Patent ID: 6195433
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method of generating a private key and corresponding public key for use by a correspondent as a key pair in a public key data communication system implemented between a pair of correspondents, said method comprising the steps of generating a number to be used as a private key, establishing a predetermined set of criteria to be satisfied by said key, testing said number against each of said set of criteria to determine the suitability of said number as a key, rejecting said number upon failure to meet said criteria, accepting said number as a private key upon meeting said criteria, retaining said private key and said set of criteria against which said key has been tested for subsequent validation, and generating from said private key a corresponding public key, whereby, upon utilization of said key pair in said data communication system, repudiation of said key is inhibited by determining the validity thereof against said set of criteria.