US 7,003,665 B1Granted

Method for the secure transmission of messages

AssigneeDeutsche Telekom AG

InventorsWolfgang Dultz, Eric Hildebrandt, Heidrun Schmitzer, Gisela Dultz

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A method and system for the secure transmission of messages between at least two users of a telecommunications network, using a secret, random binary encryption key, which is used once for encryption. The key is generated in a key generator recorded on at least two portable data media, such as CDs, and then output in this form to the users, each of whom receives one data medium containing the recorded key. The key is not stored in any other location. The users insert the recorded key media into reading devices, which are respectively assigned to telecommunications equipment, e.g., telephones, fax machines, or PCs, employed by the users. When a connection is established, logistics devices, which are also assigned to the telecommunications equipment, check whether the keys were entered properly and whether they correspond to each other. The logistics devices also synchronize the entered keys, or at least portions of the keys, when the information to be transmitted is encrypted and decrypted.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for secure transmission of messages between at least two users of telecommunications network, the method comprising:

providing a secret random binary encryption key provided by a key generator;
recording the secret random binary encryption key on a first portable medium and a second portable medium so as to define a first and a second recorded key, a first user of the at least two users receiving the first portable medium with the first recorded key and a second user of the at least two users receiving the second portable medium with the second recorded key;
inserting the first medium into a first reading device assigned to a first telecommunications device of the telecommunications network and inserting the second medium into a second reading device assigned to a second telecommunications device of the telecommunications network, and reading the first and second recorded keys using the first and second reading devices respectively;
establishing a connection between the first and second telecommunications devices;
checking the inserting and comparing the first and second recorded keys using a first logistics device and a second logistics device, the first logistics device being assigned to the first telecommunications device and the second logistics device being assigned to the second telecommunications device;
and
upon a match in the comparing, encrypting the messages using at least a part of the secret random binary encryption key.

4 more elements

An encryption system for secure transmission of messages between at least two users of a telecommunications network, the encryption system comprising:

a key generator for generating a random binary encryption key;
a recording device for recording the random binary encryption key on a first portable medium and a second portable medium so as to define a first and a second recorded key respectively;
a first reading device and a second reading device, the first and second reading devices for reading the first and second recorded keys respectively, the first reading device assigned to a first telecommunications device of the telecommunications network and the second reading device assigned to a second telecommunications device of the telecommunications network;
a first logistics device assigned to the first telecommunications device and a second logistics device assigned to the second telecommunications device, the first and second logistics devices for checking proper insertion of the first and second media in the first and second reading devices respectively, and for comparing the first and second recorded keys so as to seek a match;
and
a first encryption and/or decryption device assigned to the first telecommunications device and a second encryption and/or decryption device assigned to the second telecommunications device, the first and second encryption and/or decryption devices for encrypting and/or decrypting the messages using a least a part of the random binary encryption key if the first and second logistics devices determine a match.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/315,901Filed 20 May 1999
Priority: DE 198 22 68520 May 1998
Granted: 21 Feb 2006
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

H04L 9/0827
Key transport or distribution, i.e. key establishment techniques where one party creates or otherwise obtains a secret value, and securely…:…
H04L 9/065
The encryption apparatus using shift registers or memories for block-wise or stream coding, e.g. DES systems or RC4; Hash functions;…
H04L 9/12
Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols: transmitting and receiving…
H04L
Digital communication