Visual Ciphertext Encryption for Selective Document Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing encryption methods require encrypting entire documents, failing to efficiently encrypt only specific sensitive parts within a document, leading to inefficiencies and increased security risks.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for encrypting and decrypting data using visually encoded ciphertext, allowing selective encryption of document portions, utilizing graphical user interfaces, cameras, and cryptographic key material to decode and decrypt visual representations such as QR codes or data matrices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If entire document encryption is used, then security coverage is improved, but processing efficiency and usability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity coverageVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the document into multiple segments, applying encryption only to specific sensitive portions rather than the entire document. This segmentation allows selective encryption of sensitive data fields while leaving non-sensitive content unencrypted, thereby improving processing efficiency while maintaining security coverage where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements different encryption qualities for different parts of the document. Sensitive portions receive full encryption protection while non-sensitive portions remain accessible. This local quality approach ensures that security resources are concentrated where needed, improving overall processing efficiency without compromising critical security coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If visual encoding is applied to encrypted content, then information security is improved, but decryption complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation securityVSAvoiddecryption complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a visual encoding intermediary layer between the encrypted content and the user. The visual encoding (such as QR codes or image patterns) serves as a mediator that securely transmits encrypted information while simplifying the user interaction. The decoding process, though technically complex, is automated through camera-based recognition, making the overall system user-friendly despite the underlying complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual decryption processes with automated optical recognition systems. Instead of requiring users to manually input decryption keys or navigate complex decryption interfaces, the system uses camera-based visual recognition to automatically capture and decode the encrypted visual content, significantly reducing the perceived complexity for end users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If selective encryption of document portions is implemented, then processing efficiency is improved, but security coverage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidsecurity coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent systematically segments the document to identify and encrypt only the sensitive portions. This segmentation is performed through automated analysis that detects sensitive data fields (such as personal information, financial data, or confidential content) and applies encryption selectively to these segments, ensuring comprehensive security coverage for sensitive areas while maintaining high processing efficiency for the overall document.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal encryption framework that can handle multiple types of sensitive content across different document formats and structures. The selective encryption mechanism is designed to work universally with various data types (text, images, tables) and can adapt to different sensitivity levels, ensuring that security coverage is maintained across diverse document scenarios while preserving processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12387623B2Content encryption and in-place decryption using visually encoded ciphertext
Publication Date: 2025.08.12 CYPHLENS LLC
  • US12387623B2 patent drawing
  • US12387623B2 patent drawing
  • US12387623B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods and systems for encrypting and decrypting data using visually encoded ciphertext. The system includes components that cooperatively carry out a method including entering and submitting digital content by a first user (user1); receiving by user1 a visually encoded ciphertext (cyphlens1) containing an encryption of the digital content; verifying the information encrypted in the cyphlens1 image; approving by user1 the cyphlens1 image for further use; encrypting the verified digital content and an identifier of user1 in a second visually encoded ciphertext (cyphlens2) that can be decrypted only by a second user (user2); receiving by user2 the cyphlens2 image; decrypting the cyphlens2 image by user2 to verify the information encrypted therein and approving by user2 the cyphlens2 image for further use; encrypting the information verified by both user1 and user2 in a third visually encoded ciphertext (cyphlens3) that can further be decrypted only by designated users (user3); receiving and decrypting by ones of the designated users to respectively obtain the information encrypted therein for further use.