External Boot Code Storage for Portable Device Security

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices face security hazards due to boot memory, which increases device size and cost, and poses risks for personal information stored within, as boot code is typically stored internally and can be vulnerable to hacker attacks.

Innovation Solution

Storing boot code in a non-volatile memory separate from the application processor and using external memory cards, such as SD cards or NAND flash memory, to facilitate booting operations, thereby eliminating the need for internal boot memory and enhancing security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If boot memory is integrated into the portable electronic device, then the device can perform booting operations, but the device size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebooting capabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the boot memory function from the main device structure and implements it using an external removable memory card. The application processor is configured to read boot code from the external memory card during power-up, eliminating the need for integrated boot memory while maintaining full booting capability. This separation allows the device to achieve its booting function without the volume penalty of integrated boot memory.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If boot memory is integrated into the portable electronic device, then the device can perform booting operations, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebooting capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal removable memory card that can serve multiple functions: storing boot code for system initialization, providing general data storage, and enabling user-expandable memory capacity. By using a single component that fulfills multiple roles, the device eliminates the need for separate boot memory and storage memory, thereby reducing component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If boot code is stored in internal boot memory, then the device can initialize the processor, but security risks increase due to potential hacker access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessor initializationVSAvoidsecurity vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an external removable memory card as an intermediary between the processor and the boot code storage medium. This intermediary approach allows the processor to initialize properly by reading boot code from the external card, while simultaneously creating a security barrier that isolates the critical boot code from the device's internal memory system. The removable nature of the external card further enhances security by allowing physical removal and replacement, preventing unauthorized access to both the boot code and internal personal information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8291210B2Methods of booting application processors from external devices

Publication Date: 2012.10.16 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic information system comprises an external storage device and an application processor. The external storage device stores boot code and the application processor is adapted to receive the boot code from the external storage device and to perform a system booting operation during a power-up operation by executing the boot code.