NFC Secure Element Isolating Unique Identifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices, particularly smartphones, face security risks due to open source software and user actions like 'rooting' or 'jailbreaking,' which can compromise secure data, such as bank account information, even when encrypted, as third parties can access and alter memory locations, posing as the original device for transactions.
Innovation Solution
A device with a near field communication (NFC) circuit that includes a secure memory circuit storing an unalterable unique identifier (UID) and logic circuitry to implement a secure transaction protocol, ensuring that only the secure memory circuit provides the UID during transactions, preventing unauthorized access and spoofing, even if the operating system is compromised.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If open source software is used in mobile devices to enable flexibility and customization, then adaptability is improved, but security is worsened due to potential compromises from rooting or jailbreaking
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC circuit is segmented into a separate secure hardware component with its own protected memory space, isolating the unique identifier from the main device memory. This segmentation ensures that even if the operating system is compromised through rooting or jailbreaking, the secure NFC component remains protected and cannot be accessed or altered by unauthorized software.
2Ease of operation
If memory is made accessible for imaging and copying to enable device replication, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened as third parties can access and alter memory locations
Solution Approach 1:
The unique identifier is extracted from the general device memory and placed into a dedicated secure memory space within the NFC circuit. This extraction prevents the identifier from being accessed, imaged, or copied through standard memory access methods, as it resides in a protected hardware enclave that is isolated from the main system memory.
3Device complexity
If standard NFC circuits are used without secure elements to simplify device architecture, then device complexity is reduced, but security is worsened as unique identifiers can be altered or spoofed
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC circuit is constructed as a composite structure combining standard NFC communication functionality with a secure element that has protected memory space. This composite design integrates the simplicity of standard NFC circuits with the security of secure elements, allowing the device to maintain ease of operation while preventing unauthorized access to the unique identifier.
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 security in NFC-based transactions by preventing alteration or misuse of the UID, even if the device's memory is imaged or compromised, ensuring that each device has a unique identifier, thus securing contactless payments and other transactions.
Implementation Method 1
NFC uses magnetic field induction to initiate data transfers between electronic devices that are in close proximity
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a near field communication (NFC) circuit (114) that is configured and arranged to communicate data with external devices (102). An internal communication circuit (112) communicates data over a microprocessor bus (110). A secure memory circuit (118) stores an identifier that is unalterable in the secure memory circuit. Logic circuitry (115) performs a secure transaction protocol. The transaction protocol includes determining whether a communication, received by the NFC circuit, is addressed to the secure memory circuit; sending, in response to determining that the communication is addressed to the secure memory circuit, the communication to the memory circuit; sending, in response to determining that the communication is not addressed to the secure memory circuit, the communication to the microprocessor bus; and transmitting data, received from both the NFC circuit and the secure memory circuit, to the NFC circuit, the transmitted data including the identifier value and configured for communication with external devices using NFC.