Patent Application
20100314820
1. Field
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to preventing distribution of information and, in particular, to apparatus and methods for obfuscating information contained on documents.
2. Description of the Related Art
Shredding devices are often used to shred documents containing confidential or sensitive information in order to prevent its dissemination. However, shredding the paper can reduce the recycling potential of the paper and make the recycling process more difficult. Moreover, highly motivated people can take a shredded document and painstakingly reassemble it to determine its original content.
For example, the recycling potential of paper can be determined by the length of the individual paper fibers contained within the piece of paper. A longer fiber can be used to produce higher-grade recycled paper and can be recycled many more times than a shorter fiber. When paper is shredded in conventional shredders, such as cross-cut shredders, the individual paper fibers are cut into very small lengths, thus reducing the paper's recycling potential.
In addition, the small shredded bits of paper can slip through the small openings of the sifting screens used at recycling facilities to separate out the non-recyclable contaminants from the recyclable material. Furthermore, many contaminants can “hide” in the clumps of shredded paper, such as bits of plastic, metal or glass. These hidden contaminants, which do not get separated out from the recyclable paper, can cause serious damage to the recycling machines and reduce the quality of the recycled paper produced.
In view of the foregoing, a need exists for devices that protect against dissemination of sensitive information on documents but still maintain a high level of recyclability. Moreover, there is a need for systems and methods that simplify the recycling process for paper documents with sensitive information.
In certain embodiments, such systems and methods can be used to conceal sensitive information on paper documents without shredding the paper documents. The systems and methods can obfuscate the text of the paper documents by sending the paper documents through at least one ink roller imprinted with an obfuscation pattern composed of random symbols. In certain embodiments, the pattern of random symbols, when stamped on the document, renders the underlying text unreadable and/or unable to be reproduced.
In certain embodiments, a consumer-sized obfuscation device is disclosed for concealing sensitive information on a sheet of paper without shredding. The obfuscation device includes a pair of rollers, one or both of which can be engraved or embossed with an obfuscation pattern. The obfuscation device also includes at least one removable and/or replaceable ink cartridge adjacent to at least one of the rollers. The ink cartridge(s) can include an ink application portion that is exposed to an outer surface of the ink roller and that applies ink to the ink roller via direct contact as the ink roller rotates about a central axis. The obfuscation device further includes a housing enclosing the ink roller(s) and the ink cartridge(s) and a paper feed tray attached to the housing that is configured to receive at least one document to be obfuscated.
In certain embodiments, a system is disclosed for concealing sensitive information on a sheet of paper without shredding the paper. The system includes a consumer-sized obfuscation device and a recycle bin. The consumer-sized obfuscation device includes at least one ink roller having an obfuscation pattern imprinted thereon; at least one ink cartridge adjacent to the ink roller; a housing enclosing the ink roller and the ink cartridge; and a paper feed tray attached to the housing. The recycle bin is configured to receive multiple obfuscated sheets of paper output from the obfuscation device. The recycle bin includes a bottom portion sized to receive the multiple sheets of paper and multiple binding members extending from the bottom portion sized and configured to bind the obfuscated sheets of paper in an organized bundle for delivery.
For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages and novel features of the inventions have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
Embodiments of the invention include devices and systems for obfuscating sensitive information on paper documents while still maintaining a high degree of recyclability. In particular, certain embodiments include one or more ink rollers imprinted with a pattern of symbols to conceal the sensitive or confidential information. In certain embodiments, the high degree of recyclability is maintained due to the fact that the long, individual paper fibers of the paper documents are not shredded.
In certain embodiments, obfuscation devices disclosed herein comprise consumer-sized obfuscation devices that include an auto feed feature configured to hold a stack of multiple sheets of paper and to consecutively advance the multiple sheets of paper from the stack to the ink rollers. In other embodiments, the obfuscation devices include a manual feed mechanism for advancing a sheet of paper without the need for electric power. In certain embodiments, the obfuscation devices disclosed herein are sized such that they are portable and easily transported.
The features of the devices and systems will now be described with reference to the drawings summarized above. Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. The drawings, associated descriptions, and specific implementation are provided to illustrate embodiments of the inventions and not to limit the scope of the disclosure.
In addition, any methods and functions described herein are not limited to any particular sequence, and the acts relating thereto can be performed in other sequences that are appropriate.
The term “consumer-sized” as used herein is a broad term and is used in its ordinary sense and is used, without limitation, to describe apparatus, devices, systems, and the like, that are generally used in a home or office setting.
The auto feed document obfuscation device 100 includes an auto feed feature for automatically feeding multiple sheets of paper or other documents into the auto feed document obfuscation device 100 one at a time. As illustrated, the paper feed tray 104 is positioned at the front end of the obfuscation device 100 and can be angled to sequentially direct paper material into the obfuscation device 100. For example, the paper feed tray 104 can be angled to provide a gravity-assisted feed of the sheets of paper to be obfuscated.
In certain embodiments, the paper feed tray 104 is sized to support paper having dimensions ranging from approximately 8.5 inches by eleven inches (letter size) to approximately 8.5 inches by fourteen inches (legal size). In other embodiments, the paper feed tray 104 is sized to support paper having any other smaller or larger dimensions. In certain embodiments, the paper feed tray 104 further includes adjustable guides for the feeding of paper. In certain embodiments the adjustable guides can be adjusted to accommodate paper having widths ranging from approximately three to eleven inches. In certain embodiments, the paper feed tray 104 is sized to receive a stack of approximately twenty sheets of 20-pound bond paper. In yet other embodiments, the paper feed tray 104 can be configured to hold more or less than twenty sheets, such as for example, approximately five to one hundred sheets. Moreover, if desired, markings (not shown) may be provided on the paper feed tray 104 and/or its adjustable guides to indicate the paper size and approximate height corresponding to a particular number of paper sheets.
In certain embodiments, the paper feed tray 104 can have a plurality of tabs for securing the paper feed tray 104 to the housing 102 and for allowing removal of the paper feed tray 104 during shipping. In yet other embodiments, the paper feed tray 104 can be secured to the housing 102 using screws or other conventional fasteners.
In certain embodiments, the drive motor 106 is configured to rotate the drive belt 108 and/or the drive gears 110. In certain embodiments, the drive motor 106 can be powered externally (e.g., AC power from an electrical outlet) and/or internally (e.g., battery or capacitive storage device). The drive gears 110 can include one or more individual gears configured to control rotation of one or more internal rollers within the housing 102. In some embodiments, the drive gears 110, control rotation of paper feed rollers and/or ink rollers.
In certain embodiments, the obfuscation device 100 includes an auto feed tray 204, an auto feed roller 206, an auto feed assembly 208, an upper ink roller 210, a lower ink roller 212, an upper ink cartridge 214, and a lower ink cartridge 216. In certain embodiments, the auto feed tray 204 is coupled to the upper housing 202A via a pivot assembly (not shown) and is advantageously configured to fold into the upper housing 202A, such as during transportation and/or non-operation. In such embodiments, the folded auto feed tray 204 can advantageously protect the auto feed assembly 208 and the auto feed roller 206 and/or prevent material from entering into the housing. In yet other embodiments, the auto feed tray 204 can slide at least partially within the upper housing 202A. In still other embodiments, the auto feed tray 204 can be secured to the upper housing 202A using conventional fasteners in a substantially permanent position.
The auto feed assembly 208 is positioned near the bottom of the auto feed tray 204 for advancing sheets of paper placed on the auto feed tray 204. For example, the auto feed assembly 208 can comprise a spring-type engagement that causes a contact member of the auto feed assembly 208 to exert sufficient pressure against the paper in the auto feed tray 204 so as to advance multiple sheets of paper one at a time during rotation of the auto feed roller 206.
The auto feed roller 206 is configured to consecutively advance multiple sheets of paper from the auto feed tray 204 to the ink rollers 210, 212. In certain embodiments, the external surface of the auto feed roller 206 can advantageously be grooved or otherwise textured so as to provide better grip for advancing sheets of paper. For example, the auto feed roller 206 can include a plurality of spikes disposed around a circumference of the auto feed roller 206. In yet other embodiments, the auto feed roller 206 can comprise protrusions, knobs or other like features for sequentially advancing documents in the auto feed tray 204. In certain embodiments, the auto feed roller 206 is coupled to a rotatable member in the form of an elongated shaft. The rotatable member can be driven, for example, by the drive motor 106 and the drive gears 110 of
In certain embodiments, to utilize the auto feed feature of the auto feed document obfuscation device 100, a user places a stack of paper in the auto feed tray 204. Because the auto feed tray 206 is slightly angled toward the auto feed document obfuscation device 100, the stack of paper can naturally gravitate toward the auto feed assembly 208. As the auto feed roller 206 rotates, the auto feed assembly 208 secures a sheet of paper from the stack of paper and advances the sheet into the device to be “stamped,” or obfuscated, by the ink rollers 210, 212. Once the sheet has been advanced passed the auto feed assembly 208, the auto feed assembly 208 secures and advances a subsequent sheet from the stack of paper. This process can continue with the auto feed assembly 208 sequentially securing and advancing individual sheets of paper until the entire stack of paper has been obfuscated. As can be seen, interaction by a user during the auto feed obfuscation process is primarily limited to placing the input stack of paper in the auto feed tray 204. In certain embodiments, the auto feed assembly 208 automatically initiates the auto feed process upon detection of paper within the auto feed tray 206. In other embodiments, a user can initiate the auto feed process via a user input, such as a button or switch.
The upper ink roller 210 and the lower ink roller 212 are configured to receive the sheets of paper fed by the auto feed roller 206 and to cover at least a portion of the paper with an obfuscation pattern in order to effectively conceal sensitive information located thereon. In certain embodiments, the ink rollers 210, 212 are configured to cover the entire face of the document with the obfuscation pattern. The upper ink roller 210 and the lower ink roller 212 are coupled to drive gears 110, which effect rotation of the ink rollers 210, 212. The ink rollers 210, 212 can be coupled to the drive gears 110 via a rotatable member. In some embodiments, the rotatable member comprises an elongate shaft that extends through the central axis of the ink roller. In other embodiments, the rotatable member comprises a projection on the end of the ink roller that is configured to be engaged by the drive gears 110.
In certain embodiments, the auto feed roller 206 is rotatably coupled to one or more of the ink rollers 210, 212 (for example, via drive belt 108 and drive gears 110) such that rotation of the ink rollers 210, 212 is synchronized with rotation of the auto feed roller 206. In other embodiments, rotation of the auto feed roller 206 operates independently of the rotation of the ink rollers 210, 212.
In certain embodiments, the upper ink cartridge 214 and the lower ink cartridge 216 each comprise an ink application portion, such as an ink pad or brush, at one end that is positioned to apply ink to at least one of the ink rollers. For example, the ink application portion can brush up against, or make other direct contact with, an outer surface of a respective ink roller to apply a coat of ink as the ink roller rotates about its central axis. In certain embodiments, the ink application portion can supply droplets of ink to the external surface of an ink roller as it rotates. In other embodiments, the ink cartridges 214, 216 are placed within their respective ink rollers and are configured to transfer ink from the inside to an outside surface of the respective ink roller. In certain embodiments, the ink application portions of the upper ink cartridge 214 and the lower ink cartridge 216 can be comprised of foam, a brush, padding, sponge, and/or other suitable application material. For example, foam ink application portions can be formed of rubber foam, such as polyurethane foam or natural foam rubber latex. In some embodiments, the ink cartridges 214, 216 directly and continuously contact their respective ink rollers. In other embodiments, the ink cartridges 214, 216 are configured to move slightly away from their respective ink rollers when not in use. In yet other embodiments, the ink application portion can comprise a rotatable portion that rotates to apply ink to the outer surface of an ink roller (e.g., during rotation of the ink roller).
In some embodiments, the ink cartridges 214, 216 can be sized proportionate to their respective ink rollers. In other embodiments, each of the ink cartridges 214, 216 can be substantially smaller than its respective ink roller but can be configured to move laterally along the outer surface of its respective ink roller in a direction aligned parallel with the longitudinal axis of the respective ink roller, similar to movement of a printer head during printing.
In certain embodiments, the upper ink roller 210 and the lower ink roller 212 can be sized so as to at least substantially cover the inserted sheets of paper with the obfuscation pattern. In other embodiments, the upper ink roller 210 and the lower ink roller 212 can have a length substantially shorter than the width of the paper. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the upper ink roller 210 and the lower ink roller 212 are moveable within the document obfuscation device 100 so as to provide coverage of selected portions of the document and/or to provide coverage via multiple passes. The shorter ink rollers can advantageously allow the document obfuscation device 100 to apply ink only to selected portions of a document. For example, a document may only have text on a small portion of the document. In such embodiments, the shorter ink rollers can be used to conserve the ink supply.
In certain embodiments, the document obfuscation device 100 can include one or more sensors configured to detect the presence of informational content on one or both sides of a document, thereby enabling the document obfuscation device 100 to only apply ink to the informational content. In other embodiments, the document obfuscation device 100 can operate in conjunction with a scanner to aid in detecting the presence of information content to be obfuscated.
In certain embodiments, the upper ink cartridge 214 and the lower ink cartridge 216 are removable and can be replaced with replacement cartridges when empty. In other embodiments, the upper ink cartridge 214 and the lower ink cartridge 216 can be removed, refilled with fresh ink and then reinserted into position. For example, the upper ink cartridge 214 and the lower ink cartridge 216 can slide in and out of position along a track and be snapped into place. In still other embodiments, the document obfuscation device 100 can include an ink reservoir (not shown) configured to supply the ink cartridges 214, 216 with additional ink by means of tubes or the like. In some embodiments, the auto feed document obfuscation device 100 includes one or more sensors to indicate the level of ink remaining in each of the ink cartridges 214, 216. In certain embodiments, the ink cartridges 214, 216 can be filled with black ink. In other embodiments, one or more of the ink cartridges 214, 216 can be filled with ink of other dark colors. Preferably, the ink used in the ink cartridges 214, 216 does not adversely affect the recycling potential of the paper. In certain embodiments, the ink used contains properties that enhance separation from the paper during the recycling process.
Although
Internal paper guides 218B, 218C and 218D are configured to guide the paper from the auto feed roller 206 into the ink rollers 210, 212. The internal paper guides 218B-218D can also advantageously prevent paper jams. Rear paper guides 218E, 218F can guide the paper from the ink rollers 210, 212 and out of the document obfuscation device 100. In certain embodiments, the rear paper guides 218E, 218F can guide the paper into a receiving tray or recycle bin (not shown) located either internal or external to the document obfuscation device 100.
In certain embodiments, sensing technology can be used for detecting the insertion of paper and can include, for example, touch sensors, switches, triggers, or the like. For example, the sensing technology can comprise photo sensors placed near the throat of the auto feed tray 204.
In certain embodiments, the auto feed obfuscation device 100 can have additional electronic features for improving the safety and functionality of the obfuscation device 100. For instance, the obfuscation device 100 can further include an overload detection function that determines when the auto feed roller 206 and/or the ink rollers 210, 212 are jammed or are otherwise drawing excessive current due to material accumulated therein. Upon detecting an overload, the obfuscation device 100 can automatically stop rotation of the auto feed roller 206 and/or the ink rollers 210, 212. In yet other embodiments, the obfuscation device 100 can reverse the rotation of the auto feed roller 206 and ink rollers 210, 212 so as to dislodge material causing the overload condition.
In certain embodiments, the auto feed document obfuscation device 100 can further include an overheat detection function that determines when the temperature of the drive motor 106 has reached a threshold amount. Upon detecting overheating, the auto feed document obfuscation device 100 can automatically suspend rotation of the auto feed roller 206 and/or the ink rollers 210, 212.
In certain embodiments, the document obfuscation device 100 can include a self-cleaning feature configured to, for example, remove particulate matter and/or prevent hardening or buildup of dry ink on the ink rollers 210, 212 and/or on the ink application portions of the ink cartridges 214, 216. In certain embodiments, a self-cleaning assembly can comprise one or more air hoses and/or vacuum means to remove particulate paper and/or ink matter. In other embodiments, a self-cleaning assembly comprises a reservoir of cleaning fluid (e.g., ammonia) that can be supplied to the outer surfaces of the ink roller(s) by a tube or other like delivery means.
In certain embodiments, one or more of the above-disclosed safety functions can be controlled through an integrated circuit (not shown) on the auto feed document obfuscation device 100. Moreover, the auto feed document obfuscation device 100 can further include a user interface for alerting the user to various device conditions. For example, the auto feed document obfuscation device 100 can include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), a display screen, or the like. The user interface can also include one or more input devices, such as buttons, switches, and/or a touch screen display. In certain embodiments, a user can select the size of the paper to be inserted, select single- or double-sided obfuscation, select portions of the document to be obfuscated, select an obfuscation pattern and/or the like via the input devices.
In certain embodiments, only the upper ink roller 210 is imprinted with the obfuscation pattern and the lower ink roller 212 is a smooth roller without an obfuscation pattern. It should be appreciated that, in the embodiment where the lower ink roller 212 is a smooth roller without any obfuscation pattern, the lower ink cartridge 216 can be absent.
As shown, the manual feed obfuscation device 700 includes a housing 702, a paper tray 704, a hand crank 706 and drive gears 710. For ease of explanation and illustration, a portion of the housing 702 has been removed. In certain embodiments, the hand crank 706 must be rotated manually in order to drive the drive gears 710, which in turn drive the rotation of the ink rollers located within the housing 702. The ink rollers can be coupled to the drive gears 710 via a rotatable member, such as an elongate shaft extending through the ink rollers or a short projection extending from the end of each of the ink rollers. In certain embodiments, the manual feed obfuscation device 700 is completely manually operated and does not require an external or internal power supply.
In certain embodiments, a document obfuscation device can combine features of the auto feed, electrical and manual obfuscation devices described above. For example, a document obfuscation device can include a hand crank for manual operation and an electric feed mechanism for automatic operation. In other embodiments, a document obfuscation device can be used in combination with a shredding device or other piece of office equipment.
In certain embodiments, the recycle bin 810 can be externally coupled to the document obfuscation device 805. For example, the recycle bin 810 can be placed on an external receiving tray of the document obfuscation device 805. In other embodiments, the recycle bin 810 can be placed adjacent to the document obfuscation device 805 such that the obfuscated paper falls into the recycle bin 810 upon exit. In still other embodiments, a user can simply place the obfuscated paper output from the document obfuscation device 805 into the adjacent recycle bin.
In certain embodiments, the recycle bin 810 can be placed internally within the housing of the document obfuscation device 805. For example, the obfuscated document can be guided using paper guides into an internal recycle bin located beneath the ink rollers. The internal recycle bin could be accessed via a side access panel or a drawer compartment that slides in and out. In certain embodiments, the document obfuscation and recycling system 800 can comprise at least one sensor for detecting when the recycle bin 810 reaches a full state. In certain embodiments, multiple sensors are used to verify that a single sensor does not prematurely output a recycle bin full signal. It should be appreciated that other embodiments of the document obfuscation and recycling system 800 can be contemplated without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure.
While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. Moreover, one or more features disclosed herein with reference to one figure or embodiment can be used interchangeably with other disclosed embodiments of the invention. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.
