Electronic chain of custody method and system
First Claim
1. A system for maintaining a chain of custody record for the handling of an item transferred among a plurality of custodians, comprising:
- (a) a plurality of computers, each operable by one of said plurality of custodians; and
(b) an electronic form transferable among said computers, said form being successively transferred from a computer operated by one custodian to a computer operated by another in correspondence with the successive transfer of said item from said one custodian to said another, said form identifying said item and including space for entry of information by each custodian handling said item, said information including an identification of said custodian and a digital signature of said custodian authenticating said item, and wherein at least some of said information entered by a custodian is unalterable by another custodian receiving the form.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for maintaining a chain of custody record for the handling of an item transferred among a plurality of custodians. A system in accordance with one or more embodiments can include a plurality of computers operable by the custodians. The system also includes an electronic form transferable among the computers. The form is transferred from a computer operated by one custodian to a computer operated by another in correspondence with the transfer of the item from the custodian to the other. The form identifies the item and includes space for entry of information by each custodian handling the item. The information entered by the custodians includes an identification of the custodian and a digital signature of the custodian authenticating the item. At least some of the information entered by a custodian is unalterable by another custodian.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A system for maintaining a chain of custody record for the handling of an item transferred among a plurality of custodians, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of computers, each operable by one of said plurality of custodians; and
(b) an electronic form transferable among said computers, said form being successively transferred from a computer operated by one custodian to a computer operated by another in correspondence with the successive transfer of said item from said one custodian to said another, said form identifying said item and including space for entry of information by each custodian handling said item, said information including an identification of said custodian and a digital signature of said custodian authenticating said item, and wherein at least some of said information entered by a custodian is unalterable by another custodian receiving the form. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of securely transferring an item by a first custodian of said item to a second custodian of said item, the method comprising:
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(a) said first custodian entering information on the identity of said first custodian on an electronic form identifying said item;
(b) said first custodian digitally signing said electronic form to authenticate said item;
(c) said first custodian transmitting said electronic form to said second custodian; and
(d) said first custodian sending said item to said second custodian. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An electronic form for facilitating the transfer of an item among a plurality of custodians, said form being successively transferable from a computer operated by one custodian to a computer operated by another in correspondence with the successive transfer of said item from said one custodian to said another, said form comprising:
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an identification of said item; and
a space for entry of information by each custodian handling said item, said information including an identification of said custodian and a digital signature of said custodian authenticating said item, and wherein at least some of said information entered by one custodian is unalterable by another custodian receiving the form. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification