Patents by Inventor Benjamin David Follis

Benjamin David Follis has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10032133
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic signature service receives a document to be electronically signed on behalf of an organization. The electronic signature service automatically determines at least one authorized signatory from the organization for executing the received document. The authorized signatory is determined from data describing an organizational structure and signature authorities for the organization. The electronic signature service electronically provides the document to the authorized signatory via a data network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: Benjamin David Follis
  • Patent number: 9984242
    Abstract: Techniques for generating a document according to attestation requirements are provided. A method determines attestation requirements for electronically signing an electronic document. The method modifies the document based in part on the requirements, and then provides the modified document to users requested to electronically sign the document, wherein the users are only permitted to electronically sign the document in circumstances satisfying the requirements. An electronic signature service can generate a document whose signing needs to be witnessed and/or recorded according to attestation requirements. The document may be associated with number of signers. The electronic signature service may determine one or more witnesses of the signers and may determine applicable attestation requirements based on the witnesses, the signers, and the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: Benjamin David Follis
  • Patent number: 9842201
    Abstract: An electronic document signature system preserves the security of an electronic document while tracking a signature process corresponding to the electronic document. In particular, using a client application on a client device, an originating user can protect an electronic document and send the protected electronic document to a tracking server. The tracking server receives only a protected document such that the security the electronic document is preserved. Using a client applications on client devices, one or more participating users can subsequently receive the protected document from the tracking server, access the contents of the electronic document, and sign the electronic document. The tracking server can record events that occur with respect to the protected document to create an event log.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: ADOBE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Benjamin David Follis, Marc Thomas Kaufman
  • Patent number: 9760960
    Abstract: In some embodiments, electronic signature service provides access to an electronic agreement by a signatory. The electronic signature service determines whether a change to the electronic agreement proposed by the signatory is acceptable. The proposed change can change a task that at least one signatory will legally be obligated to perform upon execution of the electronic agreement by all signatories. The electronic signature service determines the acceptability of the proposed change based on data indicative of changes that are acceptable to another signatory. The electronic signature service can update the electronic agreement with the proposed change based on verifying that the proposed change is acceptable. The electronic signature service can determine that the updated electronic agreement is legally binding on the signatories based on determining that the electronic agreement has been executed by all signatories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher Douglas Laine, Benjamin David Follis
  • Patent number: 9692601
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic signature service automatically updates electronic documents to prevent execution by an unauthorized signatory. The electronic signature service can receive an electronic document to be electronically signed on behalf of an organization. The electronic signature service can retrieve organization data indicative of signatories that are authorized to electronically sign the electronic document. The organization data may be inaccessible to a first signatory that is associated with the document. The electronic signature service can determine from the organization data that the first signatory is not authorized to electronically sign the document. The electronic signature service can update the electronic document with a second signatory that is determined from the organization data as being authorized to execute the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: Benjamin David Follis
  • Patent number: 9646355
    Abstract: Electronic signatures are authenticated utilizing near field communication (NFC) devices as proof of identity. An identification service collects an identification of a NFC device associated with a signer of a contract. The identification may be utilized as an access control mechanism that enables the signer to receive, view, or sign the contract. An electronic signature associated with the signer is received. The identification of the NFC device and the electronic signature of the signer are recorded in the contract and/or audit information associated with the contract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: Benjamin David Follis
  • Patent number: 9614681
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing an electronic signature service where the content of an electronic document to be signed remains unknown to the service. A sender of the electronic document negotiates a specification for encoding the electronic document. In particular, the specification does not include any content of the electronic document. In this manner, the content of the electronic document can be encrypted and securely transmitted between the sender and the signer via the electronic signature service using one or more data packets conforming to the specification without permitting the electronic signature service to read or otherwise decipher the content. The specification enables the electronic signature service to certify that the signer has received the electronic document and assented to its terms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Benjamin David Follis, Marc Kaufman
  • Publication number: 20170032112
    Abstract: An electronic document signature system preserves the security of an electronic document while tracking a signature process corresponding to the electronic document. In particular, using a client application on a client device, an originating user can protect an electronic document and send the protected electronic document to a tracking server. The tracking server receives only a protected document such that the security the electronic document is preserved. Using a client applications on client devices, one or more participating users can subsequently receive the protected document from the tracking server, access the contents of the electronic document, and sign the electronic document. The tracking server can record events that occur with respect to the protected document to create an event log.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Benjamin David Follis, Marc Thomas Kaufman
  • Patent number: 9521001
    Abstract: An electronic document signature system preserves the security of an electronic document while tracking a signature process corresponding to the electronic document. In particular, using a client application on a client device, an originating user can protect an electronic document and send the protected electronic document to a tracking server. The tracking server receives only a protected document such that the security the electronic document is preserved. Using a client applications on client devices, one or more participating users can subsequently receive the protected document from the tracking server, access the contents of the electronic document, and sign the electronic document. The tracking server can record events that occur with respect to the protected document to create an event log.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: ADOBE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Benjamin David Follis, Marc Thomas Kaufman
  • Publication number: 20160315775
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic signature service automatically updates electronic documents to prevent execution by an unauthorized signatory. The electronic signature service can receive an electronic document to be electronically signed on behalf of an organization. The electronic signature service can retrieve organization data indicative of signatories that are authorized to electronically sign the electronic document. The organization data may be inaccessible to a first signatory that is associated with the document. The electronic signature service can determine from the organization data that the first signatory is not authorized to electronically sign the document. The electronic signature service can update the electronic document with a second signatory that is determined from the organization data as being authorized to execute the document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventor: Benjamin David Follis
  • Publication number: 20160314550
    Abstract: Contracts are shared by users with third parties via an electronic signature service in accordance with limitations specified by the users. The electronic signature service receives limitations from a user that controls third party access to a contract. A unique sharing identification is generated by the electronic signature service that links the contact to a third party. The limitations are associated with the unique sharing identification and the user and the third party are notified that the contract is available. A unique sharing link allows the third party to view contents of the contract via a third party device in accordance with the limitations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventor: BENJAMIN DAVID FOLLIS
  • Publication number: 20160275451
    Abstract: Systems and methods for retaining contracts and managing custodian operations using a management server. One embodiment involves, in a computer network environment, managing custodian operations for an electronic contract retained for an organization. This embodiment involves retaining the electronic contract on the electronic contract server for the organization, wherein non-custodians are restricted from performing custodian operations on the electronic contract. The embodiment further involves creating a custodian identifier for the electronic contract, the custodian identifier unique for the contract and the organization. The embodiment further involves receiving a request to access the electronic contract for custodian operations, the request identifying the custodian identifier. The embodiment further involves providing the electronic contract for custodian operations, wherein the custodian operations that are allowed are determined based on the custodian identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Benjamin David Follis
  • Publication number: 20160267563
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein for providing information about an obligation of an electronic contract. One embodiment involves receiving, at an electronic contract obligation server, an annotation associated with the electronic contract, the annotation specifying the obligation to be performed by a performing participant of the electronic contract according to a time constraint for the benefit of a benefited participant of the electronic contract, the electronic contract obligation server independent of the performing participant and the benefited participant. The embodiment further involves identifying, by the electronic contract obligation service, the information about the obligation based on the annotation associated with the electronic contract. The embodiment further involves providing, by the electronic contract obligation service, the information about the obligation to the performing participant or the benefited participant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventor: Benjamin David Follis
  • Patent number: 9411971
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic signature service automatically updates electronic documents to prevent execution by an unauthorized signatory. The electronic signature service can receive an electronic document to be electronically signed on behalf of an organization. The electronic signature service can retrieve organization data indicative of signatories that are authorized to electronically sign the electronic document. The organization data may be inaccessible to a first signatory that is associated with the document. The electronic signature service can determine from the organization data that the first signatory is not authorized to electronically sign the document. The electronic signature service can update the electronic document with a second signatory that is determined from the organization data as being authorized to execute the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: Benjamin David Follis
  • Publication number: 20160204944
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing an electronic signature service where the content of an electronic document to be signed remains unknown to the service. A sender of the electronic document negotiates a specification for encoding the electronic document. In particular, the specification does not include any content of the electronic document. In this manner, the content of the electronic document can be encrypted and securely transmitted between the sender and the signer via the electronic signature service using one or more data packets conforming to the specification without permitting the electronic signature service to read or otherwise decipher the content. The specification enables the electronic signature service to certify that the signer has received the electronic document and assented to its terms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Benjamin David Follis, Marc Kaufman
  • Publication number: 20160171634
    Abstract: In some embodiments, electronic signature service provides access to an electronic agreement by a signatory. The electronic signature service determines whether a change to the electronic agreement proposed by the signatory is acceptable. The proposed change can change a task that at least one signatory will legally be obligated to perform upon execution of the electronic agreement by all signatories. The electronic signature service determines the acceptability of the proposed change based on data indicative of changes that are acceptable to another signatory. The electronic signature service can update the electronic agreement with the proposed change based on verifying that the proposed change is acceptable. The electronic signature service can determine that the updated electronic agreement is legally binding on the signatories based on determining that the electronic agreement has been executed by all signatories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Douglas Laine, Benjamin David Follis
  • Publication number: 20160162697
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic signature service automatically updates electronic documents to prevent execution by an unauthorized signatory. The electronic signature service can receive an electronic document to be electronically signed on behalf of an organization. The electronic signature service can retrieve organization data indicative of signatories that are authorized to electronically sign the electronic document. The organization data may be inaccessible to a first signatory that is associated with the document. The electronic signature service can determine from the organization data that the first signatory is not authorized to electronically sign the document. The electronic signature service can update the electronic document with a second signatory that is determined from the organization data as being authorized to execute the document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventor: Benjamin David Follis
  • Patent number: 9323937
    Abstract: Techniques for generating and enforcing document visibility rights associated with a document in use with an electronic signature service are described. Consistent with embodiments of the invention, document visibility rights can be established for each person designated to sign and/or receive a copy of a document, and on a per-page, per-document section, or per-source document basis. Additionally, visibility rights may be conditional, such that various events (including the signing of a document) may modify visibility rights making a previously un-viewable page or document section viewable to a particular person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Benjamin David Follis, Eran Aloni
  • Publication number: 20160048696
    Abstract: Techniques for generating a document according to attestation requirements are provided. A method determines attestation requirements for electronically signing an electronic document. The method modifies the document based in part on the requirements, and then provides the modified document to users requested to electronically sign the document, wherein the users are only permitted to electronically sign the document in circumstances satisfying the requirements. An electronic signature service can generate a document whose signing needs to be witnessed and/or recorded according to attestation requirements. The document may be associated with number of signers. The electronic signature service may determine one or more witnesses of the signers and may determine applicable attestation requirements based on the witnesses, the signers, and the document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventor: Benjamin David Follis
  • Publication number: 20150379652
    Abstract: Mappings are received that associate one or more contract classes to one or more jurisdictions. Contract classes are determined for contracts being sent by senders or signed by signers. The contract classes may be determined by content analysis performed on the contracts. Content of the contracts may be altered with clauses specifying jurisdictions in accordance with the mappings. The contracts are enabled to be sent by senders or signed by signers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: BENJAMIN DAVID FOLLIS