Virtual Device Mediator for Application Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a risk of information leakage when a physical device corresponding to a virtual device, mediating information transmission and reception between an application and the physical device, is installed in an unintended location.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device with a processor functioning as a virtual device that prohibits information transmission and reception from unapproved applications, ensuring only connection-approved applications can communicate with the virtual device, thereby preventing unauthorized data transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a virtual device is provided one-to-one with a physical device to enable remote management, then ease of operation is improved, but information leakage risk increases when the physical device is installed in an unintended location

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidinformation leakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual device acts as an intermediary between applications and the physical device. It mediates all information transmission and reception, verifying application credentials before allowing communication. This intermediary layer prevents direct access from unauthorized applications while maintaining operational ease through the virtual device interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the virtual device allows connections from multiple applications, then adaptability is improved, but information leakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidinformation leakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of application credentials before allowing any information transmission. The virtual device checks whether an application has been previously approved and registered with appropriate credentials. Only after this preliminary verification is passed does the virtual device permit the application to communicate with the physical device, thus maintaining adaptability while preventing information leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20240064141A1Information processing device, information processing system, non-transitory computer readable medium, and information processing method

Publication Date: 2024.02.22 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing device includes a processor configured to: function as a virtual device that is provided one-to-one with a physical device and that mediates transmission and reception of information between an application and the physical device; and, in a case where transmission and reception of information is set to unapproved in the virtual device, prohibit transmission and reception of information to and from another application other than a connection-approved application whose connection with the virtual device is approved in advance.