deda_create_dots

Stamp a synthetic tracking-dot pattern onto a PDF

TLDR

Add a dot pattern to a PDF

$ deda_create_dots [page.pdf]

Set the serial and manufacturer encoded in the dots

$ deda_create_dots --serial [123456] --manufacturer [Epson] [page.pdf]

Set the timestamp stored in the pattern

$ deda_create_dots --year [18] --month [11] --day [11] --hour [11] --minutes [11] [page.pdf]

Print the dots in magenta so they are easy to see

$ deda_create_dots --debug [page.pdf]

deda_create_dots builds a tracking-dot matrix from the serial, manufacturer, and timestamp fields and stamps it onto a copy of a PDF. It prints the matrix, then writes new_dots.pdf in the working directory. The input PDF is left unchanged.--debug uses magenta so the added dots are visible without a microscope. The calibration page from deda_anonmask_create -w can be used as the input PDF.

PARAMETERS

pdf

PDF the dots are added to. The original file is not modified.

--serial n

Serial number encoded in the pattern. The default is 123456.

--manufacturer name

Manufacturer name encoded in the pattern. The default is Epson. The names this pattern accepts are Xerox, Epson, and Dell.

--year n, --month n, --day n, --hour n, --minutes n

Timestamp fields encoded in the pattern. The defaults are year 18, month 11, day 11, hour 11, and minutes 11.

--dotradius inches

Radius of each dot, in inches. The default is the toolkit's built-in radius.

--debug

Draw magenta dots instead of yellow ones.

CAVEATS

The output path is always new_dots.pdf in the current directory. A file of that name is overwritten. There is no flag to choose another path.The manufacturer string has to be one the pattern tables include. An unknown name fails when the matrix is built. The year field is a two-digit value, matching the default of 18.

HISTORY

deda_create_dots is part of DEDA, written by Timo Richter and Stephan Escher and described in their 2018 paper on forensic analysis and anonymisation of printed documents.

RESOURCES

Source code