Cryptographic Key Transfer via Delta Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transferring cryptographic keys, such as those used for cryptocurrency wallets, are insecure and lack legal protection, making it difficult to transfer keys to heirs or designated Power of Attorney without exposing the keys to potential attacks.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the computation of a delta between an owner key seed and a receiver key seed, which is stored with a trusted third party and only released to the receiver upon satisfaction of transfer conditions, allowing the receiver to generate the owner key seed using a difference operator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cryptographic keys are stored online or offline using conventional methods, then key accessibility is maintained, but security is compromised due to vulnerability to attacks and lack of legal protection
Solution Approach 1:
The cryptographic key is segmented into two components: a key seed that remains with the owner and a delta that is stored with a trusted third party. This segmentation allows the key to be reconstructed only when both components are combined, providing security while enabling controlled access for heirs or designated recipients under verified transfer conditions
Solution Approach 2:
A trusted third party is introduced as an intermediary to store the delta and verify transfer conditions. This intermediary ensures that key transfer occurs only through legally authorized processes, preventing unauthorized access while maintaining the ability to transfer keys to heirs or designated recipients
2Ease of operation
If the complete cryptographic key is provided to the receiver, then key transfer is simple and direct, but the owner's key security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The key is divided such that the receiver only receives the delta, not the complete key. The actual key reconstruction requires combining the delta with the owner's key seed through a cryptographic function, ensuring the receiver never possesses the complete key in an exploitable form
Solution Approach 2:
The delta is pre-computed and stored with the trusted third party before any transfer occurs. This preliminary preparation enables rapid and simple key transfer to heirs or recipients without requiring complex real-time computations, while maintaining security through the segmented structure
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional key storage methods are used, then implementation is straightforward, but legal protection and controlled transfer to heirs are not available
Solution Approach 1:
The trusted third party serves as a legal intermediary that can verify inheritance claims or designated recipient authorization before releasing the delta. This enables legally protected key transfer to heirs while maintaining straightforward cryptographic implementation
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides multiple functions: secure key storage, controlled transfer to heirs, designation of recipients, and legal verification. This multi-functionality addresses various inheritance and access scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple cryptographic core based on key seed and delta segmentation
Data Source
AI summary
Technology is disclosed for a method that may comprise: identifying an owner key seed; identifying a receiver key seed; determining a delta between the owner key seed and the receiver key seed; and storing the delta with a trusted third party in a manner that is inaccessible by a receiver. The delta may be provided to the receiver based on a transfer condition being satisfied.