Flexible Conductive Shielding for Mobile Forensic Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for analyzing mobile devices in forensic investigations are hindered by the ability to remotely switch off or modify data on these devices via cellular connections, making it difficult to determine the course of events, and require transporting devices to a shielded analysis room, which is time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A portable shielding analysis device with a flexible outer shell made of conductive materials that reflect and absorb electromagnetic radiation, featuring finger, hand, and arm receiving devices to prevent remote operation or data modification, allowing on-site analysis while maintaining device operability through tactile interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mobile devices are transported to a shielded analysis room for forensic analysis, then data integrity is protected from remote manipulation, but analysis time is increased due to transportation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible shielded container made of conductive material that can be collapsed for portability and expanded to create a Faraday cage environment at the crime scene, eliminating transportation time while maintaining data integrity through electromagnetic shielding

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible shielded container acts as an intermediary structure that can be deployed between the crime scene and the analyst, providing immediate electromagnetic isolation without requiring permanent shielded facilities or transportation of devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If mobile devices are analyzed at the crime scene using a portable shielded container, then analysis time is reduced by eliminating transportation, but the complexity of deploying and setting up the shielded environment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis speedVSAvoidsetup complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shielded container transitions from a collapsed portable state to an expanded operational state, allowing easy deployment and setup at the crime scene while maintaining complex shielding functionality through a simple collapsible structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible conductive material enables the shielded container to be easily collapsed for transport and quickly expanded at the scene, reducing setup complexity while maintaining the electromagnetic shielding effect through the conductive material properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If conductive materials are used in the shielded container to block electromagnetic radiation, then remote switching off and data modification are prevented, but the flexibility and portability of the container may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against remote manipulationVSAvoidportability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses flexible conductive materials such as conductive fabric or coated materials that maintain electromagnetic shielding properties while allowing the container to be collapsed and easily transported, balancing protection capability with portability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The shielded container incorporates composite materials combining conductive properties with flexible characteristics, such as conductive fabric or polymer-coated conductive materials, achieving both electromagnetic radiation blocking and flexibility for portability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables secure, on-site analysis of mobile devices by preventing remote shutdown or data alteration, ensuring data integrity and reducing transportation time to a shielded room, thus facilitating more efficient forensic evaluations.

Implementation Method 1

an outer shell (102) having a flexible material that reflects and/or absorbs electromagnetic radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

an outer shell (102) having a flexible material that reflects and/or absorbs electromagnetic radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

The outer shell and/or the finger receiving device have a woven material with galvanically conductive threads, a fleece material with galvanically conductive fibers, a galvanically conductive coating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGalvanic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3409431B1Shielding analysis device
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 LIFETEX SAVETY GMBH
  • EP3409431B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3409431B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention discloses a shielding analysis device (100) comprising: - an outer shell (102) having a flexible material that reflects and/or absorbs electromagnetic radiation; - an airlock (116, 130) arranged in the outer shell through which at least one object (112) can be brought through the outer shell (102) into the shielding analysis device; and - at least one finger-receiving device (108) having a flexible material that reflects and/or absorbs electromagnetic radiation, extending from the outer shell (102) and configured to receive a finger at least to the second outermost finger joint, allowing the finger to move around the outermost finger joint and the second outermost finger joint, wherein the outer shell (102) and/or the finger-receiving device (108) comprise at least one of the following: - a woven material with galvanically conductive threads;- a non-woven material with galvanically conductive fibers; - a galvanically conductive coating; - a graphite coating; and/or - a carbon coating.;