Energy-Aware Encryption Timing for Data at Rest and in Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data encryption technologies do not account for energy considerations, such as energy cost and source, during data at rest and in motion encryption operations, leading to inefficient energy usage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing machine learning models to predict encryption times and recommend encryption modules that consider energy awareness, including energy costs and sources, to optimize encryption operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hardware-based encryption methods are used for data at rest encryption, then encryption speed and CPU offloading are improved, but energy consumption is not accounted for and may be excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveencryption speedVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects between hardware-based and software-based encryption methods based on real-time energy conditions, data size, and urgency requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to use hardware encryption when energy availability is high and switch to software encryption when energy conservation is prioritized, resolving the contradiction between encryption speed and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters of encryption by introducing energy awareness as a new decision parameter. The encryption module considers energy cost, renewable energy availability, and data urgency to determine the appropriate encryption approach, transforming the static hardware-based encryption into a flexible system that adapts to varying energy conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If encryption operations are performed immediately when data needs to be encrypted, then data security is improved, but energy costs may be high and renewable energy sources may not be available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoidenergy cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of energy conditions and renewable energy availability before executing encryption operations. By checking energy costs and source types in advance, the system can determine the optimal time to perform encryption, ensuring data security while taking advantage of low-cost or renewable energy periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor energy conditions, renewable energy generation, and encryption queue status. This feedback allows the system to adjust encryption timing dynamically, delaying non-urgent encryption operations until favorable energy conditions arise while maintaining security for urgent data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple encryption modules are available for selection, then encryption flexibility and energy optimization are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveencryption module selectionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces an intermediary energy awareness module that mediates between multiple encryption modules and the data encryption process. This intermediary assesses energy conditions and recommends appropriate encryption modules, providing flexibility and optimization without requiring the encryption modules themselves to be complex or self-aware of energy conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Use of energy by moving object

If encryption operations are delayed to take advantage of low energy costs, then energy consumption is reduced, but encryption time and data availability are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidencryption time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial encryption or prioritized encryption based on data urgency. For high-priority data, encryption is performed immediately even at higher energy costs, while lower-priority data is delayed until favorable energy conditions arise. This partial action approach ensures critical data security while optimizing energy consumption for non-critical operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20250238528A1Encrypting data at rest and data in motion with trustworthy energy awareness

Publication Date: 2025.07.24 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

Energy aware data encryption operations are disclosed. An awareness engine includes models configured to generate a recommendation that includes an encryption time and/or an encryption model. When the encryption operation is a data at rest encryption operation, the data is encrypted in accordance with the recommendation and stored at the storage system. When the encryption operation is a data in motion encryption operation, the data is encrypted and transmitted to a target storage system in accordance with the recommendation. At the target storage system, the encrypted may be stored in an encrypted form or decrypted and stored. The recommendations are configured to account for energy considerations including energy cost and/or energy source.