Virtual Printer Driver for Secure Digital Receipt Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing point of sale (POS) systems lack adequate security for digital transaction data, as current solutions either rely on insecure optical character recognition (OCR) or transmit incomplete information, failing to provide a secure digital copy of documents like invoices.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a digital copy of documents, such as invoices, is generated as a read-only digital image stored in a blockchain database, using a virtual printer driver that interprets printing instructions to create a secure, paperless document management system, allowing secure storage and transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If digital receipts are transmitted in OCR format or as structured data, then accessibility and usability are improved, but data security is worsened due to clear access to transaction information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the receipt as a bitmap image rather than transmitting the original structured data. This copy preserves the visual appearance of the receipt while preventing extraction of structured transaction information, thus maintaining security while providing accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual printer driver acts as an intermediary between the POS system and the digital distribution channel. It converts structured receipt data into an image format during the printing process, serving as a security barrier that prevents direct access to transaction data while enabling digital distribution.
2Reliability
If paper receipts are used, then data security is improved by avoiding digital transmission, but environmental sustainability and cost are worsened due to paper consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical paper printing mechanism with a digital image generation and distribution system. The virtual printer driver generates bitmap images that can be distributed electronically, eliminating the need for physical paper while maintaining security through image format protection.
3Device complexity
If a virtual printer driver is implemented, then system complexity is improved by avoiding physical modifications, but device compatibility is worsened by requiring additional software components
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual printer driver is designed to receive standard printer commands from any POS system and convert them into digital image output. By implementing a universal interface that translates various printing instructions into bitmap generation, it achieves broad compatibility across different POS systems without requiring physical modifications.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
This invention falls within the scope of documents issue in computer equipment (1) such as a POS (point of sale). It is the object of this invention a method for the processing of documents with improved safety issue of a digital copy of the document, in which, under a document printing instruction which is given in computer equipment (1), a copy of the said document is generated, the said copy consisting solely of a digital image (2). This ensures an additional security of the transmitted data, since according to the solutions of the prior art the information of the document is - at any stage - treated and communicated allowing a clear access to the data of the transaction. Furthermore, it is also an object of this invention a computer program product comprising instructions for, when executed on a computer, implementing the method of this invention, as well as a system comprising computer equipment (1) and computer means which are provided with the said computer program product.