External Interface Pin Security Module for Unauthorized Access Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices expose interfaces that can be vulnerable to malicious access during development and manufacturing, allowing unauthorized access to internal components and data.
Innovation Solution
A security module monitors specific pins of an external interface during customer use, detecting particular activity and taking remedial actions such as resetting the device to prevent unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external interfaces are exposed for testing and evaluation during development and manufacturing, then device accessibility for development purposes is improved, but device security against malicious access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of external interface accessibility by transitioning pins between enabled and disabled states based on operational context. During development and manufacturing, pins are enabled for testing; during customer use, pins are disabled to prevent malicious access. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by adapting accessibility to the current operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by disabling external interface pins before customer use begins. The system proactively prevents malicious access by restricting pin accessibility in advance, while maintaining full accessibility during development and manufacturing phases when legitimate testing is required.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If external interface pins are monitored for security activity, then device security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the security monitoring function into a separate security module that independently manages external interface pin states. This modular approach reduces overall system complexity by isolating the monitoring logic from core device operations, allowing security functions to be implemented without complicating the main device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The security module implements self-service by autonomously monitoring pin activity and automatically transitioning pins between enabled and disabled states based on detected operational context. This self-managing approach eliminates the need for complex external monitoring systems or manual security management, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining security.
Data Source
AI summary
Prior to customer use of a device, communication with the device is allowed via multiple pins of an external interface of the device. One or more pins of the multiple pins via which communication with the device is to be prevented during customer use of the device are identified. The one or more pins are monitored, and a remedial action is taken if particular activity is detected on the one or more pins. Various different remedial actions can be taken, such as resetting or disabling the device.