Patent ID: 7844832
Filing Date: 2010-11-30
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for authenticating the source of, protecting the contents of, and ensuring the integrity of digital information received via any electronic media, comprising: receiving encapsulated information in a computer file at a writer application, wherein the computer file includes a biometrically verified identity of a person who encapsulated the information; creating a first message digest value at the writer application and storing the first message digest value and a global unique identifier (QUID) in a secure central database at a web service, wherein the first message digest value and GUM function as a digital signature of the computer file; recording, in a document usage record at the web service, the biometrically verified identity of the person who encapsulated the information and a timestamp corresponding to when the information was encapsulated; receiving the computer file and generating a second message digest value from the encapsulated information at a reader application; and communicating with a web service to compare the second message digest value with the first message digest value, the web service providing a decryption key upon a successful comparison of the first message digest value to the second message digest value, whereby the decryption key permits opening of the computer file; and recording, in the document usage record at the web service, an identity of a person who accesses the encapsulated information and a timestamp corresponding to when the encapsulated information is accessed.