Automatic Mobile Device Authentication via Identifier Pairing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Customers using mobile devices must repeatedly authenticate when visiting merchants with online presences, which is tedious and prevents both customers and merchants from fully benefiting from the online features, as existing authentication methods do not allow for seamless automatic authentication.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that pairs a device identifier with an authentication credential, allowing the device to be automatically authenticated upon subsequent connections by matching the device identifier with the stored credential, using a network interface and processors to send and receive packets and executable instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional authentication methods are used, then security is maintained, but customers must repeatedly authenticate which is tedious and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication by capturing the device identifier (such as MAC address) when the device first connects to the network, stores it in an authentication database, and pairs it with user credentials. This preliminary action enables automatic authentication on subsequent visits without requiring the user to manually log in again, thus improving both productivity and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the device identifier (network hardware address) and stores it in the authentication database paired with user credentials. This copied identifier serves as a unique fingerprint for automatic recognition and authentication on subsequent network connections, eliminating the need for repeated manual authentication
2Ease of operation
If automatic authentication is implemented using device identifiers, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases due to packet sending and matching processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary authentication database that stores device identifiers paired with user credentials. This database acts as a mediator between the network infrastructure and user authentication, automatically matching incoming device identifiers against stored records to enable seamless authentication without adding significant complexity to the overall system
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication system performs self-service by automatically capturing device identifiers, storing them in the authentication database, and using them for automatic recognition on subsequent connections. The system serves itself by maintaining the authentication records and performing the matching process without requiring manual intervention, thus improving ease of operation while managing complexity through automation
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed which may allow a user having a mobile device to automatically authenticate to a server using a device identifier associated with the mobile device. An access point may be configured to send the device identifier as well as additional identifying information to the server so that the device identifier can be accurately matched to the mobile device. Then, when the mobile device submits a credential during authentication, the device identifier and the credential may be matched such that the next time the server receives the device identifier from the access point, the mobile device may be automatically authenticated.