Input Device Authentication via Hash Challenge-Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for authenticating input device subsystems with their hosts are inadequate, as they cannot effectively distinguish authorized from unauthorized devices, leading to unsatisfactory user experiences and are CPU-intensive due to slow digital signature mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A processing system for input devices that includes a sensing module and an authentication module using a hashing algorithm to derive a challenge response, which is communicated to the host to enable or disable functionality, with a table of challenges and authentic responses stored on the host to verify the authenticity of the input device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional digital signature mechanisms are used for authentication, then device authenticity can be verified, but the system becomes CPU-intensive and slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, CPU-intensive digital signature verification with a simple challenge-response mechanism using pre-computed hash tables. The host system stores challenge-response pairs in a table during initialization, and authentication is performed by simple table lookup and comparison, eliminating the need for complex cryptographic operations during actual authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication data (challenge-response pairs) is pre-computed and stored in a table during system initialization or device setup. This preliminary action allows the actual authentication process to proceed rapidly through simple data comparison rather than complex real-time computation, resolving the speed-reliability contradiction.
2Productivity
If no authentication mechanism is used, then the system operates quickly and simply, but counterfeit or unauthorized input devices can be used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a lightweight authentication mechanism that does not require complex cryptographic operations. Instead, it uses simple hash-based challenge-response verification with pre-stored tables, providing adequate security against counterfeit devices while maintaining fast operation speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a challenge-response intermediary mechanism between the host and input device. The host sends a challenge, the device responds with a pre-computed hash value, and the host verifies authenticity by comparing against stored values. This intermediary process provides security without the overhead of full digital signature verification.
3Reliability
If complex authentication protocols are implemented, then security against counterfeit devices is improved, but device complexity and implementation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive hash functions and simple table-based storage instead of complex cryptographic hardware or software. The authentication mechanism relies on basic data structures and simple comparison operations, significantly reducing implementation complexity and cost while maintaining adequate security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified copies of authentication functionality by pre-computing and storing challenge-response pairs. Instead of implementing complex real-time verification, the system uses pre-prepared authentication data that can be quickly compared, reducing both computational complexity and implementation overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for authenticating an input device subsystem for operation with a host. One method includes storing a table comprising challenges and a plurality of values indicative of authentic responses to the plurality of challenges. A selected challenge is then communicated between the input device subsystem and the host. A challenge response is derived based on the selected challenge and a hashing algorithm, and the challenge response is communicated between the input device subsystem and the host. The challenge response and one or more of the values is used to determine whether the challenge response is authentic. Functionality of the input device subsystem with the host is selectively enabled if the challenge response is authentic.