Digital signatures for data streams and data archives
US6021491A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 27, 1996 |
| Grant date | Feb 1, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 27, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2221/2115
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods, apparatuses and products are provided for verifying the authenticity of data within one or more data files. Each data file is provided with an identifier, such as a one-way hash function or cyclic redundancy checksum. A signature file, that includes the identifiers for one or more data files, is provided with a digital signature created with a signature algorithm. The data file(s) and signature file are then transferred, or otherwise provided to a user. The user verifies the digital signature in the signature file using a signature verifying algorithm. Once verified as being authentic, the signature file can be used to verify each of the data files. Verification of the data files can be accomplished by comparing the identifier for each data file with the corresponding identifier in the signature file. If the identifiers in the data and signature files match, then the data file can be marked as authentic. If the identifiers do not match then the data file can be rejected or otherwise dealt with accordingly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.