Self-modifying Data Containers for Financial Security

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for capturing and storing financial transaction data lack control over data retention and privacy, making it vulnerable to hacking and misuse.

Innovation Solution

A self-modifying data container with a data manager that can read and modify transaction information in response to triggers, such as deletion or encryption triggers, to ensure secure data handling by deleting or encrypting data when no longer needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If financial transaction data is stored for long periods by companies, then data availability for business operations is improved, but data security and privacy control deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata retention periodVSAvoiddata security risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by embedding triggers within the data container that automatically initiate deletion or encryption of data after predetermined time periods or upon specific events. This pre-programmed action ensures data is automatically secured without requiring ongoing manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between long-term data availability and security by enforcing automatic data lifecycle management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The data container performs self-service by autonomously monitoring its own data and automatically executing deletion or encryption operations when triggers are activated. The container manages its own security lifecycle without external control, enabling it to balance data availability and security independently by automatically transitioning from accessible to secured state based on embedded conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If data is stored indefinitely for business operations, then operational flexibility is improved, but vulnerability to hacking increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidhacking vulnerability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the data container's security state changeable over time. The container transitions dynamically between accessible and secured states based on embedded triggers related to time, events, or conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain operational flexibility when data needs to be accessed while automatically increasing security when access is no longer required, resolving the contradiction between operational versatility and hacking vulnerability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If automatic data deletion is implemented, then data security is improved, but data availability for legitimate operations may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoiddata availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by implementing a trigger mechanism that continuously monitors data container conditions and automatically activates deletion or encryption when predetermined criteria are met. This feedback loop ensures data remains available during legitimate operational periods while automatically securing or deleting data when operational needs are satisfied, resolving the contradiction between security and availability by using condition-based automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11816240B1Self-modifying data containers for improved data security
Publication Date: 2023.11.14 UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)
  • US11816240B1 patent drawing
  • US11816240B1 patent drawing
  • US11816240B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A self-modifying data container for improved data security and methods of use are disclosed. The self-modifying data container includes a data storage structure for storing financial transaction information. The self-modifying data container also includes a data manager stored as code within the container. The data manager can run on a system hosting the self-modifying data container. The data manager can access transaction information in the data storage structure and modify the data in response to modification triggers. The data manager can delete data in the data storage structure. The data manager can also encrypt data in the data storage structure. The self-modifying data container improves both data security and data privacy.