Challenge-Response Authentication with Variable Server-Verified Keys

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing device authentication methods using a challenge & response method lack variations in response keys, making them susceptible to falsification and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The system includes a client and server configuration that generates and verifies response keys using multiple encrypted data sets, parameter data, and signature verification to enhance security and efficiency, allowing for variations in response keys based on parameter data and server-side calculations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional challenge & response authentication method is used, then the authentication process is simple, but the response key lacks variations making it susceptible to falsification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidauthentication process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication system segments the response key generation into multiple components: challenge data from the server, parameter data from the client, and encrypted data sets. By dividing the authentication process into these independent segments that are combined during verification, the system achieves both simplicity and security without requiring complex pre-shared secrets or certificates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating multiple encrypted data sets on the client side before authentication. These encrypted data sets are prepared in advance and stored locally, allowing the verification process to efficiently select and use the appropriate set based on the challenge data, thereby reducing computation time during actual authentication while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple encrypted data sets are transmitted from the client, then variations in response keys are achieved, but data transmission volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse key variationVSAvoiddata transmission volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the necessary components for authentication: instead of transmitting all encrypted data sets, the client transmits only the selected encrypted data set that corresponds to the challenge data. The server independently generates the same response key using its own copy of the encrypted data set, eliminating the need to transmit multiple encrypted data sets while still achieving response key variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The challenge data serves multiple functions: it acts as a randomizer for response key generation, an identifier for selecting the appropriate encrypted data set, and a basis for verifying the authentication. This multi-functionality reduces the amount of data that needs to be transmitted while achieving the same security goals.

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

3Reliability

If signature verification is performed on parameter data, then falsification is prevented, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidverification processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs partial signature verification by only verifying the signature on the parameter data that is necessary for selecting the encrypted data set, rather than verifying all transmitted data. This selective verification approach maintains data integrity for critical components while reducing overall processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4711960A1Information processing system, program, and computerimplemented method
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • EP4711960A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4711960A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4711960A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A server issues challenge data and transmits the challenge data to a client. The client stores encrypted group data including a plurality of encrypted data encrypted with a server key, and parameter data A, in a memory, receives the challenge data, generates response data using a response key on the client side, and transmits the response data, the encrypted group data, and the parameter data A to the server. The server selects encrypted data to be used from the received encrypted group data, based on the received parameter data A, sets a response key on the server side, based on the selected encrypted data and data decrypted with the server key, verifies the received response data, based on the challenge data and the response key on the server side, and notifies a result of the verification to the client. The client receives the notification.