System and method for generation and use of asymmetric crypto-keys each having a public portion and multiple private portions
US7065642B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 20, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 15, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L9/3297
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system for authentication of network users which is operable in multiple modes, includes a plurality of user network stations and at least one sponsor network station representing a sponsor. Each network station represents a user associated with an asymmetric crypto-key having either a first or second number of private portions, the second number being greater than the first number. The one or more sponsor network stations receive authentication requests from the user network stations, determine the identity of a user associated with each of the received authentication requests, select from two or more available modes of operation based upon the determined identity. If operation in one mode is selected, the sponsor network station signs a particular received authentication request using one private portion of an asymmetric crypto-key having a first number of private portions. However, if another mode is selected, the sponsor network station signs that particular authentication request using one private portion of an asymmetric crypto-key having a second number of private portions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.