Distributed Digital Document Enforcement via Embedded Code

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Solution Overview

Problem

Contractual agreements and business processes between companies exhibit high variability, requiring data models that support numerous special cases, and existing technologies lack effective solutions for managing and enforcing these agreements in a secure and reliable manner.

Innovation Solution

Implementing digital documents on a distributed storage environment, such as a blockchain, that include data defining contractual agreements between entities, with embedded computer-readable code to automatically enforce terms and modify conditions based on triggering events, ensuring secure and immutable storage and execution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If digital documents are stored in a centralized database, then access and modification are simple and fast, but the system is vulnerable to cyber-attacks and malicious changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against cyber-attacksVSAvoiddistributed storage architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the digital document storage across multiple distributed nodes instead of using a single centralized database. Each node stores a copy or portion of the digital document, creating a distributed ledger system that eliminates the single point of failure vulnerability inherent in centralized storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces cryptographic hash functions and consensus mechanisms as intermediaries between the digital document and its storage. These intermediaries verify and validate document integrity across the distributed network, preventing malicious alterations while maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If manual processes are used to manage contractual agreements, then system complexity is low, but enforcement of terms and detection of triggering events are slow and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of contract enforcementVSAvoidembedded computer-readable code
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service automation through embedded computer-readable code that automatically executes contractual terms when triggering events occur. The system monitors itself for predefined conditions and autonomously enforces agreements without requiring manual intervention, dramatically improving productivity in contract management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the distributed ledger continuously monitors for triggering events and automatically feeds information back to execute contractual terms. This closed-loop system ensures timely and accurate enforcement of agreements while reducing human error.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional data models are used to support variable business processes, then flexibility to accommodate special cases is high, but system reliability and enforceability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport for variable business processesVSAvoidenforceability of contractual terms
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal digital document framework that can accommodate various business process variations through configurable parameters and smart contract templates. This multi-functional system maintains reliability by enforcing core contractual principles consistently across different business scenarios while allowing adaptability in specific terms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables adaptability through parameter changes in the digital document structure, where contractual terms can be dynamically configured to reflect different business processes and special cases. The underlying enforcement mechanism remains consistent and reliable, while surface-level parameters adapt to diverse requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10795945B2Digital documents in a distributed storage environment
Publication Date: 2020.10.06 SAP SE
  • US10795945B2 patent drawing
  • US10795945B2 patent drawing
  • US10795945B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media for a digital document engine for multi-entity process integration. A digital document system accesses a digital document configuration file identifying entities entering into an agreement, an initial set of terms, and a modification to the initial set of terms corresponding to a triggering event. The digital document system generates a digital document based on the digital document configuration file, the digital document including computer readable code to cause the initial set of terms to be modified according to the modification in response to occurrence of the triggering event. The digital document is stored to a distributed database, wherein it is invokable by the entities for enforcement. When invoked, the computer readable code causes a computing device to determine whether the triggering event occurred and modify the initial set of terms based on the modification when the triggering event has occurred.