Network scanner for global document creation, transmission and management
View Patent ↗A network scanner, communication protocols, and client and server programs and are provided which provide an improved way to transmit legally binding documents, obviating the need for outmoded, legacy fax transmissions. Using the network scanner, a document may be scanned and transferred directly into any shared folder inbox residing on any computer attached to the Internet. Enhanced server systems and network communications and messaging protocols are provided that are more practical to use than email for sending documents such as executed legal documents or other documents requiring robust integrity and authenticatability. Similarly, the inventive network scanner, server systems and communication protocols provide improved ways to perform large file transfers and to manage bandwidth to minimize problems associated with uploading/downloading large files as attachments to/from email servers and for enabling user control over VoIP quality during file transmission sessions.
1. A network scanner, comprising:
a scanner system configured to scan a document comprised of one or more sheets of paper to create an image file;
a network interface that enables the network scanner to be connected to a network;
a display; and,
a GUI (Graphical User Interface), viewable through a surface of the display, which enables a user of the network scanner to select a destination file folder located within a user-controlled computerized device that is external to the network scanner and that is coupled to the network via a Global Internet;
wherein the network scanner is configured to identify an application layer address associated with the user-controlled computerized device, and
wherein the network scanner is configured to send the image file from the network scanner via the network and via the Global Internet to the application layer address to allow the image file to be directed to the destination file folder.
2. The network scanner of claim 1 , wherein the network scanner further comprises a local storage that is accessible to a plurality of user-controlled computerized devices external to the network scanner via the network.
3. The network scanner of claim 1 , wherein the user controlled computerized device is configured to receive documents pushed thereto from one or more external sources.
4. The network scanner of claim 1 , wherein the GUI allows the user to select a plurality of user-selected destination file folders contained in different ones of a plurality of different user-controlled computerized devices that are each coupled to the network via the Global Internet, and wherein further, the network scanner is further configured to identify respective application layer addresses associated with each of the respective plurality of different user-controlled computerized devices.
5. The network scanner of claim 1 , wherein the application layer address is associated with a target user who is not the same as the user.
6. The network scanner of claim 1 , wherein the network comprises at least one Ethernet interface.
7. The network scanner of claim 1 , wherein the network comprises a WiFi network.
8. The network scanner of claim 1 , wherein the network comprises a Bluetooth network.
9. The network scanner of claim 1 , wherein the network comprises a wireless network.
10. The network scanner of claim 1 , wherein the network comprises a wired network.
11. The network scanner of claim 1 , wherein the GUI further enables the user to select a destination e-mail address, wherein the network scanner is configured to send the image file to the selected e-mail address as an e-mail attachment.
12. The network scanner of claim 1 , wherein the image file comprises a .pdf file format.
13. The network scanner of claim 1 , wherein the image file comprises a .tif file format.
14. The network scanner of claim 1 , wherein the user-controlled computerized device comprises a PC (personal computer).
15. The network scanner of claim 1 , wherein the user-controlled computerized device comprises a cellular phone.
16. The network scanner of claim 1 , wherein the user-controlled computerized device comprises a wireless handheld device.
17. The network scanner of claim 1 , wherein the network scanner comprises a multifunction machine that includes a plurality of functions selected from a group comprised of a printer function, a copier function, and a fax function.