IoT Device Ownership Registration via Secure Relay

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for registering ownership of IoT devices are insecure, as device identification information can be exposed to unauthorized users and are vulnerable to hacking, and transferring ownership is cumbersome, requiring manual deregistration and proof of ownership through customer service.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with communication and processor capabilities that securely transmits and updates device registration information between external devices and a remote server, allowing for convenient and secure ownership registration and transfer without relying on network connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If device identification information is transmitted through conventional methods (direct input or short-range wireless communication), then ownership registration can be completed, but the device identification information may be exposed to unauthorized users or vulnerable to hacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of device identification informationVSAvoidconvenience of ownership registration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-registering device identification information with the remote server before the actual ownership transfer occurs. When a device is lost or stolen, the registered information allows immediate blocking and ownership transfer without needing to physically access or connect to the device, thus maintaining security while enabling convenient remote ownership management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the remote server as an intermediary to store and verify device identification information. Instead of directly transmitting sensitive device information through potentially insecure channels, the system mediates the registration process through the server, which securely stores the information and enables ownership verification without exposing the actual device identification data during transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the original owner deregisters ownership before transfer, then the transferee can register the device, but the process becomes cumbersome requiring manual deregistration and proof of ownership through customer service

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of ownership transferVSAvoidtime required for ownership transfer process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary registration of the device with the remote server before any transfer occurs. This pre-registration stores the device identification information and establishes the ownership chain, enabling automatic verification during transfer without requiring manual deregistration steps or customer service intervention, thus significantly reducing the time and complexity of ownership transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The remote server provides feedback mechanisms that automatically verify ownership status and enable transfer. When a transfer request is made, the server checks the pre-registered information and automatically processes the ownership change, providing immediate feedback on the transfer status without requiring manual verification through customer service channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional registration methods are used, then ownership can be registered, but the process requires network connection between the electronic device and remote server

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to register without network connectionVSAvoidsecurity of registration process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary registration of device identification information with the remote server before the device needs to operate independently. This pre-established registration allows the device to function and even transfer ownership later without requiring continuous network connection, as the foundational registration data is already stored on the server and can be verified offline or through alternative communication channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11523363B2Electronic device and method for registering ownership

Publication Date: 2022.12.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device comprises: at least one communication circuit configured to provide communication with a first external electronic device or a second external electronic device; at least one processor operatively connected to the at least one communication circuit; and a memory including device registration request information and operatively connected to the at least one processor, wherein the memory may store instructions configured to cause, when executed, at least one processor to: transmit, to the first external electronic device, a device registration request including at least device registration request information for registering the electronic device to the second external electronic device when a first communication is connected with the first external electronic device through the at least one communication circuit; receive a response to the device registration request from the first external electronic device; receive, from the second external electronic device, device registration update information that is updated on the basis of the registration request of the electronic device, based on the response, when a second communication is connected with the second external electronic device through the at least one communication circuit; and store the received device registration update information in the memory.