Ephemeral Access Control for IoT Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ephemeral access control systems do not provide an easy or intuitive way for users to achieve fine-grained permissions control, particularly in IoT devices configured for user sensing, requiring significant and non-intuitive setup by the target user.
Innovation Solution
An access control system and method that allows for easy and intuitive task-based permission control by transferring user permission information from a trusted device to nearby IoT devices based on physical proximity and context, ensuring that target devices do not inherit excessive permissions through a negotiation mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If device-level access control policies are used, then security is improved, but user-centric fine-grained permission control becomes difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments access control into device-level policies and user-level permissions. Device-level policies maintain security boundaries, while user-level permissions provide fine-grained control for specific tasks. This segmentation allows both security and user-centric control to coexist by operating at different levels of the access control hierarchy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that translates user intentions into device-level policy violations. When a user attempts an action, the system checks both device-level policies and user-specific permissions, acting as a mediator between security constraints and user flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If manual setup and user inputs at run-time are required, then fine-grained permission control can be achieved, but user burden increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring device-level access control policies that define security boundaries. User-specific permissions are also pre-established through the ephemeral access control system, so that when users need to perform tasks, the fine-grained control is already in place without requiring manual setup at runtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to self-configure ephemeral access permissions through intuitive interfaces. Users can automatically grant or revoke permissions for specific tasks without manual intervention, and the system self-manages the permission lifecycle including automatic revocation after timeout periods.
3Ease of operation
If permissions are transferred to nearby devices based on proximity, then ease of access is improved, but risk of excessive permission inheritance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transferring permissions selectively based on the specific task and context rather than granting all permissions. Each permission transfer is localized to the minimum necessary scope for the specific task, and permissions are automatically revoked when no longer needed, preventing excessive permission inheritance while maintaining ease of access.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention proposes a system and method for ephemeral access control, wherein permissions (e.g., credentials) are deliberately propagated from a trusted device to nearby devices, such that the nearby devices get permission to perform a given task on condition that a user of the trusted device has granted permission for the same or a similar task to be performed on the trusted device.