Fair cryptosystems and methods of use
USRE36918E · kind E · reissue
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 12, 1995 |
| Grant date | Oct 17, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 12, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC —)General
Abstract
A method, using a public-key cryptosystem, for enabling a predetermined entity to monitor communications of users .[.suspected of unlawful activities while protecting the privacy of law-abiding users.]., wherein each user is assigned a pair of matching secret and public keys. According to the method, each user's secret key is broken into shares. Then, each user provides a plurality of "trustees" pieces of information. The pieces of information provided to each trustee enable that trustee to verify that such information includes a "share" of a secret key of some given public key. Each trustee can verify that the pieces of information provided include a share of the secret key without interaction with any other trustee or by sending messages to the user. Upon a predetermined request or condition, e.g., a court order authorizing the entity to monitor the communications of a user .[.suspected of unlawful activity.]., the trustees reveal to the entity the shares of the secret key of such user. This enables the entity to reconstruct the secret key and monitor the .[.suspect.]. user's communications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.