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`EP 1 398 711 A1.
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`(12)
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`EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
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`’
`(43) Date of publication:
`17.03.2004 Bulletin 2004/12
`
`(21) Application number: 030187942
`
`(22) Date of filing: 28.08.2003
`
`(51) um cm; (506F_17/30
`'
`‘
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`_
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`(84) Designated Contracting States:
`AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR
`HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR
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`Designated Extension States:
`AL LT LV MK
`
`.
`'
`(30) Priority: 03.09.2002 US 235042
`
`(71) Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
`Tokyo 143-8555 (JP)
`'
`
`(72) inventors:
`0 Hull, Jonathan J.', Ricoh Innovations, Inc.
`Suite 115 Menlo Park, CA 94025-7022 (US)
`
`
`
`- Graham, Jamey, Ricoh Innovations, Inc.
`Suite 115 Menlo Park, CA 94025-7022 (US)
`, . Lee, Dar-Shyang, Ricoh Innovations, Inc.
`Suite 115 Menlo~ Park, CA 94025-7022 (US)
`- Hart, Peter E., Ricoh Innovations, Inc.
`Suite 115 Menlo Park, CA 94025-7022 (US)
`.
`'
`'(74) Representative: Muschke, Markus, Dipl.-Phys.
`_ Patentanwalte Dipl.-lng. Schwabe, Dr.Dr..
`Sandmair, Dr. Marx,
`~
`Stuntzstrasse 16
`
`1
`
`.
`
`. 81677 Miinchen (DE)
`
`(54)”
`
`Techniques for determining electronic document information for paper documents
`
`Techniques for determining electronic docu-
`(57)
`ment information for a paper document. The electronic
`document information determined for a paper document
`may include information identifying an electronic docu-
`ment corresponding to the paper document. The elec—
`tronic document information may also include informa-
`tion identifying a location where the electronic document
`is stored or a pointer or reference-to the electronic doc-
`ument. The electronic document
`information deter-
`mined for a paper document may be stored along with
`identification code information read from an identifica-
`
`tion tag that is physically associated with the paper doc-
`ument. The electronic document information for a paper
`document may also be stored in an identification tag that
`is physically associated with the paper document or
`physically associated with another. paper document
`generated based upon the paper document.
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`MooHTGWIVAV13:9
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`EP1398711'A1
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`Fig. 1A
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`Printed by Jouve. 75001 PARIS (FR)
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`

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`EP1398 711 A1
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`2
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`Description
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] - The present invention relates generally to the
`field of document processing, and more particularly to
`techniques for locating electronic documents corre-
`sponding to paper documents.
`[0002] Due to the widespread use of computers and
`other data processing systems an increasing amount of
`information is now being stored in digital or electronic
`form. For example, electronic information is stored in the
`form of electronic documents such as files, etc. Exam-
`
`ples of electronic documents include documents creat-
`ed using application programs such as word proces-
`sors, email programs, image editors, etc., scanned im—
`ages of paper documents, documents stored in various
`formats such as PDF, Postscript, etc., and other types
`of documents stored in electronic form.
`
`[0003] The vast number of electronic documents cou-
`pled with the proliferation of paper document output de—
`vices such as copiers, printers, and facsimile machines,
`has also greatly increased the number of paper docu—
`ments that are generated using the electronic docu-
`ments. These paper documents include printouts gen-
`erated by printers, photocopies generated by copiers,
`facsimile documents generated by facsimile machines,
`photos, and the like.
`[0004] Due to the large number of electronic docu-
`ments and paper documents, it becomes very difficult
`to identify an electronic document corresponding to a
`particular paper document. The problem is particularly
`acute in office environments. Most office users have had
`the experience of spending a great amount of time trying
`to locate an electronic document corresponding to a par-
`ticular paper document.
`[0005] As a result, the ability to locate electronic doc-
`uments corresponding to paper documents is of great
`importance. especially in an office environment.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0006] Embodiments of the present invention provide
`techniques for determining electronic document infor—
`mation for a paper document. The electronic document
`information determined for a paper document may in-
`clude information identifying an electronic document
`corresponding to the paper document. The electronic
`document
`information may also include information
`identifying a location where the electronic document is
`stored or a pointer or reference to the electronic docu-
`ment. The electronic document information determined
`
`ically associated with another paper document generat-
`ed based upon the paper document.
`[0007] According to an embodiment of the present in-
`vention, techniques are provided for processing a paper
`document. In this embodiment, a first file descriptor is
`determined from an electronic representation of a first
`paper document. ‘A feature descriptor' is determined
`from a first database that matches the first feature de-
`
`scriptor, the first database storing information identifying
`a plurality of feature descriptors and electronic docu-
`ment information for each feature descriptor in the plu-
`rality of feature descriptors, wherein the electronic doc-
`ument information for a feature descriptor comprises in-
`formation identifying an electronic document. Electronic
`document information associated with the matching fea-
`tu re descriptor is determined from the information stored
`in the first database. The identification code associated
`with an identification tag along with the electronic doc-
`ument information associated with the matching feature
`descriptor is stored in a second database such that the
`electronic document information associated with the
`
`matching feature descriptor is associated with the iden-
`tification code.
`
`the
`[0008] According to another embodiment of
`present invention, techniques are provided for perform-
`ing an operation using a paper document. In this em-
`bodiment, a first identification code is read from an iden-
`tification tag that is physically associated with a first pa-
`per document. An identification code from a first data-
`base that matches the first identification code is-then
`determined, the first database storing information iden-
`tifying a plurality of identification codes and electronic
`document information for each identification code in the
`plurality of identification codes, the electronic document
`information for each identification code comprising in-
`formation identifying an electronic document. Electronic
`document information associated with the matching
`identification code is then determined from the first da-
`
`tabase. The operation is then performed or initiated us-
`ing the electronic document identified by the electronic
`document
`information associated with the matching
`identification code.
`
`[0009] The foregoing, together with other features,
`embodiments, and advantages of the present invention,
`will become more apparent whenreferring to the follow—
`ing specification, claims, and accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`[001 0]
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`for a paper document may be stored along with identi-
`fication code information read from an identification tag
`that is physically associated with the paper document.
`The electronic document information for a paper docu-
`ment may also be stored in an identification tag that is
`physically associated with the paper document or phys—
`
`55
`
`Fig. 1A is a simplified block diagram of a system
`that may incorporate an embodiment of the present
`invention;
`
`Fig. 18 is a simplified block diagram of another sys-
`tem that may incorporate an embodiment of the
`present invention;
`Fig. 2 is a simplified high-level flowchart depicting
`
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`EP,1 398 711 A1
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`4
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`.a method performed by a paper document process—
`ing device for generating a paper document accord-
`ing to an embodiment of the present invention;
`Fig. 3 is a simplified high-level flowchart depicting
`a method performed by a paper document process
`ing device for generating a paper document accord-
`ing to another embodiment of the present invention;
`Fig. 4 is a simplified high-level flowchart depicting
`a method performed by a paper document process—
`ing device for physically associating an identifica-
`tion tag with original document 112 to produce doc-
`ument 112' according to another embodiment of the
`present invention;
`
`' Fig. 5 is a simplified high-level flowchart depicting
`a method performed by a data processing system
`for determining electronic document information ac-
`cording to an embodiment of the present invention;
`Fig. 6 is a simplified high-level flowchart depicting
`a method of extracting a feature descriptor from an
`electronic representation of a paper document ac-
`cording to an embodiment of the present invention;
`and
`
`Fig. 7 depicts an example of applying the method
`depicted in Fig. .6 according to an embodiment of
`the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0011] Embodiments of the present invention provide
`techniques for determining electronic document infor-
`mation for a paper document. The electronic document
`information determined for a paper document may in-
`clude information identifying an electronic document
`corresponding to the paper document. The electronic
`document
`information may also include information
`identifying a location where the electronic document is
`stored or a pointer or reference to the electronic docu-
`ment. According to an embodiment of the present inven-
`tion, theelectronic document information determined for
`a paper document is stored along with identification
`code information read from ‘an identification tag that is
`physically associated with the paper document. Accord-
`ing to another embodiment of the present invention, the
`electronic document information for a paper document
`is stored in an identification tag that is physically asso-
`ciated with the paper document or physically associated
`with another paper document generated based upon the
`paper document.
`,
`[0012]
`For purposes of this invention, the term "paper
`document" is intended to refer to any document com-
`prising orie or more pages of any tangible medium on
`which information can be printed, written, drawn,
`im—
`printed, embossed, etc. For example, a paper document
`may referto a document printed by a printer, a document
`output by a copier or scanner, a document output by a
`facsimile machine, a photograph, a book, a single page
`of paper, a document comprising a plurality of papers,
`and the like.
`4
`
`For purposes of this invention, the term “elec-
`[0013]
`tronic document“ is intended to refer to information
`stored in an electronic or digital form. Examples of elec-
`tronic documents include files, documents created us-
`ing application prOgrams such as word processors,
`email programs, image editors, etc., scanned images of
`paper documents, documents stored in various formats
`such as PDF, Postscript, etc., and other types of docu-
`ments stored in electronic form.
`'
`[0014]
`Fig. 1A is a simplified block diagram ofa sys-
`tern 100 that may incorporate an embodiment of the
`present invention. As depicted in Fig. 1A, system 100-
`comprises a paper document processing device 102
`coupled to a data processing system 104 via communi-
`cation links 106. Data processing system 104 is coupled
`to a paper document tracking database 108 and to one
`or more document information databases 110. it should
`be understood that the configuration depicted in Fig. 1A
`is merely illustrative of an embodiment incorporating the
`preSent invention and does not limit the scope of the in-
`vention as recited in the claims. One of ordinary skill in
`the art would recognize other variations, modifications,
`and alternatives.
`
`‘
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`[0015] Communication links 106 depicted in Fig. 1A
`may be of various types including hardwire links, optical
`links, satellite or other wireless communication links,
`wave propagation links, or any other mechanisms for
`communication of information. Various communication
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`protocols may be used to facilitate communication of in-
`formation via the communication links. These commu-
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`nication protocols may include TCP/lP, HTTP protocols,
`extensible markup language (XML), wireless applica-
`tion protocol (WAP), protocols under development by in-'
`dustry standard organizations, vendor-specific proto-
`cols, customized protocols, and others. 7
`[0016] Communication links 106 may traverse one or
`more communication networks. These communication .
`networks may include a LAN, a wide area network
`(WAN), a metropolitan areainetwork (MAN), a wireless
`network, an Intranet, the lnternet, a private network, a
`public network, a switched network, an optical network,
`or any other suitable communication network.
`[0017] Paperdocument processing device 102 is con-
`figured to physically associate identification tags with
`paper documents. Paper document processing device
`102, in cooperation with data processing system 104,
`also facilitates identification of electronic document in-
`formation for a paper document. The electronic docu-
`ment information may include information identifying an
`electronic document corresponding to the paper docu-
`ment and information identifying a location where the
`electronic document is stored or from where the elec-
`
`tronic document can be accessed or a pointer or refer-
`ence to the electronic document. in the embodiment de-
`picted in Fig. 1A, paper document processing device
`102 provides information to data processing system 104
`that is used by data processing system 104 to determine
`
`electronic document information for a paper document
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`EP1398 711 A1
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`6
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`processed by paper document processing device 102.
`Paper document processing device 102 receives the
`electronic document information from data processing
`system 104 and may store the electronic document in-
`formation or a portion thereof on the identification tag
`that is physically associated with the paper document.
`Paper document processing device 102 may be embod-
`ied as a printer, scanner, copier, facsimile machine,
`camera that are capable of printing photos, and the like.
`[0018] According to an embodiment of the present in-
`vention, paper document processing device 102 is con-
`figured to receive a paper document 112 and physically
`associate an identification tag with document 112 to pro-
`duce document 112'. For purposes of clarity, paper doc-
`ument 112 will be referred. to as the "original paper doc-
`ument”. Accordingly, in this embodiment, paper docu-
`ment 112' represents the original paper document with
`an identification tag physically associated with it. Origi-
`nal paper document 112 may be a single-page or a mul-
`ti-page paper document.
`[0019]
`In other embodiments, paper document
`processing device 102 may be configured to generate
`a new paper document 114 based upon original paper
`document 112 and physically associate an identification
`tag with new document 114. For example, if paper doc-
`ument processing devise 102 is configured to function
`as a copier, paper document processing device 102 may
`generate a photocopy 114 for paper document 112 and
`physically associate an identification tag with photocopy
`114.
`
`In yet other embodiments, paper document
`[0020]
`processing device 102 may be configured to receive
`electronic information 116 and print the electronic infor-
`mation on a paper medium to generate paper document
`118. In this embodiment, paper document processing
`device 102 is configured to physically associate an iden-
`tification tag with paper document 118. For example, pa-
`per document processing device 102 may be configured
`tofunction as a printer ora facsimile machine. in a print-
`er mode, paper document processing device 102 re-
`ceives electronic information 116 and generates a print-
`out 118 based upon the information. in a facsimile ma—
`chine mode, paper document processing device 102 re-
`ceives facsimile information 116 and generates a fac-
`simile paper document 118. An identification tag is at-
`tached to the printout or facsimile paper document.
`[0021] As shown in Fig. 1A, paper document process-
`ing device 102 includes a processor 120 that communi-
`cates with a number of peripheral subsystems via a bus
`subsystem 122. These peripheral subsystems may in-
`clude a storage subsystem 124, a user interface sub-
`system 126, a network interface subsystem 128, a scan-
`ner subsystem 130, a print subsystem 132, and a tag
`subsystem 134.
`[0022] Bus subsystem 122 provides a mechanism for
`letting the various components and subsystems of pa-
`per document processing device 102 communicate with
`each other as intended. Although bus subsystem 122 is
`
`shown schematically as a single bus, alternative em-
`bodiments of the bus subsystem may utilize multiple
`buses.
`
`[0023] User interface subsystem 126 allows user in-
`teraction with paper document processing device 102.
`A user may be a human user, a device, a process, an-
`other computer, an application program, and the like.
`User interface subsystem 126 may be implemented us-
`ing a touch pad, a touch screen, mechanical buttons,
`and the like. For example, when paper document
`processing device 102 is configured to function as a
`copier, interface 126 allows the user to select options
`for generating a photocopy 114 from original document
`112. For example, interface 126 may allow the user to
`select the paper size to be used for generating the pho-
`tocopy, the copy darkness, the copy contrast, number
`of copies to be produced, magnification/reduction ratio,
`and other like options known to those skilled in the art.
`Interface 126 may also provide a "Copy/Start" key that
`allows the user to initiate the copying function. Upon se-
`lection of
`the “Start/Copy“ key, paper document
`processing device 102 prints a copy 114 (or photocopy)
`of original document 112.
`[0024] According to an embodiment of the present in-
`vention, interface 116 allows a user to select if an iden-
`tification tag is to be physically associated with docu-
`ments 112', 114, or 118 generated by paper document
`processing device 102. For example, before photocop-
`ying an original document 112,
`interface 126 may
`prompt the user to select whether an identification tag
`is to be physically associated with the photocopy. An
`identification tag is then physically associated with the
`photocopy paper document only if the user indicates
`that an identification tag is to be physically associated
`with the photocopy.
`[0025]
`In an alternative embodiment of the present in-
`vention, an identification tag may be physically associ-
`ated with documents 112', 114, or 118 without prompting
`the user or without receiving the user‘s permission. For
`example, when functioning in a copier mode, activation
`of the "Copy/Start" key by the useris sufficient to initiate
`the photocopying function, cause paper document
`processing device 102 to physically associate an iden-
`tification tag to the generated photocopy paper docu-
`ment, perform operations to determine electronic docu-
`ment information for the paper document, and store the
`electronic document information or a portion thereof on
`the identification tag that is physically associated with
`the generated paper document.
`[0026] According to an embodiment of the present in-
`vention, selection of the an operation key such as
`“Copy/Start" key represents a single user command that
`is interpreted by paper document processing device 102
`to request both performance of the operation (e.g., copr
`ying), physically associating an identification tag with
`the generated photocopy, performing operations to de—
`termine electronic document information for the paper
`document, and storing the electronic document informa-
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`EP.1 398 711 A1
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`tion or a portion thereof on the identification tag that is
`physically associated with the generated paper docu-
`ment. In this embodiment, the user may not be aware
`that an identification tag has been applied to the paper
`document (112', 114 or 118) produced by paper docu-
`ment processing device 102 and that electronic docu-
`ment information corresponding to the paper document
`has been stored on the identification tag.
`[0027] User interface subsystem 116 also serves as
`an interface for outputting information to the user. For
`example, information related to the status of paper doc-
`ument processing device 102 or information related to
`operations performed by paper document processing
`device102 might be outputto the user via interface 126.
`[0028] Network interface 128 provides an interface to
`other computer systems, networks, and devices. As de-
`picted in Fig. 1A, network interface subsystem 128 en-
`ables paper document processing device 102 to com-
`municate and exchange information with data process-
`ing system 104. Embodiments of network interface sub-
`system 128 include an Ethernet card, a modem (tele-
`» phone, satellite, cable, ISDN, etc.), (asynchronous) dig-
`ital subscriber line (DSL) units, and the like. Network in-
`terface system 128 facilitates transfer of information to
`and from paper document processing device 102 in an
`appropriate format.
`~
`‘
`[0029] Processor 120 performs or controls the overall
`functioning of paper document processing device 102.
`For example, processor 120 may execute a program
`that controls the functions of the various subsystems of
`paper document processing device 102. These func-
`tions may include physically associating identification
`tags with documents 112', 114, or 118, facilitating iden-
`tification of electronic document information for paper
`documents, and storing the electronic document infor-
`mation or a portion thereof or other information on the
`identification tags that are physically associated with pa-
`per documents 112'. 114, or 118;
`[0030] Storage subsystem 124 stores the basic pro-
`gramming and data constructs that provide the function-
`ality of paper document processing device 102. For ex-
`ample, according'to an embodiment of the present in-
`vention, software modules and control programs imple-
`menting the functionality of paper document processing
`device 102 may be stored in storage subsystem 124..
`Processor 120 may execute these software modules.
`Storage subsystem 124 may also provide a repository
`or database for storing infonnatlon according to the
`teachings of the present invention.
`[0031] Scanner subsystem 130 includes a scanner
`136 and an image-processing unit 138. Scanner 136 is
`configured to capture an electronic representation (e.g.,
`a scanned image) of original paper document 112. Ac—
`cording to an embodiment of the present invention, the
`scanned image is transmitted to image processing unit
`138 that operates to remove distortion inherent in the
`scanning process. The output of image-processing unit
`138 is a scanned image of original paper‘document 112
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`with the distortion removed. The scanned image may
`then be fowvarded to print subsystem 132 for further
`processing via video bus 140. The scanned image may
`be used to generate document 114.
`[0032] According to an embodiment of the present in-
`vention, an image data tap 142 provides processor 120
`with access to scanned image data'transferred over vid-
`~eo bus 140. In alternative embodiments'of the present
`invention, the image scanned by scanner 136 may be
`provided to processor 120 by scanner subsystem 130.
`[0033] According to an embodiment of the present in-
`vention, the electronic representation of original paper-
`document 112 (e.g., the scanned image of original doc- '
`ument 112) captured by paper document processing de-
`vice 102 is communicated to data processing system
`104 for further processing. Data processing system 104
`uses the electronic representation of original paper doc—
`ument 112 received from paper document processing
`device 102 to determine electronic 'document informa-
`tion for the paper document. The electronic document
`information or a portion thereof is then communicated
`to paper document processing device 102 from data
`processing system 104.
`[0034]
`Print subsystem 132 is used in embodiments
`where paper decument processing device 102 is con-
`. figured to generate a new paper document, for example,
`documents 114 or 118. For example, print subsystem
`132 is used in embodiments where paper document
`processing device 102 is configured to operate as a cop-
`ier, printer, facsimile machine, etc. Print subsystem 132
`operates in accordance with well-known laser xerogra-
`phy principles. in a copier mode, print subsystem 132 is
`configured to receive scanned information from scanner
`subsystem 130 and produce a paper document photo-
`copy 1 14 of original document 112. in a printer or fac-
`simile machine mode, print subsystem 132 is configured
`to generate a paper document printout or facsimile doc-
`ument based on electronic information 116 or based 'up-
`on scanned information from scanner subsystem 130.
`Print subsystem 132 operates in synchrony with tag
`subsystem 134 to ensure that an identification tag is ap—
`propriately physically associated with documents 112',
`114, or 118.
`,
`.
`.
`
`[0035] Tag subsystem 134 is configured to physically
`associate identification tags with documents 112', 114,
`or 118 generated by paper document processing device
`102. Various devices known to those skilled in the art
`may be used as identification tags. According to an em-
`bodiment of the present invention, each identification
`tag device includes an on-device memory that is capa-
`ble of storing information.
`[0036] According to an embodiment of the present in-
`vention, each identification tag stores information that
`can be used to uniquely identify the paper document
`with which the identification tag is physically associated.
`For example, an identification tag may store an identifi-
`cation code that may be used to uniquely identify a pa-
`per document with which the identification tag is physi-
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`EP1 398 711 A1
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`It should be understood that other
`cally associated.
`types of information that can be used to identify docu-
`ments might also be stored in an identification tag in al—
`ternative embodiments of the present invention.
`[0037] Depending upon the type of identification tag
`used, the identification code information may be stored
`in the memory of the identification tag when the tag is
`manufactured, when the tag is activated, or at some lat-
`er time using software or hardware techniques. For ex-
`ample, paper document processing device 102 may be
`configured to write a unique identification code in the
`memory of an identification tag that is selected to be
`physically associated with a paper document generated
`by paper document processing device 102.
`[0038] According to an embodiment of the present in-
`vention, radio frequency identification devices (RFle)
`are used as identification tags. For example, the Mu-
`chip manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd. may be used as an
`identification tag. The Mu-chip is a radio recognitidn lC
`chip that measures 0.4-mm square and is 60 microns
`thick in its present embodiment. Due to its reduced size,
`the Mu-chip can be embedded in paper. The Mu~chip
`comprises an on-chip memory (presently a 128-bit
`ROM) that can be programmed to store information (e.
`9., an identification code, electronic document informa-
`tion).
`[0039] According to an embodiment of the present in-
`vention, tag subsystem 134 is configured to read infor-
`mation (e.g., identification code) from an identification
`tag that is physically associated with a paper document.
`In order to facilitate reading of the identification code
`from the identification tag, one or more tag readers 144
`may be incorporated into tag subsystem 134. If an iden-
`tification tag is physically associated with original docu—
`ment 112, the tag readers of tag subsystem 134 may
`read the information stored from the identification tag
`physically associated with the original document. The
`tag readers are also configured to read information from
`identification tags that are either physically associated
`with or selected to be physically associated with docu—
`ments 112', 114, or 118. The identification code informa—
`tion read by paper document processing device 102
`from an identification tag is fonNarded to data process-
`ing system 104 for further processing.
`[0040] The type of tag reader used and the technique
`used by the tag readerfor reading the information stored
`on an identification tag depends on the type of identifi—
`cation tags. According to an embodiment of the present
`invention, a tag reader may read information from an
`identification tag by scanning the identification tag. In
`other embodiments, a tag reader may read the informa-
`tion by receiving the information from the identification
`tag. A tag reader may receive the information from an
`identification tag in response to an external stimulus (e.
`g., electromagnetic energy) or signal provided to the
`identification tag. The external stimulus or signal may
`be provided by the tag reader or by some other device
`or application. If the identification tag is self-powered,
`
`the identification tag may be configured to communicate
`the information stored by the identification tag to the tag
`reader. A tag reader may read the information stored by
`a tag reader in various forms including electromagnetic
`waves, electronic signals, acoustic signals, etc.
`[0041]
`For example, in its present embodiment, infbr-
`mation stored by a Hitachi Mu-chip can-be'read by ex-
`posing the Mu-chip to 2.45 GHz band microwaves. The
`Mu-chip uses the microwave energy as a power source
`and communicates the information stored in the on-chip
`memory in the form of radio waves that can be detected
`and read by a tag reader. ln alternative embodiments,
`the Mu-chip may also include an on-chip antenna to in-
`crease the communication distance range. In yet other
`embodiments, a power source may be provided on the
`Mu—chip and the Mu-chip may be programmed to com-
`municate the information stored by the Mu-chip to a tag
`reader. Accordingly, if a Hitachi Mu-chip is used as an
`identification tag, tag reader 144 included in tag subsys-
`tem 134 may be constructed to expose the Mu—chip to
`2.45 GHz band of microwaves and to detect and read
`
`radio waves emanating from the Mu-chip. Various other
`types of tag readers that are capable of detecting elec—
`tromagnetic, optical, acoustical, or other signals may be
`used in alternative embodiments of the present inven-
`tion using other forms of identification tags.
`[0042] Paper document processing device 102 may
`use various different techniques to physically associate
`an identification tag with a paper document (document
`112', 114, or 118) generated by paper document
`processing device 102. The identification tag may be
`permanently or temporarily attached to a paper docu-
`mentor a page of the paper document. The tag may be
`attached to the paper document using clips, staples, ad-
`hesives, ties, strings, rubber bands, labels with identifi-
`cation tags, and the like. The identification tag may be
`embedded in a page of the paper document. An identi-
`fication tag may also be incorporated into an object such
`as a label, a staple, etc. that is attached to the paper
`document.
`
`[0043] According to one technique, depending on the
`size of the identification tag, the identification tag is em-
`bedded in a page of the paper document. For example,
`a Mu-chip, due to its reduced size, can be embedded in
`a page of the paper document. A paper page that has
`an identification tag embedded in it may be referred to
`as “tagged paper". Accordingly, in an embodiment using
`Hitachi Mu-chips as identification tags, paper document
`processing device 102 may physically associate an
`identification tag with a paper document by using at least
`one tagged paper to generate the paper document. Ac-
`cording to an embodiment of the present invention, if the
`paper document processing device 102 has access to
`tagged paper, paper document processing device 102
`may use one or more of the tagged papers to generate
`the paper document. This technique may be used when
`paper document processing device 102 generates a
`new paper document (either paper document 114 or
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`118). In this embodiment, tag subsystem 134 in conjunc-
`tion with print subsystem 132 ensures that at least one
`tagged page is used to generate paper document 114
`or 118. If the generated new paper document consists
`of multiple pages, then normal paper pages (i.e., paper
`pages without the embedded identification tag) may be
`used for other pages of the document. The selection of
`one or more tagged papers f