Power Use Adjustment System Using Segmented Cipher Servers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing demand response systems for power usage adjustment in smart grids face challenges in protecting user privacy, as schedule information collected for demand response can be stolen, leading to potential privacy invasions if compromised.
Innovation Solution
A power use adjustment system that employs a network of physically independent servers to encrypt and adjust user schedule information, using cipher and mask servers to protect privacy, while ensuring load balancing on power supply equipment by shifting power consumption across time slots, with a mechanism to change adjustment rules if the integrated schedule information does not meet predetermined conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If user schedule information is collected and processed by a centralized server for demand response, then power consumption can be effectively adjusted and load balancing achieved, but user privacy is compromised and the system becomes vulnerable to security attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized server into multiple physically independent servers (first server, second server, third server) that collectively process demand response. Each server handles specific functions: the first server collects encrypted schedule information, the second server generates adjustment rules, and the third server transmits control instructions. This segmentation ensures that no single server contains all user data, reducing privacy risks while maintaining overall system functionality for power consumption adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces encrypted schedule information as an intermediary form between raw user data and processed control instructions. User schedule information is encrypted before being transmitted to servers, and the encryption keys are distributed across multiple servers. This intermediary encryption layer protects user privacy during transmission and processing, while still enabling the servers to collectively perform demand response adjustments on power consumption.
2Device complexity
If a centralized server stores all user schedule information, then demand response control is simplified, but the system becomes a single point of failure and privacy vulnerability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized server architecture into multiple physically independent servers, each storing only partial encrypted information or performing specific functions. The first server stores encrypted schedule information, the second server stores adjustment rules, and the third server transmits control instructions. This segmentation eliminates the single point of failure while maintaining relatively simple system operation through standardized communication protocols between servers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by pre-distributing encryption keys and data segments across multiple servers before any security incident occurs. Each server is configured with only a portion of the total system information, so that even if one server is compromised, the attacker cannot reconstruct complete user schedules without access to all servers. This proactive distribution of information cushions the system against potential security attacks.
3Reliability
If multiple physically independent servers are used to protect privacy, then user information security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing each server with multi-functional capabilities. Each server can perform multiple roles: data storage, encryption/decryption, rule generation, and control instruction transmission. For example, the first server not only stores encrypted schedule information but also participates in generating adjustment rules. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized dedicated components, thereby limiting overall system complexity while maintaining security through physical server independence.
4Reliability
If schedule information is encrypted and distributed across servers, then privacy protection is enhanced, but information processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-encrypting user schedule information before it is transmitted to servers, and pre-distributing encryption keys across the server network. The encrypted format is prepared in advance, allowing servers to process the data without needing to decrypt it during demand response operations. This preliminary encryption prepares the information for secure processing while maintaining efficiency, as the encrypted data can be directly used for aggregation and analysis across multiple servers without real-time decryption overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
An example information processing device includes first and second receiving units, a deciding unit, and first and second transmitting units. The first receiving unit receives adjustment limit information from a plurality of first external devices. The deciding unit determines adjustment rules on the basis of the adjustment limit information. The first transmitting unit transmits the adjustment rules to second and third external devices. The second receiving unit receives determination information from a fourth external device. The second transmitting unit transmits the adjustment rules to the first external devices when integrated schedule information satisfies a condition. When the integrated schedule information does not satisfy the condition, the deciding unit changes the adjustment rules. When the deciding unit has changed the adjustment rules, the first transmitting unit transmits new adjustment rules to the second and third external devices.