Digital Safety Box for Secure Device Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secure communication methods between computing devices over public networks rely on third-party systems for digital certificates and encryption keys, which can be vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks and require agreement on shared symmetric encryption keys, making them susceptible to snooping and exposure.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a digital safety box that generates a unique encryption key and executable code for temporary secure communication between two computing devices, allowing direct encryption and decryption of content without the need for trusted third parties, using a public and private encryption key pair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If third-party systems are used to generate and manage digital certificates and encryption keys, then communication security can be provided, but the system becomes vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks and requires trusted intermediaries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the security management function from third-party systems and embeds it directly into the communication devices themselves. Each device generates and manages its own encryption keys and digital certificates locally, eliminating the need for external certificate authorities and key management services. This extraction removes the vulnerability point that third-party systems represent while maintaining cryptographic security.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication devices perform self-service by autonomously generating encryption key pairs, creating digital certificates, and managing their own security credentials without requiring external intermediaries. The devices independently establish secure communication channels through direct key exchange protocols, making the system self-sufficient and resistant to attacks targeting third-party infrastructure.
2Reliability
If shared symmetric encryption keys are agreed upon between two computing devices, then temporary communication security can be provided, but the key exchange process is susceptible to snooping and exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using asymmetric encryption (public-key cryptography) instead of symmetric encryption for the key exchange process. Each device generates a key pair with a public key and a private key. The public keys are exchanged openly without security risks, while the private keys never leave their respective devices. This asymmetric approach eliminates the snooping vulnerability inherent in symmetric key exchange while enabling secure communication.
3Reliability
If digital certificates and encryption keys are managed by third-party systems, then ongoing communication security can be maintained, but the complexity of the system increases due to multiple intermediaries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the certificate authority and key management functions from the system architecture and relocates them to individual communication devices. Each device maintains its own security credentials and verifies the authenticity of communication partners through direct cryptographic verification, eliminating the need for certificate authorities, registration agencies, and other intermediary systems. This reduction in system components directly reduces overall system complexity.
4Reliability
If trusted third parties are required for secure communication, then digital certificates can be verified, but the ease of operation decreases due to dependency on external systems
Solution Approach 1:
The communication devices perform self-service by autonomously generating, storing, and managing their own digital certificates and encryption keys. The verification process is simplified as devices directly verify each other's credentials through cryptographic protocols without requiring connection to external certificate authorities or registration services. This self-managed approach eliminates operational dependencies on third-party infrastructure while maintaining verification reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for generating and executing a digital safety box to provide secure communication between two computing devices. The digital safety box comprises an encryption key, and an executable code that defines a content holder and performs encryption of content stored in the content holder with the encryption key for secure communication. A receiver computing device generates the digital safety box including the executable code and the encryption key for a requesting sender computing device. The digital safety box may be one-time use and include a unique encryption key and a unique executable code. Upon receiving the digital safety box, the sender computing device executes the executable code of the digital safety box as an application that enables the sender computing device to store content in the defined content holder, encrypt the data with the encryption key, and generate a sealed digital safety box including the encrypted content.