In-line decryption device for securely printing documents

An electronic decryption device for securely printing media content comprising:

• a first communication port for connection to a computing device, the first communication port for receiving a file of print commands from the computing device, the file of print commands including encrypted media content data representing the media content and non-encrypted commands for printing a printed version of the media content;
• a second communication port for connection to a printing device;
• a memory device for storing a cryptographic key and a transaction database;
• and
• a processing unit coupled to the first and second communication ports and the memory device, the processing unit adapted to send the non-encrypted commands to the printing device via the second communications port, determine if the media content is authorized to be printed utilizing the transaction database stored in the memory device, decrypt the encrypted media content data using the cryptographic key to produce decrypted media content data for media content that is authorized to be printed, and send the decrypted media content to the printing device via the second communication port for printing the media content based on the decrypted media content and non-encrypted commands.