Hardware Password Scancode Alignment via Server Update
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hardware password systems face issues when users switch keyboard types or when scancode sequences become corrupted, leading to inaccessible hardware despite valid passwords, as there is a mismatch between stored scancode sequences and the current keyboard type.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a non-volatile memory, password verification module, and scancode update module that aligns stored scancode sequences with the current keyboard type by communicating with a password server to update the scancode sequence, ensuring compatibility and access to hardware resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hardware password is stored as a keyboard scancode sequence in non-volatile memory, then the password can be validated by comparing scancode sequences, but the system becomes incompatible when the keyboard type is changed or the scancode sequence is corrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a password server as an intermediary between the hardware device and the password validation process. The password server stores the original password and generates updated scancode sequences when keyboard types change, acting as a mediator that resolves the conflict between maintaining password security and adapting to different keyboard types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the scancode sequence parameters based on the detected keyboard type. When a keyboard type change is detected, the system requests updated scancode sequences from the password server that are parameterized for the new keyboard type, allowing the same password to work across different keyboard configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the stored scancode sequence is updated to match the current keyboard type, then keyboard type compatibility is improved, but the system complexity increases due to communication with password server
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of keyboard type changes and proactively requests updated scancode sequences from the password server before password validation fails. This preliminary action prevents access denial by ensuring the stored scancode sequence is current before it is needed for validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hardware device automatically detects keyboard type changes and self-corrects by requesting updated scancode sequences from the password server without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring its own state and initiating updates when necessary.
3Ease of operation
If the system automatically detects and updates scancode sequences, then access availability is improved, but the time required for password validation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs periodic checks for keyboard type changes and updates scancode sequences at appropriate intervals rather than continuously. This periodic action maintains access availability while minimizing the time impact on password validation by only initiating updates when changes are detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary keyboard type detection and proactively updates scancode sequences before password validation is attempted. This ensures that when the user does need to validate a password, the scancode sequence is already current, avoiding delays during actual password entry.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, apparatus, and methods are disclosed for aligning a stored scancode sequence that corresponds to a hardware password, with a password input device type such as a current keyboard type. Aligning the stored scancode sequence with the password input device type enables successful validation of a hardware password despite a change in a password input device type or inadvertent corruption of a non-volatile memory used for storing the scancode sequence such as non-volatile memory that stores BIOS information for a computing device.