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Secure establishment of cryptographic keys using persistent key component

  • US 6,684,334 B1
  • Filed: 05/27/1999
  • Issued: 01/27/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for securely establishing a unique cryptographic key in a first cryptographic device, the first cryptographic device having means for entering a key component and a processor for processing electrical signals, said apparatus electrically disposed between the key component entry means and the processor of the first cryptographic device and comprising:

  • a microprocessor in electrical communication with the key component entry means and the processor of the first cryptographic device;

    means for persistently storing a first key component entered from the key component entry means by a first key custodian, said persistent storage means in electrical communication with said microprocessor; and

    means for temporarily storing a second key component entered, at a subsequent time, from the key component entry means by a second key custodian;

    wherein said microprocessor comprises means for combining the first key component stored in said persistent storage means with the second key component to form the unique cryptographic key.

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