IP Fingerprinting and DNA Analysis for Semiconductor IP Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The semiconductor industry faces challenges in managing and tracking intellectual property (IP) due to manual processes, leading to legal and liability risks, as well as the potential for malicious modifications in IP used in products, which are difficult to detect and can remain undetected until activated, requiring complete recalls. Additionally, the lack of industry standards and efficient tracking methods results in laborious and error-prone contract management.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for generating unique mathematical representations, or 'fingerprints,' of IP and chips, which are stored in a repository, allowing for analysis and reporting on the presence of specific IP elements within chip databases, using a 'DNA analysis' tool that compares chip fingerprints to a reference library, and includes user-generated elements for enhanced detection and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual processes are used to track IP usage, then flexibility in contract management is maintained, but tracking accuracy and compliance reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking processes with automated electronic fingerprinting and DNA analysis systems. The system automatically generates fingerprints of IP files, stores them in databases, and performs DNA analysis to identify IP usage, eliminating manual errors while maintaining contract management flexibility through programmable rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital fingerprints (copies) of IP files that capture essential identifying features without requiring access to the original files. These fingerprints serve as reliable proxies for tracking IP usage, enabling accurate compliance monitoring while preserving the ability to manage contracts flexibly.
2Measurement precision
If IP files are analyzed in detail to detect malicious modifications, then detection accuracy improves, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential identifying features from IP files to create compact fingerprints, rather than analyzing the entire file content. This extraction process captures sufficient information for accurate detection of malicious modifications while dramatically reducing processing time and computational resource requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the IP analysis process into two stages: fingerprint generation (extracting key features) and DNA analysis (comparing fingerprints). This segmentation allows for efficient processing by performing quick fingerprint comparisons rather than exhaustive file analyses, maintaining high detection accuracy while reducing time loss.
3Measurement precision
If complete IP file content is stored for analysis, then analysis accuracy improves, but storage requirements and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores fingerprints (compact digital copies) of IP files rather than the complete original files. These fingerprints contain sufficient information for accurate DNA analysis and IP identification while occupying minimal storage space and reducing security risks associated with storing sensitive IP content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the IP file from its original complex form into a simplified fingerprint representation with reduced dimensional parameters. This parameter transformation maintains the essential identifying characteristics needed for accurate analysis while dramatically reducing storage requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed include computer implemented systems and methods comprising multiple computer programs that when used together as part of the system enable the detection of one set of computer files within another set of files without having direct access to the files themselves. A computer program generated unique fingerprint for each set of files that is a condensed representation of that file that ensures no reverse engineering is possible from its use. Another computer program serves as a public repository to securely store fingerprints from multiple sources (e.g. companies).Additionally, another computer program is used to analyze the two or more file sets and produces a report that shows whether files in one set are contained in the other.