Document analysis techniques for the infinite memory multifunction machine

A system that saves a digital copy of every document that users copy, print, or fax, without asking the user, has recently been proposed. Referred to as the Infinite Memory Multifunction Machine (IM/sup 3/), this system solves most of the problem of lost documents. However, because of the indiscriminate way it captures data, it is important that users have easy-to-use retrieval tools. Two document analysis techniques are described that simplify retrieval from large collections like the IM/sup 3/. One technique detects duplicates or versions of a document. Another method automatically files a document in a hierarchy familiar to a user. Experimental results are presented that illustrate the performance of each method.