METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SECURE DOCUMENT PRINTING

摘要

A secure document printing system is provided. A policy server is used to define access rules for a document, and select individual users and/or groups that will have access to the document. The policy server stores the access rules along with a document decryption key. The policy server's name and address are packed in the document, and then encrypted and sent to a print server which stores it for later access. A recipient is notified that the document resides on a particular print server. The print server retrieves the specified document, contacts the policy server named in the document, and requests the document decryption key and access rules for the user, print server, and document from the policy server which replies with the related decryption key and access rules. The print server decrypts the document and prints the document based on the access rules.

主权项

1. A method for securely transporting and printing a document in a networked environment, the method comprising:
providing a policy server; wherein a user defines a set of access rules for the document through the policy server; wherein the policy server stores the access rules and a decryption key for the document; wherein the access rules apply to any of: the entire document or individual pages of the document; providing a print server; providing document encryption means for encrypting the document; wherein the encryption means attaches the policy server's name, IP address, or URL address to the document; sending the encrypted document to a receiving user's computer; wherein the receiving user's computer stores the document locally; and providing notification means for notifying a receiving user of the existence of the document on the receiving user's computer.