Removable Data Memory Security for Measuring Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for storing measurement data on removable storage devices in measuring devices, such as scales, lack effective security measures to ensure data integrity and prevent manipulation during transmission and storage.

Innovation Solution

The method involves checking the affiliation of the removable data memory to the measuring device and verifying the integrity of measurement data sets by using a hardware identifier and checksums, ensuring that data can only be written to and read from the associated device, and employing a directory structure to prevent errors and ensure data security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If removable data storage devices are used to store measurement data, then ease of data evaluation and archiving is improved, but the risk of data manipulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of data evaluationVSAvoiddata integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by encrypting the hardware identifier and storing it on the removable data storage device before any measurement data is written. This pre-established encrypted link creates a security foundation that prevents future manipulation, as any alteration to the data would break the cryptographic relationship between the hardware identifier and the stored data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The encrypted hardware identifier acts as an intermediary that binds the removable data storage device to the specific measuring device. This intermediary element verifies the authentic origin of the data by checking whether the hardware identifier stored on the removable device matches the expected encrypted value, thereby mediating between the physical storage medium and the trustworthiness of the stored measurement data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If removable data storage devices are used, then mobility and archiving capability are improved, but security against manipulation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemobilityVSAvoiddata manipulation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies parameter changes by transforming the hardware identifier into an encrypted form before storing it on the removable device. This cryptographic transformation changes the parameter of the identifier from plain text to encrypted data, making it computationally infeasible for manipulators to alter the data while maintaining the ability to verify authenticity through decryption and comparison.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If membership check with encrypted hardware identifier is implemented, then data integrity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses copying by storing the encrypted hardware identifier on the removable data storage device, creating a copy of the authentication credential. This copy enables the verifying device to check the authenticity of the removable device without needing complex cryptographic protocols during operation, as the encrypted identifier serves as a pre-computed authentication token that can be verified through relatively simple comparison operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2284506B1Method for operating a measuring device
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 BIZERBA GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

The method involves storing measured datasets of a measuring device in a removable data storage. Association of the storage device and the measuring device and integration of the datasets stored at the storage device are tested when the storage device is at determined time period and the measuring device is started. A testing is performed that whether testing information of the hardware identification information stored in the data storage matches with corresponding testing information of the hardware identification information of the measuring device. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a computer program comprising program code unit for operating a measuring device when a program is executed at a computer (2) a computer program product comprising a program code unit for operating a measuring device (3) a measuring device comprising a removable data storage for storing measured dataset.