Digital signature with an embedded view

• US 7,533,268 B1
• Filed: 06/25/2004
• Issued: 05/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Cris, Mihaela C., Narendran, Arungundram, Catorcini, Alessandro, Velzen, Danny van
• Primary Examiner(s): Moazzami; Nasser G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Louie; Oscar A
• Application Number:
  US10/876,418
• Time in Patent Office: 1,782 Days
• Field of Search: 713/170, 713/168, 713/176
• US Class Current: 713/176
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/68 Special signature format, e.g. XML format
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 involving digital signatures

Abstract

Digital signatures having an embedded view of signed data that lock the signed data but permit it to be repurposed are described. One of these digital signatures can be repurposed for signature by others, such as co-signers or counter-signers. Another of these digital signatures includes embedded information sufficient to recreate the embedded view using the signed data. A method for building a digital signature is also described that permits signing different parts of an electronic document.

Claims

1. One or more computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions thereon which, when executed, are configured to perform acts comprising:

receiving an intention to sign signable data of an electronic document from a user;

determining information sufficient to recreate a static image of the signable data including one or more specifications of a computing environment used to present the static image;

presenting to the user, prior to signable data being signed, information to be embedded into a digital signature including the static image of the signable data and the information sufficient to recreate the static image of the signable data; and

when the user signs the signable data, building a digital signature comprising;

the signable data signed by the user; and

embedded information including the static image and the information sufficient to recreate the static image including the one or more specifications of the computing environment used to present the static image.

2. The computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the acts further comprise:

presenting a view comprising the digital signature.

3. The computer-readable media of claim 2, wherein the the digital signature comprises an identity of the user.

4. The computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the act of presenting comprises presenting comments received from the user.

5. The computer-readable media of claim 1, wherein the act of presenting comprises presenting custom information.

6. One or more computer-readable media storing computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed, are configured to perform acts comprising:

presenting to a user of a computing environment an electronic document having multiple signable data sections;

receiving from the user an intention to sign one or more of the multiple signable data sections thereby defining selected data sections;

determining information sufficient to recreate a static image of the selected data sections including one or more specifications of the computing environment used to present the static image to the user;

presenting to the user the static image of the selected data sections; and

building a digital signature by embedding the static image and the information sufficient to recreate the static image in the selected data sections signed by the user, and locking the selected data sections.

7. The computer-readable media of claim 6, wherein the acts further comprise determining a way in which the selected data sections can be signed by analyzing a signature block associated with the selected data sections.

8. The computer-readable media of claim 6, wherein the acts further comprise enabling receipt of comments from the user, and wherein the act of building further comprises building the digital signature having the comments.

9. The computer-readable media of claim 6, wherein the acts further comprise enabling receipt of custom information, and wherein the act of building further comprises extending the digital signature to comprise the custom information.

10. The computer-readable media of claim 6, wherein the acts further comprise compiling information to be embedded into the digital signature and presenting the information to the user.

11. The computer-readable media of claim 10, wherein the information sufficient to recreate the static image of the selected data sections is presented prior to the information being embedded into the digital signature.

12. The computer-readable media of claim 6, wherein the acts further comprise:

presenting to a second user the static image of the of the selected data sections;

receiving from the second user an intention to sign the selected data sections; and

extending the digital signature to include a digital signature of the second user.

13. A method of building a digital signature comprising:

presenting to a user of a computing environment an electronic document having one or more signable data sections;

enabling the user to select one or more of the signable data sections;

receiving from the user a selection of signable data sections;

presenting to the user a static image of the selection of signable data sections;

receiving from the user an intention to sign the selection of signable data sections;

determining information sufficient to recreate the static image of the selection of signable data sections, wherein information sufficient to recreate the static image includes one or more specifications of the computing environment used to present the static image to the user;

building a digital signature including the static image of the selection of signable data sections and the one or more specifications of the computing environment used to present the static image to the user; and

storing the digital signature on a computer-readable storage medium.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the act of presenting to the user a static image of the selection of signable data sections further comprises presenting comments received from the user.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the act of building the digital signature further comprises extending the digital signature to comprise comments received from the user.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the act of presenting to the user the static image of the selection of signable data sections further comprises enabling the user to provide custom information to be embedded within the digital signature.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the act of building a digital signature further comprises extending the digital signature to comprise custom information.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

presenting a view comprising the static image of the of the selection of signable data sections after the digital signature is stored on a computer-readable storage medium.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

presenting to a second user the static image of the of the selection of signable data sections after the digital signature is stored on a computer-readable storage medium.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

receiving from the second user an intention to sign the selection of signable data sections; and

extending the digital signature to include a digital signature of the second user.