CNC Memory Chip Removal for Non-Functional Mobile Data Erasure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing customer personal information from mobile devices are inefficient, particularly when devices are non-functional, as they require software that needs a working device to operate, and mechanical destruction results in excessive waste by targeting entire components rather than just the memory.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a computer-controlled CNC machine to physically remove memory chips from mobile devices, accompanied by video recording and unique identifier tracking to ensure complete data elimination and component reuse, providing an auditable trail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If software-based erasure is used to remove CPI, then data can be removed from functional devices, but the method cannot be applied to non-functional devices and requires the device to be operational
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based erasure with a mechanical drilling system that physically destroys memory chips. The automated drilling machine with precision positioning can process both functional and non-functional devices, as it does not require the device to be operational. The system uses computer-controlled mechanical drilling to create holes through the logic board and memory chips, rendering data unrecoverable regardless of device functionality.
2Reliability
If mechanical destruction methods are used to ensure complete CPI elimination, then data security is maximized, but excessive components are wasted and component reuse is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and selectively destroys only the memory chips containing CPI while preserving other functional components. The automated drilling system precisely targets memory chip locations on the logic board, creating holes only where needed. This selective approach eliminates the need to shred entire devices or logic boards, allowing recovered components like processors, cameras, and batteries to be reused in refurbished devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies destruction locally only to memory chips rather than uniformly to entire devices. The system uses predefined coordinate data to position drill bits precisely at memory chip locations, applying mechanical destruction only where CPI is stored. This localized approach maintains data security while preserving the majority of functional components for reuse.
3Reliability
If high-volume mechanical destruction is implemented to ensure complete CPI removal, then data security is improved, but processing time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-mapping memory chip locations and storing coordinate data before the actual destruction process. The system creates a database of memory chip positions for different device models, allowing the automated drilling machine to quickly locate and process chips without manual identification during high-volume operations. This pre-positioning significantly speeds up processing while ensuring complete data elimination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters from manual, device-by-device processing to automated, high-speed drilling with precise positioning. The computer-controlled drilling system can rapidly move between predefined coordinates and drill multiple chips in sequence, dramatically increasing throughput. The system adjusts drilling depth, speed, and positioning based on stored coordinate data, enabling efficient high-volume processing while maintaining complete data security.
Data Source
AI summary
A system to physically remove data including customer personal information from mobile devices includes a computer; an input device to input to the computer a unique identifier associated with a board; a computer numerical control (CNC) machine controlled by the computer and configured to physically remove a predetermined chip from the board; a camera to record the CNC machine physically removing the predetermined chip from the board; and a memory to store a first file comprising the camera's recording and to store a second file comprising a record associating the unique identifier associated with the board to the camera's recording.