Decipherable Searchable Encryption Key Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current encryption methods allow for keyword search but not decryption, and vice versa, limiting the ability to access specific encrypted information while maintaining confidentiality, particularly in scenarios where third parties need to inspect encrypted data without decrypting all content.

Innovation Solution

A method that generates public and decryption keys, along with a derivation key, enabling both decryption of messages and keyword search by using key encapsulation and identity-based key encapsulation algorithms to create searchable traps without compromising confidentiality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional searchable encryption methods are used, then keyword search capability is improved, but decryption capability deteriorates (gateway cannot decrypt ciphertext)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekeyword search capabilityVSAvoiddecryption capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cryptographic key into two distinct parts: a decryption key for decrypting ciphertext and a derivation key for generating search traps. This segmentation allows the system to perform both decryption and keyword search operations independently without compromising either capability. The decryption key enables full decryption while the derivation key enables searchable encryption through trap generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional decipherable encryption is used, then decryption capability is improved, but selective access capability deteriorates (must decrypt all information)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecryption capabilityVSAvoidconfidentiality of non-targeted information
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the key serve different functions: the decryption key provides full access for authorized decryption while the derivation key provides selective access for keyword search. This allows third parties to search for specific keywords without accessing the entire encrypted dataset, maintaining confidentiality of non-matching information while enabling targeted access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a single key is used for both decryption and search operations, then system complexity is reduced, but security deteriorates (compromise of one key affects both functions)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekey management complexityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cryptographic key into a decryption key and a derivation key, allowing each key to be optimized for its specific function. This segmentation enhances security because compromising one key does not necessarily compromise the other function. The decryption key remains secure for decryption operations while the derivation key enables safe keyword search operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2002595B1Method and system for decipherable searchable encryption
Publication Date: 2012.12.26 THALES DIS FRANCE SA
  • EP2002595B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2002595B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2002595B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention concerns a method for encrypting/decrypting a message (m) including the following steps: generating keys comprising sub-steps which consist in: generating a public key (pk); generating a decryption key (dk); generating a derivation key (tk); for a first entity, encrypting said message (m) using said public key (pk) and a cipher (c); for a second entity, decrypting the cipher (c) to find said message (m); generating a trapdoor associated with said message (m), said trapdoor corresponding to a derivative of said derivation key specific to said message (m); for a test cipher (c'), testing, using said trapdoor associated with said message (m), if the test cipher (c') is an encryption (c) of said message (m) using said public key (pk).