Wireless Device Security via Signal Strength Monitoring

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need to secure sensitive information stored on wireless devices like PDAs and tablet PCs attached to shopping carts, as they can be compromised by unauthorized alterations and reintroduced into secure zones, posing a security risk.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses a boundary sensor and data processing system to detect signal strength and timer to determine if a wireless device has been compromised, deleting its digital certificate if the signal strength falls below a predetermined value for a set time, thereby preventing unauthorized devices from operating within the secure zone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless devices are allowed to operate freely within the secured zone, then ease of operation is improved, but security reliability deteriorates due to risk of compromised devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operation freedomVSAvoidsecurity reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of digital certificates and signal strength monitoring before allowing device operation within the secured zone. By checking the digital certificate validity and monitoring signal strength thresholds in advance, the system prevents compromised devices from entering the secured zone while maintaining smooth operation for authorized devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If continuous monitoring of signal strength is implemented, then security reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless device itself performs signal strength monitoring and self-verification of its digital certificate. The device autonomously determines whether it meets the security criteria to enter the secured zone, eliminating the need for complex external monitoring systems while maintaining high security reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If digital certificates are deleted for devices with weak signal, then security reliability is improved, but loss of information increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity reliabilityVSAvoiddigital certificate loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful factor of weak signal strength (indicating device removal or compromise) into a beneficial security measure. By deleting digital certificates of devices that fail to maintain adequate signal strength, the system prevents potential security breaches while the deleted certificates serve as a record of security violations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS7743406B2System and method of preventing alteration of data on a wireless device

Publication Date: 2010.06.22 TOSHIBA GLOBAL COMMERCE SOLUTIONS HLDG

AI summary

A system and method for securing data on a wireless device. A secured zone is defined by a boundary sensor. A data processing system is coupled to the boundary sensor and a wireless device. If the data processing system detects that the signal strength of the wireless device has fallen below a first predetermined value for longer than a second predetermined value, the data processing system deletes a digital certificate corresponding to the wireless device from memory. Thus, when the wireless device is reintroduced into the secured zone, in response to determining that a digital certificate corresponding to the wireless device is not stored in memory, the disabling module disables the wireless device from operation within the secured zone.