Patent Document

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/566,771, filed on Apr. 30, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The technology described in this patent document relates generally to the field of data encryption. More particularly, the patent document describes a system and method for securing data for transmission to a wireless device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Systems for encrypting electronic messages and other data are known in this field. Often, electronic messages are transmitted over unsecured networks that are merely digitally signed or encrypted with a weak encryption algorithm, such as Triple DES. In many instances, this level of security may not be sufficient. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for securing data for transmission to a wireless device. The disclosed systems and methods may include an electronic messaging system used to send and receive data over a first network and also used to forward data to a wireless device operable in a second network. The electronic messaging system may receive an electronic message encrypted with a first encryption algorithm and addressed to a message recipient in the first network, the message recipient having an associated wireless device operable in the second network. The electronic messaging system may determine that the electronic message is to be transported across the second network to the wireless device, and in response to determining that the electronic message is to be transported across the second network, encrypt the electronic message using a second encryption algorithm and transmit the encrypted message over the second network to the wireless device, with the second encryption algorithm being a stronger encryption algorithm than the first encryption algorithm. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example system for securing data for transmission to a wireless device; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  are block diagrams illustrating the transmission of data outside of the security of a firewall to a device on a wide area network (WAN); 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of another example system for securing data for transmission to a wireless device; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating the access of a public encryption key from a certificate authority; 
         FIG. 6  is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for securing data for transmission to a wireless device; 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram of an example system for redirecting electronic messages or other data to and from a wireless device; and 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating an example wireless device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference now to the drawing figures,  FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example system  10  for securing data for transmission to a wireless device  28 . The system  10  includes an electronic messaging server  12 , a public key look-up database  14  and a plurality of computers  18 ,  20  that communicate over a local area network (LAN)  16 . Also illustrated are a wide area network (WAN)  24 , a wireless network  26  and the wireless device  28 . The system components  12 ,  14 ,  18 ,  20  that communicate over the LAN  16  are isolated from the WAN  24  and wireless network  26  by a firewall  22 . 
     The electronic messaging server  12  is operable to send and receive electronic messages and other data over the LAN  16  within the protection of the firewall  22  and also outside the firewall  22  over the WAN  24 . In addition, electronic messages and other data may be transmitted between the server  12  and the wireless device  28  via the WAN  24  and wireless network  26 . 
     In operation, the system  10  uses various encryption algorithms  30 ,  32  to encrypt electronic messages or other data depending upon whether the data is being sent within the security of the firewall  22  or over the wireless network  26  to a wireless device  28 . Messages  30  sent between computers  18 ,  20  on the secure LAN  16  may be encrypted with a weak encryption algorithm (Encryption A), or may be merely digitally signed or even left un-encrypted. However, if an electronic message or other data is to be transmitted outside of the security of the firewall  22  to a wireless device  28 , then the electronic messaging server  12  may further encrypt the outgoing message  32  using a stronger encryption algorithm (Encryption B). This stronger encryption algorithm (Encryption B) is used to encrypt the weakly encrypted, digitally signed or unencrypted message  30 , thereby providing an additional layer of protection. Preferably, the outgoing message  32  is encrypted using a strong symmetric algorithm, such as AES-256. 
     In order to encrypt an outgoing message  32  to the wireless device  28 , the electronic messaging server  12  may access the public key look-up database  14  to identify a public encryption key for the message recipient associated with the wireless device  28 . The outgoing message  32  is encrypted using a randomly generated session key and the strong symmetric encryption algorithm. The randomly generated session key used for the strong symmetric encryption is then encrypted using the public encryption key. The encrypted message  32  and the encrypted session key may then be securely transmitted over the WAN  24  and wireless network  26 . The encrypted session key is then decrypted using a private encryption key stored on the wireless device  28  and is then used to decrypt the message  32 . Electronic messages  32  received by the wireless device  28  may preferably be stored in encrypted format and decrypted only when accessed by application software executing on the device  28 . 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  are block diagrams  40 ,  50  illustrating the transmission of data  44 ,  52  outside of the security of the firewall  22  to a device  42  on the WAN  24 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a stronger encryption algorithm (Encryption B) may be utilized when messages  32  or other data are routed over the wireless network to the wireless device  28 , while a weaker algorithm (Encryption A) is utilized when messages  30 ,  44  are sent to devices  18 ,  20 ,  42  on the LAN  16  or WAN  24 . The embodiment  40  of  FIG. 2  may, for example, be implemented because security over the wireless network  26  is of greater concern than security over the WAN  24 , because the software for forwarding messages  32  over the wireless network  26  is created by a different entity than the software for sending and receiving messages over the LAN  16  and WAN  24 , or for other reasons. In another example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the stronger encryption algorithm (Encryption B) may be utilized for all messages  32 ,  52  sent outside of the security of the firewall  22 , while a weaker algorithm (Encryption A) is utilized only for messages  30  send over the LAN  16 . 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of another example system  70  for securing data for transmission to a wireless device  28 . This system  70  is similar to the system  10  of  FIG. 1 , except that transmissions to and from the wireless device  28  are controlled by an enterprise server  64 . An example of an enterprise server  64  is described below with reference to  FIG. 7 . In operation, messages  32  or other data that are received by the mail server  62  and are designated for delivery to a wireless device  28  associated with a message recipient are detected by the enterprise server  64 . The enterprise server  64  then accesses the public key look-up database  66  to identify a public encryption key associated with the message recipient associated with the wireless device  28 . A randomly generated session key is used to encrypt the outgoing message  32  with a stronger symmetric algorithm, such as AES-256 (e.g., instead of Triple DES.). The randomly generated session key is encrypted using the public encryption key and is then transmitted with the encrypted message  32 , over the WAN  24  and wireless network  26  to the wireless device  28 . The session key may then be decrypted using a private encryption key stored on the wireless device, and is then used to decrypt the message  32 . Preferably, the message  32  is stored on the wireless device  28  in encrypted format, and is only decrypted when accessed by a software application executing on the device  28 . 
     Preferably, data  32  being transmitted to the wireless device  28  may be first converted by the enterprise server  64  into a data structure that is recognized by the device  28 , and then encrypted using the strong encryption algorithm (Encryption B.) The wireless device  28  may then decrypt the data structure when it receives instructions to display the data  32 . In this manner, the data  32  does not have to go through a decrypt and recrypt process once it is received by the device  28 . 
     In one embodiment, the enterprise server  64  may be further operable to distinguish between classified and unclassified messages  32 , wherein only classified messages are further encrypted using the stronger encryption algorithm (Encryption B.) Unclassified messages may be encrypted using a weaker encryption algorithm (Encryption A), or may be merely digitally signed or even left un-encrypted, similar to messages  30  sent over the LAN  16 . The enterprise server  64  may, for example, distinguish between classified and unclassified messages by examining one or more of the message fields (e.g., subject line, message body, etc.) for a designated keyword or keyphrase. If the designated keyword or keyphrase is identified, then the message may be treated as a classified message. In another example, the enterprise server  64  may distinguish between classified and unclassified messages based on where the message originated, for example by examining the sender field of the message. For instance, messages from an internal address (e.g., a message originating from within the firewall  22 ) may always be encrypted using the stronger algorithm (Encryption B), while emails from an external address may be encrypted using a weaker algorithm (Encryption A) or left unencrypted. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the public key  74  that is used to encrypt messages  32  outgoing to the wireless device  28  may be accessed from a certificate authority  72 . The enterprise server  64  may, for example, access the certificate authority  72  over the WAN  24  to retrieve the current public key  74  for any message recipient associated with wireless devices  28  registered with the enterprise server  64 . The enterprise server  64  may then store the public keys  74  in the public key look-up database  66  for quick access when encrypting an outgoing message. In another embodiment, the system  70  may not utilize a public key look-up database  66 , and may instead store the public keys  74  on the enterprise server  64  or access the certificate authority  72  for the public key  74  each time the public key  74  is needed. 
       FIG. 6  is a flow diagram  80  illustrating an example method  80  for securing data for transmission to a wireless device. The method  80  begins at step  82  when an electronic message or other data is received which is designated for delivery to a message recipient associated with a wireless device. In step  84 , the method  80  determines if the received message is classified, as described above. If the message is not classified, then the method proceeds to step  90 . Otherwise, if the message is classified, then the method  80  identifies the public encryption key associated with the message recipient at step  86 . Then, the public encryption key is used at step  88  to encrypt a session key used by a stronger encryption algorithm to encrypt the outgoing message, as described above. At step  90 , the message is transmitted to the wireless device over the wireless network. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram of an example system for redirecting electronic messages or other data to and from a wireless device  2020 . The example redirection system  2000  includes an enterprise server  2004 , a mail server  2002 , a storage medium  2006  for electronic messaging (e.g., e-mail) account data, and a wireless gateway  2016 . Also illustrated are the wireless device  2020 , a wireless network  2018 , a wide area network (WAN)  2012 , a firewall  2010 , a desktop client  2008 , and one or more other electronic messaging systems  2014 . 
     The mail server  2002  may include electronic messaging software executing on a computer within a local area computer network (LAN). The mail server  2002  is coupled to local network devices  2004 ,  2006 ,  2008  via the LAN, and is coupled to remote network devices  2014 ,  2016  via the WAN  2012 . The LAN and WAN  2012  may be separated by a firewall  2010 . 
     The mail server  2002  maintains an electronic message account within the electronic message account database  2006  for each desktop client  2008  in the LAN. The electronic message account database  2006  may be one or more storage devices coupled to the mail server  2002 , and may be included within the same network device as the mail server  2002  or in one or more separate devices within the LAN. The desktop client  2008  may be one of a plurality of computers (e.g., personal computers, terminals, laptop computers, or other processing devices) coupled to the mail server  2002  via the LAN that execute electronic messaging software to send and receive electronic messages via the mail server. 
     Electronic messages sent from the desktop client  2008  are stored by the mail server  2002  in an outgoing message storage location (an “outbox”) within a corresponding electronic message account  2006 . If the outgoing message is addressed to an electronic message account within the LAN, then the mail server  2002  delivers the message to an incoming message storage location (an “inbox”) in the appropriate electronic message account  2006 . If the outgoing message is addressed to an electronic message account in another electronic messaging system  2014 , however, then the message is delivered via the WAN  2012 . Similarly, incoming electronic message addressed to the electronic message account  2006  is received by the mail server  2002  and stored to the electronic message account database  2006  within the appropriate incoming message storage location (“inbox”). The incoming electronic message may then be retrieved from the electronic message account  2006  by the desktop client  2008 , or may be automatically pushed to the desktop client  2008  by the mail server  2002 . 
     The enterprise server  2004  may include electronic message redirection software executing on a computer within the LAN. The enterprise server  2004  is operational to redirect electronic messages from the electronic message account  2006  to the wireless device  2020  and to place messages sent from the wireless device  2020  into the electronic message account  2006  for delivery by the mail server  2002 . The enterprise server  2004  stores wireless device information, such as a wireless identification (e.g., a PIN), used to communicate with the wireless device  2020 . The enterprise server  2004  may, for example, communicate with the wireless device  2020  using a direct TCP/IP level connection with the wireless gateway  2016 , which provides an interface between the WAN  2012  and the wireless network  2018 . 
     When an electronic message is received in the inbox of the electronic message account  2006 , the electronic message is detected by the enterprise server  2004 , and a copy of the message and any necessary wireless device information are sent over the WAN  2012  to the wireless gateway  2016 . For example, the enterprise server  2004  may encapsulate a copy of the message into one or more data packets along with a wireless identification (e.g., a PIN) for the wireless device  2020 , and transmit the data packet(s) to the wireless gateway  2016  over a direct TCP/IP level connection. The wireless gateway  2016  may then use the wireless identification and/or other wireless device information to transmit the data packets(s) containing the electronic message over the wireless network  2018  to the wireless device  2020 . 
     Electronic messages sent from the wireless device  2020  may be encapsulated into one or more data packets along with a network identification for the enterprise server  2004  and then transmitted over the wireless network  2018  to the wireless gateway  2016 . The wireless gateway  2016  may use the network identification for the enterprise server  2004  to forward the data packet(s) over the WAN  2012  to the enterprise server  2004 , preferably via a direct TCP/IP level connection. Upon receiving the data packet(s) from the wireless gateway  2016 , the enterprise server  2004  places the enclosed electronic message into the outbox of the associated electronic message account  2006 . The mail server  2002  then detects the electronic message in the outbox and delivers the message, as described above. 
     Security may be maintained outside of the firewall  2010  by encrypting all electronic messages sent between the enterprise server  2004  and the wireless device  2020 . For instance, an electronic message to be redirected to the wireless device  2020  may be encrypted and compressed by the enterprise server  2004 , and the encrypted message may then be encapsulated into one or more data packets for delivery to the wireless device  2020 . To maintain security, the electronic message may remain encrypted over the entire communication path  2016 ,  2018 ,  2012  from the enterprise server  2004  to the wireless device  2020 . Similarly, electronic messages sent from the wireless device  2020  may be encrypted and compressed by the wireless device  2020  before being packetized and transmitted to the enterprise server  2004 , and may remain encrypted over the entire communication path  2016 ,  2018 ,  2012  from the wireless device  2020  to the enterprise server  2004 . 
     In addition, the enterprise server  2004  may include a communication subsystem, a memory subsystem and a processing subsystem. The communication subsystem may be operable to communicate with the wireless gateway  2016  over the WAN  2012 . The memory subsystem may be operable to store data and program information. The processing subsystem may be operable to store and retrieve data in the memory subsystem and execute programs stored in the memory subsystem, and to cause the communication subsystem to transmit and receive information over the WAN  2012 . 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating an example wireless device  2100 . The wireless device  2100  includes a processing subsystem  2138 , a communications subsystem  2111 , a short-range communications subsystem  2140 , a memory subsystem  2124 ,  2126 , and various other device subsystems and/or software modules  2142 . The wireless device  2100  also includes a user interface, which may include a display  2122 , a serial port  2130 , keyboard  2132 , a speaker  2134 , a microphone  2136 , one or more auxiliary input/output devices  2128 , and/or other user interface devices. 
     The processing subsystem  2138  controls the overall operation of the wireless device  2100 . Operating system software executed by the processing subsystem  2138  may be stored in a persistent store, such as a flash memory  2124 , but may also be stored in other types of memory devices in the memory subsystem, such as a read only memory (ROM) or similar storage element. In addition, system software, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store, such as a random access memory (RAM)  2126 . Communication signals received by the wireless device  2100  may also be stored to RAM  2126 . 
     The processing subsystem  2138 , in addition to its operating system functions, enables execution of software applications  2124  on the device  2100 . A predetermined set of applications that control basic device operations, such as data and voice communications, may be installed on the device  2100  during manufacture. In addition, a personal information manager (PIM) application, including an electronic messaging application, may be installed on the device. The PIM may, for example, be operable to organize and manage data items, such as e-mail, calendar events, voice mails, appointments, and task items. The PIM application may also be operable to send and receive data items via the wireless network  2119 . 
     Communication functions, including data and voice communications, are performed through the communication subsystem  2111 , and possibly through the short-range communications subsystem  2140 . The communication subsystem  2111  includes a receiver  2112 , a transmitter  2114  and one or more antennas  2116 ,  2118 . In addition, the communication subsystem  2111  also includes a processing module, such as a digital signal processor (DSP)  2120  or other processing device(s), and local oscillators (LOs)  2113 . The specific design and implementation of the communication subsystem  2111  is dependent upon the communication network in which the wireless device  2100  is intended to operate. For example, a wireless device  2100  may include a communication subsystem  2111  designed to operate within the Mobitex™ wireless system, the DataTAC™ wireless system, a GSM network, a GPRS network, a UMTS network, and/or an EDGE network. 
     Network access requirements vary depending upon the type of communication system. For example, in the Mobitex and DataTAC networks, wireless devices are registered on the network using a unique personal identification number or PIN associated with each device. In UMTS and GSM/GPRS networks, however, network access is associated with a subscriber or user of a device. A GPRS device therefore requires a subscriber identity module, commonly referred to as a SIM card, in order to operate on a GSM/GPRS network. 
     When required network registration or activation procedures have been completed, the wireless device  2100  may send and receive communication signals over the communication network  2119 . Signals received by the antenna  2116  from the communication network  2119  are routed to the receiver  2112 , which provides signal amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering, channel selection, etc., and may also provide analog to digital conversion. Analog-to-digital conversion of the received signal allows the DSP to perform more complex communication functions, such as demodulation and decoding. In a similar manner, signals to be transmitted to the network  2119  are processed (e.g., modulated and encoded) by the DSP  2120  and are then provided to the transmitter  2114  for digital to analog conversion, frequency up conversion, filtering, amplification and transmission to the communication network  2119  (or networks) via the antenna  2118 . 
     In addition to processing communication signals, the DSP  2120  provides for receiver  2112  and transmitter  2114  control. For example, gains applied to communication signals in the receiver  2112  and transmitter  2114  may be adaptively controlled through automatic gain control algorithms implemented in the DSP  2120 . 
     In a data communication mode, a received signal, such as a text message or web page download, is processed by the communication subsystem  2111  and input to the processing device  2138 . The received signal is then further processed by the processing device  2138  for output to a display  2122 , or alternatively to some other auxiliary I/O device  2128 . A device user may also compose data items, such as e-mail messages, using a keyboard  2138  and/or some other auxiliary I/O device  2128 , such as a touchpad, a rocker switch, a thumb-wheel, or some other type of input device. The composed data items may then be transmitted over the communication network  2119  via the communication subsystem  2111 . 
     In a voice communication mode, overall operation of the device is substantially similar to the data communication mode, except that received signals are output to a speaker  2134 , and signals for transmission are generated by a microphone  2136 . Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, may also be implemented on the device  2100 . In addition, the display  2122  may also be utilized in voice communication mode, for example, to display the identity of a calling party, the duration of a voice call, or other voice call related information. 
     The short-range communications subsystem  2140  enables communication between the wireless device  2100  and other proximate systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices. For example, the short-range communications subsystem  2140  may include an infrared device and associated circuits and components, or a Bluetooth™ communication module to provide for communication with similarly-enabled systems and devices. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art.

Technology Category: h