Home Network Secure Channel Reduction via Key Distribution Center

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for interconnecting multiple home networks require excessive secure channels and information management, leading to inefficiencies in resource sharing between networks.

Innovation Solution

Establishing secure channels between a first and second home network, and a second and third home network, where the second home network obtains device information and access policies from the first home network and forwards them to the third home network according to access policies, reducing the number of secure channels and information required to be saved and maintained.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If secure channels are established between every two home networks for resource sharing, then resource sharing capability is improved, but the number of secure channels and information management complexity increase excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource sharing capabilityVSAvoidnumber of secure channels
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a key distribution center (KDC) as an intermediary entity that manages secure channel establishment between home networks. Instead of requiring direct secure channels between every pair of home networks, the KDC acts as a mediator that generates and distributes session keys, reducing the overall number of secure channels needed while maintaining full resource sharing capability among all home networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If secure channels are established between every two home networks, then resource sharing is enabled, but the amount of information to be saved and maintained becomes too large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource sharing capabilityVSAvoidamount of information to be saved
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The key distribution center serves as a centralized information repository that stores master keys and generates session keys on demand. This eliminates the need for each home network to maintain copies of all other home networks' cryptographic information, significantly reducing the total amount of information that must be saved and maintained across the distributed system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the key management functions of multiple home networks into a single centralized key distribution center. By merging the key storage and management responsibilities into one entity, the system reduces redundant information storage while enabling all home networks to access the resources they need through the centralized key management infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2426864B1Home network, equipment information share method among the home networks, and home network system
Publication Date: 2016.06.22 HUAWEI DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP2426864B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2426864B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In the field of communications technologies, a home network, a method for sharing device information among home networks and a home network system are provided. The home network system includes a first home network, and a second home network having a first secure channel established with the first home network, so as to obtain an access policy and device information of the first home network through the first secure channel and provide the device information for a third home network having a second secure channel established with the second home network according to the access policy. Therefore, the device information is shared among the home networks, and the number of the secure channels to be established is reduced, and thereby the amount of information required to be stored and maintained is reduced.