Secure Mobile Form Editing via Barcode Hand-off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processes lack a secure method to transfer documents from a desktop or server to a mobile device for editing while maintaining an audit trail without relinquishing document ownership.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the generation of a two-dimensional barcode containing a unique customer identification code, allowing secure transfer of online forms from a desktop to a mobile device, where the barcode is scanned to retrieve and display forms on the mobile device for editing, with all data remaining on the server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If documents are shared via web-based applications or email attachments, then real-time collaboration is enabled, but secure transfer with audit trail from desktop to mobile device is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a barcode as an intermediary carrier that bridges the desktop system and mobile device. The barcode contains a unique identifier that triggers a secure hand-off process, enabling document transfer without direct file sharing, thus achieving both accessibility and security with audit trail.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy of the document identifier in the form of a barcode that can be scanned by the mobile device. This copying mechanism allows the document to be accessed on mobile without transferring the actual document file, maintaining security and auditability while enabling mobility.
2Ease of operation
If documents are transferred to mobile device for editing, then mobility and ease of completion are improved, but document ownership may be relinquished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential identifier information (unique customer identification code) from the document and places it in the barcode. The actual document remains on the server, and the mobile device only receives access through the barcode scan, maintaining ownership while enabling convenient editing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by generating the barcode with the unique identifier before the actual document transfer. This preliminary step establishes the secure hand-off mechanism that allows the document to be accessed on mobile device without transferring ownership, as the document remains staged on the server until explicitly accessed through the barcode.
3Reliability
If barcode scanning is used for form retrieval, then secure hand-off with audit trail is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device's existing camera is made multi-functional by using it as a barcode scanner. This eliminates the need for dedicated scanning hardware, reducing device complexity while maintaining secure hand-off capability. The same camera used for photography now enables secure document retrieval through barcode scanning.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and method by which editing control, but not ownership, of electronic documents are transferred from one device, such as a desktop personal computer, to a mobile device, such as a tablet or smartphone. Online forms residing in a catalog on the server are associated with a customer. The customer is identified within the instance of the form by a unique identification code. The forms are queued or staged within the server for completion by or for that customer. To transfer editing control to a mobile device, a barcode is displayed on the monitor which conveys information regarding the form to the mobile device through its camera.