Peripheral Controller Irregular Read Command Pattern

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-administrator users are restricted from accessing and communicating with peripheral devices that require restricted operating system services for features like password protection and authentication, due to standard OS limitations.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that allow users to send information to USB mass-storage devices by defining and interpreting an irregular pattern of protocol commands, including read commands, which are universally allowed, enabling non-standard feature access without relying on OS services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If standard OS services are used for peripheral communication, then system security and stability are maintained, but non-administrator users are restricted from accessing restricted services needed for advanced peripheral features

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccess to peripheral featuresVSAvoidSystem security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the peripheral device's controller acts as a mediator between the host computer and the restricted OS services. The controller receives standard read commands from the host, interprets them as requests for restricted services, and facilitates the communication without requiring the user to directly access restricted OS functions. This mediator approach allows non-administrator users to access advanced peripheral features while maintaining system security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the communication function by separating the standard OS service layer from the peripheral-specific communication layer. By dividing the communication into standard read commands (allowed for all users) and peripheral-specific interpretation (handled by the controller), the system allows non-administrator users to access restricted features through a segmented communication path that doesn't compromise overall system security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If restricted OS services are accessed directly, then advanced peripheral features like password protection can be implemented, but system security is compromised for non-administrator users

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePeripheral functionalityVSAvoidSystem security risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The peripheral controller serves as an intermediary that translates standard read commands into requests for restricted services. This mediator function allows the system to access advanced peripheral features like password protection while preventing direct access to restricted OS services by non-administrator users, thereby eliminating the security risk associated with direct access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The peripheral device performs self-service by handling the translation and interpretation of commands internally. The controller automatically interprets standard read commands as requests for restricted services and manages the communication protocol, eliminating the need for users to directly interact with restricted OS services and reducing security risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If irregular read command patterns are used, then non-standard feature access is enabled without OS restrictions, but protocol complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUser access to featuresVSAvoidCommunication protocol

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring users to send complex restricted service commands directly (which would increase protocol complexity), the patent inverts the approach by using simple standard read commands that are universally allowed. The complexity is shifted to the peripheral controller's interpretation layer, where standard commands are translated into the appropriate restricted service requests, thereby simplifying the user-side protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The peripheral controller acts as an intermediary that handles the protocol complexity on its side while presenting a simple interface to the host. By interpreting standard read commands into the appropriate restricted service requests, the controller absorbs the complexity of communicating with restricted services, keeping the user-facing protocol simple and easy to operate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7500024B2Signaling to a peripheral via irregular read operations

Publication Date: 2009.03.03 WESTERN DIGITAL ISRAEL LTD

AI summary

A peripheral communicates with a host according to a protocol such as USB. In case a user of the host is restricted by an operating system of the host from sending certain information to the peripheral, a pattern of protocol commands that includes one or more read commands is defined that sends the information despite the restriction. Preferably, all the protocol commands of the pattern are read commands.