System Of Smart Edge Sensors

What is this patent about?

’613 is related to the field of securing data in electronic devices, particularly those with multiple sensors that communicate with a central processor. The background involves the increasing vulnerability of sensor data to hacking, especially in devices like cellphones, wearables, and IoT devices. Existing security measures often focus on the communication link and the device's processor/OS, leaving sensor data exposed if these defenses are breached.

The underlying idea behind ’613 is to implement endpoint control by pushing security and encryption to the edge of the network, specifically at the sensor level. Instead of relying solely on securing the processor or communication channels, the invention places a 'smart edge module' directly between the sensor and the device's main processor. This module encrypts the raw sensor data before it ever reaches the processor, ensuring that even if a hacker gains access to the device, they can only access encrypted data.

The claims of ’613 focus on a smart edge module that sits between a sensor and the communication bus of an electronic device. This module includes an interface adapter to receive raw data from the sensor, a bus adapter for communication with the device bus, a module bus connecting these adapters, a module processor for encrypting the raw data, and a module memory storing a module operating system. Some claims specify the inclusion of an encryption accelerator or a command filter to discard unauthorized communications.

In practice, the smart edge module intercepts the raw data signal from the sensor, encrypts it using a key, and then transmits the encrypted signal to the device's processor. The processor only receives encrypted data, so any data stored or transmitted by the processor remains secure. The module can also include a pre-processing stage to filter the raw data, reducing the amount of data that needs to be encrypted and transmitted, thereby saving power and bandwidth. A device driver facilitates communication between the device processor and the smart edge module, handling only encrypted data.

This approach differs from prior solutions by shifting the security focus from the central processor and communication channels to the sensor itself. By encrypting the data at the source, the invention mitigates the risk of data breaches even if other security layers are compromised. The use of a local contract , potentially a blockchain contract, within the smart edge module allows for secure management of encryption keys and access control, ensuring that only authorized parties can decrypt and use the sensor data. The smart edge module can be implemented as a system-on-a-chip (SoC) for enhanced security and integration.