US Patent 8712046 Cryptographic key split combiner

A cryptographic key split combiner includes a plurality of key split generators adapted to generate cryptographic key splits, a key split randomizer adapted to randomize the cryptographic key splits to produce a cryptographic key, and a digital signature generator. Each of the key split generators is adapted to generate key splits from seed data. The digital signature generator is adapted to generate a digital signature based on the cryptographic key. The digital signature generator can also be adapted to generate the digital signature based on a credential value. A process for forming cryptographic keys includes generating a plurality of cryptographic key splits from seed data. The cryptographic key splits are randomized to produce a cryptographic key. A digital signature is generated based on the cryptographic key. Generating a digital signature based on the cryptographic key can include generating the digital signature based on a credential value.