US 2016/0255242 A1 · Hard-Copy Signatures using a Cloud-Connected Printing Device with a Workflow Service

Abstract

Example systems and related methods may relate to a way to efficiently incorporate authentication to cloud-based review and approval processes. In an example embodiment, a workflow service operating on a network may send a request for document approval to a mobile computing device. The request may correspond to a document. The mobile computing device may be configured to display a graphical identifier that relates to the document for review. The graphical identifier may be scanned via a multi-function printer (MFP) device, which may send an authentication query to the workflow service. The workflow service may determine an authenticated user based on the authentication query and provide a printable version of the document. The MFP may thereafter print the document for a user's signature. After signature, the signed document may be scanned in at the MFP and uploaded to the workflow service.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A multi-function printer device (MFP) comprising:

a scanning unit;
a printing unit;
a display unit, wherein the display unit is configured to display a graphical user interface;
a workflow service client communicatively coupled to a workflow service operating on a network;
and
a processor configured to execute instructions, wherein the instructions comprise:
causing the scanning unit to scan a graphical identifier displayed on a display screen of a mobile computing device, wherein the graphical identifier is indicative of a document;
causing the workflow service client to send an authentication query, wherein the authentication query comprises information based on the graphical identifier;
and
receiving, via the workflow service client, an acknowledgment.

7 more elements

A method comprising:

receiving, at a mobile computing device, a request for document approval, wherein the request for document approval corresponds to a document, and wherein the mobile computing device is communicatively coupled to a workflow service operating on a network;
causing a display screen of the mobile computing device to display a graphical identifier indicative of the document;
causing a scanning unit of a multi-function printer (MFP) device to scan the graphical identifier, wherein the MFP comprises a workflow service client communicatively coupled to the workflow service;
causing the workflow service client to send an authentication query, wherein the authentication query comprises information based on the graphical identifier and authentication information indicative of the mobile computing device;
and
receiving, via the workflow service client, an acknowledgement.

3 more elements

A system comprising:

a workflow service operating on a network;
a mobile computing device, wherein the mobile computing device comprises a display screen, wherein the mobile computing device is communicatively coupled to the workflow service, and wherein the mobile computing device is configured to:
receive a request for document approval, wherein the request for document approval corresponds to a document;
and
display a graphical identifier indicative of the document;
and a multi-function printer (MFP) device, wherein the MFP comprises:
a scanning unit;
a printing unit;
a display unit, wherein the display unit is configured to display a graphical user interface;
a workflow service client communicatively coupled to the workflow service;
and
a processor configured to execute instructions, wherein the instructions comprise:
causing the scanning unit to scan the graphical identifier displayed on the display screen of the mobile computing device;
causing the workflow service client to send an authentication query, wherein the authentication query comprises information based on the graphical identifier and authentication information indicative of the mobile computing device;
and
receiving, via the workflow service client, an acknowledgment.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hard-Copy Signatures using a Cloud-Connected Printing Device with a Workflow Service

Life of this patent

Hard-Copy Signatures using a Cloud-Connected Printing Device with a Workflow Service

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22