Patent ID: 6178507
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: G06Q,G07F,H04L

Abstract:
A method of verifying the authenticity of messages exchanged between a pair of correspondents in an electronic transaction conducted over a data transmission system, said correspondents each including respective signing and verifying portions of a first signature scheme and a second signature scheme different to said first scheme and utilizing an elliptic curve crypto system said method comprising the steps of:one of said correspondents signing a message according to a signing portion of one of said schemes associated with said one correspondent to provide a first signed message and transmitting said first signed message to another of said correspondents; said other correspondent utilizing said verifying portion of said one signature scheme to verify said first signed message received from said one correspondent;said other correspondent signing a message by utilizing said signing portion of the other of said signature schemes to provide a second signed message and transmitting a second signed message to said one correspondent;said one correspondent verifying said second signed message received from said other correspondent by utilizing said verification portion of said other of said signature schemes, wherein one of said signature and one of said verifications is performed according to said second signature scheme utilizing an elliptic curve cryptosystem; and rejecting said transaction if either verification fails.