Transport Data Logger Access Codes for Secure Reuse

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing recording devices for monitoring environmental conditions during goods transport are discarded after a single use due to logistical difficulties in re-use and confidentiality concerns related to continuous data transmission, leading to environmental waste and reluctance to reuse devices.

Innovation Solution

A device that associates data with a unique use code for each transport stage, allowing only authorized users to access data via the code, decoupling device identification from data access, and enabling reuse by generating new codes for each shipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If recording devices continuously transmit data to the cloud, then data accessibility and monitoring capability are improved, but data confidentiality and security are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoiddata confidentiality risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the identifier into multiple parts (first identifier part, second identifier part, third identifier part) and distributes them across different entities (device, cloud server, authorized user). This segmentation ensures that no single entity possesses the complete identifier, thereby protecting data confidentiality while enabling authorized access when all parts are combined.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the cloud server acts as a mediator between the recording device and authorized users. The server stores only partial identifier information and requires collaboration with other entities (device or user) to reconstruct the full identifier, thus enabling data access control without compromising confidentiality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If recording devices are designed for single use, then data confidentiality is maintained, but environmental waste increases due to discarded functional devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata confidentialityVSAvoidelectronic waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic identifier generation where the complete identifier is reconstructed differently depending on the access scenario. The system can dynamically switch between different identifier reconstruction methods (device-provided vs. user-provided second identifier part), enabling flexible reuse of devices while maintaining security for each specific transport stage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of identifier reconstruction by introducing multiple valid combinations (device + user-provided second part, or cloud-stored first part + device third part). This parameter change allows the same physical device to serve multiple transport stages with different confidentiality requirements, transforming it from single-use to multi-use while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If devices store complete identifiers for data access, then data retrieval is simplified, but unauthorized access and security breaches become more likely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retrieval simplicityVSAvoidunauthorized access risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The complete identifier is segmented into multiple parts stored by different entities (device, cloud server, and user). This segmentation maintains ease of operation for authorized users who possess their required segment, while simultaneously reducing unauthorized access risk because no single entity holds the complete identifier needed for data retrieval.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of substance

If recording devices are reused across multiple transport stages, then environmental impact is reduced, but data from previous stages may be accessed by unauthorized users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice reuse benefitVSAvoidcross-stage data access risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by generating and distributing different identifier segments before each transport stage. The cloud server stores only the first identifier part before the transport begins, and the complete identifier is only reconstructed when authorized users provide their second identifier part, ensuring that data from previous stages remains protected while enabling device reuse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12493850B2Device, method and system for the recording of parameters during the transport of goods

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 ARCTIC SEA SL

AI summary

A device, method and system for recording at least associated with the transport of products in a container. The device includes at least one sensor to measure the at least one parameter, a positioning component for determining a location of the device, a data storage component to store data measured by the sensor, the data being associated to the location of the device at the moment in which a particular data is measured and input/output element to transmit the data stored in the data storage component. The device also includes a processing component to, for each transport stage followed by the device, associate a use code to data stored in the data storage component during the time the transport stage lasts, the use code being associated to a particular transport stage, wherein each use code associated to each transport stage is different from use codes associated to other transport stages.