Mobile Device Peripheral Connection Approval Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile wireless communications devices lack effective mechanisms to securely manage data connections with peripherals, making them vulnerable to attacks like Trojan horse applications, as existing systems do not adequately ensure user approval for data transfer.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system and method on the mobile device to handle user approval for data connections with peripherals, using connection handler instructions to prompt users for input and determine whether to approve the connection based on their input, thereby enhancing security by requiring user authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automatic connection approval is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened due to vulnerability to Trojan horse attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approval mechanism where the mobile device acts as a mediator between the peripheral and the user. The device receives connection requests from peripherals, processes them through an approval handler, and only establishes connections after user verification. This intermediary layer prevents direct automatic connections while maintaining operational convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification by checking whether a peripheral has an input mechanism capable of user interaction before allowing connection approval. This preliminary action ensures that only trustworthy peripherals can initiate connections, preventing malicious devices from establishing unauthorized connections.
2Reliability
If user approval mechanism is implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened due to additional approval handling components
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device serves itself by using its existing input mechanisms (display, keyboard, touch interface) to present approval prompts and receive user decisions. Rather than requiring separate hardware components for approval, the system leverages the device's own self-service capabilities, minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The approval handler is designed to work with multiple types of peripherals and input mechanisms universally. The same approval framework handles various connection scenarios (USB, Bluetooth, wireless) using the device's existing input/output capabilities, avoiding the need for specialized components for each peripheral type.
3Reliability
If peripheral input mechanism requirement is enforced, then security is improved, but adaptability is worsened as peripherals without input mechanisms cannot connect
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring peripherals to have input mechanisms, the system inverts the approach by having the mobile device provide the input mechanism. The peripheral only needs to output a connection request, and the mobile device presents the approval prompt to its own user interface, allowing peripherals without input capabilities to connect securely.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device acts as an intermediary that bridges peripherals lacking input mechanisms and the user approval requirement. The device receives connection requests from any peripheral, processes them through its own input mechanisms, and manages the approval workflow, thus enabling universal peripheral compatibility while maintaining security.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for establishing a data connection between a mobile device and a peripheral. The mobile device is configured to determine whether to handle user approval of the data connection between the mobile device and the peripheral. Through the mobile device, an input mechanism is provided for the user to provide input. The input is used in determining whether to approve the data connection between the mobile device and the peripheral.