Hub Device Authentication Logic for Peripheral Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Notebook computers often have limited connection ports, making it impossible for users to connect all their peripheral devices simultaneously without the need for a hub device that can manage access and security effectively.

Innovation Solution

A hub device with an upstream-facing port (UFP) and a downstream-facing port (DFP), coupled with a control chip that includes transceiver interfaces and a control logic circuit. This control logic circuit directs electronic devices to provide user accounts and passwords, determines their legitimacy, and authorizes access to connected peripheral devices based on predefined security levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a hub device is used to expand connection ports, then the number of connected peripheral devices increases, but the risk of unauthorized access and data security threats increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of connected peripheral devicesVSAvoidunauthorized access risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hub device acts as an intermediary between the host device and multiple peripheral devices. It intercepts and validates access commands before forwarding them to the target peripheral device, thereby preventing unauthorized access while enabling multiple device connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The hub device performs preliminary authentication by storing user credentials (user names and passwords) in advance and validating access commands against these stored credentials before allowing access to peripheral devices, preventing unauthorized access proactively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If access control authentication is implemented, then data security is improved, but the operation process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoidoperation process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hub device automatically performs authentication by itself without requiring manual intervention. It autonomously validates access commands against stored credentials and makes access decisions, simplifying the user operation while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The hub device provides feedback to the host device regarding the validity of access commands. It automatically responds with authentication results, allowing the system to proceed or reject access based on the validation outcome without complex user intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250173409A1Hub device

Publication Date: 2025.05.29 PU DAN LTDRP

AI summary

A hub device is provided. An upstream-facing port (UFP) receives an access command provided by an electronic device. A downstream-facing port (DFP) is coupled to a peripheral device. A control chip is coupled between the UFP and the DFP and includes a control logic circuit. The control logic circuit determines whether a user account and a user password provided by the electronic device are legal. In response to the user account and the user password being legal, the control logic circuit determines whether the user account has the authority to access the DFP. In response to the user account not having the authority to access the DFP, the control logic circuit ignores the access command. In response to the user account having the authority to access the DFP, the control logic circuit transmits the access command to the DFP.