Secure Display Device for Phishing Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Touch screens used for secure data entry, such as PIN numbers, lack effective protection against unauthorized access and phishing attacks, as existing secure display devices do not adequately differentiate between secure and insecure modes visually or restrict input locations.

Innovation Solution

A secure display device (SDD) is introduced, which includes a secure display logic that operates in multiple modes: partial takeover, takeover, and pass-through modes, with visual indicators like icons and color schemes to denote secure or insecure states, and a Restricted Touch mode to limit input locations, preventing phishing attacks by overlaying predefined graphics on the screen display and ignoring or discarding certain inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a touch screen is used for data entry, then ease of operation is improved, but security against unauthorized access and phishing attacks deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing Restricted Touch mode that selectively enables or disables touch input at specific locations on the display screen. This allows certain areas to be secure (blocking input) while others remain accessible, creating localized security zones that protect sensitive operations without compromising overall usability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs color changes through visual indicators that change appearance based on security mode. Different colors or visual states indicate whether the system is in Secure mode or Application mode, providing intuitive feedback to users about the current security state and helping them understand which operations are protected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Reliability

If visual indicators are added to denote secure or insecure states, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by implementing a single secure display device that can operate in multiple modes (Secure mode and Application mode) and provide multiple functions including visual indicators, Restricted Touch mode, and full touch functionality. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate security devices into one unified system, managing complexity through integration rather than multiplication of components.

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

3Reliability

If Restricted Touch mode is implemented to limit input locations, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the touch sensitivity of the display dynamically adjustable between different modes. The system can switch between Restricted Touch mode (blocking input at certain locations) and full touch functionality based on operational context. This dynamic behavior allows the interface to adapt its accessibility characteristics to match security requirements while maintaining ease of operation when security constraints are not needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3423984B1Secure display device
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 CRYPTERA AS
  • EP3423984B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3423984B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3423984B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

In an example embodiment, a secure display device that includes hardware that can be positioned between a personal computer or a central processing unit and a display, such as a flat panel display. Display data from the personal computer or the central processing unit to the flat panel display is transmitted through the security display device.