Remote Server Authentication Using Ephemeral Token Binding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user authentication methods fail to securely authenticate a specific instance of an identity wallet relevant to a relying party, leading to potential security breaches and unauthorized access.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a remote server assigning a session reference and authentication request to a user agent, which delegates the request to an identity wallet. The identity wallet generates an ephemeral confirmation token displayed to the user, and the user enters a code, which is verified by the remote server using a control token generated from the ephemeral token, ensuring the proof of identity is valid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If user authentication is performed using traditional methods, then the authentication process is simple, but the security against identity theft and unauthorized access is insufficient

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary binding mechanism that connects the user agent and identity wallet through ephemeral confirmation tokens. This mediator verifies that both devices are operated by the same user without requiring complex cryptographic protocols, thus enhancing security while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical authentication methods (passwords, physical tokens) with a digital binding mechanism using ephemeral confirmation tokens. This substitution enables more secure authentication by creating a verifiable link between user agent and identity wallet without the security vulnerabilities of traditional methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the same user operates both user agent and identity wallet, then unauthorized access is prevented, but the verification process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunauthorized access preventionVSAvoidverification process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ephemeral confirmation token acts as an intermediary that simplifies the verification of user identity across devices. Instead of complex identity verification protocols, the system uses this token as a mediator to prove that the same user operates both the user agent and identity wallet, preventing unauthorized access while keeping the process manageable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4460943B1Method for managing a remote server
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 THALES DIS FRANCE SA
  • EP4460943B1 patent drawingFigure 1
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AI summary

The invention is a method for managing a remote server that assigns to a user agent (30) a session reference (31) and a user authentication request. The user agent (30) delegates the authentication request to an identity wallet (20) that sends a proof (21) of identity to the remote server (10). The user agent and the identity wallet are two separate devices, one of which generates and displays an ephemeral confirmation token (60) and sends to the remote server a control token (65) generated from the ephemeral confirmation token. The other of said devices gets a code (61) entered by the user then communicates with the remote server for contributing to a checking of the code by using the control token. The remote server grants rights associated to the session reference only if the proof of the identity is valid and if said checking is successful.