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`US008756673B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Barrus et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,756,673 B2
`Jun.17,2O14
`
`(54) TECll:\IQUl<:S H>R SIi ARiNG DATA
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: John W. Barrus, Menlo Park, CA (US):
`Tomohlko Sasaki, Tokyo (JP): Jamey
`Graham, Sc1n Jose, CA (US); Sh.iron
`Kojima, Sm1 Jose, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to m1y disclc1i111cr, the Lcm1 of this
`patent is extended or mUusLetl under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 661 days.
`
`EP
`FP
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/694,327
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`:\far. 30, 2007
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2008/0244721 Al
`
`Oct. 2, 2008
`
`(51)
`
`Int. CI.
`G06F 21/00
`(52) U.S.Cl.
`USPC ............... 726/9; 71J/J5<J; 71:Vl60: 713/165;
`713/172: 713/176
`
`(2013.01)
`
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`Field of Classification Search
`USPC .............................................................. 726/9
`See application file fi1r complete search history.
`
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`Meher et al.,A New Approach to Secure Distributed Storage. Sharing
`and Dissemination of Digital Image, \-lay 2006, IEEF International
`Symposium on Circuits and Systems, ISCAS 2006, pp. 171-176.*
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary J::xaminer - Mohc1mmad L Rahnrnn
`Assistant Examiner - Kenneth Chang
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Techniques for sharing data between users in a manner that
`maintains m10nymiLy of the users. Tokens arc generated and
`provided to users for sharing data. A token comprises infor(cid:173)
`nuilion encoding an idenlifa:r and an encryption key. A user
`may use a Loken Lo upload data thc1t is to be shared. The data
`Lo be shared is encrypted using the encryption key c1ssLiciatcd
`with the Loken and !he encrypted dala is stored such that it can
`be accessed using !he idcnLi1icr <JSSU(:iatcd with !he Loken. A
`user may !hen use a token Lo access the shared data. '111e
`identifier associated with the token being used to c1cccss the
`shared data is used to access the data and the encryption key
`associated with the Loken is used to decrypt the data. Data is
`shared anonymously without revealing the identity nf the
`users using the tokens.
`
`10 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`104
`
`STORAGE LOCA !ION r 106
`CO"PUTER SYSTEM -108
`
`lO<EN
`PROCESSOR
`
`,-,100
`
`112
`
`110
`
`102
`
`114
`
`t
`
`~ 1 16
`
`Google Exhibit 1022
`Google v. Ericsson
`
`

`

`US 8,756,673 B2
`Pagc2
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`Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl No. I L'608,409 mailed on Oct. 8,
`2013, 9 pages.
`Non-Final Office Action for l J.S. Appl. 'fo. 1 l!:196,181 mailed on
`Nov.22.2013, 12 pages
`Office Action in related Japanese Application :-,; o. 2008-086838
`dated Jun. 25, 2013, 2 pages.
`Notice of Allowance for lJ.S. Appl. No. 1 l/:;96,375 mailed on .Jul. 9,
`2013, 15 pages.
`
`"cited by examiner
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 17,2014
`
`Sheet 1 of 12
`
`US 8,756,673 B2
`
`f
`
`100
`
`STORAGE LOCATION r-106
`
`104
`~
`
`COMPUTER SYSTEM
`
`...._
`
`DIGITAL
`TOKEN
`
`\
`108
`
`102-----
`
`TOKEN
`PROCESSOR
`
`112
`(
`
`PRINTER
`
`110
`
`.. PHYSICAL
`
`TOKEN
`
`TOKEN
`READER r---- 114
`
`t
`
`8 - -116
`
`FIG. 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 17,2014
`
`Sheet 2 of 12
`
`US 8,756,673 B2
`
`START
`
`,200
`
`RECEIVE A SIGNAL TO GENERATE A NEW TOKEN
`
`RECEIVE INFORMATION IDENTIFYING DATA THAT IS
`TO BE SHARED USING THE NEW TOKEN TO BE
`GENERATED
`
`202
`
`204
`
`DETERMINE STORAGE LOCATION FOR THE DATA TO
`BE SHARED
`
`206
`
`GENERATE AN IDENTIFIER FOR THE TOKEN TO BE
`GENERATED
`
`208
`
`GENERATE/IDENTIFY AN ENCRYPTION KEY FOR THE
`TOKEN TO BE GENERATED
`
`210
`
`ENCRYPT THE DATA IDENTIFIED IN 204 USING THE
`ENCRYPTION KEY GENERATED/DETERMINED IN 210
`
`212
`
`STORE THE ENCRYPTED DATA GENERATED IN 212
`TO THE STORAGE LOCATION DETERMINED IN 206
`
`214
`
`GENERATE ONE OR MORE TOKENS, EACH TOKEN
`COMPRISING THE IDENTIFIER GENERATED IN 208
`AND THE ENCRYPTION KEY GENERATED IN 210
`
`216
`
`END
`
`FIG. 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 17,2014
`
`Sheet 3 of 12
`
`US 8,756,673 B2
`
`y-300
`
`( START )
`
`"
`RECEIVE A SIGNAL TO GENERATE A NEW TOKEN
`
`302
`
`"
`BE SHARED
`
`"
`
`GENERATED
`
`,,
`
`304
`
`306
`
`308
`
`DETERMINE STORAGE LOCATION FOR THE DATA TO -
`GENERATE AN IDENTIFIER FOR THE TOKEN TO BE -
`GENERATE/IDENTIFY AN ENCRYPTION KEY FOR THE -
`COMPRISING THE IDENTIFIER GENERATED IN 306 - 310
`
`TOKEN TO BE GENERATED
`
`,,
`GENERATE ONE OR MORE TOKENS, EACH TOKEN
`
`AND THE ENCRYPTION KEY GENERATED IN 308
`
`,.
`END
`
`(
`
`FIG. 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 17,2014
`
`Sheet 4 of 12
`
`US 8,756,673 B2
`
`( START
`
`y-400
`
`,,
`RECEIVE A REQUEST TO SHARE DATA USING A
`PREVIOUSLY GENERATED TOKEN
`
`--402
`
`RECEIVE INFORMATION IDENTIFYING THE DATA TO
`BE SHARED
`
`,,
`OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM THE PREVIOUSLY
`GENERATED TOKEN
`
`DETERMINE AN IDENTIFIER AND AN ENCRYPTION
`KEY FROM THE INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE --408
`TOKEN IN 406
`
`,r
`ENCRYPT THE DATA IDENTIFIED IN 404 USING THE
`ENCRYPTION KEY DETERMINED IN 408
`
`,,
`THE ENCRYPTED DATA GENERATED IN 410 IS
`STORED TO THE STORAGE LOCATION
`CORRESPONDING TO THE IDENTIFIER DETERMINED
`IN408
`
`--412
`
`END
`
`FIG. 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 17,2014
`
`Sheet 5 of 12
`
`US 8,756,673 B2
`
`START
`
`y-500
`
`RECEIVE A REQUEST TO ACCESS SHARED
`INFORMATION CORRESPONDING TOA TOKEN
`
`OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM THE TOKEN
`
`DETERMINE AN IDENTIFIER AND AN ENCRYPTION
`KEY FROM THE INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE
`TOKEN IN 504
`
`502
`
`504
`
`506
`
`ACCESS DATA IDENTIFIED BY THE IDENTIFIER
`DETERMINED IN 506
`
`508
`
`THE ENCRYPTED DATA ACCESSED IN 508 IS
`DECRYPTED USING THE ENCRYPTION KEY
`DETERMINED IN 506
`
`510
`
`DATA DECRYPTED IN 510 IS MADE ACCESSIBLE TO
`THE TOKEN HOLDER
`
`512
`
`END
`
`FIG. 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 17,2014
`
`Sheet 6 of 12
`
`US 8,756,673 B2
`
`102
`(
`
`TOKEN PROCESSOR
`
`USER INTERFACE ----602
`
`IDENTIFIER PROCESSOR
`
`- - --604
`
`ENCRYPTION/DECRYPTION
`
`- ~ -606
`
`CAPTURE
`
`-608
`
`TOKEN INFORMATION --
`TOKEN GENERATOR ----610
`
`FIG. 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 17,2014
`
`Sheet 7 of 12
`
`US 8,756,673 B2
`
`702-A
`
`704
`
`702-A
`
`752-A
`
`764
`
`760
`
`752-B
`
`764
`
`700
`
`702-B
`
`----704
`
`FRONT SIDE
`
`702-B
`
`BACK SIDE
`
`706
`
`FIG. 7A
`
`762
`
`750
`
`UNIQUE ID
`
`SYMMETRIC KEY
`
`UNIQUE ID
`
`SYMMETRIC KEY
`
`756
`754
`758
`
`756
`
`758
`
`762
`
`FIG. 7B
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 17,2014
`
`Sheet 8 of 12
`
`US 8,756,673 B2
`
`y-800
`
`START
`
`RECEIVE A REQUEST TO GENERATE A NEW TOKEN
`
`GENERA TE A UNIQUE IDENTIFIER TO BE
`ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEW TOKEN TO BE
`GENERATED
`
`802
`
`804
`
`GENERATE A UNIQUE SYMMETRIC ENCRYPTION
`KEY TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE TOKEN TO BE
`GENERATED
`
`806
`
`CREATE A NULL RECORD THAT CAN BE ACCESSED
`USING THE UNIQUE IDENTIFIER GENERATED IN 804
`
`808
`
`STORE METADATA FOR THE NULL RECORD
`CREATED IN 808
`
`810
`
`GENERATE ONE OR MORE TOKENS (EITHER
`DIGITAL OR PHYSICAL) WITH EACH TOKEN
`COMPRISING THE UNIQUE IDENTIFIER GENERATED
`IN 804 AND THE ENCRYPTION KEY GENERA TED IN
`806
`
`812
`
`END
`
`FIG. 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 17,2014
`
`Sheet 9 of 12
`
`US 8,756,673 B2
`
`START
`
`y-900
`
`RECEIVE INFORMATION IDENTIFYING THE DATA THAT IS TO
`BE UPLOADED AND MADE Al/AIL.ABLE AS SHARED DATA
`
`902
`
`OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM THE TOKEN THAT IS USED FOR
`UPLOADING THE DATA
`
`904
`
`DETERMINE AN IDENTIFIER AND AN ENCRYPTION KEY FROM
`THE INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE TOKEN IN 904
`
`906
`
`ENCRYPT THE DATA IDENTIFIED IN 902 USING THE
`ENCRYPTION KEY DETERMINED IN 906 TO PRODUCE
`ENCRYPTED SHARED DATA
`
`CREATE A NEW RECORD AND STORE THE ENCRYPTED DATA
`IN THE NEW RECORD
`
`GENERATE A UNIQUE IDENTIFIER FOR THE NEW RECORD
`
`STORE THE NEW RECORD CREATED IN 910 SUCH THAT IT
`CAN BE ACCESSED USING THE IDENTIFIER COMPUTED IN 912
`
`STORE METADATA FOR THE NEW RECORD
`
`ACCESS A RECORD CORRESPONDING TO THE UNIQUE
`IDENTIFIER DETERMINED IN 906
`
`READ METADATA ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCESSED
`RECORD
`
`908
`
`910
`
`912
`
`914
`
`916
`
`918
`
`920
`
`No
`
`ACCESS RECORD POINTED TO BY
`THE "NEXT" POINTER IN METADATA
`
`UPDATE THE "NEXT" INFORMATION IN THE METADATA
`ASSOCIATED WITH THE LAST ACCESSED RECORD TO POINT
`TO THE NEW RECORD CREATED IN 910
`
`924
`
`926
`
`SET THE "NEXT' INFORMATION IN THE METADATA
`ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECORD CREATED IN 910 TO NULL
`
`928
`
`FIG. 9
`
`END
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 17,2014
`
`Sheet 10 of 12
`
`US 8,756,673 B2
`
`IDo
`
`IDo
`
`1D1
`
`IDo
`
`1D1
`
`ID2
`
`1002
`
`EMPTY
`
`1002
`
`EMPTY
`
`1006
`
`METADATA FOR IDo RECORD
`NEXT: NULL
`PREV: NULL
`
`1004
`
`FIG. 10A
`
`METADATA FOR ID0 RECORD
`NEXT: ID1
`PREV: NULL
`
`1004
`
`ENCRYPTED SHARED
`DATA (151 VERSION)
`
`METAD
`NEXT: N
`PREV:I
`
`FIG. 10B
`
`1008
`
`1002
`
`EMPTY
`
`1006
`
`METADATA FOR ID0 RECORD
`NEXT:I01
`
`1004
`
`ENCRYPTED SHARED
`DATA (151 VERSION)
`
`1010
`
`ENCRYPTED SHARED
`DATA (2No VERSION)
`
`META
`NEXTI
`PREV: I
`
`METAD
`NEXT: N
`PREV: I
`
`FIG. 10C
`
`1008
`
`1012
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 17,2014
`
`Sheet 11 of 12
`
`US 8,756,673 B2
`
`START
`
`,1100
`
`OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM A TOKEN BEING USED TO
`ACCESS SHARED DAT A
`
`1102
`
`DETERMINE AN IDENTIFIER AND AN ENCRYPTION KEY FROM
`THE INFORMATION OBTAINED IN 1102
`
`1104
`
`ACCESS A RECORD CORRESPONDING TO THE IDENTIFIER
`DETERMINED IN 1104
`
`1106
`
`READ METADATAASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCESSED
`RECORD
`
`1108
`
`111
`
`YES
`
`No
`
`ACCESS RECORD POINTED TO BY
`THE "NEXT" POINTER IN METADATA
`
`DECRYPT THE ENCRYPTED DATA FROM THE LAST
`ACCESSED RECORD USING THE ENCRYPTION KEY
`DETERMINED IN 1104
`
`1112
`
`1114
`
`THE DECRYPTED INFORMATION IS MADE ACCESSIBLE TO
`THE TOKEN HOLDER
`
`1116
`
`END
`
`FIG. 11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 17,2014
`
`Sheet 12 of 12
`
`US 8,756,673 B2
`
`1206
`
`DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM
`1200
`
`1208
`
`STORAGE SUBSYSTEM
`
`MEMORY SUBSYSTEM
`
`1210
`
`1212
`
`FILE STORAGE
`SUBSYSTEM
`
`USER INTERFACE
`INPUT DEVICES
`
`1202
`
`PROCESS0R(S)
`
`1216
`
`NETWORK
`INTERFACE
`
`USER INTERFACE
`OUTPUT DEi/iCES
`
`1214
`
`NETWORKS, SYSTEMS, DEVICES
`
`FIG. 12
`
`

`

`US 8,756,673 B2
`
`1
`Tl◄:CIII\JQUES FOR SIi ARING DATA
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`data is accessed using the identifier obtained from the token.
`The encrypted first data is then decrypted using the encryp(cid:173)
`tion key obtained from the token to produce decrypted first
`data. Access to the decrypted first data is enabled. In this
`manner, a token holder may use a token to access the shared
`data.
`The tokens that are generated and used may be digital
`(electronic) tokens or physical tokens. A physical token may
`be generated by priming the token on a physical medium. In
`one embodiment, a set of tokens may be generated by printing
`the set of tokens on a physical medimn, wherein the physical
`medium enables a token printed on the physical medimn lo be
`physically separated from other tokens printed on the physi(cid:173)
`cal medium.
`According to another embodiment ofthe present invention,
`Lcchniq ues arc provided for sharing data. In one cmbodimcnl,
`information is received idcnti1ying 1irst datll lo be shared .. A..!1
`idcnti1icr ,md an encryption key arc generated. The 1irst data
`is encrypted using the encryption key to produce encrypted
`1irst data. The cncrypled 1irst dala is sLOred such thllt the
`encrypted first data is accessible using the identifier. A set of
`one or more tokens is generated, each token in the set com(cid:173)
`prising the identifier and the encryption key. A generated
`token may then be used to access the shared data. In one
`25 embodiment, a 1irsl token may be prcscnLed for accessing
`shared data. lnfi1rmation may he obtained from the firsttoken.
`An identifier and encryption key may he determined from the
`information obtained from the first token. The encrypted first
`data may he accessed using the identifier obtained from the
`30 first token and decrypted using the encryption key obtained
`from the first token to produce decrypted first data. Access to
`the decrypted first data may he enabled.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention,
`different versions of the shared data may he stored and
`35 accessed. In one embodiment, a first record may be stored
`having first metadata associated with it. A first identifier may
`be generated. wherein the first record is accessible using the
`first identifier. An encryption key may be generated, wherein
`the encryption key is usable for encrypting data to be shared.
`40 A set of one or more tokens may be generated, each token in
`the set comprising the first identifier and the encryption key,
`where-in a token frum the sel of tokens enables slllring data
`such that the stored data is accessible using any token from
`the set of tokens.
`A token may then be used to stor-: versions of data to be
`shared. In one embodiment, a first identifier and the encryp(cid:173)
`Lion key is obtained from a Loken from the scl of tokens.
`Information is received idcnti1ying 1irsldata to be shar.xl. TI1e
`first tllltll is encrypted using the encryption key lo produce
`encrypted 1irsl daw. 111c encrypted Jirst data is stor-:d in a
`second record, wherein second mcladata is associaLed ,vith
`the second record. A second identifier is generated wherein
`the second record is accessible using the second identifier.
`The second identifier is stored in the first metadata associated
`55 with the first record. 'l he second mctadata may be encrypted
`using the encryption key obtained from the token.
`·1 ·he shared data may then he accessed using a token. In one
`embodiment, a first identifierand encryption key are obtained
`from a token in the set of tokens. ")he first record is accessed
`60 using the first identifier. 'Jhe second identifier is determined
`from the first metadata associated with the first record. The
`second record is accessed using the second identifier. 'Jhe
`encrypted first data in the second record is decrypted using the
`encryption key to produce decrypted first data. Access to the
`decrypted first data is enabled.
`A token may also be used to store another version of data to
`be shared. In one embodiment, the first identifier and the
`
`'Jhe present invention relates to data sharing, and more
`particularly to techniques for slmring data between multiple
`users in an anonymous and simple manner.
`']here are times when it is convenient for two people to
`arrange a future, secure (and pcrh,1ps anonymous) cxd1angc
`of data. Several conventional techniques may be used fi1r data 10
`exchange such as storing the data on a portable memory
`medium ( e.g., a CD, a memory stick) and sending the memory
`medium to one or more people using mail, attaching an
`encrypted data file to an email and communicating the email
`to the intended recipients.uploading secure data to an ftp site. 15
`to name a few. 1 lowever, each of the existing techniques is
`deficient in one way or another. Either it is not anonymous,
`requires a non-trivial exchange of detailed infonuation, or
`requires some setup effort in advance of the exchange.
`In light of the above, simplified techniques are desired that 20
`enable cxch,mgc of data bet wc'Cn users wh-:rcin the m1onym-
`ity of the users is maintained.
`
`13R1El SUMMARY OF TUE INVENTION
`
`I •:mbodiments of the present invention provide techniques
`fi1r sharing data between users in a manner that maintains
`anonymity of the users.· I i1kens are generated and provided to
`users fi1r sharing data. A token comprises information encod(cid:173)
`ing an identifier and an encryption key. A user may use a token
`to upload data that is to he shared. The data to he shared is
`encrypted using the encryption key associated with the token
`and the encrypted data is stored such that it can be accessed
`using the identifier associated ,vith the token. A user may then
`use a token to access the shared data. The identifier associated
`with the token being used to access the shared data is used to
`access the data and the encryption key associated with the
`token is used to decrypt the data. Data is shared anonymously
`without revealing the identity of the users using the tokens.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention,
`teclmiques are provided for sharing data. In one embodiment,
`an idcnti1icr is generated, whcr-:in the idcnti1icr is usable lo
`access data to be shared. An encryption key is generated that
`can be used for encrypting data to be shared. A set of one or
`mor-: Lokcns is genera Led, each token in the sci comprising the 45
`identifier and the encryption key, wherein a token from the set
`oftokens enables storing dala such thlll the dala is accessible
`using any token from the set oJt.okcns. In one embodiment, as
`part of genernt.ing the idcmificr, a storage location nrny be
`determined for storing the dll La to be shared and the idcnti1icr 50
`nrny be genernt.x.1 bas.xi upon the storage location. In one
`embodiment, a machine-readable-code may be generated
`encoding the idcnli1ier and the encryption key and the
`machine-readable code is associated with each token in the
`set of tokens.
`A token from the generated set may then he used to upload
`information to he shared. In one embodiment, an identifier
`and encryption key from a first token in the set of tokens.
`Information may also he received identifying first data to be
`shared. ·t11e first data is encrypted using the encryption key
`obtained from the first token to produce encrypted first data
`and the first encrypted data is stored such that the encrypted
`first data is accessible using the identifier.
`A token from the set of tokens may also he used to access
`the shared data. In one embodiment, an identifier and encryp- 65
`tion key is obtained from a token in the set of tokens that is
`presented for accessing the shared data. The encrypted first
`
`

`

`US 8,756,673 B2
`
`3
`encryption key are obtained from a token used for uploading
`the d.:1(a to be shanxl. In..limmLion is received idcntilying
`second data. TI1c second data is cncrypLcd using Lhc encryp(cid:173)
`tion key to produce encrypted second data. ·1he encrypted
`second data is sLonxl in a third record, wherein thirdmctadata
`is associated with Lhc Lhird record. A third idcntilicr is gener(cid:173)
`ated wherein the third record is accessible using the third
`idcnLilicr. TI1c third idcntilicr is stored in tk second meta da