Method of distributing and utilizing enciphering keys
First Claim
1. A method of distributing and utilizing enciphering keys in a system comprising a number of (N,N>
- 2) transceivers, these transceivers being interconnectable for transmitting enciphered messages, characterized in that each transceiver has an initial set of keys enciphering of which in all cases a unique key is reserved for communication with each one of the other transceivers, that each key of such set is an element of a column of a first N×
N key matrix and the number of the column is associated with the identity of the transceiver, and that prior to the start of communication between two transceivers their column numbers are exchanged and the two transceivers are automatically adjusted to their unique key.
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Abstract
In a communication network with cryptographically protected connections a unique key is used for each connection between two subscribers, so that when one or more keys fall into the hands of an unauthorized person it has no consequences for the protection of the remaining connections. In a network comprising N subscribers this implies that each participant must have N-1 keys for communication with the other participants. Such a set of N-1 keys is obtained by putting a column from a N×N key matrix (main diagonal empty) at the disposal of each participant. During the connection set-up the correct unique key is automatically selected by interchange of the column number. The key matrices used in the network can be regularly replaced without it being necessary to interrupt the operation of the network.
55 Citations
5 Claims
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1. A method of distributing and utilizing enciphering keys in a system comprising a number of (N,N>
- 2) transceivers, these transceivers being interconnectable for transmitting enciphered messages, characterized in that each transceiver has an initial set of keys enciphering of which in all cases a unique key is reserved for communication with each one of the other transceivers, that each key of such set is an element of a column of a first N×
N key matrix and the number of the column is associated with the identity of the transceiver, and that prior to the start of communication between two transceivers their column numbers are exchanged and the two transceivers are automatically adjusted to their unique key. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
- 2) transceivers, these transceivers being interconnectable for transmitting enciphered messages, characterized in that each transceiver has an initial set of keys enciphering of which in all cases a unique key is reserved for communication with each one of the other transceivers, that each key of such set is an element of a column of a first N×
Specification