Authentication Code Update Mechanism for Secure Measuring Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measuring systems lack high-security measures to prevent unauthorized use and counterfeiting, allowing third parties to potentially misuse or manufacture incompatible measuring probes.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that includes a storage unit for storing a first code, an authentication unit to verify a second code from an external storage medium, and an update unit to automatically update both codes upon successful authentication, ensuring secure execution of functions and minimizing the impact of code leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If authentication codes are stored in the system, then security against unauthorized use is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to code leakage and requires complex update mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidcode update mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by automatically updating authentication codes before they can be misused. The system proactively replaces the first authentication code with a second code and notifies the external storage medium to update its copy, preventing potential security breaches before they occur. This is evident in the automated code replacement process that activates upon detecting code leakage risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service through automated code management where the information processing apparatus independently handles code verification, comparison, replacement, and notification processes. The authentication code management operates autonomously without requiring manual intervention for code updates, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high security standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If authentication is required for function execution, then unauthorized use is prevented, but system operation becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunauthorized use preventionVSAvoidsystem operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the authentication logic into a separate verification process that operates independently from the main system operations. The authentication unit separately verifies codes against stored authentication information, and the execution control unit separately manages function access based on verification results. This separation simplifies the overall system operation while maintaining robust security checks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism that mediates between the user and the system functions. The authentication unit acts as an intermediary that verifies credentials before granting access, and the execution control unit serves as another intermediary that manages function availability based on authentication status. This layered intermediary approach maintains security while streamlining user interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If codes are updated automatically upon authentication, then security against code leakage is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecode leakage preventionVSAvoidauthentication processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by updating authentication codes at specific intervals and triggered events rather than continuously. Codes are updated periodically when authentication occurs, when leakage is detected, or when system security policies require renewal. This event-driven periodic update mechanism maintains security while minimizing unnecessary processing time overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies skipping by rapidly executing code update operations when triggered, minimizing the time window during which old codes might be vulnerable. The automated update process rushes through the code replacement, comparison, and notification sequence efficiently, reducing the temporal exposure to potential security risks while maintaining thorough verification protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentUS9311474B2Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, storage medium, and information processing system
Publication Date: 2016.04.12 MITUTOYO CORP
  • US9311474B2 patent drawing
  • US9311474B2 patent drawing
  • US9311474B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is an information processing apparatus configured to execute at least one function, including: a storage configured to store a first code; an authentication unit configured to obtain a second code from an external storage medium, and to verify the second code against the first code to thereby authenticate the second code; an execution allowing unit configured, when the authentication unit succeeds in authentication, to allow execution of a predetermined function out of the at least one function; and an update unit configured, when the authentication unit succeeds in authentication, to update the first code stored in the storage with another first code, and to update the second code stored in the external storage medium with another second code such that the authentication unit will succeed in authentication based on the updated first code.