Memory Data Distinguishability Using Encryption Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems face challenges in distinguishing between actual data and erased/blank memory locations, particularly when encrypting and decrypting data, leading to incorrect interpretation of encrypted data as erased or blank memory, and vice versa.
Innovation Solution
A host processor is operatively coupled with a security processor and memory in a series connection, incorporating a comparing component that analyzes data to differentiate between actual data and erased/blank memory locations, ensuring accurate encryption, decryption, and storage by adjusting the data values as necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is encrypted using a specified algorithm, then data security is improved, but the encrypted data may have a value equivalent to erased/blank memory locations, making it indistinguishable from actual erased memory
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary comparison of the encrypted data value against the erased memory value before storage. If the encrypted data equals the erased memory value, the system re-encrypts the data using a different encryption key or algorithm variant to ensure the stored value is distinguishable from erased memory, preventing information loss while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the comparison result of encrypted data versus erased memory value is fed back into the encryption process. When a collision is detected (encrypted data equals erased memory value), the feedback loop triggers re-encryption with adjusted parameters until a distinguishable value is achieved, ensuring both security and distinguishability.
2Ease of operation
If encrypted data is read and decrypted, then data accessibility is improved, but the decrypted data may be incorrectly interpreted as actual data when it represents erased/blank memory locations
Solution Approach 1:
Before decryption, the system performs a preliminary comparison to check if the read data value matches the erased memory value. If they match, the system skips decryption and directly interprets the data as erased memory, avoiding incorrect interpretation while maintaining accessibility for valid data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary comparison step between the memory read operation and the decryption/interpretation process. This intermediary layer (the comparison component) mediates between the raw memory value and the final data interpretation, preventing misinterpretation of erased memory as valid data while allowing normal data access to proceed unchanged.
3Measurement precision
If a comparing component is added to distinguish between actual data and erased memory, then data accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The comparing component is merged with the existing encryption/decryption processor rather than being a separate independent unit. The comparison function is integrated into the processor's existing data path, sharing hardware resources and control logic, thereby achieving improved distinguishability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The comparing component serves multiple functions: it compares encrypted data against erased memory values during write operations, compares read data against erased memory values during read operations, and provides feedback for re-encryption decisions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, managing complexity while achieving comprehensive data state differentiation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods that facilitate processing data, such as by encryption/decryption, and storing and retrieving data to/from memory such that actual data can be distinguished from information associated with, or representative of, erased/blank memory locations. A processor can include a comparing component that compares information input to the processor to determine whether such information is associated with actual data, or associated with, or representative of, erased/blank memory locations. Information associated with, or representative of, an erased/blank memory location can be processed so that it can be interpreted as such by other components. If actual data is processed such that the comparing component interprets the processed data to be equivalent to an erased/blank memory location, then the data can be re-processed, so it is not interpreted as such, before being forwarded to its next destination.