Title of Invention

SCANNER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSMISSION OF SCANNED IMAGE OVER DATA NETWORK TO A FILE SERVER

Abstract The proposed invention aims at a scanner system and method for transmission of scanned data in desired formats like JPEG, TIFF, PDF or raw data to file servers across LAN or internet through file transfer method independent of platforms like Windows, Linux, Solaris etc. The connection to the file server is established through file transfer agent of the scanner sub system based on the information provided by the user through the user interface. The present system involves a method for transmission of scanned image over a data network to a file server, wherein the scanned images are directly transferred over data network using file transfer method without the support of any special client or email for transferring the said data and without any special /proprietary client or email support at the receiving end i.e. at the file server in that the scanner sub system scans the document, the Ul sub module allows the user to input the account information and other file related information and the file transfer module connects to the file server using the information provided by the user.
Full Text

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
This invention relates to a scanner system and method for transmission of an image from a scanner device over a data network to a File Server/computer. Further this invention encompasses a scanner system and method for transmission of scanned image over a data network to a file server. It involves a scanner device, which is network enabled and is capable of acting as a client to a file server.
PRESENT STATE OF ART
With the increasing familiarity of business people with computers, more computer-based tasks are being performed by more people in office environments. Image scanners are becoming popular devices in office environments both for enabling images to be included into documents and also to obtain images of documents in order to perform optical character recognition.
Currently scanning devices are becoming more and more network oriented. Features like "Scan to e-mail" and "Network Scanning" are being implemented. In "Scan to e-mail", the user gives destination email address as input to the scanner device and the scanned image is sent to the specified address as an attachment to e-mail. In case of "Network scanning" proprietary client software is used at the client (destination) computer that gives commands to scanner device and gets the data using proprietary protocol.
But none of these existing systems cover sending a scanned image by the scanner device to a general-purpose file server using file transfer method.
LIMITATIONS
The existing scanner devices are not capable of sending scanned images to a general purpose file server using file transfer method.

Also, the existing scanner devices cannot be used to send scanned images to servers provided by the various websites which give internet users file server accounts (IP address of the file server, username and password).
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is the primary object of the invention to invent a unique scanner system and method for transmission of scanned image over data network to a file server.
It is another object of the invention to invent a scanner system and method for sending a scanned image over data network to the File Server, without much user intervention.
It is another object of the invention to invent a scanner system and method which scans the document in the user specified or default format, converts the scanned data into desired file format and connects to the file server using the information provided by the user and transfers the file using file transfer method.
It is another object of the invention to enable a scanner device to send scanned image over the network to a destination device using File transfer method for which standard protocols like FTP are available.
It is another object of the invention to transfer the data without any e-mail support.
It is another object of the invention to invent a method by which the difficulty to send an image from scanner over a data network to a file server/ computer using file transfer method without user intervention existent in present methods is overcome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a scanner system and method to transfer an image from a scanner over a data network to a File Server/computer using file transfer method with minimum user intervention. File transfer is one of the most basic

methods apart from mail and internet. The scanner system comprises a scanner sub-system for scanning of images, a user interface for accepting information like file server address, user account and password and a file conversion module for conversion of scanned data to any desired format like JPEG, TIFF, and PDF. This invention enables a scanning device to connect to a file server over a data network (local network or internet) and send the scanned image file as raw data or in any of the image formats like JPEG, TIFF, PDF, etc.
Accordingly, the present invention comprises a scanner system for transmission of scanned image over a data network to a file server, wherein the scanned images are directly transferred over data network using file transfer method without the support of any special client or email for transferring the said data and without any special/proprietary client or email support at the receiving end i.e. at the file server in that the system comprises a means for scanning the desired data. User Interface (Ul) sub module. File transfer module, network interface and a means for network connection to file server.
Accordingly, the present invention further comprises a method for transmission of scanned image over a data network to a file server, wherein the scanned images are directly transferred over data network using file transfer method without the support of any special client or email for transferring the said data and without any special /proprietary client or email support at the receiving end i.e. at the file server in that the scanner sub system scans the document, the Ul sub module allows the user to input the account information and other file related information and the file transfer module connects to the file server using the information provided by the user.
The other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and the detailed description as follows:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is the high level block diagram of the scanner system capable of sending scanned data over a data network to a file server.
Figure 2 shows a typical scanner system.
Figure 3 shows the complete scanner device of the proposed invention.
Figure 4 illustrates the data flow diagram for user interface part.
Figure 5 shows the data flow diagram for scanning the document.
Figure 6 shows the data flow diagram for File transfer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood however that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. The following description and drawings are not to be construed as limiting the invention and numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention, as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention. However in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention in detail.
The present invention relates to a method for transmission of scanned image over a data network to a file server, wherein the scanned images are directly transferred over data network using file transfer method without the support of any special client or email for transferring the said data and without any special /proprietary client or email support at the receiving end i.e. at the file server in

that the scanner sub system scans the document, the Ul sub module allows the user to input the account information and other file related information and the file transfer module connects to the file server using the information provided by the user.
The invention also relates to a scanner system for transmission of scanned image over a data network to a file server, wherein the scanned images are directly transferred over data network using file transfer method without the support of any special client or email for transferring the said data and without any special /proprietary client or email support at the receiving end i.e. at the file server in that the system comprises a means for scanning the desired data, User Interface (Ul) sub module, File transfer module, network interface and a means for network connection to file server.
This invention aims at enabling a scanner device to send scanned image to a file server present in local network or via any other media (internet, wireless) using file transfer method in any of the image formats like JPEG, TIFF, PDF, etc. as specified by the user.
File transfer is one of the most primary methods over the internet and is used by number of users at any time. Due to the design, different machines, using different operating systems and different hardware can exchange files efficiently in a safe manner.
This invention involves:
1) Scanner sub-system:
2) User Interface:
3) File conversion module:
4) File transfer capable network client:
5) Network interface: and
6) Network connection to file server.
The user will provide the information about the file server account it wants to use. This information has 3 essential parts:

i) File server address; ii) User name; and iii) Password.
The scanner device connects to file server using this information and transfers the scanned image over the network. Network interface part of the scanner device has a File transfer capable network client that can connect to specified server using the information provided by the user.
The physical network connection can be LAN or internet using wired or wireless connection. The overall block diagram of the scanner device is shown in Figure 3.
Structure of the Invention
Figure 2 shows a typical scanner system shows a scanner device connected to LAN comprising various computers/devices and workstations, which can act as file servers. The scanner device is interconnected to the file servers across the internet. A wireless device acting as file server is shown as an example. The scanned data is sent from the scanner sub system to any of the file servers across the network by file transfer method either as raw data or in JPEG, TIFF or PDF format based on the information provided by the user via user interface module of the scanner sub system.
The scanner system comprises the following sub modules:
a. An interface device with User Interface (e.g. alphanumeric keyboard, touch
screen and the like), to get user request and file access information;
b. Scanner subsystem for scanning the document;
c. Module to convert the file in desired format;
d. Module to connect to file server over data network and transmitting the file in
electronic format.

Operation of the Invention
The main operation of the proposed invention as explained in the Figure 3 involves sending scanned images in various image formats from the scanner device to a file sen/er across LAN or internet through file transfer method. Given below is the stepwise description of the operation of the invention:
• The user feeds user account detail and optional information for required file format
• The scanner sub system scans the document whenever the document is ready and produces scanned data as bitmap image;
• The file conversion module converts the scanned data to required format i.e. JPEG, TIFF or PDF based on the format information provided by the user;
• The image is transferred to the file server across the network through file transfer agent using file transfer method. The File Transfer Protocol is platform independent and the image can be sent to different machines across the network running different Operating Systems,
Operation for account information input
Referring to Figure 4 the scanner device keeps waiting for the user input. If user input is the selection of File transfer mode (current invention) the flow is shown. The user can input the File server account information or it can be selected from a list. Basic validation is done for account information (e.g. IP address should be in the form a.b.c.d and a, b, c and d must not be more than 255). The steps involved are as follows:
1. A user interface(UI) is provided to allow the user to enter the file server address, the account name and password for authentication with the server;
2. Basic validation for File server address, username and password can be done at Ul;
3. Alternatively, user is allowed to select from a list of predefined accounts. The entries to this account information list may be added or deleted as required;

4. User may select the desired file format (e.g. TIFF, JPEG, PDF and BMP etc.) or can directly use the default format;
5. User may provide the destination file name or the scanner device generates a unique file name.
Operation for scanning and file transfer
In the figure 5 if the user is allowed to select the destination file format before scanning. If document is ready for scanning, the provided document is scanned and produces scanned data as bitmap referred to as raw data. If the File format conversion is needed, the data is sent to File format conversion sub-module (it is shown as Data path 1) otherwise data is directly sent to File transfer agent (it is shown as Data path 2).
The scanned document is converted to the format specified by the user or to the default format. The user interface is meant for accepting valid information like file server address, user account and password as well as image formats information. A destination file name needs to be given through Ul or a unique file name is generated by adding current date and time stamp to a base name.
According to Figure 6, the File transfer sub-module connects to the File server across the network via network interface which can be wired or wireless interface using account information provided by the user. If destination file name is provided by the user, it is used directly otherwise a unique name is generated by appending current date and time stamp to a base name. The file is transferred to the File server and connection is closed after completion. However, at any point of time if an error occurs, it sends appropriate information to the user.
Following are some of the additional features of the proposed invention:
1. A default server can be used if all the scanned images are to be sent to one system (for example, a file server in an organization).
2. A default user name and password (may be anonymous user account) can be used.

3. Different image formats (TIFF, PDF, JPEG, bmp etc.) can be used for scanned image data,
4. The File transfer can be time scheduled if enough memory is available to store the scanned file and continue with the normal operation.
It will also be obvious to those skilled in the art that other control methods and apparatuses can be derived from the combinations of the various methods and apparatuses of the present invention as taught by the description and the accompanying drawings and these shall also be considered within the scope of the present invention. Further, description of such combinations and variations is therefore omitted above. It should also be noted that the host for storing the applications include but not limited to a computer, printer or a multi function device.
Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications are possible and are apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims unless they depart therefrom.

Reference:
RFC 959 (File Transfer Protocol)
US patent 6025931 (Facsimile to E-mail communication system with local interface)
US patent 6020980 (Facsimile delivery to electronic mail)
US patent 6424426 (Fax-to-email and Email-to-fax communication system and method)



WE CLAIM
1. A scanner systenr) for transmission of scanned image over a data network to a file server, wherein the scanned images are directly transferred over data network using file transfer method without the support of any special client or email for transferring the said data and without any special/proprietary client or email support at the receiving end i. e. at the file server in that the system comprises a means for scanning the desired data, User Interface (Ul) sub module, File transfer module, network interface and a means for network connection to file server.
2. A scanner system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the scanned data is optionally converted into the desired format in the file conversion module before transferring the data to File transfer module,
3. A scanner system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the scanned data is transferred to the file transfer module as raw data without conversion.
4. A scanner system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the scanner sub system is responsible for scanning the document, the Ul sub module allows the user to input the account information and other file related information and the file transfer module is responsible for connecting to the file server using the information provided by the user.
5. A scanner system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the file transfer is to a device/computer connected in LAN or a device/computer, which is used across Internet, or a device used in wireless system.
6. A scanner system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the file transfer sub module connects to the file server using account information provided by the user and used directly if destination file name is provided otherwise a unique name is generated by appending current date and time stamp to a base name.

7. A scanner system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the file server account is accessed using the information provided by the user comprising file server address, user name and a password.
8. A scanner system as claimed in claim 1 wherein at any point of time if an error occurs, information is immediately sent to the user.
9. A scanner system as claimed in claim 1 wherein different image formats such as TIFF, PDF, JPEG, BMP, etc., can be used for scanned image data.
10. A scanner system as claimed in the claim 1 wherein a default server is used if all the scanned images are to be sent to one system, say for example, a file server in an organisation.
11. A scanner system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the File Transfer can be time scheduled provided enough memory is available to store the scanned file and continue with the normal operation.
12. A scanner system for the direct transfer of the scanned images over a network using file transfer method substantially as herein described particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings.
13. A method for transmission of scanned image over a data network to a file server, wherein the scanned images are directly transferred over data network using file transfer method without the support of any special client or email for transferring the said data and without any special /proprietary client or email support at the receiving end i.e. at the file server in that the scanner sub system scans the document, the Ul sub module allows the user to input the account information and other file related information and the file transfer module connects to the file server using the information provided by the user.
14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the scanned data is optionally converted into the desired format in the file conversion module before transferring the data to File transfer module.

15. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the scanned data is transferred to
the file transfer module as raw data without conversion
16. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the file transfer sub module connects to the file server using account information provided by the user and used directly if destination file name is provided otherwise a unique name is generated by appending current date and time stamp to a base name.
17. A method for transmission of scanned image over a data network to a file server substantially as herein described particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings.
18. A scanner system for transmission of scanned image over a data network to a file
server substantially as herein described particularly with reference to the
accompanying drawings.


Documents:

889-che-2003-abstract.pdf

889-che-2003-claims duplicate.pdf

889-che-2003-claims original.pdf

889-che-2003-correspondence others.pdf

889-che-2003-correspondence po.pdf

889-che-2003-description complete duplicate.pdf

889-che-2003-description complete original.pdf

889-che-2003-drawings.pdf

889-che-2003-form 1.pdf

889-che-2003-form 19.pdf

889-che-2003-form 26.pdf


Patent Number 200709
Indian Patent Application Number 889/CHE/2003
PG Journal Number 8/2007
Publication Date 23-Feb-2007
Grant Date 30-May-2006
Date of Filing 03-Nov-2003
Name of Patentee M/S. SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD
Applicant Address J.P TECHNO PARK, 3/1, MILLERS ROAD, BANGALORE 560 052, KARNATAKA, INDIA.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 MOHAMMAD, ARIF J.P TECHNO PARK, 3/1, MILLERS ROAD, BANGALORE 560 052, KARNATAKA, INDIA.
PCT International Classification Number G06K15/00
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA