Sensor Control Assembly for Secure Data Verification and Calibration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In additive manufacturing, ensuring reliable and secure sensor data across different manufacturing locations and devices is challenging due to potential manipulation and calibration issues, which can lead to decreased product quality and disputes.
Innovation Solution
A sensor control assembly that includes a first processing unit for generating cryptographic checksums of sensor data, a distributed database protected against manipulation, and a second processing unit for verifying and calibrating sensors based on defined manufacturing conditions, using blockchain technology for secure data storage and access control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensor data is stored in a centralized database, then data access is simple, but data manipulation and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized database into multiple distributed database nodes across different manufacturing locations. Each node stores copies of sensor data, eliminating the single point of failure and manipulation risk while maintaining data accessibility through the distributed network architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces blockchain technology as an intermediary layer between sensor data and storage. The blockchain creates an immutable ledger that records sensor data hashes, providing verification without requiring direct access to the underlying database, thus preventing manipulation while maintaining simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If manual calibration of sensors is performed, then calibration accuracy can be verified, but operator workload and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic calibration systems that use reference sensors and pre-stored calibration data to self-adjust sensor readings. The system autonomously detects calibration drift through cryptographic verification and performs corrections without operator intervention, maintaining precision while eliminating manual calibration time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes continuous feedback loops where sensor data is constantly verified against cryptographic checksums and reference values. When deviations are detected, the system automatically triggers calibration routines, ensuring continuous accuracy without requiring scheduled manual interventions.
3Productivity
If sensors are replaced with spare parts, then device availability is maintained, but data consistency and quality may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates digital twins or cryptographic copies of sensor identities and calibration data stored on the blockchain. When a sensor is replaced, the new sensor inherits the cryptographic identity through secure key transfer, ensuring data consistency is maintained across sensor replacements without interruption to manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-registers spare sensor parts with their cryptographic identities and calibration certificates in the distributed database before they are needed. When a sensor replacement occurs, the system automatically retrieves and applies the pre-configured identity and calibration data, ensuring immediate consistency without manual reconfiguration.
4Reliability
If cryptographic verification of sensor data is implemented, then data security is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective cryptographic verification where only critical sensor data requiring high assurance undergo full cryptographic checking, while routine data uses simplified verification methods. This partial application of cryptographic protocols maintains security for essential data while preserving processing throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-generates cryptographic checksums and verification keys during sensor manufacturing and initial setup, storing them in the distributed database. During operation, the system performs rapid checksum comparison rather than full cryptographic verification, achieving fast validation while maintaining security through the pre-computed cryptographic foundations.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor control assembly and method providing a secured sensor data and an optimized handling of the sensor including a sensor, a first processing unit adapted to provide a cryptographic checksum of sensor data, a distributed database, a second processing unit adapted to verify the sensor data, and a third processing unit adapted to determine the demand for calibration. A manufacturing device contains at least a part of the sensor control assembly.