Touch IC Encryption for Secure Input Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices, especially those with open-source operating systems, are vulnerable to hacking attacks, and existing security methods using virtual keyboards can expose them to further risks when accessing web servers.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that encrypts input data from a touch screen or touch panel using a touch integrated circuit (IC), which enters a secure mode to encrypt input data with a secure key and transmits it to a main processor, while blocking the transfer path to prevent the main processor from sensing the input data during secure mode, thereby enhancing data security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a virtual keyboard on a web server is used for secure input, then hacking attack resistance is improved, but vulnerability to web server access attacks worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehacking attack resistanceVSAvoidweb server access vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the encryption function from the main processor and web server environment, placing it directly in the touch IC. This removes the vulnerability of web server access by ensuring encryption occurs locally before data leaves the device, independent of any server communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch IC acts as an intermediary between the touch panel and the main processor. It encrypts input data before transmission to the processor, serving as a security mediator that protects against both local and remote attacks without requiring web server involvement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If input data is transmitted in plaintext to the main processor, then processing speed is improved, but data security during transmission worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing speedVSAvoiddata security during transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The touch IC performs encryption as a preliminary action before data is transmitted to the main processor. This advance encryption ensures data security during transmission without affecting processing speed, as the processor receives already-encrypted data ready for immediate handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of plaintext transmission with an electronic encryption process at the source. The touch IC substitutes the need for secure transmission channels by encrypting data at the origin, maintaining speed while improving security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8832426B2Electronic device and method for securing user input data

Publication Date: 2014.09.09 PANTECH CORP

AI summary

An apparatus to secure input data includes a main processor to enter into a secure mode, a touch panel to detect an input, and a touch integrated circuit (IC) to obtain coordinate data of the input, and to encrypt data related to the input using a secure key, in which the data related to the input is encrypted in the secure mode, and the touch IC transmits the encrypted data to the main processor. A method for securing input data in an electronic device includes entering into a secure mode, receiving an input using a touch panel, obtaining coordinate data of the input using a touch integrated circuit (IC), and encrypting data related to the input using a secure key, in which the data related to the input is encrypted in the secure mode, and the touch IC transmits the encrypted data to the main processor.