Canon Kabushiki Kaisha

Boris Krtolica

Roger D Melen

Neil A Williams

A system, method, and computer readable medium for a business to securely distribute potentially large collections of document folders () to recipients (). The system comprises a sending device () for sending the document folders () and temporarily storing the document folders () on a network () of interconnected computers (), a destination computer () for accumulating the sent document folders () destined for a particular recipient (), and a receiving device () for receiving the accumulated document folders () from the destination device (). The method comprises the steps of sending the document folders () to a network () of interconnected computers (); notifying each recipient () of an electronic document folder () by means of an indirect reference to the electronic document folder (); selecting a destination location () for the electronic document folder () using data supplied by the recipient (); and accumulating the electronic document folders () at the destination location ().

Business method for secure document folder distribution

Document entry system 10 receives user documents 10D containing document data for distribution and storage throughout a user network 10N. Controller 10C controls the operation of the document entry system. Document scanner 10S has a document port 10p for receiving the user documents to be entered by the user. The document scanner is responsive to the controller for scanning the document data on the documents, and providing electronic document data for distribution and storage throughout the user network. Controller display 12 is responsive to the controller for displaying operational information about the document entry system to the user. Portable key module 14 contains user module data which defines distribution parameters and storage parameters for the electronic document data. Key module reader 15 has a module port for reading the module data on the key module and transferring the module data to the controller to effect the distribution and storage of the electronic document data. User response device 16 is connected to the controller for permitting the user to initiate operation of the document entry system in response to the module data. In addition, the user response key may initiate the distribution and storage of the electronic document data parameters throughout the user network.

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Saratoga, CA, United States of America

Boris Krtolica