Patent ID: 7424614
Filing Date: 2008-09-09
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for using identity-based encryption to support encrypted communications in a system in which users at user equipment communicate over a communications network, wherein the system has a plurality of private key generators and a plurality of respective associated sets of public parameters, wherein each private key generator generates private keys for a group of associated users and wherein each user's private key may be used by that user to decrypt messages for the user that have been encrypted using the user's identity and the set of public parameters associated with the private key generator that generates that user's private key, comprising: using computers coupled to the communications network to store the plurality of sets of public parameters; and at a sender having user equipment coupled to the communications network, downloading an appropriate one of the stored plurality of sets of the public parameters to use to encrypt a message for a receiver at user equipment coupled to the communications network, wherein the sender is associated with a different private key generator than the receiver.