Patent US6980659B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6980659B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and systems for supplying encryption keys
Assignee: Level 3 Communications LLC
•
Filing: 2000-06-02
•
Granted: 2005-12-27
•
Expires: 2020-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A system encrypts information. The system includes a key storage module ( 135 ) configured to store encryption bits in a memory of the key storage module. The system further includes a communication device ( 105 ) configured to retrieve a quantity of encryption bits from the memory of the key storage module. The retrieval depletes a total amount of encryption bits stored in the key storage module. The communication device is further configured to encrypt data transmitted from the communication device using the quantity of retrieved encryption bits.
Inventors
- 👤 Brig Barnum Elliott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:06
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L9/00; H04L9/08; H04L9/0816; H04L9/0819; H04L9/083; H04L9/0894
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of encrypting information, comprising: generating a first collection and a second collection of encryption bits in a key supply device; supplying said first collection of encryption bits to a key storage module; storing said first collection of encryption bits in a memory of said key storage module; transporting said key storage module to a data production device; connecting said key storage module to said data production device; supplying said first collection of encryption bits from said module to said data production device; deleting said first collection of encryption bits from said memory of said key storage module; and encrypting data produced by said data production device using said first collection of encryption bits.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of encrypting information, comprising: generating a first collection and a second collection of encryption bits in a key supply device; supplying said first collection of encryption bits to a key storage module; storing said first collection of encryption bits in a memory of said key storage module; transporting said key storage module to a data production device; connecting said key storage module to said data production device; supplying said first collection of encryption bits from said module to said data production device; deleting said first collection of encryption bits from said memory of said key storage module; and encrypting data produced by said data production device using said first collection of encryption bits.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: transporting said key storage module to said key supply device; connecting said key storage module to said key supply device; supplying said second collection of encryption bits from said key supply device to said key storage module; and storing said second collection of encryption bits in the memory of the key storage module.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising: supplying power from said key supply device to said key storage module after said key storage module is connected with said key supply device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: supplying power from said data production device to said key storage module after said key storage module is connected with said data production device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: storing said encrypted data in a memory of said data production device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said data production device comprises a communication device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6 , further comprising: transmitting said encrypted data from said communication device to another communication device.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of encrypting information, comprising: receiving a fixed quantity of encryption bits within a key storage module; retrieving a quantity of encryption bits from a memory of the key storage module connected to a port of a communication device, wherein said retrieval depletes a total amount of encryption bits stored in the key storage module; determining whether said retrieval depletes said stored encryption bits below a predetermined amount; and encrypting data transmitted from said communication device using said quantity of encryption bits.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of encrypting information, comprising: receiving a fixed quantity of encryption bits within a key storage module; retrieving a quantity of encryption bits from a memory of the key storage module connected to a port of a communication device, wherein said retrieval depletes a total amount of encryption bits stored in the key storage module; determining whether said retrieval depletes said stored encryption bits below a predetermined amount; and encrypting data transmitted from said communication device using said quantity of encryption bits.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8 , further comprising: signaling an encryption bit insufficiency condition when said retrieval depletes said stored encryption bits below said predetermined amount.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 8 , further comprising: receiving a second quantity of encryption bits from a key supply device based on said determination.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
100 words
A system for encrypting information, comprising: a key storage module configured to: store a fixed quantity of encryption bits in a memory of said key storage module; and a communication device configured to: retrieve a quantity of encryption bits from said memory of said key storage module, wherein said retrieval depletes from the fixed quantity of encryption bits stored in the key storage module, and encrypt data transmitted from said communication device using said quantity of encryption bits; wherein said key storage module is further configured to: determine whether said retrieval depletes said stored encryption bits below a specified amount.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
100 words
A system for encrypting information, comprising: a key storage module configured to: store a fixed quantity of encryption bits in a memory of said key storage module; and a communication device configured to: retrieve a quantity of encryption bits from said memory of said key storage module, wherein said retrieval depletes from the fixed quantity of encryption bits stored in the key storage module, and encrypt data transmitted from said communication device using said quantity of encryption bits; wherein said key storage module is further configured to: determine whether said retrieval depletes said stored encryption bits below a specified amount.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein said key storage module is further configured to: signal an encryption bit insufficiency condition when said retrieval depletes said stored encryption bits below said specified amount.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein said key storage module is further configured to: receive a second quantity of encryption bits from a key supply device based on said determination.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
90 words
A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling at least one processor to perform a method of encrypting information at a communication device, the method comprising: retrieving a quantity of encryption bits from a memory of a key storage module connected to a port of said communication device, wherein said retrieval depletes a total amount of encryption bits stored in the key storage module, determining whether said retrieval depletes said stored encryption bits below a predetermined amount, and encrypting data transmitted from said communication device using said quantity of encryption bits.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
90 words
A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling at least one processor to perform a method of encrypting information at a communication device, the method comprising: retrieving a quantity of encryption bits from a memory of a key storage module connected to a port of said communication device, wherein said retrieval depletes a total amount of encryption bits stored in the key storage module, determining whether said retrieval depletes said stored encryption bits below a predetermined amount, and encrypting data transmitted from said communication device using said quantity of encryption bits.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
232 words
A method of encrypting information, comprising: generating a first collection and a second collection of encryption bits in a key supply device; supplying said first collection of encryption bits to a key storage module; storing said first collection of encryption bits in a memory of said key storage module; transporting said key storage module to a data production device; connecting said key storage module to said data production device; supplying said first collection of encryption bits from said module to said data production device; deleting said first collection of encryption bits from said memory of said key storage module; encrypting data produced by said data production device using said first collection of encryption bits; transporting said key storage module to said key supply device; connecting said key storage module to said key supply device; supplying said second collection of encryption bits from said key supply device to said key storage module; storing said second collection of encryption bits in the memory of the key storage module; transporting said key storage module to the data production device; connecting said key storage module to the data production device; supplying the second collection of encryption bits from said module to said data production device; deleting said second collection of encryption bits from the memory of said key storage module; and encrypting data produced by said data production device using said second collection of encryption bits.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
232 words
A method of encrypting information, comprising: generating a first collection and a second collection of encryption bits in a key supply device; supplying said first collection of encryption bits to a key storage module; storing said first collection of encryption bits in a memory of said key storage module; transporting said key storage module to a data production device; connecting said key storage module to said data production device; supplying said first collection of encryption bits from said module to said data production device; deleting said first collection of encryption bits from said memory of said key storage module; encrypting data produced by said data production device using said first collection of encryption bits; transporting said key storage module to said key supply device; connecting said key storage module to said key supply device; supplying said second collection of encryption bits from said key supply device to said key storage module; storing said second collection of encryption bits in the memory of the key storage module; transporting said key storage module to the data production device; connecting said key storage module to the data production device; supplying the second collection of encryption bits from said module to said data production device; deleting said second collection of encryption bits from the memory of said key storage module; and encrypting data produced by said data production device using said second collection of encryption bits.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of encrypting information, comprising: retrieving a quantity of encryption bits from a memory of a key storage module connected to a port of a communication device, wherein said retrieval depletes a total amount of encryption bits stored in the key storage module; encrypting data transmitted from said communication device using said quantity of encryption bits; determining whether said retrieval depletes said stored encryption bits below a predetermined amount; receiving a second quantity of encryption bits from a key supply device based on said determination; and storing said second quantity of encryption bits in said memory of said key storage module, wherein said second quantity of encryption bits replenishes a total amount of encryption bits stored in said key storage module.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of encrypting information, comprising: retrieving a quantity of encryption bits from a memory of a key storage module connected to a port of a communication device, wherein said retrieval depletes a total amount of encryption bits stored in the key storage module; encrypting data transmitted from said communication device using said quantity of encryption bits; determining whether said retrieval depletes said stored encryption bits below a predetermined amount; receiving a second quantity of encryption bits from a key supply device based on said determination; and storing said second quantity of encryption bits in said memory of said key storage module, wherein said second quantity of encryption bits replenishes a total amount of encryption bits stored in said key storage module.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for encrypting information, comprising: a key storage module configured to: store encryption bits in a memory of said key storage module; and a communication device configured to: retrieve a quantity of encryption bits from said memory of said key storage module, wherein said retrieval depletes a total amount of encryption bits stored in the key storage module, and encrypt data transmitted from said communication device using said quantity of encryption bits; wherein said key storage module is further configured to: determine whether said retrieval depletes said stored encryption bits below a specified amount, receive a second quantity of encryption bits from a key supply device based on said determination, and store said second quantity of encryption bits in said memory, wherein said second quantity of encryption bits replenishes a total amount of encryption bits stored in said key storage module.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for encrypting information, comprising: a key storage module configured to: store encryption bits in a memory of said key storage module; and a communication device configured to: retrieve a quantity of encryption bits from said memory of said key storage module, wherein said retrieval depletes a total amount of encryption bits stored in the key storage module, and encrypt data transmitted from said communication device using said quantity of encryption bits; wherein said key storage module is further configured to: determine whether said retrieval depletes said stored encryption bits below a specified amount, receive a second quantity of encryption bits from a key supply device based on said determination, and store said second quantity of encryption bits in said memory, wherein said second quantity of encryption bits replenishes a total amount of encryption bits stored in said key storage module.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4897875A
Cited
US5126959A
Cited
US5586185A
Cited
US6560581B1
Cited
US6212639B1
Cited
US6359986B1
Cited
US6708273B1
Cited
US6052468A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-12-26 | 2009-06-27 | 2009-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-12-26 | 2013-06-27 | 2013-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-12-26 | 2017-06-27 | 2017-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |