Non-Persistent Device Communication via Periodic Broadcast Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current short range communication protocols, such as Bluetooth, require persistent connections for secure data communication, which consume significant power and can experience intermittent failures, necessitating complex pairing processes that are frustrating for users and inefficient in portable devices.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for enabling non-connected communications between devices by broadcasting identification information, obtaining and authenticating security information, and establishing a secure association without maintaining a persistent connection, allowing for data packet transmission through periodic broadcasts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a persistent connection is established between devices for secure data communication, then communication security is improved, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication securityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic authentication and connection establishment instead of maintaining a continuous persistent connection. Devices perform authentication at intervals when data needs to be transmitted, rather than maintaining an always-on connection. This periodic action reduces power consumption while maintaining security through regular re-authentication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the authentication and connection establishment processes from the continuous operation, separating them as distinct periodic events. Only the essential security verification is maintained continuously, while the full connection is established only when needed for data transmission, reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If a persistent connection is maintained for ready communication, then communication readiness is improved, but device complexity increases due to pairing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication readinessVSAvoidpairing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary authentication and device identification through broadcast messages before actual data transmission. Devices exchange and verify identification information and security credentials in advance through periodic broadcasts, so that when data needs to be transmitted, the connection is already prepared or can be quickly established without complex real-time pairing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication and connection establishment process is automated through broadcast-based device identification and security verification. Devices automatically perform mutual authentication and establish connections without requiring complex user-mediated pairing procedures, reducing operational complexity while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If a persistent connection is used for data transmission, then data communication efficiency is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates due to intermittent failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata communication efficiencyVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of relying on a single persistent connection that may fail intermittently, the patent implements periodic authentication and connection re-establishment. When connection failures occur, devices can quickly re-authenticate through periodic broadcast exchanges and re-establish connections, improving overall reliability while maintaining communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where devices monitor connection status and automatically trigger re-authentication and connection re-establishment when failures are detected. Broadcast messages include status information that allows devices to detect connection issues and respond by re-initiating the authentication process, ensuring continuous reliable communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3192290B1Communication between devices without establishing a persistent connection
Publication Date: 2020.05.27 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP3192290B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3192290B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3192290B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for enabling non-persistent communications between devices. A device can receive a first broadcast from a broadcasting device, the first broadcast advertising information identifying the broadcasting device. Security information associated with the broadcasting device is then be obtained based on the received broadcast and the broadcasting device authenticated based on the security information. A second broadcast is received from the broadcasting device wherefrom it can be determined that the broadcasting device is an associated device capable of non-connected communications between the devices. At least one data packet is communicated between the devices subsequent to the second broadcast without establishing a persistent connection between the devices.