E-Cigarette Device Set Authentication With a Shared Security Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic cigarettes face challenges in preventing the use of counterfeit devices due to the disposal of authentication elements after consumption, leading to either low-cost, insecure authentication or high-cost, disposable security controllers, which affect pricing and market integrity.
Innovation Solution
Implement a system where a single, high-security authentication element authenticates an entire set of devices, with one device acting as a primary product containing the authentication logic, and subsequent devices as secondary products, allowing multiple devices to be used without additional authentication once the primary product is coupled with the base element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expensive security controllers are used for each device to meet high security requirements, then authentication security is improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system is segmented into two parts: a reusable base element containing the expensive security controller, and disposable devices containing only simple authentication elements. This segmentation allows the high-cost security component to be shared across multiple devices, reducing per-device manufacturing costs while maintaining authentication security.
Solution Approach 2:
The base element with the security controller serves multiple functions: it authenticates multiple different devices, manages authentication credentials, and can serve different users. This multi-functionality allows a single expensive security controller to replace multiple individual security controllers, significantly reducing overall system cost.
2Ease of manufacture
If low-cost controllers are used for authentication elements, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but authentication security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base element acts as an intermediary between the simple authentication element in the device and the authentication verification system. It contains the security controller that performs the actual secure authentication, while the device itself only needs a simple, low-cost authentication element. This intermediary approach allows low-cost devices to maintain high security through the base element's security controller.
3Ease of operation
If each device has its own authentication element, then device authentication is enabled, but the number of expensive security controllers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication functionality is merged into the base element rather than being distributed across all devices. Multiple devices share a single authentication element in the base element, reducing the total number of expensive security controllers from N (one per device) to 1 (shared by all devices), while each device retains full authentication capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A set of devices is provided for an electronic cigarette. The set of devices has a first device and a second device, wherein the first device has an authentication device which is configured to authenticate the first device and the second device in relation to a control element of the electronic cigarette. The set of devices further has an identifier which indicates that the first device has the authentication device for authenticating the first device and the second device, wherein the second device is without an identifier which indicates that the second device has the authentication device for authenticating the first device and the second device.