Domino Modulation Scheme for Secure Wireless Cryptographic Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in securely exchanging cryptographic keys among authorized participants without exposing them to malicious third parties, which complicates the initiation of secure wireless communications and detracts from the benefits of wireless mobility and convenience.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that employs a suite of modulation techniques, randomly varying the selection of modulation schemes for data packet transmission following a domino pattern, allowing authorized participants to securely communicate without sharing a cryptographic key, forcing malicious eavesdroppers into an exhaustive search to break the encryption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional encryption methods with pre-shared keys are used, then secure communication is achieved, but the key exchange process becomes complex and requires additional wired connections or offline methods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication securityVSAvoidkey exchange complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the key exchange problem from the communication setup process by using physical layer modulation characteristics instead of traditional cryptographic key exchange. The modulation scheme itself becomes the security mechanism, eliminating the need for separate key distribution channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces modulation schemes as an intermediary between communication parties, where the modulation characteristics serve as the security medium. This intermediary enables secure communication without requiring direct key sharing or wired connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If wired connections are required for key exchange, then secure key distribution is possible, but wireless mobility and convenience are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey distribution securityVSAvoidwireless mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless electromagnetic field-based modulation system. The security is achieved through signal modulation characteristics rather than physical connection requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication system performs its own key distribution function through the modulation schemes embedded in the wireless signals themselves, eliminating the need for external wired infrastructure or manual key exchange procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If close range infrared communication is used for key exchange, then wireless key distribution is achieved, but the risk of interception by malicious third parties increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless key exchangeVSAvoideavesdropping risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter space from infrared wavelength to radio frequency modulation characteristics. This parameter change enables wireless communication while making interception more difficult due to the nature of RF signal detection and the complexity of analyzing modulation patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If shared cryptographic keys are used, then data encryption is effective, but the initialization process becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata encryption effectivenessVSAvoidinitialization time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by embedding security parameters directly into the modulation schemes used from the start of communication. The security mechanism is prepared in advance through the selection and application of specific modulation characteristics rather than requiring separate key generation and distribution steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7680278B2Domino scheme for wireless cryptographic communication and communication method incorporating same

Publication Date: 2010.03.16 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A system and method for secure wireless cryptographic communication among participants in a wireless computing network is presented. This secure communication method is based on a random modulation technique and a domino match. Once the initial modulation scheme is selected, each data transmission includes an indication of what modulation scheme should be used for the next data transmission. If a given number of bits are to be used, the modulation scheme for the final transmission may be limited to complete the bit transfer. The bit value assignments within particular modulation schemes may also be varied for each subsequent transmission.