Document distribution and interaction with delegation of signature authority
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented electronic signature acquisition method comprising:
- receiving, from an intended signatory, a delegation rule that specifies a delegate having signature authority for the intended signatory;
receiving, from a document originator, an electronic document that is to be distributed to the intended signatory as part of an electronic signature workflow, wherein the electronic document includes one or more document terms;
determining that the delegation rule applies to the electronic document;
sending, to the document originator, a notification that the intended signatory has delegated signature authority for the electronic document to the delegate, wherein the notification includes a request for the document originator to approve delegation of signature authority for the electronic document to the delegate;
sending, to the delegate, instructions for assenting to the one or more document terms;
modifying the electronic document to include an electronic signature of the delegate and a chain of delegation indicating that the intended signatory has delegated signature authority to the delegate; and
recording audit data in an audit data repository, the audit data specifying the chain of delegation and characterizing the electronic signature of the delegate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Improved workflows allow delegation of authority to electronically sign a document according to a delegation rule. The delegation rule specifies a document criterion and a delegate who is authorized to sign documents meeting the criterion. The criterion may be based on subject matter, document originator, or receipt time. Delegation rules can also be invoked in response to specified conditions or events, such as receipt of an automated out-of-office notification, or failure to receive any response to a signature request within a certain time. When an electronic signature system processes a document meeting the specified criterion, or detects one of the specified conditions or events, the document is sent to the delegate for signature instead of the originally intended signatory. The workflow initiator and delegator are optionally notified of such delegation before the document is sent to the delegate, thus giving him/her a degree of control over the delegation.
140 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented electronic signature acquisition method comprising:
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receiving, from an intended signatory, a delegation rule that specifies a delegate having signature authority for the intended signatory; receiving, from a document originator, an electronic document that is to be distributed to the intended signatory as part of an electronic signature workflow, wherein the electronic document includes one or more document terms; determining that the delegation rule applies to the electronic document; sending, to the document originator, a notification that the intended signatory has delegated signature authority for the electronic document to the delegate, wherein the notification includes a request for the document originator to approve delegation of signature authority for the electronic document to the delegate; sending, to the delegate, instructions for assenting to the one or more document terms; modifying the electronic document to include an electronic signature of the delegate and a chain of delegation indicating that the intended signatory has delegated signature authority to the delegate; and recording audit data in an audit data repository, the audit data specifying the chain of delegation and characterizing the electronic signature of the delegate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An electronic signature server system comprising a memory device and a processor that is operatively coupled to the memory device, wherein the processor is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory device that, when executed, cause the processor to carry out an electronic signature delegation process that comprises:
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receiving, from an intended signatory, parameters that define a delegation rule that specifies a delegate having signature authority for the intended signatory; receiving, from a document originator, metadata that identifies a document that is to be distributed to the intended signatory as part of a workflow, wherein the document includes a plurality of document terms; sending, to the intended signatory, first instructions for assenting to the plurality of document terms; receiving an autoreply notification that is sent on behalf of the intended signatory, and that is sent in response to sending the first instructions to the intended signatory; in response to receiving the autoreply notification, determining applicability of the delegation rule; sending, to the document originator, a request for the document originator to approve delegation of signature authority for the document to the delegate; and sending, to the delegate, second instructions for assenting to the plurality of document terms in response to determining that the delegation rule is applicable. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer program product encoded with instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause a document workflow process to be carried out, the process comprising:
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receiving, from an intended signatory, a delegation rule that specifies a delegate having signature authority for the intended signatory; receiving, from a document originator, an electronic document that is to be distributed to the intended signatory, wherein the electronic document includes one or more document terms; determining that the delegation rule applies to the electronic document; sending, to the document originator, a notification that the intended signatory has delegated signature authority for the electronic document to the delegate, wherein the notification includes a request for the document originator to approve delegation of signature authority for the electronic document to the delegate; sending, to the delegate, instructions for assenting to the one or more document terms; modifying the electronic document to include an electronic signature of the delegate; and recording audit data in an audit data repository, the audit data (a) specifying a chain of delegation indicating that the intended signatory has delegated signature authority to the delegate, and (b) characterizing the electronic signature of the delegate. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification