Method and apparatus for encryption key creation

A method of generating a two-key encryption key set comprising a private component and a public component, the method comprising the steps of:

• generating a first random prime number;
• generating a second random prime number;
• producing a modulus by multiplying said first random number by said second random prime number;
• generating a first exponent by solving a first modular arithmetic equation;
• generating a second exponent, said second exponent being a modular inverse to said first exponent, by solving a second modular arithmetic equation;
• and
• securely storing at least one of said first exponent, said second exponent, and said modulus in at least one memory location,
• wherein each of said first and second random prime numbers is obtained by concatenating a first and second plurality of random bytes, respectively, and further wherein the contents of said random bytes are associated with a random event.

A method of generating a two-key encryption key set using an encryption circuit disposed in a portable electronic data module, the method comprising the steps of:

• creating randomized contents in a data storage structure having a select length, said contents based in part upon a random power-up event associated with said portable electronic data module;
• enhancing entropy of said data storage structure by manipulating the contents of said data storage structure;
• producing a first and second prime number by repeatedly generating a first and second plurality of random bytes of data on demand, respectively, wherein the contents of said random bytes are determined at least in part by the contents of said data storage structure;
• and
• generating a first and second key based on said first and second prime numbers.