Personal Digital Identity Device Hardware Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Password-based cloud service authentication in mobile devices is vulnerable to hacking, as hackers can gain access to user accounts by obtaining password files, compromising sensitive user information.

Innovation Solution

A personal digital identity device that communicates with mobile devices and cloud services using radio links, requiring user interaction through hardware-based methods such as button presses, fingerprint sensors, or motion sensors to authenticate, making security hardware available only after user interaction, thereby enhancing security beyond password-only authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If password-based authentication is used, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of authenticationVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication system is segmented into two distinct components: a mobile device for user interaction and a personal digital identity device for secure credential storage and verification. This segmentation separates the ease of operation (mobile device interface) from the security function (identity device hardware), allowing both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The personal digital identity device acts as an intermediary between the user and the authentication system. It mediates the authentication process by securely storing credentials, verifying user presence through hardware sensors, and communicating with both the mobile device and authentication server, thereby enhancing security while maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If hardware-based authentication is implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The personal digital identity device is designed as a multi-functional universal platform that can authenticate users across multiple applications and services. It incorporates various hardware sensors (fingerprint, motion, button) that can serve different authentication modes, reducing the need for separate hardware solutions for each function and managing complexity through consolidation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication system uses a nested structure where the personal digital identity device contains embedded hardware sensors and secure storage elements within its housing. The device nestles between the user's finger (for fingerprint sensing) and the mobile device (for communication), creating a compact layered architecture that manages physical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS9659295B2Personal digital identity device with near field and non near field radios for access control

Publication Date: 2017.05.23 SIDEASSURE INC

AI summary

A personal digital ID device provides a digital identifier to a service for a predetermined duration in response to user interaction. The user interaction may include a button press. The personal digital ID device may be in the form of a bracelet, a key fob, or other form factor. The service may be provided by a mobile device, in the cloud, or elsewhere.