System and method for printing documents having a copy detection pattern

• US 8,368,924 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2008
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Cordery, Robert A., Haas, Bertrand, Ryan, Frederick W. Jr., Armstrong, Scott F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tieu, Benny Q
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mushambo, Martin
• Application Number:
  US12/330,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20100141979A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,519 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.15, 358/1.13, 358/1.1, 382/103
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00968 by scanning marks on a sheet mark-sheet input means H04N1/00355; sensing record carriers G06K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3236 Details of authentication information generation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3269 of machine readable codes or marks, e.g. bar codes or glyphs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3271 Printing or stamping
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 Transmission

Abstract

A method of printing a document includes generating commands in a computing device that include: (i) commands for printing based on document data, and (ii) an identification of a determined portion of the document data that is to be used in generating a printed copy detection pattern. The method further includes sending the printer control commands to an intermediate electronic device that stores a key, generating copy detection pattern data using the determined portion of the document data and the cryptographic key, and generating modified printer control commands that include commands for printing a first document portion based on the document data and a second document portion including the printed copy detection pattern based on the copy detection pattern data. Finally, the modified printer control commands are sent to a printing device. Also, a system is provided for implementing the method.

Claims

1. A method of printing a document having a printed copy detection pattern, comprising:

receiving at an intermediate electronic device printer control commands from a computing device, said printer control commands including;

(i) commands for printing based on document data, and (ii) an identification of a determined portion of the document data that is to be used in generating said printed copy detection pattern;

generating in said intermediate electronic device copy detection pattern data using said determined portion of the document data and a cryptographic key stored in the intermediate electronic device;

generating in said intermediate electronic device modified printer control commands, said modified printer control commands including commands for printing a first document portion based on the document data and a second document portion including said printed copy detection pattern based on said copy detection pattern data; and

sending said modified printer control commands to a printing device for printing said first document portion and said second document portion.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said printer control commands and said modified printer control commands are PCL commands.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said computing device is a PC and wherein said intermediate electronic device is a secure electronic device having a secure key store for securely storing said cryptographic key.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said computing device is operatively coupled to said intermediate electronic device through a USB channel.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said determined portion of the document data is image data and wherein said copy detection pattern data comprises said image data encrypted using said cryptographic key.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said image data is a raster image.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein said image data represents a barcode.

8. A system for printing a document having a printed copy detection pattern, comprising:

a computing device;

an intermediate electronic device operatively coupled to said computing device through a first communications channel, said intermediate electronic device storing a cryptographic key;

a printing device operatively coupled to said intermediate electronic device through a second communications channel;

wherein said computing device is adapted to generate printer control commands and send said printer control commands to said intermediate electronic device over said first communications channel, said printer control commands including;

(i) commands for printing based on document data, and (ii) an identification of a determined portion of the document data that is to be used in generating said printed copy detection pattern; and

wherein said intermediate electronic device is adapted to;

(i) generate copy detection pattern data using said determined portion of the document data and said cryptographic key, (ii) generate modified printer control commands, said modified printer control commands including commands for printing a first document portion based on the document data and a second document portion including said printed copy detection pattern based on said copy detection pattern data, and (iii) send said modified printer control commands to said printing device over said second communications channel for printing said first document portion and said second document portion.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein said printer control commands and said modified printer control commands are PCL commands.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein said computing device is a PC and wherein said intermediate electronic device is a secure electronic device having a secure key store for securely storing said cryptographic key.

11. The system according to claim 8, wherein said first communications channel is a USB channel.

12. The system according to claim 8, wherein said determined portion of the document data is image data and wherein said copy detection pattern data comprises said image data encrypted using said cryptographic key.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said image data is a raster image.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein said image data represents a barcode.