Lenovo Aspires to Use Blockchain Tech in Document Validation System

A recent patent filed by Lenovo implies that the Chinese technology company will be able to include blockchain tech in a system that verifies the validity of physical documents. The blockchain tech will work as a verification program for the authenticity of physical documents, building a digital map of the document, undersigned with a digital signature.

Last Thursday, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published the application, under which Lenovo explains the development of a fintech layout employing digital signatures installed in physical documents, which can be used to confirm the legality of a document.

"Using the security blockchain, anyone can validate that they have the current authentic physical document even if multiple paper copies exist and multiple people have made entries in the chain of modification. If any forgeries exist, they will show up as orphaned blocks in the chain. To validate a paper copy, a user of the electronic device takes a picture of the printed code on the physical document," Lenovo reported.

Lenovo Fintech Innovations

Lenovo designs an "integrity map" for the document from an "integrity symbol", like a digital signature, for example, within it. Then the system compares the newly-created document with the integrity map, solving the question of its authenticity. It shows whether it is real or fake.   

Blockchain has the integrity map installed within its tech, thus receivers can verify the integrity of the documents when they are delivered. A picture of a document can be applied effectively to create its integrity map, which can then be compared with the integrity map, being initially the original one.

A Step Forward to Security Modification

The main obstacle Lenovo has on its way is a need to find a way for editing printed documents after their signing by hand. The financial market giant explains that companies require some warranties, ensuring that the documents have had no changes. Nevertheless, many still refuse to use crypto signatures. So, that poses a necessity for technology which can be able to prevent falsifying physically printed documents after they have been signed.

"When a paper document is physically signed with an ink pen and then scanned, faxed or emailed, there is no assurance that the text of the document was not substantially altered after the signature was applied," said Lenovo.

"A wide range of digital signature technologies exists today, but they do not provide tamper-proof mechanisms for verifying physical documents printed with physical ink."