A Canadian patent newly awarded to International Datacasting Corp. (
IDC) relates to the encryption and decryption of digital data streams.
The patent describes a method of ensuring synchronization of the encryption of a stream of data packets from a transmission end and the decryption of the stream of data packets at a reception end.
The patent covers the use of a heartbeat mechanism, which operates within a crypto-period in conjunction with changing encryption keys. The method, which ensures reliable operation over a range of transmission speeds, is applicable to both IDC encryption products and third-party systems.
According to IDC President and Chief Executive Ron Clifton, the security of data and the ability to reliably control subscriber access are "paramount" in many IDC applications.