Hardware Channel Locking for Secure Background App Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices face security risks due to background applications accessing hardware components without user awareness, leading to potential data capture and privacy breaches when in a locked state, with existing manual permission management being tedious and ineffective.
Innovation Solution
Implement a second lock state that disables hardware channels at the firmware level, preventing background application access to hardware components, with user-controlled entry and seamless reactivation upon unlocking, allowing exceptions for essential functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If background applications are allowed to access hardware components, then application functionality is improved, but device security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic access control by introducing a second lock state that dynamically adjusts hardware channel availability based on device state. In the normal locked state, hardware channels remain accessible to background applications for essential functions. When transitioning to the second lock state, the system dynamically deactivates hardware channels to prevent access, and reactivates them upon unlocking. This dynamic state management resolves the contradiction by adapting access permissions according to the operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of hardware channel accessibility by introducing a new lock state that modifies the accessibility parameter from accessible to inaccessible. This parameter change is implemented through firmware-level control that deactivates hardware channels when the second lock state is activated, thereby enhancing security without permanently restricting application functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual permission management is used, then security control is improved, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service security management where the system automatically enforces hardware channel deactivation when the second lock state is activated, without requiring manual user intervention. The system autonomously manages permission changes based on the lock state transitions, eliminating the need for users to manually configure permissions while maintaining strong security control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the hardware channel deactivation mechanism to automatically execute when the second lock state is entered. The system prepares and executes security measures in advance based on state transitions, eliminating the need for users to perform manual permission management actions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If hardware channels are deactivated during lock state, then security is improved, but application functionality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments hardware access into different categories by distinguishing between essential functions and non-essential functions. The system selectively deactivates hardware channels based on the type of access required, allowing essential functions to maintain functionality while blocking non-essential access. This segmentation enables security enhancement without completely eliminating application functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selectively deactivating only the necessary hardware channels for security protection rather than deactivating all hardware access uniformly. The system implements granular control that allows certain essential functions to continue operating while blocking access to hardware channels that pose security risks, thereby achieving security enhancement with minimal impact on functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes detecting, by a processor of an electronic device, a transitioning of the electronic device into a second locked state that provides enhanced security by preventing background application access to at least one hardware component of the electronic device that has a corresponding hardware channel used by the background application to access the hardware component. The method includes, in response to detecting transitioning of the electronic device into the second locked state, de-activating a hardware channel associated each of with the at least one hardware component, the deactivation of the hardware channel preventing access by the one or more background applications to access the at least one hardware component including preventing receipt of inputs from at least one input device while the electronic device is in the second locked state.