Sensor data assembly and manufacturing device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12067154-B2
Application number	US-201917274179-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 16, 2019
Priority date	Sep 18, 2018
Publication date	Aug 20, 2024
Grant date	Aug 20, 2024

Abstract

A sensor data assembly providing a secured data storage for monitored data containing sensor data acquired by at least one sensor, a processing unit adapted to provide a cryptographic checksum of the monitored data and/or the sensor data acquired by the sensor, a distributed database and a first connection adapted to, at least temporarily, connect the sensor and the processing unit. A method provides manipulation proof monitored data containing sensor data of a sensor of the sensor data assembly.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A sensor data assembly to securely store monitored data containing sensor data acquired by a sensor, comprising:
a sensor,
a processing unit adapted to provide a cryptographic checksum of the monitored data and/or the sensor data acquired by the sensor,
a distributed database adapted to store the monitored data and the cryptographic checksum, wherein the distributed database is protected against manipulation, and
a first connection adapted to at least temporarily connect the sensor and the processing unit;
wherein the sensor and the processing unit are inseparably connected and wherein the first connection comprises one of:
a direct connection including a cable connection from the sensor to the processing unit, and
a circuit board, wherein a first part of the circuit board is connected to the sensor and a different second part of the circuit board is connected to the processing unit.

2. The sensor data assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first connection comprises the circuit board including the first part connected to the sensor and the different second part connected to the processing unit.

3. The sensor data assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first connection is configured to protect data transferred between the sensor and the processing unit against manipulation; and
wherein the first connection includes a mechanism to either delete data transferred between the sensor and the processing unit or to render one of the sensor and the processing unit defective upon detection of manipulation of the first connection.

4. The sensor data assembly according to claim 1 ,
wherein the sensor data assembly contains a data storage,
wherein the first connection is adapted to consistently connect the sensor and the processing unit at least while the sensor is active,
wherein the data storage is adapted to be consistently connected to the processing unit at least while the sensor is active, and
wherein the data storage is adapted to, at least temporarily, store the monitored data and/or sensor data and the cryptographic checksum.

5. The sensor data assembly according to claim 4 ,
wherein the data storage is adapted to execute smart contracts based on the monitored data and/or sensor data.

6. The sensor data assembly according to claim 1 ,
wherein the distributed database contains a blockchain and/or a peer-to-peer data bank system.

7. The sensor data assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first connection is configured such that only replacement of both the sensor and the processing unit is allowed to avoid connection of a manipulated device between the sensor and the processing unit.

8. A sensor unit comprising:
a sensor, and
a processing unit,
wherein the sensor and the processing unit are inseparably connected,
wherein the sensor unit is adapted to be used in a sensor data assembly according to claim 1 .

9. A manufacturing device comprising:
at least a part of a sensor data assembly according to claim 1 .

10. A method for providing manipulation proof monitored data containing sensor data of a sensor of a sensor data assembly according to claim 1 , the method comprising:
a) inseparably connecting the sensor and the processing unit with the first connection;
b) acquiring the sensor data of the sensor,
c) calculating a cryptographic checksum of the sensor data and/or the monitored data, and
d) storing the monitored data and the cryptographic checksum in a distributed database being protected against manipulation.

11. The method according to claim 10 ,
wherein step c) is performed using an encryption device hardware.

12. The method according to claim 10 ,
wherein the method comprises step e) after step d),
wherein e) the monitored data and/or the sensor data is verified using the cryptographic checksum.

13. The method according to claim 10 ,
wherein predefined monitored data and/or sensor data triggers a predefined action.

14. A non-transitory computer readable media, comprising:
program commands stored thereon and adapted to perform the method according to claim 10 .

15. The sensor data assembly according to claim 2 ,
wherein the processing unit is a blockchain chip.

16. The manufacturing device of claim 9 ,
wherein the manufacturing device is a manufacturing device for additive manufacturing.

17. The method according to claim 11 ,
wherein step c) is performed using a hardware oracle.

18. The method according to claim 11 ,
wherein step c) is performed using a blockchain chip.

19. The method according to claim 13 ,
wherein the method is used for a manufacturing process using a manufacturing device,
wherein the predefined monitored data monitors the manufacturing process, and
wherein the predefined action influences or stops the manufacturing process, provides a signal to the personal supervising the manufacturing device and/or generates additional data to be included in or attached to the monitored data.

20. A sensor data assembly to securely store monitored data containing sensor data acquired by a sensor, comprising:
a sensor,
a processing unit adapted to provide a cryptographic checksum of the monitored data and/or the sensor data acquired by the sensor,
a distributed database adapted to store the monitored data and the cryptographic checksum, wherein the distributed database is protected against manipulation, and
a first connection adapted to at least temporarily connect the sensor and the processing unit;
wherein the sensor and the processing unit are inseparably connected and wherein the first connection comprises a secured casing enclosing a data stream outlet of the sensor, the first connection and a data stream inlet of the processing unit;
wherein the secured casing is adapted to delete the cryptographic checksum based on opening the secured casing; and
wherein the sensor and the processing unit are inseparably connected to directly forward the sensor data from the sensor to the processing unit while the sensor is active.

Assignees

• Siemens Energy Global Gmbh & Co Kg

Inventors

• Fornander Jerry
• Graichen Andreas
• Jetzfellner Thomas
• Lindstam Johan
• Sauer Markus
• Sturm Monika

Classifications

• G06F21/64 Primary

  Protecting data integrity, e.g. using checksums, certificates or signatures · CPC title

• G06F21/602

  Providing cryptographic facilities or services · CPC title

• B22F10/80

  Data acquisition or data processing · CPC title

• B22F12/90

  Means for process control, e.g. cameras or sensors · CPC title

• G06F16/2379

  Updates performed during online database operations; commit processing · CPC title