Email-Based Digital Content Certification With Hash Traceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for verifying digital document authenticity, origin, and integrity are limited by the need for public keys, lack of protection against changes, and inability to trace document history.
Innovation Solution
A method using cryptographic methods to generate unique certification information (HASH1, HASH2) for digital content, including emails, ensuring authenticity, origin, and integrity, and tracing document history through a blockchain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional digital signature or cryptographic hash function methods are used to verify digital documents, then the verification process can be performed, but the availability of public keys or hash codes is required which complicates the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential verification element (document content) and transforms it into a unique hash code through cryptographic functions. This extracted hash code serves as the certification marker, eliminating the need for separate public key infrastructure and reducing system complexity while maintaining verification reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a cryptographic copy (hash code) of the original document content. This hash code is a simplified representation that can be stored and verified without requiring the original document or complex public key systems, thus reducing complexity while preserving verification capability
2Reliability
If traditional verification methods are used, then document authenticity can be checked, but protection against unintentional or fraudulent changes during transmission or storage is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies cryptographic hash functions to the document content before transmission or storage, creating a unique hash code that serves as a preliminary protection mechanism. This hash code is stored alongside the document, enabling future verification of integrity without requiring complex additional protection layers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the hash code generated from the original document is compared with the hash code generated from the received document. This comparison provides immediate feedback on document integrity, detecting any changes or corruption without requiring complex verification systems
3Loss of information
If traditional verification methods are used, then document comparison can be performed, but the history and chain of custody of the document cannot be traced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the hash code and timestamp information into the document metadata before transmission. This preliminary action ensures that the document carries its own identification and timing information, enabling traceability of the document's journey through different handlers without requiring complex external tracking systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the unique hash code as an intermediary identifier that links the document to its history and chain of custody. This hash code serves as a mediator between the physical document and the digital record of its journey, enabling traceability without requiring direct integration with complex tracking infrastructure
4Reliability
If cryptographic hash functions are applied to generate unique certification information, then document integrity and authenticity are guaranteed, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential verification elements (hash code and timestamp) from the full cryptographic verification process. This extraction allows for rapid generation of certification information using efficient hash functions, reducing processing time while maintaining certification reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs cryptographic hash functions with optimized parameters that balance security requirements with processing speed. By selecting appropriate hash algorithm parameters, the system achieves reliable certification without excessive computational overhead or processing delays
Data Source
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AI summary
Described is method for certifying a digital content, implemented using at least one processor (3) comprising the following steps: - setting up a predetermined certification e-mail address (11); - acquiring an e-mail, containing the digital content, received at said predetermined certification e-mail address (11); - generating, by cryptographic methods, unique certification information (HASH1, HASH2), on the basis of said e-mail, and associating said unique certification information (HASH1, HASH2) with said e-mail.