Deferred Certificate Validation for Remote Device Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in managing certificates for components located at remote locations from the certificate authority system, where timely authentication is required without delaying device assembly, and connection issues may arise due to remote location constraints.

Innovation Solution

A method where the certificate authority system generates a certificate with an initially invalid validity status, allowing it to be provided to the component at any time, and then sets the status to valid upon matching the component, enabling authentication without real-time connection requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the certificate is provided to the component before mounting in the device, then the device assembly can proceed without delay, but the certificate may be used by unauthorized parties before validity verification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice assembly speedVSAvoidcertificate security

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The certificate is issued and provided to the component in advance before the component is mounted in the device. This preliminary action allows the certificate to be available when needed for assembly, eliminating delays while maintaining security through deferred validity activation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The certificate validity status is made dynamic rather than static. The certificate transitions from an invalid state upon issuance to a valid state after mounting verification, allowing the system to adapt the certificate's operational status based on the component's location and verification state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the certificate is provided only after component mounting verification, then certificate security is maintained, but device assembly is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecertificate securityVSAvoidassembly delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The certificate issuance and provision to the component occurs in advance of the mounting verification event. The preliminary certificate provision is coupled with a deferred validity activation mechanism that ensures security is maintained until the component is properly mounted

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If real-time connection is required for certificate matching verification, then authentication security is ensured, but connection issues at remote locations cause delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidremote location operability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The certificate is provided to the component in advance before the component reaches the remote location or before mounting verification occurs. This preliminary provision eliminates the need for real-time connection during the critical mounting phase, allowing offline operation at remote locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11831789B2Systems and methods of managing a certificate associated with a component located at a remote location

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 AXIS

AI summary

Systems and methods of managing a certificate associated with a component located at a remote location from a certificate authority system are provided. A certificate request is received, wherein the certificate request comprises a key associated with the component. A certificate is generated corresponding to the key received in the certificate request, and a validity status of the certificate is caused to be set to invalid. The certificate is provided to the component and it is determined whether the component matches the certificate. Upon determining that the component matches the certificate, the validity status is caused to be set to valid.