Patent Grant
11301843
This application relates generally to network-based document processing operations. The application relates more particularly to management of document processing device transactions using a distributed blockchain ledger system.
Document processing devices include printers, copiers, scanners and e-mail gateways. More recently, devices employing two or more of these functions are found in office environments. These devices are referred to as multifunction peripherals (MFPs) or multifunction devices (MFDs). As used herein, MFPs are understood to comprise printers, alone or in combination with other of the afore-noted functions. It is further understood that any suitable document processing device can be used.
Document processing operations on MFPs can consist of creation, transmission, storage or printing of electronic documents, as well as creation of electronic documents from tangible media, such by scanning and digitizing. Document processing operations are frequently subject to cost assessment due to the expense of obtaining and maintaining MFPs.
Various embodiments will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein:
The systems and methods disclosed herein are described in detail by way of examples and with reference to the figures. It will be appreciated that modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, devices methods, systems, etc. can suitably be made and may be desired for a specific application. In this disclosure, any identification of specific techniques, arrangements, etc. are either related to a specific example presented or are merely a general description of such a technique, arrangement, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to be, and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unless specifically designated as such.
Payment for MFP document processing operations, such as on a school campus, can occur by one or more payment methods, such as via a campus card, a credit/debit card, a prepaid print card or a student account. However, most MFPs lack the hardware or software features needed for payment activities, such as card swipes.
In an example embodiment disclosed herein, a system and method for blockchain-based document processing includes a processor, network interface, print engine, scan engine, and a memory storing a blockchain ledger. The blockchain ledger includes time stamped blocks, each block including currency data associated with a digital currency value. The processor generates a block corresponding to a received instruction, a preexisting currency value associated with the received instruction and contract data corresponding to a smart contract associated with the received instruction. The processor updates the blockchain ledger with a generated block and shares an updated blockchain ledger with other networked data devices via the network interface. The processor also receives verification of the updated blockchain ledger from the other networked data devices. The processor executes the smart contract upon receipt of verification.
Further example embodiments herein include an MFP cryptocurrency via a peer-to-peer, digital cryptocurrency to facilitate MFP payments, as well as for payout to third-parties such as an attorney or accountant. In this example, a paper document is formed with two header pages to manage payment and set forth a smart contract. A smart contract is a computer protocol intended to digitally facilitate, verify, or enforce the negotiation or performance of a contract. Smart contracts allow the performance of credible transactions without third parties. These transactions are trackable and irreversible. With smart contracts, kinds of contractual clauses may be made partially or fully self-executing, self-enforcing, or both. Smart contracts can provide security that is superior to traditional contract law and to reduce other transaction costs associated with contracting. Cryptocurrencies are suitably implemented types of smart contracts.
When a user wants to copy or print a document, the first page is formed as an encrypted paper wallet. Paper wallets are often a very secure way of storing MFP cryptocurrency, since they are not typically exposed to malware. A user enters a passphrase and sets a maximum cost. MFP scans the paper wallet and MFP transfers a portion of the fund (max cost—software wallet balance) to software wallet. The software wallet will be used to pay for printing and executing the smart contract. MFP suitably disconnects from the Internet and generates and prints a new paper wallet.
The second page is a smart contract. MFP scans the smart contract and deploys the smart contract to the blockchain network. A smart contract is a blockchain technology consisting of an algorithm that stores terms of agreements and automatically executes those terms. For example, if the printed document is digitally signed by an attorney, the user agrees to transfer funds to the attorney.
In accordance with the subject application,
Turning now to
Processor 202 functions to receive an instruction, such as a document processing instruction, a financial instruction or an instruction relative to a smart contract. Processor 202 creates a new block for the blockchain in accordance with a received instruction. Blocks include blockchain content data corresponding to time stamp, sender, recipient, amount or other data.
Processor 202 is also in data communication with a storage interface 208 for reading or writing to a storage 216, suitably comprised of a hard disk, optical disk, solid-state disk, cloud-based storage, or any other suitable data storage as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.
Processor 202 is also in data communication with a network interface 210 which provides an interface to a network interface controller (NIC) 214, which in turn provides a data path to any suitable wired or physical network connection 220, or to a wireless data connection via wireless network interface 218. Example wireless connections include cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 226, NFC 228, wireless universal serial bus (wireless USB), satellite, and the like. Example wired interfaces include Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), Lightning, telephone line, or the like. Network interface 210 functions to exchange blockchain information with other networked devices for purposes of blockchain verification or activities relating to document processing operations, financial transactions or smart contracts.
Processor 202 can also be in data communication with any suitable user input/output (I/O) interface 219 which provides data communication with user peripherals, such as displays, keyboards, mice, track balls, touch screens, or the like. Also in data communication with data bus 212 is a document processor interface 222 suitable for data communication with MFP functional units 250. In the illustrated example, these units include a copy hardware 240, scan hardware 242, print hardware 244 and fax hardware 246 which together comprise MFP functional hardware 250. It will be understood that functional units are suitably comprised of intelligent units or engines, including any suitable hardware or software platform.
Next, a scan is made of a smart contract to engage an attorney document review at block 332, and the smart contract is deployed to a blockchain network at block 336. A user document is scanned at block 340 and printed at block 344. An actual cost is calculated at block 348 from pages printed multiplied by a cost per page. The actual cost is subtracted from what remains in the software wallet at block 352, presumably with sufficient funds remaining to fund the contract for attorney review. The remaining balance and document is sent to the attorney at block 356. If the amount is sufficient, the attorney completes a review. If a review is determined to occur at block 360, the funds are transferred to the attorney at block 364 and the process ends at block 368. If no review occurs, such as when the remaining funds were insufficient, the process proceeds directly from block 360 to block 368. The user is suitably notified relative to the success or failure of the review. If any funds remain in the user's software wallet, they are suitably added to the user's soft wallet the next time it is created from a scan of their paper wallet.
In another example embodiment, a blockchain ledger serves to decentralize MFP actions such that a user is freed from keeping and carrying documents and paperwork while allowing the user to submit a print job and release the job at any MFP that is part of the blockchain network. A decentralized MFP, suitably referred to as a world MFP, is a completely decentralized MFP that may be distributed across small, large or even global geographic areas by employing blockchain technology. Any MFP can participate in the peer-to-peer network by relaying transactions and blocks as well as verifying the blockchain. MFPs are also enabled to complete bit mining, suitably by activity on their integrated intelligent controller. Every participated MFP (node) owns the blockchain and shares blocks and transactions across the network. The blockchain stores data such as amount, print jobs, such as Printer Control Language (PCL) or Postscript (or PS), and data, such as instructions or smart contract data.
MFPs in a common network are provided with a common framework to instruct an MFP to print documents or run smart contracts. Users who submit or release a print job, or create or execute a smart contract, must pay a certain price to execute it. Costs are suitably based on number of pages, toner used and how complicated the smart contract's instruction is. The system suitably operates via a suitable cryptocurrency, such as bitcoin, which forms the MFP coins that fund operations on the network.
In an example embodiment, any given block on the blockchain can contain five kinds of transactions:
Transfer MFP coins to another user,
Submit a print job,
Release a print job,
Create a smart contract, or
Execute a smart contract.
A smart contract allows user to print document based on external data such as weather or interest rates. Execution of a smart contract can act on the occurrence of one or more events. For example, if a user's favorite sports team wins today's game, print the result.
The blockchain is suitably based on a suitable consensus algorithm. One example is Proof of Stake. Proof of Stake (PoS) is a type of consensus algorithm by which a cryptocurrency blockchain network aims to achieve distributed consensus. In PoS-based cryptocurrencies, the creator of the next block is chosen via various combinations of random selection and wealth or age (i.e., the stake). In contrast, the algorithm of proof-of-work-based cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin uses mining; that is, the solving of computationally intensive puzzles to validate transactions and create new blocks.
Instead of special mining hardware being required to create blocks, the MFPs suitably creates blocks. The framework mines or validates block transactions according to how many jobs the MFP prints. This means that the more jobs that are printed by an MFP, the more mining power the MFP has.
In accordance with example embodiments such as that noted above, a decentralized printing system allows a user to submit a print job and release the job at any MFP. Use of a decentralized MFP suitably makes it impossible for a user to renege on a transaction. If there is no regulation or bad printing habits, a user will be free to print. The decentralized MFP functions as a wallet that allows a user to make transactions.
Referring now to
Block 1012 illustrates blockchain data corresponding to a document processing job submission, such as a print job submission. Included is data corresponding to time stamp 1046 and sender 1048. As the target is a just to generate printout data, no recipient need be reflected at block 1050. A debit amount is reflected at block 1052, and a print job creation instruction reflected at block 1054.
Block 1016 illustrates blockchain data corresponding to a print job release. Included is data corresponding time stamp 1056, sender 1058, print job recipient 1060, debit 1062 and an instruction 1064 to execute the print job.
Block 1020 illustrates blockchain data corresponding to creation of a smart contract. Included is time stamp 1066, sender 1068, with no recipient needed to be specified at block 1070. Also included is data corresponding to a debit amount 1072 and an instruction 1074 to create a smart contract.
Block 1024 illustrated blockchain data corresponding to execution of a smart contract to release the print job. Included is data corresponding to time stamp 1076, sender 1078, smart contract recipient 1080, debit amount 1082 and an instruction 1084 to execute the smart contract.
Next, an updated blockchain block is generated at block 1112 in accordance with received one or more received instructions. A consensus relative to the generated block is received from other networked devices at block 1116, and an update blockchain shared among the networked devices at block 1120. Instructions from the verified block of the updated blockchain are processed at block 1124. A check is made at block 1128 to determine if an instruction is related to document processing. If so, progress is made to block 1132 to execute the instruction and progress continues to block 1136. If no document processing instruction is determined to exist at block 1128, a check is made at block 1140 if an instruction is related to financial information. If so, the financial instruction is executed at block 1144 and progress continues to block 1136. If no financial instruction is determined at block 1140, a check is made at block 1148 to determine if a smart contract instruction exists. If so, the instruction is executed at block 1156 and progresses to block 1136. If no smart contract instruction exists, progress is directly to block 1136. At block 1136, a check is made as to whether another instruction remains. If so, the process returns to block 1128. Otherwise progress continues to block 1156.
At block 1156, costs associated with processing the one or more instructions are calculated and applied, and a new block is generated at block 1160. Consensus is secured from networked devices at block 1164, and the newly updated blockchain is shared at block 1168. The process then ends at block 1172.
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the spirit and scope of the inventions.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20190109713 | Clark | Apr 2019 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200394647 A1 | Dec 2020 | US |
