Electronic Component Boot Encryption Using Asymmetric Key Pairs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for protecting program instructions in electronic devices increase the risk of symmetric key cracking, leading to potential theft due to the generation and storage of multiple symmetric keys in plaintext form during the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves using two asymmetric key pairs for encryption and decryption, where one asymmetric key pair is stored securely and another is used to generate a symmetric key for encrypting data, reducing the risk of key cracking and allowing multiple manufacturers to collaborate while maintaining secure confidential data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple symmetric keys are generated and stored in plaintext form during the manufacturing process, then the encryption and decryption process can be completed, but the risk of symmetric key cracking increases and program instruction theft becomes more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the symmetric key generation and storage process from the manufacturing flow. Instead of generating and storing multiple symmetric keys in plaintext during manufacturing, the system uses asymmetric key pairs where only the public key is shared and the private key remains secure in the electronic component, eliminating the vulnerability of stored plaintext symmetric keys
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetric key pairs as an intermediary mechanism between the manufacturing process and the encryption requirement. The asymmetric key pair serves as a mediator that allows secure key exchange without requiring multiple plaintext symmetric keys to be stored during manufacturing, thus resolving the security vulnerability
2Device complexity
If a single symmetric key is used for encryption and decryption, then the process is simple, but the system lacks flexibility for multiple manufacturers to collaborate while maintaining secure confidential data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the key management function by using separate asymmetric key pairs for different manufacturers. Each manufacturer has their own asymmetric key pair, allowing independent key management while enabling collaborative encryption. This segmentation provides both simplicity in individual key management and flexibility for multi-manufacturer scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the asymmetric key pair system universal by allowing any number of manufacturers to participate in the collaboration. Each manufacturer can generate their own asymmetric key pair and use it to encrypt data for specific purposes, while all parties can decrypt using their respective private keys, providing multi-functional capability for diverse manufacturing collaborations
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic component of an electronic device, a method of starting an electronic device, and an encryption method. The electronic device includes a key storage unit that stores a first key, a key protection circuit that controls access of the key storage unit, and a storage unit that stores a second key and encrypted booting instructions. The method of starting an electronic device includes steps of: reading the first key from the key storage unit; reading the second key from the storage unit; generating a third key according to the first key and the second key; using the third key to decrypt the encrypted booting instructions; and executing the booting instructions.