A web-based secure system for the distributed printing of documents and images

We propose and consider a secure printing system for the distributed printi ng of documents and images over the World Wide Web. The main feature of the system is that it allows previewing and printing of selected documents and images, where only a certain number of hardcopies can be generated based o n an agreed payment. The security of the system resides on an aggregate of communication protocols, smart-card technologies, and cryptographic algorit hms. The system prevents eavesdropping in that people who intercept the com munication cannot generate copies of the document. (C) 1999 Academic Press.