Communication System Keyless Encryption via Synchronized Solution Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The key delivery problem in encrypted communication systems, particularly in common key schemes, poses challenges in achieving both security and convenience, as existing methods like public key schemes are not completely secure.

Innovation Solution

A communication system where two devices generate a synchronized solution based on an initial solution using time synchronization, allowing them to perform encryption and decryption without transmitting the key, thereby eliminating key delivery risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the common key is transmitted from one device to another for key sharing, then the key delivery problem is solved, but the security is compromised due to potential interception during transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekey deliveryVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the key transmission step from the encryption system by using public key infrastructure to derive symmetric keys locally on each device. The public keys are transmitted instead of private keys, and the actual encryption keys are generated independently on each device through cryptographic derivation, eliminating the security vulnerability of direct key transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces public key pairs as an intermediary mechanism. Instead of directly transmitting the symmetric encryption key, the system uses public key cryptography as a mediator to securely exchange information needed for key derivation. The public key acts as a safe intermediary that can be transmitted without compromising security, while the private key remains secure on each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the public key scheme is used to transmit the common key securely, then the security is improved, but the processing becomes heavier and more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cryptographic process into two distinct phases: a key establishment phase using public key cryptography, and a data encryption phase using symmetric cryptography. This segmentation allows the system to use the secure but complex public key scheme only for key establishment, while the bulk of communication uses the simpler and faster symmetric encryption, thereby reducing overall processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs the computationally intensive public key operations in advance during the key establishment phase, before the actual data transmission begins. The symmetric encryption keys are pre-derived using public key cryptography, so that subsequent data encryption can proceed efficiently using the lighter-weight symmetric algorithms, reducing real-time processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the same key is used for both encryption and decryption in common key scheme, then the processing is lighter and faster, but the key must be securely shared between devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidkey sharing
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables each device to self-generate its own private key and independently derive the symmetric encryption key using its private key and the other device's public key. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual or centralized key distribution, allowing devices to autonomously establish secure communication while maintaining fast symmetric encryption processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3684006B1Communication system, first communication device, second communication device, method, and computer program
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 NTI
  • EP3684006B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3684006B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3684006B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

To propose a technique for solving a key delivery problem. Both of a client and a server have a function of generating the same solution at the same date and time based on the same initial solution. The client sends identification information for identifying the client to the server (S1002). The client and the server generate the same solution with time synchronization based on the initial solution (S1003 and S2002). The client and the server perform encrypted communication using the same key as a common key (S1004 and S2003) .