USB Link Lock Device with Blocking Member and Authorization

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Solution Overview

Problem

The widespread use of USB ports in computers has made it easy for unauthorized access and virus infections, leading to data loss and information theft, as third parties can easily connect USB memory devices, necessitating a solution to physically block USB ports and prevent unauthorized access.

Innovation Solution

A USB link lock device with a blocking member that inserts into a USB port, a locking mechanism to prevent removal, and a stopping member to block unauthorized USB connections, along with a signal connection for authorized access, ensuring only pre-authorized devices can connect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If USB ports are made universally accessible for easy device connection, then ease of operation is improved, but security against unauthorized access and virus infection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of device connectionVSAvoidvirus infection and unauthorized access
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-authorizing specific USB devices before they can connect to the system. The authorization process occurs in advance through a registration mechanism that stores authorized device information in a database, so that when connection attempts are made, only pre-approved devices are permitted to access the system, preventing unauthorized access and virus infections while maintaining ease of operation for authorized devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If physical blocking of USB ports is implemented to prevent unauthorized access, then security is improved, but ease of operation for authorized devices deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunauthorized USB device connectionVSAvoidconnection process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary authorization system that mediates between the physical USB port and the computer system. This intermediary mechanism includes an authorization database that stores information about approved USB devices, a detection unit that identifies connected devices, and a control unit that permits or blocks access based on authorization status. This intermediary layer enables automatic verification without requiring manual intervention, thus maintaining ease of operation while preventing unauthorized access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If USB device authorization and blocking mechanisms are implemented, then security against information theft is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against information theftVSAvoidUSB port control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically manage USB device authorization without requiring continuous manual intervention. The authorization database automatically stores and retrieves device information, the detection unit automatically identifies connected devices, and the control unit automatically permits or blocks access based on pre-stored authorization data. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for complex manual control systems while maintaining high security standards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3073410B1USB link lock device
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 AHN CHANG HOON
  • EP3073410B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3073410B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3073410B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5a

AI summary

Provided is a USB link lock device. The device includes a device body, a blocking member provided on the device body to block access of an external device, an external USB port part provided on the device body to be adjacent to the blocking member, a signal connection part enabling signal transmission between a terminal inside the USB port and the external USB connecting port, a locking member selectively locked to the electronic device so that the blocking member is not forcedly removed from the USB port, a stopping member provided in the device body to be retractable into the external USB port part, a lock member movably provided on the blocking member to control a locking operation of the locking member and a blocking operation of the stopping member.