Method and apparatus for providing secure document distribution

• US 7,021,534 B1
• Filed: 03/18/2005
• Issued: 04/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Overtouch Remote LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Han Kiliccote
• Inventors: Kiliccote, Han
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, UYEN CHAU N
• Application Number:
  US11/084,294
• Time in Patent Office: 382 Days
• Field of Search: 382/306
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/606 by securing the transmission between two devices or processes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6209 to a single file or object, e.g. in a secure envelope, encrypted and accessed using a key, or with access control rules appended to the object itself
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2153 Using hardware token as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 applying security measures for digital rights management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/08 Annexed information, e.g. attachments
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/216 Handling conversation history, e.g. grouping of messages in sessions or threads
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/56 Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources

Abstract

A system for providing secure document distribution includes an application configured to: allow an author to create a document and secure the document using an access code, generate an image having the access code encoded in an encrypted format, forward a message to a recipient. The message includes the document and the image. A terminal configured to allow the recipient to open the message and a portable device configured to: allow the recipient to capture the image and to decrypt the access code embedded in the image, capture input information from the recipient, the input information to be used to ensure that the recipient is authorized to use the portable device, and generate an output including the access code. The terminal receives the output generated by the portable device and evaluates the output to determine if the recipient is allowed to access the document.

Claims

1. A system for providing secure document distribution, the system comprising:

an application configured to;

allow an author to create a document;

allow the author to secure the document using an access code, wherein the access code is needed to gain access to the document;

generate an image, the image having information embedded therein, the embedded information including the access code encoded in an encrypted format; and

forward a message to a recipient, wherein the message includes the document and the image;

a terminal configured to allow the recipient to open the message; and

a portable device configured to;

allow the recipient to capture the image;

store predetermined information, wherein the predetermined information is usable to decrypt the access code embedded in the image;

capture input information from the recipient, the input information to be used to ensure that the recipient is authorized to use the portable device; and

generate an output based on the information embedded in the image and the predetermined information, the output including the access code;

wherein the terminal is further configured to receive the output generated by the portable device and evaluate the output to determine if the recipient is allowed to access the document.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the portable device is further configured to generate the output using the input information captured from the user.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the portable device is further configured to decode the information embedded in the image for use in generating the output by using a cryptographic algorithm.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the input information includes one of a personal identification number and biometric information.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the image includes a barcode.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the barcode includes a multi-dimensional barcode.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the image includes a set of barcodes.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the set of barcodes includes a set of multi-dimensional barcodes.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the portable device is further configured to display the output to the user;

and

wherein the terminal is further configured to receive the output, or a portion thereof, from the user.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the portable device includes one of a cellphone and a personal digital assistant.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the message includes an email.

12. A system for providing secure document distribution, the system comprising:

an application configured to;

allow an author to secure a document using an access code, wherein the access code is needed to gain access to the document;

generate an image, the image having information embedded therein, the embedded information including the access code encoded in an encrypted format;

create a message to a recipient;

attach the document and the image to the message; and

forward the message to the recipient;

a terminal configured to allow the recipient to open the message; and

a portable device configured to;

allow the recipient to capture the image;

store predetermined information, wherein the predetermined information is usable to decrypt the access code embedded in the image;

capture input information from the recipient, the input information to be used to ensure that the recipient is authorized to use the portable device; and

generate an output based on the information embedded in the image and the predetermined information, the output including the access code;

wherein the terminal is further configured to receive the output generated by the portable device and evaluate the output to determine if the recipient is allowed to access the document.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the portable device is further configured to generate the output using the input information captured from the user.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the portable device is further configured to decode the information embedded in the image for use in generating the output by using a cryptographic algorithm.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the input information includes one of a personal identification number and biometric information.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein the image includes a barcode.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the barcode includes a multi-dimensional barcode.

18. The system of claim 12 wherein the image includes a set of barcodes.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the set of barcodes includes a set of multi-dimensional barcodes.

20. The system of claim 12 wherein the portable device is further configured to display the output to the user;

and

wherein the terminal is further configured to receive the output, or a portion thereof, from the user.

21. The system of claim 12 wherein the portable device includes one of a cellphone and a personal digital assistant.

22. The system of claim 12 wherein the message includes an email.