Cryptographically secure authentication device, system and method

A device comprising:

• a processor;
• a non-volatile memory connected to the processor;
• a private key generator generating a private key, said private key generator connected to the processor, said processor storing the private key in the non-volatile memory;
• an index source indicating an index number to the processor;
• said processor performing a number of hashes on the private key to generate an identifying value, the number of hashes based on the index number stored in the non-volatile memory, said processor providing the identifying value for use in authenticating said device.

A system for authenticating a secure authentication device having a device identifier, the system comprising:

• a memory to store a prior timestamp and a prior hash value associated with the device identifier;
• a logical interconnection operatively connected to the memory, the logical interconnection operative to communicate with the device;
• and
• a processor operatively connected to the memory and the logical interconnection, the processor operative to receive, via the logical interconnection, the device identifier, a current hash value and a current timestamp,
• said processor retrieving from the memory the prior timestamp and the prior hash value associated with the device identifier,
• said processor determining an amount of time between the current timestamp and the prior timestamp,
• said processor performing a number of hashes on the current hash value to generate an identifying value, wherein the number of hashes is based on the amount of time between the current timestamp and the prior timestamp, and
• said processor determining whether the identifying value equals the prior hash value, wherein the device is authenticated if the identifying value equals the prior hash value, otherwise the device is not authenticated.

The method of claim 23 for use by a device for providing authenticating information to a verifying device, comprising:

• generating a random number;
• determining a reference number;
• storing the random number and the reference number;
• determining a difference between an index number and the reference number;
• performing a number of hashes on the random number to generate an identifying value, the number of hashes based on the determined difference;
• and
• providing the identifying value and the index number to the verifying device for use in authenticating the device.

A method for authenticating a secure identification device, comprising:

• receiving a device identifier, a hash value and a current timestamp;
• retrieving a prior timestamp and a prior hash value associated with a prior authentication of a device identified by the device identifier;
• determining an amount of time between the current timestamp and the prior timestamp;
• performing a number of hashes on the hash value, the number of hashes based on the amount of time between the current timestamp and the prior timestamp;
• and
• determining whether a resulting value of the performing the number of hashes equals the prior hash value, wherein the device is authenticated if the resulting value equals the prior hash value, otherwise the device is not authenticated.