Zero Knowledge Proof Generation for Sensing Device Data Privacy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current data protection mechanisms in wireless networks, particularly in Sensing-as-a-Service features of 5G and 6G networks, fail to adequately address privacy and security concerns related to sensed data.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus utilizing Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology to generate and verify proofs that a statement concerning sensed data is true, without revealing the sensed data itself. This involves acquiring sensed data, applying a shared logic function to determine statement verification, generating a ZKP using public and private data, deleting the sensed data, and sending the ZKP to a verifier device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current data protection mechanisms are used, then data security is maintained, but privacy protection for sensed data is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidprivacy leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential verification function from the raw sensed data by generating Zero Knowledge Proofs. The sensed data is deleted after proof generation, extracting only the necessary verification information while removing the harmful privacy leakage risk. This allows verification of statements about sensed data without revealing the data itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The Zero Knowledge Proof acts as an intermediary between the sensed data and the verification process. Instead of directly processing or storing the sensed data, the system uses ZKP to mediate the verification, ensuring that even the verifier cannot access the original data while still being able to verify the statement's truthfulness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If sensed data is stored and processed, then verification capability is maintained, but data privacy and security are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification capabilityVSAvoiddata privacy risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by generating Zero Knowledge Proofs before any verification or data processing occurs. The sensed data is processed to create cryptographic proofs that can be verified later without needing to access or store the original data, eliminating privacy risks while maintaining verification capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of storing the original sensed data, the system creates a cryptographic copy in the form of a Zero Knowledge Proof. This copy contains all necessary verification information but reveals nothing about the original data, allowing verification without compromising privacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Object-affected harmful factors

If sensed data is deleted after processing, then privacy is protected, but verification of data statements becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidverification reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs the verification-capable processing action before data deletion. By generating Zero Knowledge Proofs while the sensed data still exists, the system preserves verification reliability. After proof generation, the data can be safely deleted without compromising the ability to verify statements about the original data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4535718A1Zero knowledge proof generation for sensing devices
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4535718A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4535718A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4535718A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method comprising: acquiring sensed data; obtaining public data shared with a Zero Knowledge Proof, ZKP, verifier device; applying a logic function to the sensed data to determine whether a statement concerning the sensed data is verified or not, wherein the logic function is shared with the ZKP verifier device; generating a ZKP that the statement is true by applying a ZKP generation algorithm to the public data and private data using the logic function, the private data including the sensed data; deleting the sensed data once the ZKP has been generated; sending the ZKP to the ZKP verifier device; wherein deleting the sensed data is performed before sending the ZKP to the ZKP verifier device.