Master Supplicant Authentication Aggregation for Signal Conflict Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing authentication protocols, such as EAP-SIM, face challenges in efficiently authenticating multiple devices due to signal conflicts and duplicate operations, particularly in multi-hop relay networks, leading to ineffective authentication processes.

Innovation Solution

An authentication method where multiple devices cooperate by using a master supplicant and slave supplicants, with an authenticator, to execute authentication procedures efficiently, utilizing EAP-SIM protocol extensions and data aggregation techniques to manage authentication signals and keys across different communication networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple supplicants perform authentication operations independently with the authenticator, then each supplicant can be authenticated, but signal conflicts and duplicate operations occur leading to ineffective authentication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication effectivenessVSAvoidsignal conflict and duplicate operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a master supplicant as an intermediary device that mediates between slave supplicants and the authenticator. The master supplicant aggregates authentication messages from multiple slave supplicants and communicates with the authenticator on their behalf, eliminating signal conflicts and duplicate operations while ensuring reliable authentication of all supplicants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If authentication operations are executed at independent timing for each supplicant, then individual authentication can be performed, but authentication efficiency decreases due to repeated operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual authentication capabilityVSAvoidauthentication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges authentication operations by having the master supplicant aggregate authentication messages from multiple slave supplicants into a single communication stream with the authenticator. This combining of operations maintains individual authentication capability while dramatically improving efficiency by eliminating repeated independent authentication sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional EAP-SIM protocol is used for multiple supplicants, then authentication can be attempted, but the protocol complexity increases and effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-supplicant supportVSAvoidprotocol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The master supplicant serves as an intermediary that translates multiple slave supplicants' authentication requests into a standardized EAP-SIM protocol format compatible with the authenticator. This intermediary approach enables multi-supplicant support while maintaining protocol simplicity, as the master supplicant handles the complexity of coordinating multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3139651B1Electronic apparatus and terminal
Publication Date: 2018.05.09 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP3139651B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3139651B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3139651B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to one embodiment, an electronic device (3) connected to an authentication device through a first communication network, and further connected to another electronic device (4) through a second communication network, wherein the electronic device (3) executes authentication of the electronic device (3) and another electronic device (4) by data delivery/receipt conforming to a predetermined procedure between the electronic device (3) and the authentication device (1) through the first communication network, and data delivery/receipt between the electronic device (3) and another electronic device (4) through the second communication network.