Digitally Signed Data Decentralized Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current authentication methods for manufactured products require a central authority to manage keys and unique identifiers, which is cumbersome and relies on the central authority to provide public keys for verification, making decentralized authentication challenging.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves a manufactured product including a non-transitory computer-readable medium with digitally signed information, using a vendor ID and key ID to simplify authentication without requiring a central authority to assign keys and unique identifiers, allowing for decentralized key management and authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a central authority manages keys and unique identifiers for authentication, then authentication reliability is improved, but system complexity and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each manufactured product autonomously generates its own unique identifier and digital signature without requiring a central authority to assign keys. The product self-manages its authentication credentials, eliminating the need for centralized key distribution infrastructure while maintaining authentication reliability through cryptographic verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a central authority manages key distribution, then authentication security is improved, but the risk of key interception and single point of failure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidkey interception risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication system segments the key management function to each individual manufactured product. Each product generates and retains its own unique cryptographic credentials locally, distributing security responsibilities across multiple independent units rather than concentrating them in a central authority, thereby eliminating single points of failure and reducing key interception risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If decentralized authentication is implemented without central authority, then system complexity is reduced, but ensuring authentication reliability becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidauthentication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/organizational system of central authority key management with a cryptographic mathematical system. Digital signatures and public-key infrastructure provide automated, reliable verification of authenticity without requiring centralized coordination, ensuring authentication reliability through mathematical guarantees rather than administrative control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4131039B1Digitally signed data

Publication Date: 2024.03.20 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

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AI summary

An example print supply includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitory computer-readable medium includes data. The data includes an indication of a schema for the data. The data also includes an indication of an identifier. The data includes an indication of a digital signature. The digital signature is usable to authenticate a type of the data, the schema, and the identifier. The print supply also includes a communication interface. The communication interface is to output the data from the non-transitory computer-readable medium.