Provisioning Control Apparatus Token Counter
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for secure and controlled provisioning of electronic components such as chips and microprocessors in distributed manufacturing processes, where multiple parties are involved in manufacturing, provisioning, and assembly, and existing systems lack effective control over firmware distribution and device personalization.
Innovation Solution
A provisioning control apparatus and system that utilizes an electronic provisioning token with a provisioning counter to manage the transmission of program codes, ensuring secure and controlled provisioning by preventing excessive transmissions, validating time periods, and verifying digital signatures, thereby ensuring only intended devices receive the correct firmware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If distributed provisioning is used to allow multiple parties to manufacture and provision electronic components, then manufacturing flexibility and scalability are improved, but security control and authorization management deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a provisioning control apparatus as an intermediary between the program code source and the provisioning equipment server. This mediator validates provisioning tokens, checks authorization, and controls the transmission of program code, thereby maintaining security in distributed manufacturing environments where multiple parties are involved.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authorization validation by verifying provisioning tokens before allowing program code transmission. The provisioning control apparatus checks the token's validity, including expiration times and authorization levels, in advance of the actual provisioning operation, preventing unauthorized access before it can occur.
2Productivity
If program code transmission is allowed without strict control, then provisioning speed and efficiency are improved, but unauthorized provisioning and security risks worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The provisioning control apparatus implements feedback control by continuously monitoring provisioning token validity, tracking program code transmissions, and dynamically controlling access based on current authorization status. The system provides feedback signals to allow or block transmission based on real-time validation results.
Solution Approach 2:
Authorization validation is performed in advance before program code transmission begins. The provisioning control apparatus verifies token authenticity, checks expiration times, and confirms authorization levels prior to allowing any code transfer, ensuring security checks do not significantly delay the provisioning process.
3Reliability
If provisioning tokens are validated with multiple checks, then security and authorization control are improved, but processing time and system complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The provisioning token validation process is segmented into distinct functional modules: token format verification, signature validation, expiration time checking, and authorization level verification. Each module handles a specific aspect of validation, making the complex process more manageable and maintainable while ensuring thorough security checks.
4Adaptability or versatility
If program code is transmitted without transmission limits, then provisioning flexibility is improved, but code misuse and excessive transmissions worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The provisioning system implements dynamic control by adjusting transmission permissions based on real-time token validation results. The provisioning control apparatus can dynamically allow or block program code transmissions based on current authorization status, remaining valid time periods, and transmission history, providing flexible yet controlled access.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a provisioning control apparatus (140) configured to be coupled to a provisioning equipment server (160), wherein the provisioning equipment server (160) is electrically connectable with one or more electronic devices (170) for provisioning the one or more electronic devices (170) with a program code (150). The provisioning control apparatus (140) comprises: a communication interface (143) configured to receive an electronic provisioning token (180), wherein the electronic provisioning token (180) comprises a provisioning counter (181), the provisioning counter (182) indicating a total number of transmissions of the program code (150) towards the provisioning equipment server (160); and a processor (141) configured to retrieve the provisioning counter (182) from the received electronic provisioning token (180). The communication interface (111) is further configured to transmit the program code (150) towards the provisioning equipment server (160) and the processor (141) is further configured to update a value of the provisioning counter (181) for each transmission of the program code (150) towards the provisioning equipment server (160) to obtain an updated provisioning counter (182). The processor (141) is configured to prohibit a further transmission of the program code (150) towards the provisioning equipment server (160) if the updated provisioning counter (182) indicates that the total number of transmissions has been reached. Moreover, the invention relates to a provisioning control system (100) comprising the provisioning control apparatus (140) as well as a corresponding method for provisioning one or more electronic devices (170).