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Distributed information system and protocol for affixing electronic signatures and authenticating documents

  • US 6,938,157 B2
  • Filed: 08/17/2001
  • Issued: 08/30/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method to verify authenticity of a document having an electronic signature associated therewith, said document being digitally representable as a file (DF) that is processed with a cryptographic hash function (CHF) to yield a unique digital fingerprint number (DFP) associated with said DF, the method comprising the following steps:

  • (a) creating a document identification number (DID) uniquely associated with said DFP, and associating said DID with said DFP;

    (b) obtaining and authenticating veracity of credential information (C), and associating said C with said DID and said DFP; and

    (c) storing, in at least two locations, registration certificate (DFC) that represents said electronic signature and includes said DID, said DFP, and said C, such that a single entity cannot modify every stored copy of said DFC;

    wherein step (c) includes initially promulgating said DFC to at least a minimum number Q of N, where N>

    Q, storage locations (WS), and subsequently promulgating said DFP to any remaining (N-Q) said storage locations not initially receiving promulgated said DFC;

    wherein authenticating whether a putative document digitally representable as a putative file DF′ and

    by a putative registration certificate (DFC′

    ) associated therewith is an unaltered version of said document represented by said DF and is associated with said electronic signature includes;

    comparing a putative digital fingerprint DFP′

    for said DF′

    obtained using said CHF with at least two retrieved copies of said DFP associated with the DFC stored at step (c);

    wherein if said DFP′ and

    said DFP are in agreement, said putative document is said document, and said electronic signature has not been altered.

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