OS Module Unattended Peripheral Authorization via Identifier Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing operating systems face challenges in unattended authorization of peripheral devices, leading to security concerns and operational issues, such as unauthorized device connections and the need for repeated user permission, especially during unattended upgrades or updates.

Innovation Solution

A method for unattended secure device authorization, where a device identifier is checked against authorized identifiers, and access is granted or denied automatically without user intervention, using cryptographic authentication to ensure secure and seamless operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the OS presents popup windows for user authorization, then security is improved by requiring user permission, but unattended operations fail because no user is present to accept or decline the permission request

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidunattended operation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authorization by checking device identifiers against authorized lists before unattended operations occur. Device identifiers are pre-registered and validated, allowing the system to automatically grant or deny access without requiring user presence during the actual operation or update process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary authorization mechanism is introduced between the OS and the application. Instead of direct user interaction with popup windows, the system uses device identifier verification as an intermediate step that automatically determines authorization status, eliminating the need for user presence while maintaining security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If device identifier verification is implemented, then unauthorized device connections are prevented, but device complexity increases due to additional authentication mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunauthorized device preventionVSAvoidauthentication mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses simple, easily manageable device identifiers (such as serial numbers or unique device codes) instead of complex cryptographic protocols. These identifiers are lightweight, easy to store and compare, and can be quickly validated against authorized lists without requiring sophisticated authentication infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The authorization approach transitions from complex behavioral authentication (user interactions, permission dialogs) to simple parameter-based authentication (device identifier matching). This parameter change simplifies the authentication mechanism while maintaining effective unauthorized device prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution provides secure, automatic authorization of peripherals, eliminating the need for user input and reducing security risks by ensuring only authorized devices can access the host system, even during unattended operations or updates.

Implementation Method 1

interacting includes encrypting with a key a message that is sent to the device interface and receiving a decrypted version back from the device interface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCryptographic encryption:

Data Source

PatentEP2916255B1Unattended secure device authorization
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 NCR VOYIX CORP
  • EP2916255B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2916255B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2916255B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Unattended secure device authorization techniques are provided. An operating system module (121 or 401), which is responsible for device validation when that device (130) is interfaced to a host device (110), is enhanced. The enhanced operating system module (121 or 401) silently checks the peripheral device's identifier against a white list (122) and if a match occurs, the enhanced operating system module (121 or 401) grants permission to the host device applications (123). If no match occurs, the enhanced operating system module (121 or 401) silently rejects application access to the device (130). In an embodiment, the enhanced operating system module (121 or 401) interacts with the device (130) to determine whether the device (130) is to be authorized or rejected.