Method and apparatus for obtaining a printed copy of a document via the internet
First Claim
1. A method for obtaining a printed copy of a document at a printer from a server via a client, the method comprising the steps of:
- installing a private encryption key in the printer, the private encryption key being unavailable to the client and the server;
providing the server with a public encryption key, the public encryption key being associated with the private encryption key, the public encryption key being different than the private encryption key;
receiving an encrypted file at the printer from the server via the client, the encrypted file being encrypted using the public encryption key;
generating decrypted data associated with the document by decrypting the encrypted file in the printer using the private encryption key; and
printing the document at the printer using the decrypted data.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for obtaining a printed copy of a copyrighted document via the Internet is provided. The copyrighted document is encrypted at a server using a particular public encryption key. The encrypted document is then transmitted to a destination printer. The destination printer includes a private encryption key which corresponds to the public encryption key. The private encryption key is unavailable outside the printer. For example, a client computer attached to the printer may not read the private encryption key. Once the encrypted document is received, the printer decrypts the copyrighted document inside the printer prior to printing in order to frustrate redistribution of the copyrighted document.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for obtaining a printed copy of a document at a printer from a server via a client, the method comprising the steps of:
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installing a private encryption key in the printer, the private encryption key being unavailable to the client and the server;
providing the server with a public encryption key, the public encryption key being associated with the private encryption key, the public encryption key being different than the private encryption key;
receiving an encrypted file at the printer from the server via the client, the encrypted file being encrypted using the public encryption key;
generating decrypted data associated with the document by decrypting the encrypted file in the printer using the private encryption key; and
printing the document at the printer using the decrypted data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A printer for printing a copyrighted document based on encrypted data received via the Internet, the printer comprising:
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a communication port operatively coupled to the Internet;
a memory device storing an embedded encryption key, the embedded encryption key being unavailable outside the printer;
a decryption module electrically coupled to the communication port and the memory device, the decryption module being adapted to receive an encrypted version of the copyrighted document via the communication port, the decryption module being adapted to convert the encrypted version of the copyrighted document into decrypted data indicative of the copyrighted document using the embedded encryption key; and
a printing mechanism operatively coupled to the decryption module, the printing mechanism being adapted to receive the decrypted data and print the copyrighted document based on the decrypted data. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification