Self-Synchronizing Cryptographic System Using Ciphertext Pattern Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cryptographic systems lack a self-synchronizing mode of operation, making it difficult for communication devices to automatically resynchronize and join established conversations, especially in scenarios where synchronization information and initialization variables have already been sent to participants.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a self-synchronizing cryptographic system using a sponge construction framework with a unique permutation function, allowing communication devices to synchronize based on pseudo-random events detected in the ciphertext, enabling automatic resynchronization and late network entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional cryptographic system is used, then encryption and decryption can be performed, but the system lacks self-synchronization capability making it difficult for devices to automatically resynchronize and join established conversations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveself-synchronization capabilityVSAvoidautomatic resynchronization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cryptographic system performs self-synchronization by automatically detecting patterns in the ciphertext stream and re-initializing its internal state without external intervention. The system monitors the ciphertext for predefined patterns and autonomously resets its cryptographic state when detected, enabling automatic resynchronization and late network entry without requiring manual synchronization operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes its operational parameters by re-initializing the cryptographic algorithm's internal state based on detected patterns in the ciphertext. When a pattern is detected, the system transitions from its current cryptographic state to a new initialized state, allowing it to adapt to the ongoing communication stream and maintain synchronization with other participants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If synchronization information is sent to all participants, then synchronization can be maintained, but this increases communication overhead and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization maintenanceVSAvoidsynchronization protocol
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The synchronization functionality is extracted from the main cryptographic algorithm, allowing the pattern detection and state re-initialization to operate independently. This modular approach enables the cryptographic core to focus on encryption/ decryption while the extracted synchronization mechanism autonomously monitors ciphertext patterns and manages state recovery, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the ciphertext stream for predefined patterns and using this information to automatically adjust its internal state. The detected patterns serve as feedback signals that trigger state re-initialization, creating a closed-loop synchronization mechanism that maintains reliability without requiring external synchronization commands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If pattern detection is performed continuously, then self-synchronization can be achieved, but this increases processing time and computational overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic resynchronizationVSAvoidsynchronization delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs pattern detection at periodic intervals rather than continuously, checking the ciphertext stream at defined points for the presence of synchronization patterns. This periodic approach balances the need for timely synchronization with computational efficiency, reducing processing overhead while maintaining the ability to detect and respond to synchronization opportunities as they occur in the encrypted stream.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4075718B1Self-synchronizing mode of operation for an encryption/decryption algorithm
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 L3HARRIS GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS INC
  • EP4075718B1 patent drawingFigure 1
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  • EP4075718B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for operating a cryptographic system. The methods comprise: obtaining ciphertext by the cryptographic system; performing operations by the cryptographic system to determine whether a given sequence of values exits within the ciphertext; and synchronizing the cryptographic system with another cryptographic system using the ciphertext as a bitrate portion of an initialization value for a cryptographic algorithm and zero as a capacity portion of the initialization value for the cryptographic algorithm, when a determination is made that the given sequence of values exist within the ciphertext.