Patent ID: 7672003
Filing Date: 2010-03-02
Classification: G06F,H04L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method for use in a network scanner device, wherein the network scanner device comprises a user interface, a scanning surface, an image digitizing subsystem, a processor and a network interface, the method comprising: accepting via the user interface a set of authentication data to identify a particular user who is using the network scanner; receiving, via the user interface, from the particular user an indication of an application layer address associated with a remote computer reachable through a path across the global Internet, wherein the destination of the path is defined by the application layer address; scanning, via the scanning surface and using the image digitizing subsystem, one or more sheets of paper to create an image file; the processor applying a digital signature authentication algorithm to the image file to generate an authenticated image file that includes a digital signature, wherein the digital signature positively identifies the particular user as being associated with the authenticated image file; and transmitting via the network interface the authenticated image file to the remote computer via the path across the global Internet; wherein the authenticated image file enables the remote computer to verify that the particular user is associated with the authenticated image file.