Document Security Codes for Print-Scan Protection Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanisms for protecting documents fail to maintain security when a security-protected document is printed and then scanned back into a file, resulting in the loss of original protection.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a security code, such as a QR Code, barcode, or watermark, into the document that encodes policy information, allowing the scanner to recognize and apply the appropriate security policy when the document is scanned back into a digital format, ensuring persistent protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a security-protected document is printed and then scanned back into a file, then the document can be converted to digital format, but the original security protection is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding security codes and policy information into the document before printing. These codes contain encrypted security policy data that will be detected and applied after scanning, ensuring security protection is restored in advance before the document becomes vulnerable in digital format again
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses security codes (barcodes, QR codes, watermarks) as intermediaries to transfer security policy information through the print-scan process. These codes act as mediators that carry encrypted security data from the original digital document through the physical print medium back to the scanned digital format, bridging the security gap during format conversion
2Reliability
If security policies are applied to documents to protect content, then document security is improved, but user accessibility may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by embedding security codes in specific locations within the document (such as headers, footers, or margins) rather than applying uniform security restrictions across the entire document. This allows different parts of the document to have different security characteristics, maintaining accessibility while providing targeted protection
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing protection for a document is presented. Document content of the document is obtained. An occurrence of a security code within the document content is detected, the security code associated with the document content. A security policy associated with the security code is identified. The identified security policy is then applied to the document content.