Mobile Device Wireless Security via Optical and Magnetic Sensor Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices, equipped with wireless communication capabilities, are vulnerable to unauthorized access and data theft due to their susceptibility to illicit wireless connections, lacking the inherent security features of dedicated smart cards like NFC proximity requirements.

Innovation Solution

Implementing optical and magnetic sensors on mobile devices to detect predetermined motions, sequences, or trusted images and magnetic fields, allowing sensitive information to be transmitted only when specific conditions are met, thereby enhancing security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mobile devices use traditional wireless communication protocols for transmitting sensitive information, then communication convenience and accessibility are improved, but security against unauthorized access and data theft deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication convenienceVSAvoidsecurity against unauthorized access

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of the recipient device's trustworthiness before allowing transmission of sensitive information. The mobile device checks whether the recipient device is authorized to receive information, and only transmits if verification succeeds, preventing unauthorized access before it can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A trust verification mechanism acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and recipient device. This intermediary layer validates the recipient's authorization status and controls the transmission process, adding a security gate without preventing legitimate communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If mobile devices allow wireless transmission of sensitive information without proximity requirements, then communication versatility is improved, but susceptibility to undetected unauthorized access worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication versatilityVSAvoidsusceptibility to data theft

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different transmission rules based on the local context of the communication. Trusted recipient devices receive information through verified channels, while untrusted devices are blocked. This localized security approach maintains versatility for legitimate communications while protecting against theft

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If mobile devices lack proximity-based security requirements like NFC, then device simplicity and ease of use are improved, but inherent security protection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidinherent security protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the security parameter from physical proximity requirement to digital trust verification. Instead of requiring the device to be physically close like NFC, the system verifies the digital trust status of the recipient device, achieving security through parameter transformation rather than physical constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10318854B2Systems and methods for protecting sensitive information stored on a mobile device

Publication Date: 2019.06.11 ASSA ABLOY AB

AI summary

A method and device for protecting sensitive information stored on a mobile device capable of wireless communication is described. The protection is provided by permitting wireless transmission of the sensitive information only if data received from an optical sensor or a magnetic sensor satisfies a predetermined requirement.