WO2019220312A1

WO2019220312A1 - A method of uniquely decrypting data at time of data use with wireless communication authentication sensor

Info

Publication number: WO2019220312A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/053939
Authority: WO
Inventors: Terrence Keith Ashwin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-05-14
Filing date: 2019-05-13
Publication date: 2019-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 2020-11-14

Abstract

A wireless communication identification sensor for decrypting data at time of data use comprising a wifi BSSID combined with programmable SSID data, wherein the BSSID in combination the programmable data is configurable to identify the sensor, which identification is required to decrypt data on a data processor, in use. The sensor uses a software application enables the user to input and store personal identifying information on the user sensor as an aspect of the SSID data broadcast, alternately a user may input said information on a remote server which interacts with the software application and communicates the user information when appropriately accessed.

Description

A METHOD OF UNIQUELY DECRYPTING DATA AT TIME OF DATA USE WITH WIRELESS COMMUNICATION AUTHENTICATION SENSOR

The present invention relates to a method of uniquely decrypting data at time of data display using a wifi communication authentication sensor to authenticate an authorised user.

BACKGOUND

The use of wireless communication systems such as wifi and blue tooth routers are well known. Similarly, wireless communication devices which are enabled to report the occurrence of a notifiable event through the internet are well known. By example, a suitably enabled tracking device may be programmed to transmit a gps coordinate notification to an internet server upon a vehicle being involved a collision. The event is logged, stored on the server and the event data being individually transmitted as a report at a later point to a user, again through internet and GSM communication.

Of particular relevance to the invention is the ability to detect the unique identity of a wireless communication device by other wireless communication devices regardless of whether the devices are a known or affiliated with one another. In this regard, the invention pertains to the use of a BSSID (basic service set identifier) associated with wifi communication devices as a unique device identification means. As is known to those skilled in the prior art - every wifi engine is manufactured with a unique BSSID at time of manufacture and the BSSID is fixed and non-changeable. Accordingly, when the wifi engine of a wireless communication device broadcasts its identification data - the BSSID is broadcast and readable by any suitably enabled device. As the BSSID of a wifi engine is detectable without authentication - the unique BSSID can be even be detected by unaffiliated or unpaired wifi devices thus making identification possible. It would thus be beneficial to create a method and apparatus for using the BSSID of a wifi communication device for at least one of: securely communicating data; uniquely identifying and tracking the user of such device; authenticating the identity of a device user; enabling access of a device user; regulating use of electronic devices; regulating use of software; activating device or software functionality; use for emergency purposes.

The invention seeks to provide a suitable I/O devices for use with a wireless network communication system that at least partially ameliorates the abovementioned disadvantages associated with the prior art.

The term I/O refers to devices being input-output enabled, whereby they can transmit data and process instructional data received and transmitted.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a wireless communication identification sensor for decrypting data at time of data use comprising a wifi BSSID combined with programmable SSID data, wherein the BSSID in combination with the programmable data is configurable to identify the sensor, which identification is required to decrypt data on a data processor. In use, the sensor is affiliated with a user whose identity and authority to view, alternately listen to the encrypted data transact is registered on a suitable database. Conveniently, the data is partially decrypted in accordance with use, whereby only data imminently required by the user is decrypted. By example, a user viewing a document on a reader comprising a sensor of the invention, does not decrypt the entire document at time of opening the data file. Rather, only the pages which the user needs to view are decrypted as and when they are required. Accordingly, while the entire document may be decrypted, decryption of the file contents occurs in intervals. The decryption may be activated by active screen view and decrypted with the scrolling of screens by the user. Alternately, when the data comprises an audio file - the sound broadcast is decrypted in ten second intervals.

Conveniently the quantity of data decrypted per interval may be customisable. This would ameliorate the problem associated with buffering of files. By example, three pages before and after the active screen are decrypted in the same interval as the active screen being viewed by the user.

Conveniently the decryption may be dependent on at least one of time, date, location, number of times decrypted, user access validation.

Conveniently, the encryption and decryption is unique to the sensor of the invention. Accordingly, the data is only decryptable using a computing device integral with the sensor. By example, a decrypting sensor acting as a router may be affiliated with a plurality of sensors, whereby the affiliated sensors and their data readers are able to decrypt the data by virtue of communicating with the router sensor.

Conveniently the programmable data comprises an instruction data set, wherein a computing device with enabling software for analysing and processing the data set causes an activation, alternately deactivation of a function associated with the sensor. By example, the first three programmable characters of said programmable data when using enabling software to analyse and process the SSID data - result in the initiation of a message to be transmitted by the sensor. In the case of a decrypting data using the sensor to identify the user - the activation of a sensor broadcasts an authentication notification which notification is automatically detected by decryption software which is tasked with processing the decryption.

Conveniently the sensor information is readable using a suitably enabled software application on a wireless communication device, wherein the software, once activated, searches for wifi networks resulting in sensors within wifi range being detected. The signal strength of the sensor relative to the wireless communication device is used to determine the location of the sensor, when using the enabling software.

Conveniently the software application, which when loaded on to a suitably enabled computing device, serves as the user interface to activate the sensor functionality. In particular, the software application may either pair with an external sensor, alternately, utilise its own hardware having BSSID and SSID and thereby enabling the computing device to act as a sensor of the invention.

Preferably, the software application enables the user to input and store personal identifying information on the user device, alternately on a remote server which has enabling software and hardware to interact with the software application and communicate the user information.

Conveniently the software application provides the user with a plurality of buttons, alternately tabs to activate a desired decryption service. By example, the software application display screen comprises a Banking Information + "account name" tab; and an Music + "website name" tab. By pushing the desired tab - the sensor broadcasts an appropriate BSSID plus SSID data to enable completing the decryption of the desired data file.

Conveniently when the financial service is activated, the software application utilises the sensor gps coordinates to transmit the appropriate notification to predetermined persons advising them of the account activation, transaction request. Conveniently the sensor comprises event triggered programmable data. Accordingly, the programmable data broadcast with the BSSID comprises sensor environment information. By example, a user whose sensor comprises a biometric and gps enabled sensor will broadcast user biometric information with a location of the sensor. Additionally, a plurality of sensors may be required within a predetermined distance of one another, alternately a wifi router processing the transaction to authenticate the transaction, whereby the wifi signal strength is used to measure proximity. Furthermore a movement behaviour pattern recordable by the sensor can be used as a trigger event for purposes of populating the SSID with sensor movement pattern authentication.

Conveniently sensors having varying functionality may be paired and their combined functionality usable by each individual sensor.

Conveniently where a plurality of sensors are connected, storage of event data may be stored on one or more of the sensors thereby enabling sharing of data storage generated from sensor activity. Alternately, data stored may be duplicated on one or more connected sensors thereby serving as a data back-up means. Alternately, in the case of multiple users authentication required for file decryption - the proximity of paired individuals to one another and the recording of group data on each paired sensor enables the tracking of each individual whilst in contact with the group. Where multiple user authentication is required - sensor movement pattern authentication relevant to participating sensors may be utilised as a trigger event for populating the SSID data broadcast.

Conveniently, the wireless communication identification sensor comprises a sensor for detection of at least one of moisture, pressure, light, impact, temperature, biometrics, altitude, chemical composition, sound, wherein a predetermined sensor reading results in the activation, alternately deactivation of a sensor communication device function. Conveniently, the sensor additionally comprises at least one of a gps device, a speaker, a light, a vibration generator or an electrical shock generator.

Conveniently a sensor notification is generated upon function criteria being met, wherein in addition to the sensor data being broadcast, a notification is sent to at least one of a predetermined telephone number, email or other communication destination (such as a whatsapp, website, hashtag, social media profile) using a suitably enabled communication device such as a phone, tablet or PC having GSM or wifi capabilities.

Conveniently, the sensor is enabled to operate as either

- a client via a suitably enabled wifi router, pc or suitable electronic communication device, whereby data stored on the device is accessible by a suitably enabled and linked wireless communication device; or

- a Webserver wherein the device comprise RAM for storage of user data and whereby the data is accessible by using a web browser of a paired wireless communication device.

Conveniently the sensor comprises a signal strength detector thereby enabling at least one of directional and distance tracking of the device while in range of one or more wifi routers. In this way, the device can activate predetermined notifications, alternately cause the activation of predetermined functions upon the movement pattern of the device. By example, a user attempting to decrypt a file will result in the activation of a notification to the phone of a data file listed user. Additionally, the notification may comprise a GPS location, visual details of the wearer being viewable on monitoring devices of the account listed user.

Conveniently the sensor comprises at least two modes of functionality, wherein the sensor "bleeps" or remains in a dormant sleep mode. The frequency of audible bleeps are variable in accordance with activation parameters. Conveniently the sensor comprises data fields which are editable and where data is uploadable onto the sensor and accessible through a web browser. Accordingly, a third party user does not require specialised software to interrogate, alternately edit the data on the device.

Conveniently the editable data comprises at least one of text, images or audio files which data evidences actions performed on the sensor, alternately for the user associated with the sensor.

Conveniently access to data or modification thereof is limited in accordance with user access criteria, which criteria are programmable.

Conveniently the sensor is programmable whilst operative, wherein programming instructions are transmitted to the sensor from a remote communication device such as a computer or phone having enabling software. This is typically transmitted using a wireless communication protocol such as wifi, Bluetooth or gsm.

Conveniently the sensor is programmable to switch at least part of its functionality on or off; and where the functionality is enabled or restricted for a limited duration.

Conveniently input and output data may be communicated to and from the sensor via a sensor specific data address such as an cellular phone number, IP address, IPv6 address, MAC Address, or an equivalent address format that will identify a specific sensor or virtual address where data can be transferred via the Internet or other wireless communication protocol.

Conveniently a plurality of sensors may be paired, wherein sensor activity or a lack thereof of a paired sensor is communicated to other paired sensors. Accordingly, non-responsiveness of a paired sensor will result in a functioning paired sensor - transmitting a fault report in accordance with the sensor's fault detection transmission criteria. Conveniently the sensor has 'store and forward' capability, wherein transmission of sensor based data results in deleting of the storage cache on the sensor, which is typically deleted on a first in/first out basis, although deletion criteria may be modified in accordance with user preferences.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a wireless communication identification sensor for decrypting data at time of data use comprising a unique wireless identifier combined with programmable broadcast data, wherein the programmable data is configurable to identify the sensor, which identification is required to decrypt data on a data processor.

Conveniently the sensor data comprises an instruction data set, wherein said data causes the activation, alternately deactivation of a function associated with the sensor.

Conveniently the wireless communication identification sensor having a unique identifier is enabled to perform functions and employ methods of use as they pertain to the aforementioned uses of a BSSID combined with programmable SSID data to identify the sensor

Further features, variants and/or advantages of the invention will emerge from the following non-limiting description of an example of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A wifi router comprises a unique BSSID in conjunction with a SSID which typically has 31 bytes of programmable characters. Wifi devices simply scan for the name allocated to a wifi device and not the BSSID. Upon further interrogation, the BSSID may be revealed although the BSSID is not replicable. In accordance with the invention, the characters of the SSID are used to either transmit information, alternately control the activation a desired functionality. By example, the initial 3 characters of a SSID are allocated to sending a message type, by example "@@@" results in a decryption notification. The remaining characters pertain to information of the device affiliated with the user or information pertaining to the user. When used with a suitably enabled software application - the information contained in the SSID broadcast is processed in accordance with pre-programmed parameters and a desired function activated. A user scanning for wifi signals and having the software application of the invention installed onto their computing device - will be able to process and analyse the information contained in the SSID broadcast. The SSID broadcast and its analysis thereof is thus achieved without data transfer, rather via SSID broadcast and wifi receiver detecting the broadcast. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art - a lack of data availability or connectivity will still enable line- of-site communication between a sensor and a computing device having the software application of the invention installed.

The wireless communication identification sensor is enable to decrypt data at time of data use by virtue of its BSSID in combination with the programmable SSID data being configurable to identify the sensor, which identification is required to decrypt data on a data processor. In use, the sensor is affiliated with a user whose identity and authority to view, alternately listen to the encrypted data transact is registered on a suitable database.

The data is partially decrypted in accordance with use, whereby only data imminently required by the user is decrypted. By example, a user viewing a document on a reader comprising a sensor of the invention, does not decrypt the entire document at time of opening the data file. Rather, only the pages which the user needs to view are decrypted as and when they are required. Accordingly, while the entire document may be decrypted, decryption of the file contents occurs in intervals. The decryption may be activated by active screen view and decrypted with the scrolling of screens by the user. Alternately, when the data comprises an audio file - the sound broadcast is decrypted in ten second intervals. The quantity of data decrypted per interval may be customisable. This would ameliorate the problem associated with buffering of files. By example, three pages before and after the active screen are decrypted in the same interval as the active screen being viewed by the user.

The decryption may be dependent on at least one of time, date, location, number of times decrypted, user access validation.

The encryption and decryption is unique to the sensor of the invention. Accordingly, the data is only decryptable using a computing device integral with the sensor. By example, a decrypting sensor acting as a router may be affiliated with a plurality of sensors, whereby the affiliated sensors and their data readers are able to decrypt the data by virtue of communicating with the router sensor.

In a case where a data decryption is intended between a data provider and a data user who each have a sensor of the invention - the decryption may concluded without data and simply by the sensors detecting the presence of one another and broadcasting suitable SSID information in response to a series of prompts communicated between the users. By example, a first user activates a decryption request on his sensor using a suitable user interface on his computing device. This may be achieved by suitable enabling software on the first user's computing device automatically requesting decryption of an intended data file. Thereafter the sensor broadcasts a SSID comprising a decryption instruction. The data provider sensor thereafter broadcasts an SSID comprising decryption authorisation, which SSID content is dependent on the decryption requesting sensor SSID. Accordingly, the decryption SSID information is unique to the interaction between the paired sensors.

In a another embodiment of the invention where multiple users are required for processing a data decryption request - the proximity of paired individuals to one another and the recording of group data on each paired sensor enables the partial tracking of each individual whilst in contact with the group. By extension, alert notifications can be transmitted when a paired individual is no longer detectable, alternately when the individual sensor moves beyond an acceptable distance from the group of sensors which are required to perform the data decryption. Accordingly, by interrogating one device - all participants in the area with device are recorded including when the devices were within range - this allows for confirmation whether all persons required to authorise the data decryption are accounted for.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor has a unique wifi tag which is programmable to correspond with an object or person. In doing so, the object or person status is monitorable in accordance with the sensor capabilities. Sensor events may be transmitted to local server, alternately a cloud based server or a combination thereof. A MySQL database would typically be used to track and record sensor events. The sensor selects the destination to where specific event data must be transmitted thereby maintaining data confidentiality and preventing unauthorised interception by a non-authorised reader. Accordingly, the sensor may broadcast both restricted and unrestricted data in addition to being able to transmitted restricted confidential data to a server.

Input and output data may be communicated to and from the sensor via a sensor specific data address such as an IP address, IPv6 address, MAC Address, or an equivalent address format that will identify a specific device or virtual address where data can be transferred to on the Internet. Accordingly, it is possible to dial into the closed-loop wifi network server and provide output instructions to a specific sensor which in turn will result in the object functioning.

The sensor comprises an independent battery power supply to enable the transmission of event notifications. The sensor may however be plugged into an external power supply source to charge the battery.

The sensor comprises at least one environmental variation sensor for detecting environmental changes. These may include at least one of a thermostat sensor, impact sensor, light sensor, audio sensor, chemical composition sensor, electrical magnetic sensor, gps sensor, altitude sensor or humidity sensor.

The sensor can itself directly communicate with a remote server data address and does not require a sensor login prior to receiving or transmitting data to and from the sensor.

The data transmitted by the sensor includes the sensor identification which may additionally include user information such as contact details, thereby allowing the recipient of the data transmitted from the sensor to contact the user.

The invention is not limited to the precise details described above. Modifications may be made and other embodiments developed without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, data generated from sensor activity may be stored at least partially on the sensor itself - the sensor having data storage capacity. Further, where a plurality of sensors are connected, storage of event data may be stored on one or more of the sensors thereby enabling sharing of data storage generated from sensor activity. Alternately, data stored may be duplicated on one or more connected sensors thereby serving as a data back-up means. Still further, where a plurality of sensors are connected, input and output data may be jointly processed by the sensors to improve data processing abilities.

In this invention, the term BSSID may extend to any unique identifier whose unique identifier can be broadcast and wirelessly detected by a suitably enabled device. Additionally, a wireless communication device having a unique identifier in addition to a BSSID - interacts with one or more electronic communication devices by virtue of the unique identifier and/or the interaction of the unique identifier with the BSSID of the wireless communication device. By example, the unique identifier may be a mobile phone number, or IMEA number affiliated with a mobile phone or GSM modem. The method of broadcast may be any wireless protocol including wifi, gsm, Bluetooth. The Summary of Invention and Claims forms an integral aspect of the description of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A wireless communication identification sensor for decrypting data at time of data use comprising a wifi BSSID combined with programmable SSID data, wherein the BSSID in combination the programmable data is configurable to identify the sensor, which identification is required to decrypt data on a data processor, in use.

2. The sensor as claimed in claim 1, having sensor data comprising an instruction data set, wherein a computing device with an enabling software application for analysing and processing the data set causes an activation, alternately deactivation of a function associated with the sensor upon predetermined sensor activation perimeters being reached, in use.

3. The sensor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the software application enables the user to input and store personal identifying information on the user sensor as an aspect of the SSID data broadcast, alternately a user may input said information on a remote server which interacts with the software application and communicates the user information when appropriately accessed.

4. The sensor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the data is partially decrypted in accordance with user usage, whereby only data required by the user is decrypted.

5. The sensor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein decryption may be activated by an active screen view and decrypted at least one of scrolling of the screen view, or selection of an audio visual to be played by the user, in use.

6. The sensor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the quantity of data decrypted per interval may be customisable.

7. The sensor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein decryption is dependent on at least one of time, date, location, number of times decrypted, user access validation.

8. The sensor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to, wherein encryption and decryption is unique and applicable to the specific sensor.

9. The sensor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 comprising a sensor for detection of at least one of moisture, pressure, light, impact, temperature, biometrics, altitude, chemical composition, sound, wherein a predetermined sensor reading results in the activation, alternately deactivation of a sensor communication device function.

10. The sensor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 comprising at least one of a gps device, a speaker, a light, a vibration generator, or an electrical shock generator.

11. The sensor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the sensor is enabled to operate as either:

- a Webserver wherein the device comprises RAM for storage of user data and whereby the data is accessible by using a web browser of a paired wireless communication device.

12. The sensor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a plurality of sensors are required within a predetermined distance of one another, alternately a wifi router processing the transaction to enable decryption, whereby the wifi signal strength is used to measure proximity.

IB. A method of decrypting data at time of data use using a sensor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 comprising the steps of activating the sensor whose SSID data broadcast serves as a sensor authenticating broadcast, the data being programmable and responsive to prompts between the sensor and an interrogating second sensor, wherein the prerequisite SSID data required for the transaction is programmable in response to authentication requests, the communication between sensors occurring without further user intervention required. 14. The method of decrypting data at time of data use as claimed in claim 13, wherein an authentication notification is transmitted to the device associated with the sensor, enabling software detecting the information required to authenticate the decryption, whereafter the authentication information is included in the SSID broadcast, which broadcast is detected and used to authorise the decryption without further actions required by the user.