Communication Apparatus Registration Release Mode Authentication Failure

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems like Z-Wave, failed authentication between a controller device and a slave device can lead to non-encrypted communication, requiring complex user operations to release the registered state, complicating the process and compromising security.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus with a registration unit, authentication unit, and transition unit that automatically or user-actively transitions into a registration release mode when authentication fails, allowing for a registration release request from the external communication apparatus, enabling easy release of the registered state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If authentication process is performed between controller device and slave device, then security is improved, but operation complexity increases when authentication fails

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic release of registration when authentication fails. The controller device autonomously detects authentication failure and executes the release process without requiring user intervention, making the system self-service and eliminating complex manual operations while maintaining security through automatic authentication verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares the registration release state in advance by automatically releasing registration upon authentication failure. This preliminary action prevents the system from remaining in an insecure state and eliminates the need for subsequent manual release operations, resolving the contradiction between security and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If registration is maintained after authentication failure, then ease of operation is improved, but security deteriorates due to non-encrypted communication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of registrationVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful state of maintained registration after authentication failure into a beneficial security outcome. By automatically detecting authentication failure and releasing registration, the system eliminates non-encrypted communication vulnerabilities while maintaining user convenience through automatic operation, thus converting a potential security hazard into a security enhancement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If manual release operation is required for both devices, then security is maintained, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming operations

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidregistration efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system eliminates manual release operations by implementing automatic release functionality. The controller device autonomously performs the release operation when authentication fails, eliminating the need for user intervention on both devices. This self-service approach maintains security through automatic authentication verification while dramatically improving registration efficiency by eliminating time-consuming manual operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system executes the release action preliminarily and automatically upon authentication failure. This preliminary automatic release prevents the need for subsequent manual operations, maintaining security by ensuring release only occurs after verified authentication failure while improving productivity by eliminating the time required for manual release procedures on both devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11006381B2Communication apparatus and method of controlling the same

Publication Date: 2021.05.11 CANON KK

AI summary

A communication apparatus comprises a registration unit that registers an external communication apparatus in response to a registration request from the external communication apparatus, an authentication unit that performs an authentication process for the external communication apparatus registered by the registration unit, and a transition unit that transit the communication apparatus into a registration release mode in a case that the authentication process of the authentication unit has not succeeded, wherein the registration release mode is a mode for receiving a registration release request from the external communication apparatus.