Encrypted Machine Command Control for IP-Safe Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturing processes often face challenges in securely controlling the use of intellectual property (IP) rights, as third-party manufacturers may misuse IP rights without adequate protection mechanisms, leading to unauthorized production runs.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a synthesizer device to translate digital blueprints into encrypted machine commands, which are then distributed to manufacturer devices, ensuring that IP owners can control access and usage of their IP rights through authorization mechanisms, preventing unauthorized manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If IP rights information is shared with third-party manufacturers, then manufacturing capability and productivity are improved, but security and control over IP usage deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the manufacturing control system into multiple independent components: IP owner devices that hold authorized information, synthesizer devices that translate blueprints into machine commands, and manufacturer devices that execute manufacturing. Each segment operates independently with defined access rights, allowing IP information to be shared only to the extent necessary for specific manufacturing tasks while maintaining overall control.
Solution Approach 2:
The synthesizer device acts as an intermediary between IP owners and manufacturers. It receives blueprints from IP owners, translates them into encrypted machine commands, and distributes these commands to manufacturer devices. This intermediary layer ensures that manufacturers never receive the original IP information, only encrypted instructions, thereby maintaining security while enabling manufacturing capability.
2Reliability
If control mechanisms are implemented to limit IP usage by third parties, then IP rights protection is improved, but device complexity and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service control mechanisms where each device automatically verifies authorization information and encrypts/decrypts commands as needed. IP owner devices automatically manage their authorized information, synthesizer devices automatically translate and encrypt commands, and manufacturer devices automatically verify and execute only authorized instructions. This automation eliminates the need for complex manual control processes and reduces operational burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of control information from plaintext to encrypted format throughout the manufacturing process. Blueprints are transformed into encrypted machine commands, and authorization information is embedded within the encryption scheme. This parameter change (from readable to encrypted state) provides inherent security without requiring additional complex control layers, as the encryption itself serves as the control mechanism.
3Reliability
If encrypted machine commands are distributed to manufacturers, then security against unauthorized production is improved, but information exchange and manufacturing efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The synthesizer device performs preliminary actions by pre-translating blueprints into encrypted machine commands and pre-embedding authorization information within the encryption scheme. This preliminary preparation ensures that when manufacturer devices receive the commands, they can immediately verify and execute them without requiring additional security checks or decryption steps, thereby maintaining manufacturing efficiency while ensuring security.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for controlling a manufacturing process in a manner that protects sensitive information from misuse by different entities involved in the manufacturing process. According to the present disclosure, a blueprint providing information regarding subcomponents of a product to be manufactured may be provided to a synthesizer device. The synthesizer device may engage in two-party computation with IP providers to generate a set of machine commands, which may be encrypted, and then provide a message including the set of machine commands to a manufacturer device. The manufacturer device may obtain authorization from the IP provider(s) based on the message, where the authorization may enable the manufacturer device to configure a manufacturing process in accordance with the set of machine commands to manufacture the subcomponents of the product.