Hardware Authenticator Key for Controlled Device Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to securely activate controlled devices such as personal vaporizers to prevent unauthorized access, particularly by minors, while ensuring seamless integration with existing sales infrastructure and preventing tampering or theft.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a hardware authenticator key and activation code, where the activation code is generated based on user verification and device ID, and can be scanned by a specific hardware key to activate the device, utilizing asymmetric encryption to ensure only authorized access, and can be integrated into current sales infrastructure without requiring dedicated software downloads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hardware authenticator key and activation code system is implemented, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The activation system is divided into separate components: a hardware authenticator key stored in the vaporizer, an activation code generated by the computing device, and a machine readable code that combines both. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall security without requiring the entire system to be complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine readable code (QR code) serves as an intermediary between the computing device and the hardware authenticator key. It carries the activation code in an encoded format that can be scanned and processed by the hardware key, eliminating the need for direct complex communication between the computing device and the vaporizer.
2Reliability
If user verification and activation code generation are performed, then authorization control is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The activation code is generated and embedded into the machine readable code before the actual activation process. User verification is performed in advance, and the activation code is prepared in advance, so that when the QR code is scanned, the activation can proceed quickly without requiring time-consuming verification steps during the activation process itself.
3Reliability
If asymmetric encryption is used to embed activation code, then security against tampering is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The activation code is encrypted using asymmetric encryption where the public key is embedded in the QR code and the private key is stored in the hardware authenticator key. This creates a cryptographic copy that can be verified by anyone with the public key but can only be decrypted by the authorized hardware key, providing security without requiring complex manufacturing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes a system and method for preventing unauthorized use of a personal vaporizer or other controlled device. A software/hardware lock can be installed by the manufacturer on the personal vaporizer, which requires a hardware authenticator key and an activation code to “unlock” or “activate” the personal vaporizer for user. This prevents unauthorized (e.g., under-age) users from abusing the controlled device. Further if the controlled device needs to be uniquely activated, a stolen device, or one that has been tampered with in an unauthorized manner can be prevented from use or “bricked,” further enabling the manufacturer or seller of the personal vaporizer to ensure the device is not abused.