Document Pointer Server for Secure Electronic Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for verifying and sharing identity documents are cumbersome, insecure, and prone to privacy issues, particularly in electronic transactions where physical documents cannot be easily exchanged and stored securely.
Innovation Solution
A server system that facilitates the sharing of verified identity documents by using a pointer database to store unique identifiers and locations of documents on remote repository devices, allowing encrypted information packages to be transmitted between client devices and recipient third-party devices, reducing the need for physical document exchange and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If documents are stored in a central repository for distribution, then document sharing is facilitated, but security and privacy risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the document data from the central repository and stores it only in distributed encrypted form across multiple repository devices. The pointer server stores only metadata (pointers) without the actual document content, thereby eliminating the security vulnerability of centralized storage while maintaining document sharing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the document storage system into multiple independent repository devices distributed across the network. Each repository device stores only a portion of the encrypted document data, and no single device contains the complete document, thereby reducing security risks associated with centralized storage.
2Reliability
If physical documents are exchanged for verification, then identity verification is achieved, but logistical complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical document exchange with an electronic system. Documents are stored and shared electronically through encrypted data packages transmitted over the network, eliminating the need for physical transportation and manual handling while maintaining verification reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pointer server as an intermediary that facilitates document sharing without directly storing or handling the actual document data. The pointer server mediates between requesting parties and repository devices, enabling efficient electronic verification while reducing logistical complexity.
3Ease of operation
If multiple copies of documents are distributed to requesting parties, then access is improved, but storage requirements and bandwidth consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses encrypted copies of document data stored in distributed repository devices. Instead of distributing multiple unencrypted copies, the system stores encrypted versions that can be securely accessed by multiple parties through the pointer server, reducing storage requirements while maintaining access efficiency.
4Reliability
If documents are stored centrally for verification, then verification capability is maintained, but vulnerability to hacking and security breaches increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the actual document data from centralized storage and distributes it across multiple repository devices in encrypted form. The pointer server retains only metadata necessary for document retrieval, eliminating the single point of failure and reducing hacking vulnerability while maintaining verification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies encryption to document data before storage in repository devices, providing prior protection against unauthorized access. This preemptive security measure cushions the system against potential hacking attempts and security breaches while maintaining verification reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for electronically sharing private documents using document pointers is disclosed. The system includes a processor and memory. A pointer database electronically coupled to the processor for storing a pointer to a document associated with a user and stored on a repository device of a plurality of repository devices remote from the server system, wherein the pointer comprises a unique identifier of the document and an associated location of that document on the repository device. A network communications interface electronically coupled to the processor is configured to electronically receive from a client device, an electronic authorization to share the document with a recipient third-party device of a plurality of recipient third-party devices, and, in response to the electronic request, transmit an encrypted information package including the pointer to the document to one of the client device, the repository, or the third-party device to facilitate the document sharing.