Method and system for transcribing electronic affirmations

• US 6,091,835 A
• Filed: 02/17/1998
• Issued: 07/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PenOp Ltd (Isign Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: PenOp Ltd (Isign Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Newman, Jeremy M., Wright, Benjamin, Smithies, Christopher P. K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johns, Andrew W.
• Application Number:
  US09/024,835
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 382/115, 382/116, 382/117, 382/118, 382/119, 382/120, 382/121, 382/122, 382/123, 382/232, 178/18.01, 340/825.3, 340/825.33, 340/825.34, 283/70, 283/75, 380/23
• US Class Current: 382/115
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/94 Hardware or software architectures specially adapted for image or video understanding
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/30 Writer recognition; Reading and verifying signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/35 by means of a handwritten signature

Abstract

The invention presents a method and system for recording a detailed record or "transcript" of the acts, events and forensic circumstances related to a party'"'"'s affirmation of an electronic document, transaction or event. The transcript is recorded in a data object made secure through the use of encryption and a checksum. The system directs a ceremony whereby the party affirming the document, transaction or event is required to undertake a series of steps in order to successfully complete the affirmation and have the affirmation recorded; thus participation in the ceremony must take place before an affirmation will be accepted. The steps of the controlled procedure serve to gather evidence to confirm specifics such as that the affirming party: i) is in fact the identified party; ii) understands that by entering affirming data, e.g. a password, key, biometric sample or other affirming data he or she is thereby affirming or becoming legally accountable for the undertakings of the document, transaction or event triggered by computer interaction; iii) has adequately reviewed the document, transaction or statement to be affirmed (where a client application presents such a document transaction or statement to the system of the present invention); and iv) understands the undertaking of an event or the provisions within the document, transaction or statement and the consequences of affirming it. The system of the present invention is flexible and can be configured to accept all types of biometric, infometric and cryptographic signatures or affirming acts, such as those created by passwords, secret cryptographic keys, unique secret numbers, biometric recordings such as handwritten signatures or other biometric information, or multi-media recordings of affirming statements. It also permits the affirmation procedure to be tailored to the specifics of a client application through the use of an authentication policy component.

Claims

1. A computer system for creating a secure, tamper-resistant electronic transcript which memorializes the events of a user'"'"'s affirmation, through the entry of a signature token, of an electronic transaction having terms, the system comprising:

a. a transaction application module enabling an affirming party to create an electronic transaction;

b. a transcript generator module; and

c. a signature token verification module accepting the signature token from the affirming party, verifying the signature token and transmitting a verification signal to the transcript generator module;

wherein the transcript generator module accepts the terms, confirms the acceptance of the terms by presenting prompts, allows the affirming party to affirm the terms, gathers forensic data surrounding the affirming party'"'"'s affirmation and stores information related to the prompts, the forensic data and the verified token as separate data entities in a tamper-resistant transcript object.

2. The system of claim 1 where the transcript generator module:

a. presents the terms of the document and prompts the affirming party to affirm the document;

b. collects forensic data concerning the affirming party'"'"'s affirmation;

c. prompts the affirming party to input the signature token;

d. links the tamper resistant file to the signature token and to the set of terms; and

e. stores the forensic data and the signature token in the transcript object.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the transcript generator module computes a checksum value of the transcript object and stores the checksum value in the transcript object.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the transcript generator module encrypts the transcript object.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the transcript generator module stores in the transcript object information describing the computer system.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the transcript generator module stores in the transcript object data relating to the times of the entry of the forensic data.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the signature token comprises a representation of the claimed identity of the affirming party.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the signature token comprises a hand written signature.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the signature token comprises voice print information.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the signature token comprises eye pattern information.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the signature token comprises fingerprint information.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the signature token comprises a stamp.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the signature token verification module:

selects an at least one available identity input option from a plurality of possible identity input options; and

requests the signature token based on the at least one available identity input option.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the signature token comprises credit card information.

15. A computer based method for recording a series of acts constituting the signing of an electronic document and assuring an affirming party'"'"'s intent, comprising the steps of:

presenting the electronic document to the affirming party;

allowing the affirming party to electronically examine the document;

collecting examination data representing affirming party inputs during examination of the document;

displaying an at least one prompt indicating the intention of the affirming party towards the document;

allowing the affirming party to examine the at least one prompt;

collecting prompt data representing affirming party inputs during the affirming party examination of the at least one prompt;

requesting identity information from the affirming party;

collecting identity input data representing affirming party inputs of identity information;

creating a document checksum of the document;

generating ceremony information comprising a record of the series of acts constituting the signing of the electronic document from;

the presentation of the document to the affirming party;

the examination data;

the prompt data; and

the identity input data;

creating a transcript object; and

storing the at least one prompt, identity information, document checksum and ceremony information in the transcript object.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of computing a checksum value of the transcript object and storing the checksum value in the transcript object.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of encrypting the transcript object.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of displaying the at least one prompt includes the steps of:

allowing the affirming party to choose from a set of prompts; and

collecting prompt choice data representing affirming party input relating the choice of prompts and;

wherein the step of generating ceremony information includes the step of generating information based the prompt choice data.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of displaying the at least one prompt includes the steps of:

allowing the affirming party to alter the at least one prompt; and

collecting prompt alteration data representing affirming party input relating to the alteration of prompts; and

the step of generating ceremony information includes the step of generating information based on the prompt alteration data.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of displaying the at least one prompt includes the steps of:

allowing the affirming party to input a user created prompt; and

collecting prompt creation data representing user input relating to the creation of the prompt; and

the step of generating ceremony information includes the step of generating information based on the prompt creation data.

21. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of storing in the transcript object information describing the computer system executing the method.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the examination data, prompt data, and identity input data each have a corresponding at least one entry time, and the ceremony information includes data relating to the corresponding at least one entry times.

23. The method of claim 15, where the series of acts includes a plurality of affirming party inputs, each affirming party input having a corresponding time, and the ceremony information includes an at least one of the corresponding times.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of presenting the document to the affirming party includes the step of presenting an at least one portion of the document to the affirming party, and wherein the ceremony information includes data relating to the at least one portion.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one portion of the document is presented to the affirming party for an at least one length of time corresponding to the at least one portion, and wherein the ceremony information includes data relating to the at least one length of time.

26. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of evaluating the examination data and creating the transcript object if the examination data is sufficient.

27. The method of claim 15, wherein the identity information comprises a representation of the claimed identity of the affirming party.

28. The method of claim 15, wherein the identity information comprises a hand written signature.

29. The method of claim 15, wherein the identity information comprises voice print information.

30. The method of claim 15, wherein the identity information comprises eye pattern information.

31. The method of claim 15, wherein the identity information comprises fingerprint information.

32. The method of claim 15, wherein the identity information comprises a stamp.

33. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of requesting identity information from the affirming party includes the steps of:

selecting an at least one available identity input option from a plurality of possible identity input options; and

requesting identity information based on the at least one available identity input option.

34. The method of claim 15, wherein the identity information comprises credit card information.

35. A computer based method for recording a series of acts constituting the signing of an electronic document and assuring an affirming party'"'"'s intent, comprising the steps of:

presenting an electronic document to be signed to the affirming party;

allowing the affirming party to electronically examine the document by performing the substeps of;

accepting an at least one document review user input command; and

displaying an at least one portion of the document in accordance with the at least one document review user input command;

displaying a declaration of intention indicating the intention of the affirming party towards the document;

verifying the identity of the affirming party by performing the substeps of;

requesting identity information from the affirming party; and

accepting identity information from the affirming party;

recording an at least one identity input event relating to the identity information;

creating a document checksum of the document;

generating ceremony information from;

the presentation of the document to the affirming party;

the at least one document review user input command and the at least one portion of the document displayed; and

the at least one identity input event; and

storing the identity information, document checksum and ceremony information in a transcript object.

36. The method of claim 35 further including the steps of:

allowing the affirming party to examine the declaration of intention by performing the substep of;

accepting an at least one declaration of intention review affirming party input command, wherein the step of displaying the declaration of intention is carried out in accordance with the at least one declaration of intention review affirming party input command;

generating further ceremony information from the at least one declaration of intention review affirming party input command and information relating to the display of the declaration of intention; and

storing the further ceremony information and the declaration of intention in the transcript object.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising the steps of computing a checksum value of the transcript object and storing the checksum value in the transcript object.

38. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of encrypting the transcript object.

39. The method of claim 35, further comprising the steps of computing a checksum value of the transcript object and storing the checksum value in the transcript object.

40. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of encrypting the transcript object.

41. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of displaying the declaration of intention includes the steps of:

allowing the affirming party to choose from a set of declarations of intent; and

collecting declaration of intention choice data representing affirming party input relating the choice of declarations of intention; and

wherein the step of generating ceremony information includes the step of generating information based the declaration of intention choice data.

42. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of displaying the declaration of intention includes the steps of:

allowing the affirming party to alter the declaration of intention; and

collecting declaration of intention alteration data representing affirming party input relating to the alteration of the declaration of intention; and

the step of generating ceremony information includes the step of generating information based on the declaration of intention alteration data.

43. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of displaying the declaration of intention includes the steps of:

allowing the affirming party to input an affirming party created declaration of intention; and

collecting declaration of intention creation data representing affirming party input relating to the creation of the declaration of intention; and

the step of generating ceremony information includes the step of generating information based on the declaration of intention creation data.

44. The method of claim 35, where the series of acts includes a plurality of affirming party inputs, each affirming party input having a corresponding time, and the ceremony information includes an at least one of the corresponding times.

45. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of storing in the transcript object information describing the computer system executing the method.

46. The method of claim 35, wherein the at least one document review user input command and the at least one identity input event each have an at least one entry time, and the ceremony information includes data relating to the at least one entry times.

47. The method of claim 35, wherein the at least one declaration of intention review affirming party input command has an at least one entry time, and the ceremony information includes data relating to the at least one entry time.

48. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of evaluating the examination data and creating the transcript object if the examination data is sufficient.

49. The method of claim 35 wherein the identity information comprises a representation of the claimed identity of the affirming party.

50. The method of claim 35 wherein the identity information comprises a hand written signature.

51. The method of claim 35 wherein the identity information comprises voice print information.

52. The method of claim 35 wherein the identity information comprises eye pattern information.

53. The method of claim 35 wherein the identity information comprises fingerprint information.

54. The method of claim 35 wherein the identity information comprises a stamp.

55. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of requesting identity information from the affirming party includes the steps of:

selecting an at least one available identity input option from a plurality of possible identity input options; and

requesting identity information based on the at least one available identity input option.

56. The method of claim 35, further comprising the steps of:

accepting user personalization data; and

storing the user personalization data in the transcript object.

57. The method of claim 35 wherein the identity information comprises credit card information.

58. A computer based system for recording a series of acts constituting the signing of an electronic document and assuring an affirming party'"'"'s intent, comprising:

presentation means presenting an electronic document to be signed to the affirming party, the presentation means allowing the affirming party to electronically examine the document by accepting an at least one document review affirming party input command and displaying an at least one portion of the document in accordance with the at least one document review affirming party input command, the presentation means displaying a declaration of intention indicating the intention of the affirming party towards the document;

verification means verifying the identity of the affirming party by requesting identity information from the affirming party and accepting identity information from the affirming party;

checksumming means creating a document checksum of the document;

ceremony generating means generating ceremony information from;

the presentation of the document to the affirming party;

the at least one document review affirming party input command and the at least one portion of the document displayed; and

the at least one identity input event relating to the identity information; and

storing the identity information, document checksum and ceremony information in a transcript object.

59. The system of claim 58 wherein:

the presentation means allows the affirming party to examine the declaration of intention by accepting an at least one declaration of intention review affirming party input command and the presentation means displays the declaration of intention in accordance with the at least one declaration of intention review affirming party input command; and

the ceremony generation means generates further ceremony information from the at least one declaration of intention review affirming party input command and information relating to the display of the declaration of intention and stores the further ceremony information and the declaration of intention in the transcript object.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein the checksumming means computes a checksum value of the transcript object and stores the checksum value in the transcript object.

61. The system of claim 59, wherein the ceremony generating means encrypt the transcript object.

62. The system of claim 58, wherein the checksumming means computes a checksum value of the transcript object and stores the checksum value in the transcript object.

63. The system of claim 58, wherein the ceremony generating means encrypt the transcript object.

64. The system of claim 58, wherein the presentation means:

allows the affirming party to choose from a set of declarations of intent;

collects declaration of intention choice data representing affirming party input relating the choice of declarations of intent; and

the ceremony generating means generates information based the declaration of intention choice data.

65. The system of claim 58, wherein presentation means:

allows the affirming party to alter the declaration of intention; and

collects declaration of intention alteration data representing affirming party input relating to the alteration of the declaration of intention; and

the ceremony generating means generates information based on the declaration of intention alteration data.

66. The system of claim 58, wherein the presentation means:

allows the affirming party to input an affirming party created declaration of intention; and

collects declaration of intention creation data representing affirming party input relating to the creation of the declaration of intention; and

the ceremony generating means generates information based on the declaration of intention creation data.

67. The system of claim 58, where the series of acts includes a plurality of affirming party inputs, each affirming party input having a corresponding time, and the ceremony information includes an at least one of the corresponding times.

68. The system of claim 58, wherein the ceremony generating means stores in the transcript object information describing the computer system executing the system.

69. The system of claim 58, wherein the at least one document review affirming party input command and the at least one identity input event each have an at least one entry time, and the ceremony information includes data relating to the at least one entry times.

70. The system of claim 58, wherein the at least one declaration of intention review affirming party input command has an at least one entry time, and the ceremony information includes data relating to the at least one entry time.

71. The system of claim 58, wherein the ceremony generating means evaluates the examination data and creates the transcript object if the examination data is sufficient.

72. The system of claim 58 wherein the identity information comprises a representation of the claimed identity of the affirming party.

73. The system of claim 58 wherein the identity information comprises a hand written signature.

74. The system of claim 58 wherein the identity information comprises voice print information.

75. The system of claim 58 wherein the identity information comprises eye pattern information.

76. The system of claim 58 wherein the identity information comprises fingerprint information.

77. The system of claim 58 wherein the identity information comprises a stamp.

78. The system of claim 58, wherein the verification means:

selects an at least one available identity input option from a plurality of possible identity input options; and

requests identity information based on the at least one available identity input option.

79. The system of claim 58 wherein the identity information comprises credit card information.

80. A computer-based system for creating a secure transcript of the events that occur when an affirming party affirms an electronic document or an electronic transaction, the system comprising:

a. a computer coupled to an interface and programmed to present information to the affirming party, capture data upon input, and process that data;

b. the computer further comprised to receive as input an electronic document which sets out terms of the transaction;

c. the computer further programmed to;

i. present the terms of the transaction to the affirming party and prompt the affirming party to affirm the terms using a constraint that enables to computer to collect forensic data concerning the affirmation;

ii. collect forensic data surrounding the affirming party'"'"'s affirmation and encode the forensic data;

iii. collect terms data concerning the terms of the agreement;

iv. collect computer data concerning the computer;

V. accept from the affirming party a signature token for the affirming party and encode that information for the token; and

vii. store the forensic data, terms data, computer data and signature token as separate data entities in a tamper-resistant electronic data structure.

81. A computer based method for recording a series of acts constituting the signing of an electronic document, comprising the steps of:

presenting the electronic document to a signatory;

selecting an at least one available identity input option from a plurality of possible identity input options;

requesting identity information from the affirming party based on the at least one available identity input option;

collecting identity input data representing affirming party inputs of identity information;

creating a document checksum of the document;

creating a data object; and

storing the identity input data and the document checksum in the data object.

82. A computer based system for recording a series of acts constituting the signing of an electronic document, comprising:

means for presenting the electronic document to a signatory;

means for selecting an at least one available identity input option from a plurality of possible identity input options;

means for requesting identity information from the affirming party based on the at least one available identity input option;

means for collecting identity input data representing affirming party inputs of identity information;

means for creating a document checksum of the document; and

means for creating a data object and storing the identity input data and the document checksum in the data object.