How PDMark^® works?

In the process of creating a document all data that we wish to store on paper are coded with PDMark algorithm. The coded data, represented by tiny PDMark symbols, is overlaid in the computer’s memory with the text and graphics that form the visible portion of the information. Next the whole page is printed on a printer. The resulting document differs from a standard printed document only in the fine gray background formed by tiny PDMark symbols.

Reading the original digital data from the background of a hard copy document back into a computer is carried out by scanning the document and subsequent decoding of the PDMark symbols. The PDMark symbols are directly transformed into digital data. The process is similar to reading and decoding data on a CD. The electronic content obtained in this way can then be subjected to security procedures like verifying the authenticity of the document by the means of electronic signature, fingerprint or other biometric data verification. It is possible to display basic data about the document – the author's name, receiver’s name, date of issue, or version number. Of course, all this data have to be inserted into the document in the process of its creation.