Partial Integrity Mode Switching for Secure Vehicle Image Links

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data communication systems in vehicles lack the ability to efficiently manage and secure large volumes of image data from multiple sensors while adhering to power and thermal constraints, leading to potential loss of image quality and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a scalable data security scheme that allows for partial integrity modes of data protection, using message authentication codes (MAC) to protect specific portions of image data based on computational capacity, power consumption, thermal budgets, and operational modes, with AI agents determining configuration changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If full integrity mode of data protection is applied to all image data, then data security and reliability are improved, but power consumption and heat generation increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments image data into multiple frames and applies different integrity protection modes to different frames. Specifically, it uses full integrity mode for select frames (e.g., frames containing critical information) and partial integrity mode for other frames, thereby reducing overall computational overhead and power consumption while maintaining security for critical data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different quality levels of data protection to different portions of the data stream. By identifying specific frames that require higher security and applying full integrity mode only to those frames, while using lighter protection for other frames, the system optimizes the balance between security and power consumption based on local requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If full integrity mode of data protection is applied to all image data, then data security and reliability are improved, but heat generation increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments image data into multiple frames and applies different integrity protection modes to different frames. Specifically, it uses full integrity mode for select frames (e.g., frames containing critical information) and partial integrity mode for other frames, thereby reducing overall computational overhead and power consumption while maintaining security for critical data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different quality levels of data protection to different portions of the data stream. By identifying specific frames that require higher security and applying full integrity mode only to those frames, while using lighter protection for other frames, the system optimizes the balance between security and power consumption based on local requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If data protection configuration is changed dynamically, then adaptability to different operational conditions is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching between different data protection configurations based on operational conditions. The system can transition between full integrity mode, partial integrity mode, and other protection levels depending on factors such as power availability, thermal conditions, and security requirements, making the system adaptive to changing environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system includes mechanisms for automatically selecting appropriate data protection configurations based on monitored operational parameters. By self-adjusting the protection level according to current system state and requirements, the system reduces the need for manual configuration while maintaining optimal security and performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12568372B2Mode switch for partial integrity security operations

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A processing circuit is coupled to imaging devices through multiple data communication links. Each data communication link couples at least one imaging device with the processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to determine when a change is required in a first data protection configuration that protects first image data transmitted over a first data communication link, and determine a second data protection configuration to be used when second image data is transmitted from a first imaging device over the first data communication link to an image processing circuit. The first data protection configuration or the second data protection configuration provides a partial integrity mode of data protection for frames of image data transmitted over the first data communication link. The partial integrity mode protects some, but not all frames of image data transmitted over the first data communication link using a message authentication code.