Bluetooth Encryption Key Management and Deletion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems using Bluetooth technology face limitations in the number of encryption keys that can be stored, leading to situations where cryptographic communication cannot be performed with additional devices once the storage capacity is reached.

Innovation Solution

A communication processing system that includes a determination portion to assess the type of communication needed based on data content, switching between cryptographic and plaintext communication, and a storage mechanism that deletes encryption key information after cryptographic communication to free up space for new pairings, allowing more devices to perform cryptographic communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If encryption key information is stored for each communication device, then cryptographic communication can be performed securely, but the storage capacity is limited and cannot accommodate more devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecryptographic communication securityVSAvoidnumber of storable encryption keys

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the state of encryption key information from permanently stored to temporarily stored with automatic deletion. The storage duration and capacity parameters are dynamically adjusted by deleting old keys after communication completes, allowing continuous support for multiple devices without exceeding storage limits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent discards encryption key information after cryptographic communication is completed. By deleting used keys from storage, the system recovers storage capacity to accommodate new communication devices, enabling continuous secure communication with multiple devices over time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Reliability

If cryptographic communication is always used, then data security is maintained, but communication speed and responsiveness decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoidcommunication responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies cryptographic communication only partially - specifically when security is required - rather than continuously. By switching to plaintext communication when cryptographic communication is not needed or cannot be established, the system achieves necessary security while improving communication speed and responsiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the communication mode dynamic by switching between cryptographic and plaintext communication based on real-time conditions. The determination portion assesses whether cryptographic communication is feasible and necessary, allowing the system to adapt communication methods for optimal balance between security and speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the storage medium capacity is limited, then device complexity is reduced, but the number of devices that can perform cryptographic communication is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage medium capacityVSAvoidnumber of communicable devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic deletion of encryption key information after communication cycles complete. This periodic clearing of storage allows the device to continuously support new communication partners within the fixed storage capacity, enhancing adaptability without increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent discards old encryption keys to recover storage space, enabling the system to accommodate more communication devices over time. This key rotation and deletion mechanism allows the device to maintain versatility with multiple devices while keeping the storage medium capacity fixed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS10365866B2Communication processing system, processing device, and non-transitory recording medium for computer readable program

Publication Date: 2019.07.30 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

The first processing device includes a first communication unit for performing cryptographic communication and plaintext communication, a determination portion for determining whether to set the cryptographic communication, and a communication unit controller. The second processing device includes a second communication unit for performing the cryptographic communication and the plaintext communication with the first communication unit. The second communication unit includes a storage for storing, for each of other ends of communication, encryption key information necessary for encryption up to a predetermined upper limit. When performing the cryptographic communication, the second communication unit performs at least one of encryption and decryption based on an encryption key included in the encryption key information corresponding to the first processing device stored in the storage. After finishing the cryptographic communication, the second communication unit performs processing for deleting, from the storage, the encryption key information corresponding to the first processing device.