Sensor Encryption Selection for Secure Low-Power Data Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data communication systems face increased size, cost, and power consumption due to the need for all sensors to execute high-security encryption processes, even when handling low-confidentiality data, leading to over-designed processors.

Innovation Solution

A data communication system where each sensor determines its encryption scheme and hashing scheme based on its confidentiality level, allowing the host device to communicate securely with sensors using appropriate encryption and hashing schemes, reducing the need for over-designed processors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all sensors execute high-security encryption processes, then data security level is improved, but processor size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata security levelVSAvoidprocessor size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring different encryption schemes for different sensors based on their specific data confidentiality requirements. High-confidentiality sensors use high-security encryption while low-confidentiality sensors use low-security encryption, ensuring each sensor has the appropriate security level without all sensors requiring over-designed processors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the encryption security level parameter based on sensor type and data confidentiality classification. By adjusting the encryption scheme parameter (high-security vs. low-security) according to specific sensor requirements, the system achieves appropriate security without uniformly equipping all sensors with high-security processing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If all sensors execute high-security encryption processes, then data security level is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata security levelVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by assigning different encryption security levels to different sensors based on their data confidentiality classification. This ensures that only sensors handling high-confidentiality data consume the additional power required for high-security encryption, while low-confidentiality sensors operate with lower power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by implementing high-security encryption only where necessary (for high-confidentiality data) rather than applying it universally to all sensors. This partial application of high-security encryption reduces overall system power consumption while maintaining security where required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If all sensors are equipped with over-designed processors, then data security level is improved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata security levelVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses cheaper processors for sensors handling low-confidentiality data, replacing the need for expensive high-security processors in those applications. This substitution reduces overall system cost while maintaining adequate security for each sensor's specific data type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If the host device executes high-speed encryption processing for all sensors, then data security level is improved, but host device power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata security levelVSAvoidhost device power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by assigning different encryption security levels to different sensors based on their data confidentiality classification. This ensures that the host device only performs high-speed high-security encryption processing when communicating with sensors handling high-confidentiality data, reducing overall host device power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12587508B2Data communication system, data communication device, host device, data communication method, and data communication program

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 MURATA MFG CO LTD

AI summary

A data communication system includes at least one data communication device, and a host device capable of communicating with the at least one data communication device. Each of the at least one data communication device transmits encryption information to the host device, the encryption information being related to an encryption scheme previously determined in correspondence with the data communication device. The host device receives the encryption information from each of the at least one data communication device. The host device and each of the at least one data communication device perform data communication with each other based on the encryption information.