Cloud-Assisted Accessory Pairing via Intermediary Key Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Establishing a bonded relationship between devices often requires user interaction and direct key exchange, which can be cumbersome, especially in scenarios where devices need to communicate securely over various interfaces and protocols.
Innovation Solution
The method involves retrieving a security key from a cloud-assisted storage, allowing devices to establish a bonded connection without sharing keys directly, using identifiers and authentication tokens to authorize communication links, and utilizing remote servers to manage key associations and user accounts, thereby simplifying the pairing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bonding process is used requiring direct key exchange between devices, then secure communication is established, but user interaction complexity and pairing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that stores security keys and facilitates the bonding process. Instead of direct key exchange between devices, the server acts as a mediator that provides authentication tokens to authorized devices, simplifying the pairing process while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing security keys and device identifiers on the server before actual communication is needed. This allows devices to quickly authenticate by retrieving pre-established credentials rather than performing complex key exchange protocols in real-time.
2Reliability
If direct key sharing between devices is implemented, then bonding is achieved, but security risks and key management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The server serves as a centralized intermediary that manages all security keys and authentication tokens. Devices do not need to store or share keys directly with each other; instead, they obtain authenticated tokens from the server, significantly reducing key management complexity and security risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables devices to self-authenticate by retrieving authentication tokens from the server based on their device identifiers. This automated self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual key configuration and reduces the complexity of key management across multiple devices.
3Loss of time
If cloud-assisted key retrieval is used, then pairing time is reduced, but dependency on external server increases
Solution Approach 1:
Security keys and device identifiers are pre-registered on the server before pairing is needed. This preliminary setup enables rapid authentication by simple token retrieval rather than real-time key generation, dramatically reducing pairing time while maintaining system security.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for establishing a communication link between devices are provided. A first device receives an identifier for an accessory device, and receives a security key from a second device. The security key is associated with the accessory device and/or the identifier. The first device sends a communication request to the accessory device using the identifier and the security key.