GB2571599A

GB2571599A - Improvements in or relating to confirmation of validity and digitisation of sheet product content

Info

Publication number: GB2571599A
Application number: GB1819550.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Arafat Khalil
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-02-23
Filing date: 2015-02-23
Publication date: 2019-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 2035-02-23
Also published as: GB201819550D0; GB2571599B; GB201502999D0; GB2535704B; GB2535704A

Abstract

A process and system for storing data associated with a sheet product 101a, 101b, 101c includes the steps of: providing a system comprising first and second scanners 20 and a memory; providing a sheet product containing one or more indicia and applied information content, said indicia having registered identity status, the indicia having previously had temporary identity status; operating the first scanner so as to determine the presence of the indicia and accessing a secure data file 39Z in the memory so as to confirm the registered identity status; upon determination of the presence of the indicia and confirmation of the registered identity status, operating the second scanner so as to determine the presence of the applied information content upon the sheet product, and accessing the secure data file in the memory so as to enable verification of the content. The scanners are operable to recognise and determine the sheet product indicia and interpret the applied information content. The memory stores the applied information content and the temporary or registered identity associated with the indicia in a secure data file.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CONFIRMATION OF VALIDITY AND DIGITISATION OF SHEET PRODUCT CONTENT

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus, method and system to the confirmation of the validity or provenance of sheet products. In particular, the present invention enables the registration, production, authentication and digitization of sheet products such as blank paper-sheet products which can be commercially provided whereby to create an identity and an intrinsic value to a generally anonymous sheet product.

Background to the Invention

Sheet products have been used for documentation to attest the provenance of a product, to provide a record of an agreement between two or more parties in the form of papyrus, paper and other sheet materials over the ages. In the present day, blank paper-sheet product can be supplied in various sizes, lengths, gauges, colours, material grades and volumes for third parties to then place additional and generally visible content or information including visible identification marks upon these. Whilst electronic signatures are being used for electronic confirmation and agreements, there is a reticence by many to adopt new technology. For example, an ink-written document can always be read (provided that it has not been damaged or defaced) subject to there being sufficient light to read the ink. Important documents are typically stored in safes, for example at a bank and other secure premises. Many important commercial agreements are provided by way of a paper-sheet document and signed in several copies so that all the signatories to the document have a record. Further duplicate copies may be made for-day-to-day use. There are three main areas of concern in the processing of sheet documents: is the document counterfeit (where the sheet document is a complete reproduction of a genuine document), is the document a forgery (where the sheet document has so been unlawfully altered/altered without permission in some way, substituting a page, substituting a photograph/image or altering personal or other details), or is the document actually in existence or did in fact previously exist in a genuine form (where the sheet document is neither a counterfeit or forgery, but instead is/was believed to exist in an original, authentic and genuine form at some previous point in time, yet has been destroyed whether deliberate or otherwise, leaving no trace of the genuine, original article).

In the field of sheet products such as paper and paper-based sheet products, there have been numerous methods employed for the marking of such paper products to confirm from where the sheet product has originated, whereby to confirm that the sheet product can be positively identified. In the example of sheet paper, watermarks have been provided for centuries and are created during the paper manufacturing process by varying the thickness of the paper. For example, a governmental organization may have a watermark used in official correspondence from such an organization. A real watermark should consist of subtle changes in tone usually with both lighter and darker areas and a watermark is best viewed using transmitted light (holding the document up to a light or shining a light through the paper). Other forms of watermarking have been created, such as the use of holograms, wavelength sensitive ink - e.g. ultraviolet (UV) light sensitive ink, which fluoresces when exposed to UV light, the use of random security fibres, where such fibres are included the security fibres appear randomly across/within the paper. Intaglio is a printing process which results in the ink having a raised and rough feel which can be felt by running a finger over the paper. Intaglio printing can be found on the inside cover of most (but not all) passports. A hidden pattern can often be found, revealed when the page is viewed at an oblique angle. Figure 1A shows a chart of the only characters that should be seen in the machine readable zone (MRZ), (per United Kingdom Government Home Office Guidance 2014). It follows that the presence of any characters that do not match the typeface illustrated below could indicate that the document may be a counterfeit or a forgery. In the case of a hologram, a designated hologram may be placed on multiple items of the same nature, which perhaps carry additional information content to indicate that the product is certified as an authentic article, such hologram may or may not contain its own unique identifying properties in each individual case in order to offer the item some form of additional uniqueness.

The assessment of documents can also be facilitated by the use of appropriate tools. However, the use of such tools will only be effective if the user has a sound understanding of the document and its safeguards. In the case standard, handheld magnifying glasses documents can be usefully examined for print quality, paper damage or photo substitution. Ultraviolet (UV) light sources can comprise UV pens or UV light boxes and provide simple tools for identifying whether documents are made from paper having UV-sensitive ink or where UV safeguards are present and can be positively identified. Equally, the use of ordinary white light as provided by a torch or with reference to an interior light or a daytime window can be useful for viewing watermarks, paper damage and the overall thickness of the paper. In the use of UV light in the detection of counterfeits, a comparison is made in respect of the overall fluorescence of a suspect document with a genuine document and a check is made for the presence or absence of UV safeguards, noting that some UV features may be diminished in worn but genuine documents. With regard to holographic identities, compared to micro-dots etc are fairly massive and replication is possible, the expense in time and effort being distributed over multiple copies subsequently created, not necessarily enabling unique verification for one-off documents.

In a review at a customs office or a Home Office centre for visa applications, foreign worker's applications for visa etc., then a number of checks will be performed on documents that have been received, for example, the overall quality of the document, its reaction to UV light, the presence of watermarks and other paper features, such as security print quality - back ground print, Intaglio print etc., will be examined. In a typical commercial situation then the provenance of an agreement, an assignment etc. may need to be scrutinized. Even though in many typical agreements, several copies of an agreement may be made, if a false document is employed in respect of a particular aspect of an agreement, then a safe method of proceeding - before one has to act upon the agreement - would be to confirm that the document is correct, for example by checking the document provided with a reference copy or confirmation that the copy before who has to act upon the agreement one is an accurate, untampered, un-amended original or a true copy in every way.

More recently companies have begun to employ digital signing of documents and contracts, wherein a virtual service is provided offering an alternative to reviewing and signing a physical document itself. Although these methods provide a streamlined method to enter into contracts, such methods are not necessarily fool proof and electronic information delivered and signed in such way could be intercepted and tampered with via some form of remote man-in- the-middle attack. Furthermore the mere representation and transmission of an individual or company's digital signature and/or information content being shared in electronic form provides a simple means for fraudulent activity to take place in such instance that it may be intercepted by a fraudster or criminal organization or even in certain instances a legitimate organisation seeking to exploit a particular position.

These sophisticated technologies therefore present a negative impact and growing threat to industry and commerce. Counterfeiters, fraudsters and criminal or other organisations also have access to simple and cost effective means to circumvent/ intercept and clone these important authentication processes and methods, which were foremost designed and produced to protect the bona fide individuals, companies and organizations that use them.

A number of different methods have been employed over the years and a number of systems have been developed by bank note printing companies and the like. For example, in EP2525332 to Glory Ltd there is described a paper-sheet recognition apparatus that includes a paper-sheet information acquisition unit that acquires paper-sheet information including an image data of the paper sheet; a source correspondence unit that associates a paper-sheet with a source of paper-sheet. US8886946 to Copilot Ventures Fund III LLC provides a method and apparatus for the production and labelling of objects in by way of a dynamically reconfigurable watermark, and the use of the watermark to encode a stochastically variable property of the carrier medium for self-authentication purposes with respect to a seal for a container, the seal being tamper evident to reveal an attempt to remove the contents from the container, the seal comprising microbubbles or particles fixed there within, said microbubbles or particles being positioned to a precision to uniquely characterize the seal, the positions being subject to stochastic manufacturing variations; encoding a description of the determined positions of the microbubbles or particles fixed within the seal, in a cryptographically protected message, such that an authenticity of the seal is determinable based on a correspondence of the microbubbles or particles fixed within the seal with the cryptographically protected message;

It is notable that there are few if any apparatus, methods or systems that offer the complete capability to uniquely produce, register, authenticate and digitise sheet products prior to or thereafter any conventional usage and without the requirement of some form of cost effective visually identifiable means which also does not impact on the integrity of the sheet product itself. Serial numbers, holograms, laser markings, seals and other visible watermarks are all items that impact on the natural quality of the paper and therefore should not be classed as blank sheet products, these documents would in fact constitute pre-produced templates which contain some form of visually identifiable marking and thus these paper products may not necessarily be considered as blank paper-sheets, but instead these would constitute pre-prepared printed/marked templates, which may or may not carry any form of absolute and uniquely traceable identification marks.

A problem with all the above referenced forms of secure sheet product such as paper is that in most cases they may disturb the natural format of the paper product itself or be generally recognizable by existing and conventional techniques and methods and therefore provide limited and/or expensive methods of confirming the validity or provenance of a sheet product.

Object of the Invention

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to the problems discussed above. The present invention seeks to provide a system, method and system apparatus, to enable the production, registration and authentication and digitisation of sheet products that can be easily deployed and adopted at industrial level. Furthermore, the present invention seeks to provide blank sheet products, especially blank paper-sheet products that when utilised may provide a reliable and enhanced method of control, to improve security, traceability, simplify authentication and offer a secure means of verified virtual storage for bona fide individuals, companies and organizations of such sheet products.

Statement of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a sheet product security system operable to allocate identities to sheet products and to register the same with respect to the system and/or one or more third party entities, said system comprising a system controller operably connected with a database, a number of distributed scanners, printers and envelope systems, the distributed scanners, printers and envelope systems each being associated with the system and/or with one or more registered third party entities; Wherein the system controller and database is operable to assign identities to one or more sheet products, to one or more groups of sheet products, to packaging of sheet products and to registered/authorised third party entities and is operable to communicate with the various distributed elements of the system; wherein the scanner is operable to scan a sheet product for an identity, to determine an identity of a sheet product, group of sheet products, packaging of sheet products and to confirm an identity as being associated with the system and/or one or more registered third party entities of the system; wherein the printer is operable to apply to one or more sheet products, groups of sheet products, packaging of sheet products one or more identities, to enable the one or more sheet products, groups of sheet products, packaging of sheet products to be associated with the system and/or one or more registered third party entities of the system; wherein the printer is operable to apply one or more temporary identities to one or more sheet products, groups of sheet products and to packaging of sheet products to be associated with the system and which have no association with a third party entity; wherein the system controller is operable to associate one or more sheet products, groups of sheet products and packaging of sheet products as having an identity association with one or more third party entities; and, wherein the scanner is operable to prevent any scanned sheet product without an identity from being used in the security system. Conveniently, the identities of the sheet products, packaging of sheet products, whether temporary or registered, shall reside in perpetuity within the system and database, therefore offering the capability of traceability, accountability and verification at any time in future by the system administrator and/or a registered third party entity.

The third party entity can be one of a business entity, body corporate or an individual, said entities being subject to authorisation I registration with the system controller. Conveniently, the system controller may be physically separate from the database, however this is not necessarily the case. The printer is operable to provide an identity to a sheet product, which can be a temporary identity to a sheet product or group of sheet products which have not been associated to a third party entity. The system therefore conveniently allows for temporary identities of sheet product to be stored within the system and database awaiting some form of further processing, such as in the case of reams of paper sheet products, as shall be supplied to third party resellers, distributors etc, and which may not necessarily require immediate activation of permanent identity status for security reasons, whereby the reams of sheet product remain in a state of temporary identity status until such time that a registered third party entity activates the sheet product.

The system controller can associate a sheet product having an identity with a third party entity. Equally, the system controller can associate a sheet product having a temporary identity with a third party entity, said third party entity being a business entity, body corporate or an individual, said entities having been registered with the system controller, whereby to enable the identity to become registered such that the sheet product is registered permanently with a particular third party entity. The system therefore conveniently allows for sheet product to be produced at source as per the invention as registered identity sheet product for a registered third party entity in a pre-activated state, or alternative the temporary identity sheet product may be activated at the discretion of a registered third party entity at such time that the registered third party entity requires the sheet product to carry registered identity status.

The sheet product in accordance with the invention is conveniently selected from the set comprising cellulose paper (made from one or more of wood, rice, recycled fibre materials, sedges and grasses), metallic sheet material, silicate sheet material, plastics sheet material, papyrus, although it may be appreciated that a typical material might consist of wood-fibre paper. When the sheet product is paper then it can conveniently be packaged in reams, although for small numbers of sheets, an envelope system may be more convenient. In any event, the sheet product can be grouped and enveloped or packaged in multiples, wherein the separate sheet identities of the package or envelope can be associated with a package or envelope identity, which identity can be printed / applied to the package cover or envelope, the printer confirming the identity with the system database. A ream I envelope I package of sheet products can be secured with reference to one or more temporary identities, which temporary identities must be activated with reference to the system, whereby to associate the identities of the ream I envelope I package of sheet products, together with the identities of the sheet products with the system and one or more registered third party entities of the system. The sheet product and its packaging therefore carry corresponding and associated identities which if broken, altered, disconnected with one another render the sheet product and packaging as per the invention no different to that of a conventional sheet product and its packaging, wherein by example, a ream packaging of paper sheet product which does not contain a verifiable identity corresponding with its associated paper sheet product as per the system and database, renders the product as blocked (ex-temporary identity status) within the system and database, the sheet product and packaging therefore offer no additional value to a third party entity seeking to register the sheet product. However, such sheet product as blocked (ex-temporary identity status) could still be used traditionally. An identity of a sheet product I ream I package I envelope can be printed onto or embedded into the sheet product I ream I package I envelope with one or more specific inks. The inks can comprise invisible (to the human eye i.e. microscopic/nanoscopic) particles or other particles bearing their own verifiable identity that can be determined by a scanner of the system. The inks can be applied in one or more specific secure patterns, such as a matrix barcode (two dimensional barcode), such as the so-called QR Codes ® as developed by the Denso Corporation. The printer can operate by traditional means or otherwise to provide unique identification marks in correspondence with an identity allocation system capable of generating a traceable identity, said printer being allocated the identity by the system controller. The sheet product must be a blank sheet product prior to security encoding, for example, an existing legal document containing conventionally printed or otherwise applied content could not necessarily be security printed or otherwise applied by the system. In this case a sheet product that carries conventionally printed or otherwise applied information or content prior to any security encoding as per the system, could be rejected and discarded as being in non-conformance with the system.

The system conveniently comprises a first scanner, operable to recognise and determine indicia of a registered sheet product, a second scanner operable to determine and interpret additional information or content as conventionally printed, written or otherwise applied upon a registered sheet product and a processor operable to digitise the additional information or content as applied upon the registered sheet product and a memory operable to store the digitised information or content as applied upon the registered sheet product in a secure fashion by way of a data file associated with a security code and registered sheet product in the database. The system is further operable to release the stored digitised information or content associated with a registered sheet product upon request by a third party entity providing a correct security code as associated with the registered sheet product, the system is operable to provide the digitised information or content (as conventionally printed, written or otherwise applied) via a data file in one or more virtual transmission means. Conveniently, the system further includes a repackaging station, the system being operable to securely repackage the registered sheet products into a further secure ream with a further associated registered identity for future physical storage by a registered third party entity and/or independent service provider. The invention therefore allows for a registered identity secure sheet product containing additional conventional or otherwise applied information or content in the form of, for example, a legal agreement to be transferred to a digital softcopy format for electronic review at any time in future via correct association with an access or other form of code, furthermore the original/physical registered sheet product in the form of a legal agreement can also be repacked securely with a further corresponding identity for safe keeping in a bank vault or other storage service provider. The invention therefore allows for the authentication, digitisation and secure storage of both physical and softcopy versions of the legal agreement and a record thereof.

The scanner of the sheet product security system can be operable to scan a ream I package I envelope identity and to scan any one or more single sheet product from the ream I package I envelope and with reference to the database whereby to determine an association between the sheet product and the ream I package I envelope so that it can be confirmed whether or not there has been a compromise in security.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an authentication verification system operable to recognise input sheet products and to determine registered sheet products therefrom or to otherwise associate such sheet products as having no identity or having a temporary identity, the apparatus comprising a sheet recognition unit and an identity assignment storage and activation unit, wherein the sheet recognition unit has an input where sheet specimens are received and then passed to a sheet recognition module, where it is determined whether or not the sheet product has one of a registered identity, a temporary identity or no identity; in the event that the sheet product has a registered identity, then the sheet recognition module can affirm this and with reference to the database, the sheet recognition unit can output the registered sheet product and any information associated with the registered sheet product; in the event that the sheet product has a temporary identity, then the sheet recognition module can affirm this and with reference to the database, the sheet recognition unit can discard the sheet product and provide it with a blocked (ex-temporary) identification status; in the event that the sheet product has no identity or an unknown identity is present, then the sheet product can be passed to be associated with a temporary identity which is printed or otherwise applied via the temporary identity print deployment module and can be retained, pending activation; upon activation, it can be provided with a registered identity, with reference to the database; the temporary registered sheet products can be retained by the system or deployed by the system as registered sheet product thereafter a registered activation procedure is performed. The invention as stated allows for a particular advantage over the prior art, in that the system is capable of blocking rogue, temporary identity sheet product which may purport to be that of an authentic registered sheet product, therefore any sheet product carrying a temporary identity which has not been successfully activated to registered identity status of a third party entity can be blocked securely by the system on an indefinite basis offering no future value.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an authentication verification process for use in the sheet product verification system of the invention, the process comprising the steps of: presenting a blank sheet product; determining whether or not the sheet product has had an identity assigned to the sheet product; wherein, in the event that an identity has been confirmed, checking that the identity is in conformance with the sheet product verification system, and in the event that there is no recognition, it will be confirmed that the sheet product has a status of no identity and therefore has no further value in the process; wherein, in the event that there is conformance, the sheet product will be confirmed as being deployable and in the event that the there is no conformance, the sheet product will be deemed to be of no further value in the process; wherein, in the event that the sheet product can be deployed, a check is made as to whether or not the sheet product has been registered but in the event that the sheet product has not been registered to a third party entity then the sheet product will be provided with a blocked (extemporary) identification status by the system and database and will be of no further value in the process. The process of interrogating and authenticating sheet product can include the further steps of: presenting a sheet product to an authenticating element of the system; determining the presence of identity particles and in the event that the system does not detect the presence of such identity particles then the sheet product will be confirmed as having no specific identity; wherein in the event that there is a confirmation of such identity particles then the system further analyses for particle formation presence and in the event that there is no correlating particle formation presence then the paper sheet will be confirmed as having no specific identity; wherein in the event that there is confirmation of correlating particle formation presence, then the system and library determine whether or not the sheet product carries a temporary identity that is unregistered to a third part entity then the papersheet will be confirmed as having a blocked (ex-temporary) identification status; wherein in the event that there is confirmation of a registered identity, then the system and database will confirm that the sheet product contains a registered identity and will provide details of the associated and registered third party owner; and wherein, upon confirmation that the system and any corresponding device reader outputs the details of the registered third party owner to the party verifying the sheet product, it will be confirmed to the user that the document corresponds with the registered third party owner details as displayed and authentication can be confirmed, a record of which shall also be retained by the database. The invention therefore offers a particular advantage over that which is known in that the system is not just reliant on the formations of secure markings as applied to sheet product, but is also reliant on the identities of the one or more inks and/or other compounds themselves and which the markings consist of.

The authentication verification process can also authenticate a plurality of associated sheet products said process, for example with reference to a plurality of sheet products, can be associated with a ream, packaging or envelope having an identity, which identity also refers to the identities of the sheet products within the respective ream, packaging or envelope. Conveniently, the identification marks do not necessarily impact on the quality or integrity of the sheet material such that it is undetectable to the human eye or by any unaided human sensory means, however this may not necessarily be the case.

Conveniently the apparatus, method and system may comprise the capability to create identification marks that may be formed within the substrate or upon the surface of each individual blank sheet product or packaging through some form or process of printing onto or embedding directly into the blank sheet product or packaging and which may cover one or more areas of an individual blank sheet product or packaging and wherein by example, a ream of blank paper may comprise a batch of unique and individual markings on each and every blank paper-sheet which also associate or correspond to a unique identity of the ream's packaging itself, however this may not necessarily be the case. The unique identification marks as may be embedded into, or printed directly onto the blank paper-sheet may comprise any form of cryptographic icons, symbols, words or other unique and distinguishable representations which may vary in size and which may only be interpreted via a specific device reader capable of interpreting one or more embedded or printed invisible compounds in the form of a microparticle, nanoparticle or other particle and also capable of interpretation via a designated system and device reader one or more cryptographic icons, symbols, words or other unique and distinguishable representations that may comprise the blank paper-sheet and/or its ream packaging as per the invention. The invention therefore offers a particular advantage in that the production process comprises printing via conventional means or otherwise applying identities to sheet products by one or more other available methods of production.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for storing data content associated with a sheet product when used in accordance with a system of the present invention, wherein the system comprises one or more scanners, operable to recognise and determine indicia of registered sheet product and operable to recognise and interpret additional information or content as conventionally printed, written or otherwise applied upon a registered sheet product and a processor operable to digitise the content and information of a registered sheet product and a memory operable to store the digitised information and content of a registered sheet product in a secure fashion; wherein the process comprises the steps of: presenting a sheet product before a scanner; operating the first scanner so as to determine the presence of any indicia so as to confirm a registered identity status; upon affirmation of the status as being of a registered status, operating the second scanner so as to determine the presence of any additional information or content as conventionally printed, written or otherwise applied upon a registered sheet product containing indicia and digitising the additional information or content as conventionally printed, written or otherwise applied upon a registered sheet product including its indicia; and storing the digitised information and content and associating the digitised content information with a digital identity in a secure data file. The process can include the further step of accessing the data file with a secure identity code associated with the registered sheet product, wherein, upon a correct association of the secure code with the registered sheet product and its registered third party entity, then the system can provide the data file, containing such information and content to a third party entity via any means of electronic transmission and interface. The invention as stated therefore provides the additional advantage of confirming that a digitised or scanned sheet product comprising additional conventionally printed or otherwise applied information or content carries that of a registered identity status assigned to a registered third party entity of the system, or not as the case may be. In case that a scanned sheet product contains no registered identity status then a digital file could not stored in electronic format and thus no authenticity made available.

In accordance with a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for identifying and sorting sheet product in the disclosed apparatus, the apparatus comprising an input where sheet specimens are received, a sheet recognition unit and an identity assignment storage and activation unit, the identity assignment storage and activation unit being provided with a temporary identity activation module, temporary identity print deployment module, and an activation interface and a storage/output station; wherein the process comprises the steps of: receiving sheet products; determining the type of sheet product and assigning an identity to the sheet products, being one of a registered identity, a temporary identity or no identity: wherein the procedure affirms the identity of a sheet product as having a registered identity in the event that the sheet product has a registered identity, with reference to the database, by the recognition unit, and outputting from the sheet recognition unit sheet products as registered sheet products. The procedure affirms the identity of a sheet product as having a blocked (extemporary) in the event that the sheet product has a temporary identity, with reference to the database, by the recognition unit, discards the sheet product in accordance with the procedure and assigns the sheet product as having a blocked (ex-temporary) identity, and in the event that no identity or an unknown identity is present, then the sheet product is passed to be associated with a temporary identity which is printed or otherwise applied via a temporary identity print deployment module and upon activation, it will be provided with a so registered identity, with reference to the database. The procedure can further comprise the steps of packaging and bundling the sheet product and can also continue with a step of marking the bundle with secure indicia, whereby the indicia can be positively identified and associated to sheet product consisting temporary identities.

In accordance with a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for activating an identity as between a previously verified and encoded secure indicia ream sheet product comprising a finite number of blank indicia sheet products in a sheet product verification system in accordance with the invention, the process comprising the steps of: receiving a previously verified and encoded secure indicia ream of sheet product comprising a finite number of blank indicia sheet products; scanning by means of a device scanner the secure ream of blank indicia sheet product; scanning by means of a device scanner one or more of its corresponding blank indicia sheet products; in communication with the system and database, ensuring correspondence of the identity of a ream sheet product with the identity of said one or more of its corresponding blank indicia sheet products; and, upon confirmation of correspondence of the identities having temporary identity status, activating the temporary identities to that of a registered identity status within the system and database.

Accordingly, the invention provides a system capable of producing, generating, interpreting, registering, activating, blocking and verifying identity markings as well as storing additional content information electronically which might later relate to a previously produced and registered sheet product, each sheet product having a unique identity, such system being operable to utilize, for example, a virtual storage and identification system in correspondence with a decentralized block-chain technology as used by virtual currencies such as Bit-coin. It is to be further noted and by example only, that blank paper-sheets could be manufactured and supplied in pre-bundled reams containing additional, similar and associated identifiers, which may correspond with a same or similar system registration and activation module.

Brief Description of the Figures

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the Figures as shown in the accompanying drawing sheets, wherein :10

Figure 1 a is an example of a prior standard character set operable in ascertaining conformity for use with a known machine readable verification system;

Figure 1b is an example of a known machine readable code;

Figure 2 shows a first aspect of the invention, where a secure indicia ream and its corresponding secure indicia sheets are registered and authenticated;

Figures 3a and 3b show, respectively, blank sheets without and with identification in accordance with the prior art;

Figures 3c shows, a blank sheet with secure indicia in accordance with the invention;

Figure 4 is a flow chart identifying the typical process steps of the invention for both allocation and authentication;

Figures 5a and 5b detail a construction of a sheet recognition unit corresponding with an identity assignment, storage and activation unit in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 6a shows steps in providing secure indicia to blank sheet product;

Figure 6b show steps in performing activation of secure indicia sheet product;

Figure 6c shows steps in providing digitisation, secure virtual storage and secure repackaging of secure indicia sheet product thereafter any further usage whether traditional or otherwise;

Figures 6d show steps in providing both activation and digitisation of secure indicia sheet product thereafter any further usage, whether traditional or otherwise, via a designated device scanner;

Figures 7a and 7b show authentication and activation processes respectively of secure indicia sheet product;

Figure 8 is a flow chart relating to the registration and activation process of secure indicia blank paper-sheet reams and their corresponding blank secure indicia paper-sheets;

Figure 9 shows two secure indicia paper-sheet reams; and

Figure 10 shows a secure indicia blank paper-sheet, wherein the indicia are represented by a known machine-readable code.

Detailed description of the Preferred Embodiments

There will now be described, by way of non-limiting example the best mode contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the present invention. In the following description, numerous specific details are set out in order to provide a complete understanding to the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that the present invention may be put into practice with variations of the specific.

Figure 2 shows a first aspect of the invention, comprising an authentication verification and activation process. A secure indicia ream or envelope 1 containing a finite amount of temporary identity, blank indicia sheet product 101 is received at step 2 and is assessed at step 3 for any evidence of tampering of the secure indicia ream or envelope 1 - this can comprise an optical process performed by a person or performed by an optical scanning apparatus. In the event that the secure indicia ream or envelope 1 shows any signs of having been tampered with, then the secure indicia ream or envelope 1 and its corresponding blank indicia sheet product 101 will be considered as having been compromised in some way 5 and are subsequently discarded at step 6. Otherwise the secure indicia ream or envelope 1 is scanned at step 4 for the presence of an external security mark, with reference to a system database 10 for corroboration; if the secure indicia ream or envelope 1 holds a valid temporary identity as contained within the database 10, then the secure indicia ream 1 is opened and subsequently any one of the contained blank indicia sheet products 101 whose temporary identities should correspond with the temporary identity of the secure indicia ream or envelope 1 is scanned at step 7. In case that the temporary identity of the scanned secure indicia sheet product 101 does not correspond with the temporary identity of its scanned secure indicia ream or envelope 1, then the blank indicia sheet products 101 will be considered as having been compromised and any associated blank indicia sheet products 101 as contained in any original secure indicia ream or envelope 1 as originally associated may be assigned as blocked (ex-temporary) identities at 8a in corroboration with the database 10 and subsequently discarded at step 6, alternatively in case that one or more conditions are not satisfied in conjunction with the database 10 and within a predetermined time frame of scanning the secure indicia ream or envelope 1 at step 4, such as for example scanning any one or more of the blank indicia sheet product 101 within for example a five minute period, then the temporary identities of the blank indicia sheet products 101 may be blocked permanently by the database 10 and be confirmed as having blocked (extemporary) identities at step 8b. At step 9 the database 10 will have confirmed the validity of the secure indicia ream or envelope 1 and its corresponding scanned blank indicia sheet product 101 and will have achieved a successful activation status and the blank indicia sheet product 101 and all corresponding temporary identities will now be permanently registered as assigned to a registered and authorised third party entity: the process is complete and authenticated at step 52.

Figures 3a and Figure 3b compare the certain known types of identifiable sheet products with the invention as present Figure 3c. Referring in particular to Figure 3a, sheet product 11 comprises a known paper product and represents an entirely generic blank paper-sheet, which features no specific form of additional or modified visible or invisible identification means (except the micro-level arrangement of cellulose fibres which, in the limit, may be fingerprinted yet in a particularly impracticable, non-commercial sense).

Sheet product 12 as shown in Figure 3b comprises a known paper product in the form of a sheet of paper with several forms of truly visible identification marks in the form of a registration number 8726757978 indicated by reference numeral 15, a hologram mark is present on the sheet of paper as identified by numeral 13, a company letterhead ABC COMPANY is presented on the sheet of paper by numeral 14, and finally a security fibre is presented on the sheet of paper as represented by numeral 15a. Other than the paper's own physical properties at the microscopic level, as described above in figure 3a, the visible registration number 15, the hologram mark 13 and the company letterhead 14 and the security fibre 15a would be simple to replicate and therefore highlights the ease of which the sheet product 12 could be duplicated relatively easily under fraudulent/counterfeit circumstances by way of utilising existing and available technologies.

Figure 3c is a representation of a blank indicia sheet product 101 produced in accordance with the invention, and displays in this case a blank paper-sheet having been processed in accordance with a method of the invention wherein comprising some ink, particles and some specific marking compounds and formulae that may be interpreted by a specific sheet recognition module or device apparatus, it should be noted that the sheet recognition module or device apparatus could be a standalone device apparatus separate to any system production and deployment module or alternatively it could be a module which could be added onto existing conventional devices and systems thereby offering such devices and systems the capability to perform the invention as stated and therefore provide an add-on capability to complement existing technology devices and systems as known by those skilled in the art. For the purposes of this disclosure, the series of displayed dots 17 running diagonally left to right across the blank indicia sheet product 101 are actually invisible to the naked eye and undetectable via any optical or other process performed by a person or performed by any conventional optical scanning apparatus, they also do not impact on the quality of the sheet product itself, the paper in this case would therefore feel and appear to be completely blank, the paper would still maintain its existing natural properties as described with reference to Figure 3a, and therefore under a microscope or other detailed visual optical reader the same may also apply, there may be no way to visually identify any difference between the blank areas and the marked areas containing the series of diagonally displayed dots 17 without any form of designated sheet recognition module or device apparatus as shall be discussed below. The invisible and traditionally undetectable dots 17 may take the form of any kind of secure pattern, symbol or other formulae, which may contain cryptographic information such as those referred to in figure 1b and which may be placed across any non limiting area of the blank indicia sheet product 101, thus the product may be marked multiple times with similar or different markings and across similar or different areas, including the front, rear as well as the edges of the blank indicia sheet product 101. It may also be that the size, orientation, particle compounds and other properties in respect of the dots 17 may be put into effect in any possible combination, format or manner in order for the invention to take effect, however this may not necessarily be the case.

Upon inspection by a sheet recognition module or device, the sheet recognition module or device may interpret these dots 17 either individually by compound or other formulae, or in combination and associate these unique aspects to a predetermined identity status contained within the system and its corresponding database 10 as described below. The system and its corresponding database 10 may therefore interpret the information in combination with the sheet recognition module or device apparatus to obtain further information in the case that the blank indicia sheet product 101 has not previously been activated and registered and therefore carries a temporary identity stored within the database 10, has been activated and registered and therefore carries a permanent identity 9 or, at a later stage thereafter activation and registered identity status 9 has had additional information and content conventionally printed or otherwise applied via a conventional print device or otherwise. It may be the case that the reader is required to have two scanning capabilities merged into one, wherein sheet recognition module and/or device apparatus has a conventional scanner device for scanning known and visibly identifiable content and a separate scanner device for scanning invisibly identifiable content as per the invention as stated. In this example, it is apparent the invention may require two independent scanning devices, one conventional sheet recognition unit module or device apparatus combined with one specific sheet recognition module or device apparatus conveniently working sequentially, simultaneously or in parallel with one another, if the scanning techniques are appropriate and in conformance as may be required. In such case then an authenticated 52 blank and subsequently conventionally or otherwise used indicia sheet product 101a-101c (as described below) could therefore be digitised and stored virtually in the database 10 and/or corresponding service provider and the original conventionally or otherwise used indicia sheet products 101 a-101c stored securely, physically in a registered vault or the like noting that the certified hard copy containing a registered identity as per the system and invention and which also now contains additional material upon it, has now been transformed into a state of authenticated virtual storage by a third party entity and/or designated service provider. A further secure digital identity, security code and data files 39Z (as described below) could be deployed by the system and database 10 in such instances for reference via virtual means at any later point in time by a third party entity.

Figure 4 presents a further aspect of the present invention relating to a production process comprising a temporary identity assignment module 23, a temporary identity deployment module 24 and a temporary identity activation module 25 as well as a sheet recognition module 26 wherein all modules correspond with the system database 10 to determine a temporary or registered identity status 27. A truly blank sheet product or a conventionally used sheet product 0 is received for inspection at step 18. The sheet product 0 is scanned to determine if there are indicia present in accordance with the invention. Upon confirmation of no indicia as per the invention the device scanner and printer 18 may reject and discard the sheet product 0 at step 19 or otherwise in the case of some kind of non-conformance with or irregularity in the system. If the sheet product is determined as being in conformance, then the device scanner and printer 18 in correspondence with the temporary identity assignment module 23 performs an allocation and temporary identity deployment of temporary identities at step 24 to the blank sheet product 0 and upon completion of this process, the blank sheet products 0 become a series of blank indicia sheet products 101 each containing their own unique temporary identities corresponding with the database 10 and its identity status 27. During the process the temporary identity deployment module 24 might also package the newly created blank indicia sheet products 101 and securely contain these within a secure indicia ream or envelope 1, said secure indicia ream or envelope 1 would also be allocated its own temporary identity which would be associated specifically with all temporary identities of the newly created blank indicia sheet products 101 with which it contains. At 25 a temporary identity activation module awaits further instruction in corroboration with the database 10 and identity status module 27 to process and register successful activations from a temporary to registered identity status at 27 of a secure indicia ream or envelope 1 and its corresponding blank indicia sheet products 101 at such time that a valid activation request is performed by a registered/authorised third party entity. At 20 a designated device apparatus in parallel with a sheet recognition module 26 determines the identity status of a secure indicia ream or envelope 1 in correspondence with the database 10, its identity status module 27 and the temporary activation module 25, in the case that the secure indicia ream or envelope 1 is confirmed as carrying a temporary identity in conformance with the system and database 10 as contained within the temporary activation module 25 and identity status unit 27 then a further scan is performed on one or more of the blank indicia sheet products 101 contained within the secure indicia ream or envelope 1 , the database 10 determines the status of the identities at 27 and outputs a registered identity status to the blank indicia sheet products 101 as contained within the secure indicia ream or envelope 1 to the registered/authorised third party entity registrant of the designated device apparatus 20 upon confirmed of temporary identity status as being present across both the secure indicia ream or envelope 1 and corresponding blank indicia sheet products 101 as scanned. In case that the database 10 in correspondence with the temporary identity activation module 25 and the status of the identities 27 determines that the scanned sheet product is in fact a truly blank sheet product 0 with no form of conforming identity, or that which contains no recognisable or apparent identity marking then the series of truly blank sheet product 0 is discarded at step 21 by the registered/authorised third party entity registrant.

A further set of components of one aspect of the invention is shown in Figure 5A, wherein a sheet recognition unit 29 is configured to correspond with an identity assignment, storage and activation unit 30. Sheet products 0 and 101 (Which may or may not in this case have been printed onto via any traditional and conventional means) are received for analysis by the sheet recognition module 26 comprising any one or more authorised, registered and configured device readers/apparatus 20 and in correspondence with a system database 10 which determines for the presence of either temporary identities or registered identities 27 or alternatively no identity present 0a in conformance with the system. In the case at step 27 and in correspondence with the database 10 that an identity or identities are determined as registered the system confirms the presence of registered sheet product status 28 and the used indicia sheet products 101a, 101b and 101c are therefore confirmed as previously assigned with registered identity status and the recognition unit outputs this to a display of the registered I authorised user confirming the details of the registered/authorised third party entity owner. In the case the sheet recognition module 26 determines that the product 101 contains temporary registered identities 27 the system and corresponding database 10 may store and/or block the temporary identities as per figure 2 under blocked (ex-temporary) identity status 8b and discard the sheet product as per step 6 of figure 2.

Within Figure 5b the systems corresponding identity assignment, storage and activation unit contains several modules corroborating with the database 10, these modules include the temporary activation module 25, temporary identity deployment module 24, temporary assignment module 23, activation interface to determine temporary or registered status/activation 31, the database 10 and information with respect to temporary or registered identity status 27. It should be noted that the system's identity assignment, storage and activation unit 30 would perform in much the same way as figure 4 and its processes yet provides more detail with regard to the activation of identities using one or more designated device apparatus 20 and an activation interface to determine temporary or registered identity status or activation 31, which could result in registered identity sheet products as per step 28 and resulting in registered identity sheet products as per 101a-101c. It should be noted that the designated device apparatus 20 could be capable of scanning secure indicia reams or envelopes 1 and their contained blank indicia sheet products 101, but at the same time be capable of providing electronic display or other electronic information relative to the system and database 10 at all stages and thereafter any usage of an indicia sheet 101 whether or not carrying a temporary identity, a blocked (ex-temporary) identity or alternatively a registered identity 101a-101c.

The sheet recognition unit 29 in corroboration with the database 10 can confirm whether the sheet product 0, 101, 101a-101c is that of one associated with a registered identity 27, resulting in an authenticated registered sheet product 28, useable with a registered identity associated with its registered/authorised third party entity owner, having a temporary identity 27 - assigned to and stored within the system database 10 as a temporary identity or a blocked (extemporary) identity - or an unknown identity 0a and which is unknown to the database 10 as may be the case with a sheet specimen 0. In the event that no identity or an unknown identity is present 0a, the sheet product 0 may be passed to be associated and if appropriate processed with a temporary identity at step 23 and, following processing by a system processor - associated with the temporary identity deployment module 24 - with reference to a temporary identity assignment module 23, a temporary identity deployment module 24 and an temporary identity activation module 25. Since sheet product 0 now has only a temporary identity 27 as per 101 and 1, the temporary identity assignment module 23 (with reference to the system controller and database 10) confirms a unique temporary identity to be stored within the system and database 10. This temporary identity is then fixed to, within or upon the sheet product by the temporary identity deployment module 24, which is then subsequently associated with its known temporary identity status 27, in the identity assignment, storage and activation unit 30 where it will be retained, awaiting some form of activation at step 31 via the activation interface and one or more registered and configured device readers 20 as may be used by one or more registered/authorised third party entities, or having a known identity as per step 28 of registered identity sheet product status. The temporary identity sheet products 27 may be activated at any future time by a registered/ authorised third party entity, via the identity activation interface module 31 as residing within the identity assignment, storage and activation unit 30 to activate a temporary identity 27 to a registered identity status 28 and registered identity sheet product 101a-101c via the designated device apparatus 20. In the case that the sheet recognition unit 29 determines that the sheet product 0 has an unknown or non-conforming identity 0a, then the system processor of the temporary identity assignment module receives the sheet product 0 with an unknown identity Oa and it may be provided with a temporary identity 27 until required, whereby the temporary identity assignment module 23 provides data to the temporary identity deployment module 24 to apply a unique mark. Once a temporary identity is printed via the temporary identity deployment module 24, then the temporary identity activation module 25 activates the temporary identity of the secure indicia ream or envelope 1 and its contained blank indicia sheet products 101 to that of a temporary identity status 27 within the system and database 10 so as to be determined as temporary identity blank indicia sheet products 101 associated with a secure indicia ream or envelope 1 of corresponding temporary identity status awaiting some for of activation via the activation interface 31.

In a further module of a system in accordance with the present invention, as shown in Figure 6a, there features an apparatus comprising a first device reader/scanner 20, a first print device 33, a packaging system 34, conveniently arranged upon a conveyor belt system whereby in a first area 32a, the scanner 20 operates to confirm the identity status of a blank sheet product 0 prior to its being marked with a security print by printer 33 at station 33a. That is to say blank sheet product 0 is inserted in to the apparatus and subsequently analysed by the first scanner 20 at station 32a; upon confirmation of no conforming identity, then the printer 33, at station 33a prints coding across the blank sheet product 0 to provide a blank indicia sheet product 101 comprising a temporary identity as per 27 figure 5b. At station 34a, the multiple blank indicia sheet products 101, 101 and 101 comprising unique temporary identities are bundled in secure reams, packages or envelopes, which are sealed and provided with an additional and specifically associated temporary identity at module 34 wherein a secure indicia ream, package or envelope 1 is output at the final phase of station 34a. In the case where the sheet product is paper, then the bundles can be reams of, conveniently, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 sheets or more, bearing in mind if a small number of documents need to be authenticated and controlled, the number of sheets of a particular authorisation may need to be of a limited quantity. At station 34a a packaging system 34 receives and bundles the processed paper into a predetermined number of sheet products and securely packages the bundles or reams 1, providing additional marking, conveniently bearing marking as to the identity of the bundled product. The ink provided by the printer could be ultra-violet ink, for example, and could comprise a matrix barcode, for example, such as a Quick Response Codes (widely referred to a QR Codes®), which is becoming an increasingly used machine-readable optical label that contains information about the item to which it is attached. QR Codes have a number of sizes: Version 1 occupies a bit size of 21x21, whilst Version 40 occupies a bit size of 177x177, operable to provide a content of some 1,264 characters of ordinary/ASCII text, which data by the appropriate error correction systems such as Reed-Solomon error correction codes can provide a level of correction where up to 30% of code words can be restored, meaning that by the use of multiple representations of such matrix barcodes, an identity can easily be determined using relatively simple technology as shall be discussed below. Figure 6b represents another scenario where a previously verified and encoded secure indicia ream or envelope product 1 comprising a finite number of bundled blank indicia sheet products 101 are activated by a device apparatus for conventional usage and permanent registration to a registrant third party entity. At a first station 35a, the secure indicia ream or envelope product 1 is scanned by a device reader/scanner 20 as a first step in the activation process - with a second step at station 36a wherein any one or more of the bundled blank indicia sheet products 101 is further scanned by the same device scanner 20 as in station 35a or alternatively an additional device scanner 20 as in station 36a and within a pre-determined time frame of the first scan by device scanner 20 at station 35a. After successfully scanning both that of the secure indicia ream or envelope product 1 and any one or more of its associated bundled blank indicia sheet products 101 and where conformity as per the system and database 10 occurs then the outcome presents with the blank indicia sheet products at station 36b as being assigned and confirmed as having registered identity status as per 28 of figure 5a and 5b, the temporary identities as previously assigned to the blank indicia sheet products 101 have now been granted registered identity status 101a, 101b, 101c and are now assigned to an authorised/registered third party entity registrant of the system.

Figure 6c represents another scenario where previously activated and registered identity indicia sheet products have been further modified or used by applying additional information or content comprising conventional print or other application methods, the sheet products 101 a, 101b and 101c may be provided in groups. At station 37a the group of modified/used secure sheet items 101a, 101b and 101c are scanned by a device reader/scanner 20 to determine for registered identity sheet product status as per 28 of figure 5 and in determination of conformity of the same then the items 101a, 101b and 101c are further scanned by the same device reader/scanner 20 in station 37a or alternatively an additional device reader/scanner 20 situated in station 38a to determine for the presence of additional information or content comprising conventional print or other application methods, in particular the other print or application methods may comprise elements of that of the invention yet may not necessarily be relative to the identity system and application method as per the invention, that is to say that the same particles, inks or formations could be used in other ways to apply additional information and content to secure indicia sheet products 101a, 101b and 101c via a more conventional/traditional means, however this is not necessarily the case. In the case that the scans performed - whether or not separate, in sequence or simultaneously parallel - confirm that the registered identities are correct and in conformance with the system, with reference to the database 10 then at station 39a the system digitises all interpreted information (conventional or otherwise) as contained within and/or upon the indicia sheet products 101 a, 101 b and 101 c via a designated device module 39 to one or more digital data files 39z to be stored and allocated with further corresponding and associated registered digital identities and/or codes for reference of the system and database 10 and referencing by any third party and/or registered /authorised third party entity at any future point in time. It should be noted that at station 39a the device module 39 may also be capable of securely repackaging the used indicia sheet products 101a, 101b and 101c into a further associated secure indicia ream or envelope 1 containing a further associated registered identity at station 39b for future secure and physical storage by a registered third party and/or service provider. Thus a certified digital copy of the used indicia sheet products 101a, 101b and 101c comprising the registered identities and additional content (conventional or otherwise) now resides on a system and database 10 in a set of data files 39z that can be accessed electronically via some form of independent computer system or systems that may be granted access to the system of the invention as present.

Figure 6d describes a simplified set of product verification, authentication and digitisation processes. A designated device apparatus 20 capable of scanning a secure indicia ream or envelope 1, may also provide capability to scan the blank indicia sheet product 101 in order to perform successful activation/registration of a secure indicia ream or envelope 1 and its finite amount of blank indicia sheet products 101 both items of which contain legitimate temporary identities, additionally the designated device apparatus 20 may also be capable of interpreting additional content (conventional or otherwise) of used and registered identity groups of secure indicia sheet products 101 a, 101 b and 101 c wherein the designated device apparatus 20 is therefore capable of activating a secure indicia ream or envelope 1, permanently registering the blank indicia sheet products 101 both items of which contain legitimate temporary identities, and also scanning for additional content (conventional or otherwise) for digitisation and storage purposes any group of used secure indicia sheet products 101a, 101b and 101 c containing registered identities, wherein a set of datafiles 39z may be created and stored in a database 10 within the system and associated with the existing registered identities of the sheet product 101 a, 101b and 101c and their associated registered third party entity as per the invention as present, for referencing at any later point in time by a registered or non registered third party entity via some form of associated computer or other virtual electronic device/system which shall include the designated device apparatus 20. It should be noted that the data files 39z may only be accessible by presentation/input of a security code or other associated identifier in correspondence with a registered identity of secure indicia sheet product 101 a, 101b and 101c.

Referring now to Figure 7a, there is a flow chart for achieving authentication of one or more sheet products (which may or may not have been conventionally or otherwise used) believed to be provided with indicia 101a, 101b and 101c as described previously. At step 40 an exemplary sheet product of unknown/unconfirmed identity is presented, the apparatus and system analyses the sheet product to determine for the presence of indicia in an appropriate format of required particles and formulae 41, in case the system does not detect the presence of required particles and formulae at step 41 then it is confirmed as having an unknown identity and the sheet product is discarded at step 19 since it has no authentication 43, noting that such sheet product although discarded could still be used conventionally yet would contain no form of valuable security or provenance as per the invention. In the case that there is a confirmation of the presence of required particles and formulae at step 41, the sheet product is analysed with a database 10 (as previously described) to associate the sheet product having positively identified indicia with its registration status. In the event that the indicia sheet product does not have an attributable registered identity with a third party authorised registrant entity, then it may be rejected and blocked under (ex-temporary) identity status within the system at step 45 since it cannot obtain a true authentication at step 43. In the event the identity of the indicia sheet product has been registered as at step 48 as per corroboration with the database 10 (as previously described), then the identity of the indicia sheet product is confirmed at step 48 as registered and permanently activated, in addition an output is provided to the requesting user wherein the registered owners identity and details are provided and a record of the request by the user requesting 49 is stored within the database 10 (as described previously). With regard to the authentication process, the registered entity associated with the positively identified indicia sheet product needs to be confirmed by the requesting user so that the person claiming to be the registered entity of the used indicia sheet product can be confirmed by the requesting user in order to proceed with authentication per step 50 (in the event of a positive result) - that is to say, upon confirmation, the system and any corresponding device reader outputs the details of the registered owner to the party seeking to verify (the party being verified is also notified and recorded) the provenance of the indicia sheet product. In this fashion, the user can then confirm that the document as traditionally or otherwise marked corresponds with the registered owner's details as displayed and authentication has either occurred at 52 or not occurred at 43 and thus is discarded at step 6. Equally, when a third party wishes to confirm the provenance of an indicia sheet product then the party can have his question confirmed (or not in the event of a negative result). It should be noted that all processes conducted via the authentication phase and process may be stored within the system and database 10 (as described previously) wherein all registered third party entities will have an electronic ledger/record confirming the history of any authentication process that has taken place with reference to a sheet product 101 a, 101b and 101c that carries a registered identity status of an authorised/registered third party entity and that any request for verification by any third party entity of such sheet product 101 a, 101b and 101c may also be recorded for future reference and stored within the system and database 10.

Referring now to Figure 7b, in a further process of the present invention, where identity recognition comprising sheet products and packaging takes place. At 40, a bundle of packaged sheet products are provided, which bundle comprises a set amount in this case of individual blank sheet products 0, therefore the bundle in this case is a ream of truly blank sheets. At step 41 the system determines the presence of indicia particles and formulae upon the ream of blank sheet products 0, in this case there is no conforming indicia at step 55 and the ream and its blank sheet products 0 may be discarded at step 19 and thus no authentication 43 has taken place. Alternatively during identity recognition 40 the ream is in fact a secure indicia ream or envelope 1 and is scanned at step 40, in this case it is determined that indicia particles and formulae are present and a corroboration is made with the database 10, wherein at 58 it is determined whether an indicia status conformation is satisfied, that is to say the secure indicia ream or envelope 1 can be activated. In the case it is not satisfied then the alleged secure indicia ream or envelope 1 and its contents are rejected and discarded at step 6 and no authentication 43 takes place. However in the case that it is determined that the secure indicia ream or envelope 1 and its blank secure indicia sheet product 101 is in conformation with the database 10 then at step 59 the secure indicia ream or envelope 1 and its contents are confirmed as registered, activated and authenticated at step 52 to a registered/authorised third party entity. In the case that the temporary identity of a secure indicia ream or envelope 1 does not correspond or associate with the temporary identities of its contained blank secure indicia sheet product 101 then in this case the blank secure indicia sheet product 101 is blocked (ex-temporary) and is of no further use as per step 55 and thus discarded at step 6 with no authentication 43.

Figure 8 details the process of registering blank indicia sheet products 101 securely in correspondence with a container comprising a secure indicia ream or envelope 1. At step 2 a secure indicia ream or envelope 1 in accordance with the invention is received. A registered and prospective third party registrant entity would visually analyse the secured indicia ream or envelope 1 to determine if it appears at all to have been tampered with in anyway at step 3. In the case the prospective third party registrant entity appears to notice any kind of evidential tampering to the secure indicia ream or envelope 1 then they would not scan 60 any one or more contained identification areas (invisible or otherwise) presented upon the secure indicia ream or envelope 1 and therefore the alleged secure indicia ream and its contents may be classified as having no identity or be blocked ex-temporary identities 55 at a later stage of any verification request; there is no authentication per step 43. In the case there is no apparent evidence of tampering 3 to the secure indicia ream or envelope 1, then the registrant third party entity would scan the secure indicia ream or envelope 1 at step 4 and open the secure indicia ream packaging. Within a predetermined time-frame of scanning and opening the secure indicia ream or envelope 1, for example, one or more additional conditions must be satisfied by the third party registrant entity in order to activate permanent identity registration of all the blank indicia sheet products 101 contained within the secure indicia ream or envelope 1 at step 7, in this case any one of the blank indicia sheet product 101 must be further scanned to confirm activation and upon completion of which the secure indicia sheets will be activated at step 9 in corroboration with the system database 10 and therefore permanently registered and associated with the third party registrant entity/user, the blank indicia sheet products 101 shall at this stage be considered as having registered identities 101 a, 101 b and 101 c at step 48/49 and as per figure 7a also, wherein their use can facilitate future document authentication status procedures 52 as and when may be appropriate. Failure to meet with any set requirements comprising a specified time limit or other similar requirement may result in no secure and permanent identity as registered, but instead the blank indicia sheet products 101 may be assigned a permanently blocked (ex-temporary) identity status as at step 55 in corroboration with the database 10 of the system and thus no authentication capability is granted or available as per step 43.

Figure 9 shows an image of two secure blank indicia sheet products packaged within reams 1, secured by their wrapping and shown from two perspectives underneath and from above. The secure indicia reams contain a logo for branding purposes on all six sides of the ream packaging. It should be noted that the invisible security markings associated with the secure reams 1 may be present within such logo or across any blank area of the ream, however this is not necessarily the case. In any case, if a fraudster attempted to remove such secure indicia ream packaging and its corresponding and associated identity and attempted to repackage the secure blank indicia sheet products 101 with a counterfeit ream packaging, such packaging would not correspond or associate itself with the identities of the secure blank indicia sheet products 101 within it and would therefore render the secure blank indicia sheet products 101 as having an unconfirmed or blocked (ex-temporary) identity status at any future point in time.

Figure 10 shows an image of a secure blank indicia sheet product 101, containing its own unique indicia 17, in this case the secure indicia takes the form of microscopic/nanoscopic, invisible formulae which comprise a code such as that presented in figure 1b. The secure indicia sheet product 101 therefore carries its own unique and interpretable identification mark as may be processed by the system and database 10 described above.

Blank paper-sheets, as provided by a stationer, in reams of 100, 250, 500 sheets etc. can be classified as a sheet product which has no initial nor required identity. Accordingly such sheet product is cheap and non-specifically verifiable as to its source, or subsequent ownership and use. Importantly, as a generic product there is neither information nor content presented to provide any authenticity or information as to who the rightful, registered owner might be, its value, if any, or generally offer any kind of reason to be uniquely identified at all. It is a product, which is generally produced in mass volume to enable a person, company or organization to add additional information such as markings, drawings, textual information or place some other form of information and content upon it surface. Blank paper-sheets are used on a daily basis by billions of people to store and communicate important information, enter into contracts and so on. Blank paper-sheets are a product which does not generally require an initial identity as it is generally given its true identity at such time that any form of visible content or information is placed upon its surface via traditional means, at which point the blank sheet of paper becomes visually recognizable and identifiable by the owner or a third party.

As an example, the invention could relate to a ream of one thousand blank paper-sheets each containing their own unique invisible identification marks. The blank paper-sheets could be securely sealed in a conventional folded-ream paper box or other secure form, which could contain an additional unique, tamper proof and somehow related marking comprising all the identities of the one thousand individual blank paper-sheets as per the invention as stated. The box or other secure form of packaging itself could comprise a unique covered identifier, such identifier may be similar to existing forms of scratch off cards or other antitamper methods as supplied by lotteries and mobile top-up companies and which would correspond/associate with the said batch of one thousand blank paper-sheets and their identities, although this is not necessarily the case. Such a method and process would allow for the one thousand blank paper-sheets to be supplied to a customer with predetermined temporary identities and enable registration by the customer themselves at such time that they wish to activate, register and use the identifiable blank paper-sheets for any important purpose. In such case the blank paper-sheets would offer no additional value unless activated and registered by the customer via an activation and registration system. In another example of a business, it may be that one hundred thousand blank paper-sheets could be supplied pre-registered to a corporate client wherein the boxes are supplied securely with no requirement to offer additional layers of registration process for the blank paper-sheet product as it would already correspond and associate with the corporate client's own unique registered identity status as may be stored in a computer system and database of some form. In such case the blank paper-sheets and their unique individual identities are pre-registered to the designated corporate client entity.

The present invention also lends itself to being associated with conventional commercial and consumer printer apparatus, whereby a registered entity could produce their own uniquely identifiable blank paper-sheets and at the same time conventionally print directly onto the paper sheets as well as create electronically authenticated softcopies of these paper sheets which correspond to data that can be provided upon a document processed by the present invention whereby also enabling for virtual, authenticated storage capability of such identifiable secure physical documents/paper-sheets.

It is therefore only after activation/registration that a blank sheet product obtains one or more forms of recognisable and verifiable identity, whether prior to or subsequent to any form of conventional printing or usage.

It is important to note that the invention shall not be restricted only to paper based items which may generally have a standardized size and format structure but also to sheet metals, sheet plastics and any form comprising a sheet material of some sorts. According to the invention as presented it may be that the paper itself in its blank paper-sheet form actually obtains some form of additional unique identity, which can relate to a digital data identity.

It should be noted that the invention as presented would enable the production of blank sheet products that each carry their own unique and invisible identities and which would offer no benefit or value in comparison to existing and standard blank sheet product unless specifically used in accordance with some form of registration, activation, authentication and processing system prior to any conventional usage and as per the invention as stated.

The process of obtaining and utilizing a conventional ream or packaging of blank papersheets differs significantly to that of the invention. In either case both reams of blank papersheets may be used in traditional form, for example, opened and printed upon via traditional print devices, paper in accordance with the present invention not providing any additional benefits. However, in accordance with one further aspect of the present invention, securely sealed reams of paper are scanned prior to opening and usage and subsequently it may be that a paper-sheet within the secure ream of blank paper-sheets must be scanned within a predetermined time-frame in order for an effective authenticated, registration and activation to take effect.

According to some optional embodiments of the invention, there may be provided the subject matter of the clauses below:

1. A sheet product security system operable to allocate identities to sheet products and to register the same with respect to the system and/or one or more third party entities, said system comprising a system controller operably connected with a database, a number of distributed scanners, printers and envelope systems, the distributed scanners, printers and envelope systems each being associated with the system and/or with one or more registered third party entities;

wherein the system controller and database is operable to assign identities to one or more sheet products, to one or more groups of sheet products, to packaging of sheet products and to registered/authorised third party entities and is operable to communicate with the various distributed elements of the system;

wherein the scanner is operable to scan a sheet product for an identity, to determine an identity of a sheet product, group of sheet products, packaging of sheet products and to confirm an identity as being associated with the system and/or one or more registered third party entities of the system;

wherein the printer is operable to apply to one or more sheet products, groups of sheet products, packaging of sheet products one or more identities, to enable the one or more sheet products, groups of sheet products, packaging of sheet products to be associated with the system and/or one or more registered third party entities of the system;

wherein the printer is operable to apply one or more temporary identities to one or more sheet products, groups of sheet products and to packaging of sheet products to be associated with the system and which have no association with a third party entity;

wherein the system controller is operable to associate one or more sheet products, groups of sheet products and packaging of sheet products as having an identity association with one or more third party entities; and wherein the scanner is operable to prevent any scanned sheet product without an identity from being used in the security system.

2. A sheet product security system according to clause 1, wherein said third party entity is one of a business entity, body corporate or an individual, said entities being subject to authorisation I registration with the system controller.

3. A sheet product security system according to clause 1, wherein the system controller is physically separate from the database.

4. A sheet product security system according to any of clauses 1 -3, wherein the system controller associates a sheet product having a temporary identity with that of a third party entity of the system by way of assignment of a registered identity to a sheet product.

5. A sheet product security system according to any one of clauses 1 - 4 , wherein the sheet product is a sheet product selected from the set comprising cellulose paper (made from one or more of wood, rice, recycled fibre materials, sedges and grasses), metallic sheet material, silicate sheet material, plastics sheet material, papyrus.

6. A sheet product security system according to any one of clauses 1 - 5 , wherein the sheet product is grouped and enveloped or packaged in multiples, which envelopes or packages are provided with an identity, which identity is associated with the sheet product identities for registration with the system, whereby a sheet product can be positively associated with its envelope or package as being associated with the system and/or one or more registered third party entities of the system.

7. A sheet product security system according to clause 6, wherein the sheet product comprises paper and can be grouped in multiples in reams.

8. A sheet product security system according to clause 6 or 7, wherein during a packaging or enveloping process, the separate sheet identities of the package or envelope are associated with a package or envelope identity, which identity is printed / applied to the package cover or envelope, the printer confirming the identity with the system database.

9. A sheet product security system according to any one of clauses 6 - 8 , wherein the ream I envelope I package of sheet products is secured with reference to one or more temporary identities, which temporary identities must be activated with reference to the system, whereby to associate the identities of the ream I envelope I package of sheet products, together with the identities of the sheet products with the system and/or one or more registered third party entities of the system.

10. A sheet product security system according to any one of clauses 1 - 9 , wherein the one or more temporary identities of the sheet product I ream I package I envelope is printed onto or embedded into the sheet product I ream I package I envelope with one or more specific inks and/or other compounds.

11. A sheet product security system according to clause 10, wherein the one or more inks and/or other compounds comprise invisible (microscopic/nanoscopic) particles or other particles bearing their own verifiable identities that can be determined by a scanner or other device of the system.

12. A sheet product security system according to any one of clauses 1 -1 1 , wherein the one or more inks and/or other compounds is applied in any specific secure pattern, comprising formulae or other distinct formations.

13. A sheet product security system according to clause 12, wherein the one or more specific secure patterns, comprise formulae, other distinct formations and/ or other forms of machine-readable code.

14. A sheet product security system according to any one of clauses 1-13, wherein the printer is operable to print by traditional printer means or otherwise apply a unique identification mark.

15. A sheet product security system according to any one of clauses 1-14, wherein the sheet product is a blank sheet product.

16. A sheet product security system according to any one of clauses 1-15, wherein the scanner is operable to scan a ream I package I envelope identity and to scan one or more sheet product identities from the ream I package I envelope and with reference to the database is capable to determine an association between the sheet product and the ream I package I envelope and confirm whether or not there has been a compromise in security.

17. A sheet product security system according to any one of clauses 1-16, wherein the system controller comprises a main controller and a number of subcontrollers, whereby an identity can be provided and /or confirmed by a subcontroller associated with a sheet product identity deployment unit.

18. A sheet product security system according to any one of clauses 1-16, wherein the system controller comprises a main controller and a number of subcontrollers, whereby an identity can be provided and /or confirmed by a subcontroller associated with a sheet product authentication confirmation unit.

19. A sheet product security system according to clause 1, wherein the system comprises one or more scanners, operable to recognise and determine indicia of registered sheet product, groups of registered sheet products and is simultaneously operable to determine and recognise conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information and content upon registered sheet products, groups of registered sheet products and a processor operable to capture and digitise content of such authenticated information and content and a memory operable to store such captured digitised and authenticated information and content in a secure data file with a further associated identity and/or code for access/review via any form of electronic transmission medium at any future point in time, by one or more third parties.

20. A sheet product security system according to clause 19, wherein the system is operable to release the secured, stored and authenticated digitised information content in the form of a data file as stored within the system upon request by a third party entity with or without a registered identity status associated with the registered product and upon a correct association of an associated identity and/or code with the registered product, then the system is operable to provide or distribute the content of the secured, stored and digitised information content in the form of a data file via any form of electronic transmission medium.

21. A sheet product security system according to clause 19, wherein the system further includes a repackaging station, the system being operable to securely repackage the registered sheet product, thereafter conversion to a data file, into a further secure indicia ream containing a further system associated registered identity, wherein the secure indicia ream may be physically stored for safekeeping by a third party entity and/or service provider associated with the system.

22. A sheet product security system according to clause 19, wherein the one or more scanners comprise the same device scanner and the first and second scans are performed sequentially within a pre-determined time frame, wherein said scanners are capable of interpreting content comprising conventionally and/or otherwise printed or applied information and content.

23. A sheet product security system according to clause 19, wherein the one or more scanners comprise the same device scanner and the first and second scans are performed in a simultaneously parallel fashion, wherein said scanners are capable of interpreting content comprising conventionally and/or otherwise printed or applied information and content.

24. A sheet product processing apparatus operable to recognise input sheet products and to determine registered sheet products therefrom or to otherwise associate such sheet products as having no identity or having a temporary identity, for use in the system according to clause 1, the apparatus comprising a sheet recognition unit and an identity assignment storage and activation unit, wherein the sheet recognition unit has an input where sheet specimens are received and then passed to a sheet recognition module, where it is determined whether or not the sheet product has one of a registered identity, a temporary identity or no identity:

in the event that the sheet product has a registered identity, then the sheet recognition module affirms this and with reference to the database, the sheet recognition unit outputs the registered sheet and any information associated with the registered sheet product;

in the event that the sheet product has a temporary identity, then the sheet recognition module affirms this and with reference to the database, the sheet recognition unit discards the sheet product and provides it with a blocked (extemporary) identification status;

in the event that the sheet product has no identity or an unknown identity is present Oa, then the sheet product is passed to be associated with a temporary identity which is printed or otherwise applied via the temporary identity print deployment module and is retained, pending activation; upon activation, it will be provided with a registered identity, with reference to the database; the temporary registered sheet products 101 may be retained or deployed as registered sheet product lOla-IOIc.

25. A sheet product processing apparatus according to clause 24, further comprising a packaging system, arranged to receive temporary identity sheet product 101;

wherein in at a first station provided with a scanner the apparatus is operable to confirm the identity of blank sheet products;

wherein at a second station provided with a printer the apparatus is operable to print or otherwise apply a temporary identity to one or more blank sheet products; and, wherein at a third station the temporary identity sheet products 101 are bundled in secure reams I packages I envelopes 1, which are sealed; and, wherein the secure reams I packages I envelopes 1 are provided with an associated identity which corresponds with the temporary identity sheet products 101, with reference to the system controller and database.

26. A sheet product processing apparatus according to clause 25, wherein the secure reams I packages I envelopes are marked with secure indicia by way of a printer device or otherwise, whereby the indicia can be positively identified and associated with the identities of their contained sheet products.

27. An authentication verification process for use in a sheet product verification system in accordance with any one or more of clauses 1-21, the process comprising the following steps:

Presenting a blank sheet product;

determining whether or not the sheet product has had an identity assigned to the sheet product;

wherein, in the event that an identity has been confirmed, checking that the identity is in conformance with the sheet product verification system, and in the event that there is no recognition, confirming that the sheet product has a status of no identity and therefore is of no further value in the process;

wherein, in the event that there is conformance, the sheet product is confirmed as being deployable and in the event that the there is no conformance, the sheet product is of no further value in the process;

wherein, in the event that the sheet product is confirmed as being deployable, a check is made as to whether or not the sheet product has been registered and in the event that the sheet product has not been registered to a third party then the sheet product is provided with a blocked (ex-temporary) identification status by the system and database and is of no further value in the process.

28. An authentication verification process according to clause 27, wherein the process of interrogating and authenticating sheet product comprises the following steps:

presenting a sheet product to an authenticating element of the system;

determining the presence of identity particles and in the event that the system does not detect the presence of such identity particles then the sheet product is confirmed as having no specific identity;

wherein in the event that there is a confirmation of such identity particles then the system further analyses for particle formation presence and in the event that there is no correlating particle formation presence then the paper-sheet is confirmed as having no specific identity;

wherein in the event that there is confirmation of correlating particle formation presence, then the system and database determine whether or not the sheet product carries a temporary identity that is unregistered to a third part entity then the sheet product is confirmed as having a blocked (ex temporary) identification status;

wherein in the event that there is confirmation of a registered identity, then the system and database confirms that the sheet product contains a registered identity and can provide details of the associated and registered third party owner; and wherein, upon confirmation the system and any corresponding device reader outputs the details of the registered third party owner to the party verifying the sheet product, the user can then confirm that the document corresponds with the registered third party owner details as displayed and authentication can be confirmed, a record of which is stored within the system and database accordingly.

29. An authentication verification activation process according to clause 27, wherein the process relates to the authentication of a plurality of associated sheet products said process comprising the following steps:

receiving a ream / package / envelope of securely packaged sheet products, which ream / package I envelope comprises a known amount of individually identifiable sheet products containing temporary identities;

scanning the ream I package I envelope of securely packaged sheets to determine an identity whereby to associate such identity with all of the individually identifiable sheet products of the ream I package I envelope and in the event that the system does not detect the presence an identity mark, then the sheet products are confirmed as having no specific identity or are blocked (ex temporary) identification status;

wherein, upon determination of an identity, the scanner communicates with the system controller and an analysis of deployed identities is made; in the event that the identity is capable of being activated, then the ream I package I envelope can be allocated and registered to a third party entity in the event that one or more additional conditions is satisfied;

wherein, in the event that the ream I package I envelope has a temporary identity, then the system would analyse this information against its deployed identities to confirm whether the sheet products carry temporary identities, in case of non confirmation of temporary identity status, the bundle cannot be allocated to a third party;

wherein, in the event of confirmation of temporary identity status, then the associated sheet products can be authenticated /activated.

30. An authentication verification process according to clause 27, wherein the associated sheet products comprise paper sheets and are associated with a secure ream of paper.

31. An authentication verification process according to clause 29, wherein the process further comprises the steps of:

visually analysing the secured ream of sheet products, by an authorised and/or interested person, to determine whether or not any tampering has taken place and in the event that no tampering is evident;

opening the secure the ream I package I envelope;

wherein, prior to use and upon opening of the ream I package I envelope, and within a predetermined time-frame, one or more additional conditions must be satisfied by authorised and/or interested person in order to activate registration of the sheet products contained within the secure ream I package I envelope, such conditions to include the scanning of one or more of the sheet products contained within the secure ream I package / envelope and within a predetermined time-frame of scanning the secure ream I package I envelope itself; wherein in the event that said condition was not satisfied within the time- frame, then the sheet products cannot be effectively activated I registered and the sheet products would be confirmed by the system as having blocked (ex temporary) identification status.

32. A process for storing data associated with a sheet product when used in accordance with the system according to clause 1, wherein the system comprises one or more scanners, operable to recognise and determine indicia of registered sheet product and operable to interpret conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content upon the sheet product and a processor operable to digitise conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content and a memory operable to store the digitised, conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content in a secure fashion; wherein the process comprises the steps of:

presenting a sheet product before a scanner;

operating the first scanner so as to determine the presence of any indicia so as to confirm a registered identity status;

upon affirmation of the status as being of a registered status, operating the second scanner so as to determine the presence of any additionally conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content associated with the registered sheet product containing indicia and digitising the additionally conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content including indicia;

storing the digitised conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content and associating the digitised conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content with a digital identity in a secure data file.

33. A process for storing data according to clause 32, further including the step of accessing the data file with an identity code associated with a registered third party entity, upon a correct association of a code with the registered sheet product and registered third party entity, the system is operable to provide the content of the secure data file.

34. A process for storing data according to clause 32 or 33, wherein the system further includes a repackaging station, the process further including the step of securely repackaging the digitised indicia sheet products 101a, 101b and 101c, applying a further associated registered identity to a further secure ream 1 for future physical storage by a registered third party entity and/or service provider.

35. A process for storing data according to clause 32, wherein the one or more associated scanners comprise the same device scanner and the first and second scans are performed sequentially within a pre-determined time frame, wherein said scanners are capable of interpreting content comprising conventionally and/or otherwise printed or applied information and content.

36. A process for storing data according to clause 32, wherein the one or more associated scanners comprise the same device scanner and the first and second scans are performed in a simultaneously parallel fashion, wherein said scanners are capable of interpreting content comprising conventionally and/or otherwise printed or applied information and content.

37. A process for identifying and sorting sheet product in the apparatus according to clause 24, the apparatus comprising an input where sheet specimens are received, a sheet recognition unit and an identity assignment storage and activation unit, the identity assignment storage and activation unit being provided with a temporary identity activation module, temporary identity print deployment module, and an activation interface and a storage/output station;

the process comprising the steps of:

receiving sheet products; determining the type of sheet product and/or assigning or confirming the identity of the sheet products, being one of a registered identity, a temporary identity or no identity Oa;

affirming the identity of a sheet product as having a registered identity in the event that the sheet product has a registered identity, with reference to database 10, by the recognition unit, and outputting from the sheet recognition unit sheet products as registered sheet products, 101a - 101c;

affirming the identity of a sheet product as having a temporary identity in the event that the sheet product has a temporary identity, and discarding the sheet product;

In the event that no identity or an unknown identity is present 0a, then the sheet product is passed to be associated with a temporary identity and is provided with a temporary identity which is printed or otherwise applied via a temporary identity print deployment module and is retained, pending activation; upon activation, it will be provided with a registered identity, with reference to the database; the temporary identity sheet products 27 may be retained or deployed as registered sheet product lOla-IOIc.

38. A process for identifying and sorting sheet product in the apparatus according to clause 37, the apparatus further comprising a packaging system, including a scanner and a bundling station;

wherein the process further comprises the step of receiving one or more temporary identity sheet products 101, subsequent to the processing of unknown identity sheet products 0a;

scanning, the sheet product whereby to confirm the identity of the sheet products;

upon confirmation of the identities of the sheet products, bundling and sealing the sheet products in secure packages or envelopes; and, providing the secure packages or envelopes with associated temporary identities associated with the temporary identities of the contained sheet products 101 with reference to the system controller and database.

39. A process for identifying and sorting sheet product in the apparatus according to clause 37, wherein the process further comprises the step of marking the sheet product and I or packaging with secure indicia, whereby the indicia can be positively identified.

40. An process for activating one or more temporary identities as between a previously verified and encoded secure indicia ream /package / envelope of sheet product 1 comprising a finite number of blank indicia sheet products 101 in a sheet product verification system in accordance with any one or more of clauses 1-21, the process comprising the following steps:

receiving a previously verified and encoded secure indicia ream I package I envelope of sheet product 1 comprising a finite number of blank indicia sheet products 101;

scanning by means of a device scanner 20 the ream I package I envelope of 10 sheet product 1;

scanning by means of a device scanner 20 the ream I package I envelopes corresponding blank indicia sheet products 101;

in communication with the system and database ensuring correspondence of the identity of a ream I package I envelope of sheet product 1 with the identity of 15 said one or more of its corresponding blank indicia sheet products 101; and, upon confirmation of the correct correspondence of the identities having temporary identity status, activating the identities to that of a registered identity status with the system, database and/or one or more third party entities.

41. An activation process according to clause 40 wherein an activation process 20 comprises one or more predetermined conditions to be satisfied prior to a sheet product containing a temporary identity being assigned with that of a registered identity with the system, database and/or one or more third party entities.

Claims

1. A process for storing data associated with a sheet product including the steps of:

providing a system comprising first and second scanners, the scanners operable to recognise and determine one or more indicia of the sheet product and operable to interpret conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content upon the sheet product, and a memory operable to store in a secure data file, the conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content when digitised and a temporary or registered identity associated with the indicia;

providing a sheet product containing one or more indicia and additionally conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content, said indicia having registered identity status wherein the indicia are linked with a registered identity in the memory, wherein the registered identity is assigned to a third party entity, the indicia having previously had temporary identity status wherein the indicia were linked with a temporary identity in the memory, wherein the temporary identity was unassigned to a third party entity;

presenting the sheet product before the first scanner;

operating the first scanner so as to determine the presence of the indicia and accessing the secure data file in the memory so as to confirm the registered identity status;

upon determination of the presence of the indicia and confirmation of the registered identity status, operating the second scanner so as to determine the presence of the conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content upon the sheet product, and accessing the secure data file in the memory so as to verify the conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content.

2. A process for storing data according to claim 1, further including the step of accessing the secure data file with an identity code associated with a registered third party entity, upon a correct association in the memory of the identity code with the registered identity of the sheet product and with the registered third party entity, wherein the system is then operable to provide the content of the secure data file to the registered third party entity.

3. A process for storing data according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second scanners are the same scanner and the first and second scans are performed sequentially within a pre-determined time frame.

4. A process for storing data according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second scanners are the same scanner and the first and second scans are performed in a simultaneously parallel fashion.

5. A process for storing data according to any preceding claim when dependent on claim 2, further including the step of accessing the secure data file with a further identity code associated with a further registered third party entity, upon a correct association in the memory of the further identity code with the registered identity of the sheet product and with the further registered third party entity, wherein the system is then operable to provide the content of the secure data file to the further registered third party entity.

6. A process for storing data according to any preceding claim, further including the step of securely packaging the sheet product into an indicia ream or envelope, wherein the indicia ream or envelop also has a registered identity.

7. A process for storing data according to any preceding claim when dependent on claim 2, further including the step of repeating the process for one or more further sheet products, so as to create a set of secure data files, each associated with a sheet product, and each accessible using an identity code.

8. A process for storing data associated with a sheet product including the steps of:

providing a system comprising a scanner, the scanner operable to recognise and determine one or more indicia of the sheet product and operable to determine conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content upon the sheet product, and a processor operable to digitise the conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content, and a memory operable to store in a secure data file, the digitised, conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content and a temporary or registered identity associated with the indicia;

providing a sheet product containing one or more indicia, said indicia having registered identity status wherein the indicia are linked with a registered identity in the memory, wherein the registered identity is assigned to a third party entity, the indicia having previously had temporary identity status wherein the indicia were linked with a temporary identity in the memory, wherein the temporary identity was unassigned to a third party entity;

adding conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content to the sheet product;

operating the scanner so as to determine the presence of the conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content upon the sheet product, and operating the processor to digitise the conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content;

storing in the secure data file the digitised, conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content and associating the digitised, conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content with the registered identity.

9. A process for storing data according to Claim 8, further including the step of activating the sheet product, said step comprising:

providing a sheet product containing one or more indicia, said indicia having temporary identity status wherein the indicia are linked with a temporary identity in the memory, wherein the temporary identity is unassigned to a third party entity;

scanning said indicia, and registering the temporary identity in the memory to the third party entity, such that the indicia thereafter have registered identity status.

10. A system for storing data associated with a sheet product configured to undertake the method of Claim 1, the system comprising: first and second scanners, the scanners operable to recognise and determine one or more indicia of the sheet product and operable to interpret conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content upon the sheet product; and a memory operable to store in a secure data file, the digitised, conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content and a temporary or registered identity associated with the indicia.

11. A system for storing data according to Claim 10, also configured to undertake the method of Claim 8, the system further comprising a processor operable to digitise the conventionally or otherwise printed or applied information content.