Network Device Location Authentication Using Digital Certificates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face difficulties in accurately determining the location information of devices assigned arbitrary IP addresses.

Innovation Solution

A network system utilizing authenticated IP addresses, where each device includes a communication unit, storage unit for digital certificates with public keys, and a determination unit to determine IP addresses based on received public keys, with location information embedded in the digital certificates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If arbitrary IP addresses are assigned to devices, then device connection flexibility is improved, but location information determination accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice connection flexibilityVSAvoidlocation information determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces digital certificates as an intermediary between IP addresses and location information. The digital certificate contains both the IP address and authenticated location information, serving as a mediator that links the flexible IP addressing system with accurate location determination. This resolves the contradiction by decoupling the IP assignment mechanism from location determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary authentication of location information during the digital certificate issuance process. Before devices communicate, their location information is pre-validated and embedded in their digital certificates by a certificate authority. This preliminary action ensures location accuracy is established before any IP-based communication occurs, resolving the precision issue while maintaining IP flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If digital certificates with public keys are used for IP address determination, then location information authentication is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation information authenticationVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service mechanism where devices automatically exchange and verify digital certificates during connection establishment. Each device independently manages its own digital certificate containing its public key and location information, and automatically performs authentication with other devices. This self-service approach reduces the need for complex centralized management infrastructure while maintaining high authentication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250343702A1Network system, device, and processing method

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 CONNECTFREE CORP

AI summary

A network system including a plurality of devices can acquire authenticated location information of a device and provides various services using the authenticated location information. Each of the plurality of devices includes: a communication unit for performing data communication with another device; a storage unit that stores a digital certificate including a public key for determining an IP address of the device; and a determination unit that determines an IP address of another device based on a public key included in a digital certificate received from the another device. The digital certificate includes location information associated with a corresponding device.