USB Device Hash Verification for Configuration Security

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing USB drives used for initializing computer hardware components can be compromised, leading to the potential infection of hardware components with viruses or malicious software, posing a security risk.

Innovation Solution

A USB device with a processor, storage for a hash function, and an electronic display is used to calculate and display a hash value, which is compared to a predetermined hash value corresponding to an indelible visual code on the device, ensuring the authenticity and integrity of the USB drive's content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If USB drives are used for transferring software to computer hardware components, then device configuration and initialization become easier, but security risks increase due to potential compromise of USB drives with viruses or malicious software

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice configurationVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification by calculating the hash value of the USB drive content and comparing it against a predetermined hash value before allowing the USB drive to be used for device configuration. This advance check prevents compromised USB drives from infecting computer hardware components, resolving the security risk while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If hash verification is implemented to validate USB drive content, then security is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional verification steps

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidverification process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual verification methods with automated electronic hash value calculation and comparison. The processor automatically computes the hash value of the USB drive content and compares it with the predetermined hash value, eliminating the need for manual inspection and reducing operational complexity while maintaining high security standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If electronic display and hash calculation are added to USB drives, then content authenticity validation is enabled, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent validationVSAvoidUSB drive production

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The USB drive is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a data storage device for transferring software, a processing device for calculating hash values, and a verification device for comparing hash values. By integrating these functions into a single universal device, the patent enables content authenticity validation without requiring separate verification equipment, thus limiting the increase in manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12267433B2Security for USB-based device configuration

Publication Date: 2025.04.01 KYNDRYL INC

AI summary

A universal serial bus device, including: a main body; a connection portion attached to the main body; a processor; a storage portion storing a hash function executable by the processor, the hash function producing a hash value; a non-changing visual code on the main body, the visual code being readable by an optical scanner and corresponding to the hash function; and an electronic display configured to display the hash value.