Ticket-based secure time delivery in digital networks
First Claim
1. A method for providing a secure time signal from a time source to a time requestor over a digital network, the method comprising using an information object to request the secure time signal wherein the information object includes an identification of the requestor and a session key for transferring the secure time signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A ticket-based secure time protocol is used to provide client devices, or users, with secure time signals. In a preferred embodiment, the secure time signals are provided by a secure time server so that multiple clients can be time-synchronized. Ticket-based authentication uses digital certificates and public key cryptography, such as Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) to reduce key administration overhead and decryption processing. Standard authentication architectures and approaches, such as Kerberos, can be used for some aspects of the invention. A preferred embodiment uses Request and Reply messages that provide added security and functionality, such as authentication, sequence-checking and verification of target destination.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for providing a secure time signal from a time source to a time requestor over a digital network, the method comprising
using an information object to request the secure time signal wherein the information object includes an identification of the requestor and a session key for transferring the secure time signal.
- 2. The method of claim 2, wherein the information object includes a ticket.
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11. An apparatus for providing a secure time signal to a time requestor over a digital network, the apparatus comprising
a process for accepting a ticket from the time requestor to request a secure time signal; - and
a process for providing a secure time signal to the time requestor.
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12. An apparatus for providing a secure time signal to a time requestor over a digital network, the apparatus comprising
means for accepting a ticket from the time requestor to request a secure time signal; - and
means for providing a secure time signal to the time requestor.
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13. A computer-readable medium including instructions for providing a secure time signal to a time requestor over a digital network, the computer-readable medium comprising
one or more instructions for accepting a ticket from the time requestor to request a secure time signal; - and
one or more instructions for providing a secure time signal to the time requester.
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Specification