Secure electronic transactions using a trusted intermediary to perform electronic services
First Claim
1. A system for use with a communication network to securely transmit a message thereover from a sender to a recipient, via an intermediary capable of performing electronic services, comprising:
- a transmitter havingfirst logic to receive the message from a user and to form an encrypted inner envelope using a first cryptographic algorithm, the encrypted inner envelope containing the message in an encrypted form decryptable by the recipient;
second logic to form a first information structure associated with the inner envelope, the first information structure containing data identifying the recipient as a destination and identifying desired electronic services;
third logic to form an encrypted first information structure using a second cryptographic algorithm, the encrypted first information structure containing the first information structure in an encrypted form decryptable by the intermediary;
fourth logic to receive the encrypted inner envelope and encrypted first information structure and to transmit them as a first package on the communication network;
an intermediary havingfifth logic to receive the first package and to decrypt the encrypted first information structure, using the second cryptographic algorithm, to determine the identifying data and the desired electronic services;
sixth logic to process the electronic services;
seventh logic to form a second package, the second package containing the encrypted inner envelope;
a receiver havingeighth logic to obtain the second package; and
ninth logic to decrypt the inner envelope, using the first cryptographic algorithm, to recover the message and to present it to the recipient.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Secure electronic transactions using a trusted intermediary with non-repudiation of receipt and contents of message. A system of, and method for, securely transmitting a package from a sender to a recipient, via an intermediary, are described, as is a novel data arrangement, stored in a computer-readable medium. A sender encrypts the message to form an encrypted inner envelope. A waybill is formed that among other things identifies the recipient as the destination and includes information indicating various levels of services desired, e.g., electronic notarization. The waybill and inner envelope are used to form an encrypted outer envelope that is addressed to a trusted intermediary. The intermediary receives the package and decrypts the outer envelope. It is unable to decrypt the inner envelope, due to the keys employed during encryption. The service information is processed, and the package is used to form a second package addressed to the recipient. The recipient decrypts the package and confirms receipt thereof, using a digest of the message. In this way, receipt and opening of the message cannot be properly repudiated by the recipient. An extra level of encryption to form an outer envelope from the intermediary to the recipient may be included, and the various envelopes and confirmation digests may be signed so that the contents and identities may be authenticated.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A system for use with a communication network to securely transmit a message thereover from a sender to a recipient, via an intermediary capable of performing electronic services, comprising:
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a transmitter having first logic to receive the message from a user and to form an encrypted inner envelope using a first cryptographic algorithm, the encrypted inner envelope containing the message in an encrypted form decryptable by the recipient; second logic to form a first information structure associated with the inner envelope, the first information structure containing data identifying the recipient as a destination and identifying desired electronic services; third logic to form an encrypted first information structure using a second cryptographic algorithm, the encrypted first information structure containing the first information structure in an encrypted form decryptable by the intermediary; fourth logic to receive the encrypted inner envelope and encrypted first information structure and to transmit them as a first package on the communication network; an intermediary having fifth logic to receive the first package and to decrypt the encrypted first information structure, using the second cryptographic algorithm, to determine the identifying data and the desired electronic services; sixth logic to process the electronic services; seventh logic to form a second package, the second package containing the encrypted inner envelope; a receiver having eighth logic to obtain the second package; and ninth logic to decrypt the inner envelope, using the first cryptographic algorithm, to recover the message and to present it to the recipient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of securely transmitting a message from a sender to a recipient, via an intermediary capable of performing electronic services, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving the message from the sender and forming an encrypted envelope using a first cryptographic algorithm, the encrypted inner envelope containing the message and decryptable by the recipient; (b) forming a first information structure, associated with the inner envelope, the first information structure containing data identifying the recipient as an ultimate destination and identifying desired electronic services; (c) forming an encrypted information structure using a second cryptographic algorithm, the encrypted first information structure being decryptable by the intermediary; (d) receiving the encrypted inner envelope and encrypted first information structure and transmitting the inner envelope and encrypted first information structure as a first package on the communication network; (e) receiving the first package and decrypting the encrypted first information structure, using the second cryptographic algorithm, to determine the identifying data and the desired electronic services; (f) processing in accordance with the electronic services indicated; (g) forming a second package, the second package containing the encrypted inner envelope and transmitting the second package on the network; (h) receiving the second package; and (i) decrypting the inner envelope, using the first cryptographic algorithm, to recover the message and to present it to the recipient. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. A system for use with a communication network to securely transmit a message thereover from a sender to a recipient, the system capable of performing electronic services, comprising:
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first logic to receive a first package from the sender, wherein the first package includes at least; an inner envelope encrypted using a first cryptographic algorithm, the encrypted inner envelope decryptable by the recipient; and an encrypted first information structure associated with the inner envelope, the first information structure containing data identifying the recipient as a destination and identifying desired electronic services, the first information structure encrypted using a second cryptographic algorithm; second logic to decrypt the encrypted first information structure, using the second cryptographic algorithm, to determine the identifying data and the desired electronic services; third logic to process the electronic services; and fourth logic to form a second package, the second package containing the encrypted inner envelope, wherein the receiver may obtain the second package and use the first cryptographic algorithm to recover the message.
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8. A method of securely transmitting a message from a sender to a recipient, via an intermediary capable of performing electronic services, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first package from the sender wherein the first package includes at least; an inner envelope encrypted using a first cryptographic algorithm, the encrypted inner envelope decryptable by the recipient; and an encrypted first information structure associated with the inner envelope, the first information structure containing data identifying the recipient as a destination and identifying desired electronic services, the first information structure encrypted using a second cryptographic algorithm; decrypting the encrypted first information structure, using the second cryptographic algorithm, to determine the identifying data and the desired electronic services; processing the electronic services; and forming a second package, the second package containing the encrypted inner envelope, wherein the receiver may obtain the second package and use the first cryptographic algorithm to recover the message.
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Specification