Geosecure SSD with Location-Sensing Self-Disable Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solid state drives (SSDs) lack effective mechanisms to ensure secure data storage in harsh environments, particularly in situations where data access should be restricted to specific locations, and existing encryption methods do not adequately address the risk of data theft or unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A geosecure data storage system using SSDs that incorporates location-sensing technology, such as GPS or LORAN, to self-disable or encrypt data when moved outside permitted areas, ensuring secure data protection through self-disablement or data erasure mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional encryption methods are used, then data security is improved, but the risk of data theft or unauthorized access in harsh environments is not adequately addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces GPS location data as an intermediary factor between the SSD and the data it stores. The location information acts as a mediator that controls whether data can be accessed, adding an environmental context layer beyond traditional encryption keys. This intermediary mechanism ensures that even if encryption is compromised, data remains protected unless the SSD is in the authorized geographic location.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification of the SSD's location before allowing any data access operations. By checking GPS coordinates against authorized locations in advance, the system prevents unauthorized access attempts before they can occur, rather than relying solely on encryption to block access after the fact.
2Reliability
If location-sensing technology is added to SSD, then data protection capability is improved, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the SSD controller: traditional data read/write operations, encryption/decryption, GPS location sensing, location verification, and automatic data erasure. By making the controller multi-functional, the system avoids adding separate independent modules for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining enhanced security capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the location verification logic and data protection mechanisms directly into the existing SSD controller architecture. Rather than adding a separate security module, the patent combines GPS processing, location checking, and data erasure functions within the controller's existing resource management capabilities, streamlining the overall device structure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If data erasure mechanism is implemented, then unauthorized data access is prevented, but data availability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic data protection where the erasure mechanism is not static or always-active, but rather adapts based on real-time location verification. Data remains accessible when the SSD is in authorized locations and dynamically becomes protected through erasure only when moved to unauthorized locations. This dynamic approach balances security needs with data availability requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state parameter of data from accessible to erased based on the SSD's geographic location parameter. By monitoring location as a controlling parameter, the system automatically adjusts data availability - maintaining data when GPS coordinates match authorized locations, and erasing data when coordinates deviate, thus linking physical location to digital data state.
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage system including a SSD includes a capability to detect whether its location is acceptable for function, and a capability to self-disable in the event the location of the device is unacceptable, or to self-enable only while the location of the device is acceptable.