Automated Wireless Pairing via Database Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pairing procedures for wireless devices often require user interaction to confirm identities, which can be error-prone and insecure, especially in scenarios where minimal user input is necessary or not feasible.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses a database server to manage username-password pairs and identifier-PIN code pairs, allowing for automatic pairing by retrieving a PIN code based on user authentication, reducing the need for user input and enhancing security by ensuring only authorized users can establish ad hoc connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If user interaction is required to confirm identities during pairing, then security is maintained, but user errors increase and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiduser interaction requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a database server as an intermediary that stores and verifies pairing credentials. Instead of direct user-to-user credential verification, the system mediates the pairing process through centralized authentication, eliminating the need for users to manually confirm identities while maintaining security through server-side verification of stored credentials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automatic pairing by having devices independently authenticate themselves through the database server using pre-stored credentials. The pairing process becomes self-service oriented, where devices automatically retrieve and verify pairing information without requiring user intervention, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining security through automated credential verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If automatic pairing is implemented without user confirmation, then ease of operation improves, but security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic pairingVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing pairing credentials in a centralized database before the actual pairing occurs. During automatic pairing, devices retrieve and verify these pre-configured credentials through the database server, enabling secure automatic pairing without user confirmation. The security is maintained because the credentials were securely established in advance and verified through centralized authentication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If manual pairing confirmation is required, then security is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to additional user steps

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidpairing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual user confirmation with an automated electronic authentication system. Instead of users physically interacting to confirm pairing (typing passkeys, pressing buttons), the system uses automated credential verification through the database server, substituting human action with machine-to-machine authentication that maintains security while dramatically improving pairing speed and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3244645B1Pairing procedure
Publication Date: 2021.09.15 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3244645B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3244645B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3244645B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

To automate establishment of an ad hoc connection (13-7, 13-7', 13-7") between a user apparatus and a device, username-password pairs and identifying information-code pairs are maintained in a database server, and the user apparatus sends an inquiry (13-3) comprising identifying information of the device and a username and a password of a user of the user apparatus, and receives in a response (13-5) a code for establishing the ad hoc connection.