Biometric Multiport Adapter for Hardware-Level Port Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multiport adapters lack a mechanism to secure ports from Man-in-the-Middle attacks by physical hacking devices, allowing unauthorized access and compromising devices.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a biometric fingerprint scanner with multiport adapters to authenticate users before allowing access to ports, using dedicated ON/OFF pins to control port access at the hardware level.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If ports are made accessible for plug-and-play connectivity, then ease of operation is improved, but security against Man-in-the-Middle attacks deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplug-and-play connectivityVSAvoidMan-in-the-Middle attacks

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary biometric authentication before allowing port access. The fingerprint sensor captures and verifies the user's fingerprint against stored credentials before enabling any data transmission or connectivity through the ports, preventing unauthorized access while maintaining ease of use for authenticated users

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated circuit acts as an intermediary between the physical ports and the data transmission pathway. It includes ON/OFF pins that can be controlled based on authentication status, serving as a mediator that either allows or blocks the connection between ports and the internal network, thus preventing Man-in-the-Middle attacks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If biometric authentication is added to secure ports, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunauthorized accessVSAvoidintegrated circuit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the biometric authentication components (fingerprint sensor, ON/OFF pins) directly into the existing multiport adapter's integrated circuit. This integration combines the security function with the existing connectivity function in a single device, avoiding the need for separate authentication systems and minimizing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The security features are applied locally at the port level rather than requiring system-wide authentication. Each port has dedicated ON/OFF pins that can be independently controlled based on local authentication decisions, providing granular security without the complexity of centralized authentication systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250363194A1Biometric-Secured Multiport Adapter

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A multiport adapter is disclosed. The multiport adapter includes an integrated circuit having a plurality of contact pins. A plurality of ports are mounted around a periphery of the multiport adapter. Each of the plurality of ports are coupled to data pins on the integrated circuit. Each of the plurality of ports are further coupled to an on/off pin assigned to the port. A cable having a connector on a first end is configured to attach to a port on an information handling system. The cable has a second end that is electrically connected to selected contact pins on the integrated circuit via the integrated circuit. A light is coupled to a light pin on the integrated circuit. A fingerprint sensor is coupled to biometric sensor pins on the integrated circuit.