Microelectronic Device Generating Identifying Information for Secure Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data collection systems lack mechanisms for ensuring the safety, accuracy, reliability, and traceability of data from edge devices to data processing systems, particularly in healthcare settings where patient data is involved.

Innovation Solution

A microelectronic device with integrated sensors and a compute fabric generates identifying information to create secret cryptographic keys, tags data, and uses blockchain technology to securely collect, process, and validate sensor data, ensuring data integrity and traceability by anchoring records to a blockchain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If typical data collection systems are used, then data collection is simple, but data safety, accuracy, reliability and traceability cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata safety and traceabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism between the edge device and data processing system. This intermediary layer validates data integrity, origin, and authenticity before data enters the processing system, ensuring reliability without requiring complete system redesign. The intermediary acts as a trusted bridge that enforces security protocols while maintaining data flow efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary verification actions at the edge device before data transmission. By pre-validating data characteristics, generating digital signatures, and establishing traceability markers in advance, the system ensures data reliability is established before it enters the processing pipeline, avoiding the need for complex real-time verification throughout the entire data journey.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If no verification mechanisms are implemented, then system operation is simple, but data accuracy and traceability are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The edge device performs self-verification of its own data characteristics and generates its own digital signatures autonomously. This self-service approach ensures data accuracy is maintained at the source without requiring continuous external monitoring or complex operational interventions. The device independently validates its data integrity and provides traceability information without adding operational complexity to the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If blockchain technology is integrated, then data traceability and security are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata traceabilityVSAvoidtechnology integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential blockchain verification function from the main data processing system and implements it as a separate, modular component at the edge device. By taking out the traceability verification mechanism as an independent module, the system achieves blockchain-level traceability without requiring full integration of complex blockchain infrastructure throughout the entire system. Only the essential verification functions are extracted and implemented where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11245520B2Systems and methods for generating identifying information based on semiconductor manufacturing process variations
Publication Date: 2022.02.08 LUCID CIRCUIT INC
  • US11245520B2 patent drawing
  • US11245520B2 patent drawing
  • US11245520B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A microelectronic device that includes a sensor die, compute fabric dies, and storage component dies. Each compute fabric die has processing circuit components and data storage circuit components. A circuit component is selected and identifying information is generated by changing biasing and control parameters of the selected circuit component.