Patent ID: 6978017
Filing Date: 2005-12-20
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for providing updated digital signature key pairs to a plurality of clients in a public key system comprising the steps of: providing, by a multi-client management unit and not by a client, selectable digital signature expiry data including at least public verification key expiry data, and selectable private signing key expiry data to a plurality of clients, that are selectable on a per client basis wherein the digital signature key pairs are not shared among users; digitally storing both selected public key expiry data and selected private key expiry data for association with a new digital signature key pair; and associating the stored selected expiry data with a new digital signature key pair to effect a transition from an old digital signature key pair to a new digital signature key pair; determining whether a digital signature key pair update request has been received from a client unit; receiving a new digital signature key pair from the client unit in response to the digital signature key pair update request; and wherein the step of associating the stored selected expiry data includes creating a new digital signature certificate containing the selected public key expiry data selected for the client that generated the digital signature key pair update request.