Patent Abstract:
This specification describes technologies relating to applying electronic signatures to content items. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include receiving a content item and receiving a request to electronically sign the content item by a user by associating the content item with a credential associated with the user, the request comprising data identifying the credential from among a set of credentials that are associated with the user. The method may further include generating a package comprising the content item and data for the identified credential.

Full Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to provisional U.S. Patent Application 61/783,425, filed on Mar. 14, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Various methods can be used to establish or verify the identity and authority of an individual. For example, people use physical badges to identify themselves and establish their authority or permissions in a variety of contexts. For example, a person may present an employee badge to gain access to an employer&#39;s secure building. 
     Paper documents can be signed to associate a person with the document in a reasonably verifiable manner. The document may have different significance or meaning depending on the identity and authority of a person who signs the document. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method performed by one or more processing devices includes receiving a content item. The method may further include receiving a request to electronically sign the content item by a user by associating the content item with a credential associated with the user, the request comprising data identifying the credential from among a set of credentials that are associated with the user. The method may further include generating a package comprising the content item and data for the identified credential. 
     Implementations of the disclosure can include one or more of the following features. In some implementations, a digital signature for the package is determined and the package may be transmitted or stored with the digital signature. The digital signature may be determined based in part on a private key that corresponds to a public key associated with an entity that manages the set of stored credentials for a plurality of users. Generating the package may further include including, in the package, data reflecting a time associated the request to electronically sign. Generating the package may further include including, in the package, data reflecting a geographic location associated with the request to electronically sign. The request to electronically sign may be received from a first device associated with the user. The package may be transmitted with the digital signature to a second device associated with a different user. The data for the identified credential may be retrieved from a data storage device that is local to the one or more processing devices. The data for the identified credential may be retrieved from a remote processing device associated with an entity that issued the credential. A QR code within which a reference to the data for the identified credential is encoded may be embedded in the content item. The data for the credential may include a photograph of a user associated with the credential. A request to electronically sign the content item by the user, by associating the content item with a second credential associated with the user, may be received. The request may include data identifying the second credential from among the set of credentials that are associated with the user. Generating the package may further include including data for the second credential in the package. The identified credential and the second credential may be issued by different entities. The identified credential may be issued by a first entity and the second credential may also issued by the first entity. A request to electronically sign the content item, by associating the content item with a second credential, may be received. The request may include data identifying the second credential from among a set of credentials that are associated with a different user. Generating the package may further include including data for the second credential in the package. A condition for electronic signature associated with the identified credential may be checked to determine whether the condition is satisfied by the request to electronically sign the content item. The package may be generated responsive to determining that the condition is satisfied. The condition may require the request to electronically sign the content item to be sent within one or more specified periods of time. The condition may require the request to electronically sign the content item to be sent from within one or more specified geographic regions. An annotation may be applied to the content item before adding the content item to the package. The annotation may include an image of a handwritten signature of the user. 
     In still another aspect of the disclosure, one or more machine-readable media are configured to store instructions that are executable by one or more processing devices to perform operations including receiving a content item. The operations may further include receiving a request to electronically sign the content item by a user by associating the content item with a credential associated with the user, the request comprising data identifying the credential from among a set of credentials that are associated with the user. The operations may further include generating a package comprising the content item and data for the identified credential. 
     In still another aspect of the disclosure, an electronic system includes one or more processing devices; and one or more machine-readable media configured to store instructions that are executable by the one or more processing devices to perform operations including: receiving a content item. The operations may further include receiving a request to electronically sign the content item by a user by associating the content item with a credential associated with the user, the request comprising data identifying the credential from among a set of credentials that are associated with the user. The operations may further include generating a package comprising the content item and data for the identified credential. 
     All or part of the foregoing can be implemented as a computer program product including instructions that are stored on one or more non-transitory machine-readable storage media, and that are executable on one or more processing devices. All or part of the foregoing can be implemented as an apparatus, method, or electronic system that can include one or more processing devices and memory to store executable instructions to implement the stated functions. 
     The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a graphical user interface for displaying a list of electronically signed content items. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a graphical user interface for acquiring or creating a content item that may be electronically signed. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a graphical user interface for reviewing a captured image file. 
         FIGS. 4-6  illustrate examples of graphical user interfaces for electronically signing a content item. 
         FIGS. 7A-7C  illustrate examples of graphical user interfaces for applying an annotation to a content item. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an example of a graphical user interface for displaying a list of electronically signed content items shared with a user by other users. 
         FIGS. 9-10  illustrate examples of graphical user interfaces for displaying an electronically signed content item with information about a credential used to electronically sign the content item. 
         FIGS. 11A-11B  illustrate examples of graphical user interfaces for displaying a badge representing a credential. 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram of an example of a network environment enabling electronic signing of content items with credentials. 
         FIG. 13  is a block diagram showing examples of components of a network environment enabling electronic signing of content items with credentials. 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart showing an example of a process for electronically signing a content item with a credential and sharing the electronically signed content item. 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart showing an example of a process for electronically signing a content item with a credential. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A system consistent with this disclosure provides an application through which users may electronically sign and share content items (e.g., photographs, text files, video files, audio files, etc.). In some implementations, the application enables a user to manage and utilize multiple credentials, each potentially issued by a different credential issuing body. The application also may enable the user to select one or more of the credentials available on the user&#39;s mobile device to use to apply an electronic signature to a content item such that the electronic signature later can be used by another user to identify the one or more credentials that the user used to electronically sign the content item. 
     In some implementations, a content item is electronically signed by generating a package that includes the content item and information indicative of a credential that has been selected for signing the content item. Additionally or alternatively, the package may be digitally signed using a private key held by a trusted server system that manages credentials of many users. 
     In some implementations, an annotation may be applied to a content item. For example, an image of a user&#39;s handwritten signature or initials may be overlaid on a visual representation of a content item. 
     Furthermore, in some implementations, a content item may be electronically signed by multiple users. In such implementations, information corresponding to credentials of each of the signers may be included in a package to form an electronically signed content item. 
     In an illustrative example, employees may electronically sign content items with credentials issued by their employer, as described below. An employee may have other credentials, such as a gym membership credential or a museum membership credential, among others. All of these credentials may be managed by a credential management application server, and the employee may access and utilize the credentials using a client application that runs on the employee&#39;s mobile phone (or other computing device). The employee may generate a content item by taking a photograph with the employee&#39;s mobile phone. The employee&#39;s handwritten initials may be overlaid on the photograph as an annotation. The employee may then electronically sign the photograph using one or more of the employee&#39;s credentials. Once the photograph has been electronically signed by the employee, the employee may share the electronically signed photograph with another user of the credential management application. For example, the employee may share the electronically signed photograph with a coworker of the employee. 
     When the coworker receives the electronically signed photograph, the coworker is able to view both the photograph and information about the credential that the employee used to electronically sign the photograph. For example, the coworker may be able to view a badge on the coworker&#39;s mobile device that represents the employee&#39;s credential that was used to electronically sign the photograph. The coworker also may electronically sign the photograph with a credential associated with the coworker. Thereafter, the coworker may share the content item, electronically signed by both the employee and the coworker, with a third user. 
     A content item as described herein may be any data that can be provided over an electronic communications network. Examples of content items include image files, video files, streamed video, audio files, streamed audio, webpages, text files, and portable document format (PDF) files, among others. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a graphical user interface  100  for displaying a list of content items ( 102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  108 ) that have been electronically signed by a user (as described below). In the example of  FIG. 1 , graphical user interface  100  is displayed on a client device through an application, including, e.g., an application for managing credentials. In the example of  FIG. 1 , graphical user interface  100  includes a tab  110  for accessing the list of content items that have been electronically signed by the user. In some implementations, the content items ( 102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  108 ) listed may be stored on a remote server (e.g., a credential management application server), and the server may make the content items available to the user through the use of the application running on the client device. Graphical user interface  100  may also include an add document icon  120 , that may be selected by the user to add a new document that will be electronically signed by the user using one or more of his credentials. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a graphical user interface  200  for adding a content item to the list of content items electronically signed by the user. In an example, graphical user interface  200  is displayed, e.g., following selection of icon  120  of graphical user interface  100  ( FIG. 1 ). In the example of  FIG. 2 , the user is presented with a number of options for creating or accessing content items that may be electronically signed, including: a camera icon  202  for creating a photograph using a camera integrated in the user&#39;s mobile device; a text icon  204  for launching a text editor interface that facilitates the creation of a text file; a gallery icon  206  for browsing existing content items available on the users mobile device; an e-mail icon  212  for importing content items (e.g., an e-mail or an attachment to an e-mail) from an e-mail application; and an “other apps” icon  214  for importing content items from other applications installed on the user&#39;s mobile device. For example, by selecting camera icon  202 , a user may launch a camera application on the mobile device for facilitating capture of a photograph by the mobile device. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a graphical user interface  300  for reviewing a captured image file. After a new image  302  has been captured, the user may preview the image to confirm that the image meets the user&#39;s needs. In this example, a captured photograph of a drawing and a collection of sticky-notes on a white board is presented for review in graphical user interface  300 . If the image is not acceptable, the user may select a “retake” icon  306  to make another attempt at capturing a new image. If the image is acceptable, the user may select a “use” icon  310  to proceed to electronically signing the new content item, in this example, photograph  302 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a graphical user interface  400  for electronically signing a content item (e.g., photograph  302 ). Graphical user interface  400  may facilitate selection of one or more of the user&#39;s credentials ( 402 ,  404 , and  406 ) for use in electronically signing the content item. Graphical user interface  400  also includes a display of the current time  410  and the current location  412  of the user&#39;s mobile device during the electronic signing process. The time and location of the electronic signature may be stored as part of an electronically signed content package. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example graphical user interface  500  that displays a content item along with information for a credential selected for an electronic signature. In this example, the user has selected credential  404  in graphical interface  400 . Once a credential has been selected for signing the content item (e.g., a photograph), the content item may be displayed along with information  502  about the credential that will be used to electronically sign the content item. Graphical user interface  500  may also display a time  510  and a location  512  that will be recorded as part of the electronic signature that may indicate the time and location at which the electronic signing process was carried out. If the proposed electronic signature with the selected credential is acceptable, the user may select the “confirm” icon  520 . Pressing confirm icon  520  may cause the proposed electronically signed content item to be generated, for example, by a credential management application server. 
     In some implementations, a code (e.g., a QR code) that references the credential used to sign the document may be embedded within the content item. In such implementations, if the content item subsequently is printed or otherwise converted into physical form, the code may be printed on the hardcopy version of the content item. The code then can be scanned and decoded to access information about who signed the document. For example, responsive to receipt of the decoded code from a client device, the credential management application server may return information to the client device about the credential used to sign the document. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a graphical user interface  600  for displaying a confirmation message that indicates the electronically signed content item has been successfully generated by, for example, a credential management application server. The confirmation message includes an indication  606  of which of the user&#39;s credentials was used to electronically sign the content item. In the example of  FIG. 6 , graphical user interface  600  includes a “share the document” icon  610  that, when selected by a user, facilitates sharing the document with other users. For example, selecting icon  610  may cause an address book of other users to be displayed that may be used to select one or more proposed recipients of the new electronically signed content item. When recipients of an electronically signed content item are selected, the electronically signed content item may be shared with those recipients. The recipients may receive a message notifying the recipient that the electronically signed content item is accessible to the recipient (e.g., through access to the credential management application server). 
     As an alternative to the example illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 , in some implementations, when a user intends to electronically sign a photograph, the user may select a credential to be used to electronically sign the photograph prior to taking the photograph instead of after taking the photograph. In such implementations, the photograph may be automatically electronically signed using the selected credential as part of the photograph capture or import process. 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates an example of a graphical user interface for applying an annotation to a content item. In this example, graphical user interface  700  facilitates the selection of one or more credentials (e.g., credentials  702 ,  704 , and/or  706 ) for electronically signing a content item  708  that has been imported from a gallery or another application. For example, graphical user interface  700  may be displayed responsive to user selection of icon  206  in graphical user interface  200 . Graphical user interface  700  also includes an icon  710  for adding an annotation to the content item  708 . An annotation may be added to the content item before the user electronically signs the content item. 
     When the add annotation icon  710  is selected by a user, graphical user interface  720  of  FIG. 7B  is presented to the user to facilitate application of an annotation to the content item  708 . Graphical user interface  720  includes an expandable annotation selection icon  730  that, when expanded as illustrated in  FIG. 7B , displays a list of available annotations associated with a user or one or more credentials of the user. In this example, four annotations are available for application to the content item, including a handwritten signature  732  associated with a user, handwritten initials  437  of the user, a printed name  736  of the user, and a current date and time display  738 . In some implementations, annotations available to be applied to the content item may be stored locally on a user&#39;s mobile device and/or annotations available to be applied to the content item may be stored on a server. In some implementations, selection of the printed name annotation icon  736  may open a text editor that allows a user to enter text for the user&#39;s name (or other text) that is added to the content item as an annotation. 
     When one of the annotations (e.g., the handwritten initials  734 ) is selected by the user, a corresponding annotation  750  is applied to the content item  708 , as shown in graphical user interface  740  of  FIG. 7C . The annotation may be superimposed over the image of the content item  708  at a desired location. In some implementations, the application may enable the user to adjust the size of the annotation and/or drag the annotation to a desired location within the image of the content item  708 . For example, the application may enable the user to size and/or position the annotation using gestures entered through a touch-screen display. Graphical user interface  740  also includes a collapsed expandable annotation selection icon  754 , which may be selected and expanded to facilitate selection of an additional annotation for application to the content item  708 . After the annotation has been applied, a user may select the done icon  758  to return to graphical user interface  700  of  FIG. 7A  and electronically sign the document using one of the credentials ( 702 ,  704 ,  706 ) according to the techniques described above. 
     In the examples described above, the graphical user interfaces of  FIGS. 1-6  and  7 A- 7 C are presented to a first user, John Doe, who interacts with the graphical user interfaces to electronically sign content items, including photograph  302 . Continuing with the examples described above, after electronically signing photograph  302 , the first user, John Doe, shares the electronically signed photograph  302  with a second user who is able to access the electronically signed photograph  302 , including information about the credential that the first user, John Doe, used to electronically sign the photograph  302 , through the graphical user interfaces of  FIGS. 8-10  and  11 A- 11 B. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an example of a graphical user interface  800  for displaying a list of electronically signed content items ( 802 ,  804 ,  806 , and  808 ) that have been shared with a user by other users. In this example, signed content item  802  is the signed and shared version of photograph  302  described above in connection with  FIGS. 3-6  that has been shared with the user by John Doe. The list of shared content items ( 802 ,  804 ,  806 , and  808 ) may be displayed in a “shared with me” tab  810  of graphical user interface  800 . The user who has received these shared content items ( 802 ,  804 ,  806 , and  808 ) may select a content item (e.g., content item  804 ) from the list to cause the selected content item to be displayed along with information about a credential that was used to electronically sign the content item. 
     In some implementations, the recipient of an electronically signed content item that has been shared with the recipient only may be allowed to access the content item (or view information about a credential used to electronically sign the content item) if the recipient possesses the same credential as was used to electronically sign the content item (or a credential issued by the same credential issuing organization as the credential that was used to electronically sign the content item). 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an example of a graphical user interface  900  for displaying an electronically signed content item  902  with information about a credential  906  that has been used to electronically sign the content item. In this example, graphical user interface  900  is presented responsive to the selection of signed content item  802  in graphical user interface  800 . When a recipient of a shared electronically signed content item  902  accesses the content item, the content item is displayed with an indication of the credential  906  that was used to electronically sign the content item overlaid on the display of the content item  902 . 
     In some implementations, when a code (e.g., QR code) has been embedded within the content item as described above, the code is displayed embedded within the signed content item  902  in graphical user interface  900 . 
     The selection of the indication of credential  906  that was used to electronically sign the content item may cause more information about the electronic signature to be displayed, as shown in the example graphical user interface  1000  of  FIG. 10 . Graphical user interface  1000  may include an icon  1004  identifying the credential used to electronically sign the content item, an indication of the time  1006  when the content item was electronically signed, an indication of the location  1008  where the content item was electronically signed, and information about the electronically signed content item, such as the file size  1010 . Graphical user interface  1000  may also include an icon  1030  for causing the electronically signed content item  902  to be removed from the recipient user&#39;s list of shared content items. 
     When the icon  1004  is selected, it may cause additional information about the credential used to electronically sign the content item  902  to be presented in the form of a badge representing the credential, as shown in the example graphical user interface of  FIGS. 11A and 11B . 
       FIG. 11A  illustrates an example graphical user interface  1100  on a client device that is used to display a portion of a badge that represents a credential used to electronically sign content item  902 . In this example, the user, “John Doe,” has electronically signed the content item  902  using an employee credential issued by his employer. A portion of the badge that may correspond to the front of a physical badge is displayed in graphical user interface  1100 . Graphical user interface  1100  includes an identifier  1102  (e.g., a distinctive mark) of the credential issuing organization that issued the credential (e.g., the signing user&#39;s employer). Graphical user interface  1100  may also include the name  1106  and a photograph  1110  of a user associated with the credential. Graphical user interface  1100  may also include information about the credential and/or the associated user  1114 , such as an employee&#39;s title and an employee identification number. 
     Graphical user interface  1100  may also include a “details” icon  1122  that, when selected by a user, causes graphical user interface  1150  of  FIG. 11B  to be displayed. For example, graphical user interface  1150  may correspond to the back of a physical badge. For example, graphical user interface  1100  may include a name for the credential  1152 , a name of a user  1154  associated with the credential, a title of the user  1156  associated with the credential, a name of an organization  1158  associated with the credential, an indication of an expiration date  1160  for the credential, an office number  1162  of the user associated with the credential, and a telephone number  1164  of the user associated with the credential. When an icon displaying the name of the organization associated with the credential is selected by a user, additional information about the organization may be displayed. 
       FIG. 12  is a block diagram of an example network environment  1200  enabling sharing and electronic signing of content items with credentials. Network environment  1200  includes network  1210 , client devices  1204 ,  1206 , credential management application system  1222 , data repository  1216 , and credential issuing organization systems  1217 ,  1218 . Network environment  1200  may include many thousands of data repositories, client devices, application systems, and credential issuing organization systems, which are not shown. 
     In an example, client device  1204  is associated with user  1202 . In this example, user  1202  may electronically sign content items and share those contents items and/or receive electronically signed content items shared by other users. Client device  1206  is associated with user  1208 . In this example, user  1208  may electronically sign content items and share those contents items and/or receive electronically signed content items shared by other users. 
     In the example of  FIG. 12 , application system  1222  includes a system that hosts applications, including, e.g., application  1220 . In this example, application  1220  is an application that manages credentials for users and facilitates electronic signing of content items by the users using one or more of their credentials. In an example, client devices  1204 ,  1206  may download a client application  1212  for interacting with application  1220  from credential management application system  1222  (or another system). In another example, client devices  1204 ,  1206  may use a web browser to access application  1220  from credential management application system  1222 , e.g., rather than downloading a client application for interacting with application  1220  onto client devices  1204 ,  1206 . In an example, application  1220  and/or a client application  1212  for interacting with application  1220  may be configured to render one or more of graphical user interfaces  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  720 ,  740 ,  800 ,  900 ,  1000 ,  1100 , and  1150 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-11B , respectively. In this example, through application  1220  and/or a client application  1212  for interacting with application  1220 , users  1202 ,  1208  of client devices  1204 ,  1206 , respectively, may electronically sign content items using credentials managed by merchant system  1222  (e.g., a credential issued by credential issuing organization system  1218 ) and share the electronically signed content items with other users, including each other. 
     Credentials may be issued to users by one or more credential issuing organizations. For example, an employer may be a credential issuing organization that issues credentials to its employees (e.g., a credential that is specific to an employee&#39;s job function(s)). Some other examples of credential issuing organizations are a government agency, a telecommunications service provider, a banking or other financial services institution, a gym, or a museum, among others. Credentials may be used by credential holders to gain access to service or facilities provided by a credential issuing organization and/or to act on behalf of a credential issuing organization. 
     Credential issuing organization system  1218  may be operated by a credential issuing organization (e.g., an employer of users  1202 ,  1208 ). Credential management application system  1222  may provide an interface (e.g., via communications over network  1210 ) to the credential issuing organization system  1218  to allow for the specification of credential properties and issuing of credentials to users. In some implementations, credential issuing organization system  1218  provides a user (e.g., user  1202 ) with a token that matches data associated with a credential that is communicated to the credential management application system  1222  through its credential issuing organization interface. The user may then present the token to the credential management application system  1222  as part of a credential registration request sent from the user&#39;s client device (e.g., client device  1204 ) to associate the credential with the user&#39;s client device. 
     The credential management system  1222  may enable users (e.g., users  1202 ,  1208 ) to store, manage, and/or access various different credentials issued by one or more different credential issuing organizations through credential management system  1222 . An individual user may have credentials from multiple credential issuing organizations (e.g., credential issuing organization  1217  and credential issuing organization  1218 ). For example, a user (e.g., user  1202 ) may have credentials issued by the user&#39;s employer, a government agency (e.g., a driver&#39;s license, passport, or other identity card), and a bank where the user has an account. An individual user may also have multiple credentials issued by the same credential issuing organization. For example, an employer may issue multiple credentials to an employee user (e.g., user  1202 ). Different credentials from the employer may provide different permissions and/or authority to the user, corresponding to different job functions that the user performs as an employee. 
     Credential management application system  1222  stores, in data repository  1216 , information about credentials managed by application  1220 . For example, when user  1202  registers a new credential, the credential management application system  1222  stores, in data repository  1216 , a credential record  1226 , including, e.g., information indicative of the assignment of the new credential to user  1202 . In this example, the credential record  1226  includes information identifying a credential  1228  that has been issued by credential issuing organization system  1218 , information specifying conditions  1230  associated with the credential (e.g., conditions associated with the use of the credential), and user information  1232  that identifies a user identity for user  1202  (e.g., a unique identification code for a user identity or a pointer to a user identity record in the data repository  1216  or remote data storage system). In some implementations, the user information  1232  also includes (or points to) data for the assigned user that may be relayed through the application  1220  to another user when a shared content item electronically signed by the user  1202  is accessed. For example, the user information  1232  may include a name for user  1202 , a photograph of user  1202 , demographic information for user  1202 , or other personally identifying information for user  1202 , including, e.g., a biometric identifier for user  1202 . 
     The credential record  1226  may enable identification of the user based on the credential ID  1228 . For example, a received credential may be cross referenced against credentials (or information related to credentials) stored in credential records to find user information  1232 . 
     In some implements, conditions  1230  for a credential may include an expiration date, after which the credential may no longer be accessed and used by user  1202 . Additionally or alternatively, conditions  1230  for a credential may include limitations on the time(s) or location(s) where a credential may be accessed and/or used. For example, a condition  1230  may require that a user&#39;s device (e.g., client device  1204 ) be located in one of a list of allowed locations (e.g., an employer&#39;s offices) in order for the credential to be accessed and/or used. In some implementations, allowed or disallowed locations may be defined as areas within a predefined radius of a point location (e.g., a pair of latitude longitude coordinates or a fixed wireless communications antenna). Additionally or alternatively, a condition  1230  may require that a credential be accessed and/or used during certain times of the day (e.g., during regular business hours). For example, conditions  1230  for a credential may be specified by credential issuing organization system  1218  via communications with credential management application system  1222  through a dedicated interface. 
     Users  1202 ,  1208  may access their credentials using a client application  1212  running on their client devices  1204 ,  1206  that interfaces with application  1220  running on credential management application system  1222 . In some implementations, client application  1212  interfaces with application  1220  to allow a user (e.g., user  1208 ) to validate a credential used by another user (e.g., user  1202 ). 
     Application  1220  may enable users (e.g., users  1202 ,  1208 ) to upload and store content items (e.g., photographs, text files, audio files, video files, etc.) onto the credential management system  1222  and to electronically sign an uploaded content item using a credential managed by application  1220 . For example, uploaded content items may be stored in data repository  1216 . When an uploaded content item is electronically signed, it may be stored as part of a package that includes the content item and information identifying one or more credentials that have been used to electronically sign the content item. 
     Application  1220  may also enable users (e.g., users  1202 ,  1208 ) to share electronically signed content items with other users of application  1220 . In some implementations, a recipient of an electronically signed content item that has been shared is able to access the electronically signed content item using client application  1212 , which displays the accessed content item along with an indication of one or more credentials that have been used to electronically sign the content item. 
     For example, application  1220  and/or a client application  1212  for interacting with application  1220  may be configured to render one or more of graphical user interfaces  800 ,  900 ,  1000 ,  1100 , and/or  1150 , as shown in  FIGS. 8-10  and  11 A- 11 B, respectively to facilitate sharing of the electronically signed content item. 
     In an example scenario, user  1202  may register a credential issued by credential issuing organization system  1218  with application  1220  running on credential management application system  1222 . User  1202  may thereafter use client device  1204  to create a content item (e.g., by taking a photograph) and use client application  1212  to upload the content item to credential management application system  1222 . In addition, user  1202  may use client application  1212  to transmit to credential management application system  1220  an electronic signature request  1224  that identifies the uploaded content item and a particular one of the user&#39;s  1202  credentials to be used to electronically sign the uploaded content item (e.g., the credential issued by credential issuing organization system  1218 ). 
     In some implementations, a client device (e.g., client device  1204 ) may store indications of the different credentials available to the user to be used to sign a content item and enable the user to select one or more of these credentials to use to sign the content item. Additionally or alternatively, a server (e.g., credential management system  1222 ) may store the indications of the different credentials available to the user to be used to sign a content item and enable the user to select one or more of these credentials to use to sign the content item. 
     Upon receiving the electronic signature request  1224 , the application  1220  running on credential management application system  1222  may access the credential record  1226  for the identified credential and check that any conditions  1230  for the credential are satisfied. If the conditions  1230  attached to the credential (if any) are satisfied, then the application  1220  may electronically sign the content item by generating a package that includes the content item and information identifying the credential (e.g., credential ID  1228  and/or some of the user information  1232  stored in credential record  1226 ). In some implementations, a confirmation message may be transmitted from the credential management system  1222  to the client device  1204  in response to the electronic signature request  1224 . The confirmation message may include a copy of the electronically signed content item  1244 , which includes the generated package. 
     In some implementations, at the time of the electronic signing, the credential management application system  1222  may request from the credential issuing organization  1218  that issued the credential selected to be used to electronically sign the content item information about the credential (e.g., if the credential management application system  1222  does not cache the credential record  1226  for the selected credential and/or if the credential management application system  1222  has not updated the credential record  1226  for the selected credential within a defined period of time). 
     For example, application  1220  and/or a client application  1212  for interacting with application  1220  may be configured to render one or more of graphical user interfaces  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , respectively to facilitate uploading and electronic signing of a content item. In some implementations, application  1220  also enables the application of annotations to content items. For example, application  1220  and/or a client application  1212  for interacting with application  1220  may be configured to render one or more of graphical user interfaces  700 ,  720  and  740 , as shown in  FIGS. 7A-7C , respectively to facilitate applying an annotation to content item. The application of an annotation to a content item may precede the electronic signing of the content item. 
     User  1202  may then choose to share the electronically signed content item with user  1208 . In some implementations, a sharing invitation may be transmitted from client device  1204  to client device  1206 . The sharing invitation may refer to a copy of the electronically signed content item stored in the data repository  1216  by application  1220  and may cause an icon for the electronically signed content item to be presented to user  1208  by client application  1212  running on client device  1206  in a list of signed content items that have been shared with user  1208 . In some implementations, when the electronically signed content item is shared with the user  1208 , a record may be created in data repository  1216  that indicates that user  1208  is authorized to access the content item. Consequently, when client application  1212  connects to the credential management application system  1222  while user  1208  is logged in, an indication that the electronically signed content item has been shared with user  1208  may be displayed by client application  1212  (e.g., as an icon within a list of icons representing content items that have been shared with user  1208 ). 
     If a user  1208  selects the electronically signed content item from this list, then a copy of the electronically signed content item  1244  including the generated package may be transmitted from credential management application system  1222  to client device  1206 . The content item may then be presented to user  1208  in a display of client device  1206  and information identifying the credential used to electronically sign the content item (e.g., credential ID  1228  and or user information  1232 ) may also be presented in the same display. 
     In some implementations, the electronically signed content item  1244  may be digitally signed by application  1220  using a private key of the application that is paired with a public key that is associated with the credential management application system  1222 . Client devices (e.g. client device  1204  and client device  1206 ) may store or otherwise have access to the public key and may use the public key to confirm the validity of the digital signature generated using the private key. In this manner, the digital signature may provide assurance that the electronically signed content item  1244  was generated by and properly received from the credential management application system  1222 . 
       FIG. 13  is a block diagram showing examples of components of network environment  1200  enabling sharing and electronic signing of content items with credentials. In the example of  FIG. 13 , users  1202 ,  1208 , electronic signature request  1224  and electronically signed content item  1244  are not shown. 
     Application system  1222  can be a variety of computing devices capable of receiving data and running one or more services, including, e.g., application  1220 , which can be accessed by one or more of client devices  1204 ,  1206 . In an example, application system  1222  can include a server, a distributed computing system, a desktop computer, a laptop, a cell phone, a rack-mounted server, and the like. Application system  1222  can be a single server or a group of servers that are at a same position or at different positions. Application system  1222  and each of client devices  1204 ,  1206 , and credential issuing organization systems  1217 ,  1218  can run programs having a client-server relationship to each other. 
     Application system  1222  can receive data from each of client devices  1204 ,  1206 , and credential issuing organization systems  1217 ,  1218  through input/output (I/O) interface  1300 . I/O interface  1300  can be a type of interface capable of receiving data over a network, including, e.g., an Ethernet interface, a wireless networking interface, a fiber-optic networking interface, a modem, and so forth. Application system  1222  also includes a processing device  1302  and memory  1304 . A bus system  1306 , including, for example, a data bus and a motherboard, can be used to establish and to control data communication between the components of application system  1222 . 
     Processing device  1302  can include one or more microprocessors. Generally, processing device  1302  can include an appropriate processor and/or logic that is capable of receiving and storing data, and of communicating over a network (not shown). Memory  1304  can include a hard drive and a random access memory storage device, including, e.g., a dynamic random access memory, or other types of non-transitory machine-readable storage devices. As shown in  FIG. 13 , memory  1304  stores computer programs that are executable by processing device  1302 . These computer programs may include a data engine (not shown) for implementing the operations and/or the techniques described herein. The data engine can be implemented in software running on a computer device (e.g., application system  1222 ), hardware or a combination of software and hardware. 
       FIG. 14  is a flowchart showing an example of a process  1400  for electronically signing and sharing a content item. In  FIG. 14 , process  1400  is split into parts  1402 ,  1404 ,  1406 ,  1408 . Part  1402  may be performed by credential issuing organization (CIO) system  1218 . Part  1404  may be performed by credential management application (CMA) system  1222  (and/or by application  1220 ). Part  1406  may be performed by client device  1204 . Part  1408  may be performed by client device  1206 . 
     In operation, client device  1204  obtains and uploads  1410  a content item to the CMA system  1222 . In some implementations, the content item is obtained by using a camera to take a photograph. In some implementations, the content item is obtained by using a text editor to create a text file. In some implementations, the content item is obtained by retrieving the content item from a gallery of content items stored on client device  1204 . In some implementations, the content item is obtained by retrieving the content item from another application (e.g., an e-mail application) running on the client device  1204 . The CMA system  1222  receives  1412  the uploaded content item and may store the content item (e.g., in data repository  1216 . Alternatively, in some implementations, the content item already may be stored by the CMA system  1222  before a request to sign the content item is received. For example, the content item previously may have been shared with the user by another user. 
     The client device  1204  may transmit  1420  a request to electronically sign the content item with a credential registered to a user in the CMA system  1222 . The request to sign may identify the content item and a credential that will be used to electronically sign the content item. In some implementations, the request to sign may also indicate a time and/or a location where client device  1204  was located at the time of the request to electronically sign. For example, client device  1204  may determine a time of the request using a clock maintained by the client device  1204  at the time the request to electronically sign is initiated by a user. Alternatively, in some implementations, client device  1204  may determine a time of the request using a trusted timestamp it obtains from a separate time stamping authority (e.g., a time stamping authority computer device or system) at the time the request to electronically sign is initiated by a user, or the credential management application system  1222  may determine the time of an electronic signature based on the time when the request to electronically sign is received. Furthermore, client device  1204  may determine a location of the request using a global positioning system (GPS) receiver integrated in the client device  1204  at the time the request to electronically sign is initiated by a user. 
     Upon receiving  1422  the request to electronically sign the content item, the CMA system  1222  may retrieve  1424  data for the identified credential. In some implementations, data for the identified credential is retrieved  1424  from a credential record stored in the data repository  1216 . Additionally or alternatively, the CMA system may retrieve  1424  some or all of the data for the identified credential from CIO system  1218 , which provides  1430  credential and/or user information for credentials that is has issued. 
     A package is generated  1440  that includes the content item and some or all of the retrieved credential data, including data identifying the credential used to electronically sign the content item. Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, the package may include a reference (e.g., a link) to information about the credential used to electronically sign the content item such that the credential information for the credential used to electronically sign the content item may be retrieved by interaction with the reference. In some implementations, the package may also include an indication of a time and/or a location where the document was electronically signed (e.g., where the client device requesting the electronic signature was located at the time). In some implementations, the package may use predefined internal structures to contain the content item and the retrieved credential data. 
     Furthermore, in some implementations, a digital signature is determined  1450  for the generated package. The digital signature may be determined  1450  based in part on a private key paired with a public key that is associated with the CMA system  1222 . The digital signature may be transmitted and/or stored  1456  along with the package to provide assurance to a recipient that a received electronically signed content item was truly generated by the CMA system  1222  as it appears in a received transmission. 
     An electronic signature confirmation message may be transmitted  1456  to client device  1204  in response to the request to electronically sign the content item. The confirmation message may include or be accompanied by a copy of the electronically signed content item with the digital signature for the package. 
     After the content item has been electronically signed, a user of client device  1204  may request that the electronically signed content item be shared with one or more other users. For example, client device  1204  may transmit  1460  to the CMA system  1222  a request to share the electronically signed content item with one or more other users, including a user associated with client device  1206 . In response to receiving the request to share the electronically signed content item, the CMA system  1222  may transmit  1470  to client device  1206  the package along with the digital signature of the CMA system  1222 . In some implementations, when the electronically signed content item is shared with a recipient, a record on the CMA system  1222  may be updated to reflect that the electronically signed content item has been shared with the recipient. Consequently, an indication that the electronically signed content item has been shared with the recipient may be provided to the recipient. Thereafter, the CMA system  1222  may provide the recipient with access to the document responsive to interaction with the provided indication that the electronically signed content item has been shared with the recipient. 
     Client device  1206  may receive  1476  the package with the digital signature from the CMA system  1222 . Client device  1206  may use the public key associated with the CMA system  1222  to check the digital signature and confirm that the CMA system  1222  created the received package. The content item and data identifying the credential from the package may then be presented in a display of client device  1206 . Client device  1206  may allow a user to access additional data regarding the credential used to electronically sign the content item and/or a user associated with the credential. 
       FIG. 15  is a flowchart showing an example of a process  1500  for electronically signing a content item with a credential. A package is generated including the content item and data identifying one or more credentials that are used to electronically sign the content item. In some implementations, an annotation may be applied to the content item that is incorporated in the package. In some implementations, the package may be digitally signed by a system that is trusted to manage the credentials. For example, process  1500  may be performed by application system  1222 . 
     The process  1500  may include receiving  1502  a content item. For example the content item may include a text file, an image file (e.g., a photograph), a video file, or an audio file, among other types of data. In some implementations, the content item is obtained by a user using a client application (e.g., client application  1212 ) running on a client device and uploaded to a server system that manages credentials. For example, a physical document (e.g., a page from a book) may be converted into a digital document that may be electronically signed by taking a photograph of the physical document. For example, the content item may be received  1502  through network interface  1300  of application system  1222 . 
     A request to electronically sign the content item is received  1504  that includes data identifying one or more credentials that will be associated with the content item to electronically sign the content item. The identified credential(s) may be selected from among a set of multiple stored credentials that are associated with a single user. For example, an interface similar to graphical user interface  400  of  FIG. 4  may be used by a user to select from among the user&#39;s own credentials in forming the request to electronically sign the content item. The request to electronically sign the content item may be received  1504  from a client device associated with a user registered to use the identified one or more credentials. The request to electronically sign the content item may also include a time and/or location associated with the request to electronically sign. For example, the request to electronically sign the content item may be received  1504  through network interface  1300  of application system  1222 . 
     Data for the credential(s) identified in the request to electronically sign the content item may be retrieved  1508 . In some implementations, data for a credential is retrieved from a record for the credential that is maintained in a storage device that is local to the one or more processing devices (e.g., from credential record  1226  in data repository  1216 ). In some implementations, data for a credential is retrieved  1508  from a credential issuing organization that issued the credential (e.g., from credential issuing organization system  1218 . A request for data regarding the credential may be transmitted to a credential issuing organization system. For example, data for the identified credential(s) may be retrieved  1508  through network interface  1300  of application system  1222 . 
     In some implementations, the data retrieved for a credential may include one or more conditions on the use of the credential for electronic signing of content items. These condition(s) may be checked to determine if they are satisfied. In some implementations, a condition requires a request to electronically sign the content item to be sent within one or more specified periods of time (e.g., before a deadline, during business hours, on the last day of a financial quarter). In some implementations, a condition requires a request to electronically sign the content item to be sent from within one or more specified geographic regions (e.g., from a user&#39;s home, from one of an employer&#39;s offices, or from within certain designated countries). If the conditions for use of the credential are satisfied, then the electronic signing process  1500  may proceed. 
     In some implementations, a request to apply an annotation to the content item may be received. For example, during the electronic signature request process on a client device running client application  1212 , a user electronically signing the content item may be presented with the option to apply an annotation to the content item as described in relation to  FIGS. 7A-7C . If annotation of the content item is requested  1510 , then a selected annotation may be applied  1512  to the content item. In some implementations, an annotation is an image that is superimposed or overlaid on a visual component of a content item. In the case of an audio file, an annotation may be overlaid on a visual representation of the audio file that is displayed by an audio file player application. For example, an annotation may be applied  1512  to the content item by application  1220  running on application system  1222 . 
     In some implementations, the annotation includes an image of a handwritten set of initials for a user associated with one or more of the credential(s) that will be used to electronically sign the content item. An annotation may include other information about a user associated with one or more of the credential(s) that will be used to electronically sign the content item, such as printed name of the user. In some implementations, the annotation includes an indication of the time and/or location where the request to electronically sign the content item was generated. 
     In some implementations, the annotations available to be applied to a content item may depend upon the particular credential of the user selected to be used to electronically sign the content item. For example, each credential available to the user may be associated with a selection of different annotations that can be applied to the content item such that different annotations may be available depending on which credential is being used to sign the content item. In alternative implementations, annotations may be associated with an individual user more generally rather than with particular credentials of the user. In such implementations, the user may select an annotation that generally is associated with the user to be applied to the content item before selecting a credential to use to electronically sign the content item. 
     A package may be generated  1520  that includes the content item and data identifying one or more credentials that are being used to electronically sign the content item. The package may be generated to include a credential identifier (e.g., credential ID  1228 ) and/or data reflecting characteristics of the user associated with the credential. In some implementations, the package may be generated to include a photograph of a user associated with the credential, which may be displayed to another user who reviews the electronically signed content item. 
     In some implementations, the package may be generated to include data reflecting a time associated the request to electronically sign the content item. In some implementations, the package may be generated to include data reflecting a geographic location associated the request to electronically sign the content item. This time and location data for the electronic signature may also be presented to a user with whom the electronically signed content item is shared. 
     In some implementations, the request to electronically sign the content item identifies multiple credentials associated with the same user to be used to electronically sign the content item. Additionally or alternatively, the user may submit a series of multiple requests to sign the same content item with different ones of the user&#39;s credentials. For example, if the user requests to electronically sign the content item with a second credential of the user, the package may be generated to include data for a second credential in addition to the data for the first credential of the user. In some cases, the second credential may be issued by the same credential issuing organization as the first credential used to electronically sign the content item. In other cases, the second credential may be issued by a different credential issuing organization than the first credential used to electronically sign the content item. For instance, referring again to the examples introduced above in connection with  FIGS. 1-6  and  7 A- 7 C, the user John Doe may request to electronically sign photograph  302  using his employee credential  404 . In addition, John Doe also may request to electronically sign the photograph  302  with his college alumni association credential  406 . The resulting electronically signed content item then may be shared with and displayed to other users with indications of both credentials  404 ,  406  being presented with the photograph  302 . 
     In some implementations, multiple users may electronically sign the same content item. In such cases, multiple requests to electronically sign the content item may be received from multiple different users. For example, first and second requests to electronically sign the content item may be received from different users. In such cases, the package may be generated to include data for the credential of the first user and data for the credential of the second user. For example, a purchase order may need to be approved by two employees of a company before it can be processed for payment by the company&#39;s finance department. A first employee may electronically sign a purchase order using the first employee&#39;s employee credential and then share the electronically signed purchase order with a second employee of the company. The second employee may review the purchase order and then electronically sign the purchase order using the second employee&#39;s employee credential. The second employee then may share the purchase order with the two electronic signatures with a third employee in the finance department for processing. 
     In some implementations, the package is generated by appending the data identifying the one or more credentials to the content item in a larger file or other data structure. For example, the package may be generated  1520  by application  1220  running on application system  1222 . 
     In some implementations, a digital signature is determined  1530  for the package. The digital signature may be determined based in part on a private key that corresponds to a public key associated with an entity that manages the set of stored credentials for a group of users. For example, the digital signature may be determined based on a hash function that is applied to the package and the result of the hash function may be encrypted with the private key. When a user receives the electronically signed content item (e.g., as a shared document), the user&#39;s client device (e.g., running client application  1212 ) may confirm that the package was correctly received from an entity that manages the credentials by checking the digital signature with the public key associated with that entity. For example, the user&#39;s client device may apply the same hash function to the received package and compare the result to the result of decrypting the digital signature with the public key. If the results match, then the package may be considered to have been generated by the trusted entity that manages the credentials. For example, the digital signature for the package may be determined  1530  by application  1220  running on application system  1222 . 
     The package may be transmitted or stored  1540  with the digital signature for the package. For example, the package and the digital signature may be transmitted  1540  to a client device associated with the user requesting the electronic signature and/or a client device associated with a different user that will receive the electronically signed content item as a shared content item. For example, the package with the digital signature may be transmitted  1518  through network interface  1300  of application system  1222 . 
     Implementations of the subject matter and the functional operations described in this specification can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, in tangibly-embodied computer software or firmware, in computer hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. Implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a tangible program carrier for execution by, or to control the operation of, a processing device. Alternatively or in addition, the program instructions can be encoded on a propagated signal that is an artificially generated signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal that is generated to encode data for transmission to suitable receiver apparatus for execution by a processing device. The machine-readable medium can be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a random or serial access memory device, or a combination of one or more of them. 
     The term “processing device” encompasses all kinds of apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers. The processing device can include special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). The processing device can also include, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or a combination of one or more of them. 
     A computer program (which may also be referred to as a program, software, a software application, a script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, or declarative or procedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub-programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network. 
     The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable computers executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). 
     Computers suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, general or special purpose microprocessors or both, or any other kind of central processing unit. Generally, a central processing unit will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer may be a central processing unit for performing or executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. However, a computer need not have such devices. Moreover, a computer can be embedded in another device, e.g., a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile audio or video player, a game console, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, or a portable storage device (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive), to name just a few. 
     Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry. 
     To provide for interaction with a user, implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, for displaying data to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. In addition, a computer can interact with a user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device that is used by the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web browser on a user&#39;s client device in response to requests received from the web browser. 
     Implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes a front-end component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the subject matter described in this specification, or any combination of one or more such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. The components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networks include a local area network (“LAN”) and a wide area network (“WAN”), e.g., the Internet. 
     The computing system can include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other. 
     While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular implementations. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination. 
     Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products. 
     Particular implementations of the subject matter have been described. Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. 
     Furthermore, in some implementations, an electronic signature as described herein may be applied at a client device rather than at a server system. For example, a package for the electronically signed content item including the content item and information about the credential used to electronically sign the content item may be generated by a client device in response to user commands received at the client device. Additionally or alternatively, in such implementations, the client device may apply a digital signature to the content item using a private key associated with the credential selected as the credential to be used to electronically sign the content item. Other users with whom the digitally signed content item subsequently is shared then can confirm the validity of the digital signature using the public key paired with the private key associated with the credential used to electronically sign the content item. In some such implementations, the public key only may be accessible to other users who also hold the same credential as the credential used to electronically sign the content item (or other users who hold a credential issued by the same credential issuing organization as the credential used to electronically sign the content item).

Technology Classification (CPC): 7