Method and apparatus for three-party entity authentication and key distribution using message authentication codes
US5491750A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 1993 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L9/3273
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method is provided for authenticating communication partners utilizing communication flows which are passed over an insecure communication channel. The method includes a number of method steps. A trusted intermediary is provided which is capable of communication with the communication partners over the insecure communication channel. A plurality of long-lived secret keys are provided, one for each communication partner. The plurality of long-lived secret keys are distributed to a particular one of the communication partners, and to the trusted intermediary. Therefore, the long-lived secret key is known only by the particular communication partner to which it is assigned, and the trusted intermediary. A request for communication between communication partners is provided to the trusted intermediary. The trusted intermediary is utilized to generate a short-lived secret key for utilization in a communication session between the communication partners. The short-lived secret key for each particular partner is masked in a manner which is dependent upon that particular partner's long-lived secret key. The masked short-lived secret keys are distributed in a plurality of communication fl…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.