The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 17, 1996
Filed:
Jul. 18, 1994
Ravi Ganesan, Arlington, VA (US);
Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc., Arlington, VA (US);
Abstract
A encryption method and system using split key public encryption. A first and second user private encryption key and a corresponding first and second user public encryption key are generated. The first and second user private encryption keys are divided into a first and second private user key portion and a corresponding first and second central authority key portion. The first and second private user key portions are respectively disclosed to the first and second users. The central authority key portions and the user public encryption keys are maintained by a central authority (CA). The first user request a communications session with the second user through the CA. After receiving the request, the CA encrypts a session encryption key with (i) the central authority key portion and user public encryption key associated with a first user to form a first encrypted session key and (ii) the central authority key portion and user public encryption key associated with the second user to form a second encrypted session key. The first encrypted session key is provided to the first user and the second encrypted session key is provided to the second user. The first user applies the first user's private user key portion to decrypt the first encrypted session key and the second user applies the second user's private user key portion to decrypt the second encrypted session key. The first user and the second user apply the decrypted common session key to encrypt and decrypt messages exchanged during a communications session. The method and system also provide for authorized wiretapping, video and data distribution and private enhanced messaging (PEM).