Proprietary Command Protection via LBA Signature Verification

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for transmitting proprietary commands to storage devices are hindered by operating systems filtering them out, and are limited to specific file systems, leading to longer development times and restricted functionality.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses specific memory addresses and signature values to distinguish proprietary commands from regular data, allowing them to be transmitted and executed by storing a mark value computed from signature values within a data sector, and comparing it with a comparison value extracted from the data sector to determine the command type.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If proprietary commands are transmitted using the reserve field in LBA mode, then the controller can differentiate proprietary commands from normal data, but the operating system filters out these non-standard commands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommand transmission reliabilityVSAvoidoperating system filtering

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (signature values and mark values) that mediates between the proprietary command and the operating system. By embedding signature values in characteristic locations and computing mark values, the system creates an intermediate layer that allows the OS to pass through the data without filtering, while the controller can still identify and execute proprietary commands through the mark value verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of data transmission by introducing signature values at specific locations and mark values computed from these signatures. This parameter transformation allows the data to be recognized as legitimate by the operating system while maintaining the proprietary command structure that the controller can identify and execute.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If through commands are used to transmit proprietary commands as files, then the operating system does not filter them out, but the development time increases due to file system constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating system filteringVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential identifying features (signature values) from the proprietary command structure and places them at characteristic locations. This extraction allows the command to be transmitted efficiently without requiring complex file system structures, thereby reducing development time while still preventing operating system filtering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the proprietary command into distinct components: signature values at characteristic locations, mark values computed from signatures, and the actual command data. This segmentation allows each component to serve its specific function - signatures for identification, mark values for verification - without requiring full file system implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the reserve field is used for proprietary commands, then command differentiation is enabled, but the operating system considers it an invasion condition and blocks transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommand differentiation capabilityVSAvoidoperating system blocking

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (signature values and mark values) that mediates between the proprietary command and the operating system. By embedding signature values in characteristic locations and computing mark values, the system creates an intermediate layer that allows the OS to pass through the data without filtering, while the controller can still identify and execute proprietary commands through the mark value verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of data transmission by introducing signature values at specific locations and mark values computed from these signatures. This parameter transformation allows the data to be recognized as legitimate by the operating system while maintaining the proprietary command structure that the controller can identify and execute.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7992214B2Method for protecting memory proprietary commands

Publication Date: 2011.08.02 PROLIFIC TECH INC

AI summary

A method for protecting memory proprietary command is provided. By using the logic block area (LBA) address in the header of the LBA mode, the device end can determine whether the data sector in the LBA mode includes a proprietary command. Also, by using the pre-defined computation function to establish a relation among the values stored in a plurality of characteristic point addresses and a specific point address so that he device end can determine whether a proprietary command is received. As the operating system will not filter out the proprietary command wrapped in this manner, the proprietary command can pass the operating system and be executed by the device end.