Hardcopy Document Security via Encrypted Symbol and Decoder ID
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hardcopy documents containing sensitive data lack effective security measures to prevent unauthorized access and copying, as existing methods fail to ensure secure transmission and decryption of private data items.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that encrypts private data items in hardcopy documents by generating a symbol comprising the encrypted data and decoder ID, which can be decrypted only by authorized decoders after authentication, using an encryption engine, encoder, and decryption engine, ensuring secure extraction and use of the data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If private data items are transmitted in hardcopy documents, then data transmission is achieved, but unauthorized access and copying security is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the encryption process into distinct functional modules: an encryption engine that encrypts private data items, an encoder that generates symbols containing encrypted data and decoder ID values, and a decoder that extracts and decrypts data. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific security function, improving overall system reliability while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary symbol structure that mediates between the encrypted data and the decoder. The symbol contains both the encrypted private data item and a decoder ID value, acting as a secure intermediary载体 that enables authenticated decryption while preventing unauthorized access. This intermediary mechanism enhances security without requiring direct access between encryption and decryption systems.
2Reliability
If encryption is applied to private data items, then security is improved, but data access and decryption complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-encrypting private data items before hardcopy transmission and embedding decoder ID values in the symbol structure. The decoder is pre-configured with authentication capabilities to verify decoder ID values. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the hardcopy document is received, decryption can proceed efficiently with proper authentication, balancing security with operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The decoder performs self-service by automatically extracting the decoder ID value from the symbol, authenticating itself against the embedded ID, and decrypting the private data item without requiring manual intervention. This self-service mechanism simplifies the decryption process while maintaining security through automated authentication.
3Reliability
If decoder authentication is implemented, then unauthorized access is prevented, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the decoder authentication functionality into a separate, dedicated component within the decoder. The decoder extracts and verifies the decoder ID value from the symbol independently from the decryption process. This extraction of authentication logic into a distinct module improves access control reliability while managing complexity through functional separation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for securing data in hardcopy documents. The method includes obtaining a page image having a private data item; generating an encrypted version of the private data item; obtaining a decoder identification (ID) value of a decoder; generating, using an encoder, a symbol having the encrypted version of the private data item and the decoder ID value; and generating a hardcopy document by recording the symbol on a physical medium, where the hardcopy document is transported to a subsystem having the decoder, and where the subsystem decrypts the encrypted version of the private data item after extracting the encrypted version of the private data item from the symbol.