Information processing methodology

A method of data transmission comprising:

• automatically segmenting at least one selected portion of a hard copy or electronic document according to content instructions for transmission to a destination device according to transmission format instructions enabling reconstruction of the document at a destination device in a form substantially similar in appearance to the original document or selected portion thereof.

Apparatus for processing information comprising:

• automatic means for selecting at least one portion of a hard copy or electronic document;
• and for performing processing, recognition, and storage of at least said one selected portion of said hard copy or electronic document according to content instructions in such a way as to enable retrieval of the document based on the use of the results of said content instructions.

Apparatus for processing information comprising:

• automatic means for distinguishing from one another at least one area of text and at least one area of graphic information in at least one selected portion of a hard copy or electronic document and for transmitting said at least one selected portion of the document as text information and graphic information such that the text and graphic information can be reconstructed at a destination device in a form substantially similar to the appearance of the original document or selected portion thereof.

Apparatus for data transmission comprising:

• means for automatically segmenting at least one selected portion of a hard copy or electronic document according to content instructions for transmission to a destination device according to transmission format instructions, and
• means for enabling reconstruction of the document at a destination device in a form substantially similar in appearance to the original document or said selected portion.

An application program interface for processing information comprising:

• means for automatically distinguishing from one another at least one area of text information and one area of graphic information in at least one selected portion of a hard copy or electronic document;
• and
• means for transmitting at least said selected portion of said document as text information and graphic information such that the text and graphic information can be reconstructed at a destination device in a form substantially similar to the appearance of the original document or selected portion thereof.

An application program interface for data transmission comprising:

• means for automatically segmenting selected portions of a hard copy or electronic document according to content instructions for transmission to a destination device according to transmission format instructions, and
• means for enabling reconstruction of the document at a destination device in a form substantially similar in appearance to the original document.