Bluetooth Pairing Authorization via Central Server

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Bluetooth device pairing methods lack security, allowing arbitrary pairing which can compromise network security and device management, as they do not ensure authorized devices connect with each other.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an authorization server that stores and manages device pairings, where a slave device queries the server for permission to pair with a master device, ensuring only authorized devices can establish a connection by checking stored pairings before allowing the pairing process to proceed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If Bluetooth devices allow arbitrary pairing, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of pairingVSAvoidsecurity risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an authorization server as an intermediary between Bluetooth devices seeking to pair. The server receives pairing requests, checks authorization credentials, and approves or denies connections. This mediator resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation (automatic approval process) while improving security (verified authorization)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If Bluetooth devices implement authorization server checks, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidpairing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the authorization logic from individual Bluetooth devices and places it in a separate authorization server. This extraction reduces device complexity by removing the need for each device to independently implement complex authorization checking, while maintaining or improving security through centralized verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If Bluetooth pairing is restricted to authorized devices only, then security is improved, but ease of operation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunauthorized access preventionVSAvoidpairing process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary authorization setup where devices are pre-configured with authorization credentials before pairing attempts. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by enabling simple automatic pairing operations (ease of operation) that inherently prevent unauthorized access (security) through pre-verified credentials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12022368B2Bluetooth device connection approval

Publication Date: 2024.06.25 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

Examples associated with Bluetooth device pairing are described. One example includes storing a set of device pairings. Device pairings may indicate Bluetooth devices that are authorized to connect. An authorization signal is received from a first Bluetooth device. The authorization signal may seek approval to connect with a second Bluetooth device over a Bluetooth connection. A control signal is provided to the first Bluetooth device when a device pairing indicates the first Bluetooth device is authorized to connect to the second Bluetooth device.