Anonymous QR Code Communication via Secure Server Mediation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for private communication over public networks lack secure and anonymous methods for businesses and individuals to interact with external customers or strangers, particularly in maintaining privacy and managing interactions without direct confrontation.

Innovation Solution

A QR code-based system where a publisher generates and shares unique QR codes linked to secure remote servers, allowing consumers to initiate anonymous communications without revealing personal information, using apps for scanning and decoding QR codes to send messages without exposing contact details.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If direct contact information exchange is used for communication, then communication efficiency is improved, but privacy security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidprivacy security
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that mediates all communications between users. Instead of direct peer-to-peer contact information exchange, messages are routed through the server which maintains user anonymity. The server acts as a trusted third party that enables communication without revealing private contact details, thus resolving the contradiction between communication efficiency and privacy security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates anonymous copies of user identities through generated user names and profile data stored on the server. Instead of using real contact information, the system uses fabricated identity copies that enable communication while protecting true identities. This allows efficient communication through copied identities rather than direct contact information exchange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If anonymous communication is implemented, then privacy protection is improved, but interaction management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidinteraction management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service mechanisms where users automatically manage their own anonymity through the system. Users generate their own anonymous user names, control their own profile information, and manage their own communication preferences without requiring manual intervention. This automation reduces the perceived complexity for users while maintaining strong privacy protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the server provides users with control over their anonymous interactions. Users receive feedback about who contacts them and can adjust their privacy settings accordingly. This feedback loop enables users to manage anonymous interactions effectively without being overwhelmed by complexity, as they maintain control through the interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If QR code scanning is used to initiate communication, then ease of access is improved, but information security risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of accessVSAvoidinformation security risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the QR code scanning feature as an entry point but immediately redirects users through the server intermediary. The QR code provides easy access by encoding a link to the server's communication interface, but the actual communication setup occurs through the secure server-mediated process rather than direct connection. This maintains ease of access while preventing security risks through intermediary verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11003878B2System for communication from a user to the publisher of a scannable label
Publication Date: 2021.05.11 SHARETECH LLC
  • US11003878B2 patent drawing
  • US11003878B2 patent drawing
  • US11003878B2 patent drawing

AI summary

“Publishers” generate individual QR codes which may be either displayed on a smartphone or printed on a physical label, and “consumers” scan and decode those codes for secure and private communication with the publishers, without either party knowing the phone number or email address of the other party. At least one profile associated with the publisher may be an anonymous profile that permits the disclosure of only a specified subset of the otherwise available information about that publisher, and that information is not directly embodied in the displayed code, but rather is stored on a secure remote server which is selectively accessible by the consumer. If both parties have not authorized the release of their respective names and phone numbers (or other public contact information) to the other party by exchanging respective public profiles within a predetermined time period, any associated temporary contact numbers may be disabled and any anonymous contact information may be deleted from the remote server. A remote app on the publisher's smartphone may be used to generate the QR code and upload the associated contact information and permissions to the secure server, and a local app on the consumer's smartphone may be used to scan and process the QR code and commence secure and private communication with that publisher via the secure server.