Portable Memory Device for Secure Remote Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote access solutions are cumbersome due to transfer protocol dependency, complex client configuration, and security risks, particularly on untrusted devices, as users must manually enter credentials and navigate VPN policies, which is insecure and not user-friendly.

Innovation Solution

A portable memory device with an interface for connecting to a local electronic device, storing software and connectivity configuration data to establish a remote connection, allowing the remote computer to appear as local storage, eliminating the need for manual client setup and securing credentials within the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual client configuration is used for remote access, then compatibility with different transfer protocols can be achieved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complex setup procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidclient setup
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The portable memory device automatically performs client configuration for remote access without requiring user intervention. The device reads connectivity configuration data from its storage, configures the remote access client automatically, and establishes connections without manual parameter entry, making the system self-configuring and eliminating complex setup procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The connectivity configuration data including protocol settings, server addresses, and authentication credentials are pre-stored in the portable memory device before use. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for manual configuration during operation, as the device already contains all necessary settings for establishing remote connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual credential entry is used for authentication, then adaptability to different remote systems is improved, but security deteriorates due to exposure on untrusted devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication flexibilityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The portable memory device acts as an intermediary that securely stores authentication credentials and automatically provides them during remote access. Instead of exposing credentials through manual entry on potentially untrusted devices, the device mediates the authentication process by programmatically providing credentials through the remote access client, eliminating security risks associated with keyboard entry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable memory device automatically manages authentication credentials without requiring user interaction. The device reads credentials from its secure storage and automatically provides them to the remote access client, eliminating the security vulnerability of manual credential entry while maintaining authentication flexibility across different remote systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If VPN policies are manually configured for secure access, then security is improved, but device complexity increases due to vendor-specific configuration files

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidconfiguration files
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The portable memory device provides universal VPN configuration capabilities that work across different vendors and protocols. Instead of requiring separate configuration files for each VPN vendor, the device contains a single set of connectivity configuration data that can be automatically adapted to various VPN implementations, eliminating the need for multiple vendor-specific files and reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2039122B1Network access with a portable memory device
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2039122B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2039122B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2039122B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and portable electronic device for accessing a remote computer. The portable electronic device, e.g. a specially configured Universal Serial Bus (USB) device comprises an interface configured to connect the portable memory device with a local electronic device. The portable electronic device further comprises a memory configured to store the needed software and settings for establishing a remote connection from the portable memory device to a remote computer when connected to the local electronic device, the software and settings enabling the remote computer to appear as a local memory storage to the local electronic device.