Mobile Device TPM Emulating Chip Cards

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users need to carry multiple chip cards for different applications, and existing methods for securing data on electronic devices are inefficient and prone to manipulation.

Innovation Solution

A mobile radio device equipped with a Tamper Proof Module (TPM) that acts as a hardware token, using an asymmetric cryptographic key pair and certificate to securely authenticate and authorize access, allowing the device to emulate a chip card and provide anti-theft protection by blocking unauthorized use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple chip cards are used for different applications, then functionality and versatility are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple chip cards into a single mobile device by implementing a TPM-based system that can perform various applications (communication, identification, payment, etc.) using one device. The TPM stores multiple cryptographic key pairs and certificates, allowing the single device to emulate multiple chip card functions without requiring users to carry separate physical cards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device is designed with universal functionality through the TPM module that can support multiple applications. The system can perform communication authentication, identification, payment, and other services by selecting different cryptographic key pairs and certificates stored in the TPM, making one device serve multiple purposes that previously required separate chip cards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If traditional data storage methods are used, then ease of operation is improved, but security and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical chip card storage and manual authentication with a digital TPM-based system. Instead of physically carrying and manually inserting chip cards, users authenticate through the mobile device's TPM using cryptographic key pairs and certificates, providing both ease of operation and enhanced security through digital tamper-proof storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The TPM acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and the various applications/services. It securely stores cryptographic credentials and mediates authentication processes, allowing the system to maintain ease of operation while providing strong security through the tamper-proof hardware module that protects sensitive data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If chip cards are used for authentication, then security is improved, but ease of operation and device complexity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple chip card authentication functions into a single mobile device with TPM. Instead of requiring users to physically present separate chip cards for different services, the system integrates all authentication credentials within the TPM, providing both security and ease of operation through a unified authentication mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If chip cards are used for anti-theft protection, then security is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-theft protectionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device with TPM provides universal anti-theft protection across all applications and services. The TPM stores cryptographic credentials that can be used for authentication in any context, making the anti-theft mechanism comprehensive and integrated into the device's core functionality rather than requiring separate chip card-based systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2381712B1Secure Reading Data from a Mobile Device with fixed TPM
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP2381712B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2381712B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2381712B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device (102) has a processor unit (112) for executing a program (119) that contains instructions (120, 122) and datasets (124). An identifier (103) is assigned to the device, and a tamper-proof module (TPM) secures the program. A communication interface (108) e.g. digital cellular mobile radio interface, transmits a dial-up access to the identifier over a communication network (101). The program processes a reading command (134) received over the interface and outputs data (128) of the dataset specified by the reading command over the interface. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a telecommunication system comprising an electronic device (2) a method for reading data from an electronic device.