Instant Messaging Remote Signatures With Server-Side Key Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for creating digital signatures lack efficiency and security in securing digital data, particularly in the context of instant messaging services, leading to potential misunderstandings and disputes due to lack of written confirmation of agreements.

Innovation Solution

A method for providing a remote signature service using an instant messaging service, involving user registration, asymmetric key pair generation, and server-side digital signature creation, ensuring secure and efficient signing of digital documents through a server-side instant messaging account.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If digital signatures are used to secure digital data, then security and authenticity are improved, but complexity of implementation and user accessibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidimplementation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an instant messaging service as an intermediary between users and the digital signature system. The server automatically generates key pairs, manages digital certificates, and handles signature creation in the background. Users simply exchange messages through the instant messaging interface, while the complex cryptographic operations are performed automatically by the server, thus maintaining security while simplifying user interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional digital signature methods are used, then cryptographic security is improved, but ease of operation and integration with communication tools deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecryptographic securityVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the digital signature functionality with the instant messaging service into a unified system. The signature key pair generation, certificate management, and signature creation are integrated directly into the messaging workflow. Users can authenticate and sign messages without leaving the chat interface, combining communication and cryptographic verification into a single seamless operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If server-side key management is implemented, then security and control are improved, but loss of user autonomy and increased dependency on server deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity controlVSAvoiduser autonomy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the server provides users with their public keys and digital certificates, and users can verify signatures using these credentials. The server responds to authentication requests by providing verification data, creating a feedback loop that maintains user control and verification capability while the server manages the cryptographic infrastructure securely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4468652B1Remote signature service using instant messaging service
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP4468652B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4468652B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4468652B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method for providing a remote signature service using an instant messaging service is disclosed. The method comprises, through a server (100) of the remote signature service, registering a user to use the remote signature service, receiving a signature request to create a digital signature (113) for a digital document (210) from a user-side instant messaging account via a server-side instant messaging account, creating a digital signature (113) for the digital document (210) to be signed using a server-side stored signature key (110), and sending the digital signature (113) via the server-side instant messaging account to the user-side instant messaging account using a user-side telephone number (116) of the user.