Alexander W Dent

Title: Alexander W. Dent and Memory-Integrity Protection

Introduction

Alexander W. Dent is an inventor based in San Diego, California. His work includes methods for protecting the integrity of memory elements and fixed-length data structures through authentication codes. He is associated with Qualcomm Incorporated and holds 5 patents.

Latest Patents

Dent’s recent patent work addresses efficient ways to detect unauthorized changes to stored data.

In “Method for Protecting the Integrity of a Group of Memory Elements Using an Aggregate Authentication Code,” an aggregate message authentication code (MAC) is constructed from MAC values associated with multiple data structures. The aggregate code binds the structures together and attests to their combined integrity. Instead of verifying each structure whenever it is accessed, the method periodically checks the aggregate MAC. If the newly computed code differs from the previously stored code, the data structures covered by it are discarded.

“Method for Protecting the Integrity of a Fixed-Length Data Structure” describes a computationally efficient approach to securing data structures, such as memory blocks or header blocks. Keys and masks may be generated in advance when a device boots or a session begins. The method selects from these pre-generated values to compute an authentication code for each structure, then stores the code for later integrity verification.

Career Highlights

Dent’s patent portfolio reflects a focus on data integrity and authentication techniques. The described methods use pre-generated cryptographic materials and aggregate verification to protect stored information while reducing the need to check each data structure individually.

Collaborations

Dent’s listed coworkers include Adrian Edward Escott and Michaela Catalina Vanderveen. His company affiliation is Qualcomm Incorporated.

Conclusion

Alexander W. Dent’s inventions focus on practical methods for verifying the integrity of memory and data structures, including individual authentication codes and aggregate checks.