Electronic identifiers for network terminal devices
First Claim
1. A method of generating an electronic identifier for a single-chip network interface unit (NIU) connected to a data network for use in detecting unauthorized decryption by the NIU of encrypted data transmitted over the data network, said method comprising the steps of:
- generating a random number by using a random generator comprising a component of the NIU on the NIU chip;
storing said generated random number in a memory of the network interface unit, said stored random number comprising a private key for use by the NIU in decrypting received encrypted data so that said stored random number is inaccessible outside of the NIU;
calculating a public key from the private decryption key using a non-invertible mathematical formula;
determining if said calculated public key is unique; and
storing, as an electronic identifier of the NIU, at least a portion of the unique public key in a database accessible by the data network.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The generation of electronic identifiers for network interface units connected to a data network for use in detecting unauthorized decryption of encrypted data transmitted over the data network. A random number is generated for use as a private key decryption code and is stored in memory in each network interface unit. A public key is calculated from the stored private key using a non-invertible mathematical formula. If the calculated public key is unique, then a portion of the public key (e.g. a subset of its bits) is stored in a data provider database as an electronic identifier for use in detecting unauthorized decryption of data by the interface unit.
139 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of generating an electronic identifier for a single-chip network interface unit (NIU) connected to a data network for use in detecting unauthorized decryption by the NIU of encrypted data transmitted over the data network, said method comprising the steps of:
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generating a random number by using a random generator comprising a component of the NIU on the NIU chip; storing said generated random number in a memory of the network interface unit, said stored random number comprising a private key for use by the NIU in decrypting received encrypted data so that said stored random number is inaccessible outside of the NIU; calculating a public key from the private decryption key using a non-invertible mathematical formula; determining if said calculated public key is unique; and storing, as an electronic identifier of the NIU, at least a portion of the unique public key in a database accessible by the data network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10)
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8. A device for generating an electronic identifier for a single-chip network interface unit (NIU) connected to a data network, for use in detecting unauthorized decryption by the network interface unit of encrypted data transmitted over the data network, said device comprising:
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a random number generator contained on the single chip with the NIU and forming a component of the NIU for generating a random number comprising a private key for use by the NIU in decrypting received encrypted data from the data network; a memory connected to said random number generator and formed on said single chip; means for storing said generated random number in said memory so that said stored random number is inaccessible outside of the NIU, said storing means being connected between said random number generator and said memory; means for calculating a public key from the private decryption key in accordance with a non-invertible mathematical formula; means for determining whether said calculated public key is unique; and means for storing, in a database accessible by the data network, at least a portion of the unique calculated public key.
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Specification