Sensor Authentication via Usage Identifier Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patient monitor systems lack efficient mechanisms to prevent the use of unauthorized sensors, as encryption alone does not prevent copying, allowing counterfeit sensors to be used without detection.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where patient monitors compare and synchronize sensor-specific usage identifiers stored in both the sensor and a host memory to authenticate and authorize sensors, ensuring consistency and updating these identifiers upon use to prevent unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If encryption mechanisms are used to protect sensor memory data, then data security is improved, but copying can still be performed without decryption, rendering encryption ineffective against unauthorized sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing a usage identifier synchronization mechanism before authentication issues arise. The host memory and sensor memory maintain synchronized usage identifiers that are updated in advance according to predetermined rules, creating a preventive barrier against counterfeit sensor usage rather than reacting after copying occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback by continuously monitoring and comparing usage identifiers between host memory and sensor memory. The system provides feedback when inconsistencies are detected, allowing the patient monitor to identify and reject counterfeit sensors based on mismatched usage identifiers, thereby creating a closed-loop authentication system
2Reliability
If sensor-specific usage identifiers are stored in both sensor and host memory with synchronization, then authentication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the authentication system into two independent but synchronized components: host memory storing usage identifiers and sensor memory storing corresponding usage identifiers. This segmentation allows each component to function independently while maintaining authentication reliability through their coordinated relationship
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by updating usage identifiers according to predetermined rules that modify the identifier values based on sensor usage patterns. These controlled parameter changes create detectable differences between authentic and counterfeit sensors while maintaining system simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism for authenticating a physiological sensor is disclosed. When a sensor is connected to a monitor, the monitor examines whether a first sensor-specific usage identifier of the connected sensor is consistent with a second sensor-specific usage identifier thereof. The first and second sensor-specific usage identifiers are indicative of the cumulative usage of the connected sensor, but may nevertheless be unequal. The first sensor-specific usage identifier is maintained in the sensor and the second sensor-specific usage identifier in a host memory external to the sensor. The use of the connected sensor is allowed when the examining indicates that the said two identifiers of the connected sensor are consistent, and rejected when the identifiers are inconsistent. The two identifiers are further updated in response to the use of the connected sensor in the patient monitor, thereby to keep the said identifiers consistent and updated for a subsequent use attempt of the sensor.