Secure pairing of devices
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsChristopher Steffen, Chad Albertson, Nicholas Ollerich, Eric J. Campbell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for pairing two devices for secure communications. A user selects a first device to pair with a second device. The first and second devices have the ability to securely communicate with each other through the use of encrypted communications. An encryption key is written to the first device and then burned into the encryption module on the first device. A corresponding decryption key is written to the second device and then is burned into the decryption module of the second device.
Claims24
A method for securely pairing two devices that are connected to one another through a network, comprising:
- selecting a first device to pair with a second device, wherein the first device and the second device are a same type of device;
- writing an encryption key to the first device;
- burning the encryption key into an encryption module on the first device;
- writing a corresponding decryption key to the second device, the decryption key allowing the second device to decrypt data transmitted by the first device encrypted using the encryption key;
- burning the decryption key into a decryption module on the second device
- selecting a third device to pair with the first device;
- writing a third encryption key to the first device;
- and
- burning the third encryption key into the encryption module on the first device.
A system for providing secure data transfer between two devices that are connected to one another through a network, comprising:
- a first device, comprising:
- an encryption module configured to encrypt data prior to transmission to a second device using an encryption key and configured to encrypt data prior to transmission to a third device using a third encryption key, wherein the first device and the second device are a same type of device;
- an encryption burner configured to burn the encryption key into the encryption module and configured to burn the third encryption key into the encryption module;
- the second device, comprising:
- a decryption module configured to decrypt data received from the first device encrypted by the encryption key using a decryption key;
- a decryption burner configured to burn the decryption key into the decryption module;
- and
- wherein the first encryption key, the second encryption key and the third encryption keys are different.
A computer readable storage medium having computer readable instructions for securely pairing two devices connected through a network that when executed by at least one processor cause the at least one processor to:
- select a first device to pair with a second device;
- write an encryption key to the first device;
- burn the encryption key into an encryption module on the first device;
- write a corresponding decryption key to the second device, the decryption key allowing the second device to decrypt data transmitted by the first device encrypted using the encryption key;
- burn the decryption key into a decryption module on the second device;
- select a third device to pair with the first device;
- write a third encryption key to the first device;
- burn the third encryption key into the encryption module on the first device;
- write a corresponding third decryption key to the third device, the third decryption key allowing the third device to decrypt data transmitted by the first device using the third encryption key;
- and
- burn the third decryption key into a decryption module on the third device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.