Power Usage Authentication for Household Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing authentication methods for terminals are complex and prone to information leakage or unauthorized access, particularly in household power usage systems, where users may feel uncomfortable providing biological information and management costs are high due to the need for secure information handling.
Innovation Solution
An authentication method that collects power usage data from devices at regular intervals, uses group identification information to authenticate terminals, and determines device manipulation by analyzing changes in power usage, eliminating the need for shared IDs or random numbers, thus simplifying the authentication process and enhancing security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If authentication is performed using shared IDs or random numbers, then authentication capability is provided, but information leakage and personation risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication verification from relying on shared secret information (IDs, random numbers) to relying on observable physical behavior (power consumption patterns). By taking out the dependency on information that can be leaked or stolen, the system achieves authentication without the security risks associated with shared secrets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the information-based authentication mechanism (comparing shared IDs or random numbers) with a physical behavior-based mechanism (analyzing power consumption patterns). This substitution eliminates the need for managing vulnerable information while maintaining authentication capability.
2Measurement precision
If biological information is collected for authentication, then authentication accuracy is improved, but user comfort and privacy concerns deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by having the authentication system observe and analyze power consumption patterns that are naturally generated during device operation. No additional user input, biological data collection, or special actions are required from the user - the authentication happens automatically through analyzing the device's own power usage characteristics.
3Reliability
If complex information management systems are implemented, then authentication security is enhanced, but management costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex information management infrastructure by extracting authentication verification from information comparison to physical pattern recognition. This eliminates the need for secure storage, transmission, and management of sensitive authentication data, significantly reducing system complexity and management costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The power consumption analysis mechanism serves multiple functions: it authenticates device identity, verifies user authorization, and can potentially detect anomalies or malicious activities. This multi-functionality replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate security subsystems.
Data Source
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AI summary
Power usage of each of one or more devices belonging to a group is collected at prescribed intervals, and an authentication request including group identification information for identification of the group to be authenticated is received from a terminal. Upon receipt of the authentication request, a device as a manipulation target in the group and details of a manipulation on the device are determined, and notification is provided to the terminal. Whether the device designated by the notification is manipulated is judged on the basis of a change in the power usage of each of the devices belonging to the group. If the device designated by the notification is judged to be manipulated, authentication information is transmitted to the terminal.