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Simplified addressing for private communications

  • US 7,171,000 B1
  • Filed: 06/10/1999
  • Issued: 01/30/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/10/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method for securely transmitting an information package from a sender to an addressee via a network, the method comprising the steps of:

  • searching at least one database to determine whether the addressee has a public key in order to determine the type of encryption to be performed on the package;

    upon a determination that the addressee does have a public key, encrypting the package with the addressee'"'"'s public key and not encrypting the package with an escrow encryption key;

    only upon a determination that the addressee does not have a public key, selectively encrypting the package with the escrow encryption key;

    storing the escrow key encrypted package in escrow for the addressee prior to receiving a public key for the addressee;

    notifying the addressee of the package stored in escrow; and

    in response to receiving an acknowledgement from the addressee;

    issuing new public and private keys to the addressee, where said new public key is not equal to said escrow encryption key; and

    in response to subsequently verified authentication of the addressee;

    transmitting the package to the addressee via the network.

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