IP Library Granted Patent US 9,542,713
Granted Patent B2
US 9,542,713 · App. 14/343,805 · Granted Jan 10, 2017

Systems and methods for securing the manufacturing supply chain

Inventors: Michael C. StJohns (Germantown, MD); Robert G. Boehm, Jr. (Portland, OR); Aditi Hilbert (Redwood City, CA)
Assignee: SILVER SPRING NETWORKS, INC.
G06Q50/04G06Q10/00H04L9/3268Y02P90/30
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,542,713
App. No.
14/343,805
Granted
Jan 10, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Securing the manufacturing supply chain with digital certificates. A token is coupled to a manufacturing station and enabled via a personal identification number. The token includes a counter limiting the maximum number of certificates to be signed, and compares a serial number of a digital certificate to a tracked serial number. In some embodiments, the token is linked to a particular manufacturing station once the token is enabled.

Claims (24)

1. A method for signing digital certificates, the method comprising:

cryptographically coupling a token to a manufacturing station, wherein the token includes a counter representing a number of signed digital certificates and a maximum value for the counter;

enabling the token based on a personal identification number received by the manufacturing station;

determining that a value stored in the counter is less than the maximum value;

in response to determining that the value stored in the counter is less than the maximum value;

obtaining a public key from an electronic device,

binding the public key to a digital certificate that is currently unsigned,

determining that a serial number associated with the digital certificate matches a serial number associated with a serial number tracker in the token, and

in response to determining that the serial number associated with the digital certificate matches the serial number associated with the serial number tracker in the token,

signing the digital certificate with the public key;

modifying the serial number in the serial number tracker to the next serial number expected;

incrementing the counter following the signing of the digital certificate; and

returning the signed digital certificate to the electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein enabling the token includes verifying that the personal identification number received by the manufacturing station matches a personal identification number stored in the token.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising linking the token to the manufacturing station.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising verifying that the token is cryptographically coupled to the manufacturing station to which the token is linked.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising disabling the token when the token is coupled to a manufacturing station that is different than the manufacturing station to which the token is linked.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising disabling the token when a trusted platform module of the manufacturing station is not valid.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing to an external device a listing of the digital certificates previously signed.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising signing the serial number in the serial number tracker when the digital certificate is signed.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

comparing the listing to a previous listing to determine if unauthorized manufacturing occurred; and

flagging the certificates of electronic devices manufactured without authorization.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining that the token was issued to the manufacturing station.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 1, 2018
From: SILVER SPRING NETWORKS, INC.
To: ITRON NETWORKED SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 045221/0804 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 8, 2018
From: ITRON, INC.; ITRON NETWORKED SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 045017/0893 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 6, 2014
From: ST JOHNS, MICHAEL C.; BOEHM, ROBERT G., JR.; HILBERT, ADITI
To: SILVER SPRING NETWORKS, INC.
Reel/Frame 033051/0697 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61532240 · Sep 8, 2011
Related Publication 20140229384A1 · Aug 14, 2014