Patent > Preferred Embodiment > Figure 23

FIGURE 23 presents the first of two screens used for input by the owner of a master or backup copy of a reconstitution file 0270. The objective is to share access to one or more privacy protected archives 0261 with selected persons on computers for which those selected persons have submitted signature files 0943. These signature files 0943 are collected on the author's hard drive. If the Secure Software Rental version is used, the signature files are placed in a directory called "Marpex" in the drive on which Windows is installed. [Ed: This method was replaced in the 2004 version.]

Step 2310 is to identify the privacy protected archive 0261 for which access is to be shared. This is done by browsing and selecting the reconstitution file 0270 (or first reconstitution file if multiple pass cascading fragmentation 0362 has been used).

Step 2320 is to enter the valid password 0330 for that reconstitution file 0270.

Step 2330 is to select the rights to be assigned to the new version of the reconstitution file 0270, whether backup 1212 or distribution 1213. Backup versions 1212 have considerably more scope, and should only be given to trusted persons.

Step 2340 is to select one signature file 0943 at a time.

These signature files 0943 are incorporated into a list 2350, which is displayed in the lower half of the screen image. This list should contain signature files 0943 only for computers and users that are to be granted authorization.

A signature file 0943 name 2351 normally corresponds to the name 2250 given by the requester. Built into the signature file 0943 is among other things an eight byte computer ID 2352; see 0922.

A delete button 2360 is available to remove a highlighted entry from the list 2350.

Pressing the "next" button 2370 initiates a brief process to validate that the current computer 0920 has rights to the selected reconstitution file (0270 and 2310), that the reconstitution file type 1320 is either Master or Backup, and that the password 2320 matches the password 0330 in the file. After validation, control passes to FIGURE 24.