Abstract: A system and method for securely and reliably depositing with a Trusted Repository System an authoritative information object executed, using a third, party electronic signing system, or maintained in an intermediary third party storage system having received the original information object from a third, party electronic signing system, such that the TRS may subsequently facilitate electronic transmission, storage, and retrieval of verifiable copies of the stored authenticated authoritative information object without the TRS relinquishing control of the authenticated authoritative information object.

Abstract: A software-based method and system for maintaining documents and datasets associated with a given commercial transaction as original, authenticated documents or datasets associated with the underlying transaction. Datasets that have been designated as “auditable” are maintained by the system as tamper-evident and reflect the data actually provided to the system by the transaction owner or a trusted third party at each stage of the transaction. In certain preferred embodiments the system establishes and maintains a verified, original audit trail or trails reflecting the custodial chain of ownership of said data. A visual interface is provided to the stakeholders for secure access to authoritative copies of documents, transaction data and the related audit trails. In addition, the system includes real-time analytics and monitoring with threshold-based alerts, and drill-down capability to any level of the data, documents and audit trail.

Abstract: Method for converting an original paper document into an original information object, and for subsequent electronic transmission, storage, and retrieval of verifiable copies of the stored original information object without the Trusted Repository relinquishing control of the original information object. The user first converts the blue-ink-signed paper document into an electronic information object. On deposit of this information object into the Trusted Repository, the user is required to destroy or permanently designate the blue-ink-signed paper document and locally-retained files as copies. The Trusted Repository then requires the user to establish the authenticity of the electronic information object by verifying that it is now the only authoritative and original copy. The Trusted Repository then creates the original authenticated information object by appending a date-time stamp and its digital signature and certificate (signature block).

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include methods of handling stored electronic original information objects that have been created by electronically signing information objects by respective authorized users and transfer agents, submitting signed information objects to a trusted repository system, validating the submitted signed information objects by at least testing the integrity of the contents of each signed information object and the validity of the signature of the respective transfer agent, and applying to each validated information object a date-time stamp and a digital signature and authentication certificate of the trusted repository system that is an electronic vault. One method includes the remote signing of electronic documents without the trusted repository ever releasing the electronic original documents and other information objects that are controlled and protected by the trusted repository system.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include methods of handling stored electronic original information objects that have been created by electronically signing information objects by respective authorized users and transfer agents, submitting signed information objects to a trusted repository system, validating the submitted signed information objects by at least testing the integrity of the contents of each signed information object and the validity of the signature of the respective transfer agent, and applying to each validated information object a date-time stamp and a digital signature and authentication certificate of the trusted repository system that is an electronic vault. One method includes the remote signing of electronic documents without the trusted repository ever releasing the electronic original documents and other information objects that are controlled and protected by the trusted repository system.

Abstract: A Certificate Status Service that is configurable, directed, and able to retrieve status from any approved Certification Authority (CA) is disclosed. The CSS may be used by a Trusted Custodial Utility (TCU) and comparable systems or applications whose roles are validating the right of an individual to perform a requisite action, the authenticity of submitted electronic information objects, and the status of authentication certificates used in digital signature verification and user authentication processes. The validity check on authentication certificates is performed by querying an issuing CA. Traditionally, to create a trusted Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) needed to validate certificates, complex relationships are formed by cross-certification among CAs or by use of PKI bridges.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include methods of handling stored electronic original objects that have been created by signing information objects by respective transfer agents, submitting signed information objects to a trusted custodial utility, validating the submitted signed information objects by at least testing the integrity of the contents of each signed information object and the validity of the signature of the respective transfer agent, and applying to each validated information object a date-time stamp and a digital signature and authentication certificate of the trusted custodial utility. One method includes re-validating an electronic original object by verifying the digital signature of the trusted custodial utility applied to the object and applying to the re-validated object a current date-time stamp and a digital signature and current authentication certificate of the trusted custodial utility.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing user logon and state-less authentication are described in a distributed processing environment. Upon an attempted access by a user to an online resource, transaction, or record, a logon component asks the user to supply a logon ID and a password. The logon component verifies the provided information, and upon successful identification, a security context is constructed from information relevant to the user. The security context is sent to the user and is presented to the system each time the user attempts to invoke a new resource, such as a program object, transaction, record, or certified printer avoiding the need for repeated logon processing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing user logon and state-less authentication are described in a distributed processing environment. Upon an attempted access by a user to an online resource, transaction, or record, a logon component asks the user to supply a logon ID and a password. The logon component verifies the provided information, and upon successful identification, a security context is constructed from information relevant to the user. The security context is sent to the user and is presented to the system each time the user attempts to invoke a new resource, such as a program object, transaction, record, or certified printer avoiding the need for repeated logon processing.

Abstract: Digital signatures are not valid indefinitely but only during the validity periods of their authentication certificates, which themselves are not indefinite but typically expire in order to limit the chances for compromise of the digital signatures. This poses a problem for electronic information objects that are intended to have legal weight for periods longer than the remaining validity period of a signature. There are thus provided methods of handling stored electronic original objects that have been created by signing information objects by respective transfer agents, submitting signed information objects to a trusted custodial utility, validating the submitted signed information objects by at least testing the integrity of the contents of each signed information object and the validity of the signature of the respective transfer agent, and applying to each validated information object a date-time stamp and a digital signature and authentication certificate of the trusted custodial utility.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided that implement digital signing and/or encryption for the electronic transmission, storage, and retrieval of authenticated documents and that enable the establishment of the identity of the originator of an electronic document and of the integrity of the information contained in such a document. Together these provide irrevocable proof of authenticity of the document. The methods and apparatus make it possible to provide “paper-less” commercial transactions, such as real-estate transactions and the financial transactions secured by real estate. A Certification Authority provides tools for initializing and managing the cryptographic material required to sign and seal electronic documents. An Authentication Center provides “third party” verification that a document is executed and transmitted by the document's originator. The methods and apparatus eliminate the need for “hard copies” of original documents as well as hard-copy storage.