Passkey Agent Library for Cross-Version Android Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing OS versions below Android 14 do not support passkey generation and authentication, necessitating backward compatibility to enable passkey services and seamless transition without re-registration when upgrading to higher OS versions.
Innovation Solution
A passkey service provision method and apparatus utilizing a passkey agent library that converts request data into intent information for lower OS versions and uses inter-process communication (IPC) or OS APIs for higher versions to ensure compatibility, enabling passkey generation and authentication across different OS versions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passkey generation and authentication services are implemented using native OS APIs, then security and reliability are improved, but compatibility with older OS versions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a passkey agent library as an intermediary layer between the service application and the passkey provider application. This library detects the OS version and selects the appropriate communication method: using IPC for older versions (below Android 14) and native APIs for newer versions (Android 14 and above). This mediator approach enables reliable passkey authentication while maintaining broad OS version compatibility.
2Reliability
If passkey services are provided only on Android version 14 or higher using native APIs, then authentication security is improved, but service availability to users on older versions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The passkey agent library dynamically adapts its operation mode based on the detected OS version. For Android 14 and above, it utilizes the secure native passkey APIs. For older versions, it switches to IPC-based communication. This dynamic adaptation ensures both security on newer platforms and service accessibility on older platforms.
3Ease of operation
If a unified passkey authentication method is used across all OS versions, then ease of operation is improved, but technical reliability on older versions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the communication parameter (IPC vs. native API) based on the OS version parameter. The passkey agent library automatically adjusts its authentication method according to the detected environment, providing a unified user experience while maintaining technical reliability appropriate for each OS version.
4Ease of operation
If passkey generation is restricted to Google Play Services on Android version 13 or lower, then service availability is improved, but authentication reliability and security deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The passkey agent library serves as an intermediary that enables reliable authentication on older OS versions by implementing its own IPC-based communication protocol between the service application and passkey provider application, bypassing the limitations of Google Play Services while maintaining service availability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure according to at least one embodiment provides a passkey service provision apparatus comprising a service application, a passkey agent, and a passkey agent library configured to deliver a request from the service application to the passkey agent, wherein the service application is configured to generate a passkey authentication request by calling the passkey agent library, and the passkey agent library is configured to: deliver the passkey authentication request to the passkey agent using an inter-process communication (IPC) method when an operating system (OS) version of the passkey service provision apparatus is lower than a predefined version, and deliver the passkey authentication request to the passkey agent by calling a passkey authentication Application Programming Interface (API) provided by the OS when the OS version of the passkey service provision apparatus is equal to or higher than the predefined version.