USB Mediation Module for Device Authorization and Message Translation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing USB communication systems lack effective mediation to ensure authorized communication between host computing devices and USB devices, leading to potential security threats and unauthorized access.

Innovation Solution

A mediation module is introduced between the USB host interface and device interface to authenticate and authorize USB devices by comparing identifying characteristics with a stored set of authorized devices, and to translate messages, thereby acting as a firewall to prevent unauthorized access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mediation module is introduced to authenticate and authorize USB devices, then security and authorization control are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthorization controlVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mediation module as an intermediary component positioned between the USB host interface and the USB device interface. This mediator authenticates USB devices by comparing identifying characteristics against stored authorized devices and translates messages between the host and device, thereby improving authorization control without requiring the host to directly manage complex authentication logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If USB device identification and authorization checking is performed, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but communication time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunauthorized accessVSAvoidcommunication time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mediation module performs authorization checking as a preliminary action before allowing communication between USB devices and host computing devices. By pre-authenticating devices and verifying their identifying characteristics against stored authorized devices, the system prevents unauthorized access while establishing security upfront, reducing the need for continuous verification during communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If message translation is performed by the mediation module, then compatibility between different USB devices and host is improved, but processing overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidprocessing overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mediation module serves as a translator intermediary that receives messages from USB devices, translates them into formats compatible with the host computing device, and forwards translated messages to the host. This translation function improves compatibility between diverse USB devices and the host while centralizing the translation processing in a dedicated module rather than requiring the host to process all translation overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8862803B2Mediating communciation of a univeral serial bus device

Publication Date: 2014.10.14 ARCHITECTURE TECH CORP

AI summary

An apparatus for mediating communication between a universal serial bus (USB) device and a host computing device is described. In an example, the apparatus includes a USB host interface configured to be connected to a downstream USB device, and a USB device interface configured to be connected to an upstream host computing device. The apparatus also includes a mediation module positioned between the USB host interface and the USB device interface and configured to determine whether the USB device is authorized to communicate with the host computing device.