Base Module Electrical Switching State for Secure Password Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing base modules for electronic devices lack robust access protection, as access passwords can be unintentionally or unauthorizedly changed if lost, leading to security vulnerabilities and the need for physical return to the manufacturer for reset, and require separate setting knobs for manual configuration.
Innovation Solution
A base module with a program that requires a specific electrical switching state to change settings, including a separate electrical connection to the application module, ensuring that changes, such as access password modifications, can only be made directly on-site and not via the network, thereby preventing unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an access password is used to protect the base module settings, then security against unauthorized changes is improved, but if the password is lost, access to the program and settings is completely blocked requiring return to manufacturer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrical connections into two distinct states: a first electrical connection state allowing network access for normal operation, and a second electrical connection state (physical disconnect) that enables local setting changes. This segmentation allows the system to provide both security through password protection and recovery capability through physical access, resolving the contradiction between security and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If a master password is used to reset access passwords, then password recovery is improved, but security is worsened because the master password can be unauthorizedly changed over the network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the password recovery function from the networked electronic environment and places it in a physically isolated state. By requiring physical disconnection of the electrical connection to access setting changes, the system removes the vulnerability to network-based unauthorized access while maintaining password recovery capability through local physical access.
3Ease of operation
If access passwords can be changed via the network, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened due to risk of unintentional or unauthorized changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by requiring a specific second electrical connection state (physical disconnection) before allowing access password changes. This preliminary condition prevents unauthorized or unintentional changes during normal networked operation, as the physical disconnection requirement acts as a deliberate action that cannot be performed remotely or accidentally during system operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a base module (4) for an electronic device (6) for connecting an application module (8) in the electronic device (6) to a network (2), comprising a program which is stored in a memory unit (20) and which defines a functionality of the electronic device (6) and comprising a modification device (26) for modifying settings on the program stored in the memory unit (20) on the basis of a user input (22). A specified electric switch state (25) for the base module (4) is required in order to modify at least some of the settings.