CAPIF Core Function API Invoker Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing security aspects and information flows of common application program interface (API) frameworks are open, necessitating the need for multiple authentication methods and a secure interface establishment procedure to support various services with different architectural and performance requirements.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for authenticating API invokers using a common application program interface framework (CAPIF) that involves establishing a secure connection with API invokers, determining suitable security methods such as TLS-PSK, TLS-PKI, IKEv2, IPsec, and OAuth 2.0, and enabling secure interface security (C2eIS) for API invokers based on these determined methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple authentication methods are implemented to support various services with different architectural and performance requirements, then the adaptability and versatility of the CAPIF framework is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of implementation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport for various services with different architectural and performance requirementsVSAvoidcomplexity of implementing multiple authentication methods
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal authentication framework within CAPIF that can handle multiple authentication methods (OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, SAML, WS-Federation) through a single integrated architecture. The framework provides multi-functionality by supporting diverse authentication requirements across different services while maintaining a consistent interface and management mechanism, thereby improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication system is segmented into distinct functional components including authentication providers, authentication consumers, authorization servers, and identity providers. Each component has well-defined roles and interfaces, allowing the complex authentication functionality to be divided into manageable modules that can be independently configured and managed, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a secure interface establishment procedure is implemented to ensure security and integrity of API interactions, then the reliability and security of the system is improved, but the loss of time for authentication and connection establishment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity and integrity of API interactionsVSAvoidtime for authentication and connection establishment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The framework performs preliminary authentication and authorization actions before API interactions begin. By establishing secure connections and validating credentials in advance through pre-configured policies and cached authentication tokens, the system reduces the time required for authentication during actual API calls, thereby minimizing time loss while maintaining high security standards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where authentication results and security status are continuously monitored and fed back into the architecture. This enables dynamic adjustment of authentication strategies based on real-time conditions, allowing the system to optimize the balance between security measures and time consumption by learning from previous authentication patterns and outcomes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3972310B1Method and system for authenticating application program interface (API) invokers
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3972310B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3972310B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3972310B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and system for authenticating application program interface (API) invokers using a common application program interface framework (CAPIF) is provided. The method includes establishing by a CAPIF core function (CCF) a secure Transport Layers Security (TLS) connection with at least one API invoker, on receiving a connection request from the at least one API invoker to access at least one service API on a CAPIF-2e interface. Further, the method includes determining by the CCF at least one security method to be used by the at least one API invoker for a CAPIF-2e interface security (C2eIS) of the at least one API invoker for accessing the at least one service API on a CAPIF-2e interface. The method further includes enabling the C2eIS by an API exposing function (AEF) the at least one API invoker based on the determined at least one security method.