Portable Secure Cloud Drive with Segmented Storage Volumes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The immobility of server farms limits the potential applications and developments of cloud storage and cloud services, as they require physical infrastructures that cannot be easily transported.
Innovation Solution
A secure cloud drive (SCD) is introduced, which is a portable computer-readable medium accessible through the Internet, equipped with a processor, USB connector, and battery, featuring a setup volume for decrypted information and a storage volume for encrypted data, with authentication processes and security features to manage access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If server farms are used for cloud storage, then data storage capacity and processing power are improved, but portability and flexibility deteriorate due to physical infrastructure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cloud storage system into a portable secure cloud drive (SCD) that can be physically transported and a remote server farm that provides backend storage capacity. The SCD contains local processing and authentication capabilities, while the server farm provides bulk storage, allowing the system to enjoy both portability and large storage capacity simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The secure cloud drive acts as an intermediary device between the user and the remote server farm. It provides local authentication, encryption, and data management capabilities while connecting to the server farm for bulk storage, thereby resolving the contradiction between needing local control (portability) and remote capacity (storage size)
2Speed
If data is stored in decrypted form for easy access, then retrieval speed is improved, but security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality states to different portions of the storage system: data is encrypted when stored in the portable SCD and during transmission, but decrypted only when accessed locally by authorized users. This spatial differentiation of encryption state allows fast local access while maintaining security during storage and transmission
Solution Approach 2:
Data is pre-encrypted before storage and pre-authenticated before access. The authentication process occurs in advance, and only after successful authentication is the decryption key provided, allowing fast access for authorized users while maintaining security through preliminary protective actions
3Reliability
If authentication processes are implemented for security, then data protection is improved, but system complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The secure cloud drive performs self-authentication and self-encryption operations. The device manages its own security credentials, authentication states, and encryption keys automatically, reducing the need for complex external authentication infrastructure while maintaining strong security protections
Data Source
AI summary
A SCD includes a processor configured to establish operating functions of the SCD. The SCD further includes a computer-readable medium including a setup volume and a storage volume. The setup volume is configured to store information that is decrypted. The storage volume is configured to store information that is encrypted. The setup volume includes instructions that establish at least one authentication process. The encrypted information stored in the storage volume is decrypted after completing the at least one authentication process. The SCD further includes a universal serial bus (USB) connector configured to transmit information stored in the computer-readable medium to a host or a user. The SCD further includes a battery that powers the SCD.