Battery Authentication via Encryption Challenge-Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

The growing concern of low-quality, unauthenticated, or counterfeit batteries installed in wireless communication devices poses safety risks, as they may malfunction, explode, or catch fire, necessitating a mechanism to ensure the use of approved batteries.

Innovation Solution

A battery authentication system that sends a pre-stored plain text to the battery, which performs an encryption algorithm and returns encrypted text to the device for comparison, with multiple security levels to limit battery usage upon authentication failure, including disabling charging or power functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If battery authentication through encryption is implemented, then device safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice safetyVSAvoidauthentication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing encryption algorithms and authentication data in both the device and battery during manufacturing. The authentication credentials are embedded beforehand, allowing rapid verification without adding runtime complexity. The device and battery are pre-configured with matching encryption keys and algorithms, enabling seamless authentication when the battery is installed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by implementing identical encryption algorithms in both the device and battery. The same cryptographic functions are replicated in both components, allowing the battery to encrypt its identification data using the same algorithm that the device uses to verify it. This symmetric approach simplifies the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If multiple security levels are implemented, then safety control is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety controlVSAvoiduser interaction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing multiple security levels that dynamically adjust device functionality based on authentication results. Different security levels (e.g., full access, limited access, emergency only) are configured to provide varying degrees of control. The system automatically transitions between operational states based on the authenticated battery's security level, without requiring manual user configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication system operates self-service by automatically verifying battery credentials and enforcing security levels without user intervention. The device autonomously determines the appropriate security level based on the authenticated battery and applies corresponding restrictions to charging, power output, and device functionality. Users simply install the battery and the system handles all security enforcement automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP1974415B1Battery authentication in a wireless communication device
Publication Date: 2009.11.18 KYOCERA WIRELESS CORP
  • EP1974415B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1974415B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP1974415B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

Multiple battery authentication security levels and procedures alert a user of counterfeit or unapproved batteries that are installed after manufacture of the wireless communication device. In an exemplary a battery authentication system, a mobile device sends a pre-stored plain text to a battery installed in the mobile device. An approved battery receives the plain text and performs an encryption algorithm on the plain text. Encrypted text is sent back to the mobile device. The mobile device compares the received encrypted text with a pre-stored encrypted text. If the received encrypted text matches the pre-stored encrypted text, then the battery is authenticated. Upon completion of the authentication of the installed battery, the mobile phone conducts normal battery and charging operation. If the received encrypted text does not match the pre-stored encrypted text, then the device enters authentication failure events that limit the use of the battery.