General Purpose Mobile Device for Secure Avionic Key Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional avionic key loading systems require dedicated and costly appliances for loading cryptographic information into electronic devices, which is inefficient and expensive, especially for secure communications like airline communications.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a general-purpose mobile device (GPMD) to initiate cryptographic information loading by establishing a connection with a server, authenticating the user and device, and securely transferring cryptographic information to the electronic device, eliminating the need for a dedicated key loading appliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated key loading appliance is used to load cryptographic information, then security and reliability are improved, but device cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling a general-purpose mobile device to perform cryptographic key loading functions traditionally reserved for dedicated appliances. The mobile device executes a cryptographic information loading application that allows it to authenticate with key management servers, retrieve cryptographic information, and securely load it into electronic devices, thereby eliminating the need for expensive dedicated key loading appliances while maintaining security requirements
2Reliability
If a dedicated key loading appliance is used, then cryptographic information loading is secure, but cost increases to $5,000-$10,000 per device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by replacing expensive dedicated key loading appliances with inexpensive general-purpose mobile devices. The mobile devices already exist in users' possession and can be used for key loading without requiring specialized hardware infrastructure, dramatically reducing the cost from thousands of dollars to essentially zero additional hardware cost
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves multiple functions including communication, computing, and now cryptographic key loading. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated key loading appliances, reducing overall system cost while maintaining the ability to perform secure cryptographic operations
3Reliability
If dedicated key loading appliances are deployed, then key loading function is specialized and reliable, but versatility and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the key loading system more adaptable by using general-purpose mobile devices that can run cryptographic information loading applications. These devices can adapt to different electronic devices requiring key loading (aviation, maritime, automotive, etc.) and can communicate with key management servers over various networks (cellular, Wi-Fi, satellite), providing both versatility and functional reliability
Data Source
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AI summary
One embodiment is directed to a method for managing cryptographic information. The method includes initiating cryptographic information loading application on a general purpose mobile device (GPMD) and establishing a connection between the GPMD and a server that includes cryptographic information. Authentication input is received from a user of the GPMD. Data identifying the GPMD and the authentication input is sent from the GPMD to the server for authentication of the GPMD and the user. The GPMD also sends data identifying an electronic device into which cryptographic information is to be loaded. In response, the GPMD receives cryptographic information for the electronic device at the GPMD from the server. The GPMD then sends the cryptographic information from the GPMD to the electronic device for loading therein.