Electronic Identity Document Private Key Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for encrypted data transmission between electronic identity documents and terminals lack secure key management and authentication, making them vulnerable to unauthorized access and data breaches.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of Remote Data Encryption (RDE) method, which allows an electronic identity document to agree on key extraction parameters with a terminal for secure data transmission, using Chip Authentication and Diffie-Hellman key exchange protocols to derive a private key for encryption and decryption, ensuring only the document holder can decrypt encrypted data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If Remote Document Authentication (RDA) is implemented using only knowledge authentication factor (userid/password), then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened due to vulnerability to unauthorized access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the authentication system into two distinct factors: knowledge authentication (userid/password) and possession authentication (electronic identity document). This segmentation allows each factor to serve a specific security function while maintaining operational ease through the familiar password interface combined with the secure document-based second factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite authentication mechanism by combining two different authentication factors (knowledge and possession) into a unified RDA system. This composite approach leverages the ease of password-based authentication while adding the security of document-based verification, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If encrypted data transmission is implemented without secure key management, then device complexity is reduced, but security is worsened due to vulnerability to data breaches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary key management system that mediates between the electronic identity document and the terminal. This intermediary layer handles the complex cryptographic operations and key derivation processes, shielding the end users from complexity while ensuring secure encrypted data transmission through properly managed cryptographic keys.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic identity document performs self-service cryptographic operations by autonomously generating and managing its own private keys and deriving encryption keys for data protection. This self-service capability ensures security through cryptographic best practices while minimizing the complexity burden on external systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If two-factor authentication with key extraction parameters is implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened due to additional authentication steps

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the electronic identity document with cryptographic keys and authentication parameters during document issuance. This preliminary setup enables the document to autonomously participate in two-factor authentication without requiring complex real-time configuration, thereby improving security while managing device complexity through advance preparation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3386143B1Method and system for generating a private key for encrypted data transfer between an electronic identity document and a terminal
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 RDW
  • EP3386143B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3386143B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3386143B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method of generating a private key for encrypted data transmission between an electronic identity document, in particular a passport, ID card or driver's license and a terminal, comprising the steps of: a. a reader of the terminal reading predetermined data from the electronic identity document, said predetermined data including at least a first public key; b. a processing unit of the terminal validating the authenticity of the data read; c. the processing unit generating an ephemeral public key and sending this key to the electronic identity document; d. both the processing unit and the electronic identity document generating session keys for secure messaging on the basis of the first public key and the ephemeral public key; e. the terminal obtaining at least part of a file from the electronic identity document as a protected response; and f. generating the private key on the basis of the protected response.