Method and apparatus for self-authenticating digital records
US7047404B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 16, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 16, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2209/60
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for proving the validity of a record digitally signed by a user having a digital certificate issued by a certification authority within a hierarchy of certification authorities. The user signs the record, and obtains the digital certificates and certificate revocation information for all the certification authorities in the chain of the hierarchy extending from the user to the root certification authority. A timestamp is applied to the record, the digital certificates and the certificate revocation information to establish a point in time in which all items were created, current and valid. If, at some later point, one or more of the digital certificates either expire or are revoked, the timestamp serves as evidence of the integrity of the signed record.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.