Encrypted Dynamic Addresses for Secure ESL Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Retail stores face challenges with paper price labels, including high maintenance costs, environmental waste, and human errors, which can be addressed by using electronic shelf label (ESL) devices for dynamic price updates. Additionally, existing ESL systems lack secure positioning determination and network integrity, allowing external entities to map the ESL devices or system.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of secure ESL position determination systems using encrypted dynamic addresses, where ESL devices generate and transmit encrypted address information based on configuration and encryption, enabling secure positioning without compromising network integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ESL systems use static addresses for position determination, then positioning functionality is simple to implement, but external entities can map and compromise network integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork integrityVSAvoidaddress generation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic address generation where ESL devices create time-varying addresses based on configuration information and encryption keys. The address changes periodically according to a beacon interval, preventing external entities from mapping static addresses while maintaining positioning functionality. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by making addresses adaptable rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the address parameter over time using cryptographic functions. The address is generated from configuration information received from the ESL server and stored encryption information, creating a new address for each beacon interval. This parameter transformation ensures network security without requiring complex additional hardware or protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If ESL systems implement secure position determination with encrypted addresses, then network integrity is protected, but address generation and transmission complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition determination securityVSAvoidencryption processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary encryption setup during initialization, where the ESL device receives configuration information from the server and stores encryption keys in advance. This preliminary action prepares the device for secure address generation without adding complexity during runtime operations. The encryption processing is done beforehand, resolving the contradiction between security and operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ESL device autonomously generates encrypted addresses using its stored encryption information and received configuration data. The device self-manages the cryptographic operations without requiring continuous external intervention or complex centralized control. This self-service approach maintains security while simplifying system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If ESL devices transmit encrypted dynamic addresses in beacon transmissions, then secure positioning is achieved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning securityVSAvoidESL device power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transmits encrypted addresses periodically in beacon transmissions at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. This periodic action reduces power consumption significantly compared to continuous transmission while maintaining positioning security. The ESL device can enter low-power states between beacons, resolving the contradiction between security and energy usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The encrypted address remains valid throughout each beacon interval, providing continuous positioning security without requiring repeated transmission. The useful action of position determination is maintained continuously through the valid encrypted address, while power is consumed only periodically during beacon transmission events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20250267458A1Preventing external entities from providing location services using private ESL systems

Publication Date: 2025.08.21 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) systems that support secure ESL position determination. In a first aspect, a device for wireless communication includes at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to cause the device to: obtain configuration information for position determination; receive, from an electronic shelf label (ESL) access point (AP), a beacon start transmission including address generation information; generate, using encryption information, encrypted address information based on stored device specific information, the configuration information, and the address generation information; and transmit the encrypted address information, the encrypted address information corresponding to a dynamic encrypted address, the encrypted address information configured to enable secure position determination. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.