Portable Data Carrier Operation Counter Dynamic Reset

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable data carriers with operation counters face challenges in balancing security and reliability, as high initial counter values can allow attacks while low values lead to unintended deactivation due to legitimate errors or technical faults, affecting the usability and security of the data carrier.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where the operation counter can be dynamically set and adjusted after the data carrier is issued to a user, ensuring it remains within a permissible range, allowing authorized entities to reset it to prevent unintended locking and maintain high security and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the initial counter value is set high to allow more operations, then the data carrier can tolerate more legitimate errors and technical faults, but the security against attacks is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetolerance to legitimate errorsVSAvoidvulnerability to attacks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The counter value is made dynamic rather than fixed. It can be adjusted between a minimum value (for security) and a maximum value (for reliability). The system allows the counter to be reset or reconfigured based on operational needs, transforming the static security parameter into a dynamic one that can adapt to different situations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of the counter value from a fixed initial setting to a configurable range. By allowing the counter value to be set within a permissible range between minimum and maximum values, the system can optimize the balance between security and reliability based on specific operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the initial counter value is set low to prevent attacks, then security is improved, but the data carrier may be deactivated due to legitimate errors or technical faults

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against attacksVSAvoidoperational continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The counter value is made dynamic rather than fixed. It can be adjusted between a minimum value (for security) and a maximum value (for reliability). The system allows the counter to be reset or reconfigured based on operational needs, transforming the static security parameter into a dynamic one that can adapt to different situations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of the counter value from a fixed initial setting to a configurable range. By allowing the counter value to be set within a permissible range between minimum and maximum values, the system can optimize the balance between security and reliability based on specific operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the counter is fixed during manufacturing, then the security configuration is simple and reliable, but the adaptability to different operational conditions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of counter configurationVSAvoidflexibility of counter settings

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The counter value is made dynamic rather than fixed. It can be adjusted between a minimum value (for security) and a maximum value (for reliability). The system allows the counter to be reset or reconfigured based on operational needs, transforming the static security parameter into a dynamic one that can adapt to different situations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The counter mechanism is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides security against attacks, tolerates legitimate errors, and can be adapted to different operational conditions. The ability to reset and reconfigure the counter makes it a universal solution that can handle various scenarios without requiring different hardware designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2614457B1Portable data carrier with operating error counter

Publication Date: 2018.06.13 GIESECKE & DEVRIENT EPAYMENTS GMBH

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method in a portable data carrier (10) for securing the data carrier (10) against external attacks on the data carrier (10). This is achieved in that at least one counter (62; 64) is used in the data carrier (10). A specified command (54; 56) is secured such that said command can be carried out by the data carrier (10) only when the at least one counter (62; 64) lies in a specified value range. The at least one counter (62; 64) is decremented before an execution of the command (54; 56) and only then incremented when the command (54; 56) is carried out without interruption. The at least one counter (62; 64) can be set multiple times, in particular even after the data carrier (10) outputs to a user.