Provisioning Control with Credit Tokens for Firmware Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for secure and controlled provisioning of electronic components or devices, such as chips or microprocessors, in distributed manufacturing environments where different parties are involved in manufacturing, provisioning, and assembly, ensuring that only intended devices and program codes are used and transmission limits are enforced.
Innovation Solution
A provisioning control apparatus and method that utilizes an electronic credit token with a credit counter to manage the transmission of program codes, ensuring only authorized devices receive the correct firmware, and limits transmissions to prevent unauthorized use or replay attacks, using cryptographic protocols for security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If distributed provisioning is allowed for flexibility and efficiency, then productivity is improved, but security and control over program code transmission deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a provisioning control apparatus as an intermediary between the program code source and the provisioning equipment server. This mediator receives electronic credit tokens, validates them, and controls the transmission of program codes based on token verification. The intermediary enables distributed provisioning to continue while maintaining centralized security control through token-based authentication and credit counter validation.
2Ease of operation
If program code transmission is unrestricted, then ease of operation is improved, but unauthorized use and replay attacks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by issuing electronic credit tokens before program code transmission occurs. The tokens contain pre-configured credit counters that limit the number of valid transmissions. This preliminary authorization enables convenient transmission operations while preventing unauthorized use, as each transmission must be backed by a valid token with remaining credits. The credit counter is decremented with each use, providing automatic limitation without complex real-time validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The provisioning control apparatus implements feedback by validating electronic credit tokens and tracking credit counter values for each program code transmission. The system monitors the number of transmissions against the credit limit defined in the token, and provides feedback by rejecting transmissions that exceed the authorized limit. This feedback mechanism prevents replay attacks and unauthorized use while maintaining operational convenience for authorized transmissions.
3Reliability
If credit counter validation is strict, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses electronic credit tokens as disposable authentication objects that contain credit counters. Each token is designed for single-use or limited-use scenarios where the credit counter is decremented until exhaustion. This approach provides strict security validation without requiring complex long-term credential management systems. The tokens can be generated, used, and discarded, simplifying the overall control apparatus complexity while maintaining high security standards through cryptographic validation of each token.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a provisioning control apparatus (140) configured to be coupled to a provisioning equipment server (160), wherein the provisioning equipment server (160) is electrically connectable with one or more electronic devices (170) for provisioning the one or more electronic devices (170) with a first program code (150) or a second program code (150'). The provisioning control apparatus (140) comprises: a communication interface (143) configured to receive an electronic credit token (180), wherein the electronic credit token (180) comprises a credit counter (182), the credit counter (182) indicating a total number of transmissions of the first program code (150) and the second program code (150') towards the provisioning equipment server (160); and a processor (141) configured to retrieve the credit counter (182) from the received electronic credit token (180). The communication interface (143) is further configured to transmit the first program code (150) and the second program code (150') towards the provisioning equipment server (160). The processor (141) is further configured to update a value of the credit counter (182) for each transmission of the first program code (150) and of the second program code (150') to obtain an updated credit counter (182). Moreover, the processor (141) is configured to prohibit a further transmission of the first program code (150) or the second program code (150') towards the provisioning equipment server (160) if the updated credit counter (182) indicates that the total number of transmissions has been reached. Moreover, the invention relates to a provisioning control system (100) comprising the provisioning control apparatus (140) as well as a corresponding method for provisioning one or more electronic devices (170).