Image archiver

• US 20080055629A1
• Filed: 08/29/2006
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Kovnat, Larry A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,132,014 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/50 of still image data

Abstract

An archiver system for tracking the exchange of personally identifiable information in document production systems includes a document production device and a media writer. When a document processing job is initiated, a digital image of the document is prepared, the document digital image is encrypted with a session key, and the encrypted document digital image and job data associated with the document processing job are stored in a job record of a database on a storage media by the media writer.

Claims

1. A method of tracking the exchange of personally identifiable information in document production systems comprises:

initiating a document processing job;

preparing a digital image of the document;

encrypting the document digital image with a session key; and

storing the encrypted document digital image in a job record of a database on a storage media.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein initiating the document processing job comprises activating a document production device to print a print job.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein initiating the document processing job comprises activating a document production device to copy, scan or transmit a document.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein initiating the document processing job includes

creating a digital image of a user initiating the job with a digital camera;

and

storing the user digital image in the job record.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein preparing the document digital image includes scanning a hard-copy document to create a digital image file of the document.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein preparing the document digital image includes converting a digital document file to a digital image file of the document.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein before the encrypted document digital image is stored on the storage media the method further comprises:

computing a size of the digital image file;

comparing the digital image file size to an available free space on the storage media;

determining whether there is sufficient space on the recording media to store the digital image file; and

storing the encrypted document digital image on the storage media if there is sufficient available free space;

or

initiating a media change routine if there is insufficient available free space.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing job data associated with the document processing job in the job record.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the storage media is locked to a media writer;

the media change routine prompting the user to unlock the media writer with a physical key;

unlocking the media writer with the physical;

inserting a blank storage media into the media writer; and

locking the media writer with the physical key.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein after the user inserts the blank storage media in the media writer, the media change routine:

creates a session key;

encrypts the session key with a public key stored in the physical key;

writes the encrypted session key onto the storage media; and

writes a database template onto the storage media.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein after the session key is encrypted, the media change routine transmits the encrypted session key to a media software.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising an image review routine comprising:

inserting the storage media into a media reader;

decrypting the document digital image stored on the storage media; and

viewing the decrypted document digital image

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the image review routine further comprises:

inserting the physical key into a key portal of a computer in communication with the media reader;

decrypting the session key stored on the storage media with a private key stored in the computer; and

decrypting the document digital image stored on the storage media with the decrypted session key.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising a physical key preparation routine comprising:

inserting the physical key into a key portal of a computer;

generating a public/private key pair;

storing the public key on the physical key;

storing the private key in the computer; and

removing the physical key from the key portal.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein after the key is inserted into the key portal, the physical key preparation routine:

determines whether the physical key is blank;

queries the user whether or not the key should be erased, if the physical key is not blank; and

prompts the user to remove the physical key if the user responds that the key should not be erased;

or

erases the key if the user responds that the key should be erased.

16. A method of tracking the exchange of personally identifiable information in document production systems comprises:

storing an encrypted session key onto a storage media;

storing data associated with each document processed by the document production system in a job record of a database on the storage media, including

an encrypted digital image of each document, and

job data associated with the document processing job; and

reviewing the document data by

inserting a physical key into a key portal in communication with the storage media,

decrypting the encrypted session key with a private key, and

decrypting the encrypted document digital image with the decrypted session key.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising preparing the physical key by:

generating a public/private key pair;

storing the public key on the physical key; and

storing the private key in the computer.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein storing an encrypted session key comprises:

creating a session key;

encrypting the session key with the public key stored in the physical key; and

writing the encrypted session key onto the storage media.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein storing data on the storage media comprises:

computing a size of the encrypted digital image file;

comparing the encrypted digital image file size to an available free space on the storage media;

determining whether there is sufficient space on the recording media to store the encrypted digital image file; and

storing the encrypted document digital image file on the storage media if there is sufficient available free space;

or

initiating a media change routine if there is insufficient available free space.