Wearable Contact Tracing with Edge-Encrypted Log Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact detection and tracing systems using wearable devices face challenges in securely transmitting log data to the rightful owner without visibility to third parties, especially in environments where mobile phones are unavailable or forbidden, necessitating indirect and insecure data routes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving wearable devices broadcasting unique identifiers, generating log data, and using a server entity, edge device, and computing device to encrypt and securely transfer these data to the user's device through key pairs and secure transmission protocols, ensuring privacy and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If log data are transmitted directly from wearable devices to computing devices, then data security is improved, but device availability deteriorates in environments where mobile phones are forbidden or unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an edge device as an intermediary component that bridges wearable devices and computing devices. The edge device receives log data from wearable devices, performs initial processing and encryption, then forwards data to computing devices. This mediator enables data transmission in environments where direct phone-to-device communication is forbidden or unavailable, while maintaining security through encrypted channels and authentication mechanisms.
2Productivity
If log data are made accessible to organization providers for contact tracing, then contact tracing capability is improved, but data privacy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by allowing different levels of data access for different entities. The edge device and organization providers can access encrypted log data for contact tracing purposes, while the actual content remains private to the individual user. The system enables selective access where metadata and encrypted data are visible to authorities for tracing, but decrypted personal information remains exclusively accessible to the data owner, thus maintaining privacy while enabling contact tracing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary encryption of log data at the edge device before data leaves the wearable device. This preliminary security action ensures that data is protected throughout the transmission and storage process, allowing organization providers to handle encrypted data for contact tracing without compromising privacy. The encryption is established in advance, before any potential privacy breach could occur.
3Adaptability or versatility
If indirect data transmission routes are used for wearable devices without direct phone connections, then adaptability to restricted environments is improved, but security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The edge device serves as a secure intermediary that manages the indirect transmission route. It implements authentication protocols to verify the identity of wearable devices and computing devices, establishes encrypted communication channels, and controls data flow. This mediator architecture maintains security despite the indirect route by introducing controlled access points with strong security measures, rather than allowing uncontrolled direct peer-to-peer communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by pre-establishing security measures including device authentication, data encryption, and access control policies before data transmission begins. The edge device is configured with security protocols in advance, and cryptographic keys are distributed beforehand, creating a cushion of security that protects the indirect transmission route from potential attacks or unauthorized access.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for enabling contact detection among a plurality of persons and for enabling contact tracing for the plurality of persons individually, by means of each of the plurality of persons wearing or carrying a wearable device of a plurality of wearable devices, the wearable devices having or being associated or assigned to, respectively, a tag identifier, the tag identifiers being repeatedly broadcast by the wearable devices, respectively, using a wireless communication interface of the wearable devices, wherein, in a contact situation of a wearable device with a further wearable device of the plurality of wearable devices, the wearable device is able, by means of the wearable device's wireless communication interface and with respect to the further wearable device, to determine repeatedly the distance, at different points in time, towards the further wearable device and to receive the further wearable device's tag identifier, thereby generating and storing log data of the contact situation of the wearable device with the further wearable device, wherein in order to provide for an individual contact tracing regarding the wearable device a computing device, associated to the person wearing the wearable device, is used as well as a server entity or functionality and an edge device, the method comprising the following steps: -- in a first step, the computing device generates a key pair comprising a private key and a public key, and the computing device transmits the public key to the server entity or functionality, -- in a second step, the log data, being generated while the wearable device is used, are stored in the wearable device, and the computing device receives, from the wearable device, the wearable device's tag identifier, -- in a third step, the log data, stored in the wearable device, are transmitted to the edge device, encrypted, by the edge device, involving the public key, and transmitted as encrypted log data to the server entity or functionality, -- in a fourth step, the encrypted log data are transmitted from the server entity or functionality to the computing device.