QR Signature Verification for Electronic Document Authenticity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic signature systems require management of private keys and lack intuitive verification of electronic signatures, making it difficult to ensure the authenticity and content verification of electronic documents.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that generates visible electronic signatures using QR codes, calculates hash values, and stores management files on a blockchain to ensure authenticity and allow easy verification of document content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a private key is used for electronic signature, then the electronic signature can be generated, but the private key has to be managed and a corresponding public key has to be acquired, increasing system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectronic signature authenticityVSAvoidkey management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the key management complexity from the electronic signature verification process by using QR codes that directly embed signature information. Instead of requiring separate private key management and public key acquisition, the signature verification is self-contained within the QR code structure, eliminating the need for external key management infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The QR code serves as an intermediary that carries signature information without requiring direct access to private keys or public key infrastructure. The QR code embeds hash values and signature data that can be verified independently, acting as a mediator between the electronic document and verification processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If electronic signatures are used, then digital data alteration can be detected through hash value comparison, but the electronic signatures are invisible and cannot be intuitively determined

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata alteration detectionVSAvoidsignature visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies visual encoding by representing electronic signature information in QR codes with distinct colors and patterns. The QR codes can be displayed in different colors (e.g., blue for valid signatures, red for invalid ones) and have varying sizes or positions based on signature validity, making the invisible electronic signatures intuitively visible and interpretable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the invisible electronic signature data into a two-dimensional visual representation through QR codes. By encoding signature information, hash values, and verification status into a visual pattern that can be seen and interpreted directly, the system adds a visual dimension to the previously invisible cryptographic verification process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If hash value comparison is used to verify electronic signatures, then digital data alteration can be detected, but the content of the electronic document cannot be verified

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignature authenticityVSAvoiddocument content verification
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the verification information into multiple components embedded within the QR code structure. Different portions of the QR code contain different types of information: document hash values for integrity verification, content identifiers for content verification, signature data for authenticity, and metadata for additional verification layers. This segmentation allows comprehensive verification while maintaining a single visual representation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4648001A1Information processing device, method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 LE TECHS INC
  • EP4648001A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4648001A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4648001A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first management file identifier acquiring unit that acquires, on the basis of an electronic signature of a user affixed to an electronic document, a first management file identifier for identifying a first management file including a hash value of the electronic document, a first management file acquiring unit that acquires the first management file on the basis of the acquired first management file identifier, a second management file acquiring unit that acquires, on the basis of the hash value included in the first management file, a second management file including the hash value and a URL for specifying a storage area in which the electronic document is stored, and a URL output unit that outputs the URL.