Confidential Electronic File Delivery via Direct Encrypted Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current email systems lack secure and confidential transmission methods, as they often require cumbersome asymmetric key encryption and do not provide verification that messages were received by the intended recipient, nor do they ensure privacy or authentication of message delivery.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for delivering confidential electronic messages and attachments by establishing a direct encrypted path between the sending and receiving computers, eliminating the need for persistent copies on intermediate servers and using a verification protocol to ensure secure and private transmission, even when the recipient is not on the same peer network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional email systems are used for transmission, then messages can be delivered over computer networks, but security and confidentiality are compromised due to routing through intermediate relay points and persistent copies being stored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the confidential message content from the traditional email transmission path that routes through intermediate relay points. By establishing a direct encrypted connection between sender and recipient, the message is removed from the public network infrastructure, eliminating the security risks associated with intermediate storage and transmission while maintaining deliverability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary encrypted connection channel that mediates between the sender and recipient. This encrypted tunnel acts as a secure intermediary that allows direct communication without relying on traditional email relay infrastructure, thus improving security without requiring complex asymmetric key management systems
2Reliability
If asymmetric key encryption is used to secure email messages, then confidentiality is improved, but the system becomes cumbersome and adoption is restricted to specialized markets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the encryption parameter from asymmetric key pairs to symmetric encryption with pre-shared keys. This parameter change simplifies the encryption operation significantly, as users only need to manage a single shared secret rather than generating and managing public-private key pairs, making the system easier to operate while maintaining confidentiality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the key exchange action preliminarily, before the actual message transmission. By establishing the encrypted connection and exchanging encryption keys in advance through secure channels, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time key management during message exchange, simplifying the overall operation
3Productivity
If email messages are routed through intermediate relay points, then delivery is facilitated across different networks, but verification of message receipt by the intended recipient cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the recipient's acknowledgment of message receipt is transmitted back to the sender through the same encrypted connection channel. This feedback loop provides verification that the message was successfully delivered and received, preventing loss of delivery verification information while maintaining efficient direct transmission
Data Source
AI summary
A private document delivery system and method includes a sending computer configured to transmit an electronic document over a computer network, a dynamically established encrypted line to traverse the computer network from a receiving computer to the sending computer where the delivery address of the receiving computer is resolved at the time of transmission of the private message such that no third parties to the message receive a permanent copy of the message. The system and method also includes a signaling mechanism configured to notify the receiving computer that the electronic document is waiting for delivery. The system and method includes a verification agent configured to verify the receiving computer's identity with a protocol specified by the sending computer and to provide access instructions to the receiving computer with which the receiving computer locates the sending computer via the dynamically established encrypted line and receives the transmitted electronic document.