US 7986426

US patent 7986426, titled "Distributed computer architecture and process for document management," was invented by Laurence C. Klein. It was filed on December 4, 2008, and issued on July 26, 2011. The original assignee was Renaissance Group IP Holdings LLC, and the current assignee is MPHJ Tech Investments LLC. The patent's legal status indicates it expired due to fee-related issues on April 6, 2018.

Abstract:
The patent describes a computer architecture and process designed to manage various independent core technologies, referred to as "engines," using a single, consistent framework. This architecture aims to balance providing a uniform interface to these diverse engines while still allowing access to each engine's unique features. It also serves as a framework for quickly converting complex technologies into high-level components and for high-level developers to interact with many different engines. The method includes creating a "component factory" that automates or expedites the process of converting a "C"-level Application Programmer Interface (API) from its original form through different architectural tiers to produce a standardized component.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: This claim describes a computer process for managing different "engines" (independent core technologies) using a unified system. It involves defining a consistent way for these engine components to interact and then adapting multiple engines to use this consistent interaction method.

• Claim 12: This claim details a distributed computer system that transforms a specific program's API into a general interface by creating an "object" for each engine. This object allows consistent access to the engine and its settings. The system includes a server with at least one engine, an engine component that maps a consistent interface to the engine's own interface, and a client with an "object manager layer" that communicates with and manages the engine component on the server using this consistent interface.

• Claim 13: This claim outlines a distributed computer process that functions similarly to Claim 12. It involves providing an engine with an interface and features on a server. It also includes providing an engine component (on either the server or another connected server) that maps a consistent interface to the engine's interface. Finally, a client connects to the server (or another server) and has an object manager layer that communicates with and manages the engine component through the consistent interface.

• Claim 14: This claim describes an image viewer process for viewing electronic document images and performing operations on them. The process includes steps where a user selects from various predefined viewing perspectives, chooses a document image to view, the system retrieves that image, and then displays it according to the selected viewing perspective.

• Claim 37: This claim describes a computer data management system that handles electronic images, graphics, and documents, transmitting them to various external devices and applications both locally and over the Internet. This system has capabilities to seamlessly integrate and replicate images using software, integrate electronic images into existing applications without modification, provide a software interface for copying images with a single "GO" operation, and add electronic document and paper processing with a single programming step.

• Claim 39: This claim describes a computer data management system that manages and transmits electronic images, graphics, and documents to external destinations locally or over the Internet. It includes memory storing a common interface protocol and a processor connected to the memory, which implements this protocol as a software application to communicate with external devices and applications.

• Claim 41: This claim covers a tangible computer-readable medium storing instructions for a computer-implemented process within an electronic image, graphics, and document management system. These instructions enable the computer to store a common interface protocol in memory and implement it as a software application via a processor for communication with external destinations (devices and applications).

• Claim 43: This claim describes a computer data management system that handles electronic images, graphics, and documents, transmitting them to external destinations locally or over the Internet. It includes a single-function "GO" copy operation that links devices, applications, and the Internet; a one-step programming method to add paper support to electronic business processes (even legacy systems with minimal reprogramming); and a copier interface implemented as a software application that presents copying operations to a user in a single step and provides direct access to tutorials and options.

• Claim 45: This claim describes a computer data management method for transmitting electronic images, graphics, and documents to external destinations locally or over the Internet. The method involves seamlessly integrating images into other devices, applications, and the Internet; integrating electronic images into existing applications without modification; using a software application interface for copying images with a single "GO" operation; and adding electronic document and paper processing with a single programming step.

• Claim 47: Similar to Claim 37, this claim describes a computer data administration system with capabilities for seamless image integration and replication, integration into existing applications without modification, a single "GO" operation for copying images via a software interface, and adding electronic document and paper processing with a single programming step.

• Claim 49: Similar to Claim 39, this claim describes a computer data administration system that manages and transmits electronic images, graphics, and documents to external destinations locally or over the Internet. It includes memory storing a common interface protocol and a processor implementing this protocol as a software application for communication.

• Claim 51: Similar to Claim 41, this claim covers a tangible computer-readable medium storing instructions for a computer-implemented process within an electronic image, graphics, and document administration system. These instructions enable the computer to store a common interface protocol in memory and implement it for communication with external destinations.

• Claim 53: Similar to Claim 43, this claim describes a computer data administration system with one or more of: a single-function "GO" copy operation linking devices, applications, and the Internet; a one-step programming method to add paper support to electronic business processes; and a copier interface implemented as a software application that presents copying operations to a user in a single step and provides direct access to tutorials and options.

• Claim 55: Similar to Claim 45, this claim describes a computer data administration method that involves seamlessly integrating images into other devices, applications, and the Internet; integrating electronic images into existing applications without modification; using a software application interface for copying images with a single "GO" operation; and adding electronic document and paper processing with a single programming step.

• Claim 57: Similar to Claim 37, this claim describes a workstation data management system with capabilities for seamless image integration and replication, integration into existing applications without modification, a single "GO" operation for copying images via a software interface, and adding electronic document and paper processing with a single programming step.

• Claim 59: Similar to Claim 39, this claim describes a workstation data management system that manages and transmits electronic images, graphics, and documents to external destinations locally or over the Internet. It includes memory storing a common interface protocol and a processor implementing this protocol as a software application for communication.

• Claim 61: Similar to Claim 41, this claim covers a tangible workstation-readable medium storing instructions for a process within an electronic image, graphics, and document management system. These instructions enable the workstation to store a common interface protocol in memory and implement it for communication with external destinations.

• Claim 63: Similar to Claim 43, this claim describes a workstation data management system with one or more of: a single-function "GO" copy operation linking devices, applications, and the Internet; a one-step programming method to add paper support to electronic business processes; and a copier interface implemented as a software application that presents copying operations to a user in a single step and provides direct access to tutorials and options.

• Claim 65: Similar to Claim 45, this claim describes a workstation data management method that involves seamlessly integrating images into other devices, applications, and the Internet; integrating electronic images into existing applications without modification; using a software application interface for copying images with a single "GO" operation; and adding electronic document and paper processing with a single programming step.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
As of April 26, 2026, a search of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) 2026 dockets did not reveal any scheduled cases explicitly mentioning US patent 7986426. The Google Patents information indicates that the patent's legal status is "Expired - Fee Related" as of April 6, 2018, making active infringement litigation for this specific patent in 2026 unlikely.