Augmented Reality IoT Security Status Indication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face challenges in determining the security status of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, which are increasingly prevalent in various environments, to ensure safe connection and interaction.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilizes augmented reality to display the security status of IoT devices through graphical representations, including real-time image capture, device tracking, and cryptographic hash comparisons to determine secure or insecure states, allowing users to take appropriate actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users manually check security status of each IoT device, then security awareness is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity awarenessVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by having IoT devices automatically perform security status self-checks through cryptographic hash comparisons of their own code, eliminating the need for manual user inspection while maintaining security awareness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where devices automatically report their security status to users through graphical representations, providing continuous security information without requiring active user investigation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive security checking is performed on all IoT devices, then security status accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity status accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the core security verification function to a simple cryptographic hash comparison mechanism, separating the complex security checking process from the user interaction and presenting only the essential security status information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses visual color-coding (green for secure, red for insecure) to translate complex security status data into simple, easily interpretable visual indicators, reducing the cognitive load on users while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Speed

If real-time security monitoring is implemented, then security response speed is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity response speedVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic security status self-checks rather than continuous monitoring, where devices perform security verification at scheduled intervals, achieving timely security awareness while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to real-time continuous monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3857851B1Method, device, and medium for indicating a security status of an internet of things device
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 MCAFEE LLC
  • EP3857851B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3857851B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3857851B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Methods, systems, and media for indicating a security status of an Internet of Things (IoT) device are provided. In some embodiments, a method for indicating a security status of an IoT device is provided, the method comprising: detecting a field of view comprising an IoT device; tracking a position of the IoT device relative to the field of view; interrogating the IoT device for a status thereof; determining a security status of the IoT device based on the interrogating; selecting a graphical representation of a plurality of graphical representations based on the determined security status of the IoT device; and causing an interface to be presented that displays the graphical representation associated with the position of the IoT device in the field of view.