System and method for preventing unauthorized operation of identification and financial document production equipment
First Claim
1. A method of preventing unauthorized operation of personalized document production equipment, comprising:
- at a first location and prior to operation of the personalized document production equipment by an equipment user, storing authorization data that is necessary to enable equipment operation in memory of the equipment, the authorization data is required upon initial and subsequent power-ups of the equipment to enable operation of the equipment;
delivering the equipment from the first location to the equipment user at a second location;
delivering information concerning the authorization data to an authorized agent of the equipment user at the second location;
entering the authorization data into the equipment and comparing the entered authorization data with the stored authorization data, andunlocking the personalized document production equipment solely until the equipment is power cycled or relocked by command, so as to enable operation of the personalized document production equipment when the entered authorization data matches the stored authorization data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Improvements in security relating to the use of personalized document production equipment. The invention has particular use with respect to printers that are used to produce plastic cards, such as financial cards and identification cards. The invention prevents the unauthorized production of personalized documents through the use of stolen or fraudulently obtained production equipment or software. The equipment is locked until a user enters authorization data that matches authorization data stored in memory of the equipment. The equipment is able to power-up in the locked state, at which point the user is prompted to enter the authorization data. As a result, if the equipment is stolen, the thief is unable to operate the equipment without the necessary authorization data.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of preventing unauthorized operation of personalized document production equipment, comprising:
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at a first location and prior to operation of the personalized document production equipment by an equipment user, storing authorization data that is necessary to enable equipment operation in memory of the equipment, the authorization data is required upon initial and subsequent power-ups of the equipment to enable operation of the equipment; delivering the equipment from the first location to the equipment user at a second location; delivering information concerning the authorization data to an authorized agent of the equipment user at the second location; entering the authorization data into the equipment and comparing the entered authorization data with the stored authorization data, and unlocking the personalized document production equipment solely until the equipment is power cycled or relocked by command, so as to enable operation of the personalized document production equipment when the entered authorization data matches the stored authorization data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification