Multiple secrets in quorum based data processing
US10728038B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jul 28, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 14, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L9/50
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods are described for constructing a secret key by multiple participants such that any quorum combination of participants can generate a fixed number of key components that can be combined by a recipient to generate the secret key. The methods permit an identical secret key to be generated by a different sized quorum from different participants if required. The keys may be used as private keys for encryption, decryption, digital signatures or authentication tokens and each key is generated from a key index. The circuits used by a quorum of participants for the generation of keys feature nested non-linear devices connected in series with outputs multiplied by stored secret values. Example applications are described including blinded cipher text generation, a multi-signature cryptocurrency system and an encrypted cloud storage system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.