New method for pseudo-random number generation for information encryption

Abstract

To provide a method for generating an encryption key that ensures secure storage and transmission of data and still is resource-saving and fast, as well as corresponding systems, scanning devices, and printers.SOLUTION: A method of generating at least one encryption key 130 for encrypting data for data transmission over an insecure channel by an encryption key generating device 110 comprises: blending at least two materials 114 (first material 116 and second material 118 according to at least one item of blending information by using a blending device 112, thereby generating at least one blend 120; detecting at least one material property 124 of the blend 120 by using at least one detector 126; and transforming the material property 124 into the encryption key 130 by using a transforming device 128 having at least one data processing device 132 for applying at least one transformation algorithm to the material property 124.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data, a method for data transmission between at least two communication systems, a method for encrypting data, a method for decrypting data, an encryption key generating device for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data, a system comprising a first and a second communication system, a data encryption system, and a data decryption system. The method, device, and system according to the invention can be used in particular for secure communication over at least one insecure channel, such as data transmission over an insecure channel, such as the Internet or wireless communication. Furthermore, at least some of the methods and devices of the present invention can also be used in the field of data encryption, such as for secure data storage purposes. Thus, the encrypted data can also be stored, such as in one or more data storage devices accessible over at least one insecure channel, such as the Internet. Other applications are also possible. [Background technology]

[0002] In many applications, information or data representing information must be transmitted or stored in an insecure environment, such as a publicly accessible communication network, a cloud, etc. In order to ensure that data is only accessible to authorized persons or entities, various encryption methods have been developed. Thus, data, such as data representing a message or other information, is generally encoded in such a way that only authorized persons can access the data and unauthorized persons cannot, or at least cannot access it without significant difficulty or technical effort. Typically, data is encrypted by using at least one encryption algorithm that uses at least one encryption key, and this data, also called plaintext, is generally converted into encrypted data, also called ciphertext. To decrypt the encrypted data or ciphertext and retrieve the original data or plaintext, a decryption algorithm is used, which also typically applies one or more encryption keys. Thus, the at least one encryption key used for decryption can be the same as the at least one encryption key used for encryption, or alternatively, different encryption keys can be used for encryption and decryption. While in principle it is possible to decrypt a message without possessing the encryption key, most encryption algorithms in use today generally require significant computational resources, skill, and computational time. However, an authorized recipient can easily decrypt the encoded data, and in particular the encoded message, through the use of an encryption key, such as an encryption key that is typically provided to the recipient by the sender but not to unauthorized users.

[0003] One technical challenge in typical cryptographic methods is generally to generate at least one encryption key for the encryption and / or decryption process. In practical applications, significant computational effort may have to be applied to generate a key that provides satisfactory data security for storing and / or transmitting data by using a suitable key generation algorithm. Furthermore, transmission of encryption keys, particularly over insecure data transmission channels, remains a challenge, particularly for symmetric encryption algorithms. Thus, encryption keys may be accessed by unauthorized persons, or may even be intercepted and modified by unauthorized persons. Thus, there is a need for a simple yet secure means for generating encryption keys, encrypting and decrypting data, and transmitting encrypted data easily and securely.

[0004] The technical challenge is further increased by the evolution of computer technology and the possibility of applying so-called "brute force" methods to decrypt encrypted data. Thus, as the availability of computer power and resources increases, trial-and-error methods to decrypt data become possible. The challenge is further increased by the possibility that quantum computing may become available in the near future to decrypt any algorithmic method of data encryption. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is therefore desirable to provide methods and devices that address the above-mentioned technical challenges. In particular, a method and corresponding systems and devices shall be provided that ensures secure storage and / or transmission of data, while still generating encryption keys in a resource-saving and fast manner. Furthermore, the problem of transmitting encryption keys in particular in insecure environments and / or over publicly accessible data transmission channels shall also be addressed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This problem is addressed by a method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data, a method for transmitting data between at least two communication systems, a method for encrypting data, a method for decrypting data, an encryption key generating device for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data, a system comprising a first and a second communication system, a data encryption system and a data decryption system, which have the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments, which can be realized separately or in any combination, are recited in the dependent claims.

[0007] When used below, the terms "having", "comprises" or "including" or any grammatical variants thereof are used non-exclusively. Thus, these terms can refer both to the situation where there are no further features other than those introduced by these terms in the entity described in this context, and to the situation where there are one or more further features. As an example, the expressions "A has B", "A comprises B" and "A includes B" can refer both to the situation where there are no other elements in A other than B (i.e., A consists solely and exclusively of B), and to the situation where there are one or more further elements in entity A other than B, such as element C, elements C and D, or further elements.

[0008] Furthermore, it should be noted that the terms "at least one," "one or more," or similar expressions indicating that a feature or element may be present one or more times are typically used only once when introducing each feature or element. In most cases hereinafter, when referring to each feature or element, the expressions "at least one" or "one or more" will not be repeated, even though each feature or element may be present one or more times.

[0009] Furthermore, when used below, the terms "preferably", "more preferably", "particularly", "more particularly", "particularly", "more particularly" or similar terms are used with any feature without limiting the possibility of substitution. Thus, the features introduced by these terms are optional features and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. The invention can be implemented by using alternative features, as recognized by those skilled in the art. Similarly, the features introduced by "in one embodiment of the invention" or similar expressions are intended to be optional features, without any limitations on alternative embodiments of the invention, any limitations on the scope of the invention, and any limitations on the possibility of combining the features introduced with other optional or non-optional features of the invention.

[0010] In a first aspect of the invention, a method is proposed for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data. The encryption key can be used in particular for data transmission over an insecure channel, such as for encrypting data to be transmitted over an insecure channel and / or for decrypting data after transmission over an insecure channel. The method comprises the following method steps, which can in particular be performed in a given order. Nevertheless, different orders are also possible. Furthermore, it is also possible for two or more of these method steps to be performed fully or partially simultaneously. Furthermore, one or more or even all of these method steps can be performed once or can be performed repeatedly, such as repeated once or multiple times. Furthermore, the method can also comprise additional method steps not enumerated:

[0011] This method is i. hybridizing at least two materials according to at least one hybrid information item by using a hybridization device, thereby producing at least one hybrid product; ii. detecting at least one material property of the composite by using at least one detector; and iii. converting the material characteristic into an encryption key by using at least one data processing device configured to apply at least one conversion algorithm to the material characteristic.

[0012] In this specification, the term "generate" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any special or specialized meaning. The term can specifically refer to, without limitation, a process of providing an object, and can provide a virtual and / or real object. Thus, by way of example, the object can be an article or an item of information. Generating can imply creating an object, and the object can be fully or partially created. The creation of the object can imply a real creation process and / or one or more virtual creation steps. Thus, in particular, if the object comprises a virtual object, in particular an item of information, the creation of the object can imply one or more virtual creation steps, such as one or more computational steps, in particular one or more steps performed by a computer. In the case where the object is a virtual object, in particular an item of information, the object can be provided as an analog and / or digital signal, in one example, via an interface or in a data storage device.

[0013] As used herein, the term "data" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any particular or specialized meaning. The term may specifically refer to, but is not limited to, information and / or machine-readable signals or symbols representing information. Data may specifically be or include one or both of digital data and analog data. Data may, by way of example, be stored and / or provided via at least one data storage device.

[0014] In this specification, the term "encrypt" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any special or specialized meaning. The term may specifically refer, without limitation, to a process of modifying one or more of a message, information, or data, such that only authorized persons can access it and unauthorized persons cannot access it, by using at least one encryption means, also called an encryption key. The modified data, when generated by an encryption process, may also be referred to as "encrypted data". Specifically, encryption may include a process of modifying one or more of a message, information, or data, such that only a person in possession of a specific authorization means, also called an encryption key, can convert the modified message, information, or data into an original or readable form, thereby retrieving the original message, information, or data. Encryption or the encryption process, i.e., the process of modifying a message, information, or data, may specifically involve an encryption algorithm, by combining the message, information, or data with at least one encryption key. As an example, in binary form, each bit of the message, information, or data may be combined with a corresponding bit of an encryption key, thereby generating an encrypted bit. Other encryption algorithms are generally known and may be used in the context of the present invention.

[0015] Thus, in this specification, the term "decrypt" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any special or specialized meaning. The term may specifically refer to, but is not limited to, the reverse process of the encryption process described above. The term may specifically refer to, but is not limited to, the process of re-modifying encrypted data such that the encrypted data is converted into a readable form, i.e., into one or more of the original message, information, or data in a readable form, by using at least one decryption means, also called an encryption key. The process of modifying encrypted data may specifically involve a decryption algorithm, for example, combining the encrypted data with at least one encryption key. As an example, in a binary format, each bit of encrypted data may be combined with a corresponding bit of an encryption key, thereby generating a decrypted bit. Other decryption algorithms are generally known and may be used in the context of the present invention.

[0016] Thus, as used herein, the term "cryptographic key" is a broad term that should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any special or specialized meaning. The term may specifically refer to, without limitation, an encryption or decryption means used in an encryption or decryption process, respectively. The term may specifically refer to an item of information that determines the functional output of a cryptographic algorithm, such as an encryption process and / or a decryption process. Cryptographic keys may also specify transformations for other cryptographic algorithms, such as digital signature schemes and message authentication codes.

[0017] The same key can be used for the encryption process and the decryption process. Therefore, the term "encryption key" is typically used for both the key used in the encryption process and the key used in the decryption process. Nevertheless, besides symmetric encryption and decryption processes, asymmetric processes are generally also possible, i.e. processes in which the keys used for encryption and decryption are not the same. Nevertheless, in the terminology of the present invention, the term "encryption key" is used for both the key used in encryption and the key used in decryption. The present invention can refer to a symmetric encryption process. Nevertheless, asymmetric encryption processes are also possible.

[0018] In this specification, the term "data transmission" is a broad term and should be given its common customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to a special or specialized meaning. The term may specifically refer to a process of providing data from at least one sending entity or transmitter to at least one receiving entity or receiver via at least one transmission means, such as at least one transmission channel and / or at least one transmission device, without being limited thereto. The transmission may specifically be performed electronically, i.e., by transmitting at least one electronic signal and / or electromagnetic wave, such as radio waves and / or light. As an example, the transmission channel may include at least one of a cable or an interface. Specifically, the channel may include the Internet or the World Wide Web. Additionally or alternatively, the transmission channel may also include at least one radio channel and / or light beam. However, the transmission may also be performed via the exchange of a physical data storage device on which the data is stored. The transmission channel may be fully or partially performed wirelessly and / or fully or partially performed wired. The transmission may be performed continuously or discontinuously. Thus, as used herein, the term "channel" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those of ordinary skill in the art, and is not intended to be limited to any special or specialized meaning. The term may specifically refer, without limitation, to any means for continuous or non-continuous data transmission via one or more of a wired connection, a wireless connection, or an exchange of data storage devices.

[0019] As used herein, the term "unsecure" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any special or specialized meaning. The term may specifically refer, without limitation, to a characteristic of a channel for transmission that is accessible to the transmitting and receiving entities as well as third parties. Thus, specifically, an unsecure channel may be or include the Internet, as outlined above.

[0020] In this specification, the term "material" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to a special or specialized meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, a chemical element or chemical compound, specifically a chemical element or chemical compound that can be mixed with other chemical elements or chemical compounds. The material can specifically be suitable for pouring. The material can generally be in one or more of a solid state, specifically a granular solid state, a liquid state, or a gaseous state. Specifically, the material can be or can include at least one of a powder or a liquid. The material can be a homogeneous single material. Alternatively, the material can also include multiple components that are homogeneously or heterogeneously mixed. Thus, the material can be a mixture or a composite by itself. By way of example, the material can be or can include a liquid, which by way of example includes at least one solvent and at least one chemical compound dissolved, emulsified, or dispersed in the at least one solvent. The solvent may form part of the material, or alternatively, at least one chemical compound may be considered to be the material, and the solvent may simply be considered to be an adjuvant or additive to the material.

[0021] Thus, in this specification, the term "mixing" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to a special or specialized meaning. The term can specifically refer to, without limitation, a process of mixing at least two materials in a defined manner, thereby resulting in a mixture. Mixing is performed in various ways according to the nature of the at least two materials. As an example, if the at least two materials include powders, mixing can involve simultaneous or subsequent dispensing of the powders into a common receptacle, and can include the option of stirring the mixture. Additionally or alternatively, if the at least two materials include liquids, mixing can also involve simultaneous or subsequent dispensing of the liquid into a common receptacle, and can include the option of stirring the mixture. Additionally or alternatively, mixing can also include a printing process, such as inkjet printing of the at least two materials onto a common substrate, as outlined in more detail below. Additionally or alternatively, mixing can include other types of mixing processes of at least two materials, such as mixing of at least two materials onto at least one common substrate. As an example, the blending can include one or more electrostatic precipitating processes, such as electrostatic precipitating of at least two materials, for example, on a common substrate, for example, on an electrostatically charged surface. Thus, specifically, the blending and / or mixing can include electrostatic precipitating in a printing process. For example, the blending and / or mixing can include electrostatic precipitating in a printing process of at least two electrostatically charged materials on an electrostatically neutralized surface. Thus, the materials can be blended, thereby at least temporarily changing the charge. Specifically, the blending and / or mixing can include electrostatic precipitating in a laser printing process, such as a process typically performed in a laser printer. In particular, at least two materials, for example, pigments, can be, for example, first electrostatically charged and deposited, for example, by using a laser and / or LED, on an equally charged image roll, where specific areas are electrostatically neutralized.These deposited materials can then be removed and / or removed from the image roll by a reversely charged substrate, such as, by way of example, reversely charged paper.

[0022] The hybridization can leave the materials as they are, or can completely or partially change the properties of the materials. Thus, by way of example, the materials can simply be mixed without any chemical change. Additionally or alternatively, the materials can be mixed, thereby changing their chemical properties. The latter can be done in particular when the materials contain a solvent, and such a solvent can be completely or partially evaporated during or after the hybridization. Again, additionally or alternatively, the materials can also completely or partially react with each other, thereby producing at least one reaction product.

[0023] Further, therefore, in this specification, the term "mixing" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to a special or specialized meaning. The term can specifically refer to a mixture of at least two materials, without being limited thereto. The mixture can specifically be present in at least one receptacle and / or on at least one substrate. The mixture can generally be in one or more of a solid state, specifically a granular solid state, a liquid state, or a gaseous state. Specifically, the mixture can be at least one of a powder or a liquid, or can include at least one of a powder or a liquid. The mixture can be in the same state as the materials, or in a different state. As an example, at least one of these materials can be in a liquid state, and the mixture can also be in a solid state, which can be the case, for example, after a drying process. Thus, as an example, in a mixing process, at least two materials can be mixed in a liquid state, and then drying can be performed, thereby evaporating at least one solvent and / or thereby changing the chemical nature of the mixed materials. As an example, the mixing process may suggest printing at least two materials in a liquid state onto at least one substrate, followed by a drying or solidification process, so that the composite may be in a dry or solid state. Another example may suggest a phase change process, such as hardening or solidification of the materials after mixing.

[0024] In this specification, the term "mixing information item" is a broad term and should be given its common customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to a special or specialized meaning. The term can specifically refer to at least one information item describing a defined mixing process, without being limited thereto. The at least one mixing information item can refer to the mixing process itself, such as the method in which at least two materials are mixed, for example to process the parameters of the mixing process, as outlined in more detail below. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one mixing information item can also refer to the materials for mixing, such as the quantities to be mixed in the mixing process, for example the mass or volume of the materials, as also outlined in more detail below.

[0025] As used herein, the term "hybridization device" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any particular or specialized meaning. The term may specifically refer to, without limitation, a device configured to carry out the above-mentioned hybridization process. Specifically, as also outlined in more detail below, the hybridization device may comprise at least one feed or reservoir for each of the materials. The hybridization device may also comprise at least one hybridization element, such as at least one of a nozzle, an agitation device, a printer, a mixer, etc.

[0026] Thus, in this specification, the term "hybridize" is also a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to a special or specialized meaning. The term can specifically refer to a mixture of at least two materials, without being limited thereto. The hybrid can specifically be present on a substrate or in a receptacle. The hybrid can specifically include a finite amount of material.

[0027] As used herein, the term "material property" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any special or specialized meaning. The term may specifically refer to any property of a material, such as a composite, without limitation. The property may specifically refer to one or more of a physical property, a chemical property, or a biological property. Specifically, the material property may include at least one of a mechanical property or an optical property of the material. The material property may specifically refer to a measurable property of the respective material. Examples of material properties are given in more detail below.

[0028] As used herein, the term "detect" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any special or specialized meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, a process of generating information about a characteristic or measurable variable, and can extract qualitative and / or quantitative information. The term can specifically refer to a process of measuring at least one measurable variable of an object. Thus, as used herein, the term "detector" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any special or specialized meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, any device configured to perform a detection process, such as a device having at least one sensor for measuring at least one measurable variable of an object. By way of example, the sensor can include one or more of a weight sensor, specifically a weigh scale, a volume sensor, a density sensor, a color sensor, and a particle size distribution sensor. Additionally or alternatively, other sensors can be used.

[0029] The transformation of the at least one material property into the at least one encryption key can be computer-implemented. Thus, as outlined above, the transformation of the at least one material property into the at least one encryption key is performed by using at least one data processing device configured to apply at least one transformation algorithm to the material property. In this specification, the term "data processing device" is a broad term and should be given its common customary meaning to those skilled in the art and is not limited to a special or specialized meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, a computer or computer system having at least one processor and optionally having at least one data storage device. Thus, the processor can comprise, by way of example, at least one integrated circuit configured to execute computer-readable instructions. Additionally or alternatively, the processor can also be or comprise at least one application specific integrated circuit and / or at least one field programmable gate array. As an example, configuring a data processing device to apply at least one transformation algorithm may be performed by providing a plurality of computer readable instructions to the data processing device, e.g., via at least one data storage device and / or at least one interface.

[0030] As used herein, the term "processor" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any particular or specialized meaning. The term may specifically, but without limitation, refer to any logic circuitry configured to perform basic operations of an electronic device or system, and / or generally to a device configured to perform calculations or logical operations. In particular, a processor may be configured to process basic instructions that drive a device or system, such as a computer. As an example, a processor may include at least one arithmetic logic unit (ALU), at least one floating point unit (FPU), such as a math coprocessor or numeric coprocessor, a number of registers, specifically registers configured to provide operands to the ALU and store operation results, and memory, such as L1 and L2 cache memories.

[0031] As used herein, the term "algorithm" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any special or specialized meaning. The term may specifically refer to, but is not limited to, multiple process steps to be performed in sequence and / or in parallel. An algorithm may specifically include one or more mathematical operations to be applied to at least one input variable. Thus, the term "transformation algorithm" may specifically refer to an algorithm that performs a transformation process to transform material properties into an encryption key by using one or more mathematical operations to be applied to at least one input variable.

[0032] The conversion of the material properties into an encryption key can be performed in a single step or in multiple steps. Thus, as outlined in more detail below, the blending and detection steps can each be performed only once, with the result of the detection step being directly converted into the final encryption key. Alternatively, however, one or more or even all of the blending, detection and conversion method steps can be performed iteratively, for example by generating one or more intermediate encryption keys, which are again used for additional blending and detection steps until finally the final encryption key is generated. Exemplary embodiments are given in more detail below.

[0033] As an example, the conversion of the material property into the encryption key can be performed by providing at least one electronic signal, such as digital information representing at least one material property, to at least one data processing device for further processing. Thus, as an example, the detector can directly or indirectly communicate with the data processing device, or even be part of the data processing device. Thus, the at least one material property can be directly or indirectly provided to the data processing device for further processing, directly or after pre-processing, to apply at least one conversion algorithm.

[0034] The result of the conversion process can be an encryption key, which can be provided electronically, by way of example. By way of example, the encryption key can be or include electronic information in digital or analog form. By way of example, the encryption key can be provided to one or more of a data storage device, an interface, a third party, and the like.

[0035] As outlined in more detail below, the method can specifically be fully or partially computer-implemented. Thus, specifically, step iii. can be automated and / or performed fully or partially in a computer-implemented manner.

[0036] As discussed above, the data may generally be provided in a variety of formats. Specifically, the data may be provided in a digital format and / or may include digital data. The data may specifically include binary data. However, other data formats are possible. The data may specifically be subdivided into data packages. Thus, by way of example, the data may include a plurality of data packages, each data package including at least one of a data header, control data, and a payload portion. The data may also generally include error correction data. Thus, by way of example, the error correction data may include at least one parity bit, etc. Other data correction algorithms may also be used.

[0037] At least one hybrid information item may specifically include n hybrid variables, n being a positive integer. In this specification, the term "hybrid variable" is a broad term and should be given the common customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to a special or specialized meaning. This term may specifically refer to a variable that quantitatively or qualitatively describes at least one aspect or parameter of the hybrid, without being limited thereto. As an example, the hybrid variable may refer to at least two materials to be detected in the hybrid process, such as a quantity or a material stream for a mixture, etc. Furthermore, in step ii., m material properties of the hybrid may be detected, m being a positive integer. Specifically, the number m of material properties detected in step ii. may be the same as or greater than the number n of hybrid variables. In other words, preferably m≧n. In further words, specifically, the information generated in detection step ii. can be at least as large as the information used in the hybridization step, and the term "information" can refer to the numbers n and m, respectively, and / or generally to the number of degrees of freedom and / or the logarithm of the degrees of freedom, such as log n or log m, respectively.

[0038] The at least two materials to be mixed in step i. may in particular be different materials, in particular materials that differ with respect to at least one property selected from the group consisting of chemical properties, in particular chemical composition, optical properties, in particular optical appearance such as one or more of color, transparency, brightness, mechanical properties, in particular particle size, particle size, density, viscosity, or flowability, electrostatic chargeability, compressibility, crystallinity, particle shape. Nevertheless, other properties may also be used in addition or alternatively.

[0039] The at least two materials may specifically include bulk materials and / or bulk materials. Each of the at least two materials may independently be selected from the group consisting of solid materials, gaseous materials, and liquid materials. More specifically, the at least two materials may independently be selected from the group consisting of: - Powders, specifically Inorganic powders, specifically inorganic powders made from minerals, ○ Organic powders, specifically organic powders made from polymers; a powder selected from the group consisting of pigments, - may be selected from the group consisting of and / or may contain at least two materials selected from the group consisting of a liquid, in particular a liquid selected from the group consisting of a pure liquid, a suspension, an emulsion or a solution, more in particular a liquid dye and / or ink.

[0040] As outlined above, step i. comprises blending at least two materials according to at least one blending information item. The at least one blending information item may in particular comprise at least one of the following: quantity for the at least two materials to be blended, weight for the at least two materials to be blended, volume of the at least two materials to be blended, blending volume ratio of the at least two materials to be blended, blending weight ratio of the at least two materials to be blended, blending instructions for blending two or more continuous or non-continuous streams of the at least two materials to be blended, inclination information for blending the at least two materials to be blended using raster images with different inclinations, for example raster images generated by a raster image processor (RIP) of a printer. Nevertheless, other types of blending information may additionally or alternatively be used.

[0041] The at least two materials can be fed continuously or discontinuously into the hybridization device. Thus, by way of example, the hybridization device can comprise at least two reservoirs for the at least two materials to be hybridized. However, additionally or alternatively, other means of feeding materials into at least one hybridization device are possible. Thus, by way of example, a continuous feed is also possible, in addition to or alternatively to using at least one reservoir for at least one of the materials.

[0042] The hybridization device may further comprise at least one receiving element for receiving the hybrid. In this specification, the term "receiving element" may generally refer to any element configured to receive the hybrid. The receiving element may specifically have at least one receiving surface and / or at least one receiving material for receiving the hybrid. Thus, as an example, the at least one receiving element may specifically include at least one element selected from the group consisting of a receiving container for receiving the hybrid, a substrate for receiving the hybrid. The at least one receiving element may be a stationary receiving element and / or a movable receiving element, such as a rotatable receiving element. As an example, the receiving element may comprise at least one substrate, such as a substrate having at least one substrate surface, which may be or include a planar substrate surface and / or may be or include a curved substrate surface. As an example, the receiving element may comprise at least one drum, such as a rotating drum, having a receiving surface for receiving the hybrid. The mixture can be deposited by using a mixing device, specifically directly or indirectly onto a rotating drum. As an example, a drum can be used to temporarily fix the mixture, such as by electrostatic force. These electrostatic drums are generally known in the art of printing, such as laser printing.

[0043] If the receiving element comprises at least one drum, the drum can be specifically a rotating drum. The method can then further comprise at least one washing step, in which the mixture can be specifically removed from the receiving surface of the drum after detecting at least one material characteristic. As an example, powders and / or pigments can be dispensed onto the rotating drum and, as an example, temporarily fixed to the surface of the rotating drum by electrostatic forces. During the fixation of the mixture to the surface of the rotating drum, at least one material characteristic of the mixture on the surface can be detected, for example, by optical reading. As an example, a color can be detected, as outlined in more detail below, and can be, as an example, later converted into binary information, such as a binary progression of numbers. Afterwards, the drum can be washed, for example by rotating the drum 90°, for example, by rotating it to a washing position.

[0044] A similar procedure can also be carried out by using inkjet printing directly on the drum surface and / or on a moving substrate, such as a paper substrate, optionally without fixation by electrostatic forces. The drum can be washed for reuse after detecting the at least one characteristic. Thus, by way of example, the hybridization device can comprise at least one inkjet printer. The material can be or include an inkjet printing of the material onto at least one receiving element, such as onto at least one rotating drum and / or onto at least one substrate, and the material can be or include a liquid material. Detection of at least one material characteristic, such as at least one optical characteristic, can be performed later, for example by optical reading. By way of example, again, a color can be detected, which can be later converted into binary information, such as a binary progression of numbers. The drum can then be washed, such as by rotating it to a washing position, for example by rotating the drum 90°. Additionally or alternatively, in addition to washing the at least one receiving element, a new receiving element or a new part of the receiving element can be used for further steps, such as further printing and repeated hybridization and detection.

[0045] The hybridization device may specifically comprise at least one hybridization element for producing a hybrid. In this specification, the term "hybridization element" is a broad term and should be given its common customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to a special or specialized meaning. The term may specifically refer to any element, device, or combination of elements configured to hybridize at least two materials, specifically by mixing at least two materials, for example, before, during, or after deposition on at least one optional receiving element, without being limited thereto. As an example, the at least one hybridization element may be or include at least one element selected from the group consisting of a dispenser for dispensing at least one of the two materials continuously or discontinuously, a printer for printing at least two materials onto at least one receiving element, specifically onto at least one substrate, specifically at least one printer selected from the group consisting of an inkjet printer, a laser printer. Nevertheless, other types of hybridization elements may also be used in addition or alternatively. Thus, by way of example, the hybrid element may be or may include at least one of a mixing element, a dispenser, a nozzle, and an extruder.

[0046] The at least one material property detected in step ii. can include a wide variety of detectable properties of the blend. In particular, the material property can be selected such that the material property is not directly derivable from the combination of the material properties of the at least two materials, and the material property of the blend is hardly predictable, for example, due to chaotic processes, nonlinear behavior, or other unpredictable processes during blending. In particular, amorphous materials such as powders, when blended, often result in mixtures with unpredictable properties, such as the density or distribution of the original materials in the blend. In particular, the at least one material property detected in step ii. can be at least one of the physical property of the blend and the chemical property of the blend, or can include at least one of the physical property of the blend and the chemical property of the blend. More specifically, the at least one material property may be or may include at least one property selected from the group consisting of: specific gravity of the blend, volume of the blend, weight of the blend, optical properties of the blend, color of the blend, spectral composition of the blend, specifically color spectrum of the blend, color intensity of the blend, viscosity of the blend. Alternatively or additionally, other material properties may be used.

[0047] The step of detecting at least one material property of the blend, i.e. step ii., can specifically include generating at least one measurement information item related to the material property. Thus, the at least one measurement information item can generally refer to the result of the measurement of at least one material property, such as at least one numerical measurement value indicative of or characteristic of at least one material property of the blend. Thus, by way of example, the at least one measurement information item can include at least one of the following information items: specific gravity measurement value of the blend, volume measurement value of the blend, weight measurement value of the blend, optical property measurement value of the blend, color measurement value of the blend, spectral composition measurement value of the blend, specifically color spectrum measurement value of the blend, color intensity measurement value of the blend, viscosity measurement value of the blend. Each of these measurements can be, by way of example, a single number or multiple numbers of distributions, spectra, etc., or can include a single number or multiple numbers of distributions, spectra, etc. In particular, the at least one measurement information item can be, by way of example, at least one numerical value, such as a digital value, or can include at least one numerical value, such as a digital value.

[0048] The transformation of the material property into an encryption key, i.e. step iii., can specifically include subjecting at least one material property to at least one test, specifically at least one predefined test. By way of example, as outlined in more detail below, the at least one test can be or can include a direct or indirect comparison of the at least one material property with at least one comparison value, at least one comparison value range, etc., such as by using at least one measurement information item. Other mathematical tests can also generally be performed and applied. According to the result of the at least one test, the encryption key or at least a part thereof can be generated. The transformation of the material property into an encryption key can specifically include a comparison of the at least one material property with at least one threshold value, including the option of using at least one measurement information item representative of the material property. According to the result of this comparison, at least one number can be assigned to the material property. This number can specifically be a binary number. This number can directly form the encryption key or can form part of the encryption key. Thus, by way of example, the encryption key may include a plurality of values, with at least one of the bit values ​​being assigned according to the result of a comparison of the material property with at least one threshold value. As an example, the spectrum or distribution of at least one material property of the blend, such as a color distribution, may be measured, as outlined in more detail below. For example, a unique bit value may be selected according to a statistical occurrence of a unique color or another unique feature or characteristic of the blend. Thus, other bit values ​​may also be selected according to other unique features of the blend's properties, for example. A complete encryption key or at least a portion thereof may thereby be generated.

[0049] It should be generally noted that the encryption key can be generated in a single step or multiple steps. Thus, the encryption key can also be generated iteratively, for example by repeating the steps of blending and detection, and optionally conversion, where, for example, each blending and detection step generates a portion of the encryption key and / or generates further blend information for further blending steps. Thereby, complex and large encryption keys can be generated iteratively, even if the number of material properties of a single blend may be limited.

[0050] In a further aspect of the invention, a method of data transmission between at least two communication systems is disclosed. In this specification, the term "communication system" is a broad term and should be given its common customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to a special or specialized meaning. The term can specifically refer to a device or combination of devices configured to transmit data and / or configured to receive data, without being limited thereto. Thus, as outlined in more detail below, a communication system can be assigned in a fixed manner the role of a transmitting system, i.e. a system configured for data transmission, or the role of a receiving system, i.e. a system configured to receive transmitted data. However, alternatively, the assignment of the role as a transmitting or receiving system can be flexible or variable, and can be reassigned, as an example. Thus, a communication system can act as both a transmitting system and a receiving system. As discussed above, the data transmission method can be specifically dedicated to data transmission over an insecure channel, or can be used for data transmission over an insecure channel.

[0051] The data transmission method includes the following method steps, which may be specifically performed in a given order. Nevertheless, different orders are also possible. Furthermore, two or more of these method steps may be performed fully or partially simultaneously. Furthermore, one or more or even all of these method steps may be performed once or may be performed repeatedly, such as repeated one or more times. Furthermore, the method may also include additional method steps not listed.

[0052] This method is I. assigning a role of a transmission system to at least one of the communication systems; II. assigning the role of a receiving system to at least another one of the communication systems; III. Providing at least one composite information item to both a transmitting system and a receiving system; IV. A step of generating, by the transmission system, at least one hybrid information item and at least one encryption key by using a method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data according to the invention, such as any one of the embodiments described above and / or any one of the embodiments described in more detail below; V. encrypting, by the transmission system, the data to be transmitted by using the encryption key, thereby generating encrypted data; VI. transmitting the encrypted data by the transmitting system to the receiving system; VII. receiving, by a receiving system, the encrypted data; VIII. A step of generating, by the receiving system, at least one hybrid information item and at least one encryption key by using a method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data according to the invention, such as any one of the embodiments described above and / or any one of the embodiments described in more detail below; IX. decrypting, by the receiving system, the encrypted data by using the encryption key.

[0053] For any further details and possible definitions of the terms used in this specification, please refer to the above description. As further outlined above, the method can be specifically performed iteratively. Thus, data can be transmitted unidirectionally or bidirectionally between at least two communication systems. Thus, the roles of the transmitting system and the receiving system can be reassigned, particularly between repetitions of these method steps, particularly when bidirectional communication is possible.

[0054] In particular, the transmitting system and the receiving system may use the same at least one hybrid information item, such as the same hybrid instruction set. Thus, the at least one hybrid information item may be transmitted at least once, independently of the data transmission, such as by exchanging the at least one hybrid information item or the at least one initial hybrid information item between the at least two communication systems and / or by providing at least one hybrid information item to all communication systems. In a later step of the data transmission, the hybrid information may be generated from previously transmitted data. Thus, if the method is performed iteratively or repeatedly, in at least one iteration, the at least one hybrid information item for the iteration may be derived from previously transmitted data. Additionally or alternatively, the initial provision of the at least one hybrid information item may comprise providing the at least one hybrid information item for various iterations of these steps, i.e. providing the at least one hybrid information item for at least two different iterations of the data transmission.

[0055] Generally, the method can therefore be performed iteratively, fully or partially. In at least one of these iterations, in step III., at least one hybrid information item can be provided for at least one subsequent iteration. By way of example, the at least one hybrid information item can be fully or partially included in one or both of the encryption key itself and / or in the data. Thus, the part of the data transmitted in one iteration can include at least one hybrid information item for at least one subsequent data transmission. Thereby, the encryption key can be generated iteratively by the transmitting system and / or the receiving system.

[0056] In particular, the encryption key may include a composite information item for a later data transmission. Thus, the encryption key itself may be used to generate an encryption key for a later data transmission, e.g. to generate a later encryption key. Thus, by way of example, the encryption key itself may include information of the composite process, such as process parameters, e.g. the quantity and / or the manner in which at least two materials may be composited. By way of example, the composite information item may be included in a predefined location in the encryption key. In particular, the composite information item may be included in the encryption key after a predefined amount of data. For example, the encryption key may include the composite information item after the transmission of a predefined amount of data, such as at or after a predefined number of bits. Additionally or alternatively, the composite information item may be included in the encryption key at a predefined time or after a predefined period of time. In particular, the composite information item may be included in the encryption key after a predefined period of time has elapsed.

[0057] The encryption key can further be used to verify the synchronization of the communication systems, e.g., a transmitting system and a receiving system. In particular, at least a part of the encryption key can be exchanged between the communication systems, e.g., between a transmitting system and a receiving system, in order to verify the generation of the encryption key at least once. In particular, by at least partially exchanging the encryption key between the communication systems, the correct generation of the encryption key can be verified or confirmed at least once.

[0058] The method for transmitting data between at least two communication systems may specifically further include distributing the at least two communication systems, e.g., before performing step I. Thus, as an example, the at least two communication systems may be distributed across at least two locations. Specifically, the distributed communication systems may be identical with respect to the hybrid device and the detector.

[0059] The method may further include providing each of the communication systems with the same at least two materials, particularly prior to performing step I. Thus, by way of example, the method may include distributing a first set including the at least two materials to the first communication system and distributing a second set including the at least two materials to the second communication system, the first set and the second set each including at least one first identical material and at least one second identical material.

[0060] In a further aspect of the present invention, methods of encrypting data and methods of decrypting encrypted data are disclosed. These methods include the following method steps, each of which is outlined in further detail below. These method steps may be specifically performed in a given order. Nevertheless, different orders are also possible. Furthermore, two or more of these method steps may be performed fully or partially simultaneously. Furthermore, one or more or even all of these method steps may be performed once or may be performed repeatedly, such as repeated one or more times. Furthermore, these methods may include additional method steps not listed.

[0061] How to encrypt data: a. generating at least one encryption key by using a method according to any one of the preceding claims referring to a method for generating an encryption key; b. encrypting the data by using the encryption key, thereby generating encrypted data.

[0062] The way to decrypt the encrypted data is A. generating at least one key by using a method according to any one of the preceding claims referring to a method for generating an encryption key; B. Decrypting the encrypted data by using the encryption key, thereby producing decrypted data.

[0063] For possible definitions, options or embodiments, please refer to the above description.

[0064] In a further aspect of the present invention, an encryption key generating device is disclosed. As used herein, the term "encryption key generating device" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art and is not limited to any special or specialized meaning. The term may specifically refer to any device, such as a computerized device, configured to generate at least one encryption key for encrypting data, without limitation. The encryption key generating device may include: - at least one blending device for blending at least two materials according to at least one blending information item, thereby producing at least one blend, - at least one detection device configured to detect at least one material property of the composite, the detection device having at least one detector; at least one transformation device configured to transform the material properties into an encryption key and having at least one data processing device configured to apply at least one transformation algorithm to the material properties.

[0065] Most of the terms, definitions and possible embodiments can be found in the method description above. In this specification, the term "detection device" is a broad term and should be given the common customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to a special or specialized meaning. This term can specifically refer to any device having at least one detector, and the device is configured to detect at least one material characteristic as outlined above, without being limited thereto. The at least one detector can be a part of the detection device, or alternatively, the detection device can be the same as the at least one detector. Generally, however, in most cases, the detection device comprises at least one detector, as well as other components, such as one or more computer devices.

[0066] In this specification, the term "conversion device" is also a broad term and should be given its common customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to a special or specialized meaning. The term can specifically refer to any device configured to convert material properties into encryption keys by using at least one data processing device, without being limited thereto. Again, the data processing device configured to apply at least one conversion algorithm to the material properties can form part of the conversion device, and the conversion device can comprise one or more additional components. However, alternatively, the conversion device and the data processing device can be fully or partially identical. In general, the conversion device can be implemented fully or partially as a hardware device. However, alternatively, the conversion device can also be implemented fully or partially in software.

[0067] The encryption key generating device may in particular be configured to perform the method for generating at least one encryption key according to the present invention, such as any one of the embodiments disclosed above and / or any one of the embodiments disclosed in more detail below. Thus, in particular, the hybrid device may be configured to perform step i., the detection device may be configured to perform step ii., and the data processing device may comprise at least one processor configured to perform method step iii.

[0068] As outlined above, various hybrid means can be used. In particular, one or more of the hybrid devices disclosed above can be applied. More particularly, the hybrid device can include at least one printer, such as an inkjet printer and / or a laser printer. However, other types of hybrid devices and / or printers can also be used.

[0069] As further outlined above, various types of detectors can be used in the detection device, and a single detector or multiple detectors can be used. The type of detector can be specifically adapted to the at least one material property to be detected. However, specifically, the detection device can include at least one photodetector, such as at least one scanning device, such as at least one optical scanner, configured to detect at least one optical property of the composite. The at least one photodetector and / or optical scanner can be, by way of example, at least one of a color detector, a brightness detector, or a spectrometer, or can include at least one of a color detector, a brightness detector, or a spectrometer. The at least one photodetector and / or optical scanner can include a single photodetector or multiple photodetectors, such as an array of photodetectors.

[0070] In a further aspect of the invention, a printer is disclosed that is configured to be used as a hybrid device in an encryption key generating device as described above or in more detail below. The printer is configured to perform at least step i. of the method for receiving at least one hybrid information item and generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data as described above or in more detail below. Therefore, most of the terms, definitions and possible embodiments are referred to the description of the method and device above.

[0071] As used herein, the term "printer" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any particular or specialized meaning. The term may specifically refer to, but is not limited to, a device configured to apply, e.g., print, at least one material, specifically in a patterned manner, onto at least one printing surface or substrate, according to at least one printer control information. Thus, typically, a printer may be configured to generate text and / or images on at least one printing surface, according to at least one printer control information, e.g., one or more of a string of characters, a bitmap image, a vector image, a computer program, provided in at least one printer control language. In particular, the printer, and in particular at least one function of the printer, may be controllable via at least one printer control language, such as one or more page description languages ​​(PDLs), printer command language (PCL), PostScript, XML Paper Specification, etc.

[0072] In particular, the printer may comprise one or more of: a drum, such as an image drum; a laser; at least one mirror, e.g. a lens system, e.g. a lens system comprising a rotatable mirror; cleaning elements, e.g. a roll, scraper or similar means for cleaning the drum; a cassette, e.g. a paper cassette, e.g. for storing one or more of the substrates; at least one transport element, e.g. a roller and / or conveyor, for feeding, conveying within and / or ejecting the substrate, e.g. paper, into, through and / or out of the printer; a printer control unit configured to control the printer.

[0073] The printer can be specifically configured to blend at least two materials onto at least one substrate according to at least one blending information item. In particular, the printer can be configured to blend at least two materials onto a substrate for receiving the blend according to the blending information item, thereby for example producing the blend.

[0074] The substrate may be or include at least one carrier medium, such as a carrier medium selected from the group consisting of a glass carrier, such as a glass plate or sheet, a plastic carrier, such as a plastic plate or sheet, a paper carrier, such as a paper sheet, and a canvas. Other substrates may be feasible.

[0075] Additionally, the printer may include a substrate, such as a carrier medium. Thus, by way of example, the substrate may be part of the printer itself or may be embedded within the printer. In particular, the substrate included by the printer may be a reusable carrier medium, such as a medium having a washable surface, such as a drum, such as a rotating drum, of the printer.

[0076] The printer can further be configured to mix at least two materials so that at least one pattern, particularly at least one interference pattern, is generated. The at least two materials to be mixed by the printer can be different materials, particularly materials that differ with respect to at least one property. As an example, the at least two materials to be mixed by the printer can differ with respect to at least one property selected from the group consisting of chemical properties, particularly chemical composition, optical properties, particularly optical appearance such as one or more of color, transparency, brightness, mechanical properties, particularly particle size, particle size, density, viscosity, or flowability, electrostatic chargeability, compressibility, crystallinity, particle shape.

[0077] In particular, at least two materials to be mixed by the printer are - Powders, specifically Inorganic powders, specifically inorganic powders made from minerals, ○ Organic powders, specifically organic powders made from polymers; a powder selected from the group consisting of pigments, - may comprise at least two materials selected from the group consisting of a liquid, in particular a liquid selected from the group consisting of a pure liquid, a suspension, an emulsion or a solution, more in particular a liquid dye and / or an ink.

[0078] Specifically, the at least one blending information item according to which the printer can be configured to blend the at least two materials includes at least one of printing instructions for blending the at least two materials to be blended, such as, for example, quantities for the at least two materials to be blended, weights for the at least two materials to be blended, volumes of the at least two materials to be blended, blending volume ratios of the at least two materials to be blended, blending weight ratios of the at least two materials to be blended, blending instructions for blending two or more continuous or non-continuous streams of the at least two materials to be blended, slant information for blending the at least two materials to be blended using differently skewed raster images, e.g., raster images generated by a raster image processor (RIP) of the printer.

[0079] The printer may specifically include at least one processor, the processor being configured to control at least one printing operation of the printer. Thus, as an example, the printer may specifically be controlled via the at least one processor when performing step i of the method of generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data.

[0080] Furthermore, the printer may specifically comprise at least two reservoirs for at least two materials to be mixed. However, further reservoirs may also be provided by the printer, such as reservoirs for multiple, e.g., three or more, materials, e.g., powders and / or inks of different colors. Thus, by way of example, the printer may comprise multiple reservoirs, each reservoir containing at least one material, such as materials having different colors. In particular, each reservoir may contain materials of a specific color, such as black, yellow, cyan, and magenta. Other material colors may also be feasible, in particular additional or alternative material colors.

[0081] In particular, the printer may be or may include a printer selected from the group consisting of an inkjet printer, a laser printer, an electrostatic printer, e.g., a liquid ink electrostatic printer, etc. Furthermore, the printer may comprise at least one scanning device, such as at least one optical scanner.

[0082] In a further aspect of the invention, a scanning device is disclosed that is configured to be used as a detection device in an encryption key generating device as described above or in more detail below. Furthermore, the scanning device is configured to perform at least step ii. of the method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data as described above or in more detail below. Therefore, most of the terms, definitions and possible embodiments are referred to the description of the method and device above.

[0083] In this specification, the term "scanning device" is a broad term and should be given its common customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to a special or specialized meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, a device configured to detect at least one property of at least one object and / or element of, for example, a composite. In particular, the scanning device can be configured to inspect and / or detect at least one material property of the composite. As an example, the scanning device can have at least one scanning element configured to optically record and / or capture spatially resolved one-dimensional, two-dimensional, or even three-dimensional optical information about the composite. Thus, for example, for optical detection, the scanning device can comprise at least one sensor, such as, for example, an optical sensor, specifically an image sensor, for example, at least one photosensitive capacitor, at least one charge-coupled device (CCD). The scanning device can comprise, for example, at least one CCD chip and / or at least one CMOS chip. In particular, the scanning device can be configured to detect an optical signal of the composite, for example, the powder components that have been mixed and / or blended, by using an optical system or the like. In particular, the scanning system may be configured to convert, e.g., separate, the optical signals of the mixture into primary colors, e.g., red, green, and blue, e.g., by using a prism. The scanning device may be specifically configured to convert the optical signals, e.g., the optical signals converted into primary colors, into at least one digital image, e.g., by using at least one sensor, e.g., a sensor comprising a plurality of photosensitive capacitors. Furthermore, the scanning device may comprise at least one illumination element, e.g., an element configured to illuminate the mixture, and the scanning device may be configured to detect at least one characteristic of the mixture by using the reflection of the mixture. The scanning device may also be referred to herein as a scanner.The scanning device may in particular be or comprise a device selected from the group consisting of a CCD scanner, a CIS scanner, a camera, and a film.

[0084] In particular, the scanning device may comprise at least one optical detection system, which may in particular comprise one or more of a photodetector, an image sensor, e.g., a photomultiplier tube (PMT), e.g., a vacuum tube that converts incident photons into an electrical signal, a silicon photomultiplier tube (SiPM), e.g., a solid-state device that converts incident photons into an electrical signal.

[0085] The scanning device may in particular comprise at least one processor, which may be configured to control at least one scanning operation of the scanning device. Thus, as an example, the scanning device may in particular be controlled via the at least one processor when performing step ii. and optionally step iii. of the method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data.

[0086] The scanning device may in particular be configured to generate at least one measurement information item related to the material property. In particular, the scanning device may generate at least one measurement information item related to the material property of the blend when detecting at least one material property of the blend, such as when the scanning device is used to perform step ii. of the method. In particular, an image, such as a digital image, obtained by using the scanning device may include at least one binary code, at least a part of which may be used to generate at least a part of the encryption key.

[0087] Furthermore, the scanning device can be configured to be used as a conversion device in an encryption key generation device. Thus, the scanning device can be configured to perform at least step iii. of the method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data. In particular, for example when performing step iii. of the method, the scanning device can be configured to subject the at least one material property to at least one test. The test can specifically be or include at least one predefined test. Thus, the scanning device can be configured to subject the at least one material property to at least one predefined test. By subjecting the at least one material property to the at least one test, an encryption key can be generated according to the result of the test. In particular, when the scanning device subjects the at least one material property to the at least one test, the scanning device can generate at least one encryption key according to the result of the at least one test.

[0088] The scanning device may in particular be configured to compare the at least one material characteristic with at least one threshold value and assign a number according to a result of the comparison. In particular, the scanning device may be configured to compare the at least one material characteristic with at least one threshold value and assign a number according to a result of the comparison when performing step iii. of the method and thus converting the material characteristic into an encryption key.

[0089] Further, the scanning device may be configured to perform steps ii) and / or iii) of the method by causing a printer, in particular a printer as described above or in more detail below, to scan, in particular optically scan, a substrate, e.g. a carrier medium, comprising a mixture of at least two materials.

[0090] The scanning device may be further configured for use in complement with a printer, particularly as described above or in more detail below. In particular, the scanning device and the printer may both be configured for use as encryption key generating devices, as described above or in more detail below.

[0091] In a further aspect of the present invention, a system is disclosed that can be generally configured for data transmission between at least two communication systems. The system comprises at least one first communication system and at least one second communication system. As outlined above, the at least one first communication system and the at least one second communication system can each comprise, by way of example, at least one computer. For possible definitions of system, first communication system, and second communication system, please refer to the above description. The system is configured to perform a method for data transmission between at least two communication systems according to the present invention, such as any one of the embodiments disclosed above and / or any one of the embodiments disclosed in more detail below.

[0092] Specifically, at least one of the communication systems may include at least one data transmission system for transmitting encrypted data, and at least another of the communication systems may include at least one data receiving system for receiving the encrypted data. Thus, as used herein, the term "data transmission system" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any special or specialized meaning. The term may specifically refer to, but is not limited to, any device or combination of devices configured to transmit data to, for example, a wireless transmitter, a network transmitter, a modem, an IR transmitter, a Bluetooth transmitter, etc. Similarly, as used herein, the term "data receiving system" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any special or specialized meaning. The term may specifically refer to, but is not limited to, any device or combination of devices configured to receive data, for example, a wireless receiver, a network receiver, a modem, an IR receiver, a Bluetooth receiver, etc. Again, as discussed above, the roles within the at least two communication systems may be assigned in a fixed manner, by assigning the role of transmission system to one of the first and second communication systems and the role of reception system to the other of the first and second communication systems. Alternatively, however, the roles may be changed, for example between repetitions of data transmission. In the latter case, each of the first and second communication systems may comprise at least one data transmission system and at least one data reception system.

[0093] Each of the communication systems, i.e. both the at least one first communication system and the at least one second communication system, may each comprise at least one encryption key generating device according to the present invention, i.e. according to any one of the preceding embodiments and / or any one of the following embodiments referring to an encryption key generating device.

[0094] At least one of the communication systems, i.e. at least one first communication system and / or at least one second communication system, may further comprise at least one encryption device configured to encrypt data to be transmitted by using an encryption key, thereby generating encrypted data. In this specification, the term "encryption device" is a broad term and should be given its common customary meaning to those skilled in the art and is not limited to a special or specialized meaning. The term may specifically refer to any device configured to encrypt data, without being limited thereto. The encryption device may specifically comprise at least one processor configured to perform the encryption, as outlined above. Thus, the encryption device may be fully or partially implemented in software running on at least one computer.

[0095] Furthermore, at least another one of the communication systems may further comprise at least one decryption device configured to decrypt the encrypted data by using the encryption key. In this specification, the term "decryption device" is a broad term and should be given its common customary meaning to those skilled in the art and is not limited to a special or specialized meaning. The term may specifically refer to any device configured to perform the step of decrypting data, without being limited thereto. The decryption device may specifically comprise at least one processor configured to perform the decryption, as outlined above. The decryption device may be fully or partially implemented in software running on at least one computer.

[0096] As further outlined above, at least one of the communication systems may comprise an encryption device and at least another one of the communication systems may comprise a decryption device. Nevertheless, one or both of the communication systems may comprise both at least one encryption device and at least one decryption device. Thus, both the at least one first communication system and the at least one second communication system may each comprise at least one encryption device and at least one decryption device. The latter is particularly useful for bidirectional communication and / or data transfer.

[0097] In a further aspect, a data encryption system is disclosed. As used herein, the term "data encryption system" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any special or specialized meaning. The term may specifically refer, without limitation, to a device, combination of devices, or component, or combination of components, configured to encrypt data. The data encryption system may be fully or partially embodied as or included within a computer or computer system. The data encryption system may include: at least one encryption key generating device according to the invention, such as any one of the embodiments disclosed above or in more detail below that refer to an encryption key generating device, at least one encryption device configured to encrypt data by using an encryption key, thereby generating encrypted data.

[0098] In a further aspect, a data decryption system is disclosed. As used herein, the term "data decryption system" is a broad term and should be given its common and customary meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any special or specialized meaning. The term may specifically refer, without limitation, to a device, combination of devices, or a component or combination of components configured to decrypt data. The data decryption system may be fully or partially embodied as or included within a computer or computer system. The data decryption system may include: - at least one encryption key generating device according to any one of the preceding claims referring to an encryption key generating device, at least one decryption device configured to decrypt the data by using the encryption key, thereby generating decrypted data.

[0099] As outlined above, the method disclosed herein can be fully or partially computer-implemented by at least one computer or computer network. Thus, in particular, step iii. can be fully or partially computer-implemented. Furthermore, one or both of steps i. and ii. can also be partially computer-implemented or computer-assisted. Similarly, one or more or even all of steps IV., V., VIII., and IX. can be fully or partially computer-implemented or at least computer-assisted. One or more or even all of the remaining steps can also be at least computer-assisted. Thus, the present invention also discloses computer programs and computer program products having program code means for fully or partially executing or assisting one or more of the methods according to the present invention in one or more of the embodiments encompassed herein when the computer program product or computer program is executed on a computer or computer network. In particular, the program code means can be stored on a computer-readable data carrier and / or on a computer-readable storage medium. In this specification, the terms "computer-readable data carrier" and "computer-readable storage medium" may specifically refer to non-transitory data storage means such as a hardware storage medium on which computer-executable instructions are stored. A computer-readable data carrier or storage medium may specifically be or include a storage medium such as a random access memory (RAM) and / or a read-only memory (ROM).

[0100] The method, device and system according to the invention offer a number of advantages over known methods, devices and systems of a similar type or purpose. In particular, the invention can be applied for the protection of sensitive information requiring encryption techniques. Unauthorized access to encrypted data can be prevented, or at least significantly hindered.

[0101] The method, device and system specifically address the above-mentioned problem of resources and time to generate encryption keys. As outlined above, today encryption keys are typically derived by using algorithmic methods, so computational power is often the most important factor in the race to secure information. In this context, the present invention also addresses the problem that each time a new computer generation appears, the complexity of the encryption key typically needs to be increased, again typically requiring an increase in computational power. However, as an example, the expansion of the number of bits of the encryption key simply requires an expansion of the material properties to be measured and / or an increase in the number of iterations of the method, so that the method proposed herein is easily scalable without requiring a significant increase in computational power.

[0102] The present invention can provide a method for creating encryption keys by utilizing the complexities of the properties of material composites, such as solid particle powder composites or liquid material composites, such as inks. As an example, in material composites, such as solid particle powder composites, the number of particles is large and the physical actions have different effects, so it is very difficult, even if reproducible, to derive the properties of the powder composite from the properties of its components. Thus, the material properties of the composite are generally influenced by the interplay of various influences, such as mass law direction, electrostatics, cohesion, etc. Thus, the material properties of the composite are very difficult to simulate or predict, even if reproducible, by applying accurate composite information items to detect the composite properties. In most cases, as an example, the properties of the particle powder composite can only be identified by measurement and cannot be derived from simulation.

[0103] In the simplest case, as an example, two or more powder components can be used for encryption, since the blend of these at least two powder components provides new information, such as new material properties of the blend, such as density, flow rate, color, etc. However, reproducibility generally requires the application of a defined blending or blending process, which is ensured by providing at least one blend information item. The new powder properties of the new blend or blend can be transformed into a binary code number that can serve as an encryption key.

[0104] The method, device and system according to the invention also generally provide highly reproducible encryption and decryption, particularly when the materials to be mixed are clearly characterized and clearly defined. Moreover, the steps of mixing and detection are also important and should be clearly defined. In the case of mixing, reproducibility is typically ensured by providing at least one mixed information item. Moreover, the detection of the at least one material characteristic should also be performed according to a clearly defined procedure, both in the case of encryption and decryption. Thus, by way of example, the same or at least equivalent procedures for detecting the at least one material characteristic should be used in both the transmission and reception systems and in the encryption and decryption methods.

[0105] In general, the methods, devices, and systems of the present invention can provide for the generation of pseudorandom numbers that can be used to generate encryption keys. The generation of encryption keys can be used in a composite manner essentially anywhere, such as by simply applying the same blending and detection process at different locations to generate the same encryption key and / or encrypted or decrypted data. This can provide a pseudorandomized non-algorithmic method for generating encryption keys, particularly for secure data transmission, secure communication, or secure data storage. The materials for blending can be provided by one and the same provider or manufacturer, particularly to ensure reproducibility at all locations where the encryption method is applied. The materials can be stock materials, or even can be or include modified materials, such materials can be modified according to a special order, particularly for the method of generating encryption keys.

[0106] Compared to conventional symmetric encryption algorithms, the method, device, and system of the present invention further address the problem of exchanging encryption keys, specifically in insecure environments. Thus, in addition to at least one mixed information item, additional knowledge about the mixing process may be required. Thus, a person who is not authorized to access the data but wants to interfere with it would have to further obtain additional background information about the knowledge of the mixing process. As an example, an unauthorized person may have to obtain additional knowledge about the type of the mixing device, the materials to be used, or other additional knowledge that may not be part of the at least one mixed information item. Thus, the at least one mixed information item may fully or partially describe the mixing process. If the at least one mixed information item only partially describes the mixing process, additional background information may be required for all authorized persons. Thus, compared to conventional symmetric keys that are typically exchanged in a single unit, the method required for mixing and therefore for generating the encryption key may be composed of several parts that can be transmitted or exchanged independently, such as by configuring the method of mixing at least one mixed information item and additional information, such as information about the type of the mixed device known only to them. Thereby, even if an unauthorized person can interfere with and take possession of at least one mixed information item, in particular if additional information is required to perform the mixing, the unauthorized person may still not be able to generate at least one encryption key.Since the encryption proposed herein therefore offers the option of at least partially generating encryption keys non-analytical and / or using other means for encryption than simple algorithms, the invention can further provide protection against unwanted decryption by brute force techniques or the application of additional computational resources or even quantum computing.

[0107] In summary, without excluding further possible embodiments, the following embodiments can be envisaged:

[0108] Embodiment 1: A method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data, particularly for data transmission over an insecure channel, comprising: i. hybridizing at least two materials according to at least one hybridization item by using a hybridization device, thereby producing at least one hybrid product; ii. detecting at least one material property of the composite by using at least one detector; and iii. converting the material characteristic into an encryption key by using at least one data processing device configured to apply at least one conversion algorithm to the material characteristic.

[0109] Embodiment 2: The method of embodiment 1, wherein step iii. is performed fully or partially in a computer-implemented manner.

[0110]

[0023] Embodiment 3: The method of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the data comprises digital data.

[0111] Embodiment 4: The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the data comprises binary data.

[0112] Embodiment 5: The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the data is subdivided into data packages.

[0113] Embodiment 6: The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the data includes error correction data.

[0114] Embodiment 7: The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the data includes payload data and control data.

[0115] Embodiment 8: The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein at least one hybrid information item comprises n hybrid variables, n being a positive integer, and in step ii., m material properties of the hybrid are detected, m being a positive integer.

[0116] Embodiment 9: The method of embodiment 8, wherein m≧n.

[0117] Embodiment 10: The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least two of the materials are different materials, in particular materials that differ with respect to at least one property selected from the group consisting of chemical properties, in particular chemical composition; optical properties, in particular optical appearance such as one or more of color, transparency, brightness; mechanical properties, in particular particle size, particle size, density, viscosity, or flowability; electrostatic chargeability, compressibility, crystallinity, particle shape.

[0118] Embodiment 11: At least two materials are - Powders, specifically Inorganic powders, specifically inorganic powders made from minerals, ○ Organic powders, specifically organic powders made from polymers; a powder selected from the group consisting of pigments, The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least two materials selected from the group consisting of liquids, in particular liquids selected from the group consisting of pure liquids, suspensions, emulsions or solutions, more in particular liquid dyes and inks.

[0119] Embodiment 12: The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein at least one blending information item includes at least one of the following printing instructions for blending at least two materials to be blended, such as quantities for the at least two materials to be blended, weights for the at least two materials to be blended, volumes of the at least two materials to be blended, blending volume ratios of the at least two materials to be blended, blending weight ratios of the at least two materials to be blended, blending instructions for blending two or more continuous or non-continuous streams of the at least two materials to be blended, and inclination information for blending the at least two materials to be blended using raster images with different inclinations, e.g. raster images generated by a raster image processor (RIP) of a printer.

[0120] Embodiment 13: The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 12, wherein the hybridization device comprises at least two reservoirs for the at least two materials to be hybridized.

[0121] Embodiment 14: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the hybridization device comprises at least one receiving element for receiving the hybridization product.

[0122] Embodiment 15: The method of embodiment 14, wherein the receiving element comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of a receiving vessel for receiving the mixture, a substrate for receiving the mixture.

[0123]

[0041] Embodiment 16: The method of embodiment 15, wherein the substrate comprises a drum having a receiving surface for receiving the composite, in particular the drum to which the composite is temporarily electrostatically secured.

[0124] Embodiment 17: The method of embodiment 16, wherein the drum is a rotating drum and the method further comprises at least one washing step, in which the contaminants are removed from the receiving surface of the drum after detecting the at least one material characteristic.

[0125] Embodiment 18: The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the hybridization device comprises at least one hybridization element for producing a hybrid, in particular a dispenser for dispensing at least one of the two materials continuously or discontinuously, at least one hybridization element selected from the group consisting of a printer for printing at least two materials onto at least one receiving element, in particular onto at least one substrate, in particular an inkjet printer, at least one printer selected from the group consisting of a laser printer.

[0126] Embodiment 19: The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 18, wherein the at least one material property comprises at least one of a composite physical property and a composite chemical property.

[0127] Embodiment 20: The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one material characteristic comprises at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of specific gravity of the blend, volume of the blend, weight of the blend, optical properties of the blend, color of the blend, spectral composition of the blend, particularly color spectrum of the blend, color intensity of the blend, and viscosity of the blend.

[0128] Embodiment 21: The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 20, wherein the step of detecting at least one material property of the composite comprises generating at least one item of measurement information related to the material property.

[0129] Embodiment 22: A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 21, wherein converting the material property into an encryption key comprises subjecting at least one material property to at least one test, in particular at least one predetermined test, and the encryption key is generated according to the result of the test.

[0130] Embodiment 23: The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 22, wherein converting the material characteristic into an encryption key comprises comparing at least one material characteristic with at least one threshold value and assigning a number according to a result of the comparison.

[0131] Embodiment 24: The method of embodiment 23, wherein the number is a binary number.

[0132] Embodiment 25: A method for data transmission between at least two communication systems, particularly for data transmission over an insecure channel, comprising: I. assigning a role of a transmission system to at least one of the communication systems; II. assigning a role of a receiving system to at least another one of the communication systems; III. Providing at least one composite information item to both a transmitting system and a receiving system; IV. Generating at least one encryption key by using the method according to any one of the preceding claims referring to the method for generating at least one hybrid information item and at least one encryption key by a transmission system; V. encrypting the data to be transmitted by the transmission system using the encryption key, thereby generating encrypted data; VI. transmitting the encrypted data by the transmitting system to the receiving system; VII. Receiving the encrypted data by a receiving system; VIII. Generating, by a receiving system, at least one hybrid information item and at least one encryption key by using the method according to any one of the preceding claims referring to the method for generating at least one encryption key; IX. decrypting, by the receiving system, the encrypted data by using the encryption key.

[0133] Embodiment 26: The method of embodiment 25, wherein the method is performed iteratively.

[0134] Embodiment 27: The method of embodiment 26, in which in the iterations, the roles of the transmitting system and the receiving system are reassigned.

[0135] Embodiment 28: The method according to embodiment 26 or 27, wherein in at least one of the iterations, in step III., at least one hybrid information item is provided for at least one subsequent iteration.

[0136] Embodiment 29: The method of embodiment 28, wherein at least one hybrid information item is fully or partially contained in one or both of the encryption key and the data.

[0137] Embodiment 30: A method according to any one of embodiments 25 to 29 referring to a method for transmitting data between at least two communication systems, wherein the method further includes distributing the at least two communication systems, specifically before performing step I.

[0138] Embodiment 31: The method of embodiments 25 to 30, wherein the distributed communication system is identical with respect to the hybrid device and the detector.

[0139] Embodiment 32: The method of embodiment 30 or 31, wherein the method further comprises providing the same at least two materials to each of the communication systems, specifically prior to performing step I.

[0140] Embodiment 33: A method for encrypting data, comprising: a. generating at least one encryption key by using a method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 24 referring to a method for generating an encryption key; b. encrypting the data by using the encryption key, thereby generating encrypted data.

[0141] Embodiment 34: A method for decrypting encrypted data, comprising: A. Generating at least one key by using the method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 24, which refers to a method for generating an encryption key; B. decrypting the encrypted data by using the encryption key, thereby generating decrypted data.

[0142]

[0081] Embodiment 35: An encryption key generating device for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data, comprising: - at least one blending device for blending at least two materials according to at least one blending information item, thereby producing at least one blend, - at least one detection device configured to detect at least one material property of the composite, the detection device having at least one detector; - at least one transformation device configured to transform the material properties into an encryption key, the transformation device having at least one data processing device configured to apply at least one transformation algorithm to the material properties.

[0143] Embodiment 36: An encryption key generating device as described in embodiment 35, wherein the encryption key generating device is configured to execute a method for generating at least one encryption key as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 24 referring to a method for generating at least one encryption key.

[0144] Embodiment 37: The encryption key generating device of embodiment 35 or 36, wherein the hybrid device comprises at least one printer.

[0145] Embodiment 38: An encryption key generation device as described in any one of embodiments 35 to 37, wherein the detection device comprises at least one scanning device, such as at least one optical detector, in particular at least one optical scanner.

[0146] Embodiment 39: A printer configured to be used as a hybrid device within an encryption key generating device described in any one of embodiments 35 to 38 referring to an encryption key generating device, the printer being configured to receive at least one hybrid information item and perform at least step i. of a method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data described in any one of embodiments 1 to 24 referring to a method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data.

[0147] Embodiment 40: A printer as described in embodiment 39, wherein the printer comprises one or more of: a drum such as an image drum; a laser; a lens system such as a lens system comprising at least one mirror, e.g. a rotatable mirror; a cleaning element such as a roll, scraper or similar means for cleaning, e.g. a cassette for storing one or more of the substrates, e.g. a paper cassette, e.g. at least one transport element such as a roller and / or conveyor for feeding, conveying within and / or ejecting the substrate, e.g. paper, into the printer; a printer control unit configured to control the printer.

[0148] Embodiment 41: A printer as described in embodiment 39 or 40 referring to a printer, wherein the printer is configured to mix at least two materials onto at least one substrate, such as a substrate for receiving the mixture, according to at least one mixing information item.

[0149] Embodiment 42: The printer of embodiment 41, wherein the substrate is at least one carrier medium.

[0150] Embodiment 43: A printer as described in any one of embodiments 41 or 42, wherein the printer further comprises a substrate, e.g., a carrier medium, and the substrate is a reusable carrier medium, such as a medium having a washable surface, e.g., a drum of the printer, e.g., a rotating drum.

[0151] Embodiment 44: A printer as described in any one of embodiments 41 to 43, wherein the printer is configured to mix at least two materials so that at least one pattern, specifically at least one interference pattern, is generated.

[0152] Embodiment 45: A printer according to any one of embodiments 41 to 44 referring to a printer, in which at least two materials to be mixed by the printer are different materials, in particular materials that differ with respect to at least one property.

[0153] Embodiment 46: A printer as described in any one of embodiments 41 to 45, wherein at least one of the at least two materials to be mixed by the printer includes a powder such as an inorganic powder, an organic powder, or a pigment.

[0154] Embodiment 47: A printer as described in any one of embodiments 41 to 46, wherein at least one of the at least two materials to be mixed by the printer comprises a liquid, such as a pure liquid, a suspension, an emulsion, or a solution.

[0155] Embodiment 48: A printer as described in any one of embodiments 39 to 47 referring to a printer, wherein the at least one blending information item configured to blend at least two materials includes at least one of printing instructions for blending at least two materials to be blended, such as quantities for the at least two materials to be blended, weights for the at least two materials to be blended, volumes of the at least two materials to be blended, blending volume ratios of the at least two materials to be blended, blending weight ratios of the at least two materials to be blended, blending instructions for blending two or more continuous or non-continuous streams of the at least two materials to be blended, inclination information for blending the at least two materials to be blended using raster images of different inclinations, for example raster images generated by a raster image processor (RIP) of the printer.

[0156] Embodiment 49: A printer as described in any one of embodiments 39 to 48 referring to a printer, wherein the printer further comprises at least one processor configured to control at least one printing operation of the printer.

[0157] Embodiment 50: A printer as described in any one of embodiments 39 to 49 referring to a printer, wherein the printer has at least two reservoirs for at least two materials to be mixed.

[0158] Embodiment 51: A printer according to any one of embodiments 39 to 50 referring to a printer, wherein the printer is selected from the group consisting of an inkjet printer, a laser printer, an electrostatic printer, e.g. a liquid ink electrostatic printer.

[0159] Embodiment 52: A printer described in any one of embodiments 39 to 51 referring to a printer, wherein the printer further comprises at least one scanning device, such as at least one optical scanner.

[0160] Embodiment 53: A scanning device configured to be used as a detection device in an encryption key generating device described in any one of embodiments 35 to 38 referring to an encryption key generating device, wherein the scanning device is configured to perform at least step ii. of the method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data described in any one of embodiments 1 to 24 referring to a method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data.

[0161] Embodiment 54: A scanning device as described in embodiment 53, wherein the scanning device is configured to generate at least one measurement information item relating to the material property, particularly when detecting at least one material property of the composite.

[0162] Embodiment 55: A scanning device as described in embodiment 53 or 54 referring to a scanning device, wherein the scanning device is further configured to be used as a conversion device within an encryption key generating device, and the scanning device is configured to perform at least step iii. of the method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 24 referring to the method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data.

[0163] Embodiment 56: A scanning device as described in embodiment 55, wherein the scanning device is configured to subject at least one material property to at least one test, specifically at least one predetermined test, and an encryption key is generated according to the result of the test, specifically when converting the material property into the encryption key.

[0164] Embodiment 57: A scanning device as described in embodiment 55 or 56, wherein the scanning device is configured to compare at least one material characteristic with at least one threshold value and assign a number according to the result of the comparison, specifically when converting the material characteristic into an encryption key.

[0165] Embodiment 58: A scanning device described in any one of embodiments 55 to 57, wherein the scanning device is configured to perform steps ii. and / or iii. of the method by scanning, specifically optically scanning, a substrate, such as a carrier medium, comprising at least two materials, the substrate being a printer, specifically a printer described in any one of embodiments 39 to 52 referring to the printer.

[0166] Embodiment 59: A scanning device as described in embodiment 58, wherein the scanning device comprises at least one optical detection system, and the at least one optical detection system specifically comprises one or more of an optical detector, an image sensor, such as a photomultiplier tube (PMT), such as a vacuum tube that converts incident photons into an electrical signal, a silicon photomultiplier tube (SiPM), such as a solid-state device that converts incident photons into an electrical signal.

[0167] Embodiment 60: A scanning device described in any one of embodiments 53 to 59 referring to a scanning device, further comprising at least one processor configured to control at least one scanning operation of the scanning device.

[0168] Embodiment 61: A scanning device as described in any one of embodiments 53 to 60 referring to a scanning device, wherein the scanning device is configured to be used in complement with a printer as described in any one of embodiments 39 to 52 referring to the printer, and in particular, wherein the scanning device and the printer are both configured to be used as encryption key generation devices.

[0169] Embodiment 62: A system comprising at least one first communication system and at least one second communication system, configured to perform a data transmission method between at least two communication systems described in any one of embodiments 25 to 32 referring to a data transmission method between at least two communication systems.

[0170] Embodiment 63: The system described in embodiment 62, wherein at least one of the communication systems comprises at least one data transmission system for transmitting encrypted data, and at least another of the communication systems comprises at least one data receiving system for receiving the encrypted data.

[0171] Embodiment 64: A system as described in embodiment 62 or 63, wherein each of the communication systems comprises at least one encryption key generating device as described in any one of embodiments 35 to 38 referring to an encryption key generating device.

[0172] Embodiment 65: The system described in embodiment 64, wherein at least one of the communication systems further comprises at least one encryption device configured to encrypt data to be transmitted by using an encryption key, thereby generating encrypted data.

[0173] Embodiment 66: The system described in embodiment 65, wherein at least another one of the communication systems further comprises at least one decryption device configured to decrypt the encrypted data by using the encryption key.

[0174] Embodiment 67: A data encryption system, comprising: - at least one encryption key generating device according to any one of embodiments 35 to 38 referring to an encryption key generating device; at least one encryption device configured to encrypt data by using the encryption key, thereby generating encrypted data.

[0175] Embodiment 68: A data decoding system, comprising: - at least one encryption key generating device according to any one of embodiments 35 to 38 referring to an encryption key generating device; - at least one decryption device configured to decrypt the data by using the encryption key, thereby generating decrypted data.

[0176] Further optional features and embodiments are disclosed in more detail in the following description of the embodiments, preferably together with the dependent claims. Thus, each optional feature can be realized separately as well as in any possible combination, as understood by a person skilled in the art. The scope of the present invention is not limited by the preferred embodiments. The embodiments are illustrated diagrammatically in the figures, where the same reference numbers refer to the same or functionally equivalent elements. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0177] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a different embodiment of an encryption key generating device; [Diagram 2] 1 illustrates a different embodiment of an encryption key generating device; [Diagram 3]FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a data encryption system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a data decryption system. [Figure 6] 2 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data. [Figure 7] 1 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for transmitting data between at least two communication systems. [Figure 8] 1 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for encrypting data. [Figure 9] 1 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for decoding data. [Figure 10] 1 is an embodiment of a process for blending at least two materials to generate at least one pattern. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an encryption key generation device. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an encryption key generation device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0178] In Fig. 1, a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an encryption key generation device 110 is shown. The encryption key generation device 110 comprises a hybridization device 112 for hybridizing at least two materials 114, in particular at least a first material 116 and a second material 118, according to at least one hybrid information item, thereby generating at least one hybrid 120. Furthermore, the encryption key generation device 110 comprises a detection device 122 configured to detect at least one material characteristic 124 of the hybrid 120. The detection device 122 comprises at least one detector 126. In addition, the encryption key generation device 110 comprises at least one conversion device 128 configured to convert the material characteristic 124 into an encryption key 130. The conversion device 128 comprises at least one data processing device 132 configured to apply at least one conversion algorithm to the material characteristic 124. Converting the material characteristic 124 into the encryption key 130 may specifically include comparing at least one material characteristic 124 with at least one threshold value and assigning a number, e.g., a binary number, according to the result of the comparison.

[0179] 2 shows a different embodiment of the encryption key generation device 110, in which the hybridization device 112 can hybridize five materials 114 according to the hybrid information item to generate at least one hybrid 120. The detection device 122 and the conversion device 128 are integrally formed to detect and convert the material property 124 of the hybrid 120 into an encryption key 130.

[0180] An embodiment of the system 134 is shown in Fig. 3. The system 134 comprises at least one first communication system 136 and at least one second communication system 138. Each of the communication systems 136, 138 may comprise an encryption key generating device 110. The first communication system 136, specifically the transmission system 141, may comprise at least one encryption device 140 configured to encrypt the data 142 to be transmitted by using the encryption key 130, thereby generating encrypted data 144. The terms transmission system 141 and transmission system may be used interchangeably and may specifically refer to the same system. The second communication system 138, specifically the receiving system 145, may comprise at least one decryption device 146 configured to decrypt the encrypted data 144 by using the encryption key 130.

[0181] 4 illustrates one embodiment of a data encryption system 148 that includes at least one encryption key generation device 110. Additionally, the data encryption system 148 includes at least one encryption device 140 that can be configured to encrypt data 142 to be transmitted by using an encryption key 130, thereby generating encrypted data 144.

[0182] 5 illustrates an embodiment of a data decryption system 150 comprising at least one encryption key generation device 110. Furthermore, the data decryption system 150 comprises at least one decryption device 146 configured to decrypt data, in particular encrypted data 144, by using the encryption key 130, thereby generating decrypted data 152, e.g., data 142.

[0183] The encryption key generating device 110 may be configured to perform a method 154 for generating at least one encryption key 130, for example as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 6 shows a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method 154 for generating at least one encryption key 130 for encrypting data 142. The method 154 includes the following steps, which may be performed in a specific order. Nevertheless, different orders are possible. Two or more of these method steps may be performed fully or partially simultaneously. Furthermore, one, two or more, or even all of these method steps may be performed once or repeatedly. The method may include additional method steps not enumerated herein. The method steps of the method 154 for generating at least one encryption key 130 for encrypting data 142 include: i. blending at least two materials 114 according to at least one blending item of information by using a blending device 112, thereby producing at least one blend 120 (as indicated by reference numeral 156); ii. detecting at least one material property 124 of the composite 120 by using at least one detector 126 (depicted by reference numeral 158); iii. converting the material characteristic 124 into an encryption key 130 (indicated by reference numeral 160) by using at least one data processing device 132 configured to apply at least one conversion algorithm to the material characteristic 124.

[0184] The system 134 is configured to perform a method 162 for transmitting data between at least two communication systems 136, 138, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of one embodiment of the method 162 for transmitting data between at least two communication systems 136, 138. The method 162 includes the following steps, which may be specifically performed in a given order. Nevertheless, different orders are possible. Two or more of these method steps may be performed fully or partially simultaneously. Moreover, one, two or more, or even all of these method steps may be performed once or repeatedly. The method may include additional method steps not enumerated herein. The method steps of the method 162 for transmitting data between at least two communication systems 136, 138 include: I. Assigning the role of a transmission system 141 to at least one of the communication systems 136, 138 (indicated by reference numeral 164); II. Assigning the role of the receiving system 145 to at least another one of the communication systems 136, 138 (as indicated by reference numeral 166); III. Providing at least one composite information item to both the transmitting system 141 and the receiving system 145 (indicated by reference numeral 168); IV. A step of generating, by the transmission system 141, at least one composite information item and at least one encryption key 130 by using a method 154 for generating at least one encryption key 130 (indicated by reference numeral 170); V. Encrypting, by the transmission system 141, the data 142 to be transmitted by using the encryption key 130, thereby generating encrypted data 144 (indicated by reference numeral 172); VI. Transmitting the encrypted data 144 by the transmitting system 141 to the receiving system 145 (indicated by reference numeral 174); VII. Receiving the encrypted data 144 by a receiving system 145 (indicated by reference numeral 176); VIII. A step of generating, by the receiving system 145, at least one encryption key 130 by using the at least one composite information item and the method 154 for generating at least one encryption key 130 (indicated by reference numeral 178); IX. Decrypting, by the receiving system 145, the encrypted data 144 by using the encryption key 130 (as indicated by reference numeral 180).

[0185] 8 shows a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method 182 for encrypting data. The method 182 includes the following steps, which may be specifically performed in a given order. One or more of the method steps may be performed once or repeatedly. The method may include additional method steps not listed herein. The method steps of the method 182 for encrypting data include: a. generating at least one encryption key 130 by using a method 154 for generating at least one encryption key 130 (indicated by reference numeral 184); b. encrypting the data 142 by using the encryption key 130, thereby generating encrypted data 144 (denoted by reference numeral 186).

[0186] 9 shows a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method 188 for decoding data. The method 188 includes the following steps, which may be specifically performed in a given order. It is possible to perform one or more of the method steps once or repeatedly. The method may include additional method steps not listed herein. The method steps of the method 188 for decoding data include: A. Generating at least one key 130 by using a method 154 for generating an encryption key 130 (indicated by reference numeral 190); B. Decrypting the encrypted data 144 by using the encryption key 130, thereby generating decrypted data 152 (indicated by reference numeral 192).

[0187] FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of blending at least two materials to generate at least one pattern. In particular, this figure can illustrate an example of generating a pattern, such as an interference pattern, when blending a first material 116 and a second material 118 into at least one blend 120. Specifically, as exemplarily shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, when using a printer 194, the first material 116 can be applied onto at least one substrate 196, such as a drum 198 and / or a sheet of paper 200. For example, a pattern can be generated by using raster images with different inclinations. Thus, in particular, the raster image generated by the second material 118 can be tilted with respect to the raster image generated by the first material 116, for example, by the printer control unit 202. As exemplarily shown in FIG. 10, blending two materials can result in a pattern in the blend 120, such as overlapping raster images generated by the first material 116 and the second material 118, respectively.

[0188] Such a pattern in the blend 120 can be specifically generated by using a printer 194 as exemplarily shown in FIG. 11. In particular, FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of the encryption key generating device 110 in a perspective view. The encryption key generating device 110 can specifically comprise a printer 194 configured to be used as the blending device 112 and can further comprise a scanning device 204 configured to be used as the detection device 122. The printer 194 is configured to perform at least step i. of the method of generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data. The printer 194 can be or include a laser printer and can use at least one laser 206 and at least one rotating mirror 208 to print, e.g. blend, on a drum 198 at least two materials 114 contained in at least two reservoirs 210. In particular, the first material 116 can be contained in a first reservoir 212 and the second material 118 can be contained in a second reservoir 214.

[0189] The scanning device 204 is configured to perform at least step ii. of the method, generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data. Furthermore, the scanning device 204 can be used to detect a pattern in the composite 120, for example by optically scanning the composite 120 printed on the drum 198. The scanning device 204 can thus be configured to generate at least one measurement information item from this pattern. In addition, the scanning device 204 can be configured to perform at least step iii. of the method, for example by converting the pattern into an encryption key 130. Furthermore, the printer 194 can comprise a cleaning element 216, such as a cleaning roll 218, for example for cleaning the substrate 196, in particular for removing the composite 120 from the drum 198. Thus, as an example, the cleaning element 216 can be configured to prepare the drum 198 for further printing, such as for preparing to carry the next composite 120.

[0190] In particular, in order to generate a hybrid, for example an image, usable for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data, the drum 198 can be coated in a laser printer with at least two printer powders, which can be hybridized to generate a pattern, for example a unique pattern. The pattern can be generated in particular by using a printer control unit 202 to control a raster image processor (RIP) of the printer 194. In particular, the raster image processor of the printer 194 can be controlled to convert the brightness gradation of the printed substance into a different grid of small dots for each material 114, thereby for example skewing the raster image generated by the second material 118 with respect to the raster image generated by the first material 116. In particular, as an example, the RIP can be controlled according to the hybrid information item.

[0191] 12 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the encryption key generation device 110. The encryption key generation device 110 may specifically include at least one printer 194 for at least one hybrid device 112. Furthermore, the encryption key generation device 110 may include at least one scanning device 204 for at least one detection device 122, for example, as well as at least one conversion device 128. As an example, the printer 194 may include multiple reservoirs 210, each reservoir 210 including at least one material 114, each material 114 being different from all other materials 114. In particular, the printer 194 may include a standard color laser cartridge, for example having "CMYK" toner colors. Thus, by way of example, the printer 194 may include five reservoirs 210, each of which may include a material 114 having a different color, e.g., toner 217, such as cyan 220, magenta 222, yellow 224, and black 226 materials. Additionally, each reservoir may include at least one image roll 219 and at least one laser 227. Additionally or alternatively, the printer 194 may include at least one interacting material 228, such as one or more of a material having an optically detectable reaction with one or more other materials, such as a reflective material, a fluorescent material, one or more of a "CMYK" colored material, etc. In particular, the complexity of the encryption key 130 may be increased by using multiple materials 114.

[0192] The scanning device 204 may further include at least one illumination element 230, such as an element configured to illuminate the mixture 120. In particular, the scanning device 204 may be configured to detect at least one characteristic of the mixture 120 by using reflections of the mixture 120. Thus, as an example, when scanning the mixture 120 using the scanning device 204 with the illumination element 230, the complexity of the encryption key 130 may be increased by using light effects such as special reflections, for example by using the effect material 228.

[0193] Furthermore, by controlling the printer 194, for example by the printer control unit 202, the raster image can be modified, for example to produce specific patterns and / or colors. In particular, a new color image can be obtained as a result of slight modifications to the composite information items, for example by implementing modifications only in the printer control unit 202, while keeping the previously used materials. Thus, in particular, an image can be obtained in which the position of deposition of materials can be shifted, for example by a distance defined for some of the color components, thereby modifying previously blue or red areas to green or orange areas.

[0194] As shown in FIG. 12, the printer 194 may further comprise at least one transport element, such as rollers 232 and / or a conveyor 234, for feeding, conveying, and / or discharging the substrate 196, specifically paper 200, into the printer 194. Furthermore, the conveyor 234 itself may also be used as the substrate 196 to convey the composite 120, for example the printed color image, to the scanning device 204. The cleaning element 216 may further be used to clean the conveyor 234, specifically after the composite 120 has passed through the scanning device. Thus, as an example, the conveyor 234 may function as a transfer belt. In particular, the composite 120 may be printed onto the conveyor 234 and then conveyed by the conveyor 234 to the scanning device 204, so that the scanning device 204 may detect at least one characteristic of the composite 120. The conveyor 234 can then be configured to move the composite 120, particularly after passing through the scanner, to the cleaning element 216 where the conveyor 234 can be cleaned and, for example, the composite 120, e.g., the color image, can be removed from the conveyor 234. Thus, unlike, for example, when the printer 194 is in a normal printer mode, when the conveyor 234 is used as the substrate 196, the paper 200 may not be transported. Specifically, in this case, the scanning device 204 can be located after the paper discharge, as exemplarily shown in FIG.

[0195] The encryption key generating device 110, e.g., the printer 194, together with the scanning device 204, can be configured to generate at least one encryption key 130 for encrypting data. As an example, for data communication, in particular secure communication, between, e.g., at least two communication systems 136, 138 over an insecure channel, each communication system 136, 138 can comprise at least one encryption key generating device 110. Thus, each communication system 136, 138 can comprise, for example, at least one printer 194 and at least one scanning device 204, and within each communication system 136, 138, the printer 194 and the scanner 204 can generate the same encryption key 130 to be used to encrypt and / or decrypt data 142. In particular, within each communication system 136, 138, the printer 194 and the scanner 204 may generate the encryption key 130 according to the same composite information item, such as the same printing instructions, by using the same material 114, e.g., printer powder, and / or using the same information to control the printer 194, such as the printer control unit 202, e.g., the RIP of the printer 194.

[0196] In particular, for data communication, e.g., for secure communication, to encrypt and decrypt data, all of the associated communication systems 136, 138 may comprise the same printer 194 and the same scanning device 204, e.g., the same laser printer and / or the same optical scanner, such as identical hardware in both, and identically programmed printer control units 202, e.g., a RIP, e.g., the software used to control the printer 194 and / or the scanning device 204.

[0197] The security of the communication can be increased by modifying and / or changing the encryption key 130. Thus, by way of example, the blended information items can be periodically changed and / or modified. For example, the software used to control, for example, the printer 194 and / or the scanning device 204 can be subjected to a synchronous adjustment at predefined time intervals, and the material 114 to be blended can be replaced and / or modified according to information communicated via external communication. Additionally or alternatively, the software can be synchronously modified according to an algorithm, and the material 114 can be replaced and / or modified by information contained within the encrypted data 144 being communicated, such as within an appendix to the encrypted data 144 being communicated.

[0198] In particular, data, e.g., data to be encrypted 142, may be encrypted by transforming and / or converting it into an image, such as an image format, e.g., an image format printable by printer 194. In particular, a composite information item, including printing instructions, e.g., for controlling printer 194, as well as an adaptation, e.g., a RIP adaptation, may be transmitted together with the encrypted data 144. [Explanation of symbols]

[0199] 110 Encryption key generation device 112 Mixed Devices 114 Material 116 First Ingredient 118 Second Ingredient 120 Hybrid 122 Detection Device 124 Material Properties 126 Detector 128 conversion device 130 Encryption Key 132 Data Processing Devices 134 System 136 First Communication System 138 Second Communication System 140 Encryption Device 141 Transmission Systems 142 Data 144 Encrypted Data 145 Receiving System 146 Decryption Device 148 Data Encryption System 150 Data Decoding System 152 Decrypted Data 154 How to generate at least one encryption key 156 Process i. 158 Process ii. 160 Process iii. 162 Method for transmitting data between at least two communication systems 164 Process I. 166 Process II. 168 Process III. 170 Process IV. 172 Process V. 174 Process VI. 176 Process VII. 178 Process VIII. 180 Process IX. 182 How to encrypt data 184 Process a. 186 Process b. How to decrypt 188 data 190 Process A. 192 Process B. 194 Printer 196 Base material 198 Drums 200 Paper 202 Printer control unit 204 Scanning Device 206 Laser 208 Rotating Mirror 210 Reservoir 212 First Reservoir 214 Second Reservoir 216 Cleaning Elements 217 Toner 218 Cleaning Roll 219 Image Roll 220 Cyan 222 Magenta 224 yellow 226 Black 227 Laser 228 Working materials 230 Lighting Elements 232 Lola 234 Conveyor

Claims

1. Specifically, a method for generating at least one encryption key (130) for encrypting data (142) for data transmission over an insecure channel, comprising the steps of: i. hybridizing at least two materials (114) according to at least one hybrid information item by using a hybridization device (112), thereby producing at least one hybrid (120); ii. detecting at least one material characteristic (124) of said composite (120) by using at least one detector (126); and iii. converting the material characteristic (124) into the encryption key (130) by using at least one data processing device (132) configured to apply at least one conversion algorithm to the material characteristic (124).

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein step iii. is performed fully or partially in a computer-implemented manner.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the data (142) comprises one or more of digital data, binary data, error correction data, payload data, and control data.

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the data (142) is subdivided into data packages.

5. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one hybrid information item comprises n hybrid variables, n being a positive integer, and in step ii., m material properties (124) of the hybrid (120) are detected, m being a positive integer.

6. The at least two materials (114) - Powders, specifically Inorganic powders, specifically inorganic powders made from minerals, ○ Organic powders, specifically organic powders made from polymers; a powder selected from the group consisting of pigments, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising at least two materials (114) selected from the group consisting of liquids, in particular liquids selected from the group consisting of pure liquids, suspensions, emulsions or solutions, more particularly selected from the group consisting of one or more of liquid dyes and inks.

7. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one blending information item comprises at least one of the following: quantities for the at least two materials to be blended; weights for the at least two materials to be blended; volumes of the at least two materials to be blended; blending volume ratios of the at least two materials to be blended; blending weight ratios of the at least two materials to be blended; blending instructions for blending two or more continuous or non-continuous streams of the at least two materials to be blended.

8. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the substrate comprises a drum having a receiving surface for receiving the composite, in particular a drum to which the composite is temporarily electrostatically secured.

9. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the drum is a rotating drum, and the method further comprises at least one washing step, in which the contaminants are removed from the receiving surface of the drum after detecting the at least one material characteristic.

10. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one material property (124) comprises at least one of a physical property of the composite (120) and a chemical property of the composite (120).

11. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein converting the material characteristic (124) into the encryption key (130) comprises subjecting the at least one material characteristic (124) to at least one test, and the encryption key (130) is generated according to a result of the test.

12. A method for data transmission between at least two communication systems (136, 138), particularly for data transmission over an insecure channel, comprising: I. assigning the role of a transmission system (141) to at least one of said communication systems (136, 138); II. assigning the role of a receiving system (145) to at least another one of said communication systems (136, 138); III. Providing at least one composite information item to both said transmitting system (141) and said receiving system (145); IV. Generating, by said transmission system (141), said at least one hybrid information item and at least one encryption key (130) by using the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which refers to a method for generating said at least one hybrid information item and at least one encryption key (130); V. encrypting, by said transmission system (141), said data to be transmitted (142) by using said encryption key (130), thereby generating encrypted data (144); VI. transmitting the encrypted data (144) by said transmitting system (141) to said receiving system (145); VII. Receiving the encrypted data (144) by the receiving system (145); VIII. The receiving system (145) generates at least one encryption key (130) by using the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which refers to the method of generating the at least one hybrid information item and at least one encryption key (130); IX. decrypting, by the receiving system (145), the encrypted data (144) by using the encryption key (130).

13. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the method is performed iteratively, and in the iterations the roles of the transmission system (141) and the receiving system (145) are reassigned.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein in at least one of said iterations, in step III., at least one hybrid information item is provided for at least one subsequent iteration.

15. A method for encrypting data (142), comprising the steps of: a. generating at least one encryption key (130) by using a method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 referring to a method for generating an encryption key (130); b. encrypting said data (142) by using said encryption key (130), thereby generating encrypted data (144).

16. A method for decrypting encrypted data (144), comprising the steps of: A. Generating at least one key (130) by using a method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 referring to a method for generating an encryption key (130); B. decrypting said encrypted data (144) by using said encryption key (130), thereby generating decrypted data (152).

17. An encryption key generating device (110) for generating at least one encryption key (130) for encrypting data (142), comprising: at least one hybridization device (112) for hybridizing at least two materials (114) according to at least one hybridization item, thereby producing at least one hybrid (120); at least one detection device (122) configured to detect at least one material characteristic (124) of said composite (120) and having at least one detector (126); - at least one transformation device (128) configured to transform said material characteristics (124) into said encryption key (130), said transformation device (128) having at least one data processing device (132) configured to apply at least one transformation algorithm to said material characteristics (124).

18. The encryption key generating device (110) of claim 17, wherein the encryption key generating device (110) is configured to perform a method for generating at least one encryption key (130) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which method refers to a method for generating at least one encryption key (130).

19. A printer adapted for use as a hybrid device in an encryption key generating device according to claim 17 or 18, referring to said encryption key generating device, the printer being adapted to receive said at least one hybrid information item and to carry out at least step i. of the method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data according to any one of claims 1 to 11, referring to the method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data.

20. 20. The printer of claim 19, wherein the printer comprises one or more of the following: a drum, such as an image drum; a laser; at least one mirror, e.g. a lens system, such as a lens system comprising a rotatable mirror; cleaning, e.g. a cleaning element, such as a roll, scraper or similar means for cleaning the drum; a cassette, e.g. a paper cassette, for storing one or more of the substrates; at least one transport element, e.g. a roller and / or a conveyor, for feeding, conveying within and / or ejecting the substrate, in particular the paper, into, from and / or out of the printer; a printer control unit configured to control the printer.

21. 21. A printer according to claim 19 or 20, referring to a printer, wherein said printer is configured to mix said at least two materials according to said at least one mixing information item onto at least one substrate, such as a substrate for receiving said mixture.

22. 22. The printer of claim 21, wherein the substrate is at least one carrier medium.

23. 23. The printer of claim 21 or 22, wherein the printer further comprises the substrate, e.g. the carrier medium, the substrate being a reusable carrier medium, such as a medium having a washable surface, e.g. a drum, e.g. a rotating drum, of the printer.

24. 24. A printer according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the printer is configured to mix the at least two materials such that at least one pattern, in particular at least one interference pattern, is generated.

25. Printer according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the at least two materials to be mixed by the printer are different materials, in particular materials that differ with respect to at least one property.

26. 26. The printer of any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein at least one of the at least two materials to be mixed by the printer comprises a powder, such as an inorganic powder, an organic powder, or a pigment.

27. 27. The printer of any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein at least one of the at least two materials to be mixed by the printer comprises a liquid, such as a pure liquid, a suspension, an emulsion, or a solution.

28. 28. Printer according to any one of claims 19 to 27, referring to a printer, wherein the at least one blending information item, with which the printer is configured to blend the at least two materials, comprises at least one of the following printing instructions for blending the at least two materials to be blended: quantities for the at least two materials to be blended, weights for the at least two materials to be blended, volumes of the at least two materials to be blended, blending volume ratios of the at least two materials to be blended, blending weight ratios of the at least two materials to be blended, blending instructions for blending two or more continuous or non-continuous streams of the at least two materials to be blended, slant information for blending the at least two materials to be blended using raster images with different slants, e.g. raster images generated by a raster image processor (RIP) of the printer.

29. 29. A printer according to any one of claims 19 to 28, wherein said printer further comprises at least one processor configured to control at least one printing operation of said printer.

30. 30. A printer according to any one of claims 19 to 29, wherein said printer comprises at least two reservoirs for said at least two materials to be mixed.

31. A printer according to any one of claims 19 to 30, referring to a printer, said printer being selected from the group consisting of an inkjet printer, a laser printer, an electrostatic printer, e.g. a liquid ink electrostatic printer.

32. 32. A printer according to any one of claims 19 to 31, wherein said printer further comprises at least one scanning device, such as at least one optical scanner.

33. A scanning device configured for use as a detection device in an encryption key generating device according to claim 17 or 18, referring to said encryption key generating device, said scanning device being configured to perform at least step ii. of the method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data according to any one of claims 1 to 11, referring to the method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data.

34. 34. The scanning device according to claim 33, wherein the scanning device is configured to generate at least one measurement information item relating to said material property, in particular when detecting said at least one material property of said composite.

35. 35. A scanning device according to claim 33 or 34, referring to a scanning device, further configured for use in the encryption key generating device, said scanning device being configured to perform at least step iii. of the method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data according to any one of claims 1 to 11 referring to the method for generating at least one encryption key for encrypting data.

36. 36. The scanning device of claim 35, wherein the scanning device is configured to subject the at least one material property to at least one test, in particular at least one predetermined test, and the encryption key is generated according to a result of the test, in particular when converting the material property into the encryption key.

37. A scanning device as claimed in claim 35 or 36, wherein the scanning device is configured to compare the at least one material characteristic with at least one threshold value and to assign a number according to the result of the comparison, particularly when converting the material characteristic into the encryption key.

38. A scanning device according to any one of claims 35 to 37, wherein the scanning device is configured to perform steps ii. and / or iii. of the method by scanning, in particular optically scanning, the substrate, e.g. the carrier medium, of the at least two mixed materials, in particular a printer according to any one of claims 19 to 32 referring to the printer.

39. 39. The scanning device of claim 38, wherein the scanning device comprises at least one optical detection system, the at least one optical detection system specifically comprising one or more of a photodetector, an image sensor, e.g. a photomultiplier tube (PMT), e.g. a vacuum tube that converts incident photons into an electrical signal, a silicon photomultiplier tube (SiPM), e.g. a solid-state device that converts incident photons into an electrical signal.

40. A scanning device according to any one of claims 33 to 39, referring to a scanning device, further comprising at least one processor configured to control at least one scanning operation of the scanning device.

41. A scanning device as described in any one of claims 33 to 40, which refers to a scanning device configured to be used in complement with a printer as described in any one of claims 19 to 32, which refers to a printer, in particular the scanning device and the printer are both configured to be used as the encryption key generation device.

42. A system (134) comprising at least one first communication system (136) and at least one second communication system (138), the system (134) being configured to perform a method for transmitting data between the at least two communication systems (136, 138) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, which refers to a method for transmitting data between the at least two communication systems (136, 138).

43. 43. The system (134) of claim 42, wherein at least one of the communication systems (136, 138) comprises at least one data transmission system (141) for transmitting encrypted data (144), and at least another of the communication systems (136, 138) comprises at least one data receiving system (145) for receiving the encrypted data (144).

44. 44. The system according to claim 42 or 43, wherein each of said communication systems (136, 138) comprises at least one encryption key generating device (110) according to claim 17 or 18, referring to said encryption key generating device (110).

45. A data encryption system (148), comprising: at least one encryption key generating device (110) according to claim 17 or 18, which refers to an encryption key generating device (110), at least one encryption device (140) configured to encrypt said data (142) by using said encryption key (130), thereby generating encrypted data (144).

46. A data decoding system (150), comprising: at least one encryption key generating device (110) according to claim 17 or 18, which refers to an encryption key generating device (110), at least one decryption device (146) configured to decrypt said data (144) by using said encryption key (130), thereby generating decrypted data (152).

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