Patent ID: 6745327
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
A method of electronically signing one or a plurality of files, which term also includes documents and data, at a server, consisting of:a. authenticating a user solely or partly on the basis of a digital certificate selected as suitable from a collection of types and classes of digital certificates issued by a plurality of certification authorities according to the reliability of a plurality of identification procedures to register individuals and issue to them digital certificates, in light of the authentication needs of a party or plurality of parties intending to rely upon electronic signatures to be generated at the server, and b. electronically signing at the server, comprising the following steps: 1. a presentation step of providing to the server one or a plurality of electronic files, for signature by the server computer, 2. a signature step whereby one of a plurality of computer functions returns a message digest of the electronic file or files to be signed, and a cryptotransformation of each message digest created using a key located at the server; and 3. a recording step in which the server generates and stores in a data storage medium a record of a signature transaction which includes a message digest of each electronic file and the cryptotransformation of said message digest.