Enhanced message security

• US 7,475,248 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2002
• Issued: 01/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Barrus, William G., Crenshaw, Robert J., Day, Paul R., Bates, Cary L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid; Kristine
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHAW, YIN CHEN
• Application Number:
  US10/134,184
• Publication Number:
  US 20030204721A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,444 Days
• Field of Search: 713/150, 713/153, 713168-170, 713/172, 380/258, 380/270, 455410-411, 455/412.2, 455/414.2, 455/412.1, 370/351, 370/353, 726 2- 6, 726/26, 705/57
• US Class Current: 713/170
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0492 by using a location-limited connection, e.g. near-field communication or limited proximity of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/067 using one-time keys cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for generation of one-time passwords H04L9/0863
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/47 using near field communication [NFC] or radio frequency identification [RFID] modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

A secure messaging system and method. The method can include the steps of receiving an encrypted message, the message having been encrypted using a token of a corresponding pervasive device; wirelessly verifying the presence of the pervasive device; and, if the presence can be verified, decrypting the message using the token. The verification step can include the steps of establishing a wireless link with the pervasive device; and, querying the pervasive device over the wireless link. In particular, the establishing step can include the step of establishing a Bluetooth link with the pervasive device. Furthermore, the querying step can include the step of requesting geographic coordinates which locate the pervasive device.

Claims

1. A secure messaging system, comprising:

a message source and a message recipient, communicatively linked to one another through a computer communications network separate from the message source and the message recipient;

a pervasive computing device personally associated with said message recipient and separate from the message source;

at least one token which uniquely identifies said pervasive computing device;

a first wireless communications receiver/transmitter disposed in said message recipient, and a second wireless communications receiver/transmitter disposed in said pervasive computing device;

an encryption engine associated with said message source which has been configured to encrypt messages intended for said message recipient with said at least one token; and

,

a decryption engine associated with said message recipient which has been configured to decrypt said messages with said at least one token only when a wireless link has been established between said first and second wireless receiver/transmitters.

2. The secure messaging system of claim 1, wherein said first and second wireless receiver/transmitters are short range radio frequency receiver/transmitters.

3. The secure messaging system of claim 2, wherein said short range radio frequency receiver/transmitters comport with the Bluetooth wireless protocol.

4. The secure messaging system of claim 1, wherein said token comprises a media access control (MAC) address which corresponds to said pervasive computing device.

5. The secure messaging system of claim 1, further comprising a geographic positioning system disposed in said pervasive computing device.

6. The secure messaging system of claim 5, wherein said token comprises a set of geographic coordinates specifying a geographic position for said pervasive device.