USB Timer Board Offline Backup via Multiplexer Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data backup solutions are vulnerable to cyber threats, as hackers can delete or encrypt data, and existing technologies fail to provide robust offline backup mechanisms, leaving data susceptible to destruction and loss.
Innovation Solution
A data backup device with a microcontroller and multiplexer system that schedules and directs data to offline storage devices, ensuring data is disconnected from the host system after transfer, using a rule-based program logic to select and manage storage devices based on temporal and scheduling criteria, thereby isolating backups from potential cyber threats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If data is stored online or in cloud-based storage, then data accessibility and convenience are improved, but data vulnerability to cyber threats and destruction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments backup storage across multiple physical storage devices (SD cards, USB drives, external hard drives) connected to separate USB ports, rather than relying on a single centralized cloud storage. This segmentation ensures that even if one storage device is compromised, other backups remain secure and accessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts backup data from the online environment and physically removes it from the host system by storing it on disconnected USB storage devices. The multiplexer automatically disconnects storage devices after backup completion, taking the data out of the vulnerable online network environment while maintaining accessibility through physical connection capability.
2Reliability
If automated backup systems maintain continuous connection to host systems, then backup reliability is improved, but exposure to ransomware and malware increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic backup actions through scheduled tasks that automatically connect storage devices, perform backups at predetermined intervals, and then disconnect the devices. This periodic connection-disconnection cycle maintains backup reliability through regular automated backups while minimizing exposure to malware by limiting the time storage devices are connected to the host system.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiplexer performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring and automatically connecting the appropriate storage device before the backup process begins, based on scheduled tasks. This preliminary automated setup ensures backup reliability without requiring the system to maintain continuous connections, as the connection is established only when needed for the backup operation.
3Reliability
If multiple USB ports are used for backup storage, then backup security and offline capability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiplexer serves multiple functions: it manages connections between the host system and multiple USB storage ports, automatically selects appropriate storage devices based on backup schedules, controls the connection timing, and coordinates data transfer. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate complex systems into a single integrated device, managing the complexity while enabling secure offline backups across multiple USB ports.
Data Source
AI summary
USB Timer Boards and methods for backing up digital data from a host system onto storage devices which are automatically selected on an individual basis for digital connection, data exchange, data storage on a scheduled basis, and then digitally disconnected. When the storage devices are not selected and connected for backup data transfer and storage, the storage devices remain offline and not visible to the host system. USB Timer Boards and methods which backup data on one of a number of offline storage devices by connecting a selected storage device, backup data onto it and then disconnecting it, in order to isolate the backed-up data and optionally allow a different storage device to be used for the next back up event. The USB Timer Boards and methods include a real time clock and battery to allow the USB Timer Board to retain the exact date and time settings during power-off events.