Battery UID Security via Dual Certificate Segmentation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The Battery Interface (BIF) standard does not mandate security coverage for Unique Identification Numbers (UIDs), leaving them vulnerable to unauthorized issuance and manipulation, which compromises the security of BIF Class 2 batteries during authentication processes.

Innovation Solution

Implementing first and second identity data with matching identifiers, each secured by unique certificates, where the first certificate is associated with a first party and the second certificate with a second party, ensuring only authorized parties can provide authentic identity data, and using public and private key pairs for verification and authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If UID is implemented as a simple unique identifier without security coverage, then the device complexity and authentication process are simplified, but the security of the battery interface is compromised allowing unauthorized issuance and manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoididentity data structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The identity data is segmented into two distinct parts: first identity data (identifier + first certificate) and second identity data (identifier + second certificate). This segmentation allows each part to serve a specific security function while collectively providing comprehensive security coverage for the UID, resolving the contradiction between security and complexity by organizing security elements in a structured manner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution implements a nested certificate structure where the first certificate and second certificate are both associated with the same identifier, creating a layered security model. The first certificate provides initial authentication while the second certificate provides verification, nesting security functions within the identity data structure to enhance security without linearly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If dual certificate verification is implemented, then unauthorized issuance and manipulation of UID are prevented, but the authentication process time and computational overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidauthentication time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The first certificate and second certificate are pre-configured in the apparatus during manufacturing or initial setup. This preliminary action ensures that both certificates are already in place and validated before actual authentication operations begin, allowing the authentication process to proceed efficiently without requiring time-consuming certificate generation or validation setup during runtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2835001B1Identification for apparatuses
Publication Date: 2022.10.26 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2835001B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP2835001B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2835001B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5a

AI summary

It is inter alia disclosed to provide first identity data stored in an apparatus, the first identity data comprising an identifier and a first certificate, and to provide second identity data stored in the apparatus, the second identity data comprising an identifier and a second certificate, wherein the identifier of the first identity data is the same as the identifier of the second identity data.