Patent ID: 6640301
Filing Date: 2003-10-28
Classification: G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
An authentication service provider comprising:an identifier (ID) generator, for generating an authentication ID, the authentication ID being unique for at least a portion of an electronic document; a message merger, receiving the authentication ID from the ID generator, for inserting the authentication ID into the electronic document; a checksum generator for generating a checksum for the electronic document; a table having entries each containing a checksum, the authentication ID selecting an entry in the table containing a stored checksum for the electronic document identified by the authentication ID; wherein the checksum from the checksum generator is written to the table into an entry identified by the authentication ID, the checksum written to the table being a stored checksum; an identifier (ID) extractor, coupled to scan electronic documents for the authentication ID; when the ID extractor finds an authentication ID in the electronic document, the checksum generator receives the electronic document, to generate a new checksum for the electronic document; a comparator, receiving the new checksum from the checksum generator and receiving the stored checksum from the table, for signaling a successful authentication when the new checksum matches the stored checksum from the table; and a result indicator, coupled to the comparator, for indicating when the comparator signals the successful authentication, but for warning when the comparator does not signal the successful authentication, whereby electronic documents are tagged with the authentication ID which later selects a stored checksum in the table, the stored checksum used to signal successful authentication or alteration of the electronic document.