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SonyGranted patentNetworks & wirelessInterest 3/10

Sony patents method to adjust encryption based on relay device limits

Sony has been granted a patent for a communication system that connects a main device to a wireless terminal through a middleman, or relay. The system checks if the relay can handle specific encryption methods. If the relay cannot support the required security, the main device handles the encryption itself instead of relying on the relay.

Why it mattersThis improves how secure data is shared when devices connect through intermediate hardware, ensuring the connection remains protected even if the relay has limited capabilities.

In the filing’s own words

A communication apparatus that includes a communication unit that communicates with a wireless terminal via a relay device, and that controls execution of an encryption key generation process of generating an encryption key used for communication with the wireless terminal on the basis of at least one of whether or not direct communication with the wireless terminal is possible or an encryption scheme that can be supported by the relay device.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A communication apparatus configured to communicate with a wireless terminal via a relay device, the communication apparatus comprising: at least one hardware processor; and at least one non-transitory memory containing instructions for causing the at least one hardware processor to perform operations comprising: controlling execution of an encryption key generation process of generating an encryption key used for communication with the wireless terminal on a basis of at least one of whether or not direct communication with the wireless terminal is possible or an encryption scheme that can be supported by the relay device, wherein the operations further comprise: requesting the relay device to perform the encryption key generation process in a case where the encryption scheme is an encryption scheme that can be used by the relay device with the wireless terminal, and performing the encryption key generation process with the wireless terminal via the relay device in a case where the encryption scheme is not an encryption scheme that can be used by the relay device with the wireless terminal.

Facts

Company
Sony (Sony Group Corporation)
Official title
Communication apparatus and communication method for encryption/decryption processes based on relay device capability
Patent number
US12732806B2
Application number
18554793
Filed
Feb 3, 2022
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Inventors
2
Claims
15

Classified under

H04W 12/041 Electricity & electronicsH04W 12/037 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.