Patent ID: 9678548
Date: 2017-06-13
CPC Classifications: F25B,G06F,H04W

Claim:
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.