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Method for certifying public keys in a digital signature scheme

  • US 5,604,804 A
  • Filed: 04/23/1996
  • Issued: 02/18/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for certifying pieces of data in a system having authorities that certify data, comprising the steps of:

  • (a) presenting a piece of data requiring certification to a first authority for inspection of a given property;

    (b) if the piece of data passes the inspection of the first authority, causing a second authority to receive an indication that the piece of data has passed the inspection of at least the first authority;

    (c) having the second authority issue a certificate that the piece of data possesses the given property, the second authority including in the certificate a signature of the second authority and the second authority omitting from the certificate a public key of the first authority; and

    (d) storing accountability information that renders at least the first authority accountable for pieces of data that the first authority contributes to certify.

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