Abstract

A thermal printer configured to emboss a security feature onto print media, the thermal printer being programmed with an algorithm, the algorithm includes the steps of: receiving print media having a plurality of microspheres, wherein each of the plurality of microspheres is configured to independently expand when heated; receiving a desired design to be embossed on the print media; selectively heating a portion of the print media in the shape of the desired design, such that the heated microspheres expand and emboss the print media with the desired design.

IPC Classes  ?

• B41J 2/32 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads
• B41M 3/14 - Security printing
• B41M 5/26 - Thermography

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method of securing a printer. The system includes a printer, having a nontransitory storage medium, configured to: store a password encrypted with a first encryption scheme; re-encrypt the stored password with a second encryption scheme upon a predetermined interval/event; receive a data stream from a host computer; determine whether the received data stream contains the password encrypted with the second encryption scheme; and print a document upon determining that the data stream contains the password encrypted with the second encryption scheme.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 21/44 - Program or device authentication
• G06F 21/60 - Protecting data

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for storing digitally printable security features used in the creation of secure documents and, more particularly, to a system and method for storing incomplete portions of digitally printable security features (used in the creation of secure documents) on different devices/systems, and for merging the incomplete portions to form a fully formed complete security feature for printing by a printer.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 21/60 - Protecting data
• G06F 3/12 - Digital output to print unit

Abstract

A system and method for securing a printer. The system including a server, comprising a nontransitory storage medium, storing program code configured to: receive a disconnect notice having a disconnect timestamp, the disconnect timestamp representing a time a printer was disconnected from a host computer; receive from a reader a request for validation, the request having a print timestamp derived from a security feature printed by the printer; compare the disconnect timestamp with the print timestamp to determine if the security feature was printed after printer was disconnected from the host computer.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 21/60 - Protecting data
• G06F 3/12 - Digital output to print unit

Abstract

A system and method for securing a data stream containing data to be embedded in a bar code. The system comprising a printer, having a nontransitory storage medium, configured to: receive a data stream from a host computer, the data stream having at least one trigger identifying at least one portion of data to be embedded in a bar code; identify each trigger in the received data stream; extract each data portion identified by the trigger; and print a secured bar code embedded with the extracted data portions.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 21/60 - Protecting data

Abstract

A system and method for embossing a media substrate used for secure transactions. The system includes, but is not limited to, a printer, having a non-transitory computer- readable storage medium having program code for: storing a first plurality of security features, wherein the first plurality of security features comprise embossment features; printing a first embossment feature of the first plurality of security features on the media substrate upon a first predetermined interval; printing a second embossment feature of the first plurality of security features on the media substrate upon a second predetermined interval; and printing the first embossment feature and the second embossment feature on the media substrate of the first plurality of security features upon a third predetermined interval.

IPC Classes  ?

• B41J 3/38 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for embossing, e.g. for making matrices for stereotypes
• B41J 2/325 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads by selective transfer of ink from ink carrier, e.g. from ink ribbon or sheet

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for storing digitally printable security features used in the creation of secure documents and, more particularly, to a system and method for storing incomplete portions of digitally printable security features (used in the creation of secure documents) on different devices/systems, and for merging the incomplete portions to form a fully formed complete security feature for printing by a printer.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04N 1/40 - Picture signal circuits
• B41F 19/02 - Apparatus or machines for carrying out printing operations combined with other operations with embossing
• G06F 3/12 - Digital output to print unit
• G06F 21/44 - Program or device authentication
• G06F 21/60 - Protecting data
• G06K 15/00 - Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data
• H04N 1/00 - PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - Details thereof
• G06K 15/02 - Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data using printers
• H04N 1/32 - Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver
• B41J 2/325 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads by selective transfer of ink from ink carrier, e.g. from ink ribbon or sheet
• B41J 3/38 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for embossing, e.g. for making matrices for stereotypes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method of securing a printer. The system includes a printer, having a nontransitory storage medium, configured to: store a password encrypted with a first encryption scheme; re-encrypt the stored password with a second encryption scheme upon a predetermined interval/event; receive a data stream from a host computer; determine whether the received data stream contains the password encrypted with the second encryption scheme; and print a document upon determining that the data stream contains the password encrypted with the second encryption scheme.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 15/16 - Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs
• H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system
• B41F 19/02 - Apparatus or machines for carrying out printing operations combined with other operations with embossing
• G06F 3/12 - Digital output to print unit
• G06F 21/44 - Program or device authentication
• G06F 21/60 - Protecting data
• G06K 15/00 - Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data
• H04N 1/00 - PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - Details thereof
• G06K 15/02 - Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data using printers
• H04N 1/32 - Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver
• B41J 2/325 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads by selective transfer of ink from ink carrier, e.g. from ink ribbon or sheet
• B41J 3/38 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for embossing, e.g. for making matrices for stereotypes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and system used to ensure that a printer which is capable of printing security patterns loses its ability to print these patterns if the printer is disconnected from an approved system and, more particularly, to a method and system including a printer containing an encrypted key and password loaded into its memory, where the stored password must match a password present in a data stream sent from the host software application in order to print a requested print job.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 3/12 - Digital output to print unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and system used to ensure that a printer which is capable of printing security patterns loses its ability to print these patterns if the printer is disconnected from an approved system and, more particularly, to a method and system including a printer containing an encrypted key and password loaded into its memory, where the stored password must match a password present in a data stream sent from the host software application in order to print a requested print job.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 21/60 - Protecting data
• H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
• G06F 3/12 - Digital output to print unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to systems and methods for printing hidden and secure barcodes and, more particularly, to digital printers structured, configured, and/or programmed to print a set of unique non-standard symbols for the purpose of representing a data string based on a barcode standard that can be hidden in the background of a media substrate.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06K 1/14 - Methods or arrangements for marking the record carrier in digital fashion by transferring data from a similar or dissimilar record carrier
• G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code

Abstract

The present invention relates to thermal printers and, more particularly, to direct thermal printers structured, configured, and/or programmed to print security features such as pantographs, watermarks, and microprinting on a thermal media substrate.

IPC Classes  ?

• B41J 2/315 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material
• B41M 3/14 - Security printing
• B41M 5/26 - Thermography

Abstract

A compact printer that includes a sensor system for monitoring the position and/or status of media is provided. The system includes a photo source extending along a line across all or a portion of the width of a media path. The photo source can comprise a number of sources, such as a number of focused LED sources. A single detector or receiver is disposed on a side of the media path opposite the source. The location of the single receiver with respect to the width of the media path can be adjusted by a user. Information related to the intensity of light received at the receiver is passed to a controller, which can use the information to generate a media out signal or to determine the location of an index mark.

IPC Classes  ?

• B41J 33/00 - Apparatus or arrangements for feeding ink ribbons or like character-size impression-transfer material
• B41J 2/325 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads by selective transfer of ink from ink carrier, e.g. from ink ribbon or sheet

Goods & Services

Computer software program in the nature of a software utility tool for customizing receipts generated by a point of sale printer