Document Verification via Machine-Readable Data and Privacy-Preserving Database

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing document verification systems are impractical, time-consuming, and prone to errors when dealing with large volumes of documents, as they often require manual verification and can compromise individual privacy.

Innovation Solution

A system that stores authentic verification information in a database accessible via a network, allowing receiving parties to generate and compare verification information using machine-readable portions like barcodes or RFID tags, ensuring document authenticity without revealing personal details.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual verification methods are used to verify document authenticity, then verification accuracy can be maintained, but the process becomes time-consuming and impractical for large volumes of documents

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical verification processes with automated electronic verification systems. The issuing authority's database stores verification data that can be electronically accessed and compared against the document's machine-readable portion, eliminating the need for manual inspection while maintaining verification accuracy.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a machine-readable copy (electronic verification data) of the essential verification information from the original document. This copy can be rapidly processed and compared against the authoritative database without requiring manual handling of the original document, thus reducing verification time while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If complete document information is stored for verification purposes, then verification accuracy is improved, but individual privacy is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidprivacy protection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential verification data needed to authenticate the document from the complete document information. This extracted verification data is stored in the issuing authority's database and linked to the machine-readable portion, allowing verification without storing or exposing sensitive personal details from the original document.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different data storage strategies to different portions of document information. Sensitive personal information is excluded from the machine-readable portion and database storage, while only the necessary verification identifiers are stored locally in the machine-readable portion and the authority's database, thus protecting privacy while enabling verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If verbal verification between receiving and issuing parties is used, then document authenticity can be confirmed, but the system becomes expensive and prone to errors for large numbers of documents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthenticity confirmationVSAvoidverification efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the receiving party to independently verify document authenticity by comparing the machine-readable portion against the issuing authority's database without requiring direct communication or intervention from the issuing party. This self-service verification process eliminates the need for manual correspondence while maintaining authenticity confirmation reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a machine-readable portion with stored verification data as an intermediary between the document and the verification process. This intermediary contains encoded information that can be automatically compared against the authority's database, replacing the need for direct verbal communication between parties and enabling efficient batch processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10102439B2Document verification method and system
Publication Date: 2018.10.16 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • US10102439B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of and system for verifying a document, the method comprising generating verification information for the document, comparing the verification information with authentic verification information, and identifying differences between the document and an authentic document.