Patent ID: 6260145
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
An authentication system comprising:a circulating route storage device storing information on a predefined sequential circulating route which corresponds to a predefined sequence of information recipients and digital information to be circulated;a confidential information generating device generating confidential information corresponding to the digital information to be circulated and particular to the circulating route by using the information stored in said circulating route storage device;a confidential information storage device storing the confidential information; anda determining device determining whether the digital information has been circulated in the predefined sequence correctly along the circulating route based on the confidential information and information appended to the digital information by a person in charge; anda signature verification device verifying a digital signature of the person in charge for identifying the person in charge, the digital signature being appended to a combination of the digital information and the information appended to the digital information.