NFC Tag Read Suppression for Controlled App Launches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing NFC-enabled devices often unintentionally read NFC tags, leading to security issues, unintended application launches, and synchronization problems with smartcard counters, due to constant NFC field activation and lack of control over NFC tag interactions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a digital tag configured to associate with an application on a device, emitting the tag to launch the application in specific device states, and intercepting additional information based on predetermined conditions, while synchronizing smartcard counters through a background service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the NFC field is continuously active to enable easy reading of NFC tags, then the ease of operation is improved, but unintentional reads and security issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing a whitelist of authorized applications before NFC tag reading occurs. When an NFC tag is detected, the system checks whether the reading application is in the whitelist before allowing the read operation to proceed. This preliminary verification prevents unintentional reads by unauthorized applications while maintaining easy operation for authorized uses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a whitelist verification layer between the NFC reader and the application layer. This intermediary component mediates the interaction by filtering and authorizing which applications can access NFC tag data, thereby preventing harmful unintentional reads while preserving the convenience of continuous NFC operation.
2Productivity
If the NFC field is continuously active to maintain connectivity, then the productivity is improved, but security issues and unintended application launches occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration by pre-establishing a whitelist of authorized applications and their associated NFC tags. This preliminary setup enables the system to maintain continuous NFC connectivity for productivity while having pre-prepared authorization criteria to prevent security issues and unintended application launches when tags are detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring which applications attempt to read NFC tags and comparing this against the whitelist. When an unauthorized application attempts to access tag data, the system provides feedback by blocking the read operation and can log the attempt, thereby maintaining security while preserving continuous connectivity for legitimate uses.
3Productivity
If multiple NFC tags are read simultaneously in close proximity, then the productivity is improved, but multiple unintended applications are launched
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authorization checks for each NFC tag before allowing its data to be read and applications to be launched. When multiple tags are detected in close proximity, the system individually verifies each tag against the whitelist and only allows reading and subsequent application launches for authorized tags, thereby maintaining productivity while giving users control over which applications are launched.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the NFC tag reading process into discrete, controllable steps: detection, whitelist verification, authorization, and application launch. This segmentation allows the system to process multiple tags efficiently while maintaining user control, as each tag must individually pass the authorization check before triggering any application launch, preventing unintended behavior.
4Reliability
If the counter on the smartcard is incremented on each read, then the synchronization with the issuer is improved, but the counter may not correspond to the issuer's counter if reads are not sent to the issuer
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms to ensure counter synchronization by monitoring NFC tag reads and providing feedback to the counter management system. When a tag is read, the system verifies whether the read should be counted toward synchronization with the issuer, ensuring the counter on the smartcard remains synchronized with the issuer's counter even when reads occur locally without being sent to the issuer.
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
Prevents inadvertent NFC tag reads, controls application launches, and synchronizes smartcard counters, enhancing security and user experience by managing NFC interactions.
Implementation Method 1
Data contained on an NFC-enabled smartcard can be read when an NFC field is brought sufficiently close to the NFC smartcard. This energizes the NFC components on the smartcard and allows for information to be read from the smartcard.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium can include, for example, storing on a first device a digital tag, the tag configured to be associated with at least one application on a second device, such that receipt of the tag on the second device launches the application on the second device; and emitting from the first device to a second device the digital tag; wherein the application on the second device is configured to launch in a special state when the second device is in at least one state from a pre-determined list of states.