US 5,483,595 AGranted

Paging device including password accessed stored cryptographic keys

AssigneeSeiko Communications Holding N.V.

InventorJeffrey R. Owen

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A paging device includes a cryptographic function and a password accessed cryptographic key look-up table associating each stored key with a password. When an cryptographic message is collected by the paging device, the user can select a relatively long cryptographic key by entering a relatively shorter password. The paging device then applies a cryptographic function to a received message using a selected relatively long cryptographic key, the selection being a function of user entry of a relatively short password. Overall, paging messages in transit, i.e., while broadcast by radio signal, enjoy a high level of security by encryption with a relatively long cryptographic key by a message source. As accessed by the user, however, the cryptographic messages are reviewed in readable form by use of a relatively short password designating a relatively long stored cryptographic key.

Claims3

Dependent claims

A paging device adapted to operate in a paging system which receives a message from a message source and which transmits said message to said paging-device, an improvement comprising the combination of:

message receiving means in said paging device for receiving said transmitted message;
memory storage means in said paging device for holding a plurality of pairs of associated values, each pair including a short password and a long cryptographic key, each short password being short relative to the associated long cryptographic key;
manual entry means in said paging device for enabling manual entry and storage in said storage means of said pairs of short passwords and long cryptographic keys,
each particular message received by said receiving means being encrypted in accordance with one of said long cryptographic keys,
input means operable upon receipt of a particular message for obtaining from a user of said paging device said short password associated with the long cryptographic key used to encrypt said particular message;
logic means for selecting the long cryptographic key associated with said short password;
and
transformation logic for applying said long cryptographic key to said message to transform said message to an alternate version of said message, and presenting said alternate version of said message for display.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/410,640Filed 21 Mar 1995 · continuation
Priority: 20 Sep 1993
Granted: 9 Jan 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

H04L 9/0838
Key establishment, i.e. cryptographic processes or cryptographic protocols whereby a shared secret becomes available to two or more parties, for…:…
H04L 9/14
Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols: using a plurality of keys…
H04L 9/3226
Including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication, e.g. authorization, entity…: using…
H04L 2209/80
Additional information or applications relating to cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication…