Secure translation of usage-control values for cryptographic keys

US5177791A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Phil C. Yeh · Poughkeepsie, US
• Dennis G. Abraham · Concord, US
• Donald B. Johnson · Manassas, US
• An Van Le · Manassas, US
• Stephen M. Matyas · Manassas, US
• Rotislaw Prymak · Dumfries, US
• Ronald M. Smith, Sr. · Wappingers Falls, US
• John D. Wilkins · Somerville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 30, 1991
• Grant date: Jan 5, 1993
• Expiry date: Aug 30, 2011

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04L2209/08
• WIPO field: Digital communication
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A working key of a certain key type is to be transmitted from a first system (having a first usage-control value associated with keys of the certain type) and a second system (having a second usage-control value associated with keys of the certain type). A translation control value, associated with the certain key type, is generated, functionally relating the first and second usage-control values. The translation control value is used in a cryptographic function to send or receive the working key between systems, the cryptographic function being designed to produce valid results when the correct translation control value, and usage-control values, are employed, and unpredictable results otherwise. Effectively, the first usage-control value is translated to the second usage-control value.