Multi-Factor Authentication Using Multiple Smart Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current authentication technologies do not adequately utilize smart devices carried by individuals for automated authentication, requiring significant user interaction and failing to seamlessly integrate multiple devices for authentication processes.
Innovation Solution
A multi-factor authentication system that uses multiple smart devices, such as smartphones and smart watches, to perform authentication by wirelessly obtaining identifiers and triggering specific authentication techniques, minimizing user interaction and enabling automated authentication through a network of devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If current authentication technology is used, then user interaction is required for authentication, but automation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables devices to automatically authenticate without user intervention by having devices self-identify through wireless transmission of identifiers and self-authenticate through multi-factor verification processes, eliminating the need for manual user input while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring multiple authentication factors on various smart devices before authentication is needed, so that when authentication is required, the devices can immediately participate in the verification process without requiring user setup or interaction
2Reliability
If multiple smart devices are integrated for authentication, then authentication security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal authentication framework that works across multiple different types of smart devices (smartphones, smartwatches, RFID tags) by defining common communication protocols and identifier formats, allowing diverse devices to participate in authentication without requiring device-specific complex integration logic
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary authentication server that coordinates the multi-device authentication process, receiving identifiers from multiple devices, performing the verification logic, and returning authentication results, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture by centralizing the complex authentication coordination function
3Productivity
If automated authentication is implemented, then user interaction is minimized, but device coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the authentication server provides real-time responses to devices about their authentication status, and devices can automatically adjust their behavior based on this feedback (e.g., attempting additional authentication factors if initial verification fails), enabling automated coordination without complex pre-programming of all possible scenarios
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-factor authentication technique can use multiple smart devices to determine whether a person is authenticated by minimizing the extent to which the person is expected to interact with his or her smart devices. In an example multi-factor authentication method comprises performing a first determination, that a first mobile device is located within a wireless range of a device, obtaining a unique identifier from the first mobile device, sending, to a server, the unique identifier, receiving, from the server, information that indicates a first authentication technique and a second authentication technique, performing a second determination that the person is authenticated by successfully performing the first authentication technique with the first mobile device and by successfully performing the second authentication technique with the second mobile device, and performing a final authentication operation in response to performing the second determination.