Peripheral Device Setup Using Audio and Light Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Peripheral computing devices lack secure methods for users to configure settings, as they often lack user interfaces, making them vulnerable to security issues during setup processes, where malicious devices can mimic legitimate ones, leading to potential data breaches.

Innovation Solution

A method involving audio and light signals to verify user intent, where a computing device receives an encoded password and timing information from a peripheral device, ensuring the user's intent is verified before establishing a secure communication link for configuration, using the encoded password to secure the connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If peripheral computing devices lack user interfaces for configuration, then device portability and simplicity are improved, but security during setup procedures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice portabilityVSAvoidsetup security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (such as a smartphone or tablet) that acts as a mediator between the user and the peripheral computing device during setup. This intermediary provides the necessary user interface capabilities while maintaining the portability benefits of the peripheral device, resolving the contradiction by offloading the security-critical interface functions to a separate component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions the user interface from the peripheral device itself to a different dimension - specifically to a mobile computing device that the user possesses. This dimensional shift allows the peripheral device to remain simple and portable while the security-critical configuration functions are performed on the user's personal device with its full interface capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If peripheral computing devices use basic pairing methods, then ease of setup is improved, but vulnerability to malicious devices deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetup simplicityVSAvoidmalicious device interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing security verification measures before the actual pairing occurs. The system pre-establishes trusted relationships and verifies device identities in advance, preventing malicious devices from interfering with the pairing process. This approach maintains setup simplicity while proactively blocking security threats before they can manifest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously verifies device identities and communication authenticity during the setup process. This feedback loop ensures that any attempted interference from malicious devices is detected and rejected, maintaining both setup simplicity and security against malicious interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If computing devices transmit configuration information during setup, then device functionality is improved, but risk of data interception deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoiddata interception risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing secure communication channels and verifying device identities before any configuration information is transmitted. This pre-establishment of security measures ensures that when functionality-critical data is exchanged, it is protected from interception, thus maintaining both device versatility and data security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional insecure transmission mechanisms with cryptographically secured communication protocols. This substitution maintains the necessary data exchange for device functionality while eliminating the vulnerability to interception through the use of encrypted channels and authenticated communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12177207B2Techniques for verifying user intent and securely configuring computing devices

Publication Date: 2024.12.24 APPLE INC

AI summary

The embodiments set forth a technique for enabling a computing device to securely configure a peripheral computing device. According to some embodiments, the method can include the steps of (1) approving a request received from the peripheral computing device to engage in a setup procedure for the peripheral computing device, (2) receiving, from the peripheral computing device: (i) an audio signal that encodes a password and timing information, and (ii) a light signal. Additionally, the method can involve, in response to identifying that the timing information correlates with the light signal: (3) extracting the password from the audio signal, and (4) establishing a communication link with the peripheral computing device based on the password. In turn, the method can involve (5) providing configuration information to the peripheral computing device over the communication link.