NFC Temporary ID Exchange for Secure Wireless Pairing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing near-field communication (NFC) technologies in mobile devices often exchange sensitive information, such as Bluetooth MAC addresses, prior to establishing a wireless link, which can lead to unauthorized tracking or malicious activities, as typical pairing protocols do not provide adequate authorization before sharing such data.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where mobile devices establish an NFC communications link to exchange temporary device identifiers, such as pseudorandom numbers, before requesting authorization to establish a wireless link, and only sharing permanent device IDs once authorization is received, thereby securing sensitive information from unauthorized sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If typical pairing protocols are used to establish wireless links, then the link establishment process is simple and fast, but sensitive information such as Bluetooth MAC addresses is exposed to unauthorized tracking and malicious activities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing authorization verification through NFC before establishing the wireless link. The method exchanges temporary identifiers and verifies authorization in advance, ensuring that sensitive information is only shared after confirmation that the other device is authorized. This prevents unauthorized tracking and malicious activities while maintaining a relatively simple process flow.
2Productivity
If permanent device IDs are exchanged immediately during NFC communication, then the wireless link can be established quickly, but sensitive information is compromised by unknown sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the device identifier into two parts: a temporary identifier exchanged during NFC communication for quick link establishment, and a permanent identifier shared only after authorization verification. This segmentation allows the system to maintain both speed in link establishment and security in information protection, as the temporary identifier enables rapid connection while the permanent identifier remains protected until authorization is confirmed.
3Ease of operation
If NFC communication is used to exchange device identifiers, then wireless links can be established with minimal user interaction, but unauthorized devices can potentially track or maliciously interact with the mobile device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by using NFC as a secure mediator for the initial interaction between devices. NFC's short-range requirement ensures physical proximity verification, and the system further mediates the exchange by using temporary identifiers instead of permanent ones during this intermediary phase. This layered mediation approach maintains ease of operation with minimal user interaction while preventing unauthorized tracking and malicious activities through multiple security layers.
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 ensures that sensitive information is not compromised by unknown sources, providing a secure mechanism for establishing wireless links while alerting users to potential attacks and preventing tracking or malicious activities.
Implementation Method 1
NFC technology is commonly used for contactless short-range communications based on radio frequency identification (RFID) standards, using magnetic field induction to enable communication between electronic devices
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communications system may include first and second mobile wireless communications devices each comprising a respective input device, wireless transceiver, near-field communication (NFC) transceiver, and controller coupled to the input device, wireless transceiver and NFC transceiver. At least one of the controllers may be configured to establish an NFC communications link between the NFC transceivers when the first and second mobile wireless communications devices are in proximity, provide a temporary device identifier (ID) via the NFC communications link, request authorization to establish a wireless link between the wireless transceivers, provide a permanent device ID upon receiving the authorization and based upon the temporary device ID, and establish the wireless link between the wireless transceivers based upon the permanent device ID.