Patent ID: 8924302

Claim:
In a data processing system that includes at least one remote computer workstation, that is connected via a communications network to at least one trusted repository computer system consisting of at least one application server and at least one secure database management system, a method of electronic transmission, storage, retrieval and remote signing of an information object, comprising the steps of: submitting by an authenticated transfer agent from a remote computer workstation via said communications network an information object to said trusted repository system; applying by said trusted repository system a first tamper seal to at least a portion of said information object; storing by said trusted repository system said tamper sealed information object in a physically and electronically secure storage facility; receiving by said trusted repository system via said communications network an information object request instruction from an authenticated user at said remote computer workstation; creating by said trusted repository system a copy of said tamper sealed information object and verifying by said trusted repository system the integrity of said copy by validating said first tamper seal; marking by said trusted repository system said copy with a forgery-resistant indicia identifying said copy as a copy of said information object held at said trusted repository system; communicating by said trusted repository system said marked copy of said information object to said authenticated local user at said remote computer workstation via said communications network; applying by said authenticated user via said remote computer workstation an electronic signature to said marked copy of said electronic information object; communicating by said remote computer workstation said electronic signature to said trusted repository system via said communications network; applying by said trusted repository system said electronic signature to said tamper sealed information object whereby said information object is designated an electronic original information object by said trusted repository system; applying by said trusted repository system a second tamper seal to at least said electronic original information object and said electronic signature; and storing by said trusted repository system said tamper sealed electronic original information object and electronic signature in said physically and electronically secure storage facility.