Enhanced cryptographic system and method with key escrow feature
US6009177A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 19, 1997 |
| Grant date | Dec 28, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 19, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F7/725
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention provides a cryptographic system and method with a key escrow feature that uses a method for verifiably splitting users' private encryption keys into components and for sending those components to trusted agents chosen by the particular users, and provides a system that uses modern public key certificate management, enforced by a chip device that also self-certifies. The methods for key escrow and receiving an escrow certificate are also applied herein to a more generalized case of registering a trusted device with a trusted third party and receiving authorization from that party enabling the device to communicate with other trusted devices. Further preferred embodiments provide for rekeying and upgrading of device firmware using a certificate system, and encryption of stream-oriented data.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.