Encrypted data package record for use in remote transaction metered data system

US5764762A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• WAVE Systems, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Gregory J. Kazmierczak · Plainsboro, US
• John R. Michener · Sammamish, US
• Kathryn M. Smith · Somerville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 28, 1996
• Grant date: Jun 9, 1998
• Expiry date: Oct 28, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06F2221/2135
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The disclosed system relates to metered use cryptographic systems, and particularly to a data package and system operation for effecting metered purchases of encrypted data from a local encrypted database. A local CD ROM encrypted database includes one or more data package records containing one or more message keys encrypted under a database key, and one or more data packages encrypted under said message keys. The user decrypts portions of the database, and the data used is metered locally and recorded as a stored data usage record. The local stored data usage record is reported by telephone modem or other telecommunications link from a remote user terminal, such as a host personal computer containing a remote cryptographic control unit, to a cryptographic operations center. A second embodiment of an encrypted database for use in accordance with the present invention includes a header containing a message key encrypted under said database key, one or more subunit message keys encrypted under said message key, and a subunit data package encrypted under each said subunit message key. The subunit message key is selected to save storage space. The present system further permits a remo…