USB Input Device Firmware Lock State Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
USB input devices, such as cameras and microphones, are vulnerable to malicious firmware updates due to the lack of secure firmware installation and update processes, which can compromise biometric data security.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a firmware lock/unlock state mechanism on the USB input device controller, where the controller receives unlock requests from a host, determines their validity, and updates its firmware lock state accordingly, ensuring that only authenticated firmware updates are installed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If firmware update functionality is enabled on USB input devices, then device adaptability and maintenance capability are improved, but security vulnerability to malicious firmware increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a lock state mechanism that is set before firmware update operations. The controller is placed in a locked state by default, preventing unauthorized firmware updates. This preliminary security measure ensures that even though firmware update capability exists, it cannot be exercised without proper authorization, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and security vulnerability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism between the firmware update request and the actual update execution. The host computing system must provide valid authentication credentials, and the controller verifies these credentials before allowing the firmware update. This intermediary layer acts as a mediator that enables legitimate updates while blocking malicious ones, thus maintaining both adaptability and security
2Object-affected harmful factors
If firmware lock state mechanism is implemented, then security against malicious firmware is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the firmware update process into distinct states (locked and unlocked) and separate authentication verification from the actual update execution. The lock state mechanism is implemented as a separate control layer that manages access to the firmware update functionality. This segmentation allows the security mechanism to be added without significantly complicating the core firmware update logic, as the security layer operates independently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state parameter of the controller between locked and unlocked states to control firmware update accessibility. This parameter-based approach allows the same hardware and basic software architecture to support both secure and update modes without requiring additional complex components. The lock state acts as a simple binary parameter that gates access to firmware update functionality, minimizing the increase in device complexity
3Reliability
If authentication verification is performed before firmware installation, then firmware integrity is improved, but update process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs authentication verification as a preliminary action before the actual firmware installation process. The host computing system prepares authentication credentials in advance, and the controller verifies these credentials before accepting the firmware payload. This preliminary authentication ensures firmware integrity is verified before any installation time is consumed, thus maintaining high reliability while minimizing the impact on overall update process time
Data Source
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AI summary
One example provides, on a USB input device, a method comprising receiving an unlock request to change a firmware lock state of a controller of the USB input device from a locked state to an unlocked state, determining whether the unlock request is valid or invalid, when the unlock request is valid, updating the firmware lock state from the locked state to the unlocked state and sending a process completion message, when the unlock request is invalid, sending the process completion message without updating the firmware lock state, receiving a firmware update request, determining whether the firmware lock state is in the locked state or the unlocked state, receiving a firmware payload, authenticating data of the firmware payload, and when the firmware lock state is determined to be in the unlocked state and when the data of the firmware payload is authenticated, then installing the firmware payload.