Hearing Device Secure Fitting via Database-Stored Pairing Keys
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for fitting hearing devices require user gestures, such as pairing procedures, which can be cumbersome, especially when multiple fitting stations are involved, and do not ensure secure connections without encryption.
Innovation Solution
Storing pairing data, including long-term keys and identity resolving keys, in a database allows subsequent fitting stations to establish secure connections with hearing devices without the need for user gestures, ensuring encrypted communication and convenience across multiple sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pairing gestures are required for connecting hearing devices to fitting stations, then secure authentication can be achieved, but user convenience deteriorates due to difficult-to-handle buttons on small ear-level devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the hearing device with a unique identifier and pre-establishing trusted fitting station identifiers in the device's memory. This allows the device to automatically recognize and securely connect to authorized fitting stations without requiring user-initiated pairing gestures, thus maintaining security while improving ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fitting stations are used for hearing device fitting sessions, then service flexibility is improved, but connection security deteriorates because each station would require separate pairing procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating a hearing device that can universally connect to multiple different but authorized fitting stations using the same automatic recognition mechanism. The device stores multiple trusted station identifiers and can automatically authenticate with any of them, providing multi-functionality that eliminates the need for separate pairing procedures at each station.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies copying by distributing the hearing device's unique identifier and trusted station identifiers across multiple fitting stations. Each fitting station receives and stores a copy of these identification data, enabling any authorized station to recognize and securely connect to the hearing device without requiring the user to perform pairing gestures at each location.
3Reliability
If pairing procedures are required for each fitting session, then connection security is maintained, but time efficiency deteriorates due to repeated pairing gestures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring both the hearing device and fitting stations with each other's identification data before actual use. This preliminary configuration enables automatic recognition and secure connection during subsequent fitting sessions, eliminating the need for repeated pairing gestures while maintaining security through pre-established cryptographic relationships.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method of fitting a hearing device by using a fitting station, wherein: during pairing a long-term key (LTK) is provided as a shared secret to the fitting station and the hearing device; an identity resolving key (IRK) of the fitting station, which is required for generating and resolving a device address of the fitting station, is generated and provided to the hearing device; an IRK of the hearing device, which is required for generating and resolving a device address of the hearing device, is provided to the fitting station; pairing data including the LTK, the fitting station IRK and the hearing device IRK are stored in a database connected to the first fitting station; the LTK and the fitting station IRK are stored in the hearing device; and a fitting session is conducted via a secure connection between fitting station and hearing device.