Cryptography – Particular algorithmic function encoding – Nbs/des algorithm
Patent
1994-06-17
1996-06-04
Cangialosi, Salvatore
Cryptography
Particular algorithmic function encoding
Nbs/des algorithm
380 25, H04L 900
Patent
active
055240720
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates, generally, to the electronic transmission of confidential information, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for encrypting and decrypting confidential data for transmission over telephone lines and air waves.
BACKGROUND ART AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS
Increasing volumes of confidential information are routinely transmitted over public airwaves and telephone lines on a daily basis. In the banking and credit industries, for example, remote access to account information and the ability to transfer substantial sums of money through electronic funds transfers ("EFT") from a telephone, modem, or automatic teller machine ("ATM") are commonplace. Moreover, consumers are becoming more and more accustomed to shopping for goods and services and charging their purchases to credit card accounts in a single telephone transaction.
With the increased popularity of telephone lines and airwaves as the preferred media for the exchange of confidential financial and related information, the need to secure that data from unauthorized access is readily apparent. Indeed, the same factors which facilitate convenient remote access to savings, checking and credit card accounts also permit the unauthorized user of the associated confidential account data to fraudulently access such accounts, resulting in substantial abuse.
Efforts to curb the unauthorized access to and use of confidentially transmitted data have been only moderately successful. For example, the use of a personal identification number ("PIN") to access accounts is ineffective against fraudulent access once the PIN is intercepted. Moreover, the effectiveness of fixed encryption chemes is inherently limited to the extent the encryption scheme may be derived by analyzing intercepted encrypted data.
A method for encoding and decoding confidential data for transmission over public media is therefore needed which is both robust and which is not readily derivable through unauthorized access.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for transmitting encoded data along conventional telephone lines using various data transmission techniques, including known dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) techniques. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, an exemplary apparatus for transmitting confidential information (data) comprises a portable, suitably hand-held module having the confidential data (e.g., credit card account numbers) and a predetermined algorithm embedded therein. The apparatus which receives the encoded transmission is equipped with an interface computer having decryption circuitry in which the inverse of the foregoing algorithm is embedded.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the confidential data is encrypted as a function of the embedded algorithm and converted to DTMF tones. The tones are applied to standard telephone lines and transmitted to the receiving device in a conventional manner. In an alternate embodiment, the confidential data is encrypted as a function of the embedded algorithm and written onto a magnetic strip on a credit card. The credit card is drawn through a conventional card reader whereupon the information is transmitted to the interface computer. Upon receipt of the encrypted data, the inverse of the encryption function is employed to reveal the original data. Unauthorized interception of the encrypted data during transmission will not permit the unauthorized user to misappropriate the original data unless the encryption algorithm is also known.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the encryption algorithm comprises a dynamic mathematical function of time (e.g., Greenwich Mean Time ("GMT")) expressed in terms of, for example, the current year, month, date, hour, and minute. Inasmuch as the same dynamic mathematical function is represented in both the transmitting and receiving devices, the receiving device may unambiguously derive the original data, provided the dynamic function remains unchanged or
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Kelly Michael K.
Labaton Isaac
Cangialosi Salvatore
Enco-Tone Ltd.
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