Inter-Chip Encryption for Secure Sensor and Control Data Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional information security mechanisms do not provide protection for information transmitted between different chips within a single electronic device, making it vulnerable to theft.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a control chip and sensing chip with encryption and decryption capabilities, where each chip encrypts output information using a unique key stored internally and outputs encrypted data via a shared transmission path, ensuring only authorized chips can decrypt the information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional information security mechanisms are used, then information transmission between electronic devices is protected, but information transmission between chips within the same device is vulnerable to theft

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation securityVSAvoidinformation theft risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the information security protection scope into segments: device-to-device transmission and chip-to-chip transmission. It applies different security mechanisms to each segment, with the encryption module specifically targeting intra-device chip communication to fill the security gap in conventional systems that only protected inter-device transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an encryption module as an intermediary component between the sensor chip and control chip. This module encrypts information before it is transmitted through the transmission path, acting as a security mediator that prevents unauthorized access while allowing legitimate communication between chips.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If encryption is implemented between chips, then information security is enhanced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation securityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the encryption and decryption functions into a single integrated encryption module that interfaces with both the sensor chip and control chip. This merging approach simplifies the overall system architecture compared to having separate encryption components in each chip, reducing system complexity while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The encryption module automatically performs encryption on information from the sensor chip and decryption for the control chip without requiring manual intervention or complex key management protocols. The system serves itself through automated cryptographic operations, reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20260039462A1Control chip, sensing chip and sensing system control method with information security mechanism
Publication Date: 2026.02.05 PIXART IMAGING INC
  • US20260039462A1 patent drawing
  • US20260039462A1 patent drawing
  • US20260039462A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A control chip, comprising: a control circuit, configured to encrypt output information by a key to generate encrypted information, and configured to output the encrypted information to a sensor via a transmission path, wherein the transmission path and the sensor are outside the control chip. A sensing chip is also disclosed, comprising: a sensor, configured to encrypt output information by a key to generate encrypted information, and outputs the encrypted information to a control circuit via a transmission path, wherein the control circuit and the transmission path are outside the sensing chip. A corresponding sensing system control method is also disclosed. Thereby a proper information security mechanism can be provided, to enhance the information security of information transmitted between different chips inside an electronic device.