Secure Access Control for Power Tool Embedded Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing embedded devices in power tools lack secure access control mechanisms, allowing unauthorized commands to be executed due to direct connectivity via USB or peripheral connections, which violates security policies and complicates user role mapping, leading to insecure access.
Innovation Solution
A two-way secure communication protocol that authorizes commands for embedded devices through a server, ensuring only authorized actions are performed by using cryptographic signatures and unique command identifiers, with the embedded device verifying commands before execution and communicating directly with a client computing device via a peripheral connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If direct USB or peripheral connection is used for communication between client computer and embedded device, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened due to unauthorized command execution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the client computer and the embedded device. The server receives commands from the client, verifies them against security policies and user roles, then forwards authorized commands to the embedded device. This mediator architecture maintains the ease of direct connection while adding a security layer that prevents unauthorized access.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wide range of commands are allowed for maintenance and diagnostic procedures, then adaptability is improved, but security is worsened due to potential malicious control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying different access control policies to different commands and users. Each command type (maintenance, diagnostic, configuration) has specific security requirements and authorized user roles. The server evaluates each command individually against the appropriate security policy, allowing versatile functionality while maintaining targeted security controls for each operation type.
3Reliability
If user role mapping is implemented for secure access, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened due to authentication mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the access control functionality into distinct components: user authentication, role assignment, command authorization, and policy enforcement. Each component is handled by the server rather than the embedded device itself. This segmentation allows robust security with user roles and permissions while keeping the embedded device simple, as the complexity is offloaded to the external server infrastructure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for secure access control to a power tool enables secure access to an embedded computing device in the power tool from a web application in another computer that is connected to the power tool via a USB or other suitable peripheral data connection in a workshop environment. The access control enables authorized parties to perform repair and diagnostic procedures on the power tools based on specific user roles while denying access to unauthorized parties.