Powering security devices

• US 9,678,548 B1
• Filed: 12/31/2012
• Issued: 06/13/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emc IP Holding Company LLC (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Emc IP Holding Company LLC (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Duane, William M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elamin, M
• Application Number:
  US13/731,461
• Time in Patent Office: 1,625 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 21/02 using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication

Abstract

A method is used in powering security devices. Power is derived from ambient energy in the vicinity of a mobile security device. The power is caused to be used for security based computing tasks within the mobile security device.

Claims

1. A method for use in powering security devices, the method comprising:

deriving power from ambient energy in the vicinity of a mobile security device, the mobile security device comprising a Peltier device arranged with respect to the mobile security device such that one side of the Peltier device is connected to one face of the mobile security device and another side of the Peltier device is connected to another face of the mobile security device;

utilizing the derived power to power a timekeeping device within the mobile security device or detect time from an external source; and

performing a cryptographic operation within the mobile security device by using a time obtained from the timekeeping device or the external source to generate a code for use in authentication;

wherein deriving power from ambient energy in the vicinity of a mobile security device, comprises;

receiving heat on the one side of the Peltier device connected to the one face of the security device;

based on a temperature difference between the faces, generating an amount of power proportional to the temperature difference; and

storing the generated power in a storage device within the mobile security device such that the power required to perform at least part of the cryptographic operation within the mobile security device is drawn therefrom.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ambient energy is used for energy harvesting to power security tokens.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein using the power for security based computing provides an environmental disposal related benefit to the mobile security device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile security device is at least primarily powered by the power derived from the ambient energy.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile security device is smaller than an operationally identical mobile security device having a battery.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile security device has more physical flexibility than an operationally identical mobile security device having a battery.

7. A system for use in powering security devices, the system comprising:

first logic deriving power from ambient energy in the vicinity of a mobile security device, the mobile security device comprising a Peltier device arranged with respect to the mobile security device such that one side of the Peltier device is connected to one face of the mobile security device and another side of the Peltier device is connected to another face of the mobile security device;

second logic utilizing the derived power to power a timekeeping device within the mobile security device or detect time from an external source; and

third logic performing a cryptographic operation within the mobile security device by using a time obtained from the timekeeping device or the external source to generate a code for use in authentication;

wherein deriving power from ambient energy in the vicinity of a mobile security device, comprises;

receiving heat on the one side of the Peltier device connected to the one face of the security device;

based on a temperature difference between the faces, generating an amount of power proportional to the temperature difference; and

storing the generated power in a storage device within the mobile security device such that the power required to perform at least part of the cryptographic operation within the mobile security device is drawn therefrom.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the ambient energy is used for energy harvesting to power security tokens.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein using the power for security based computing provides an environmental disposal related benefit to the mobile security device.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the mobile security device is at least primarily powered by the power derived from the ambient energy.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the mobile security device is smaller than an operationally identical mobile security device having a battery.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the mobile security device has more physical flexibility than an operationally identical mobile security device having a battery.