Wireless Interface Access Control via Segmented Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication technologies, such as Bluetooth, pose security risks as they can be monitored and used to access electronic devices, allowing unauthorized access and communication with unintended devices, which is a concern for secure operations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing access control measures, including access control lists and restricted access to wireless communication interfaces, to limit user access to specific devices only, such as smart card readers, while preventing communication with other devices, and disabling discoverability and connectability modes to reduce security threats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communication interfaces are made accessible to all users, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened due to unauthorized access and monitoring risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments access to the wireless communication interface by creating separate access paths: a first access path for authorized users and a second access path for unauthorized users. The system actively blocks the second access path while allowing the first, thereby segmenting the user base into authorized and unauthorized groups with different access levels to the wireless interface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of an access control system that mediates between users and the wireless communication interface. This intermediary evaluates user credentials and controls the access path, allowing authorized users to communicate while blocking unauthorized users, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of access and security
2Object-affected harmful factors
If access control measures are implemented to restrict wireless communication, then security is improved, but device complexity increases due to access control lists and restricted interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by having the access control system automatically evaluate user credentials and enforce access decisions without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously blocks unauthorized access paths and allows authorized access, reducing the need for complex manual access control configurations while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the access control functionality from the main wireless communication interface, separating it into a distinct access control system. This extraction allows the access control mechanisms to be implemented as a modular component that can be independently configured and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while providing robust security
3Object-affected harmful factors
If discoverability mode is disabled to prevent unauthorized connections, then security is improved, but ease of operation worsens as users cannot easily connect to new devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different access characteristics to different users: authorized users maintain full connectivity functionality including discoverability, while unauthorized users are blocked regardless of their attempted actions. This differentiated approach allows the system to maintain ease of operation for authorized users while preventing unauthorized connections
Data Source
AI summary
Users of a computer are prevented from directly accessing certain hardware for which a driver is installed on the computer. The users are provided a limited, indirect manner to access the hardware for a specific purpose or to do a specific job. One example of such hardware is a wireless hardware communication interface. The wireless activity of the computer may be restricted so that the wireless hardware communication interface is prevented from communicating with any devices compatible with the wireless hardware communication interface other than one or more specific devices.