onlymemory404,random access memory406,storage interface408 and thenetwork subsystem410 is suitably accomplished via a bus data transfer mechanism, such as illustrated bybus412.

Suitable executable instructions on theserver400 facilitate communication with a plurality of external devices, such as workstations, document processing devices, other servers, or the like. While, in operation, a typical server operates autonomously, it is to be appreciated that direct control by a local user is sometimes desirable, and is suitably accomplished via an optional input/output interface422 as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

In operation, a request for a transient address is received for the generation of a transient address from an associated user. Transient address data is then generated for routing of electronic documents in accordance with a received request. Next, a document processing request is received corresponding to a request for processing of at least one electronic document. The at least one electronic document is then routed to an associated document processing device corresponding to the transient address. The associated document processing device then commences a document processing operation according to the received document processing request. The transient address is deleted upon the occurrence of a selected event.

In accordance with one example embodiment of the subject application, auser126, via telephone connection with themail server122, via telephone connection through theportable data device114, or via a web browser operating on theportable data device114 or theuser device118, requests a transient electronic mail address corresponding to a spam-free electronic mail address administered by theserver122 for mobile document processing services. Preferably, theuser126 is registered to use the mobile document processing system, e.g., is authenticated/authorized via suitable authentication mechanisms, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. According to one embodiment of the subject application, a voice processing component resident on themail server122 is suitably adapted to enable a registered user to request and receive a transient address via the public switched telephone network or other voice-enabled communications network. Preferably, when a voice request is received by themail server122, a transient address is communicated to theuser126 at an electronic mail address associated with the registereduser126. Similarly, theuser126 is able to request a transient address via a web portal, hosted by themail server122 or by a server (not shown) in secure data communication with themail server122.

Themail server122 then generates, upon the request of the registereduser126, a transient address corresponding to an electronic mail address to which theuser126 is able to forward a document processing request. In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, the transient address includes, for example and without limitation, a permanent address associated with themail server122 and a transient account identification associated with the transient address request from the registereduser126. When theuser126 makes such a transient address request, theuser126 is prompted, via telephonic means, i.e., voice or image, or graphical means, i.e., via an associated user interface on a web browser, to specify the delivery method for the transient address, i.e., display the transient address to theuser126 via an associated interface, or electronically mail the transient address to theuser126 at a preselected electronic mail address.

Theuser126 receives the transient address via theportable data device114, thepersonal computer118, or the like, from themail server122 through a suitable communications link. A document processing request is then generated via any suitable means known in the art and sent to the transient address. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the transient address is capable of, but is not limited to, designating thedocument processing device104 as the recipient of the message, designating themail server122, which further functions to forward document processing requests to thedocument processing device104, designating thenetwork storage server128 for storing an electronic document, or the like. Preferably, the document processing request is sent to the transient address in the form of an electronic mail message, such as an attachment or included within the body of the message. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the document processing request suitably designates an electronic document for processing, which document is capable of being stored locally on thepersonal computer118, stored on theportable data device114, stored on thedata storage device110, stored on some othernetworked storage server128, or the like. In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, the transient address denotes a particulardocument processing device104 for performance of document processing services. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the document processing request is capable of comprising an electronic mail message, wherein subject field of the message includes an identification of an associated document processing device or storage device, or the like.

The document processing request, inclusive of either an identification of an electronic document or the electronic document itself, is then received by themail server122 via thecomputer network102. Themail server122 then routes the received document processing request to the transient address. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, such routing includes, for example and without limitation, routing to a mailbox on themail server122 routinely accessed by the designateddocument processing device104, a mailbox on themail server122 capable of being accessed from a document processing device, e.g.,104, by theuser126, routing directly to a mailbox resident on the designateddocument processing device104, or the like. In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, once themail server122 has received the document processing request, a receipt is generated and returned to the originating device, e.g., theportable data device114 or theuser device118, indicating that the document processing request has been received by themail server122 or thedocument processing device104, as determined by the transient address.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, upon receipt of the document processing request, thedocument processing device104 is capable of immediately performing the requested document processing operation on the designated electronic document or storing the request and associated document until such time as a release is obtained to perform the document processing operation. For example, and without limitation, thedocument processing device104 is capable of retrieving a designated electronic document and storing the document in thedata storage device110 until such time as theuser126 inputs a release command remotely via theuser device118 or theportable data device114, or via theuser interface106. As an additional example, thedocument processing device104 is capable of immediately commencing the requested document processing operation upon receipt of the request at the transient address.

Themail server122 then determines whether a selected event has occurred and based on the occurrence of the selected event, deletes the transient address. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, suitable selected events include, for example and without limitation, an expiration of a selected time period, the performance of a selected number of document processing operations, a cancellation request by an associated user, or the like. Once this event has occurred, themail server122 disables the transient address and the associateduser126 must request a new transient address for future document processing requests

The skilled artisan will appreciate that thesubject system100 and components described above with respect toFIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 3, andFIG. 4 will be better understood in conjunction with the methodologies described hereinafter with respect toFIG. 5 andFIG. 6. Turning now toFIG. 5, there is shown aflowchart500 illustrating a mobile document processing method in accordance with one embodiment of the subject application. Beginning atstep502, a transient address request is received for generation of a transient address from the associateduser126. As discussed above, suitable requests are capable of being communicated to theserver122 via voice, e.g., telephonic communication from theuser126, via thenetwork102, e.g., from theportable data device114 or theuser device118 using a suitable web browser or other communicative interface, or the like. Atstep504, the server generates transient address data for the routing of electronic documents in accordance with a received document processing request. A document processing request is then received corresponding to the processing of at least one electronic document atstep506

The at least one electronic document associated with the received document processing request is then routed atstep508 to the associateddocument processing device104, thenetwork storage server128, or the like, corresponding to the transient address. The receiving device, e.g., thedocument processing device104 or thedata storage device128, then commences performance of the document processing operation associated with the received document processing request. A determination is then made by themail server122 whether a selected event has occurred atstep512. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that suitable events include, for example and without limitation, the expiration of a selected time period, the commencement of a selected number of document processing operations, a deletion request from theuser126 or a suitable authorized administrator, or the like. When it is determined atstep512 that no such event has occurred, the operation terminates. When it is determined atstep512 that the selected event has occurred, flow proceeds to step514, whereupon the transient address is deleted from themail server122.

Referring now toFIG. 6, there is shown aflowchart600 illustrating a client side perspective of a mobile document processing method in accordance with one embodiment of the subject application. The method begins atstep602, wherein an associateduser126, via theportable data device114, theuser device118, a voice request, or the like, requests a transient address for mobile document processing services. Atstep604, a delivery method corresponding to the transient address is selected. For example, theuser126 is capable of specifying that the transient address be sent, via electronic mail, to the electronic mail address associated with theuser126, or the user specifies that the transient address be displayed via a suitable web browser, or the like.

A transient address is then received from themail server122 atstep606 corresponding to an address associated with the user and mobile document processing operations. A document processing request is then generated atstep608 corresponding to a selected document processing operation to be performed on at least one selected electronic document. In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, the at least one electronic document is capable of being retrieved from a local storage of thedata storage device110, theportable data device114, or theuser device118, fromnetwork storage device128, facsimile transmission, or the like. The document processing request is then communicated atstep610 to the transient address via thecomputer network102.

A receipt is then received from thedocument processing device104, themail server122, or thenetwork storage server128 corresponding to the transient address indicating confirmation of the receipt of the document processing request atstep612. The document processing request, or job, is then released at the associateddocument processing device104 via the associateduser interface106, or remotely with respect to storage or facsimile operations atstep614. Thereafter, the device associated with the transient address then commences performance of the document processing operation corresponding to the received document processing request.

The subject application extends to computer programs in the form of source code, object code, code intermediate sources and partially compiled object code, or in any other form suitable for use in the implementation of the subject application. Computer programs are suitably standalone applications, software components, scripts or plug-ins to other applications. Computer programs embedding the subject application are advantageously embodied on a carrier, being any entity or device capable of carrying the computer program: for example, a storage medium such as ROM or RAM, optical recording media such as CD-ROM or magnetic recording media such as floppy discs; or any transmissible carrier such as an electrical or optical signal conveyed by electrical or optical cable, or by radio or other means. Computer programs are suitably downloaded across the Internet from a server. Computer programs are also capable of being embedded in an integrated circuit. Any and all such embodiments containing code that will cause a computer to perform substantially the subject application principles as described, will fall within the scope of the subject application.

The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the subject application has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the subject application to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the subject application and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to use the subject application in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the subject application as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.

Claims

1. A system for routing electronic documents for processing using a transient email address comprising:

a document processing gateway to automatically generate a transient email address in response to a non-electronic mail request to generate the transient email address and, upon occurrence of an predetermined event, to delete the transient email address; and

a mail server in data communication with the document processing gateway, the mail server to route a document processing request directed to the transient email address to a document processing device.

2. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the predetermined event is selected from the group consisting of an expiration of a predetermined time period and commencement of a selected number of document processing operations.

3. The system ofclaim 1 further comprising a data storage device from which an electronic document specified in the document processing request is retrieved for routing to the document processing device.

4. The system ofclaim 1 further including a data device, selected from the group consisting of a portable data device and a personal computer, connected by a communication link to the document processing gateway, for providing the transient email address to the user.

5. The system ofclaim 1 further comprising a document processing device to receive the document processing request from the mail server, the document processing device including a user interface for accepting input of a release command from a user, the document processing device fulfilling the document processing request in response to the release command.

6. The system ofclaim 5, the document processing device comprising at least one of a printer, a facsimile device, and a data storage device.

7. A method for routing electronic documents for processing using a transient email address comprising:

generating a transient email address in response to a non-electronic mail request to generate the transient email address;

routing a document processing request directed to the transient email address to a document processing device; and

deleting the transient address upon occurrence of a predetermined event.

8. The method ofclaim 7 wherein the predetermined event is selected from the group consisting of an expiration of a predetermined time period and commencement of a selected number of document processing operations.

9. The method ofclaim 7 further comprising retrieving an electronic document specified in the document processing request from a data storage device for routing to the document processing device.

10. The method ofclaim 7 further comprising communicating the transient email address to the user using a communication link.

11. The method for routing electronic documents for processing using a transient email address ofclaim 7 further comprising:

accepting input of a release command from a user associated with the at least one electronic document via a user interface associated with the document processing device; and

fulfilling the document processing request in response to the release command.

12. The method ofclaim 7 wherein the associated document processing device is at least one of a printer, a facsimile device, and a data storage device.

13. Machine readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed, cause a computing device to perform actions comprising:

deleting the transient address upon occurrence of a predetermined event.

14. The machine readable storage ofclaim 13 wherein the predetermined event is selected from the group consisting of an expiration of a predetermined time period and commencement of a selected number of document processing operations.

15. The machine readable storage ofclaim 13 wherein the instructions will further cause the computing device to perform actions comprising retrieving the electronic document from a data storage device for routing to the document processing device.

16. The machine readable storage ofclaim 13 wherein the instructions will further cause the computing device to perform actions comprising communicating the transient email address to the user using a communication link.

17. The machine readable storage ofclaim 13 wherein the instructions with further cause the computing device to perform actions comprising:

fulfilling the document processing request in response to the release command.

18. The machine readable storage ofclaim 13 wherein the associated document processing device is at least one of a printer, a facsimile device, and a data storage.