Patent ID: 7068789
Filing Date: 2006-06-27
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of inviting and joining a peer to a secure peer-to-peer group comprising the steps of: obtaining a public key (P forming, by a first member of the group, a group membership certificate containing the peer's public key (P sending the group membership certificate from the first member to the peer to invite the peer to join the group, the group membership certificate allowing the peer to join the group through a second member other than the first member; receiving, at a second member of the group different from the first member, a connect message from the peer containing the group membership certificate signed by a private key of the peer, the connect message requesting connection to the secure peer-to-peer group; the second member, authenticating the group membership certificate before allowing the peer to connect to the secure peer-to-peer group; and if the group membership certificate is authenticated, sending an accept message to the peer including a group shared key.