Document management method using barcode to store access history information

A method for managing documents implemented on a computer, comprising:

• (a) scanning an original copy of the document, the original copy bearing barcode containing metadata about the document, the metadata including an access history of the document;
• (b) detecting barcode in the scanned document and extracting metadata from the barcode;
• and
• (c) storing the document and the metadata.

A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable code embodied therein for controlling a data processing apparatus, the computer readable program code configured to cause the data processing apparatus to execute a process for managing documents comprising the steps of:

• (a) obtaining an electronic copy of a document and metadata about the document, the metadata including an access history of the document;
• (b) rendering barcode data representing the metadata;
• and
• (c) carrying out at least one of (c1) through (c4):
• (c1) printing the document and the barcode data on a recording medium;
• (c2) displaying the document and the barcode data on a display device;
• (c3) storing the document and the barcode data in association with the document;
• and
• (c4) transmitting the document and the barcode data in association with the document to an external device.

A document management system comprising:

• a scanning section for scanning hard copy documents;
• a printing section for printing documents;
• storage device for storing documents and metadata about the documents;
• a computer connected to the scanning section, the printing section and the storage device, the computer including a digital stamp engine for (a) obtaining a document and metadata about the document from the storage device or an external device, the metadata including an access history of the document, (b) detecting any barcode in a document received from the scanning section, the storage device or an external device, and extracting metadata from the detected barcode, (c) updating the metadata by adding to the access history a record of a current scanning, printing, or storing action, (d) rendering barcode data representing updated metadata, and (e) associating the rendered barcode with the document.