LITERA CORPORATION (Chicago, IL)

Systems and methods are described to enable bidirectional multifunction communication between a computer and applications located at an external server. The bidirectional communication permits the operation to be carried out by a file by using a computer and an external server. In one instance the application runs on a computer desktop that connects to the Internet. The application sends a request to an external server accessible via the Internet using a bidirectional communication system. The server processes the request and provides information back to the computer via the bidirectional system. Bidirectional communication allows users to gain access to and manipulate the data, as well as send further requests to the server.

Use and installation of desktop-based applications like Microsoft Office.RTM. or Adobe.RTM. Acrobat.RTM., Dreamweaver.RTM., Autodesk.RTM. These and other document management software applications are commonplace in both personal and business applications. These products, also known as parent programs, provide various useful functions. But there’s always room for additional features. Third-party applications have been created to improve the capabilities of document lifecycle software applications. These third-party programs were developed to be integrated into parent software. These include programs which can analyze documents, remove metadata and convert electronic files to PDF, convert PDF back into word processing documents, or even spreadsheets, edit PDF documents and aid in document numbering within word processing programs.

The software can be used to do more efficiently, however each program requires a certain amount of computing resources. Additionally certain software that is installed on desktops can cause a resource or usage conflict with other existing desktop-installed software programs. This can happen when one program attempts to integrate with another one or two programs attempt to use the same integration point to join with a third software.

Further, integration of multiple products may cause a parent program to slow down at the beginning of initial startup when the integrated components load. Third-party software that is integrated into a parent program is typically referred to an “add-in” and oftenresults with the addition of an icon to the parent program’s toolbar to allow the third-party application to be activated. The additional icons can take up valuable screen space.

Cloud computing is a way for both organizations and individuals to access a variety of software programs from anywhere. Also referred to asSoftware-as-a-Service (SaaS), cloud computing is Internet-based computing, where computers and other devices access hosted software applications in an on-demand scenario. A web-connected interface permits users to sign in or access cloud computing software programs for instance, the Internet browser. Then, they can access all the resources through the internet-connected interface.

Cloud computing lets computing resources be freed at the user’s local computing device, and helps with integrating third party software applications in a way that frees users from the requirement to install the software and run it on their personal computer. Cloud computing software includes the SalesForce.com.RTM. sales management solution and NetDocuments.TM document management solution. These are robust software solutions located on externalservers and accessible to users via the Internet with no desktop installation requirements.

Cloud computing hasn’t been widely used because of a variety of issues. People who are used to using the desktop-installed model of software might not be aware of the cloud computing model. This is because the model requires users to connect to an Internetlocation in order to access the software program, rather than accessing it via their desktop. Cloud computing software does not always provide the ability to modify or alter results from computer processing requests. This limits a user’s interactivity with these software. The user may feel frustrated if they are unable to access certain functions or the entire software application without an Internet connection.

There’s a need for a product which offers the benefits of cloud computing however, it doesn’t eliminate the benefits of desktop apps. The current offerings do not offer this feature.

A desktop widget is a tiny application located on a user’s desktop. A desktop widget takes up only a small amount of computer resources, while providing the user with information. Desktop widgets give users the ability to view discrete and pre-publishedinformation from particular data sources, located either on a computer workstation or at an external location. When users have set their preferences, desktop widgets can provide specific, unidirectional information. For instance, a weather widget asks the user to choose which city’s weather they wish to look at. The widget will only show pre-published weather information from Weather.com for the city selected after the user has made their selection.

FIG. FIG. 1A is an illustration of the workflow for traditional widget applications. In FIG. FIG. 1A shows user 102 receiving information from widget104 which is on desktop computer number 106. The user receives the data from an external server. For example it is possible that the user will be able to access the cloud-based computer program which is running on an external server 108 via widget 104 that is installed on the desktop computer 106. In FIG. 1A: Data is transferred unidirectionally and only for one function, from the external server 108 to user 102.

Since widgets perform a single function and have only a specific purpose, the degree of interaction between a user and such a resource is limited. There is no widget which allows you to analyze documents, convert Word Processing documents to PDF or word processing files to PDF. Users can apply the parameters and settings that are predefined for their interaction with the widget app. But, only pre-published information (e.g., from blogs online or a clock on the computer) is taken from outside sources and displayed through the widget’s GUI. (GUI).

Disclosed embodiments provide an bidirectional multi-function mini-application that has the capability to connect local client applications and a cloud-based computer software program. This mini-application is hereby referred to as the bidirectionalmulti-function communication module (BMCM). The BMCM is different from widgets because it offers bidirectional communication between (1) client application, the user (2) client application and (3) external sources. The BMCM lets users solicit processing at a more detailed level from the server. This can be done on their desktops or any other computer device on their local network. This may involve processing one or more files, or performing a variety of activities. The processing happens via the BMCM. The user is notified of the BMCM and, along with any other communication methods as well as the documents, files, and responses from the server externally.

The disclosed embodiments of a BMCM system could offer the same capabilities as desktop applications, such as comparison of documents and cleaning metadata. They also can convert PDF documents to text, word processing documents or spreadsheets. The disclosed embodiments allow modifications to preferences and settings that define how data is processed and presented. Additionally, the disclosures provide the ability send new requirements and documents back to an external server application to further process. These features can be offered without the need for installing desktop software which could lead to problems with integration, software upgrades on multiple computing devices or the use of computing devices’ resources. Additionally the disclosed embodiments could remove the requirement for users to access an online site to gain access to cloud computing capabilities. Users might be able utilize a BMCM to connect to cloud computing capabilities via their desktop computers or other devices for computing. The BMCM manages all the processing between the user’s computer and cloud computing software which includes sending receipts and data requests.

In accordance with the described embodiments, a system is able to execute the operation of a file employing a local computing device, or an application running on an external server. The system could comprise processors as well as memory. The memory could contain instructions that cause the processor to accept an instruction from the local computer device to execute an operation on a previous file, and then to take the file. The memory could further contain instructions that can cause the processor to format therequest and the first file in a way that the request can be read by an application running that is on an external server. The processor may transmit the request and the first file to an external server. The processor can send the request and the initial file to the server. In response, the external server might produce a response using an additional file. The result could be transmitted to the processor with the second file from the server external.

Consistent with other disclosed embodiments, a method is provided for performing an operation on a document using a local computing device and an application running on an external server. The method can include receiving a file, and then requesting from the local computer to execute an operation on that first file. Furthermore, the method might include the creation of a second file by performing an operation on the initial file. Another option is sending a response to the local device that contains the second file.

Consistent with other disclosed embodiments, tangible computer-readable media may store program instructions which can be executed by a processor in order to implement any of the techniques disclosed herein.

It should be noted that both the above general description as well as the detailed description are exemplary and explanation only, and are not limiting of the disclosed embodiments according to the claims.

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