HTTPS Authentication Tokens Without Header Enrichment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional user authentication methods in communication systems are costly, cumbersome, and inefficient, and HTTP header enrichment poses privacy risks and security vulnerabilities, particularly with HTTPS traffic.
Innovation Solution
A system for user authentication in communication networks that generates and uses identification tokens without modifying HTTPS traffic, leveraging a token generator, network processing unit, and database to authenticate users securely and efficiently, without the need for a second channel like SMS.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional user authentication methods are used, then authentication functionality is provided, but the system becomes costly and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical authentication systems (SMS-based verification, manual authentication processes) with an electronic token-based system. The authentication mechanism transitions from physical/SMS channels to digital token exchange within the HTTPS protocol, eliminating the need for separate authentication channels and reducing system complexity while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication system is integrated into the existing HTTPS communication protocol, allowing the same communication channel to serve both data transmission and authentication purposes. The token generator, network processing unit, and database work together within the existing infrastructure, making the authentication system universally applicable without requiring dedicated separate systems.
2Loss of information
If HTTP header enrichment is used for authentication, then user identification is achieved, but privacy risks and security vulnerabilities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication functionality from the HTTP header enrichment process and implements it as a separate token-based mechanism. Instead of embedding authentication data in HTTP headers (which creates privacy and security issues), the system uses dedicated authentication tokens exchanged through secure HTTPS channels, separating identification capabilities from the main data transmission protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces authentication tokens as intermediary elements between the user terminal and the network processing unit. These tokens serve as mediators that carry authentication information without exposing sensitive user data in HTTP headers. The token generator creates these intermediary tokens that enable user identification while maintaining privacy and security.
3Reliability
If a second channel like SMS is used for authentication, then authentication security is improved, but the system becomes more cumbersome and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the authentication function with the existing HTTPS communication channel. Instead of using a separate SMS channel, the authentication tokens are exchanged within the same secure HTTPS protocol that already protects data transmission. This consolidation maintains security while simplifying operations by eliminating the need for users to switch between different communication channels.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for user authentication in communication systems. An identification token may be generated in response to an action in a user terminal, with the action in the user terminal requiring an action in a remote server, with generating the identification token being triggered in response to a request from the user terminal that necessitates performing the action in the remote server, and with the identification token associated with a time stamp indicating when a network identifier is used by the user terminal to send the request. User authentication information associated with one or both of the network identifier and the time stamp may be obtained, the user authentication information may be sent to one or both of the user terminal and the remote server for authenticating the user in the communication network.