Method and apparatus for authenticating static transceiver data and method of operating an ais transceiver

Abstract

A method and apparatus which ensures that static data entered into a communications device or apparatus is accurate, or at least consistent with data provided to an authentication service. In some embodiments of the invention, the authentication service may maintain a database of static data associated with each communications apparatus and/or verify the validity of at least a portion of the static data

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method of configuring an automatic identification system transponder (AIS) for a marine vessel or station; the method comprising:
 receiving marine data having an identifier which uniquely identifies the marine vessel or marine station;   processing the marine data in order to generate verified marine data;   transmitting the verified marine vessel data whilst installed on the marine vessel or station.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein processing comprises one or more of the following: encrypting, decrypting, hashing, comparing. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the marine data is received as an encryption of static data associated with the vessel or station. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein processing comprises decrypting the marine data in order to generate verified marine data. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the marine data is received in plain text with an associated authentication code. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein processing comprises hashing the marine data, encrypting or decrypting and comparing this with the authentication code in order to verify the marine data. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the marine data is received with an associated digital signature. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein processing comprises hashing the marine data, encrypting or decrypting and comparing this with the digital signature in order to verify the marine data. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the marine data comprises one or more of the following: a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) of the vessel, a name of the marine vessel, a radio call sign of the marine vessel, a type of the marine vessel, and dimensions of the marine vessel. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising receiving one or more of the following: a nonce; a serial number of the AIS; an identifier which uniquely identifies the AIS. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein receiving the marine data comprises one or more of the following: user input via a keypad; wirelessly; input via a memory or smart card; input via connection to a computer; input via network connection. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein transmitting comprises transmitting encrypted verified marine vessel data. 
     
     
         38 . An Automatic Identification System (AIS) for installation on a marine vessel or station; the AIS comprising:
 a non-volatile memory;   a processor arranged to receive marine data having an identifier which uniquely identifies the marine vessel or marine station;   the processor further arranged to process the marine data in order to generate verified marine data;   a radio section arranged to transmit the verified marine vessel data whilst installed on the marine vessel or station.   
     
     
         39 . The AIS of  claim 38 , wherein the processor is further arranged to process the marine data by one or more of the following: encrypting, decrypting, hashing, comparing. 
     
     
         40 . The AIS of  claim 38 , wherein the marine data is received in plain text with an associated authentication code. 
     
     
         41 . The AIS of  claim 38 , wherein processing comprises hashing the marine data, encrypting or decrypting and comparing this with a digital signature in order to verify the marine data. 
     
     
         42 . The AIS of  claim 41 , wherein the marine data comprises one or more of the following: a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) of the vessel, a name of the marine vessel, a radio call sign of the marine vessel, a type of the marine vessel, and dimensions of the marine vessel. 
     
     
         43 . The AIS of  claim 38 , further comprising one or more of the following for receiving the marine data: a keypad; an antenna; a memory or smart card input; a computer connection; a network connection. 
     
     
         44 . The AIS of  claim 38 , further arranged to send the marine data to an authentication service for authentication, and receiving one or more of the following: an authentication code from the authentication service; encrypted marine data from the authentication service; a digital signature from the authentication service. 
     
     
         45 . A computer program on a computer readable medium, which when executed on a computer is arranged to execute a method of configuring an automatic identification system transponder (AIS) for a marine vessel or station; the method comprising:
 receiving marine data having an identifier which uniquely identifies the marine vessel or marine station;   processing the marine data in order to generate verified marine data;   transmitting the verified marine vessel data whilst installed on the marine vessel or station.