Configurable document server
View Patent ↗A configurable document server is described. In some embodiments, the configurable document server can enable administrators to set an option that prevents documents from being routed to users when the configurable document server experiences some types of errors. When the configurable document server determines that such an error condition exists, it may prevent the routing of the corresponding document. By preventing documents causing errors from being routed, the configurable document server enables administrators to improve the accuracy of document workflow and thereby improve productivity of users.
1. A method of routing documents in a network environment, comprising: receiving, at a document server having a processor and non-transitory computer memory including a prevent routing routine and computer instructions executable by the processor, the document server configured to service document processing requests, multiple documents from network nodes or devices in the network environment, the multiple documents including a document of a first type; a configurable queue processor allocating one or more document flows to handle the multiple documents, individual ones of the one or more document flows configured to handle the multiple documents according to type; the document server invoking the prevent routing routine embodied on the non-transitory computer memory; the prevent routing routine determining whether at least one of a plurality of error conditions relating to the document server, the document, or a transmission of the document exists based on error detection made by a facsimile board, facsimile software, or hardware or software component connected to the document server when the document is received; if an error condition exists, the prevent routing routine determining whether a configuration option is set to prevent routing when the error condition exists; routing or forwarding the document to an intended recipient upon receiving the document, wherein the routing or forwarding the document comprises: an allocated document flow communicating with a universal document transport module to process the document of the first type or forward the document of the first type for processing, the universal document transport module operating independently of an originating message service or source of the document; and if the configuration option is set to prevent routing when the error condition exists, preventing the document from being routed or forwarded to the intended recipient and reporting the error condition.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the configuration option associated with the error condition is set to prevent routing when the error condition exists and wherein the document server further operates to take a plurality of workflow-related actions.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of workflow-related actions includes notifying users or workflow processes.
4. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of workflow-related actions includes suspending a workflow process.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the configuration option associated with the error condition is set to prevent routing when the error condition exists and wherein the document server further operates to take a plurality of queue-related actions.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the plurality of queue-related actions includes archiving a workflow task until a notified user takes an action or until the workflow task expires.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the configuration option associated with the error condition is set to prevent routing when the error condition exists and wherein the error condition is reported to an administrator, a sender of the document, a user attempting to convert the document, or a combination thereof.
8. A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising instructions translatable by at least one processor to perform: allocating one or more document flows to handle multiple documents received at a document server, individual ones of the one or more document flows configured to handle the multiple documents according to type, the multiple documents including a document of a first type; determining whether at least one of a plurality of error conditions relating to the document of the first type received at the document server, the document server, or a transmission of the document exists based on error detection made by a facsimile board, facsimile software, or hardware or software component connected to the document server when the document is received, the document server configured to service document processing requests from network nodes or devices in a network environment; if an error condition exists, determining whether a configuration option is set to prevent routing when the error condition exists; if the configuration option is not set to prevent routing when the error condition exists, routing or forwarding the document to an intended recipient upon receiving the document, wherein the routing or forwarding the document comprises: an allocated document flow communicating with a universal document transport module to process the document of the first type or forward the document of the first type for processing, the universal document transport module operating independently of an originating message service or source of the document; and preventing the document from being routed or forwarded to the intended recipient and reporting the error condition.
9. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein the configuration option associated with the error condition is set to prevent routing when the error condition exists and wherein the instructions are further translatable by the at least one processor to perform a plurality of workflow-related actions.
10. The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of workflow-related actions includes notifying users or workflow processes.
11. The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of workflow-related actions includes suspending a workflow process.
12. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein the configuration option associated with the error condition is set to prevent routing when the error condition exists and wherein the instructions are further translatable by the at least one processor to perform a plurality of queue-related actions.
13. The computer program product of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of queue-related actions includes archiving a workflow task until a notified user takes an action or until the workflow task expires.
14. The computer program product of claim of claim 8 , wherein the configuration option associated with the error condition is set to prevent routing when the error condition exists and wherein the error condition is reported to an administrator, a sender of the document, a user attempting to convert the document, or a combination thereof.
15. A system for routing documents in a network environment, comprising: at least one processor; at least one non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions translatable by the at least one processor to perform: allocating one or more document flows to handle multiple documents received at a document server, individual ones of the one or more document flows configured to handle the multiple documents according to type, the multiple documents including a document of a first type; determining whether at least one of a plurality of error conditions relating to the document of the first type received at the document server, the document-server, or a transmission of the document exists based on error detection made by a facsimile board, facsimile software, or hardware or software component connected to the document server when the document is received, the document server configured to service document processing requests from network nodes or devices in a network environment; if an error condition exists, determining whether configuration option is set to prevent routing when the error condition exists; if the configuration option is not set to prevent routing when the error condition exists, routing or forwarding the document to an intended recipient upon receiving the document, wherein the routing or forwarding the document comprises: an allocated document flow communicating with a universal document transport module to process the document of the first type or forward the document of the first type for processing, the universal document transport module operating independently of an originating message service or source of the document; and if the configuration option is set to prevent routing when the error condition exists, preventing the document from being routed or forwarded to the intended recipient and reporting the error condition.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the configuration option associated with the error condition is set to prevent routing when the error condition exists and wherein the instructions are further translatable by the at least one processor to perform a plurality of workflow-related actions.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of workflow-related actions includes notifying users or workflow processes.
18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of workflow-related actions includes suspending a workflow process.
19. The system of claim 15 , wherein the configuration option associated with the error condition is set to prevent routing when the error condition exists and wherein the instructions are further translatable by the at least one processor to perform a plurality of queue-related actions.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of queue-related actions includes archiving a workflow task until a notified user takes an action or until the workflow task expires.