Patents by Inventor Ahto Buldas

Ahto Buldas has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9178708
    Abstract: A capture device such as a camera and/or sound recorder records an event, which includes a visual and/or audible presentation of a time value that is non-deterministic, yet a function of physical time. The non-deterministic time value (NDT) may be generated as a function of a calendar value created at time intervals as a root hash value of a distributed, hash-tree document authentication infrastructure. If the NDT value included in the recording of the event does not match the NDT value corresponding to the calendar value from which it was generated, the recording may be assumed to be altered. Digital time-stamping may be included for the recording of the event to reduce the opportunity for back-dating of the recording. NDT may also be generated simply for display by a clock, for example as an NDT time zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: GUARDTIME IP HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Gault, Ahto Truu, Ahto Buldas, Martin Ruubel, Jeffrey Pearce
  • Publication number: 20150295720
    Abstract: A digital message is signed and, if a request is approved, receives a time stamp. The request is computed as a first function of the message and a current one of a sequence of passwords computed such that each password corresponds to an index unit. Each of the passwords may be computed as a function, such as a hash function, pseudo-random function, or encryption function, of the subsequent password, whereby the sequence terminates with an initial password that forms a public key parameter for the password sequence. At least one hash tree uses at least a subset of the passwords as inputs to a hash tree used to verify the passwords.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: GUARDTIME IP HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventors: Ahto BULDAS, Risto LAANOJA, Ahto TRUU
  • Patent number: 9122846
    Abstract: Transformations of digital records are used as lowest level inputs to a tree data structure having a root in a core system and having nodes computed as digital combinations of child node values. Signature vectors are associated with the digital records and have parameters that enable recomputation upward through the tree data structure to either a current calendar value or onward to a composite calendar value that is a function of calendar values in a calendar, which comprises a set of computed calendar values, such that the calendar values have a time correspondence. Recomputation yields the same value only if a candidate digital record is an exact version of the original digital record included in the original computation of the value, indicating authentication of the candidate digital record. The authentication process as such is independent of any trust authority that issues cryptographic keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: GUARDTIME IP HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Ahto Buldas, Märt Saarepera
  • Publication number: 20150156026
    Abstract: A capture device such as a camera and/or sound recorder records an event, which includes a visual and/or audible presentation of a time value that is non-deterministic, yet a function of physical time. The non-deterministic time value (NDT) may be generated as a function of a calendar value created at time intervals as a root hash value of a distributed, hash-tree document authentication infrastructure. If the NDT value included in the recording of the event does not match the NDT value corresponding to the calendar value from which it was generated, the recording may be assumed to be altered. Digital time-stamping may be included for the recording of the event to reduce the opportunity for back-dating of the recording. NDT may also be generated simply for display by a clock, for example as an NDT time zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: GUARDTIME IP HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael GAULT, Ahto TRUU, Ahto BULDAS, Martin RUUBEL, Jeffrey PEARCE
  • Publication number: 20150052615
    Abstract: A code is added as a marking to a document and encodes an identifier that maps to a copy of the document stored in a database. Database copies of stored documents are preferably digitally signed. Using a device such as a smart phone, a user may extract the document identifier from the marking on a purported authentic version of the document and retrieve a copy of the document from the corresponding location in the database. The user can then visually compare the purported authentic version of the document with the retrieved database copy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: GUARDTIME IP HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael GAULT, Risto LAANOJA, Ahto BULDAS, Martin RUUBEL, Peter RAJNAK, David F. A. PIESSE
  • Publication number: 20150039893
    Abstract: At least one node in a distributed hash tree document verification infrastructure is augmented with an identifier of an entity in a registration path. A data signature, which includes parameters for recomputation of a verifying value, and which is associated with a digital input record, will therefore also include data that identifies at least one entity in the hash tree path used for its initial registration in the infrastructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: GUARDTIME IP HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: AHTO BULDAS, AHTO TRUU, ANDRES KROONMAA
  • Patent number: 8874921
    Abstract: A method of generating a keyless digital multi-signature is provided. The method includes receiving multiple signature generation requests from one or more client computers, building subtrees based on the signature generation requests, and constructing a search tree including the subtrees. The method also includes assigning explicit length tags to leaf nodes of the search tree to balance the search tree and applying a hash function to each of the search tree nodes. The root hash value and the height of the search tree make up a generated aggregate signature request, followed by receiving an aggregate signature based on the aggregate signature request. The keyless digital multi-signature is generated based on the aggregate signature and contains an implicit length tag to verify that the number of signature generation requests is limited. The aggregate signature is generated if the height of the search tree does not exceed a predetermined height limitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Guardtime IP Holdings, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ahto Buldas, Andres Kroonmaa, Märt Saarepera
  • Publication number: 20140282863
    Abstract: Transformations of digital records are used as lowest level inputs to a tree data structure having a root in a core system and having nodes computed as digital combinations of child node values. Signature vectors are associated with the digital records and have parameters that enable recomputation upward through the tree data structure to either a current calendar value or onward to a composite calendar value that is a function of calendar values in a calendar, which comprises a set of computed calendar values, such that the calendar values have a time correspondence. Recomputation yields the same value only if a candidate digital record is an exact version of the original digital record included in the original computation of the value, indicating authentication of the candidate digital record. The authentication process as such is independent of any trust authority that issues cryptographic keys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Guardtime IP Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Ahto BULDAS, Märt SAAREPERA
  • Publication number: 20140245020
    Abstract: An authentication system for digital records has a hash tree structure that computes an uppermost, root hash value that may be digitally signed. A random or pseudo-random number is hashed together with hash values of the digital records and acts as a blinding mask, making the authentication system secure even for relative low-entropy digital records. A candidate digital record is considered verified if, upon recomputation through the hash tree structure given sibling hash values in the recomputation path and the pseudo-random number, the same root hash value is computed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: GUARDTIME IP HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: AHTO BULDAS, AHTO TRUU
  • Patent number: 8719576
    Abstract: Transformations of digital records are used as lowest level inputs to a tree data structure having a root in a core system and having nodes computed as digital combinations of child node values. A combination of root values is published in a permanent medium. Signature vectors are associated with the digital records and have parameters that enable recomputation upward through the tree data structure to either a current root value or to the published value. Recomputation yields the same value only if a candidate digital record is an exact version of the original digital record included in the original computation of the value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Guardtime IP Holdings, Ltd
    Inventors: Ahto Buldas, Märt Saarepera
  • Publication number: 20130276058
    Abstract: Transformations of digital records are used as lowest level inputs to a tree data structure having a root in a core system and having nodes computed as digital combinations of child node values. A combination of root values is published in a permanent medium. Signature vectors are associated with the digital records and have parameters that enable recomputation upward through the tree data structure to either a current root value or to the published value. Recomputation yields the same value only if a candidate digital record is an exact version of the original digital record included in the original computation of the value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Ahto Buldas, Mart Saarepera
  • Patent number: 8347372
    Abstract: A system and method for generating a digital certificate is provided wherein a new digital record is received and is assigned a sequence value. A first composite digital value is generated by applying a first deterministic function to the digital records stored in a repository. The sequence value and first composite digital value are included in a first certificate. After the digital record is added to the repository, a second composite digital value is generated by applying a second deterministic function to the digital records in the repository. This second composite digital value, and a composite sequence value, are published. An interval digital value which is based upon the first and second composite digital values, and the sequence value, are included in a second certificate which thus verifies the authenticity and sequence value of the digital record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Guardtime IP Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Mart Saarepera, Ahto Buldas
  • Publication number: 20120324229
    Abstract: A method of generating a keyless digital multi-signature is provided. The method includes receiving multiple signature generation requests from one or more client computers, building subtrees based on the signature generation requests, and constructing a search tree including the subtrees. The method also includes assigning explicit length tags to leaf nodes of the search tree to balance the search tree and applying a hash function to each of the search tree nodes. The root hash value and the height of the search tree make up a generated aggregate signature request, followed by receiving an aggregate signature based on the aggregate signature request. The keyless digital multi-signature is generated based on the aggregate signature and contains an implicit length tag to verify that the number of signature generation requests is limited. The aggregate signature is generated if the height of the search tree does not exceed a predetermined height limitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GUARDTIME IP HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Ahto Buldas, Andres Kroonmaa, Märt Saarepera
  • Patent number: 8312528
    Abstract: A system and method for generating a digital certificate is provided wherein a new digital record is received and is assigned a sequence value. A first composite digital value is generated by applying a first deterministic function to the digital records stored in a repository. The sequence value and first composite digital value are included in a first certificate. After the digital record is added to the repository, a second composite digital value is generated by applying a second deterministic function to the digital records in the repository. This second composite digital value, and a composite sequence value, are published. An interval digital value which is based upon the first and second composite digital values, and the sequence value, are included in a second certificate which thus verifies the authenticity and sequence value of the digital record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Guardtime IP Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Mart Saarepera, Ahto Buldas
  • Publication number: 20100199342
    Abstract: A system and method for generating a digital certificate is provided wherein a new digital record is received and is assigned a sequence value. A first composite digital value is generated by applying a first deterministic function to the digital records stored in a repository. The sequence value and first composite digital value are included in a first certificate. After the digital record is added to the repository, a second composite digital value is generated by applying a second deterministic function to the digital records in the repository. This second composite digital value, and a composite sequence value, are published. An interval digital value which is based upon the first and second composite digital values, and the sequence value, are included in a second certificate which thus verifies the authenticity and sequence value of the digital record.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: GUARDTIME AS
    Inventors: Mart Saarepera, Ahto Buldas
  • Publication number: 20100199087
    Abstract: A system and method for generating a digital certificate is provided wherein a new digital record is received and is assigned a sequence value. A first composite digital value is generated by applying a first deterministic function to the digital records stored in a repository. The sequence value and first composite digital value are included in a first certificate. After the digital record is added to the repository, a second composite digital value is generated by applying a second deterministic function to the digital records in the repository. This second composite digital value, and a composite sequence value, are published. An interval digital value which is based upon the first and second composite digital values, and the sequence value, are included in a second certificate which thus verifies the authenticity and sequence value of the digital record.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: GUARDTIME AS
    Inventors: Mart Saarepera, Ahto Buldas
  • Patent number: 7698557
    Abstract: A system and method for generating a digital certificate is provided wherein a new digital record is received and is assigned a sequence value. A first composite digital value is generated by applying a first deterministic function to the digital records stored in a repository. The sequence value and first composite digital value are included in a first certificate. After the digital record is added to the repository, a second composite digital value is generated by applying a second deterministic function to the digital records in the repository. This second composite digital value, and a composite sequence value, are published. An interval digital value which is based upon the first and second composite digital values, and the sequence value, are included in a second certificate which thus verifies the authenticity and sequence value of the digital record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Guardtime AS
    Inventors: Mart Saarepera, Ahto Buldas
  • Publication number: 20050138361
    Abstract: A system and method for generating a digital certificate is provided wherein a new digital record is received and is assigned a sequence value. A first composite digital value is generated by applying a first deterministic function to the digital records stored in a repository. The sequence value and first composite digital value are included in a first certificate. After the digital record is added to the repository, a second composite digital value is generated by applying a second deterministic function to the digital records in the repository. This second composite digital value, and a composite sequence value, are published. An interval digital value which is based upon the first and second composite digital values, and the sequence value, are included in a second certificate which thus verifies the authenticity and sequence value of the digital record.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Mart Saarepera, Ahto Buldas
  • Publication number: 20040193872
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product is provided for generating new digitally signed statements (certificates). The generated new certificates can be used within a renewal procedure for compromised signatures. The generated new certificates can also be used within an extension procedure for adding new signatures to existing certificates. The system, method, and computer program product can generate new certificates by receiving an initial list of certificates comprising a plurality of certificates, verify the authenticity of each of the plurality of certificates, compute a new certificate using a composition algorithm, sign the new certificate, revise the list of certificates, and attach the list, as revised, to the new certificate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Mart Saarepera, Ahto Buldas
  • Publication number: 20010032314
    Abstract: Method and system are described for validating a digital signature. More particularly, a signed message and a corresponding certificate are received. The certificate is checked for validation. A validation statement is generated, and the certificate validation and the signed message provide a status. This status represents a request for validation, and is provided along with a set of validations among which such status is an element. A digest is generated using a Merkle authentication tree corresponding to the set of validations, and this digest is signed with a private key. Accordingly, a notary may provide the signed digest, status and the set of validations for subsequent confirmation of the digital signature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Arne Ansper, Ahto Buldas, Meelis Roos, Jan Villemson