U.S. patent application number 12/381520 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-21 for system and method for identifying a genuine printed document.
Invention is credited to Morton Greene.
Application Number | 20100014126 12/381520 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41530079 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100014126 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Greene; Morton |
January 21, 2010 |
System and method for identifying a genuine printed document
Abstract
A system and method for verifying that a document is included in
a document management system is disclosed. This system and method
includes radio frequency scanning at least a portion of the
document, generating document data dependently upon the radio
frequency scanning, comparing the generated document data to stored
document data, the stored document data generated dependently upon
a prior radio frequency scanning of at least a portion of the
document, and outputting an indication of the document being
included in the document management system as determined by the
comparing.
Inventors: |
Greene; Morton; (Potomac
Falls, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Drinkler Biddle & Reath LLP;One Logan Square
18th and Cherry Streets
Philadelphia
PA
19103-6996
US
|
Family ID: |
41530079 |
Appl. No.: |
12/381520 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12356903 |
Jan 21, 2009 |
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12381520 |
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12218598 |
Jul 16, 2008 |
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12356903 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
358/474 ;
382/100 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 9/00577 20130101;
H04N 2201/3235 20130101; H04N 2201/3236 20130101; H04N 1/32144
20130101; H04N 1/32133 20130101; H04N 2201/327 20130101; H04N
2201/3239 20130101; H04N 2201/0081 20130101; H04N 1/00326
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/474 ;
382/100 |
International
Class: |
H04N 1/04 20060101
H04N001/04 |
Claims
1. A method for verifying that a document is included in a document
management system, said method comprising: radio frequency scanning
at least a portion of the document; generating document data
dependently upon said radio frequency scanning; comparing said
generated document data to stored document data, said stored
document data generated dependently upon a prior radio frequency
scanning of at least a portion of the document; and outputting an
indication of the document being included in the document
management system as determined by said comparing.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: optically scanning
the document; generating optically scanned document data; comparing
said generated optically scanned document data to at least one
prior optical scanning of the document; and outputting an
indication of the document being optically authentic if said
generated optically scanned document data is substantially
identical to said at least one prior optical scanning of the
document as determined by said comparing.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein said document is authenticated
upon both said outputting an indication of the document being
included in the system and said outputting an indication of the
document being optically authentic.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency scanning
detects passive resonators positioned with the document.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein said passive resonators are
located within the document.
6. A method for verifying that a document is included in a document
management system, said method comprising: optically scanning at
least a portion of the document; generating document data
dependently upon said optically scanning; comparing said generated
document data to stored document data, said stored document data
generated dependently upon a prior optical scan of at least a
portion of the document; authenticating the document data using at
least one radio frequency scan; outputting an indication of the
document being included in the document management system as
determined by said comparing and said authenticating; and said
authenticating storing any variations in said generated document
data as updated stored document data.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein said optical scan is of a serial
code located on the document.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein said serial code comprises a
nanonumber for said authenticating.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein said serial code is of the form
YY-IN-A1A1A1.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein YY represent the year the
document is created.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein IN represents the
industry/section of the document.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein A1A1A1 represents the unique
identification of the document
13. The method of claim 7, wherein said serial code is in the font
OCR A.
14. A system for verifying that a document is included in a
document management system, said system comprising: a radio
frequency document scanner; a memory storing document verification
data associated with the document; a computing system operatively
connected to said radio frequency scanner and said memory; and
computing system executable code accessible by the computing system
and operative by the computing system to: receive data indicative
of a radio frequency scan of at least a portion of the document
from said radio frequency document scanner; generate document data
dependently upon the received radio frequency; access the memory to
recover the document verification data; compare the generated
document data to the recovered document verification data, the
document verification data being previously generated dependently
upon a prior radio frequency scanning of the portion of the
document; and provide an output indicative of the document being
included in the document management system if the generated
document data is substantially identical to the recovered document
verification data as determined by the compare.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein said radio frequency document
scanner is a desktop device.
16. The system of claim 14, further comprising an optical scanner,
said optical scanner being operatively connected to said computing
system such that said computing system executable code accessible
by the computing system operates to receive data indicative of an
optical scan of the document from the optical document scanner and
said generated document data further depends on said optical scan
data and said compare further includes a comparison with prior
optical scanning of the document, wherein said providing an output
indicates authenticity of the document if said comparison is
substantially identical in both the optical scanning and the radio
frequency scanning by the comparing.
17. The system of claim 14, wherein said computing system
executable code is resident on a computer readable medium.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein said computer readable medium
includes a radio frequency fingerprint.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein said computer readable medium
radio frequency fingerprint is linked to said generate document
data.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein said linking is necessary for
successful operation of the system.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.120 of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/356,903,
filed on Jan. 21, 2009, which application is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/218,598, filed on Jul. 16, 2008,
both of which applications are incorporated by reference herein as
if set forth in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to the field of document management
and more particularly, to a system and method for identifying a
genuine printed document.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Certain written or printed documents (hereinafter referred
to as "documents") are important and/or valuable. It may be
desirable in certain circumstances to independently confirm that
such a document is genuine, and not fraudulent. It may also be
desirable in certain circumstances to confirm that such a document
has not been altered in an unauthorized manner.
[0004] Embodiments of the invention provide for document
authentication that confirms that a document is genuine.
Embodiments of the invention provide for document authentication
that confirms that a written or printed document is genuine, and
has not been altered in an unauthorized manner. Embodiments of the
invention provide for document authentication that not only
confirms that a written or printed document is genuine, and has not
be altered in an unauthorized manner, but also mitigates the risk
of losing the document, such as by fire or theft.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A method for verifying that a document is included in a
document management system is disclosed. This method includes radio
frequency scanning at least a portion of the document, generating
document data dependently upon the radio frequency scanning,
comparing the generated document data to stored document data, the
stored document data generated dependently upon a prior radio
frequency scanning of at least a portion of the document, and
outputting an indication of the document being included in the
document management system as determined by the comparing.
[0006] A method for verifying that a document is included in a
document management system is disclosed. This method includes
optically scanning at least a portion of the document, generating
document data dependently upon the optically scanning, comparing
the generated document data to stored document data, the stored
document data generated dependently upon a prior optical scan of at
least a portion of the document, authenticating the document data
using at least one radio frequency scan, outputting an indication
of the document being included in the document management system as
determined by the comparing and the authenticating, and the
authenticating storing any variations in the generated document
data as updated stored document data.
[0007] A system for verifying that a document is included in a
document management system is disclosed. The system includes a
radio frequency document scanner, a memory storing document
verification data associated with the document, a computing system
operatively connected to the radio frequency scanner and the
memory, and computing system executable code accessible by the
computing system and operative by the computing system to: receive
data indicative of a radio frequency scan of at least a portion of
the document from the radio frequency document scanner, generate
document data dependently upon the received radio frequency, access
the memory to recover the document verification data, compare the
generated document data to the recovered document verification
data, the document verification data being previously generated
dependently upon a prior radio frequency scanning of the portion of
the document, and provide an output indicative of the document
being included in the document management system if the generated
document data is substantially identical to the recovered document
verification data as determined by the compare.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] Understanding of the present invention will be facilitated
by consideration of the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to
like parts:
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a substrate according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a block-diagram view of a system
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of a substrate and scan track
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of a substrate and multiple
scan tracks according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of an RF signature of
resonators positioned within a scan track in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram view of a system
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a process for
enrolling a document to be authenticated according to an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a process for
authenticating an enrolled document according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates a plan view of an enrolled document
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of
the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements
that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present
invention, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, many
other elements found in typical document processing systems and
methods. Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that
other elements and/or steps are desirable and/or required in
implementing the present invention. However, because such elements
and steps are well known in the art, and because they do not
facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a
discussion of such elements and steps is not provided herein. The
disclosure herein is directed to all such variations and
modifications to such elements and methods known to those skilled
in the art.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a plan view of a
substrate 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Substrate 1 may be suitable for being written or printed on using
conventional marking technology, such as ink or toner. Substrate 1
may be akin to a conventional sheet of paper. In the illustrated
embodiment, substrate 1 incorporates a plurality of passive
resonators 5a, 5b, . . . , 5n. In the illustrated embodiment,
resonators 5a-n are randomly disposed. In the illustrated
embodiment, resonators 5a-n are depicted as line segments each
indicative of a thin dipole antenna or dipole, such as an elongated
metal or metalized article. Such a dipole is resonant at an
interrogating frequency related to the length of the dipole, for
example, at which the dipole is 1/2 wavelength in length. A wide
variety of lengths may be used depending on the desired resonant
frequency and the nature of the reader. In an embodiment, resonant
articles 5a-n may be formed of thin dipoles having a thickness from
about 100 angstroms to 2 millimeters, and a length of about 0.5
millimeters. The density of dipoles 5a-n may be on the order of
about 2 to 5 dipoles per square cm of surface area. Metalized glass
fibers may also be used as the thin dipoles; such fibers may be on
the order of 0.001 inches in diameter. Substrate 1 may be
manufactured in any suitable manner, including that discussed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,878 issued to the inventor hereof, and entitled
METHOD FOR FORMING A RADIO FREQUENCY RESPONSIVE TARGET AND
APPARATUS FOR VERIFYING THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE SAME, the entire
disclosure of which patent is hereby incorporated by reference as
if set forth in its entirety herein.
[0020] Referring now also to FIG. 2, there is shown a block-diagram
view of a system 10 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. In the illustrated embodiment, resonators 5a-n may be
responsive to radio frequency (RF) transmitter 20 that impinges
them with an interrogating RF signal 26. An RF receiver 30 may
detect the resonators' 5a-n response 36 to interrogating signal 26.
In the illustrated embodiment, transmitter 20 includes a signal
generator 22 coupled to an antenna 24 for generating radio
frequency interrogating signals 26 in a desired target field.
Receiver 30 may receive radio frequency response signals 36 at
antenna 34 coupled to signal processor 32. Signal processor 32 may
produce an output 38 indicative of the resonators 5a-n, and hence
the substrate 1, within the target field in response to signals 36
received by antenna 34. In the illustrated embodiment, output 38
may be supplied to an information processing system 39. In certain
embodiments of the present invention, transmitter 20 and receiver
30 may be physically associated in a single transceiver unit, and
the functions of antennas 24 and 34 may be performed by a single
antenna. System 10 may be designed to detect radio frequency
responses in the near field of the antenna(e), in the far field of
the antenna(e), or both.
[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, information processing system
39 may include a computing device, such as, for example, a
computer. "Computer", as referred to herein, refers to a general
purpose computing device that includes a processor. "Processor", as
used herein, refers generally to a device including a Central
Processing Unit (CPU), such as a microprocessor: A CPU generally
includes an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which performs arithmetic
and logical operations, and a control unit, which extracts
instructions (e.g., code) from memory and decodes and executes
them, calling on the ALU when necessary. "Memory", as used herein,
refers to one or more devices capable of storing data, such as in
the form of chips, tapes, disks or drives. Memory may take the form
of one or more random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM),
programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable
read-only memory (EPROM), or electrically erasable programmable
read-only memory (EEPROM) chips, by way of further non-limiting
example only Memory may be internal or external to an integrated
unit including a processor. Memory may be internal or external to
the computer. Such memory may typically store a computer program,
such as, for example, code or sequence of instructions being
operable by the processor.
[0022] It should be appreciated that when a substrate not
incorporating resonators 5a-n is interrogated with system 10,
output 38 will not be indicative of any particular substrate.
However, when a substrate 1 incorporating responders 5a-n is
interrogated with system 10, output 38 will be indicative of the
existence and positioning of responders 5a-n, and hence substrate
1.
[0023] More particularly, transmitter 20 and receiver 30 may be
positioned to interrogate a predetermined portion of substrate 1.
Referring now also to FIG. 3, there is shown a plan view of
substrate 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Also shown in FIG. 3 is a scan track 100. According to an
embodiment of the present invention, transmitter 20 and receiver 30
may be positioned to interrogate scan track 100 of substrate 1 in a
temporal fashion, for example, transmitter and receiver 30 may
temporally scan along, by being laterally displaced along, track
100. For example, substrate 1 may be laterally displaced over time
relative to transmitter 20 and receiver 30, or transmitter 20 and
receiver 30 may be laterally displaced over time relative to
substrate 1.
[0024] Referring now also to FIG. 4, there is shown a plan view of
another substrate 1 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. Also shown in FIG. 4 are scan tracks 100a-100n (two such
scan tracks 100a and 100b are shown in the illustrated embodiment).
According to an embodiment of the present invention, transmitter 20
and receiver may be positioned to interrogate scan tracks 100a-100n
of substrate 1 in a temporal fashion, either in serial or parallel.
Certain embodiments of the present invention may use multiple scan
tracks for improved identification performance. Again, substrate 1
may be laterally displaced over time relative to transmitter 20 and
receiver 30, or transmitter 20 and receiver 30 may be laterally
displaced over time relative to substrate 1.
[0025] Referring still to FIGS. 3 and 4, substrates 1 identified
therein also include a printed reference identifier 110. In certain
embodiments of the present invention, such an identifier may be
uniquely associated with the particular substrate it is printed
upon. In certain embodiments of the invention, such an identifier
may be associated with a finite group of substrates, such as those
in a particular package or provided to a particular user, for
example.
[0026] Referring now also to FIG. 5, there is shown a diagram
illustrating an RF signature 200 that may be sensed by receiver 30
by illuminating resonators positioned within scan track 100 or
100a-n with an interrogating RF signal using the transmitter 20, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The
horizontal axis of FIG. 5 corresponds to the position along a scan
track 100, 100a-n being read, and the vertical axis is the received
signal amplitude. Waveform 200 illustrates a received signal
amplitude, while waveform 210 illustrates a clocking signal 210,
which may be stored in a magnetic stripe or stored as optical
markings upon a substrate for correlating the position of the
substrate with the received RF signal. Alternatively, clocking
signal 210 may be provided by or to receiver 30 independently of
substrate 1, and correlated with the lateral transposition of
transmitter 20 and receiver 30 relative to substrate 1. For
example, clocking signal 210 may be correlated with movement of
substrate 1 past transmitter 20 and receiver 30, such as by using a
stepper motor to move substrate 1, or a sensor to detect the
relative movement there-between. Conventional approaches utilized
with digital document scanners may be used, for example.
[0027] When dipoles are randomly distributed along scan track 100,
100a-n, the response created thereby may result in an RF amplitude
versus position waveform, as illustrated by waveform 200 of FIG. 5.
The amplitude versus position characteristics of this waveform may
be used to uniquely, or at least substantially uniquely, identify
or serialize scanned substrate 1. For example, RF waveform 200 may
be converted to a digital code word. RF waveform 200 may be
digitized (or sampled) to form a digitized RF response signal, and
the digitized RF response signal may be normalized to produce a
normalized digitized RF response signal, which may then be
converted to a code word. The digitized RF response signal may be
converted to a code word using the methodology discussed in the
above-incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,878, for example. Such a
code word may be considered to be at least substantially uniquely
associated with the particular substrate 1 scanned to
generate/recover it.
[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, one or
more tables or databases may be stored so as to be accessible by
computer 39 (FIG. 2). For example, such a database may be stored in
memory either local (e.g., internal or external) or remote to
computer 39. Such a database may store codewords and information
associated with the codewords. In certain embodiments of the
invention, the codewords may be used as an address or an index to a
lookup table which stores information associated with the
corresponding codeword. In certain embodiments of the invention,
the reference identifiers may be used as an address or an index to
a lookup table which stores information associated with the
corresponding reference identifier. In certain embodiments of the
invention, a separate index value may be used as an address or an
index to a lookup table which stores information associated with
the corresponding index value. Associated information may be stored
in such a database so as to be correlated with the codeword,
reference identifier and/or index value. For example, for each
entry, associated data may include: document owner information
(e.g., name, address, phone number, social security number, and
driver license number), document creation or registration date
information, document revision date information, document
descriptor information and/or other information relevant to the
document.
[0029] When a document is initially scanned and a code word
identified, a user may be prompted to enter the information to be
associated with the code word in the table(s)/database(s), such as
by using computer 39 (FIG. 2). Accordingly, such a database, or one
or more tables, may be populated with codewords and the associated
information, such as by using computer 39. Documents so scanned may
be considered to be enrolled in the database for later
authentication.
[0030] Referring now also to FIG. 6, there is shown a block diagram
representation of a system 500 according to an embodiment of the
present invention. System 500 additionally includes an optical
energy transmitter 510 and optical energy receiver 520. In the
illustrated embodiment, transmitter 510 may impinge substrate 1
with optical energy, while receiver 520 receives optical signals
indicative of the markings of substrate 1. In certain embodiments
of the present invention, transmitter 510 and receiver 520 may be
incorporated in a conventional optical document scanner apparatus
530. Apparatus 530 may be akin to those used in digital document
copiers and/or scanners, for example. Apparatus 530 may provide as
output 538 data indicative of an optical scan of substrate 1.
[0031] For purposes of completeness, scanner 530 may generally take
the form of a device that may detect markings, such as, for
example, text or illustrations, printed on a substrate, paper, and
translate the information into a form that a computer, such as
computer 39, may use. Such a scanner may typically digitize the
markings, dividing the markings into a grid of boxes and
representing each box with a data value, depending on whether the
box is marked. The resulting matrix of bits may be used to form a
bit map that may be stored. Scanner 530 may not distinguish text
from illustrations; as both types of markings may be represented as
bit maps. Scanner 530 may utilize a charge-coupled device (CCD)
array that includes a plurality of light receptors that detect
variations in light intensity and frequency. Other conventional
approaches, such as a photomultiplier tube (PMT) based scanner may
alternatively be utilized. Scanner 530 may utilize any suitable
resolution, such as up to or greater than 600 dots per inch (DPI),
for example. Scanner 530 may be monochrome or color capable.
Scanner 530 may use any suitable bit depth. Scanner 530 may be
hand-held, page fed or page based. Where clocking signal 210 (FIG.
5) is independent of substrate 1, movement of the page or scanner
relative to the other may be correlated with the clocking signal.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, conventional
optical character recognition (OCR) technology may be used, such as
by computer 39, to translate at least a portion of the bit map into
ASCII characters, for example. Such ASCII characters may be stored
and associated with the scanned document for example. In certain
embodiments of the present invention, reference ID 110 (FIGS. 3 and
4) may be converted into ASCII characters, for example.
Alternatively, more or less of a scanned bit map may be converted
to ASCII characters via conventional OCR techniques.
[0032] Referring now to Table-I, there is shown a table used to
correlate data indicative of output signal 38 and 538, according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
TABLE-US-00001 Codeword Reference (Signal ID (Signal 38) 538) Doc.
Info. 1 . . . DATA FILE 0010 . . . 0001 XXYY1122 owner 1 . . .
xxxyyy1122.dat name
[0033] The illustrated Table-1 includes a single entry that may be
generated by, or responsively to, computer 39. The entry indicates
a codeword of "0010 . . . 0001" corresponds to a scanned document
having a marked reference identifier "XXYY1122". Information
associated with the scanned document may is also be stored,
consistently with the above-discussion. Table-1 may also include a
data file identifier. The substrate used to generate the exemplary
entry may be considered to be enrolled for later
authentication.
[0034] In certain embodiments of the present invention, each
identified data file includes data indicative of the markings on
the corresponding document, such as the bitmap represented by
output 538, for example. In certain embodiments of the present
invention, the data file may include data generated by manipulating
either the codeword using the markings indicative data or the
markings indicative data using the codeword. In certain embodiments
of the present invention, the data file may be protected, such as
via conventional encryption techniques. In certain embodiments of
the present invention, the markings indicative of data (for
example, output 538 provided bit map data) may be encrypted using
the codeword as an encryption key.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a block diagram of a
process 700 for enrolling a document according to an embodiment of
the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, process 700
begins with providing a substrate at block 705, such as substrate 1
(FIG. 1), for example. Block 705 may include providing one or more
substrates, such as, in the form of individual sheets or a pack of
paper, for example. At block 710, the substrate may be marked in a
conventional manner. Marking at block 710 may include handmarking,
copying, ink-jet and/or laser printing onto a provided substrate
using a conventional document copier or printer, for example. At
block 720, the document may be optically scanned, by using scanner
530 (FIG. 6), for example, to provide image data, such as a bit map
indicative output 538 (FIG. 6). At block 730, at least a portion of
the marked document, such as, one or more scan tracks 100, 100a-n,
may be RF scanned using transmitter/receiver 20, 30 (FIG. 6), to
provide an RF signature codeword by computer 39 responsively to
output 38. At block 740, the RF signature codeword (block 730) and
provided image data (block 720) may be used to generate a data
file, such as by encrypting the image data using the codeword, for
example. At block 750, a record (for example, akin to the record
shown in Table-I) may be generated by or using computer 39. The
record may associate information, including the generated data file
(block 740) with the optically and RF scanned document.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a block diagram of a
process 800 for authenticating an enrolled document according to an
embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment,
process 800 may begin with providing a registered document (e.g.,
FIG. 7), at block 805. At block 810, the RF signature may be
measured (analogously to block 730, FIG. 7). At block 820, the
document may be optically scanned (analogously to block 720, FIG.
7). At block 830, a verification data file may be generated
(analogously to file generation at block 740, FIG. 7). At block
840, the record and data file for the scanned document (generated
at block 750, FIG. 7) may be retrieved. At block 850 the file
generated at block 830 may be compared to the file generated at
block 840. At block 860, if the files are determined to
sufficiently match, the document provided at block 805 may be
authenticated. At block 860, if the files are determined to
sufficiently differ, the document may not be authenticated.
[0037] By way of non-limiting example, file retrieval at block 840
may be achieved using any conventional manner. For example, where
the table/database containing the record is indexed by codeword,
the codeword generated at block 810 may be used to recover the
file. Where the table/database containing the record is indexed by
reference identifier (e.g., 110, FIGS. 3, 4), bit map data
generated at block 820 may be subjected to a conventional OCR
technique to determine the reference ID and recover the
corresponding file. Where the table/database is otherwise indexed,
appropriate queries may be carried out (for example, by or at the
request of computer 39) to determine the file to be recovered.
Alternatively, a user may be requested to enter one or more items
of information (akin to the associated information and/or reference
identifier) using computer 39, which information may then be used
to determine the file to be recovered.
[0038] In certain embodiments of the present invention, documents
may be updated by re-enrolling or updating their enrollment. In
such a case, the prior generated record may be appended or
replaced, for example. In such embodiments, restrictive
access/authorization techniques may be used to restrict enrollment
updating. For example, when a document is enrolled, a password
required to re-enroll or update the document enrollment may be
associated with the record.
[0039] It should be appreciated that stored data files represent
optical images of scanned documents. The table(s)/database(s) and
associated data files may be stored in memory for later retrieval
for any desired amount of time. Accordingly, a copy of a scanned
document may be recovered at any point during this time, even if
the original is lost or destroyed, by performing suitable queries
of the stored table(s)/database(s), using computer 39 for
example.
[0040] In certain embodiments of the present invention, substrate 1
may be preprinted with information, e.g., so as to serve a
fill-able form, prior to being provided to a user. Referring now to
FIG. 9, there is shown a substrate 1 according to such an
embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment,
substrate 1 has been pre-printed as the first page of a United
States Copyright Office Form TX, which is an application to
register a non-dramatic literary work. Of course, it should be
understood that substrate 1 may be pre-printed with any type of
information, and may take the form of any form, for example.
Referring still to FIG. 9, as may be readily ascertained, Form TX
has a plurality of spaces to be filled in by the user. According to
an embodiment of the present invention, such a Form TX printed on a
substrate 1 may be enrolled and then provided to and filled out by
a user. Such a form may then be authenticated, such as in
accordance with the processes discussed above. Thereafter, the
authenticity of substrate 1, and hence Form TX may be updated
and/or confirmed by a third party. Further, should the form be
lost, a copy may be recovered as discussed above.
[0041] A desktop portable scanner may be utilized according to an
aspect of the present invention. According to this aspect of the
invention, a bootable compact disc or other storage and readable
medium may contain software according to the current invention. In
such a configuration, a radio frequency fingerprint may be included
on the paper as discussed hereinabove. A similar radio frequency
fingerprint may also reside on the compact disc or other storage
medium. Matching or linking of the two fingerprints, such as by
computerized means, may allow the desktop scanner to operate
according to the present invention.
[0042] According to an aspect of the present invention, the
accuracy and/or ability to detect error in the present system may
be related to the ability to detect the signal, that is, the signal
strength. For example, an error of 1:200 million may result at 12
dB at a one foot distance. Such characteristics demonstrate that
the signal level is the key to properly identifying the document.
Of course, such distance may be consistently controlled through the
use of the scanner of the present invention.
[0043] According to an aspect of the present invention, nanonumbers
may be utilized to provide increased numbers of identifiable
documents, and therefore more security in document mapping. As is
known to those possessing an ordinary skill in the pertinent arts,
nanonumbers may be defined as a random number raised to the power
of another random number. By utilizing the serial code of the
present invention, as discussed above, nanonumbers of unique RF
codes may be provided, and thereby the security of the selection
may be increased. In a particular embodiment of the present
invention, a consumer may purchase foodstuffs having a nanonumber
serial code associated with the foodstuff. The consumer may check
an optical scan of the foodstuff against the nanonumber serial
number, which may be an RF indicated nanonumber associated with an
optically scannable bar code, for example, such as by sending the
optical and RF scans to the database of the present invention to
thereby allow the database to identify the nanonumber serial number
and respond by confirming that the document is in the database,
and/or matches the dictated optical scan. Alternatively, the
database may respond by confirming that the serial number is
counterfeit, such as, for example, by having the serial number not
found in the database. Although such RF nanonumbering may be
sufficient to determine if a document is, in fact, included in the
database of documents, it may be unable to provide information
regarding the veracity of the contents of the foodstuff. Thus, the
optical scan of the document is relied upon to authenticate the
content of the foodstuff.
[0044] Thus, according to an aspect of the present invention, a RF
scan of a document may be performed. From the results of the RF
scan, a comparison may be made to the database to determine if the
RF signature is a valid signature as compared to the signatures
stored in the database. In such a situation, the RF signature
comparison may be sufficient to determine if a document is, in
fact, included in the database of documents. An optical scan of the
document may then or additionally be required in order to
authenticate actual content.
[0045] According to an aspect of the present invention, the types
of documentation that may be authenticated by the present invention
may include, but are not limited to, testimony, documents that
would otherwise be notarized, and documents that may be escrowed.
Further, certified copies of documents of the present invention may
be obtained from the system of the present invention. Such
authenticated, certified copies may be requested from the system in
order to replace missing or destroyed documents, for example. The
system may therefore operate in a closed loop manner to identify,
authenticate and/or recreate documents, and deliver those documents
to the proper owner/holder as necessary.
[0046] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the document identifier of the present invention may be
placed in the bottom left hand corner, such as not to extend beyond
1'' from the bottom of the paper and no farther than 3'' from the
left edge, by way of non-limiting example. OCR A may be the font
used. The document identifier may be formatted to take the
form--YY-IN-A1A1A1. The first two characters (YY) may alphabetical
and signify the year, starting from the year 2000. In such a
configuration, two alphabetical characters may allow for 783 years,
for example. A dash may be used as a separator. The next two
characters (IN) may be a modified alpha numeric identifier that is
indicative of the industry/section the document is associated with.
In this configuration, there are combinations to allow for 1155
industry/sections. The final six characters (A1A1A1) may be
separated by a dash, and may contain a modified alphanumeric. The
final six characters may act as the unique identification, as
described hereinabove. In such a configuration, there are
approximately 1,544,804,000 possible unique identifications
according to this exemplary aspect of the present invention.
[0047] The number and identification scheme described hereinabove
may be subject to change. For example, the schema set forth may not
use the following letters. O, S, Z, and I. Alternatively, for
example, if more years are needed, the present system may be
switched to employ a modified alphanumeric.
[0048] Similarly, RF scanning and/or authentication of documents
may be included in shredders and other office equipment, such as
copiers, for example. Use of the RF scanning on office equipment
may incorporate many of the functions disclosed herein, including
but not limited to prevention of unwanted copying and prevention of
unwanted destruction. For example, in the case of a copy machine,
an RF scan may be performed by the copy machine prior to allowing a
user to select the copy button, for example. In such a
configuration, the unique RF fingerprint may be examined and
reviewed in the database, and if the document is registered as a
not allowable to copy, or has some secretive nature, then the copy
machine may not activate to copy the document, or may blank out the
copy.
[0049] In the case of a shredder, for example, the shredder may be
equipped with an RF scanner that scans the RF signature of the
document prior to activation of the shredding function. In the
event that a particular signature is detected, the machine may
shutdown. Alternatively, the machine may query the database to
determine if a destruction clause is associated with the document
fingerprint, or a no destruction tag, or a one-of a kind
registration in the database, and, in one or more such cases,
shredding may be precluded.
[0050] Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many
modifications and variations of the present invention may be
implemented without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers
the modifications and variations of this invention provided they
come within the scope of the appended claims and their
equivalents.
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