Method and system for processing a data set
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorDouglas G. Murray
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for processing a data set. More particularly, the present invention provides a method and system for encrypting or decrypting a data set so that the data set remains entirely in the ASCII printable range. The method and system of the present invention allow a key of any length to be selected. Once selected, the key is formatted to the length of the data set and then masked so that predetermined bits are set to zero. An exclusively-OR result is then formed with the data set and the masked key to yield an encrypted data set.
Claims37
A method for processing a data set, comprising the steps of:
- providing a data set having a first length;
- formatting a key to the first length;
- setting pre-determined bits of the formatted key to zero to yield a masked key;
- and
- forming an exclusive-OR result of the data set with the masked key to yield an encrypted data set.
A method for processing a data set, comprising the steps of:
- providing a data set having a first length that includes at least four low order bits;
- providing a key having a second length;
- formatting the key to equal the first length;
- and
- performing a logical operation on the four low order bits of the data set with a corresponding four low order bits of the formatted key.
The method of claim 10, wherein the step of providing a key comprises:
- providing a second data set having a second length;
- formatting the key to the first length.
A system for processing a data set having a first length, comprising:
- a system for formatting a key to the first length;
- a system for setting pre-determined bits of the key to zero to yield a masked key;
- and
- a system for forming an exclusive-OR result of the data set with the masked key to yield an encrypted data set.
The system of claim 18, wherein the system for formatting comprises:
- a system for providing a second data set;
- a system for replicating the second data set as necessary until its length is equal to or greater than the first length;
- and
- a system truncating the second data set as necessary until its length equals the first length.
A system for processing a data set, comprising:
- a data set having a first length that includes at least four low order bits;
- a key having a second length;
- a system for formatting the key to equal the first length;
- and
- a system for forming an exclusive-OR result of the four low order bits of the data set with a corresponding four low order bits of the formatted key to yield an encrypted data set.
A program product stored on a recordable media for processing a data set having a first length, which when executed, comprises:
- a system for formatting a key to the first length;
- a system for setting pre-determined bits of the key to zero to yield a masked key;
- and
- a system for forming an exclusive-OR result of the data set with the masked key to yield an encrypted data set.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.