Security system
First Claim
1. A method of encrypting communications from a computer having an application program interface, the method comprising using a mobile communications device, which includes a cryptographic module for use in mobile communication, as a cryptographic service provider.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communications device, which has a cryptographic module for use in mobile communications, can be used as a cryptographic services provider. For example, the device may be a device which can operate under the Wireless Application Protocol, that is, a WAP-enabled device, such as a mobile phone. This has the advantage that WAP-enabled devices include components which are used in public key/private key cryptographic systems as a part of their standard communication functions. These components therefore advantageously allow the device to be used as a cryptographic services provider. Advantageously, the device can use Wireless Transport Layer Security (WTLS) for mobile communications, and employs its cryptographic module when in use as a cryptographic services provider.
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Citations
50 Claims
- 1. A method of encrypting communications from a computer having an application program interface, the method comprising using a mobile communications device, which includes a cryptographic module for use in mobile communication, as a cryptographic service provider.
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7. A mobile communications device, comprising a cryptographic module, the cryptographic module being usable:
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for encoding wireless communications from the device;
in a cryptographic service provider with an application program interface of a remote computer. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A module for a personal computer, wherein, in response to the module receiving a first command from a cryptographic application program interface, indicating that it requires cryptographic functionality, the module sends a second command to a mobile communication device, such that the mobile communications device acts as a cryptographic service provider for said personal computer.
- 20. A method of encrypting computer communications, the method comprising using a separate mobile communications device, which includes a cryptographic module for use in mobile communication, as a cryptographic service provider.
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24. A computer system, comprising:
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a computer; and
a mobile communications device, including a cryptographic module, the computer having at least one application which requires cryptographic functionality, a first part of the required cryptographic functionality being provided in the computer, and a second part of the required cryptographic functionality being provided in the mobile communications device, the computer and the mobile communications device having means for establishing a secure communications path therebetween; and
the computer further comprising an interface device which, on determining that an application needs to use cryptographic functionality, selects the functionality provided in the computer, or the functionality provided in the mobile communications device, and sends a command thereto.
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28. A method of providing cryptographic functionality in a computer having a cryptographic application program interface, the method comprising using a mobile communications device, which includes a cryptographic module for use in mobile communication, to provide the cryptographic functionality.
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36. A computer system for supporting an application, the computer system comprising:
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a cryptographic application program interface; and
a cryptography service provider, wherein, when the cryptographic application program interface determines that the application requires cryptographic functionality, sends a command to the cryptography service provider, and wherein the cryptography service provider has a communications link to a cryptographic module of a mobile communications device, the cryptographic module of the mobile communications device being usable to encrypt communications between the mobile communications device and a telecommunications network over a wireless interface, and wherein the cryptography service provider can obtain the cryptographic functionality, required by the application, from the cryptographic module of the mobile communications device.
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- 44. A mobile communications device, the mobile communications device being able to communicate over a first wireless interface with a telecommunications network, and comprising a cryptographic module to provide cryptographic functionality for use in communications over the first wireless interface, the mobile communications device further comprising a security manager module for receiving commands from a computer system over a second interface, wherein, in response to suitable commands received from the computer system over the second interface, the security manager module requests a cryptographic function from the cryptographic module, and returns the results of the cryptographic function to the computer system over the second interface.
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47. A module for a computer system, the module comprising:
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an application interface for connection to a computer application; and
an external interface for connection to a mobile communication device containing a cryptographic module;
wherein, when the module receives from the application interface a request for a cryptographic function which the module is unable to provide, the module sends a command over the external interface to the mobile communications device to request the cryptographic function therefrom.
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Specification