Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
294 words
In an encrypted data processing system having encryption and decryption units, said encryption unit containing encryption circuitry for receiving a plurality of plain text data units and for generating encrypted data units, means for computing a first error-detecting code from encrypted data units, and processing apparatus for processing said encrypted data units with said first error-detecting code appended thereto to said decryption unit, said decryption unit having additional processing apparatus, means for computing a second error-detecting code from processed data units, means for comparing said second error-detecting code with said first error-detecting code to determine an error in transmission, and decryption circuitry for generating plain text data units from said processed data units, the improvement comprising: means for initially synchronizing said encryption circuitry and said decryption circuitry, a first sequence counter responsive to input plain text data for generating a first sequence number with a mathematical relationship to the number of data units encrypted by said encryption apparatus since said initial synchronization, a second sequence counter responsive to data units received by said decryption unit for enerating a second sequence number with said mathematical relationship to the number of data units received by said decryption apparatus since said initial synchronization, means responsive to data units received by said decryption unit for generating an identification signal which uniquely identifies said data units, means responsive to said second sequence number and to said identification signal for generating an acknowledgment message indicating said second sequence number and said identification signal and for transmitting said acknowledgment message to said encryption unit, and means responsive to said second sequence number contained in said acknowledgment message and to said first sequence number for detecting a mismatch between said numbers indicating a loss of synchronization between said encryption and decryption circuitry.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
294 words
In an encrypted data processing system having encryption and decryption units, said encryption unit containing encryption circuitry for receiving a plurality of plain text data units and for generating encrypted data units, means for computing a first error-detecting code from encrypted data units, and processing apparatus for processing said encrypted data units with said first error-detecting code appended thereto to said decryption unit, said decryption unit having additional processing apparatus, means for computing a second error-detecting code from processed data units, means for comparing said second error-detecting code with said first error-detecting code to determine an error in transmission, and decryption circuitry for generating plain text data units from said processed data units, the improvement comprising: means for initially synchronizing said encryption circuitry and said decryption circuitry, a first sequence counter responsive to input plain text data for generating a first sequence number with a mathematical relationship to the number of data units encrypted by said encryption apparatus since said initial synchronization, a second sequence counter responsive to data units received by said decryption unit for enerating a second sequence number with said mathematical relationship to the number of data units received by said decryption apparatus since said initial synchronization, means responsive to data units received by said decryption unit for generating an identification signal which uniquely identifies said data units, means responsive to said second sequence number and to said identification signal for generating an acknowledgment message indicating said second sequence number and said identification signal and for transmitting said acknowledgment message to said encryption unit, and means responsive to said second sequence number contained in said acknowledgment message and to said first sequence number for detecting a mismatch between said numbers indicating a loss of synchronization between said encryption and decryption circuitry.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said first sequence counter generates a count which is equal to the number of data units encrypted by said encryption apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said second sequence counter generates a count which is directly related to the number of data units validly received by said decryption apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said second sequence counter generates a count which is equal to the number of data units received by said decryption apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improvement according to claim 1 further comprising means responsive to a mismatch between said first and second sequence numbers for generating a re-processing request to cause said encryption unit to re-process said encrypted data units.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement according to claim 5 further comprising means responsive to said re-processing request for preventing said first sequence counter from counting said re processed data units.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement according to claim 5 further comprising means responsive to a predetermined number of re-processing requests for causing a resynchronization of said encryption circuitry with said decryption circuitry.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said first sequence counter is a modulus counter with a predetermined fixed, modulus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said first sequence counter is a modulus counter having a variable modulus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said first sequence counter is a pseudo-random counter generator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein data sent to said data processing unit comprises encrypted data units, synchronization flags and error detection codes and said first sequence count includes only said encrypted data units.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein data sent to said decryption unit comprises encrypted data units, synchronization flags and error detection codes and said first sequence count includes said encrypted data units and a portion of said synchronization flags and error detection codes.