Programmable Device Secure Access via Session Decoding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for restoring access to programmable devices when users forget or lose their authentication credentials are insecure, as they often rely on factory resets, backdoor passwords, or other methods that compromise device security.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that uses a programmable device with a processor to decode authentication credentials, generate session identifiers, and grant access only if the identifier matches a stored authentication session, while implementing timers and access failure thresholds to enhance security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If factory reset or backdoor password methods are used to restore access, then users can regain access to their devices, but device security is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess restorationVSAvoiddevice security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by generating time-limited authentication credentials before the user loses access. These credentials are generated with embedded expiration timers and session identifiers that validate the credential's temporal validity, allowing users to regain access without compromising device security through traditional backdoor methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of authentication credentials from static (permanent passwords) to dynamic (time-limited credentials with expiration timestamps). The credential includes a session identifier and timing information that the processor validates to determine whether the credential is within its valid time window, thus providing secure temporary access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If time-limited authentication credentials are implemented, then device security is maintained, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice securityVSAvoidauthentication system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication credential is segmented into distinct components: a session identifier, a timestamp indicating validity period, and an encrypted authentication token. The processor separately validates each component - checking session match, verifying time window validity, and decrypting the token - which distributes the complexity across multiple simple validation steps rather than one complex verification process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2946306B1Systems and methods for securely accessing programmable devices
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA INC
  • EP2946306B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2946306B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2946306B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to various aspects and embodiments, a system including a programmable device is provided. The programmable device includes a memory storing an identifier of an authentication session and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The at least one processor is configured to receive an authentication credential, decode the authentication credential to access a session identifier and information associated with a requestor of the authentication credential, determine whether the session identifier matches the identifier of the authentication session, and grant the requestor access to protected functionality of the programmable device if the session identifier matches the identifier of the authentication session.