System and method for printing documents having a copy detection pattern

A system for printing a document having a printed copy detection pattern, comprising:

• a computing device;
• an intermediate electronic device operatively coupled to said computing device through a first communications channel, said intermediate electronic device storing a cryptographic key;
• a printing device operatively coupled to said intermediate electronic device through a second communications channel;
• wherein said computing device is adapted to generate printer control commands and send said printer control commands to said intermediate electronic device over said first communications channel, said printer control commands including:
• (i) commands for printing based on document data, and (ii) an identification of a determined portion of the document data that is to be used in generating said printed copy detection pattern;
• and
• wherein said intermediate electronic device is adapted to:
• (i) generate copy detection pattern data using said determined portion of the document data and said cryptographic key, (ii) generate modified printer control commands, said modified printer control commands including commands for printing a first document portion based on the document data and a second document portion including said printed copy detection pattern based on said copy detection pattern data, and (iii) send said modified printer control commands to said printing device over said second communications channel for printing said first document portion and said second document portion.