초록 ▼

The invention provides a cryptographic system and method with a key escrow feature that uses a method for verifiably splitting users' private encryption keys into components and for sending those components to trusted agents chosen by the particular users, and provides a system that uses modern publ

The invention provides a cryptographic system and method with a key escrow feature that uses a method for verifiably splitting users' private encryption keys into components and for sending those components to trusted agents chosen by the particular users, and provides a system that uses modern public key certificate management, enforced by a chip device that also self-certifies. The methods for key escrow and receiving an escrow certificate are also applied herein to a more generalized case of registering a trusted device with a trusted third party and receiving authorization from that party enabling the device to communicate with other trusted devices.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for secure communication in a system having at least one communicating party and a message key that is recoverable by one not a party to the communication, the method comprising steps of:providing each user with a computer hardware device;registering hardware dev

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for secure communication in a system having at least one communicating party and a message key that is recoverable by one not a party to the communication, the method comprising steps of:providing each user with a computer hardware device;registering hardware devices with a center in accordance with control information determined by a device owner distinct from a device user;certifying hardware devices, each certification generating a certificate associating a center, a user, and a hardware device;initiating a secure communication from an initiating user to a recipient using a message key in a manner that permits the owner to access the communication.