Motherboard Time Card Binding for Rental PC Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rental computers in emerging countries face issues with users cheating by reducing recorded usage time, leading to improper use beyond paid-for time, as existing solutions lack effective methods to securely manage and enforce rental time usage.
Innovation Solution
A time card with a counter is plugged into a motherboard's memory socket, incrementing to reflect purchased rental time, and decrementing with clock signals, while being encrypted to the motherboard, ensuring secure binding and preventing removal for use in another computer, with warnings and locks for time expiration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rental PC is provided to users with basic time management, then users can access the computer for paid time, but users may cheat by reducing recorded usage time and use the computer beyond paid time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by utilizing the memory module socket for dual purposes: traditional memory expansion and time card insertion. The memory module structure serves both as a storage component for computer operation and as a secure time management medium, eliminating the need for separate dedicated time management hardware and reducing overall system complexity while improving time usage reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a time card as an intermediary component that mediates between the user, the computer system, and the time management function. The time card contains a counter and cryptographic elements that act as a trusted third party, securely tracking usage time and preventing cheating without requiring complex software-based time management systems
2Reliability
If a time card is inserted into a memory socket to manage rental time, then time usage can be securely tracked, but the time card must be securely bound to prevent removal and use in another computer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the time card binding security function with the existing memory module architecture. By integrating cryptographic binding mechanisms into the time card that utilizes the memory module's existing electrical and physical interface, the system achieves secure binding to the specific computer motherboard without adding separate complex binding hardware or mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses cryptographic copying principles where the time card contains encrypted information that is uniquely bound to the specific computer's motherboard identifier. This cryptographic binding creates a secure one-to-one relationship without requiring physical attachment mechanisms, as the encrypted data effectively 'copies' the motherboard's unique identity into the time card's secure storage
3Measurement precision
If the counter on the time card is incremented to reflect purchased rental time, then users can purchase and track time accurately, but the system must prevent unauthorized access and manipulation of the counter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the time card with a secure counter mechanism and cryptographic protection before the user begins using the computer. The counter is initialized with the purchased time value and protected encryption keys are pre-loaded into the time card's secure memory, preventing any subsequent manipulation or unauthorized access to the counter value during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent treats the time card as a disposable or limited-life object that is securely destroyed or invalidated when the rental period expires or when the user returns the computer. This approach eliminates the need for complex long-term security mechanisms, as the time card's secure functionality is temporary and tied strictly to the rental duration, reducing overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Hacking a rental computer to use it beyond purchased rental time is prevented by plugging a time card with internal counter into a DIMM socket of the motherboard and encrypting the register locations of the time card with the private key of the motherboard to bind the time card to the motherboard. Thus, if the time card is not detected at boot or if it is removed during operation the computer is disabled. The counter counts down the rented time period as it receives clocking signals, and at the elapse of the purchased period disables the computer.