Blockchain-Linked Document Signing With DIDs and QR Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current document workflow management systems lack adequate security against document copying and do not effectively track relationships between document versions, leading to potential document tampering and identity fraud.
Innovation Solution
Implement a hybrid blockchain technology with decentralized identifiers (DIDs) and QR codes to secure document workflows, ensuring each document copy points to an original file, and each signature is linked to a user's self-sovereign identity, maintaining cryptographic security and authenticity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional document workflow management systems are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but security against document copying and tampering deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments document management into distinct cryptographic components: document hashes, digital signatures, decentralized identifiers (DIDs), and verifiable credentials. Each component serves a specific security function, allowing the system to achieve high reliability through modular cryptographic operations without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces blockchain technology as an intermediary layer that mediates between document operations and security verification. The blockchain stores and verifies cryptographic proofs independently, providing security guarantees without requiring direct trust between system participants, thus enhancing reliability while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Reliability
If document copying is allowed for workflow purposes, then ease of operation is improved, but ability to track document versions and prevent tampering deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates cryptographic copies of document information (hashes and signatures) that can be distributed and verified independently. These cryptographic copies enable document verification across multiple locations and users without requiring access to the original document, maintaining version tracking integrity while improving accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical document control methods (physical document handling, manual version tracking) with cryptographic mechanisms. Document versions are tracked through cryptographic hashes stored on blockchain, eliminating the need for physical document management while enhancing version tracking reliability and accessibility.
3Reliability
If digital signatures are applied to documents, then authenticity is improved, but susceptibility to signature copying and fraud deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cryptographic actions by binding digital signatures to decentralized identifiers (DIDs) and verifiable credentials before the actual signing occurs. This preliminary establishment of cryptographic identities ensures that signatures cannot be copied or forged, as each signature is cryptographically linked to a unique, verifiable identity that exists prior to the signing event.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite authentication structure combining multiple cryptographic elements: document hashes, digital signatures, decentralized identifiers (DIDs), verifiable credentials, and blockchain verification. This composite approach layers multiple security mechanisms together, making signature fraud extremely difficult while maintaining strong authenticity guarantees.
Data Source
AI summary
A record including an original document and a modification to the original document is created. Metadata associated with the modification to the original document is generated. The modification in stored in a data store. Creation and registration of a decentralized identifier (DID) document for the modification is requested based on the generated metadata. Modified document metadata is generated which includes a document hash and the created DID document for the modification. Recordation of the modification in a blockchain transaction, creation and registration of a DID document for the modified document, and generation of verifiable credentials for the modification are requested. The generated verifiable credentials for the modification are stored and a quick response (QR) code for the DID document for the modification is generated. A visual representation of the modification and the QR code for the modification are added to the original document, generating a sealed document.