Client-Directed PET Functions via Networking Devices for IoT Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Constrained IoT devices face challenges in managing Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) due to their resource limitations and the cumbersome nature of firmware upgrades, while existing network solutions like Deep-Packet Inspection (DPI) are inefficient and costly for personalized privacy management.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism where client devices transmit instructions, such as Privacy Network Tokens (PNTs), to networking devices to apply PET functions like encryption, anonymization, or obfuscation, allowing networking devices to dynamically manage privacy preferences based on user-defined requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PET functions are applied to protect data privacy in IoT devices, then data confidentiality is improved, but device resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a networking device as an intermediary that applies PET functions to client device data before forwarding to the destination. This mediator approach allows privacy protection to be implemented at the network layer rather than requiring heavy processing at the constrained IoT device, thus maintaining confidentiality while reducing device resource consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the privacy protection functionality by separating PET application from the client device. The client device only needs to transmit data with minimal processing, while the networking device handles the computationally intensive PET functions, dividing the workload according to each component's capabilities
2Adaptability or versatility
If PET functionality is embedded in IoT devices to enable privacy protection, then privacy management capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The networking device serves as an intermediary that provides PET functionality externally to the client device. This allows privacy management capabilities to be available in the network without embedding complex PET functionality within the constrained IoT device, thus improving privacy management capability while keeping device complexity low
Solution Approach 2:
The networking device provides universal PET functionality that can serve multiple client devices with different privacy requirements. Instead of each IoT device having its own specialized PET implementation, a single multi-functional networking device provides privacy protection for all clients, reducing individual device complexity while maintaining versatile privacy management capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If firmware upgrades are used to activate or deactivate privacy enhancing functionality on devices, then privacy configuration flexibility is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic privacy configuration where PET functions can be activated or deactivated through software instructions transmitted with data packets, rather than requiring firmware upgrades. This allows privacy settings to change dynamically based on application requirements without complex operational procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The client device can autonomously select and indicate its preferred PET functions through the instruction transmitted with data, without requiring manual configuration or complex operational steps. The system automatically applies the selected PET functions at the networking device, simplifying operation while maintaining configuration flexibility
4Adaptability or versatility
If Deep-Packet Inspection is used to provide special treatment for traffic subsets, then service differentiation capability is improved, but network resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The client device performs preliminary action by including an instruction with the data packet that indicates the desired PET function before the packet reaches the networking device. This eliminates the need for the networking device to perform heavy DPI analysis to determine what processing is needed, reducing network resource consumption while maintaining service differentiation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having the client device communicate its privacy requirements directly through the transmitted instruction. This feedback mechanism allows the networking device to apply the appropriate PET function without needing to analyze packet contents extensively, reducing computational overhead while enabling differentiated service treatment
Data Source
AI summary
A client device is disclosed which comprises processing circuitry configured to cause the client device to, on determining that the client device has data to send to a destination node (110), determine that at least one PET function is to be applied to the data (120). The processing circuitry is further configured to cause the client device to transmit the data, with an instruction to apply at least one PET function, to a networking device for application of the at least one PET function to the data, and for forwarding of the data to the destination node (130). Also disclosed is a networking device comprising processing circuitry configured to cause the networking device to receive client device data (210), and to detect an instruction, transmitted with the data that at least one PET function is to be applied to the data (220). The processing circuitry is further configured to cause the networking device to apply a PET function to the data in accordance with the instruction (230) and forward the data to a destination node for the data (240).