Detection Boundary System for Third-Party Robot Sensor Disablement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial manufacturing processes face challenges in protecting trade secrets from unauthorized capture by third-party robotic systems, as these systems can intercept sensitive information during their operations on the manufacturing floor.

Innovation Solution

A method and system are implemented to create a detection boundary within which the sensor capabilities of third-party robotic machines are disabled, using blockchain integration, to restrict data capturing and ensure that only authorized systems can access sensitive information during the manufacturing process, while allowing the robotic machines to perform necessary activities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If third-party robotic machines are deployed to perform activities on the manufacturing floor, then productivity and operational flexibility are improved, but the risk of unauthorized capture of trade secret information increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing outputVSAvoidtrade secret capture

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The manufacturing floor is divided into multiple detection zones with different security levels. Each zone has specific detection boundaries that trigger different sensor disablement rules. This segmentation allows third-party robotic machines to operate freely in low-security zones while automatically restricting sensor access in high-security zones containing trade secrets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A detection boundary system acts as an intermediary between third-party robotic machines and trade secret manufacturing processes. The system uses multiple sensors to detect the presence and position of robotic machines, and automatically disables sensor capabilities when machines enter restricted zones, preventing unauthorized information capture while allowing operational continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If sensor capabilities of third-party robotic machines are disabled to protect trade secrets, then information security is improved, but the ability of robotic machines to perform inspection and data collection activities is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrade secret protectionVSAvoidrobotic machine sensor functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor disablement is not static but dynamic and conditional. Sensors are enabled when robotic machines are outside detection boundaries and automatically disabled when they enter zones containing trade secret manufacturing processes. This dynamic control maintains security while preserving robotic machine versatility in authorized areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different sensor capabilities are selectively disabled based on the specific location and the type of trade secret present in each zone. Rather than disabling all sensors globally, the system applies localized sensor disablement only in specific detection zones where trade secrets are present, maintaining robotic machine functionality in other areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If detection boundaries are established to restrict robotic machine movement, then trade secret protection is improved, but the operational efficiency and access to manufacturing areas is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfidentiality maintenanceVSAvoidrobotic machine access time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Detection boundaries and sensor disablement rules are pre-configured based on the manufacturing process requirements and trade secret locations. The system proactively detects robotic machine approach and automatically applies sensor disablement before unauthorized data capture can occur, eliminating the need for reactive security measures and minimizing operational delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250001600A1Controlling movement of third-party robotic systems on an industrial floor while executing a trade secret manufacturing process

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

In an approach for creating a detection boundary within which a sensor capability of a third-party robotic machine is disabled to restrict the third-party robotic machine from capturing a propagation of one or more aspects of a manufacturing process, a processor evaluates a manufacturing process, wherein a feature of the manufacturing process is protected by a trade secret. A processor evaluates a sensor capability of a third-party robotic machine to detect an aspect of the manufacturing process. A processor determines a set of detection boundaries for the manufacturing process. A processor determines whether the sensor capability of the third-party robotic machine can be disabled. Responsive to determining the sensor capability of the third-party robotic machine can be disabled, a processor disables the sensor capability of the third-party robotic machine when the third-party robotic machine enters the set of detection boundaries for the manufacturing process.