Contactless Card Cryptogram Verification Without Login Credentials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contactless cards face challenges in data security and authentication, with methods like email and SMS being vulnerable to attacks, and chip-based cards relying on insecure login credentials, necessitating improved activation and authentication processes.
Innovation Solution
A system for cryptographic authentication of contactless cards using a contactless card with a processor and memory, communicating with a client device and authentication server, generating and verifying cryptograms for secure transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If email or SMS verification is used for authentication, then account access can be provided, but security is compromised due to vulnerability to hacking and unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical authentication methods (email verification, SMS codes, username/password) with contactless NFC-based cryptographic authentication. The system uses a contactless card with embedded processor and memory that communicates directly with a reader via electromagnetic fields, eliminating the need for insecure communication channels like email and SMS. This substitution of authentication mechanism fundamentally improves security while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a contactless card as an intermediary authentication device between the user and the authentication server. This card contains cryptographic keys and processors that enable secure authentication without requiring the user to share sensitive information over insecure channels. The card acts as a secure intermediary that proves identity through cryptographic challenges rather than vulnerable communication methods.
2Reliability
If chip-based cards with login credentials are used, then more secure features are provided over magnetic strip cards, but security is still compromised if credentials are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication function from the traditional login credential model and embeds it directly into the contactless card as a self-contained cryptographic authentication module. The card contains its own processor and memory with embedded cryptographic keys, eliminating the need for separate username/password credentials that could be compromised. This extraction of authentication logic into the card itself improves security while simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The contactless card performs self-authentication by containing its own cryptographic processing capabilities. The embedded processor on the card can independently generate cryptograms and verify authentication challenges without requiring external authentication servers or complex credential verification systems. This self-service authentication capability improves security by eliminating vulnerable credential storage and transmission, while reducing system complexity.
3Productivity
If traditional card activation processes are used, then card functionality can be enabled, but the process is time-consuming requiring phone calls or website visits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs card activation through preliminary contactless communication between the card and a reader device. The card can be activated instantly by simply being brought near the reader, which reads card information and completes activation in the background without requiring the cardholder to perform any manual actions like phone calls or website visits. This preliminary action approach dramatically improves both activation speed and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical activation process (phone calls, website visits, manual data entry) with contactless electromagnetic communication. The card contains embedded processors that can communicate authentication and activation data wirelessly with a reader, enabling instant activation without human intervention or complex manual processes. This substitution of communication mechanism fundamentally improves productivity and ease of operation.
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
Enhances data security and authentication by using cryptograms to verify transactions, reducing vulnerabilities and ensuring secure account access without relying on insecure login credentials.
Implementation Method 1
a cryptogram generated by placing the contactless card in a communication field of the client device
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments of systems and methods for data transmission system between transmitting and receiving devices are provided. In an embodiment, each of the transmitting and receiving devices can contain a master key. The transmitting device can generate a diversified key using the master key, protect a counter value and encrypt data prior to transmitting to the receiving device, which can generate the diversified key based on the master key and can decrypt the data and validate the protected counter value using the diversified key. Example embodiments of systems and methods can be used to provide further authentication and added levels of security for transactions.