Media-independent document security method and apparatus
First Claim
1. A method for media-independent security for a document, the method comprising:
- inputting image data corresponding to an interpretable image displayable by a display device in an interpretable format to be readily interpretable by a user;
inputting security data corresponding to security information;
creating, in a first medium, a document comprising;
a substantive portion; and
a security portion inseparable from the substantive portion;
transferring the document into a second medium;
decoding symbols into binary security data representing the security information; and
outputting the binary security data in a format retrievable to be interpretable as the security information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing media-independent security for a document may be programmed to create a document file having two or more components. In one embodiment, a document may include a background object, an image object (e.g. text, graphic, both, or the like), and a watermark object. When output, the image object is directly interpretable by a user. Meanwhile, in the background object, watermark object, or both, a high-resolution pattern may be stored to be output with all copies of the document. Encoded in some binary symbol in the pattern is security data. Resolution is high enough that the binary symbols are undetectable by a human eye. A processor may be programmed to recognize (e.g. read) the pattern, decode the pattern into binary data, and decode the binary data to characters directly interpretable by a user. Information relating to creation and control of a document, signature, or the like, may all be encoded independent from the principal image (e.g. text, graphic), to be virtually undetectable by human eyes, yet non-removeable by copying methods, including photocopying, scanning, electronic storage, and the like.
149 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for media-independent security for a document, the method comprising:
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inputting image data corresponding to an interpretable image displayable by a display device in an interpretable format to be readily interpretable by a user;
inputting security data corresponding to security information;
creating, in a first medium, a document comprising;
a substantive portion; and
a security portion inseparable from the substantive portion;
transferring the document into a second medium;
decoding symbols into binary security data representing the security information; and
outputting the binary security data in a format retrievable to be interpretable as the security information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
transforming the symbols into a bit map;
capturing a target pattern;
synchronizing reading;
orienting in accordance with a direction indicated by the target pattern; and
reading the symbols.
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3. The method of claim 2 wherein the target pattern is comprised of a selected number of the symbols arranged in a pre-designated pattern.
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4. The method of claim 3 wherein inputting comprises:
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scanning a hardcopy of the document into a scanning device;
creating a bit map of the document; and
storing the bit map in a memory device.
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5. The method of claim 4 wherein the security image is comprised of binary symbols copied in a pattern.
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6. A memory device effective to store a media-independent security code and an associated document processable by a document processor, the memory device comprising:
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a first block storing an executable, loadable to run on a computer as a document processor application;
a second block storing substantive data corresponding to information in a document presentable in a format interpretable directly by a user;
a third block storing security data independent but inseparable from the substantive data; and
a fourth block storing a security executable, loadable to process the security data and to include the security data in the document independently of the medium in which the document is represented. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification