Hardware Read Counter for Sensitive Data Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack an efficient method to manage and secure sensitive temporary data in transportation systems, particularly in vehicles, where data security and privacy are critical.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that determine a portion of memory in a transport for storing sensitive temporary data, set a hardware threshold for the maximum number of reads, and clear the data when the threshold is reached, using a hardware-enabled trigger.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If sensitive temporary data is stored in memory for extended access, then data usability is improved, but data security deteriorates due to increased exposure risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata usabilityVSAvoiddata security risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures a read counter mechanism and maximum read threshold before storing sensitive temporary data in memory. The hardware monitor continuously tracks read operations and automatically triggers data clearance when the threshold is reached, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring consistent security enforcement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual data management processes with an automated hardware-based monitoring system. The hardware monitor circuitry directly interfaces with memory and processor to enforce read limits and trigger automatic data clearance, substituting human-operated security protocols with reliable mechanical/electronic enforcement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If data is cleared automatically after maximum reads, then data security is improved, but data availability deteriorates when data is needed beyond the threshold

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoiddata availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-establishes the maximum read threshold and read counter mechanism before data storage operations begin. This preliminary configuration ensures that both security enforcement and data availability requirements are built into the system architecture from the outset, allowing predictable behavior throughout the data lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The hardware monitor implements continuous feedback by tracking each read operation against the maximum threshold and automatically triggering data clearance when the limit is reached. This closed-loop control ensures that data availability is maintained within secure boundaries, with the system responding dynamically to usage patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If manual data management is used, then system complexity is reduced, but security enforcement reliability deteriorates due to human error

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidsecurity enforcement
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service security enforcement through automated hardware monitoring that independently tracks read operations, compares against thresholds, and triggers data clearance without human intervention. This eliminates reliance on manual security procedures while maintaining manageable system complexity through integrated hardware solutions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual data management processes with automated hardware-based monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. The hardware monitor circuitry directly interfaces with memory and processor to enforce read limits and trigger automatic data clearance, substituting human-operated security protocols with reliable mechanical/electronic enforcement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12287910B2Transport limitation for data reads
Publication Date: 2025.04.29 TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA INC
  • US12287910B2 patent drawing
  • US12287910B2 patent drawing
  • US12287910B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An example operation includes one or more of determining a portion of memory in a transport for storing sensitive temporary data, setting a hardware threshold of a maximum number of reads of the data from the portion of memory, and clearing the data from the portion of memory with a hardware-enabled trigger in response to the maximum number of reads is reached.