Thomas Owen Monroe

US Patent:

59206306, Jul 6, 1999

Filed:

Feb 25, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/805967

Inventors:

Michael A. Wertheimer - Columbia MD
Boyd T. Livingston - Columbia MD
Tad P. White - Odenton MD
Benjamin M. Bielefeld - Severn MD
Thomas H. Monroe - Columbia MD
J. William Pendergrass - Columbia MD

Assignee:

United States of America - Washington DC

International Classification:

H04K 100

US Classification:

380 25

Abstract:

A key escrow encryption method, where two users each have secret encryption keys and corresponding public encryption keys. One user receives the public encryption keys of the other user and generates a first datum based on them, an identifier of the other user, the secret encryption keys and identifier of the user, and an access restriction. The user generates a second datum based on the first datum and another access restriction. The user generates a key based on the first and second datums. The user encrypts a message using the key and sends it to the other user. Key escrow is included by requiring each user to distribute its secret encryption keys among escrow agents. The escrow agents transform, sign, and transmit it to a certifying authority. The certifying authority signs and publishes it as user's public key certificate. To communicate, a user retrieves the certificate of the other user, forms a key, encrypts a message, and transmits it to the other user.