Videogame Peripheral Security via Protected Input Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Videogame companies face challenges in preventing the use of their peripherals with unauthorized videogame software, which can compromise the quality of gameplay and user experience.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with 'protected' and 'unprotected' inputs on videogame peripherals, where protected inputs are disabled by default and only unlocked with an unlocking message from the videogame console, and a countdown timer is used to manage the unlocking process, ensuring secure and authorized use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protected inputs are disabled by default to prevent unauthorized software use, then security against unauthorized peripherals is improved, but usability and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication between the peripheral and videogame console before enabling protected inputs. The peripheral stores authentication credentials and verifies them with the console in advance, so that only authenticated devices can activate protected functions. This resolves the contradiction by establishing security prerequisites before operation begins.
Solution Approach 2:
An authentication message acts as an intermediary between the peripheral and videogame console. This message contains verification data that proves the peripheral's legitimacy, and its successful exchange enables the transition from disabled to enabled state for protected inputs. The intermediary mechanism allows security verification without permanently restricting legitimate use.
2Ease of operation
If all inputs are enabled by default for full functionality, then ease of operation is improved, but security against unauthorized software deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The input mechanisms are segmented into protected and unprotected categories. Unprotected inputs remain always enabled for basic functionality, while protected inputs are segmented off and only enabled after authentication. This segmentation allows the system to provide full functionality where needed while maintaining security for critical functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality states are applied to different inputs based on their security requirements. Protected inputs have the quality attribute of being conditionally enabled, while unprotected inputs have the quality attribute of being always enabled. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying security measures only where necessary rather than universally.
3Reliability
If a countdown timer is implemented to automatically disable protected inputs, then security is improved by preventing permanent unauthorized access, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic re-authentication through a countdown timer that automatically disables protected inputs after a set period. This periodic action ensures that even if authentication is initially successful, continued access requires periodic verification, preventing permanent unauthorized access. The timer adds a temporal dimension to security that limits the window for potential breaches.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method relating to a videogame system comprising videogame software and a videogame peripheral is presented. The presented system and method prevents against the use of certain videogame peripherals with unauthorized videogame software through the use of “protected” and “unprotected” inputs.