Document Exchange System for Verified Final Version Creation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In significant business transactions, verifying the final version of documents for signing is time-consuming and prone to errors due to the need for physical comparison, especially with multiple lengthy documents involved.

Innovation Solution

An online document exchange system acts as a neutral repository, allowing users to designate a final version of a document, convert it to a non-alterable format like Adobe Acrobat PDF, and add a verification code, ensuring that only the intended final version can be printed and signed, with the verification code appearing on each page for confirmation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical comparison of document versions is used to verify the final document, then verification accuracy can be maintained, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidverification time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses digital copies of documents stored in an online repository instead of physical document handling. The system creates and maintains electronic versions of all document drafts and final versions, allowing parties to access and verify documents digitally, thereby eliminating the time-consuming physical comparison process while maintaining verification accuracy through cryptographic hash codes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of physical document comparison with an automated digital verification system. The system uses cryptographic hash codes and digital timestamps to automatically verify document integrity and version authenticity, substituting manual physical comparison with automated digital validation that is both faster and more accurate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If multiple document versions are exchanged among multiple parties, then collaboration efficiency is improved, but the risk of signing the wrong version increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollaboration efficiencyVSAvoiddocument version accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where each document version is assigned a unique version identifier and cryptographic hash code that is recorded in the online repository. When a final document is designated, the system provides feedback by generating a verification code that can be independently checked by all parties, ensuring that everyone is signing the correct version while maintaining efficient multi-party collaboration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a neutral online document exchange system as an intermediary between multiple parties. This intermediary maintains a secure repository of all document versions, manages version control, and provides verification mechanisms, thereby enabling efficient collaboration among multiple parties while eliminating the risk of signing incorrect versions through its mediating verification process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If document verification is made more rigorous to prevent fraud, then security is improved, but the complexity of the verification process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefraud preventionVSAvoidverification process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of document verification by using cryptographic hash codes and digital timestamps instead of traditional manual verification methods. These parameter changes enable rigorous fraud prevention through mathematical verification of document integrity while simplifying the user experience, as the complex cryptographic operations are automatically performed by the system without requiring user expertise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9454527B2Method and computer-readable media for creating verified business transaction documents
Publication Date: 2016.09.27 MARSH ROBERT E
  • US9454527B2 patent drawing
  • US9454527B2 patent drawing
  • US9454527B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method, and computer-readable media for performing the method, for creating verified business transaction documents. Electronic transaction documents are received from authenticated users, version identifiers are assigned to these documents, and the documents and version identifiers are stored in a database. Authenticated users may select a single version for “finalization” and a non-alterable document with a verification code is created and stored in the database for retrieval by users.