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SonyGranted patentSecurity & privacyInterest 3/10

Sony patents secure communication method for cyclic data frames

Sony describes a processor that secures regular data transmissions by using a counter to verify each frame. It calculates unique authentication codes for different types of data packets and includes specific signals if the counter detects an error.

Why it mattersThis improves the reliability of secure data exchanges in devices that send information in fixed, repeating cycles.

In the filing’s own words

An information processor of an aspect of the disclosure includes: a protection part protecting at least a portion of first communication in which a frame is transmitted or received cyclically; and a frame counter incrementing a frame count value transmitted or received via the first communication for each frame. The frame includes first packet data including one piece of packet data, and second packet data including multiple pieces of packet data. The protection part calculates a first MAC using at least the frame count value and a portion or all of the first packet data, and calculates a second MAC using at least the frame count value and a portion or all of the second packet data. At least one of the first or second packet data includes abnormality notification information when there is abnormality in at least one of the frame count value or the frame counter.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An information processor comprising: a memory storing a program, and at least one processor configured to execute the program to perform operations comprising: protecting at least a portion of a first communication in which a frame is transmitted or received cyclically; incrementing a frame counter that increments a frame count value transmitted or received via the first communication for each frame, wherein the frame includes first packet data configured by one piece of packet data and second packet data configured by a plurality of pieces of packet data, protecting the first communication includes performing an arithmetic operation of a first message authentication code (MAC) using at least the frame count value and a portion or all of the first packet data, protecting the first communication includes performing an arithmetic operation of a second MAC using at least the frame count value and a portion or all of the second packet data, and at least one of the first packet data or the second packet data includes abnormality notification information in a case where there is abnormality in at least one of the frame count value or the frame counter; incrementing an additional frame counter that increments an additional frame count value every time the frame count value is reset to an initial value, wherein the abnormality notification information comprises the frame count value, and is set to a predetermined count value in a case where there is abnormality in at least one of the frame count value or the frame counter, and the additional frame counter increments the additional frame count value every time the predetermined count value is set; and performing arithmetic operations of the first MAC and the second MAC using at least the additional frame count value.

Facts

Company
Sony (Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation)
Official title
Information processor, mobile body apparatus, and communication system
Patent number
US12750207B2
Application number
18856296
Filed
Nov 10, 2022
Granted
Sep 29, 2026
Inventors
3
Claims
21

Classified under

H04L 9/0643 Electricity & electronicsG06F 21/64 Physics & computingH04L 9/12 Electricity & electronicsH04L 63/123 Electricity & electronicsH04W 12/106 Electricity & electronicsG06F 21/575 Physics & computing
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.