Secure Messaging Content Format Conversion and Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic messaging services are inadequate for secure and confidential communications, as they allow easy copying, forwarding, and retention of messages, making users hesitant to transmit sensitive information, and lack secure text correspondence and message authentication features.
Innovation Solution
A system that converts content items into secure formats, requiring authentication actions from intended recipients to access and view messages, preventing unauthorized copying or retention, and allowing secure text and media sharing with preexisting connections, while capturing viewing contexts to deter external recording.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electronic messaging services allow easy copying and forwarding of messages, then ease of operation is improved, but security and confidentiality are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic message states where content transitions from viewable to unviewable based on authentication actions. Messages are not statically copyable but dynamically control accessibility through required user actions (such as typing the message content back), creating a dynamic security mechanism that adapts to user behavior
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops where the recipient must provide feedback by performing authentication actions (typing the message, completing challenges) to prove they have viewed and understood the message. This feedback mechanism ensures security while maintaining operational flow, as the system responds to user actions by controlling message disclosure
2Reliability
If authentication actions are required to access message content, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication mechanism leverages the recipient's own device capabilities (keyboard, display, processing) to perform verification. The system uses self-service authentication where the recipient's device itself verifies their knowledge of the message content through typing challenges, eliminating the need for external authentication hardware or complex third-party verification systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of message state from static to conditional. Messages transition between encrypted/unencrypted, viewable/unviewable states based on authentication parameters. This parameter-based control provides robust security through simple state transitions rather than complex authentication protocols
3Productivity
If messages can be easily forwarded and retained, then productivity is improved, but loss of information control is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by embedding authentication requirements and tracking mechanisms into messages before they are forwarded. Watermarking, authentication challenges, and viewing history tracking are pre-configured in the message structure, enabling automatic detection of unauthorized forwarding without requiring additional actions at the point of forwarding
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for secure messaging and content sharing. In one implementation, a processor receives a content item in a first format, the content item being associated with an intended recipient, converts the content item into a second format, provides the content item, as converted into the second format, to a device associated with the intended recipient, receives, from the device associated with the intended recipient, one or more inputs in relation to a segment of the content item, processes the one or more inputs to determine that an authentication action is being performed with respect to the segment of the content item, and based on a determination that the authentication action is being performed with respect to the segment of the content item, provides an instruction to present the segment of the content item at the device associated with the intended recipient.