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US6005943A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electronic identifiers for network terminal devices
Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
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Filing: 1996-10-29
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Granted: 1999-12-21
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Expires: 2016-10-29
Abstract
Abstract The generation of electronic identifiers for network interface units connected to a data network for use in detecting unauthorized decryption of encrypted data transmitted over the data network. A random number is generated for use as a private key decryption code and is stored in memory in each network interface unit. A public key is calculated from the stored private key using a non-invertible mathematical formula. If the calculated public key is unique, then a portion of the public key (e.g. a subset of its bits) is stored in a data provider database as an electronic identifier for use in detecting unauthorized decryption of data by the interface unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Joshua L. Cohen
- 👤 Cecil A. Dean
- 👤 Thomas L. du Breuil
- 👤 Daniel Nelson Heer
- 👤 David P. Maher
- 👤 Vance Eugene Poteat
- 👤 Robert John Rance
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:15
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L9/00; H04L9/08; H04L9/0861; H04L9/0877
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of generating an electronic identifier for a single-chip network interface unit (NIU) connected to a data network for use in detecting unauthorized decryption by the NIU of encrypted data transmitted over the data network, said method comprising the steps of: generating a random number by using a random generator comprising a component of the NIU on the NIU chip; storing said generated random number in a memory of the network interface unit, said stored random number comprising a private key for use by the NIU in decrypting received encrypted data so that said stored random number is inaccessible outside of the NIU; calculating a public key from the private decryption key using a non-invertible mathematical formula; determining if said calculated public key is unique; and storing, as an electronic identifier of the NIU, at least a portion of the unique public key in a database accessible by the data network.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of generating an electronic identifier for a single-chip network interface unit (NIU) connected to a data network for use in detecting unauthorized decryption by the NIU of encrypted data transmitted over the data network, said method comprising the steps of: generating a random number by using a random generator comprising a component of the NIU on the NIU chip; storing said generated random number in a memory of the network interface unit, said stored random number comprising a private key for use by the NIU in decrypting received encrypted data so that said stored random number is inaccessible outside of the NIU; calculating a public key from the private decryption key using a non-invertible mathematical formula; determining if said calculated public key is unique; and storing, as an electronic identifier of the NIU, at least a portion of the unique public key in a database accessible by the data network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said public key comprises a set of a predetermined number of bits and wherein said electronic identifier comprises a predetermined subset of bits of said public key set of bits.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said public key is stored in said memory of the NIU.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said public key is calculated using the mathematical formula public key=x.sup.(private key) mod(p), wherein p is a large prime number and x is an integer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said memory is tamper-proof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said determining step comprises comparing said calculated public key to other public keys contained in said database accessible by the data network.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of affixing the electronic identifier to the NIU.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
182 words
A device for generating an electronic identifier for a single-chip network interface unit (NIU) connected to a data network, for use in detecting unauthorized decryption by the network interface unit of encrypted data transmitted over the data network, said device comprising: a random number generator contained on the single chip with the NIU and forming a component of the NIU for generating a random number comprising a private key for use by the NIU in decrypting received encrypted data from the data network; a memory connected to said random number generator and formed on said single chip; means for storing said generated random number in said memory so that said stored random number is inaccessible outside of the NIU, said storing means being connected between said random number generator and said memory; means for calculating a public key from the private decryption key in accordance with a non-invertible mathematical formula; means for determining whether said calculated public key is unique; and means for storing, in a database accessible by the data network, at least a portion of the unique calculated public key.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
182 words
A device for generating an electronic identifier for a single-chip network interface unit (NIU) connected to a data network, for use in detecting unauthorized decryption by the network interface unit of encrypted data transmitted over the data network, said device comprising: a random number generator contained on the single chip with the NIU and forming a component of the NIU for generating a random number comprising a private key for use by the NIU in decrypting received encrypted data from the data network; a memory connected to said random number generator and formed on said single chip; means for storing said generated random number in said memory so that said stored random number is inaccessible outside of the NIU, said storing means being connected between said random number generator and said memory; means for calculating a public key from the private decryption key in accordance with a non-invertible mathematical formula; means for determining whether said calculated public key is unique; and means for storing, in a database accessible by the data network, at least a portion of the unique calculated public key.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said calculating means comprises a microprocessor, and wherein said mathematical formula is public key=x.sup.(private key) mod(p), wherein p is a large prime number and x is an integer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 7, wherein said memory is contained in the NIU and wherein said memory is tamper-proof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-12-20 | 2003-06-21 | 2003-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-20 | 2007-06-21 | 2007-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-20 | 2011-06-21 | 2011-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |