Portable Storage Controller Routing for Hidden Memory Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for accessing portable storage media require special drivers and can leave traces of access, compromising security and flexibility in managing both main and additional functions of the storage medium.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses routing information with specific parameters to direct data blocks to hidden memory areas, allowing controlled access and write protection without requiring special drivers, enabling secure and seamless interaction between terminals and portable storage carriers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If special drivers are used to access additional functions of portable storage media, then access control and security functions can be implemented, but device complexity increases and the terminal requires extensive changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess securityVSAvoiddriver complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal access mechanism where a single standardized command structure can access both the main storage function and additional security functions (such as cryptographic operations) through routing information. The controller on the portable storage medium routes commands to appropriate handlers based on routing information, eliminating the need for separate specialized drivers for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces routing information as an intermediary mechanism between the terminal and the storage medium's internal functions. This routing information contains identifiers and parameters that guide the controller to the correct function handler, acting as a mediator that translates generic terminal commands into specific function calls without requiring terminal modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If access commands are made visible to the terminal, then standard access can be performed, but security is compromised as traces of access remain in the terminal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess visibilityVSAvoidaccess security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the access traceability from the terminal by implementing a hidden memory area that operates independently of the terminal's visible memory space. Access to this hidden area occurs completely transparently to the terminal, with no traces left in the terminal's memory or logging systems, while still allowing authenticated access for security functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a new dimension of memory access by introducing a hidden memory area that exists parallel to the visible memory space. This hidden area can be accessed through specialized routing information without affecting the terminal's perception of the storage medium's capacity or structure, effectively adding a secure access dimension that remains invisible to the terminal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the storage medium provides both main and additional functions, then versatility increases, but the terminal cannot selectively address functions without special drivers

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidaddressing flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal command structure where a single standardized interface can access both the main storage function and additional security functions. The controller uses routing information with identifiers to direct commands to the appropriate function handler, allowing the terminal to access any function through the same standardized interface without requiring function-specific drivers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic routing capability where the controller can dynamically direct commands to different function handlers based on routing information parameters. This allows flexible, selective access to different functions (storage, cryptographic operations, etc.) through a single interface, with the routing being determined at command execution time rather than requiring static driver configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2427817B1Method for accessing a portable data storage medium with auxiliary module and portable data storage medium
Publication Date: 2015.12.16 GIESECKEDEVRIENT IP
  • EP2427817B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2427817B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2427817B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for accessing a portable data storage medium (10) having a controller (12) for managing a standardized memory element (14), and having an auxiliary module (16), wherein a data block is transmitted to the data storage medium (10) in a first transmission protocol. The data block comprises routing information and application data, wherein the routing information has an identifier, which can be recognized by the controller (12). It is further determined whether a data block received by the data storage medium (10) contains routing information. The data block is forwarded to a memory region (18) of the memory element (14) hidden for a terminal (50), if the data block includes routing information, and if, apart from the identifier embedded therein, the routing information has at least one additional predetermined parameter indexing the access to the hidden memory region (18).