Cryptographic Parameter Generation Using Astronomical Entropy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cryptography systems face challenges in securely generating and verifying cryptographic function parameters, which are critical for ensuring the security and integrity of cryptographic operations, as these parameters often need to be fixed across multiple users and are vulnerable to various attacks, particularly due to their numerical nature and reliance on pseudorandom functions.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced to generate cryptographic function parameters using compact source code that defines seed information and a pseudorandom function, incorporating randomness from astronomical events and employing puzzle-based algorithms to enhance security, ensuring the parameters are resistant to manipulation and attacks by increasing their computational complexity and reliance on verifiable randomness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cryptographic function parameters are fixed across multiple users to ensure consistency, then the reliability of cryptographic operations is improved, but the parameters become vulnerable to attacks and manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsistency of cryptographic parametersVSAvoidvulnerability to attacks
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining cryptographic parameters through a public, verifiable process before they are needed for actual cryptographic operations. The parameters are generated in advance using a standardized method that incorporates randomness from astronomical events, ensuring both consistency across users and resistance to attacks. This pre-establishment of parameters through a trusted process eliminates the need for repeated generation while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism by using astronomical events as a random source that mediates between the need for consistent parameters and the requirement for security. These astronomical events serve as an external, unpredictable, yet verifiable source of entropy that is incorporated into the parameter generation process, acting as a trusted intermediary that both users can rely on without needing to trust each other directly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If pseudorandom functions are used to generate cryptographic parameters, then the ease of parameter generation is improved, but the parameters become susceptible to manipulation and attacks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of parameter generationVSAvoidresistance to manipulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the input parameters of the pseudorandom function to include astronomical data as an additional entropy source. Instead of relying solely on conventional pseudorandom functions with potentially predictable seeds, the system changes the parameters by incorporating external astronomical observations, which provide unpredictable randomness that cannot be easily manipulated or reproduced by attackers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite approach by combining multiple elements: pseudorandom functions, astronomical event data, and standardized verification processes. This composite parameter generation method integrates the computational efficiency of pseudorandom functions with the security benefits of astronomical randomness, creating a hybrid system that leverages the strengths of each component while mitigating their individual weaknesses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If computational complexity is increased to enhance security of cryptographic parameters, then the resistance to attacks is improved, but the productivity of cryptographic operations decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of parametersVSAvoidefficiency of cryptographic operations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing the computationally intensive parameter generation process in advance, before actual cryptographic operations are needed. The complex computation of generating secure parameters from astronomical data is done once during a setup phase, and the resulting parameters are then reused for multiple cryptographic operations. This shifts the computational burden to a preliminary stage, allowing efficient use of parameters during actual cryptographic operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3286746B1Generating cryptographic function parameters from compact source code
Publication Date: 2023.02.22 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP3286746B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3286746B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3286746B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Methods, systems, and computer programs for generating cryptographic function parameters are described. In some examples, source code that defines seed information and a pseudorandom function is accessed. A parameter for a cryptographic function by operation of one or more data processors is generated. The parameter is generated from the seed information and the pseudorandom function. The parameter has a larger size in memory than the source code that defines the seed information and the pseudorandom function.