Techniques for using media keys

• US 8,554,690 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2006
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Barrus, John W., Graham, Jamey
• Primary Examiner(s): Reagan, James A
• Application Number:
  US11/396,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20070233613A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,748 Days
• Field of Search: 705/71
• US Class Current: 705/71
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3829 involving key management

Abstract

Techniques for processing media data. Techniques are provided for using media keys that have been created for media data. A media key may be used to access media data for which the media key has been created. A media key has information associated with it that may be used to access the media data corresponding to the media key. Various operations may be performed using the accessed media data.

Claims

1. A method of using a collection of media keys, the method comprising:

capturing, by a computer system, an image of a collection of media keys generated by scanning the collection of media keys, the image comprising machine readable information from each media key in the collection of media keys, wherein the scanning of the media keys is performed based on a predetermined order;

determining, by the computer system, from the image of the collection of the media keys, by the processor, a data identifier for each media key in the collection of media keys;

determining, by the computer system, a decryption key for each media key in the collection of media keys from the image of the collection of the media keys;

accessing, by the computer system, media data for each media key in the collection of media keys using the data identifier determined for the media key;

decrypting, by the computer system, the media data, accessed for each media key, using a decryption key determined for the media key; and

outputting, by the computer system, the media data associated with each media key in the predetermined order that was used for scanning the collection of media keys.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining additional information from the machine readable information for each media key from the collection of the media keys; and

wherein accessing the media data for each media key comprises accessing the media data using the additional information, wherein the additional information comprises information about an application used to create the media key or information about a user who created the media key.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the additional information further includes one or more of metadata associated with the media data, an action or command to be performed on the media data, a workflow information, an order for outputting the media data, or date of creation of the media key.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein determining a data identifier for each media key comprises:

analyzing the machine readable information for each media key from the image of the collection of media keys.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising performing an operation using media data accessed for a media key in the collection of media keys.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating a new media key; and

associating new media data with the new media key, wherein the new media data includes media data for each media key from the collection of media keys.

7. A system for processing a plurality of media keys, the system comprising:

a scanner configured to;

scan the plurality of media keys in a predetermined order;

generate an image of the plurality of media keys;

the image comprising machine readable information for all media keys in the plurality of the media keys; and

determine, from the image, machine readable information for each key in the plurality of media keys; and

a processor programmed to;

determine a data identifier for each media key in the plurality of media keys from the machine readable information determined for the media key;

determine a decryption key for each media key in the plurality of media keys from the machine readable information determined for the media key;

access the media data for each media key in the plurality of media keys using the data identifier determined for the media key;

decrypt the media data, using the decryption key determined for each media key; and

output the media data for each media key in the predetermined order used for scanning the plurality of media keys.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the processor is programmed to initiate performance of an operation using the media data accessed for a media key in the plurality of media keys.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the system is further configured to:

generate a new media key; and

associate new media data with the new media key, wherein the new media data includes media data for each of the media keys from the plurality of media keys.