Smoking Substitute Device Encryption Key Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current smoking substitute devices lack robust security measures for data storage and transmission, particularly for network-enabled devices, which can compromise user data and security, especially as the number of functional components and usage data increases.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a security architecture that uses three unique encryption keys for firmware, usage data, and wireless transmission data, stored securely within the device and on a server, ensuring that each device has a distinct combination of keys, making unauthorized access more difficult and deterrent to hackers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple functional components and data storage are added to smoking substitute devices, then device functionality and data capacity are improved, but security vulnerability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the encryption system into separate encryption keys for different data types (firmware encryption key, usage data encryption key, and transmission encryption key). This segmentation ensures that compromise of one key does not affect others, thereby maintaining security while supporting multiple functional components and data storage capabilities.
2Reliability
If robust security measures are implemented, then data protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The security architecture is segmented into distinct encryption keys for different data types, with each key managed separately. This approach provides robust data protection while keeping the complexity manageable through clear separation of security functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that stores encryption keys and facilitates secure communication between devices. This mediator handles the complexity of key management and secure data transmission, reducing the burden on the device itself while maintaining strong security.
3Reliability
If unique encryption keys are stored securely within the device, then data integrity is improved, but storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as an intermediary that stores the encryption keys externally. This allows the device to maintain data integrity through secure key storage while minimizing local storage requirements, as the keys are managed on the server rather than being stored in full within the device memory.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A smoking substitute device is provided comprising a control unit, a communications interface, and a memory configured to store firmware for the control of the smoking substitute device. The firmware is encrypted by a first encryption key. The control unit is configured to encrypt data relating to the use of the smoking substitute device using a second encryption key and record a data log in the memory, comprising the encrypted data relating to the usage of the smoking substitute device. The smoking substitute device is configured to transmit information to and receive information from a mobile device via the communications interface. The information transmitted to or received from the mobile device via the communications interface is encrypted using a third encryption key.