Abstract: A method for printing secure source images of the type that contain specific critical elements and non-secure images on a single printer includes determining the origin of an image (secure source or non-secure source). If the image to be printed is from the non-secure source, a determination is made if the image contains the specific critical elements of the type contained in secure source images. Printing of the image from the non-secure source is disabled if the image contains specific critical elements of the type contained in secure source images. Printing of the image from a non-secure source is enabled if the image does not contain specific critical elements of the type contained in the secure image. The determination if the non-secure source image contains the specific critical elements of the type contained in secure source images can be made after printing has commenced of the non-secure image.

Abstract: Methods and systems that prevent completion of postdated financial transactions until the specified future date is provided. A portion of the information necessary to complete a financial transaction is encrypted utilizing an identity-based encryption (IBE) scheme. The encryption key used to encrypt the information is associated with the date on which the transaction is authorized to be completed. The encrypted information is provided to the payee. The issuing bank provides a daily decryption key that allows decryption of information encrypted using the key associated with the corresponding date. Thus, only when the maturity date of the transaction has arrived will the payee or depositing bank be able to obtain the decryption key that will decrypt the encrypted information necessary to complete the transaction. Since the encrypted information can not be decrypted until the date associated with the encryption key, the financial transaction can not be completed until such date.

Abstract: A method of processing votes in an election includes receiving a voter identity for a voter, receiving a vote set for the voter, providing a phrase to the voter based on the received vote set, generating a unique receipt number for the voter and providing the receipt number to the voter, and associating the voter identity and the receipt number with one another in a first function. The method further includes generating a unique vote number for the voter, associating the vote set, the vote number and the receipt number with one another in a second function, and associating the phrase and the vote number with one another in a third function that is provided to the voter. The method includes associating the vote number with the vote set in a fourth function that is accessible for purposes of later verifying proper counting and contesting of a vote.

Abstract: A method for detecting possible fraud in a document includes receiving an electronic image of the document and extracting data from the image that includes a plurality of printed characters. Next, one or more properties of the characters are measured, the properties are compared to at least one corresponding normative property to determine whether anomalies are present, and a determination is made as to whether to provide a fraud alert based on the anomalies, if any. Preferably, the method includes reporting the one or more anomalies, if any, to a classifier engine, wherein the classifier engine determines whether to provide the alert. Also, methods for determining character spacing ands/or acuity are provided.

Abstract: A method of processing a check prior to submitting it for deposit in which the depositor's intent at the time of submitting the check is linked with an image of the check. The method includes receiving from the depositor intended amount information for the check, generating a first image of a front of the check, and generating an image of the intended amount. The method further includes generating a second image of the front of the check using the first image of the front of the check, wherein the second image of the front of the check includes the image of the intended amount and wherein the first image of the front of the check may be obtained from the second image of the front of the check. Finally, the method includes submitting at least the second image of the front of the check to a depository bank.

Abstract: A document including a substrate and an information marking printed on the substrate. The substrate has a front side, a rear side and a perimeter side edge. The perimeter side edge has a substantially smaller size than the front side and the rear side. The information marking is printed on the perimeter side edge of the substrate. The information marking includes multi-spectral encoding tags adapted to be read in a direction towards the perimeter side edge.

Abstract: A method for detecting whether perforations are present on the edge of an image of a form, such as a check, includes obtaining a bitmap of the image, identifying a selected portion of the bitmap that corresponds to at least the edge and that includes a matrix of a plurality of rows and columns of brightness values, and selecting a particular one of the rows of brightness values. The method further includes performing a Fourier transform of the brightness values included in the particular selected row to generate a Fourier transform output, and determining whether a series of perforations is present based on the Fourier transform output.

Abstract: An envelope for use in containing and authenticating a ballot is presented. The envelope has a containment region dimensioned to receive a ballot or other desired document in accordance with the particular application with which the envelope is used and has a pre-defined area on the back to carry the signature of a person such as a voter using the envelope to vote by mail. A flap portion outside the pre-defined area is used to seal the containment region. A window cover is substantially in registration with the pre-defined signature area to obscure the signature in a first operative configuration and to reveal the pre-defined signature area in a second operative and to re-obscure the signature area after the signature area has been revealed whereby the ballot remains sealed during the pre-defined signature area obscured, revealed and re-obscured configurations. The window cover is arranged for automatic removal by mechanical opening means for automated processing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting copies of images are described. In one example, the system utilizes a threshold based contour analysis technique that uses known contour ratios to determine if a scan of an image or document being tested is a first generation scan of an original or of a higher generation copy. In another example, a method for calibrating the copy detection system for use with a particular printer and scanner in described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting copies of documents are described. In one example, a system and method for detecting copies of documents utilizes multiple correlations of original and scanned copy detection patterns. The system captures a CDP that may be skewed or improperly sized. The system also retrieves or reconstitutes the expected CDP. In order to provide a more reliable comparison and without manipulating the captured CDP, the system manipulates the orientation or rotation and resolution or size of the retrieved or reconstituted CDP to register it with the captured CDP. Then the system performs a first correlation to determine if the captured CDP indicates the correct document identification and then if necessary, a second correlation to determine authentication such as by performing a 1 pixel shift multiple autocorrelation comparison of the two CDPs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing a known histogram of a particular category of images to constrain a probabilistic print-scan model in order to provide a more accurate print-scan model are described. A probability function is defined that given a two-dimensional grayscale bitmap input image provides the probability that a particular pixel of the input image will have a particular gray level in the output image after print-scan processing. Additionally, an expected target histogram is input into the system and used to constrain or modify the probabilistic print-scan model for the input image to produce a deterministic print-scan model.

Abstract: A method and system for printing an original image which is protected against copying or alteration, such as a postal indicium, and for determining if that image has been altered. The image includes a copy detection feature and coded information linked to the copy detection feature. Altered images are detected by testing to determine if the link between the copy detection feature and the coded information if fact exists.

Abstract: A system and method to provide identification codes to track outbound mail and corresponding replies. Tracking is enabled where an intended recipient is not determined until after physical components of the mailpiece are assembled. A first ID code is associated with a second ID code on a return envelope. The first ID code is positioned on a front of the return envelope proximal to a return address on the return envelope. The second ID code is positioned on a back of the return envelope proximal to a recipient address region on the return envelope. The return envelope is inserted into a carrier envelope with the front of the return envelope facing the back of the carrier envelope, and the second ID code and the recipient address region being visible through a front window in the front of the carrier envelope. A recipient address is printed in the recipient address region of the reply envelope, through the front window on the carrier envelope.

Abstract: A printed image includes a plurality of sample gray scale regions. A method of determining authenticity of the printed image includes scanning the printed image to produce pixel data that corresponds to the printed image. A gray scale level is detected for each of a plurality of subsets of the pixel data. Each subset corresponds to a respective one of the sample gray scale regions. The detected gray scale levels are used to define an inverse transformation, which is applied to the pixel data. The inverse-transformed pixel data is processed to detect a security feature of the printed image.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with inclusion of a “fragile watermark” in an original printed document to aid in a determination whether a document under examination is an original or a copy. The watermark may be applied by making small tonal adjustments on a pixel block by pixel block basis in data used to generate the original document. Documents to be verified may then be examined on a block-by-block basis after scanning.

Abstract: A digital watermark may be applied to digital image data to produce watermarked digital image data. A transformation may be applied to the watermarked digital image data to produce transformed watermarked digital image data. The transformation may approximate the inverse of a transformation that represents distortion caused by transmission through a print-scan channel.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with detection of a “fragile watermark” in a printed image to aid in a determination whether a document under examination is an original or a copy. The watermark may be applied by phase-space encoding data to be included in the watermark. The image may be examined on a block-by-block basis after scanning. Correlation of detected watermark strength with block brightness and/or with wave vectors used for encoding may be used to detect that the image is a copy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in general to a mail piece and more particularly, a mail piece for collecting sample(s) of harmful materials from a mail processing device. The mail piece generally comprises: an air inlet, an air outlet and a collector. In an embodiment of the present invention, the mail pieces inlet is a material which causes sides of the mail piece to separate from one another when the mail piece is not under the pressure of a nip roller or similar grabbing device. In another embodiment of the present invention the collector is a filter present within the mail piece. In another embodiment of the present invention the collector is a filter or tacky material present inside the mail piece or on the out side of the mail piece. In another embodiment of the present invention, the mail piece is porous.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in general to a mail piece and more particularly, a mail piece for collecting sample(s) of harmful materials from a mail processing device. The mail piece generally comprises: an air inlet, an air outlet and a collector. In an embodiment of the present invention, the mail pieces inlet is a material which causes sides of the mail piece to separate from one another when the mail piece is not under the pressure of a nip roller or similar grabbing device. In another embodiment of the present invention the collector is a filter present within the mail piece. In another embodiment of the present invention the collector is a filter or tacky material present inside the mail piece or on the out side of the mail piece. In another embodiment of the present invention, the mail piece is porous.