Peripheral Device Locking via User Presence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device locking mechanisms struggle to balance security and usability, as they require predicting user inactivity periods and may fail if the device's security is compromised by malware, allowing unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multiple device locking procedures that include a security module driver and a management module to monitor user inactivity and presence, using timers and authentication modules to automatically lock peripheral devices like keyboards and displays, even if the security module is compromised by malware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a device lock mechanism is implemented after a predetermined period of user inactivity, then device security is improved, but the system requires manual prediction of inactivity periods and may fail if security is compromised by malware
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by monitoring user presence continuously and preparing lock instructions in advance. The subscription module proactively detects user absence and triggers lock instructions before unauthorized access can occur, eliminating the need for manual prediction of inactivity periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring user presence and system security status. The management module receives feedback from the subscription module about user absence and adjusts locking behavior dynamically, allowing the system to respond to compromised security conditions automatically
2Reliability
If multiple device locking procedures are implemented with subscription modules and management modules, then device security is enhanced against malware compromise, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments security functions into distinct modules: a subscription module for monitoring user presence, a management module for coordinating lock instructions, and peripheral device controllers. This segmentation allows each component to have a specific, simplified function while collectively providing robust security against malware compromise
Solution Approach 2:
The management module acts as an intermediary between the subscription module and peripheral device controllers. It receives lock instructions from the subscription module and distributes them to appropriate peripheral devices, simplifying the architecture by centralizing coordination logic in a single mediator component
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods may provide implementing one or more device locking procedures to block access to a device. In one example, the method may include receiving an indication that a user is no longer present, initiating a timing mechanism to set a period to issue a first device lock instruction to lock a peripheral device, relaying timing information from the timing mechanism to a controller module associated with the peripheral device; and locking the peripheral device upon expiration of the period.