Method and apparatus for secure information distribution
Inventors
Hughes, James P. • Tow, Robert F.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12001526-B2
Publication Date
2024-06-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system and method for secure generation and distribution of digital encryption keys is disclosed. The system may also be used to protect and distribute other types of secure information, including digital, audio, video, or analog data, or physical objects. The system may include a tamper-respondent secure token device, which may be configured to destroy or disable access to the secure information contained therein in response to attempts to physically or electronically breach the device. Outputs may be provided in a secure manner through various interfaces without using electricity (wires) or electromagnetic radiation. Inputs may be provided in a secure manner, including through the use of a gesture-based input interface. Destruction or disablement of the device and/or its secure contents may be provided upon detection of tamper attempts or upon input of a self-destruct command. Proof of the destruction or disablement of the device or its contents may be provided.
Core Innovation
A secure digital token device/system is described that includes a tamper-respondent device in a sealed housing with Faraday cage shielding. Secure information is stored in memory mounted within the sealed housing, and a processor executes program instructions to handle access requests. Physical gestures applied to the device are detected via a sensor mounted within the sealed housing to request access to the secure information.
Access is granted by validating the physical gesture command detected by the sensor. In response to determining that the detected gesture command is valid, the processor causes a transmitter mounted within the sealed housing to communicate the secure information through the Faraday cage and the sealed housing to an external device outside of the sealed housing.
The described architecture also supports transmitter output without wired/electromagnetic leakage constraints by obscuring signals communicated between internal components so they are not detected outside of the sealed housing. The disclosed workflows cover secure multi-user load and retrieve access code interactions, with encryption keys and other secure data/objects tied to valid authorization inputs. The device further includes tamper-response concepts such as erasing/modifying memory, disabling access to secure information, and providing proof-of-destruction or compromised-status signaling.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims. Each independent claim centers on a gesture-based authorization mechanism coupled to secure information storage and Faraday-caged, sealed-housing communication, with the method claim further emphasizing storing and communicating the secure information in response to valid gesture inputs.
Sealed housing with Faraday cage obscuring internal signals
A device with a sealed housing and a Faraday cage around the sealed housing, wherein the Faraday cage is configured to obscure signals communicated between components within the sealed housing from being detected outside of the sealed housing.
Sensor-detected physical gesture command validation
A sensor mounted within the sealed housing and coupled to the processor that detects one or more physical gestures applied to the device, and wherein the processor validates a physical gesture command requesting access to secure information stored in the memory.
Transmitter communication of secure information through sealed housing and Faraday cage
A transmitter mounted within the sealed housing and coupled to the processor, configured to communicate the secure information through the Faraday cage and the sealed housing to an external device outside of the sealed housing in response to determining the gesture command is valid.
Storing secure information and detecting gesture-based inputs to access it
A method storing secure information in a memory of a device comprising a sealed housing and a Faraday cage around the sealed housing, obscuring internal signal communication from being detected outside, and detecting one or more gesture-based inputs via a sensor mounted within the sealed housing.
Determining valid gesture command and communicating secure information via transmitter
A method determining via a processor mounted within the sealed housing whether the detected gesture-based inputs constitute a valid command to access the secure information stored in the memory, and communicating in response to determining the inputs constitute a valid command the secure information through the sealed housing and the Faraday cage via a transmitter mounted within the sealed housing.
Across both independent claims, the core coverage is the combination of a sealed housing with a Faraday cage that obscures internal signals, sensor-detected physical gestures used to validate an access command, and transmitting secure information to an external device through the Faraday cage and sealed housing when the gesture command is determined to be valid.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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