Device Controller Time-Based Sector Security Enforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current device controllers lack effective mechanisms for enforcing time-based sector level security, which is crucial for ensuring data integrity and protection in sector-based storage devices.
Innovation Solution
A device controller is designed with a processor connected to a clock and computer memory, utilizing a control list with security feature entries that include target sector ranges, time data, and associated security responses. The processor determines time conflicts based on clock time and executes security responses such as access denial, encryption, deletion, or relocation in response to these conflicts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If device controllers enforce time-based sector level security, then data security and integrity are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage device into sector-level units with individual security attributes, allowing granular time-based access control at the sector level rather than requiring complex system-wide security management. Each sector can have its own expiration date or time window, enabling precise security enforcement without overwhelming controller complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring security attributes (expiration dates, time windows) for sectors during data writing or initialization. The controller proactively checks these pre-set time conditions before allowing access operations, eliminating the need for complex real-time security decision-making and reducing operational complexity.
2Reliability
If the controller continuously monitors clock time for security enforcement, then data protection is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having the controller check clock time against security attributes at specific intervals or trigger events (such as read/write requests) rather than continuously monitoring. This event-driven approach maintains data protection while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous time monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The security attributes (expiration dates, time windows) are self-service elements stored with the data, enabling the system to automatically enforce time-based security without requiring active, energy-consuming monitoring processes. The data itself carries its security constraints, and the controller simply checks these constraints when access is requested.
3Reliability
If the controller checks time data for every access request, then security enforcement is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing time-based security attributes (expiration dates, time windows) with the data during write operations or initialization. When read requests occur, the controller only needs to compare the current time against these pre-set values, rather than performing complex security evaluations, thus maintaining fast access speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by implementing time-based security checks only where and when needed (at the specific sector level and only during access requests to protected sectors) rather than uniformly across the entire storage system. This selective approach minimizes the impact on overall system productivity while ensuring security enforcement where required.
Data Source
AI summary
A device controller interfaced between an electronic processing device and a sector-based data storage device, includes a processor connected to a clock, and a computer memory having a control list stored therein. A control list includes a security feature entry having a target sector range, time data associated with the target sector range, and at least one security response associated with the target sector range. The processor determines, based at least in part on interrogation of the control list and a clock time, the time data of the entry conflicts with the clock time, and executes the at least one security response.