Electronic Seal Authority Transfer via Cryptographic Logging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for tracking and securing containers during transportation, particularly across different modes of transport, fail to provide comprehensive documentation of authority transfer and tampering events due to limitations in GPS signal accessibility and lack of integrated security measures.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing cryptographic key transfers and digital signatures to document the transfer of authority between entities in a transportation chain, ensuring secure handover of control through electronic container control certificates, which are digitally signed and stored in an electronic seal, enabling verification and tampering detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS receivers are installed in containers to track location, then location tracking capability is improved, but the system becomes inapplicable when containers are stacked densely (10-12 levels high) because only uppermost containers receive GPS signal
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the tracking function by separating location recording (performed by the electronic seal) from the GPS receiver (installed on the transport vehicle). This allows the electronic seal to record location data received from the vehicle's GPS without requiring direct GPS signal access, making it applicable to densely stacked containers while maintaining tracking capability through the vehicle's positioning system.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic seal acts as an intermediary between the GPS receiver and the container. Instead of requiring the container itself to have direct GPS access, the system uses the vehicle's GPS receiver to determine location and then transmits this information to the electronic seal, which records it in the container's log. This intermediary approach enables location tracking without direct GPS signal penetration through stacked containers.
2Reliability
If electronic seals are used to document tampering events, then security documentation is improved, but comprehensive documentation of authority transfer and control chain is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing a complete documentation framework before tampering events occur. The electronic seal is pre-configured with a log structure that can record multiple types of events including authority transfers, location changes, and tampering attempts. This preliminary setup ensures that all relevant information is captured systematically throughout the entire transportation chain, not just at the point of potential tampering.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic seal is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple purposes: it acts as a tampering indicator, a location recorder, an authority transfer documentation device, and a control chain tracker. By integrating these functions into a single device, the system achieves comprehensive documentation without requiring multiple separate systems, thereby eliminating information loss while maintaining security.
3Reliability
If cryptographic key transfers are implemented to document authority transfer, then security and authenticity verification is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses cryptographic copies of authority information rather than physical transfer of control. The electronic seal creates and stores cryptographic representations (hash values, digital signatures) of authority transfer events, allowing verification without moving physical control documents. This copying approach maintains security and authenticity while simplifying the actual transfer process to electronic data handling rather than complex physical and cryptographic operations.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method and a system for documenting a transfer of authority of control for a container from a first entity of a transportation chain to a second entity of the transportation chain. The first entity transfers an electronic container control certificate to an electronic seal of the respective container, which electronic container control certificate comprises a cryptographic key associated to the second entity, and which container control certificate is digitally signed by the first entity. The container control certificate is stored in a log of the electronic seal.