Remote-Safe Imaging Control Through Local–Remote USB Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging systems lack the ability to differentiate between local and remote operations, posing safety, security, and liability risks due to the inability to distinguish between local and remote USB input devices, which can lead to unauthorized safety-critical actions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize unique USB input device identifiers to differentiate between local and remote USB input devices, allowing selective transmission of commands based on origin, with features like blocking, alerting, and logging unauthorized remote actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If USB commands are transmitted without differentiation between local and remote devices, then remote operation is enabled, but safety risks and unauthorized actions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments USB input devices into two distinct categories: local USB input devices and remote USB input devices. This segmentation is achieved by comparing USB device identifiers against a stored list of authorized local device identifiers. By dividing the device space into authorized local devices and unauthorized remote devices, the system can apply different handling rules to each segment, enabling remote operation while maintaining safety through differential access control.
2Ease of operation
If all USB commands are permitted, then ease of operation is improved, but unauthorized safety-critical actions cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary filtering mechanism between the USB input device and the medical system. This intermediary component intercepts USB commands, retrieves the device identifier, compares it against the stored list of authorized local device identifiers, and selectively permits or blocks command transmission. This intermediary layer enables ease of operation for authorized devices while preventing unauthorized safety-critical actions from remote devices, without requiring changes to the medical system itself.
3Reliability
If USB device identification is implemented, then accountability and quality control are enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service identification mechanism where the system automatically retrieves and compares USB device identifiers without requiring manual intervention. The computational system autonomously performs the identification process by comparing received device identifiers against stored authorized identifiers, automatically determining whether to permit or block commands. This self-service approach enhances accountability and quality control while minimizing the increase in system complexity, as the process occurs automatically without additional operational overhead.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and systems for operating a medical system are presented. The method (400) comprises: receiving (402) commands from local and/or remote universal serial bus, USB, input devices through a USB interface, wherein each of the local and remote USB input devices (202, 204) has unique USB input device identifier; comparing (404) USB input device identifiers with predetermined local USB input device identifiers, thereby identifying whether the commands originate from local or remote USB devices; determining (406) an action to be pursued for the received commands based on where the commands originate from; selectively transmitting (408) commands to the medical system based on the determined actions. The system comprises a computational system configured to perform the method.