Intermediary Message Verification for Secure Computer Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

External devices connected to computers can introduce harmful code or unintended data through bidirectional communication, posing risks of accidental or malicious interference in the computer's operation.

Innovation Solution

A security device with communication modules and a processor verifies messages between the computer and external devices, ensuring only legitimate messages are forwarded, thereby preventing malicious or incorrect data from being received.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If bidirectional communication is enabled between computer and external device, then functionality and device identification are improved, but security risk increases due to potential malicious code injection

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidsecurity risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a security device as an intermediary component positioned between the computer and external device. This security device intercepts and verifies all communication messages, allowing legitimate bidirectional communication while blocking malicious code. The intermediary validates message authenticity before forwarding, thus maintaining functionality while eliminating security risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If message verification is implemented at security device, then security against malicious code is improved, but communication overhead and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemalicious code protectionVSAvoidcommunication overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The security device performs preliminary verification of external devices before establishing full bidirectional communication. By pre-validating device authenticity and capabilities, the system avoids repeated verification overhead during normal operation, reducing communication latency while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If security device intercepts and verifies messages, then system security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem securityVSAvoidcommunication architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The security device is designed to handle multiple communication protocols and device types through a unified verification framework. By implementing universal message validation mechanisms that work across different external devices and protocols, the patent reduces overall system complexity despite the added security layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12619794B2Security method and device

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 RAYTHEON SYST LTD

AI summary

A security method for a computer, comprising: providing a security device having a communication connection to the computer and a separate communication connection to an external device; and, at the security device: receiving a message having the computer as the intended destination from the external device; verifying the message; and if the message is verified as legitimate, sending a corresponding message to the computer; or if the message is not verified as legitimate, not sending a corresponding message to the computer