Non-wire contact device application for cryptographic module interfaces

US6971021B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Rainbow Technologies, Inc. · US

Inventors

• John I. Daspit · Rancho Palos Verdes, US
• Michael M. Furusawa · Chino Hills, US
• Chieu The Nguyen · Irvine, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 8, 2000
• Grant date: Nov 29, 2005
• Expiry date: Mar 8, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06F2211/007
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Non-contact interfaces to cryptographic modules include non-contact inputs, which may contain magnetic coupling, RF coupling, infrared coupling, optical coupling or acoustical coupling to load cryptographic data into cryptographic modules. By using non-contact methods of coupling, the physical inputs to the module can be hidden, as no external connectors to input cryptographic data are required. In addition, several non-contact inputs can be disposed within a cryptographic module, at orientations and spacings which require the specific placement of transmitting units, thereby increasing the security of the module. In addition, by having several inputs to the cryptographic module, the cryptographic function may be made to be dependent on a sequencing of data between the inputs and/or may require simultaneous inputs on two or more sensors.