Clock Computing Machines for Malware-Resistant Cryptography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computing systems are vulnerable to malware infections due to identical machine instructions on processor chips, which can lead to significant vulnerabilities in infrastructure such as the Internet, air traffic control, and electrical grids, as seen in recent cyber attacks like Mirai, highlighting the need for new resistant technologies.
Innovation Solution
The development of clock computing machines based on prime numbers and clocks, which use a finite collection of clock machines to perform computations without gates or switches, enabling parallel computation and unique physical instantiations for each execution, thereby obfuscating cryptographic algorithms and breaking timing patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional gate-based computing is used, then computing operations can be performed, but the system is vulnerable to malware infections due to identical machine instructions on processor chips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of computation from binary gate logic to prime-number-based clock cycles. By using prime numbers (2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19) to define distinct clock machines, each processor chip can have a unique computational footprint, making reverse-engineering and malware infection significantly more difficult while maintaining computational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry by assigning different prime number combinations to different processor chips. This creates unique, asymmetric computational patterns for each chip, preventing the propagation of identical vulnerabilities across systems. The asymmetric clock cycle patterns (e.g., one chip uses primes 2,3,5 while another uses 2,3,7) ensure that malware cannot exploit uniform instruction sets
2Productivity
If clock machines with prime numbers are used, then unique physical instantiations and parallel computation are achieved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments computation into multiple independent clock machines, each operating at distinct prime-number-based frequencies. This segmentation enables parallel execution of computational tasks across different clock domains, improving productivity while isolating failures and enabling unique computational patterns that enhance security
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal clock machine framework where a finite collection of prime-based clock machines can perform diverse computational functions. The same clock machine architecture can be configured with different prime number combinations to achieve different computational patterns, providing multi-functionality without increasing structural complexity
3Productivity
If clock machines are combined to perform computation, then parallel computation is enabled, but the complexity of managing multiple clock machines increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple prime-based clock machines into a unified computational system where the clock machines operate in coordination through a standardized interface. The merging of distinct prime-frequency oscillators creates a harmonized parallel processing architecture that maintains individual clock independence while achieving coordinated computation, thereby enabling parallel productivity without excessive coordination complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A new computational machine is invented, called a clock machine, that is a novel alternative to computing machines (digital computers) based on logic gates. In an embodiment, computation is performed with one or more clock machines that use time. In an embodiment, a cryptographic cipher is implemented with random clock machines, constructed from a non-deterministic process, wherein the compiled set of instructions (i.e., the implementation of the cryptographic procedure) is distinct on each device or chip that executes the cryptographic cipher. In an embodiment, by using a different set of clock machines to execute two different instances of the same cryptographic procedure, each execution of a procedure looks different to malware that may try to infect and subvert the cryptographic procedure. This cryptographic process also makes timing attacks more challenging. In an embodiment, a detailed implementation of the Midori cipher with random clock machines is described.