Analytical Instrument Data Encryption for Legacy Network Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analytical instruments, particularly legacy devices, face challenges in integrating into extended computer networks and securely transmitting data due to limited communication capabilities and data security concerns, especially when third parties are involved.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a data processing module that applies dual encryption to instrument data and metadata, allowing secure transmission across networks while ensuring sensitive information remains protected, enabling integration of legacy instruments into broader networks and allowing third-party access to non-sensitive data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If legacy analytical instruments are integrated into extended computer networks, then network connectivity and service access are improved, but data security and confidentiality are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data processing module as an intermediary between legacy analytical instruments and the network. This module performs encryption of instrument data before transmission and decryption after reception, acting as a security mediator that enables network integration while protecting data confidentiality from third parties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the data transmission parameter from unencrypted to encrypted form. By transforming the data state through encryption algorithms, the system maintains network connectivity while altering the data's accessibility properties to ensure security against unauthorized access.
2Adaptability or versatility
If third parties are included in the network to provide services, then service versatility is improved, but data accessibility control is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The data processing module serves as a mediator that selectively shares data with third parties. It encrypts data before transmission, allowing third parties to access only decrypted data they are authorized for, thus maintaining control over information accessibility while enabling service versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments data into instrument data and metadata, applying different encryption approaches. This segmentation allows selective disclosure where metadata can be shared with third parties for service purposes while sensitive instrument data remains protected, thus balancing accessibility control with service versatility.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If data is encrypted for secure transmission, then data confidentiality is improved, but data processing complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The data processing module acts as an intermediary that handles encryption and decryption operations. By centralizing these complex operations in a dedicated module rather than distributing them throughout the system, the patent manages processing complexity while maintaining data confidentiality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates encrypted copies of data for transmission and storage. Instead of modifying all data structures throughout the system, it creates encrypted representations that can be transmitted securely, thus managing complexity by working with data copies rather than original structures.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one example of the present disclosure, a method for processing data of an analytical instrument for analyzing biological samples, the method comprising receiving instrument data from the analytical instrument at a data processing module communicatively connected with the analytical instrument, generating metadata from the received instrument data at the data processing module, applying a first encryption to the instrument data at the data processing module, applying a second encryption to the generated metadata at the data processing module, transmitting the encrypted metadata and encrypted instrument data to a remote server, wherein the remote server and the data processing module are communicatively connected, removing the second encryption from the metadata at the remote server and forwarding the instrument data encrypted by the first encryption from the remote server to a management system of the analytical instrument.