Patents by Inventor Conrad Sauerwald

Conrad Sauerwald 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).

  • Publication number: 20250272728
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a unique (or quasi unique) identifier can be received by an application store, or other on-line store, and the store can create a signed receipt that includes data desired from the unique identifier. This signed receipt is then transmitted to a device that is running the application obtained from the on-line store and the device can verify the receipt by deriving the unique (or quasi-unique) identifier from the signed receipt and comparing the derived identifier with the device identifier stored on the device, or the vendor identifier assigned to the application vendor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2025
    Publication date: August 28, 2025
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Matthieu Alsina, Scott T. Boyd, Michael Kuohao Chu, Augustin J. Farrugia, Gianpaolo Fasoli, Patrice O. Gautier, Sean B. Kelly, Payam Mirrashidi, Pedraum Pardehpoosh, Conrad Sauerwald, Kenneth W. Scott, Rajit Shinh, Braden Jacob Thomas, Andrew R. Whalley
  • Publication number: 20250165625
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system is provided in which the private key is managed in hardware and is not visible to software. The system may provide hardware support for public key generation, digital signature generation, encryption/decryption, and large random prime number generation without revealing the private key to software. The private key may thus be more secure than software-based versions. In an embodiment, the private key and the hardware that has access to the private key may be integrated onto the same semiconductor substrate as an integrated circuit (e.g. a system on a chip (SOC)). The private key may not be available outside of the integrated circuit, and thus a nefarious third party faces high hurdles in attempting to obtain the private key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Timothy R. Paaske, Mitchell D. Adler, Conrad Sauerwald, Fabrice L. Gautier, Shu-Yi Yu
  • Patent number: 12294655
    Abstract: A method of unlocking a second device using a first device is disclosed. The method can include: the first device pairing with the second device; establishing a trusted relationship with the second device; authenticating the first device using a device key; receiving a secret key from the second device; receiving a user input from an input/output device; and transmitting the received secret key to the second device to unlock the second device in response to receiving the user input, wherein establishing a trusted relationship with the second device comprises using a key generated from a hardware key associated with the first device to authenticate the device key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Conrad Sauerwald, Alexander Ledwith, John Iarocci, Marc J. Krochmal, Wade Benson, Gregory Novick, Noah Witherspoon
  • Publication number: 20250053667
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system is provided in which the private key is managed in hardware and is not visible to software. The system may provide hardware support for public key generation, digital signature generation, encryption/decryption, and large random prime number generation without revealing the private key to software. The private key may thus be more secure than software-based versions. In an embodiment, the private key and the hardware that has access to the private key may be integrated onto the same semiconductor substrate as an integrated circuit (e.g. a system on a chip (SOC)). The private key may not be available outside of the integrated circuit, and thus a nefarious third party faces high hurdles in attempting to obtain the private key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2024
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Inventors: Timothy R. Paaske, Mitchell D. Adler, Conrad Sauerwald, Fabrice L. Gautier, Shu-Yi Yu
  • Publication number: 20240320721
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a unique (or quasi unique) identifier can be received by an application store, or other on-line store, and the store can create a signed receipt that includes data desired from the unique identifier. This signed receipt is then transmitted to a device that is running the application obtained from the on-line store and the device can verify the receipt by deriving the unique (or quasi-unique) identifier from the signed receipt and comparing the derived identifier with the device identifier stored on the device, or the vendor identifier assigned to the application vendor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas Matthieu Alsina, Scott T. Boyd, Michael Kuohao Chu, Augustin J. Farrugia, Gianpaolo Fasoli, Patrice O. Gautier, Sean B. Kelly, Payam Mirrashidi, Pedraum Pardehpoosh, Conrad Sauerwald, Kenneth W. Scott, Rajit Shinh, Braden Jacob Thomas, Andrew R. Whalley
  • Patent number: 12079350
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system is provided in which the private key is managed in hardware and is not visible to software. The system may provide hardware support for public key generation, digital signature generation, encryption/decryption, and large random prime number generation without revealing the private key to software. The private key may thus be more secure than software-based versions. In an embodiment, the private key and the hardware that has access to the private key may be integrated onto the same semiconductor substrate as an integrated circuit (e.g. a system on a chip (SOC)). The private key may not be available outside of the integrated circuit, and thus a nefarious third party faces high hurdles in attempting to obtain the private key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Paaske, Mitchell D. Adler, Conrad Sauerwald, Fabrice L. Gautier, Shu-Yi Yu
  • Patent number: 11880808
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a unique (or quasi unique) identifier can be received by an application store, or other on-line store, and the store can create a signed receipt that includes data desired from the unique identifier. This signed receipt is then transmitted to a device that is running the application obtained from the on-line store and the device can verify the receipt by deriving the unique (or quasi-unique) identifier from the signed receipt and comparing the derived identifier with the device identifier stored on the device, or the vendor identifier assigned to the application vendor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Matthieu Alsina, Scott T. Boyd, Michael Kuohao Chu, Augustin J. Farrugia, Gianpaolo Fasoli, Patrice O. Gautier, Sean B. Kelly, Payam Mirrashidi, Pedraum Pardehpoosh, Conrad Sauerwald, Kenneth W. Scott, Rajit Shinh, Braden Jacob Thomas, Andrew R. Whalley
  • Publication number: 20230385427
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system is provided in which the private key is managed in hardware and is not visible to software. The system may provide hardware support for public key generation, digital signature generation, encryption/decryption, and large random prime number generation without revealing the private key to software. The private key may thus be more secure than software-based versions. In an embodiment, the private key and the hardware that has access to the private key may be integrated onto the same semiconductor substrate as an integrated circuit (e.g. a system on a chip (SOC)). The private key may not be available outside of the integrated circuit, and thus a nefarious third party faces high hurdles in attempting to obtain the private key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy R. Paaske, Mitchell D. Adler, Conrad Sauerwald, Fabrice L. Gautier, Shu-Yi Yu
  • Publication number: 20230231718
    Abstract: A method of unlocking a second device using a first device is disclosed. The method can include: the first device pairing with the second device; establishing a trusted relationship with the second device; authenticating the first device using a device key; receiving a secret key from the second device; receiving a user input from an input/output device; and transmitting the received secret key to the second device to unlock the second device in response to receiving the user input, wherein establishing a trusted relationship with the second device comprises using a key generated from a hardware key associated with the first device to authenticate the device key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Conrad SAUERWALD, Alexander LEDWITH, John IAROCCI, Marc J. KROCHMAL, Wade BENSON, Gregory NOVICK, Noah WITHERSPOON
  • Patent number: 11630903
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system is provided in which the private key is managed in hardware and is not visible to software. The system may provide hardware support for public key generation, digital signature generation, encryption/decryption, and large random prime number generation without revealing the private key to software. The private key may thus be more secure than software-based versions. In an embodiment, the private key and the hardware that has access to the private key may be integrated onto the same semiconductor substrate as an integrated circuit (e.g. a system on a chip (SOC)). The private key may not be available outside of the integrated circuit, and thus a nefarious third party faces high hurdles in attempting to obtain the private key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Paaske, Mitchell D. Adler, Conrad Sauerwald, Fabrice L. Gautier, Shu-Yi Yu
  • Patent number: 11601287
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to the secure communication of devices. In one embodiment, a first device is configured to perform a pairing operation with a second device to establish a secure communication link between the first device and the second device. The pairing operation includes receiving firmware from the second device to be executed by the first device during communication over the secure communication link, and in response to a successful verification of the firmware, establishing a shared encryption key to be used by the first and second devices during the communication. In some embodiments, the pairing operation includes receiving a digital signature created from a hash value of the firmware and a public key of the second device, and verifying the firmware by extracting the hash value from the digital signature and comparing the extracted hash value with a hash value of the received firmware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tristan F. Schaap, Conrad Sauerwald, Craig Marciniak, Jerrold V. Hauck, Zachary F. Papilion, Jeffrey Lee
  • Patent number: 11329827
    Abstract: A method of unlocking a second device using a first device is disclosed. The method can include: the first device pairing with the second device; establishing a trusted relationship with the second device; authenticating the first device using a device key; receiving a secret key from the second device; receiving a user input from an input/output device; and transmitting the received secret key to the second device to unlock the second device in response to receiving the user input, wherein establishing a trusted relationship with the second device comprises using a key generated from a hardware key associated with the first device to authenticate the device key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Conrad Sauerwald, Alexander Ledwith, John Iarocci, Marc J. Krochmal, Wade Benson, Gregory Novick, Noah Witherspoon
  • Publication number: 20210281426
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to the secure communication of devices. In one embodiment, a first device is configured to perform a pairing operation with a second device to establish a secure communication link between the first device and the second device. The pairing operation includes receiving firmware from the second device to be executed by the first device during communication over the secure communication link, and in response to a successful verification of the firmware, establishing a shared encryption key to be used by the first and second devices during the communication. In some embodiments, the pairing operation includes receiving a digital signature created from a hash value of the firmware and a public key of the second device, and verifying the firmware by extracting the hash value from the digital signature and comparing the extracted hash value with a hash value of the received firmware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Tristan F. Schaap, Conrad Sauerwald, Craig Marciniak, Jerrold V. Hauck, Zachary F. Papilion, Jeffrey Lee
  • Patent number: 10951419
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to the secure communication of devices. In one embodiment, a first device is configured to perform a pairing operation with a second device to establish a secure communication link between the first device and the second device. The pairing operation includes receiving firmware from the second device to be executed by the first device during communication over the secure communication link, and in response to a successful verification of the firmware, establishing a shared encryption key to be used by the first and second devices during the communication. In some embodiments, the pairing operation includes receiving a digital signature created from a hash value of the firmware and a public key of the second device, and verifying the firmware by extracting the hash value from the digital signature and comparing the extracted hash value with a hash value of the received firmware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tristan F. Schaap, Conrad Sauerwald, Craig Marciniak, Jerrold V. Hauck, Zachary F. Papilion, Jeffrey Lee
  • Patent number: 10853504
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system is provided in which the private key is managed in hardware and is not visible to software. The system may provide hardware support for public key generation, digital signature generation, encryption/decryption, and large random prime number generation without revealing the private key to software. The private key may thus be more secure than software-based versions. In an embodiment, the private key and the hardware that has access to the private key may be integrated onto the same semiconductor substrate as an integrated circuit (e.g. a system on a chip (SOC)). The private key may not be available outside of the integrated circuit, and thus a nefarious third party faces high hurdles in attempting to obtain the private key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Paaske, Mitchell D. Adler, Conrad Sauerwald, Fabrice L. Gautier, Shu-Yi Yu
  • Publication number: 20200213133
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to the secure communication of devices. In one embodiment, a first device is configured to perform a pairing operation with a second device to establish a secure communication link between the first device and the second device. The pairing operation includes receiving firmware from the second device to be executed by the first device during communication over the secure communication link, and in response to a successful verification of the firmware, establishing a shared encryption key to be used by the first and second devices during the communication. In some embodiments, the pairing operation includes receiving a digital signature created from a hash value of the firmware and a public key of the second device, and verifying the firmware by extracting the hash value from the digital signature and comparing the extracted hash value with a hash value of the received firmware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Tristan F. Schaap, Conrad Sauerwald, Craig Marciniak, Jerrold V. Hauck, Zachary F. Papilion, Jeffrey Lee
  • Patent number: 10586260
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a unique (or quasi unique) identifier can be received by an application store, or other on-line store, and the store can create a signed receipt that includes data desired from the unique identifier. This signed receipt is then transmitted to a device that is running the application obtained from the on-line store and the device can verify the receipt by deriving the unique (or quasi-unique) identifier from the signed receipt and comparing the derived identifier with the device identifier stored on the device, or the vendor identifier assigned to the application vendor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Matthieu Alsina, Scott T. Boyd, Michael Kuohao Chu, Augustin J. Farrugia, Gianpaolo Fasoli, Patrice O. Gautier, Sean B. Kelly, Payam Mirrashidi, Pedraum Pardehpoosh, Conrad Sauerwald, Kenneth W. Scott, Rajit Shinh, Braden Jacob Thomas, Andrew R. Whalley
  • Publication number: 20200047865
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a unique (or quasi unique) identifier can be received by an application store, or other on-line store, and the store can create a signed receipt that includes data desired from the unique identifier. This signed receipt is then transmitted to a device that is running the application obtained from the on-line store and the device can verify the receipt by deriving the unique (or quasi-unique) identifier from the signed receipt and comparing the derived identifier with the device identifier stored on the device, or the vendor identifier assigned to the application vendor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Matthieu Alsina, Scott T. Boyd, Michael Kuohao Chu, Augustin J. Farrugia, Gianpaolo Fasoli, Patrice O. Gautier, Sean B. Kelly, Payam Mirrashidi, Pedraum Pardehpoosh, Conrad Sauerwald, Kenneth W. Scott, Rajit Shinh, Braden Jacob Thomas, Andrew R. Whalley
  • Patent number: 10536271
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for generating one or more hardware reference keys (HRK) on a computing device, and for attesting to the validity of the hardware reference keys. An initial hardware reference key can be a silicon attestation key (SIK) generated during manufacture of a computing system, such as a system-on-a-chip. The SIK can comprise an asymmetric key pair based at least in part on an identifier of the processing system type and a unique identifier of the processing system. The SIK can be signed by the computing system and stored thereon. The SIK can be used to generate further HRKs on the computing device that can attest to the processing system type of the computing device and an operating system version that was running when the HRK was generated. The computing device can generate an HRK attestation (HRKA) for each HRK generated on the computing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Mensch, Conrad Sauerwald, Jerrold V. Hauck, Timothy R. Paaske, Zhimin Chen, Andrew R. Whalley
  • Patent number: 10521596
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system is provided in which the private key is managed in hardware and is not visible to software. The system may provide hardware support for public key generation, digital signature generation, encryption/decryption, and large random prime number generation without revealing the private key to software. The private key may thus be more secure than software-based versions. In an embodiment, the private key and the hardware that has access to the private key may be integrated onto the same semiconductor substrate as an integrated circuit (e.g. a system on a chip (SOC)). The private key may not be available outside of the integrated circuit, and thus a nefarious third party faces high hurdles in attempting to obtain the private key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Paaske, Mitchell D. Adler, Conrad Sauerwald, Fabrice L. Gautier, Shu-Yi Yu