Document imaging and management system for paperless workflow

Abstract

A document imaging and management system, including a device for imaging at least one document having at least one computer-readable identifier, a database including a plurality of rules for managing documents and tasks, a processor, software executing on the processor for reading the computer-readable identifier, software executing on the processor for routing the imaged document based on the identifier, and software executing on the processor for determining a task associated with the document based on the identifier and at least one of the plurality of rules.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority benefits under 35 § U.S.C. 119(e) of the U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 664,446, filed Mar. 23, 2005.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to a document management system, and more specifically to a system for the imaging, routing and management of documents and workflow. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Since the advent of computers, there has been progress towards creating a digital or paperless office environment. Digitally created documents may be efficiently stored and tracked in a document management system. However paper documents present unique difficulties. For example, paper documents originating from sources external to the office or organization are difficult to efficiently integrate into the digital environment. [0004] In an effort to integrate paper documents into the digital environment, technology has been developed to image or scan paper documents. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides an automated document imaging and management system that enables a paperless office. The system can automatically profile and store imaged documents in a database or file management system. It can also automatically route and distribute documents. The system includes a device for imaging documents, a database with rules for managing documents, and software for reading and interpreting identifiers on documents. The system can initiate and create workflows, generate due dates and reminders, and automatically bill clients. The system can also print to network devices. Overall, the invention simplifies the process of managing documents and streamlines the workflow process."

Problems solved by technology

However paper documents present unique difficulties.

For example, paper documents originating from sources external to the office or organization are difficult to efficiently integrate into the digital environment.

However, OCR technology is prone to errors due in part to the difficulty of interpreting different fonts and imperfections in the scanned document.

However, known systems lack the ability to identify the document or associate the document with an existing matter or transaction profile.

Known systems further lack the ability to automatically update a profile based on the contents of the document, notify users of the document's receipt, and / or request approval of the particular document or an associated task.

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