Application Form Electronic Watermark Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing systems for application forms, such as pension benefit applications, are vulnerable to impersonation when forms are intercepted by third parties, as they can alter the recipient's address, leading to unauthorized submissions.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that incorporates an image processing apparatus and an integrated circuit card for user authentication, using electronic watermarks embedded in the application form to verify the authenticity of the applicant, preventing unauthorized changes to the application data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If personal information is reflected in document format and printed, then application work is supported efficiently, but the system becomes vulnerable to impersonation by third parties who can alter recipient addresses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication work efficiencyVSAvoidauthentication security

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An electronic watermark is embedded in the application form during the initial document preparation stage, containing unique identification information that links the form to the applicant's IC card. This preliminary action ensures that the form cannot be altered without detection, as the watermark serves as a built-in authentication mechanism that verifies the form's integrity and origin before it leaves the issuing authority.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy of the applicant's IC card information and embeds it within the application form through electronic watermarking. This copying process transfers the authentication capability from the physical IC card to the document itself, allowing the form to carry verified identification data that third parties cannot replicate or alter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If application forms are distributed to applicants, then the application process can proceed, but third parties may intercept and modify the forms to change mailing addresses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication form distributionVSAvoidimpersonation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic watermark is applied to the application form before distribution to applicants, creating a preventive measure against future tampering. The watermark contains identification information that will be verified against the applicant's IC card during the application process, thereby preemptively countering any attempts by third parties to intercept and modify the form.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic watermark acts as an intermediary element between the application form and the applicant's IC card. It bridges the gap between document distribution and authentication by embedding verifiable identification data in the form itself, allowing the system to verify the form's authenticity without requiring direct physical possession of the IC card at the distribution stage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If IC card authentication is implemented, then impersonation is prevented, but the system complexity increases with additional verification steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidverification process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the authentication function into the document processing workflow by embedding the electronic watermark directly in the application form. This combination eliminates the need for separate authentication steps, as the watermark verification is integrated into the existing form handling process, thereby maintaining security while minimizing additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic watermark enables the application form to self-verify its authenticity through the embedded identification information. When processed, the form automatically provides verification data that can be checked against the applicant's IC card, reducing the need for manual authentication procedures and simplifying the overall verification process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11870964B2Information processing system, information processing method, and information processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.01.09 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An information processing system includes an image processing apparatus including first circuitry and an information processing apparatus including second circuitry The first circuitry of the image processing apparatus reads an application form with a scanner to generate image data, acquires electronic watermark data from the image data, acquires, from an integrated circuit card, first identification information of the integrated circuit card, and creates application data based on the application form. The second circuitry of the information processing apparatus communicates with the image processing apparatus via a network, and performs user authentication based on the first identification information of the integrated circuit card acquired from the integrated circuit card and second identification information of the integrated circuit card previously associated with identification information of the application form. The first circuitry of the image processing apparatus stops creating the application data when the user authentication fails.