Electronic Document Signatures via Blockchain Document Linking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack robust methods for tracking and recording electronic signatures applied to documents, especially when signature requirements change over time or involve multiple interrelated documents, requiring complex signature fulfillment by multiple parties in a particular order.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a blockchain data structure to cryptographically link multiple documents with evolving signature requirements, where signature data is recorded in blockchain transactions, ensuring consistency and immutability through spendable outputs and linking transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If digital signatures are used to sign documents, then security and reliability are improved, but tracking and recording signature applications becomes complex and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a blockchain as an intermediary system that mediates between digital signatures and document tracking. The blockchain records signature applications, document states, and authorization changes in an immutable ledger, eliminating the need for complex external tracking systems while maintaining security through cryptographic verification.
2Adaptability or versatility
If signature requirements change over time or involve multiple documents, then adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic signature requirements through smart contracts on the blockchain that can be updated over time. Authorization rules, sequential signing requirements, and document linkages can be modified without changing the underlying system architecture. The blockchain naturally handles evolving requirements through new transactions that reference and build upon previous states.
Solution Approach 2:
The blockchain system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stores document data, tracks signature applications, manages authorization changes, links related documents, and provides verification mechanisms. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate systems for each function, reducing overall system complexity despite handling diverse and evolving requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple interrelated documents are linked with evolving signature requirements, then functionality is improved, but recording and verification becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The blockchain provides automatic feedback mechanisms for verification. Each transaction includes cryptographic proofs and references to related transactions, allowing nodes to automatically verify document linkages, signature sequences, and authorization states. The immutable ledger ensures that verification feedback is consistent and tamper-proof, simplifying the detection and measurement of compliance despite complex document relationships.
Data Source
AI summary
According to a first aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method of cryptographically linking multiple documents, having multiple electronic signature requirements, via a sequence of blockchain transactions, the method comprising: computing document signature data satisfying a first signature requirement for an existing document, the first signature requirement defined in a blockchain transaction containing or referencing the existing document; wherein the document signature data signs a portion of a linking transaction containing or referencing a supplementary document, the linking transaction comprising an input for validly spending a spendable output of the blockchain transaction, whereby the document signature cryptographically links the supplementary document with the existing document; and wherein the signed portion comprises multiple outputs of the linking transaction; wherein a first of the multiple signed outputs is spendable and associated with the existing document, the signed portion defining a second signature requirement for the existing document; and wherein a second of the multiple signed outputs is spendable and associated with the supplementary document, the signed portion defining a signature requirement for the supplementary document.