Adaptive Stream Ciphering for Mobile Network Data Encryption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data encryption methods in mobile networks either use no encryption or strong, computationally expensive encryption, failing to provide adaptable encryption strength based on data sensitivity, which is inefficient for non-sensitive traffic.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines the level of encryption needed for data based on sensitivity, generating a key sequence accordingly to adjust encryption strength, allowing for adaptable encryption without increasing the risk of breaking the cipher.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If strong encryption is applied to all data traffic, then security is improved, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different encryption strengths to different data packets based on their sensitivity classification. Sensitive packets receive strong encryption while non-sensitive packets receive weak encryption, allowing the system to optimize computational resources by matching encryption strength to actual security needs rather than applying uniform strong encryption to all traffic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the encryption parameter (strength) dynamically based on data sensitivity. By classifying packets and assigning different ciphering levels (strong/weak encryption), the system adapts the computational complexity parameter to match the security requirements of each specific data flow, reducing overall computational burden while maintaining necessary security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If weak encryption is applied to reduce computational complexity, then computational complexity is reduced, but security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational complexityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures that sensitive data packets continue to receive strong encryption protection, while only non-sensitive packets use weak encryption. This localized application of different encryption strengths maintains security for critical data while reducing computational complexity for less critical traffic, resolving the contradiction between security and computational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies encryption selectively rather than uniformly. By identifying and protecting only the sensitive portion of data traffic with strong encryption while using weak encryption for the remaining non-sensitive traffic, the system achieves adequate security protection without the excessive computational cost of encrypting all data at maximum strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If uniform encryption strength is applied to all data, then security consistency is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity consistencyVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability by classifying data packets according to sensitivity and assigning appropriate encryption levels. The system can adapt its encryption strategy in real-time based on the characteristics of each data packet, moving from static uniform encryption to dynamic selective encryption that responds to actual security requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables different parts of the data traffic to have different encryption qualities based on their sensitivity. Sensitive traffic receives high-quality strong encryption while non-sensitive traffic receives lower-quality weak encryption, allowing the system to adapt encryption characteristics to local requirements rather than applying uniform encryption strength throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11356248B2Stream ciphering
Publication Date: 2022.06.07 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • US11356248B2 patent drawing
  • US11356248B2 patent drawing
  • US11356248B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A technique for ciphering source data (306) into target data (308) is described. As to a method aspect of the technique, a level (302) of ciphering is determined for the source data (306). A key sequence (304) is generated depending on the determined level (302) of ciphering. The source data (306) and the key sequence (304) are combined resulting in the target data (308).