Abstract: Public key security control (PKSC) is provided for a cryptographic module by means of digitally signed communications between the module and one or more authorities with whom it interacts. Authorities interact with the crypto module by means of unsigned queries seeking nonsecret information or signed commands for performing specified operations. Each command signed by an authority also contains a transaction sequence number (TSN), which must match a corresponding number stored by the crypto module for the authority. The TSN for each authority is initially generated randomly and is incremented for each command accepted from that authority. A signature requirement array (SRA) controls the number of signatures required to validate each command type. Upon receiving a signed command from one or more authorities, the SRA is examined to determine whether a required number of authorities permitted to sign the command have signed the command for each signature requirement specification defined for that command type.

Abstract: Public key security control (PKSC) is provided for a cryptographic module by means of digitally signed communications between the module and one or authorities with whom it interacts. Authorities interact with the crypto module by means of unsigned queries seeking nonsecret information or signed commands for performing specified operations. Each command signed by an authority also contains a transaction sequence number (TSN), which must match a corresponding number stored by the crypto module for the authority. The TSN for each authority is initially generated randomly and is incremented for each command accepted from that authority. A signature requirement array (SRA) controls the number of signatures required to validate each command type. Upon receiving a signed command from one or more authorities, the SRA is examined to determine whether a required number of authorities permitted to sign the command have signed the command for each signature requirement specification defined for that command type.

Abstract: Public key security control (PKSC) is provided for a cryptographic module by means of digitally signed communications between the module and one or authorities with whom it interacts. Authorities interact with the crypto module by means of unsigned queries seeking nonsecret information or signed commands for performing specified operations. Each command signed by an authority also contains a transaction sequence number (TSN), which must match a corresponding number stored by the crypto module for the authority. The TSN for each authority is initially generated randomly and is incremented for each command accepted from that authority. A signature requirement array (SRA) controls the number of signatures required to validate each command type. Upon receiving a signed command from one or more authorities, the SRA is examined to determine whether a required number of authorities permitted to sign the command have signed the command for each signature requirement specification defined for that command type.

Abstract: An integrated circuit ("IC") chip is provided having both a public key cryptographic engine and a fuse array thereon. The fuse array is hardwired to the public key cryptographic engine and is encoded with a private key for use by the cryptographic engine. Specifically, prior to encapsulation of the IC chip, the fuse array is encoded using a laser ablation process. Upon encapsulation, the private key is permanently sealed and secured within the IC chip. The fuse array may also have a public key hash value and a serial number encoded therein.

Abstract: An integrated circuit ("IC") chip is provided having both a public key cryptographic engine and a fuse array thereon. The fuse array is hardwired to the public key cryptographic engine and is encoded with a private key for use by the cryptographic engine. Specifically, prior to encapsulation of the IC chip, the fuse array is encoded using a laser ablation process. Upon encapsulation, the private key is permanently sealed and secured within the IC chip. The fuse array may also have a public key hash value and a serial number encoded therein.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a clip which has particular application, for example, in the medical arts. The clip comprises a hollow, cylindrical hub which includes first and second hub sections defined by a plane transverse to the axis of the hub. A pin joins the first and second hub sections and allows them to rotate independently about the pin. First and second legs are joined to the first and second hub sections, respectively, each leg including a clamping surface. The clamping surface on the first leg opposes the clamping surface on the second leg. A spring mechanism biases the clamping surfaces together and includes first and second ends. A mechanism disposed on the first and second hub sections engages the first and second ends, respectively, of the spring, and a lever coupled to the first and second hub sections spreads the clamping surfaces apart.