{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853818","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9853818","title":"Method and system for signing and authenticating electronic documents via a signature authority which may act in concert with software controlled by the signer","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2016-04-19T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L"],"num_claims":67,"abstract":"A system and method for signing and authenticating electronic documents using public key cryptography applied by one or more server computer clusters operated in a trustworthy manner, which may act in cooperation with trusted components controlled and operated by the signer. The system employs a presentation authority for presenting an unsigned copy of an electronic document to a signing party and a signature authority for controlling a process for affixing an electronic signature to the unsigned document to create a signed electronic document. The system provides an applet for a signing party's computer that communicates with the signature authority."},"analysis":{"summary":"The Method and System for Signing and Authenticating Electronic Documents Via a Signature Authority Which May Act in Concert with Software Controlled by the Signer patent describes an innovative approach to securing electronic documents using public key cryptography and a trusted signature authority. The core innovation is the introduction of a signature authority that acts as an intermediary between the signer and the document, adding an extra layer of security and verification.\n\nThe problem being solved is the vulnerability of existing digital signature methods to fraud and tampering. Traditional approaches often rely solely on the signer's hardware or software, making them susceptible to compromise. This patent addresses this issue by involving a signature authority that verifies the signer's identity and the integrity of the document before affixing the electronic signature.\n\nThe key technical approach involves the use of public key cryptography and a trusted signature authority. The system employs a presentation authority that presents an unsigned copy of the electronic document to the signing party, ensuring that the signer is fully aware of the content they are signing. The signature authority then controls the process of affixing an electronic signature to the document, creating a signed electronic document that is both legally binding and secure.\n\nThe business value of this technology lies in its ability to reduce the risk of fraud and data breaches, saving businesses millions of dollars. Its applications are wide-ranging, including finance, healthcare, legal services, and government. The market opportunity is significant, as the demand for secure digital signature methods continues to grow.\n\nThis innovation offers a more secure and user-friendly method for digital signatures, making it a valuable asset for businesses and individuals alike. As digital transactions continue to grow, this technology will play an increasingly important role in ensuring the integrity and authenticity of electronic documents.","layman_explanation":"The Method and System for Signing and Authenticating Electronic Documents Via a Signature Authority Which May Act in Concert with Software Controlled by the Signer addresses a critical need in today's digital world: ensuring the security and authenticity of electronic documents. As businesses increasingly rely on digital transactions, the risk of fraud and data breaches has become a major concern. Existing digital signature methods often fall short in providing adequate protection, leaving organizations vulnerable to financial losses and legal liabilities.\n\nThis patent introduces a novel approach that involves a trusted third party, known as a signature authority, in the signing process. Instead of relying solely on the signer's computer or software, the system uses the signature authority to verify the signer's identity and ensure the integrity of the document. This added layer of security makes it significantly more difficult for malicious actors to forge signatures or tamper with documents.\n\nThink of it like this: imagine you're sending a valuable package through the mail. Instead of just dropping it off at the mailbox, you take it to a trusted shipping company. The shipping company verifies your identity, inspects the package, and provides a tracking number. This way, you can be sure that the package reaches its destination safely and that nobody has tampered with it along the way. The Method and System for Signing and Authenticating Electronic Documents Via a Signature Authority Which May Act in Concert with Software Controlled by the Signer works in a similar way, providing a secure and verifiable method for signing electronic documents.\n\nThis technology has significant implications for businesses across various industries. It can help reduce the risk of fraud, improve compliance with regulatory requirements, and enhance customer trust. The market opportunity for secure digital signature solutions is substantial, as the demand for reliable authentication methods continues to grow. By implementing this technology, businesses can gain a competitive advantage and protect their bottom line.\n\nLooking ahead, the Method and System for Signing and Authenticating Electronic Documents Via a Signature Authority Which May Act in Concert with Software Controlled by the Signer is expected to play an increasingly important role in the digital economy. As more and more transactions move online, the need for secure and reliable authentication methods will only continue to grow. This technology is poised to become a cornerstone of secure digital transactions, providing a foundation for trust and confidence in the digital world.","technical_analysis":"The Method and System for Signing and Authenticating Electronic Documents Via a Signature Authority Which May Act in Concert with Software Controlled by the Signer patent presents a detailed architecture for secure electronic document signing and authentication. At its core, the system employs a three-tier approach involving a presentation authority, a signature authority, and a client-side applet controlled by the signer.\n\nThe presentation authority is responsible for presenting the unsigned document to the signer in a secure and verifiable manner. This component ensures that the signer is fully aware of the document's content before signing. The signature authority, on the other hand, is responsible for controlling the process of affixing the electronic signature to the document. This involves verifying the signer's identity and ensuring the integrity of the document.\n\nThe client-side applet, controlled by the signer, communicates with the signature authority to initiate the signing process. This applet provides a user-friendly interface for the signer to interact with the system. The communication between the applet and the signature authority is secured using public key cryptography.\n\nThe system's architecture allows for flexible integration patterns. The presentation authority and the signature authority can be implemented as separate server clusters, providing scalability and redundancy. The client-side applet can be implemented as a web browser extension or a standalone application.\n\nFrom a performance perspective, the system is designed to minimize latency and maximize throughput. The signature authority can be optimized to handle a large volume of signing requests. The client-side applet can be optimized to minimize the computational overhead on the signer's computer.\n\nThe code-level implications of this technology are significant. Developers will need to implement secure communication protocols between the client-side applet and the signature authority. They will also need to implement robust identity verification mechanisms within the signature authority. Furthermore, developers will need to ensure that the system is compliant with relevant security standards and regulations.\n\nOverall, the Method and System for Signing and Authenticating Electronic Documents Via a Signature Authority Which May Act in Concert with Software Controlled by the Signer patent provides a comprehensive technical framework for secure electronic document signing and authentication. Its innovative architecture and implementation details make it a valuable asset for developers and engineers working in this field.","business_analysis":"The Method and System for Signing and Authenticating Electronic Documents Via a Signature Authority Which May Act in Concert with Software Controlled by the Signer patent holds significant commercial potential across various industries. The market opportunity for secure digital signature solutions is substantial, driven by the increasing reliance on electronic documents and the growing need for robust authentication methods.\n\nThe competitive advantages of this technology include its enhanced security, improved usability, and flexible integration patterns. The introduction of a signature authority adds an extra layer of security, making it significantly more difficult for malicious actors to forge signatures or tamper with documents. The user-friendly client-side applet makes it easy for users to interact with the system. The flexible integration patterns allow for seamless integration with existing systems.\n\nThe revenue potential of this technology is significant. Businesses can generate revenue through licensing fees, subscription fees, and transaction fees. The business models can range from providing a fully managed service to licensing the technology to other organizations.\n\nFrom a strategic positioning perspective, this technology can be positioned as a premium solution for organizations that require the highest level of security. It can also be positioned as a cost-effective solution for organizations that are looking to reduce the risk of fraud and data breaches.\n\nThe ROI projections for this technology are attractive. By reducing the risk of fraud and data breaches, businesses can save millions of dollars. The increased efficiency and improved usability can also lead to significant cost savings.\n\nOverall, the Method and System for Signing and Authenticating Electronic Documents Via a Signature Authority Which May Act in Concert with Software Controlled by the Signer patent presents a compelling business opportunity. Its strong competitive advantages, significant revenue potential, and attractive ROI projections make it a valuable asset for businesses and investors alike.","faqs":null,"topics":[],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Method and system for signing and authenticating electronic documents via a signature authority which may act in concert with software controlled by the signer","description":"A system and method for signing and authenticating electronic documents using public key cryptography applied by one or more server computer clusters operated in a trustworthy manner, which may act in","keywords":[]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853818","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853818","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Method and system for signing and authenticating electronic documents via a signature authority which may act in concert with software controlled by the signer\" (US-9853818). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853818","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853818","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9853818","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-31T01:55:17.275Z"}