# US 2004/0073613 A1 · System and method for automatic digital document processing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2004/0073613 A1 - Document ID: US20040073613A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 10/253,112 - Filed: 2002-09-23 - Published: 2004-04-15 - Earliest claimed: 2002-09-23 - Assignees: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc. - Inventors: Boguslaw Ludwik Plewnia - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20040073613A1 ## CPC - H04N 1/32128: {attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image (for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144)} - H04L 67/63: Routing a service request depending on the request content or context - H04N 2201/3242: of processing required or performed, e.g. for reproduction or before recording (H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence) - H04N 2201/3278: Transmission - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract In a network of connected nodes, a system and method are provided for automatic digital document processing. The method comprises: embedding a processing profile with a digital document; and, processing the digital document in response to the embedded processing profile. Typically, embedding the processing profile includes generating a packet having a metadata section with the processing profile and a data section with the digital document. Then, processing the digital document includes a current node extracting current node process and routing instructions. In some aspects of the method, processing the digital document includes the current (first) node determining a next (second) network-connected node from the node routing instructions. Then, the method further comprises: sending the metadata section packet from the current (first) node to the next (second) node; and, receiving the packet at the current (second) node; and, processing the digital document at the current (second) node. ## Claims ### Claim 1 In a network of connected nodes, a method for automatic digital document processing, the method comprising: embedding a processing profile with a digital document; and, processing the digital document in response to the embedded processing profile. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein embedding the processing profile with a digital document includes generating a packet having a metadata section with the processing profile and a data section with the digital document. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 wherein processing the digital document in response to the embedded processing profile includes a current node extracting current node process and routing instructions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 wherein embedding the processing profile with a digital document includes creating a metadata section with the processing profile written in the extensible markup language (XML). ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 wherein processing the digital document in response to the embedded processing profile includes a current (first) node determining a next (second) network-connected node from the node routing instructions; the method further comprising: sending the metadata section packet from the current (first) node to the next (second) node; receiving the packet at the current (second) node; and, processing the digital document at the current (second) node. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5 wherein processing the digital document at the current (second) node includes: reading the processing profile in the metadata section; and, processing the digital document in response to the process instructions in the processing profile. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5 wherein processing the digital document at the current (second) node includes: reading the processing profile in the metadata section; identifying process instructions associated with the current (second) node; and, processing the digital document with the identified process instructions. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 wherein processing the digital document at the current (second) node includes determining a next (third) network-connected node from the node routing instructions; the method further comprising: sending the metadata section packet from the current (second) node to the next (third) node; receiving the packet at the current (third) node; and, processing the digital document at the current (third) node. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein processing the digital document in response to the embedded processing profile includes determining a plurality next network-connected nodes from the node routing instructions; and, wherein sending a packet with the digital document and embedded processing profile addressed to the next node includes sending the packet to the plurality of nodes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5 further comprising: subsequent to processing the digital document at the current (first) node, modifying the process instructions in the embedded processing profile for the next (second) node; wherein sending the metadata section packet from the current (first) node to the next (second) node includes sending the modified process instructions; and, wherein processing the digital document at the current (second) node includes processing the digital document with the modified process instructions. ### Claim 11 The method 1 further comprising: generating a processing profile; and, wherein embedding a processing profile with a digital document includes embedding the generated processing profile. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 wherein generating a packet having a metadata section with the processing profile and a data section with the digital document includes generating a beginning block, prior to the processing profile and data section, and an end block, subsequent to the processing profile and data section. ### Claim 13 In a network-connected device, a system for automatic digital document processing, the system comprising: a metadata processor having a network-connected input to accept a processing profile embedded with a digital document and an output to supply the digital document and a processing profile; and, a document processor having an input connected to the metadata processor output, and an output to supply a processed digital document in response to the processing profile. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13 wherein the metadata processor accepts a packet with a metadata section including the processing profile, and a data section including the digital document; and, wherein the document processor processes the digital document in response to instructions in the metadata section processing profile. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 wherein the metadata processor accepts a packet with a metadata section including process instructions cross-referenced to device routing instructions, the metadata processor extracting the current processing profile associated with the metadata processor address; and, wherein the document processor processes the digital document in response to the current processing profile instructions. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein the metadata processor accepts a packet metadata section with a plurality of process instructions and a corresponding plurality of routing instructions addressed to other network-connected devices; and, wherein the metadata processor accepts the processed digital document from the document processor, reassembles the packet with the processed digital document and sends the packet to a next network-connected device in response to the routing instructions. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein the metadata processor accepts a packet metadata section with a plurality of process instructions and a corresponding plurality of routing instructions addressed to other network-connected devices; and, wherein the metadata processor accepts the processed digital document from the document processor, reassembles the packet with the processed digital document and sends the packet to a plurality of next network-connected devices in response to the routing instructions. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein the metadata processor accepts a packet metadata section written in the extensible markup language (XML). ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein the metadata processor accepts a packet including a beginning block, prior to the processing profile and data section, and an end block, subsequent to the processing profile and data section. ### Claim 20 In a network of connected devices, a system for automatic digital document processing, the system comprising: a first device including: a metadata processor having a network-connected input to accept a processing profile embedded with a digital document and an output to supply the digital document and a processing profile; a document processor having an input connected to the metadata processor output, and an output to supply a processed digital document in response to the processing profile; and, wherein the metadata processor accepts the processed digital document from the document processor, reassembles the packet with the processed digital document and sends the packet to a second network-connected device in response to the routing instructions; at least a second device including: a metadata processor having a network-connected input to accept a processing profile embedded with a digital document from the first device and an output to supply the digital document and a processing profile; a document processor having an input connected to the metadata processor output, and an output to supply a processed digital document in response to the processing profile. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The system of claim 20 wherein the first device metadata processor accepts a packet additionally including third device process and routing instructions and sends a reassembled packet with a metadata section including the third device process and routing instructions to the second device; wherein the second device metadata processor accepts the packet including third device process and routing instructions and sends a reassembled packet with a metadata section including the third device process and routing instructions to a third device; and the system further comprising: a third device including: a metadata processor having a network-connected input to accept a processing profile embedded with a digital document from the second device and an output to supply the digital document and a processing profile; and, a document processor having an input connected to the metadata processor output, and an output to supply a processed digital document in response to the processing profile. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The system of claim 20 wherein the first device metadata processor modifies the second device processing profile and sends the modified processing profile with the processed digital document in the reassembled packet. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The system of claim 20 further comprising a plurality of devices, each device including: a metadata processor having a network-connected input to accept a processing profile embedded with a digital document and an output to supply the digital document and a processing profile; a document processor having an input connected to the metadata processor output, and an output to supply a processed digital document in response to the processing profile; and, wherein the first device metadata processor sends the reassembled packet to the plurality of devices in response to routing instructions. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The system of claim 20 wherein the first device metadata processor accepts a packet metadata section written in the extensible markup language (XML) sends a reassembled packet metadata section written in XML.