Computer-based document management system

Details Computer-based document management system Computer-based document management system

1997-10-08

2001-05-22

Feild, Joseph H. (Department: 2771)

Data processing: database and file management or data structures

Database design

Data structure types

C707S793000, C707S793000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06237011

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to computer-based document management systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a computer-based document management system that has the capability of importing, organizing, browsing, searching and viewing paper-based documents and electronic documents of any type or format.
In today's business environment, most businesses, from small businesses to large corporate entities, organize and maintain a tremendous amount of information, particularly information in the form of paper-based documents and electronic documents. The task of organizing and maintaining such a large number of documents, as well as document types, can, and typically is, a time consuming and costly matter.
In response, the computer industry, particularly the computer software industry, offers a number of computer application programs designed to help mitigate this problem. Some of these computer application programs work in conjunction with optical scanners to automatically import paper-based documents into the host computer. Other application programs are directed more specifically at providing electronic file management services for existing electronic documents. Some of the more advanced computer application programs attempt to integrate a number of different capabilities into a single application program. Among the capabilities that some of the more advanced programs provide are automated document importing, storage, manipulation, retrieval, indexing, archiving, exporting and document annotation. Included among these more advanced application programs are PageKeeper by Caere Inc., PaperPort by Visioneer, and PAGIS by Xerox.
Despite the many features already offered by the various software products currently on the market, there is still a tremendous need to provide a more efficient product. This is especially true regarding the way in which these existing computer application programs combine and manipulate collections of related electronic documents, wherein each electronic document may exhibit a different file type or file format. For example, a user may wish to maintain a group of related documents, such as a number of documents pertaining to a particular business meeting. The various documents may include such items as spreadsheets, notes, minutes, letters, and miscellaneous graphical presentations, wherein each document may have been created by a different person using any one of a number of different software tools. In addition, the user may wish to compile this group of documents and send it to each of the meeting attendees. Depending on the number of documents being compiled, this task could prove to be quite formidable and extremely time consuming even with the programs currently available. Therefore, the ability to quickly and efficiently group documents of any type and/or format, and, if desired, distribute them without sacrificing the individuality of each document, would be desirable.
SUMMARY
The present invention is directed to a method for managing documents in a computer-based system. The present invention provides a number of improvements over prior methods, particularly, the way in which the present invention allows a user to combine, view, and manipulate a collection of documents.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a way to combine any number of electronic documents into a stack of documents.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a way to view and/or manipulate a stack of documents as a single collection of documents.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a way to view and/or manipulate a stack of electronic documents as a single collection of documents without relinquishing the individuality of those documents, such that each document can be individually accessed.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are achieved by a method for maintaining a collection of electronic documents. The method includes steps for creating a compound document data structure; generating a link between the compound document data structure and each of a plurality of electronic component documents stored in memory; and maintaining a sequential order in which each of the plurality of electronic component documents are linked to the compound document data structure.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are achieved by a method, similar to the one described above, wherein the method further includes the step of displaying a computer generated representation of the compound document data structure.


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