IoT Controller Certificates for Offline Privilege Authentication

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IoT systems face challenges in identifying and authenticating multiple controllers without direct connection to a central control server, particularly in scenarios where network connectivity is unreliable or unavailable, necessitating mechanisms to verify controller authenticity and assign different privileges dynamically.

Innovation Solution

A system that enables IoT devices to authenticate and assign privileges to multiple controllers directly, using device certificates and shared secrets, allowing controllers to communicate directly with the embedded device without reliance on a central server, and managing access and privileges based on user identifiers and permissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a central control server is used to authenticate controllers and assign privileges, then authentication and authorization can be centrally managed, but the system becomes dependent on network connectivity to the server which may be unreliable or unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the authentication system into distributed components: each controller obtains its own device certificate from the server when available, and the embedded device performs local verification of these certificates. This eliminates the single point of failure (central server) while maintaining authentication capability through distributed certificate verification across multiple controllers and the embedded device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by having controllers obtain device certificates from the central server in advance, before network connectivity is lost. These pre-obtained certificates are then stored locally and used for authentication when the server is unavailable, allowing the system to function autonomously during network outages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple controllers are allowed to access the embedded device, then system versatility and user convenience are improved, but security risks increase without centralized authentication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-controller accessVSAvoidsecurity risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the embedded device actively verifies device certificates presented by controllers before granting access. The verification process provides feedback on authentication status, and the system monitors controller behavior to detect and respond to unauthorized access attempts, maintaining security while allowing multiple controllers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces device certificates as an intermediary mechanism between controllers and the embedded device. These certificates act as trusted mediators that verify controller identity and authorization level without requiring continuous connection to the central server, enabling secure multi-controller access through cryptographic verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If device certificates are used for controller authentication, then security and authorization management are improved, but the complexity of certificate management and verification increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontroller authenticationVSAvoidcertificate management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the embedded device to autonomously verify device certificates using public key infrastructure. The embedded device contains the necessary verification logic and cryptographic keys to independently authenticate controllers without requiring manual intervention or complex centralized management, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20260019281A1Systems and methods for generating a device certificate defining privileges of a secondary controller by a primary controller

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 THIRDWAYV INC

AI summary

Systems, methods and devices for generating a device certificate for determining control privileges for a primary controller and a secondary controller. The system may also include an embedded device. The primary controller may include a first memory configured to store a root certificate that includes a first set of device control privileges, and a first processor coupled to the first memory. The first processor may be configured to determine that the first set of device control privileges allow the primary controller to generate a device certificate for the secondary controller, generate the device certificate with a second set of device control privileges, and assign the device certificate to the secondary controller. The first processor may be configured to issue or send the device certificate to the secondary controller and send a public key of the root certificate to the embedded device to verify the device certificate.