Method and programmable product for unique document identification using stock and content

• US 20080272585A1
• Filed: 04/25/2008
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bell & Howell LLC (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Bowe Bell & Howell Company
• Inventors: Spitzig, Roger, Conard, Walter S.
• Application Number:
  US12/149,044
• Publication Number:
  US 20080272585A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 283/67
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/80 Recognising image objects characterised by unique random patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/10 Character recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/186 by deriving mathematical or geometrical properties from the whole image
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00467 Transporting mailpieces postal sorting B07C
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00443 Verification of mailpieces, e.g. by checking databases
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00491 Mail/envelope/insert handling system

Abstract

The present application relates to a method for authenticating and tracking of documents. More specifically the present application relates to authenticating and tracking of a document throughout its lifecycle without reliance upon or requirement for any unique identification characters, barcodes and/or objects that were added to the document specifically for the purpose of identification.

Claims

1. A method of preparing a document for later authentication, the document printed on identifiable stock, the method comprising steps of:

acquiring stock identification data from a printed hardcopy of the document by a first sensor coupled with document processing equipment;

obtaining content data for the document;

associating the content data with the stock identification data; and

storing the content data and stock identification data in a database.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the obtaining step includes obtaining content data from electronic data or from an image of the printed hardcopy of the document by a second sensor coupled with the document processing equipment.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the acquiring step includes acquiring the stock identification data by way of the first sensor selected from a coherent light beam interrogator, a RFID interrogator/analysis tool, or a high magnification imaging system.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the acquiring step includes acquiring stock identification data selected from embedded conductor or semiconductor devices, material deposited or printed on the document, or fibers embedded in the document.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the obtaining step includes obtaining the content data by the second sensor selected from an imaging system coupled with optical character recognition and symbol/picture analysis features.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the document processing equipment includes a scanner, copier, facsimile device, or kiosk.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the storing step includes storing the content data and stock identification data in a data storage medium and file structure capable of storing searchable data accessible locally or over WAN.

8. A method of authenticating a document printed on identifiable stock, the method comprising steps of:

acquiring stock identification data from a printed hardcopy of the document by a first sensor coupled with document processing equipment;

obtaining content data from an image of the printed hardcopy of the document by a second sensor coupled with the document processing equipment;

comparing the content data and stock identification data with associated content data and stock identification data stored in a database; and

returning an authentication result indicating whether or not the content data and stock identification data matched with the stored content data and stock identification data in the database.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the acquiring step includes acquiring the stock identification data by way of the first sensor selected from a coherent light beam interrogator, a RFID interrogator/analysis tool, or a high magnification imaging system.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the acquiring step includes acquiring stock identification data selected from embedded conductor or semiconductor devices, material deposited or printed on the document, or fibers embedded in the document.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the obtaining step includes obtaining the content data by the second sensor selected from an imaging system coupled with optical character recognition and symbol/picture analysis features.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the database further includes metadata associated with the document, the metadata including information selected from a document creation date and document classification information.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the document is selected from a stock certificate, will, contract, check, mortgage or coupon.

14. A method of generating a plurality of mailpieces containing inserts on document processing equipment for later authentication of the inserts, the method comprising steps of:

associating addressee and/or address data with each of a plurality of inserts printed on identifiable stock;

acquiring stock identification data from each of the plurality of inserts with a sensor;

obtaining insert classification data for the plurality of inserts;

storing the associated address and/or addressee data, acquired stock identification data and obtained insert classification data in a database; and

generating the mailpieces containing the insert on the document processing equipment.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the obtaining step includes obtaining insert classification from a control system of the document processing equipment or a second sensor with imaging, optical character recognition or barcode reading capability.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the storing step includes storing the address and/or addressee data, stock identification data and insert classification data in a data storage medium and file structure capable of storing searchable data accessible locally or over WAN.

17. The method according to claim 14, further comprising a step of delivering the mailpieces to the address and/or addressee listed on each respective mailpiece.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of inserts are selected from redeemable coupons, credit cards or driver'"'"'s licenses.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein the document processing equipment is an inserter, scanner, copier, facsimile device, or kiosk.

20. A method of authenticating a mailpiece insert printed on identifiable stock, the method comprising steps of:

obtaining stock identification data from the mailpiece insert;

comparing the stock identification data with associated stock identification data stored in a database;

gathering address and/or addressee data stored in the database based on a result of the comparing step;

acquiring insert classification data associated with the plurality of mailpieces from the database; and

compiling a report associating the insert classification data with the obtained address and/or addressee data.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the compiling step includes compiling a marketing report including marketing information regarding the address and/or addressee.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the obtaining step includes obtaining the stock identification data by way of a sensor selected from a coherent light beam interrogator, a RFID interrogator/analysis tool, or a high magnification imaging system.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the obtaining step includes obtaining stock identification data selected from embedded conductor or semiconductor devices, material deposited or printed on the document, or fibers embedded in the document.