Origin and custody of copies from a stored electronic record verified page by page

Abstract

A method of authenticating a copy of a multi-page document, which includes digitizing a said multi-page document to generate one or more digitized files that together comprise a digitized transcript. A mark that is unique to the preparer of the document, such as a signature, is prepared and digitized. The preparer of the document is allowed to deposit the digitized transcript on an online repository. The operator of the online repository immediately establishes a verification process for the deposited digitized transcript. This verification process includes associating the digitized preparer mark with the deposited digitized transcript, and freezing the transcript, by encrypting it and deriving a checksum. The verification process also include associating a repository mark with the transcript. The operator of the online repository defines, under the direction of at least the preparer of the document, security rights to limit or otherwise control access to the deposited digitized transcript. The digitized preparer mark and the digitized repository mark are allowed to appear on substantially all copies of the pages of the document only if the pages have not been altered. If carrying out the verification process verifies that the deposited digitized transcript has not been changed since the verification process was established the marks are displayed with the unaltered page. This display whether the pages are displayed on a monitor or printed in paper form. Each page with this display is thus authenticated as to origin and custody apart from the other pages or the transcript as a whole.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A page reproduced from a record stored in a repository, said page bearing substantive information and both an originator mark and a custodian mark affixed thereto, said originator mark being adapted to reflect that said substantive information was accurate when created and said custodian mark being adapted to reflect that said substantive information has not changed while stored in said repository and reproduced. 
     
     
         12 . A page of  claim 11  wherein said record is a digitized record. 
     
     
         13 . A page of  claim 11  wherein said repository is on a secure web site. 
     
     
         14 . A page of  claim 11  wherein said page is reproduced on a monitor. 
     
     
         15 . A page of  claim 11  wherein said page is reproduced in paper form. 
     
     
         16 . A page of  claim 11  wherein said repository is online. 
     
     
         17 . A page of  claim 11  wherein said record includes a plurality of said pages and substantially each of said reproduced pages bears substantive information and both said originator mark and said custodian mark affixed thereto. 
     
     
         18 . A page reproduced from a record stored in a repository, said record including a plurality of said pages, said reproduced page bearing substantive information and at least one of an originator mark or a custodian mark affixed thereto, said originator mark being adapted to certifying that said substantive information was accurate when created and said custodian mark being adapted to certifying that said substantive information has not changed during storage and reproduction. 
     
     
         19 - 20 . (canceled)