Printing using secure pickup

• US 20030208691A1
• Filed: 04/10/2001
• Published: 11/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Smart, Robert, Simpson-Young, William, Yap, Sue-Ken
• Application Number:
  US09/829,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20030208691A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/201
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/608 Secure printing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4413 involving the use of passwords, ID codes or the like, e.g. PIN
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/444 to a particular document or image or part thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4486 using digital data encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera

Abstract

A “secure pick-up” process is described, allowing secure print jobs to be sent across a network (100). A security key (300) is inserted into an initiating camera (102), allowing information (110) to be transferred from the camera (102) to a printer (104). However, the printer (104) is not permitted to output printed pages until the security key (300) is equivalently inserted into the printer (104). Such provides the initiating party with the assurance that the print job will not be output by the printer (104) until the print initiator (ie. the user) goes to the printer (104) and physically inserts the security key (300).

Claims

1. A method of conducting a secure process between an originating device and a target device, said method comprising steps of:

inputting security key information into said originating device;

establishing said process between said originating device and said target device;

suspending said process at a stage prior to completion thereof; and

enabling the suspended process to proceed to completion dependent upon inputting corresponding key information into said target device.

2. A method according to claim 1, whereby said security key information is one of a physical key and an electronic key.

3. A method according to claim 1, whereby said security key is an electronic public key, and said corresponding key is a physical key being a private key.

7. A computer program comprising software code portions for performing the steps of any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. A computer readable medium storing a computer program, wherein said computer program comprises software code portions for performing the steps of any one of claims 1 to 3.

4. System for conducting a secure process between an originating device and a target device, said originating device and said target device being interconnected by a network, said method comprising steps of:

means for receiving security key information at said originating device;

means for establishing said process between said originating device and said target device;

means for suspending said process at a stage prior to completion thereof;

means for receiving corresponding key information at said target device; and

means for enabling the suspended process to proceed to completion dependent upon receipt of said corresponding key information.

5. A system according to claim 4, whereby said security key information is one of a physical key and an electronic key.

6. A method according to claim 4, whereby said security key is an electronic public key, and said corresponding key is a physical key being a private key.