Patent ID: 8976964
Filing Date: 2015-03-10
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A key pair management method for use in an image forming device, comprising: determining, when powering on the image forming device, whether key pairs for each of a plurality of key pair types have been generated and stored in a first area of a memory, the plurality of key pair types each being usable for secure communication between the image forming device and an external device; generating one or more key pairs corresponding respectively to each of one or more non-generated key pair types, non-generated key pair types being key pair types, from among the plurality or key pair types, for which the determining step determined a key pair has not yet been generated; storing the one or more generated key pairs in the first area of the memory; receiving input information identifying a key pair type selected for a first secure communication session with the external device from the first area of the memory; obtaining a key pair, from among generated key pairs stored in the first area of the memory, having the selected key pair type; and initiating the first secure communication session between the image forming device and the external device using the obtained key pair.