Automatic Device Zeroization via Biometric Vitality Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

User devices, especially those used by warfighters, face the risk of compromised data access when the user is unable to manually trigger zeroization, allowing unintended entities to access sensitive information.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that uses biometric and vitality information to automatically trigger zeroization of the user device, ensuring that only the intended user with valid biometric data and vitality signs can access the device, and erasing data if the user is no longer alive or if unauthorized access is detected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual zeroization trigger is provided, then user control over data security is improved, but response time when user is incapacitated deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser controlVSAvoidautomatic response

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses self-service by automatically detecting user status through biometric sensors and triggering zeroization without human intervention when the user is incapacitated, while still allowing manual control when the user is capable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring biometric data and preparing to trigger zeroization automatically before the user can manually do so, ensuring immediate response when the user is incapacitated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If automatic zeroization based on biometric data is implemented, then data security is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an intermediary approach by introducing biometric sensors and automated detection mechanisms that mediate between the user and the zeroization function, enabling automatic response while maintaining a clear system architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical manual trigger with an automated biometric-based detection and response system, using optical and electronic sensors to monitor user status and automatically initiate zeroization when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11550938B2Automatic device zeroization

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 SCI APPL INT CORP

AI summary

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for zeroization of a computing device based on biometric information and vitality information. A computing device may store information associated with a user. The computing device may request biometric information and vitality information from one or more sensing devices. The computing device may determine, based on the requested biometric information and the requested vitality information, whether to zeroize the computing device.