US6028938A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Secure electronic forms permitting layout revision
Assignee: FileNet Nova Scotia Corp
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Filing: 1996-12-03
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Granted: 2000-02-22
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Expires: 2016-12-03
Abstract
Abstract Techniques for ensuring the security of forms data are disclosed. The layout for a particular form is signed separately from the data used to fill out the form using encryption techniques. The signed data is related to the signed layout in a way which permits the layout to be changed without requiring the data to be changed while still guaranteeing that a changed layout does not change the original meaning of the signed data.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne Allan Malkin
- 👤 Charles David Perman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:32
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L9/00; H04L9/32; H04L9/3263; H04L9/3268; H04L9/321; H04L9/3247; H04L2209/00; H04L2209/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
42 words
A method of storing forms, comprising the steps of: a. storing at least one form layout; b. applying a layout originator's signature to said form layout; and c. separately storing form data containing the layout originator's signature applied to said form layout.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
42 words
A method of storing forms, comprising the steps of: a. storing at least one form layout; b. applying a layout originator's signature to said form layout; and c. separately storing form data containing the layout originator's signature applied to said form layout.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising storing a data entry person's signature of said form data using encryption.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising validating one of said layout originator's signature and said data entry person's signature using a public key infrastructure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3 in which said public key infrastructure is controlled by a trusted third party.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 in which said form layout and said form data are linked by a common schema.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 in which said one form layout is replaced by a different form layout based on said common schema.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of retrieving form data, comprising the steps of: a. retrieving a form layout; b. retrieving form data which contains a reference to a version of said form layout; and c. associating values of data elements of said form data with corresponding data elements of said version of said form layout.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of retrieving form data, comprising the steps of: a. retrieving a form layout; b. retrieving form data which contains a reference to a version of said form layout; and c. associating values of data elements of said form data with corresponding data elements of said version of said form layout.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7 in which at least one of said layout and said form data is signed using encryption.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising editing said values of data elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising: storing edited values of data elements in revised form data; and signing said revised form data together with said reference to a version of said form layout.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus for processing form data, comprising: a. a processor; b. data storage connected to said processor, said data storage storing at least one form layout and data, said data including a signature applied to the form layout, for filling in at least one instance of said form layout.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus for processing form data, comprising: a. a processor; b. data storage connected to said processor, said data storage storing at least one form layout and data, said data including a signature applied to the form layout, for filling in at least one instance of said form layout.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
10 words
Apparatus of claim 11, in which said data is signed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus of claim 12 in which said processor is configured to verify the authenticity of a signature applied to one of said form layout and said data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus of claim 13 in which said processor is configured to verify the authenticity of a signature applied to one of said form layout and said data before permitting the use of said data with said form layout.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for processing form data comprising: a. a server having a database storing at least one form layout and separately storing at least one record containing form data for filling in at least one instance of a form layout and a signature applied to said form layout; b. a client process running on a computer; and c. a network connecting said computer to said server; in which said client process is configured to request a copy of a record to be associated with a copy of at least one form layout.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for processing form data comprising: a. a server having a database storing at least one form layout and separately storing at least one record containing form data for filling in at least one instance of a form layout and a signature applied to said form layout; b. a client process running on a computer; and c. a network connecting said computer to said server; in which said client process is configured to request a copy of a record to be associated with a copy of at least one form layout.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus of claim 15 in which said client process is configured to verify the authenticity of a signature to one of said form layout and said data.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus of claim 15 in which a trusted third party is connected to said network and provides information to verify the authenticity of signatures to form layouts and form data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
59 words
A computer program product, comprising: a. a storage medium; b. a computer program stored on said storage medium for processing form data stored on said medium comprising at least one of a form layout and form data; and c. a layout originator's signature applied to a form number and revision of said form layout stored in said storage medium.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
59 words
A computer program product, comprising: a. a storage medium; b. a computer program stored on said storage medium for processing form data stored on said medium comprising at least one of a form layout and form data; and c. a layout originator's signature applied to a form number and revision of said form layout stored in said storage medium.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer program product of claim 18 in which at least one of said form layout and form data are signed using encryption.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer program product of claim 19 in which said form layout comprises (1) layout information, (2) said form number and revision, and (3) said layout originator's signature applied to the form number and revision.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer program product of claim 19 in which said form data comprises (1) data information, (2) said form number and revision, and (3) said layout originator's signature applied to the form number and revision.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of storing forms, comprising the steps of: storing at least one form layout; storing a form number and revision; storing a layout originator's signature using encryption applied to said form number and revision; and separately storing form data containing a reference to said form layout.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of storing forms, comprising the steps of: storing at least one form layout; storing a form number and revision; storing a layout originator's signature using encryption applied to said form number and revision; and separately storing form data containing a reference to said form layout.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
49 words
A method of filling in a secure form, comprising the steps of: retrieving from the secure form a layout originator's signature applied to a form layout; verifying the layout originator's signature applied to the form layout; and filling in the secure form with form data using the form layout.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
49 words
A method of filling in a secure form, comprising the steps of: retrieving from the secure form a layout originator's signature applied to a form layout; verifying the layout originator's signature applied to the form layout; and filling in the secure form with form data using the form layout.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 23, further comprising signing the form data and the layout originator's signature.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 24, further comprising signing a form number and revision of the form layout.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of verifying a filled in, secure form, comprising the steps of: verifying a layout originator's signature applied to a form number and revision of a form layout of the secure form; and verifying a data entry person's signature applied to form data of the filled in, secure form.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of verifying a filled in, secure form, comprising the steps of: verifying a layout originator's signature applied to a form number and revision of a form layout of the secure form; and verifying a data entry person's signature applied to form data of the filled in, secure form.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 26, further comprising verifying a layout originator's signature to the form layout for the secure form.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of authenticating a body of data, including a plurality of pieces of information, comprising: storing the body of data, wherein one of the pieces of information includes an identifier of a related object; applying a first signature to the body of data; applying a second signature to the identifier of the related object; and storing the signature of the identifier of the related object.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of authenticating a body of data, including a plurality of pieces of information, comprising: storing the body of data, wherein one of the pieces of information includes an identifier of a related object; applying a first signature to the body of data; applying a second signature to the identifier of the related object; and storing the signature of the identifier of the related object.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 28, wherein: the body of data comprises form data; and the identifier of a related object comprises a form number of a form layout for the form data.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 28, wherein storing the signature of the identifier of the related object includes storing the signature of the identifier as the one of the pieces of information.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for verifying a secure body of data, including a plurality of pieces of information, comprising: accessing one of the pieces of information containing a signature applied to an identifier of a related object; verifying the signature applied to the identifier of the related object; and verifying another signature that is applied to the secure body of data.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for verifying a secure body of data, including a plurality of pieces of information, comprising: accessing one of the pieces of information containing a signature applied to an identifier of a related object; verifying the signature applied to the identifier of the related object; and verifying another signature that is applied to the secure body of data.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 31, wherein the body of data comprises form data; and the identifier of a related object comprises a form number of a form layout for the form data.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4458109A
Cited
US5848158A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-02-21 | 2003-08-23 | 2004-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-21 | 2007-08-23 | 2008-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-21 | 2011-08-23 | 2012-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |