Out-of-band NFC pairing for Bluetooth security and power reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Bluetooth device pairing methods require initial discovery and authentication procedures using propagating electromagnetic radio waves and often necessitate user interaction, such as keypad input, which can be inefficient and insecure.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using out-of-band (OOB) Near Field Communication (NFC) transceivers to convey pairing information between devices, allowing for secure pairing without turning on in-band transceivers until service availability is confirmed, thus reducing power consumption and eliminating the need for user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional Bluetooth pairing methods are used with initial discovery and authentication procedures, then devices can be paired, but power consumption increases and pairing time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing service availability confirmation through out-of-band communication before activating in-band transceivers for full pairing. This preliminary check ensures that pairing only proceeds when services are actually available, avoiding unnecessary power consumption from prolonged transceiver activation while maintaining security through pre-validated service confirmation
2Reliability
If conventional Bluetooth pairing methods are used with discovery procedures, then devices can be paired, but pairing time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary service availability confirmation through out-of-band channels before initiating time-consuming in-band discovery and authentication procedures. This preliminary action filters out cases where services are not available, significantly reducing overall pairing time while maintaining security through pre-validated service confirmation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an out-of-band communication channel as an intermediary for service availability confirmation. This intermediary channel enables rapid preliminary verification without using the main Bluetooth in-band channel, thereby accelerating the pairing process while maintaining security through separate verification paths
3Ease of operation
If in-band transceivers are turned on early for pairing, then pairing can proceed, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary service availability confirmation through out-of-band communication before activating in-band transceivers. This ensures that transceivers are only turned on when services are actually available, eliminating wasted power consumption from attempting pairing when services are not available while maintaining ease of operation through automatic service detection
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses out-of-band communication channels to automatically confirm service availability without requiring user intervention to check service status. This self-service mechanism determines whether in-band transceivers should be activated, simplifying operation while reducing power consumption by avoiding unnecessary transceiver activation
4Loss of information
If complete service lists are exchanged during pairing, then all services are disclosed, but security is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the service availability confirmation step from the main pairing process and performs it separately through out-of-band communication channels. This extraction allows service information to be verified preliminarily without being fully disclosed during the main pairing exchange, reducing information leakage while maintaining pairing security through separate verification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses out-of-band communication channels as an intermediary for service availability confirmation, separating this information exchange from the main in-band pairing process. This intermediary approach allows service verification without requiring complete service list disclosure in the primary pairing channel, enhancing security by limiting information exposure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables faster pairing times, improved security by minimizing information exchange unless services are available, and supports non-standard services, while reducing power usage and eliminating user interaction beyond proximity-based initiation.
Implementation Method 1
out-of-band (OOB) transceivers of the two devices can be near field communication (NFC) transceivers
Data Source
AI summary
Two devices (110, 120) can be determined to be within near field communication (NFC) range of each other. Pairing information for a service can be conveyed over an out-of-band channel (114, 124). The out-of-band channel can be a near field communication (NFC) channel. The service can be a Bluetooth service provided via an in-band (e.g., BLUETOOTH) channel (112, 122). The conveying of the pairing information can require the first device (110) to request at least one desired service, to provide a device ID, and to provide an authorization code in a single message (150). In response to the single message (150), the second device (120) can either deny the request (160, 162) or can convey resource use parameters for the desired service and an ID for the second device within a second single message (164). Pairing the two devices (110, 120) can require use of the authorization code and the resource use parameters.