Micropayment Authentication via Intermediary Server and Cryptographic Tokens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current micropayment and microsubscription systems are insecure due to vulnerabilities in 2-party protocols, which can be subverted by malicious users, leading to undeserved payments and loss of confidence among users and providers.
Innovation Solution
The Robojar Protocol authenticates user requests by using a structured user message with a verification string, asymmetric key algorithm, and multiple authenticity checks to ensure the legitimacy of resource access, including a first check for resource identifier equivalence and a second check for valid user identification, with additional security measures like encryption and secure channel communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a 2-party protocol is used for authentication, then the system is simple to implement, but the system becomes vulnerable to malicious subversion and man-in-the-middle attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an authentication server as an intermediary between the user browser and resource provider. This server verifies user credentials, generates secure tokens, and validates resource access requests, thereby preventing direct communication vulnerabilities in 2-party protocols while maintaining reasonable system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a 2-party authentication model to a 3-party authentication model by adding the authentication server dimension. This additional layer enables secure credential verification, token generation, and request validation that were impossible in the original 2-party system
2Ease of manufacture
If embedded code or URLs are used for tracking, then the publisher can easily integrate the system, but the system becomes subversible by malicious users posing as browsers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary authentication and credential verification before resource access is granted. The authentication server validates user credentials in advance, generates secure tokens, and establishes authenticated sessions, preventing malicious users from posing as legitimate browsers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical embedding of tracking code with cryptographic authentication mechanisms. Instead of relying on embedded URLs or JavaScript that can be manipulated, the system uses digital tokens and cryptographic verification to establish trusted communication channels
3Ease of operation
If micropayments are implemented without robust authentication, then users can access resources freely, but providers receive undeserved payments and lose confidence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the authentication server continuously validates resource access requests against authenticated user credentials. Each access request is verified, and payment information is transmitted only after successful authentication, ensuring providers receive payments only for legitimate user access
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication server acts as an intermediary that mediates between users and providers, verifying credentials, authorizing access, and transmitting payment information. This ensures that payments are made only for legitimately accessed resources while maintaining user convenience
Data Source
AI summary
A method of authenticating the legitimacy of a request for a resource from a resource provider by a user, including providing an authentication process in which a resource provider message is received and de-assembled, the integrity of the user request message is confirmed, a result indicator as to the legitimacy of the resource provider message is created by performing two or more authenticity checks, and an authentication result is sent.