Electronic Device Locking Circuit for OS-Independent Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic device locking methods fail to securely lock the device when the operating system is compromised or damaged, leading to potential property loss and information leakage.
Innovation Solution
A locking method and electronic device that utilize a locking control circuit capable of operating in a power-off or power-on state, modifying a state flag to indicate locking needs, and controlling the device to restart, independent of the operating system, with features like secure storage and low-power communication to ensure secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If locking depends on the operating system, then the locking function can be implemented, but the locking fails when the operating system is compromised or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented from the operating system and implemented in a separate locking control circuit. This circuit includes a state flag storage module and a locking execution module, which independently monitor and execute locking operations without relying on the OS. The state flag is stored in dedicated hardware (register or memory), separating the locking state management from the software layer.
Solution Approach 2:
A locking control circuit serves as an intermediary between the power management module and the processor. It receives power state information, modifies the state flag based on power events, and triggers locking operations independently. This intermediary layer ensures that locking decisions are made based on hardware-state information rather than software commands.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the device is completely powered off to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but the locking control cannot be executed
Solution Approach 1:
The locking control circuit operates with localized power supply independent of the main system power state. While the processor and other components are completely powered off, the locking control circuit maintains a minimal power state sufficient to monitor power events and execute locking operations. This localized power quality ensures locking functionality without compromising overall system power savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking control circuit performs preliminary actions by setting the state flag to indicate locking needs before the device is completely powered off. When power events occur during the off state, the circuit reads the pre-set state flag and executes locking operations accordingly, ensuring that locking decisions are made based on prior state information rather than requiring continuous power.
3Ease of operation
If a state flag is used to indicate locking needs, then locking state can be tracked, but the state flag may be tampered with by unauthorized users
Solution Approach 1:
The state flag is extracted from general system memory and stored in dedicated, protected hardware locations such as protected registers or secure memory regions. These storage locations have restricted access controls that prevent unauthorized modification while allowing the locking control circuit to read and write the flag during legitimate operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking control circuit implements preliminary anti-action by continuously monitoring the state flag for unauthorized changes and having pre-programmed responses to detect and counter tampering attempts. The circuit can detect modifications to the state flag and trigger security measures such as entering a secure locked state or alerting the user, preventing unauthorized unlocking operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a locking method and a related device. The method is applied to an electronic device, where the electronic device includes a processor and a locking control circuit, and the locking control circuit is capable of running when the electronic device is in a power-off state or a power-on state. The method includes: modifying, by the locking control circuit, a state flag to a first state flag when the electronic device needs to be locked (S301), where the first state flag is used to indicate a state that the electronic device needs to be locked and is not locked; controlling, by the locking control circuit, the electronic device to restart (S302); reading, by the processor, the state flag in a startup phase of the electronic device restart (S303); and locking the electronic device when the processor determines that the state flag is the first state flag (S304). The electronic device can be securely locked according to this method.