Near-Field Credential Tokens for Multi-Account Device Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Bluetooth technologies face challenges in device authentication, connection management, and authentication without additional steps in short-range wireless communication systems, particularly in scenarios involving multiple user accounts and devices.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for device authentication in near-field wireless communication systems, utilizing a third device to establish connections based on credential tokens and token IDs, allowing for authentication and connection establishment with other devices based on user account matching, and managing token IDs through a token store with expiration times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Bluetooth device connection and authentication procedures are followed, then devices can be connected and authenticated, but the process becomes complex and requires multiple steps including device discovery, connection requests, and authentication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice authenticationVSAvoidconnection management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs authentication preliminarily by generating and storing credential tokens and account-based pairing filters before actual device connection. When devices need to connect, the pre-established account associations enable automatic authentication without requiring full Bluetooth pairing procedures, thus reducing connection management complexity while maintaining authentication reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces account-based pairing filters and credential tokens as intermediary elements between devices. These intermediaries carry authentication information that enables devices to verify each other's identity without requiring direct complex authentication protocols, simplifying the connection process while ensuring secure device authentication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If standard Bluetooth authentication procedures are used, then device security is maintained, but additional authentication steps are required for each connection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice authenticationVSAvoidauthentication time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates copies of authentication credentials in the form of credential tokens that are stored in both the credential provider device and credential seeker device. These token copies enable rapid mutual authentication without requiring the original devices to be physically present or perform time-consuming authentication handshakes, thereby reducing authentication time while maintaining security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple user accounts are supported across different devices, then user flexibility and account management are improved, but the system complexity for managing credentials and tokens increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-account supportVSAvoidcredential management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments credential management by creating separate account-based pairing filters for different user accounts in the credential seeker device and corresponding credential tokens for each account in the credential provider device. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple user accounts independently and systematically, managing complexity through structured organization rather than monolithic credential storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal account-based pairing mechanism that works across multiple user accounts and device types. The credential token and account-based pairing filter system serves multiple functions: it enables authentication for different users, supports various device combinations, and provides a unified approach to credential management that scales with the number of accounts and devices in the ecosystem

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12414173B2Method for managing user account using near-field communication in wireless communication system, and apparatus for same

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method for a third device to perform device authentication in a wireless communication system, and an apparatus for same, which comprises: forming a connection with a first device for being provided with a credential token based on at least one user account related to a specific user; receiving a first message including the credential token; broadcasting an advertisement message including a token identifier (ID) based on the credential token; and forming a connection with a second device through the device authentication of the second device based on the token ID, wherein the success of the device authentication is determined based on whether (i) at least one user account related to the specific user and identified based on the token ID matches (ii) at least one user account among one or more user accounts related to an account-based pairing filter set in the second device.