Claims
- 1. A method of providing a security key for a controllable device having internal memory comprising providing an externally accessible encoder on the controllable device coupled to the controllable device memory, providing a removable memory device having a programmable memory, programming a password into the memory of the controllable device and from the encoder into the memory of the removable memory device, and removing the removable memory device from the encoder for use as a key for the controllable device.
- 2. The method of claim 1 including programming the memory of the removable memory device with control functions for operations of the controllable device in addition to the password.
- 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said removable memory device comprises a smart card key used in connection with an encoder of a printer for unlocking the printer to permit operation.
- 4. A process of controlling printing of a digital image to be printed onto a substrate in a printer comprising creating the digital image on a drive computer for the printer, transmitting the digital image to an encoding device coupled to the printer, encoding the digital image onto a removable memory carrying device having an integrated circuit memory for receiving and holding the digital image.
- 5. The process of claim 4 further comprising providing the removable memory device to a printer input and reading the digital image from the removable memory device into a printer memory as a print command.
- 6. The process of claim 4 further including providing a password in a memory of the printer coupled to the encoding device, which matches a password on the removable memory device, and permitting the digital image to be printed only when the password in the memory of the printer matches the password on the removable memory device.
- 7. The process of claim 4 further comprising deleting the digital image from the drive computer to create a unique digital image encoded onto the removable memory device.
- 8. The process of claim 5 including providing a password in a memory in the printer coupled to the encoding device, which matches a password on the removable memory device for enabling the printer and matching with the password in the memory of the printer and the password on the removable memory device prior to enabling the printer.
- 9. The process of claim 7 including providing a serial number in the memory of the printer, and encoding the serial number into the removable memory device, for comparison and matching serial numbers before enabling the printer.
- 10. The process of claim 4 including encoding an algorithm into the memory of the printer, using the algorithm for generating a number as a function of an input of a discrete number, the number generated by the algorithm providing a secondary password for comparison with inputs to the printer memory.
- 11. The process of claim 10 and providing the same algorithm as in the printer memory at an off-site location, counting a discrete dynamically changing parameter in the printer as printing operations proceed, using the counter output for an input to the algorithm in the printer memory and in the same algorithm off-site to provide matching numbers based upon dynamically changing conditions of the printer.
- 12. The process of claim 4 including memory in the printer to identify presence of a removable memory device in the encoding device.
- 13. A process for unlocking a password protected secure printer comprising providing a printer that contains memory for comparing an internal password with an externally inputted password stored in printer memory that generates a number as a function of an input number, providing the same algorithm in a memory at a location secured from said printer, counting events of the printer that change dynamically as printing operations occur, determining the count of such events, and generating numbers separately using the algorithm in the printer and the algorithm at the location secure from the printer, and comparing such numbers as passwords for unlocking printer operations when a match occurs.
- 14. The process of claim 13 further including a drive computer for the printer, inputting the number generated at the algorithm secure from the printer into the computer for comparison with the number generated by the printer memory for determining if printing operations should proceed.
- 15. The process of claim 13 and generating a number from the algorithm in the printer memory whenever a print command is provided to the printer and the printer remains unenabled.
- 16. The process of claim 13, wherein the number provided as an input to both of the algorithms is a number representing printing head passes made by the printer head at a selected time.
- 17. The process of claim 13, wherein the number provided as an input to both of the algorithms is a number representing items printed by the printer at a selected time.
- 18. The process of providing unique printing information keyed to a removable memory device key including providing a printer having memory capabilities and an encoding device coupled to the printer memory for encoding from an integrated circuit on a removable memory device key, using a host computer to input digital information onto the removable memory device key to provide commands to the printer, providing a password in the printer memory and on the removable memory device key, and printing the digital information from the removable memory device key only when the password on the removable memory device key and in the printer memory match.
- 19. A removable memory device key for a printer comprising a device having a programmable memory thereon, an encoder for encoding a password on the memory device, the password being used in connection with the printer for permitting operations of the printer when the password matches a password in the printer.
- 20. A printer having a memory therein and being operable in response to an unlocking code contained in the printer memory comprising a password, an encoder on said printer, having a portion that is externally accessible, and a removable memory device for associating with said encoding device, said removable memeory device carrying a programmable memory for receiving the password and subsequently for controlling printer operation only when the memory device is accessed to the encoder and the password in the printer memory is matched to the password of the removable memory device.
- 21. The printer of claim 20, wherein the printer has an access slot, and the device accesses the encoder by insertion into the slot.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Based on provisional application Serial No. 60/077,136, filed Mar. 6, 1998 and on provisional application Ser. No. 60/082,772, filed Apr. 23, 1998.
Provisional Applications (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60077136 |
Mar 1998 |
US |
|
60082772 |
Apr 1998 |
US |
Divisions (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09263343 |
Mar 1999 |
US |
Child |
10025035 |
Dec 2001 |
US |