Remote Device Pairing via Intermediary Key Exchange
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pairing mechanisms for user devices with remote systems are vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks, require physical proximity, rely on device compatibility, or lack computational power for secure encryption, making them impractical or insecure.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a user device communicating with an intermediary device through a secure channel to receive a secret key from a remote system, using it to encrypt and decrypt data, with the key being unique and managed by the remote system to control pairing and secure communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a secure pairing mechanism using asymmetric encryption (SSL/TLS) is implemented, then security against MITM attacks is improved, but device complexity and computational power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pairing server as an intermediary that performs the computationally intensive asymmetric encryption operations. The user device only needs to generate and exchange symmetric session keys, while the pairing server handles the complex certificate verification and key exchange protocols, thus reducing the computational burden on resource-constrained devices while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses symmetric encryption (AES) to create a simplified copy of the secure communication channel after the initial asymmetric key exchange. Instead of continuously using computationally expensive asymmetric encryption for all data transmissions, the system copies the security properties using efficient symmetric encryption with pre-shared keys, reducing ongoing computational requirements while maintaining security.
2Ease of operation
If device-generated WiFi networks are used for pairing, then ease of operation is improved, but security against MITM attacks deteriorates due to lack of encryption
Solution Approach 1:
The pairing server acts as a trusted intermediary that establishes encrypted communication channels between devices. Instead of relying on unencrypted device-to-device WiFi networks, the pairing server mediates the key exchange and verifies device identities through secure protocols, preventing MITM attacks while maintaining the convenience of wireless pairing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of direct device-to-device WiFi network establishment with a server-mediated communication architecture. The pairing server substitutes the direct wireless connection with encrypted relayed communication, eliminating the security vulnerability of unencrypted ad-hoc WiFi networks while preserving ease of wireless operation.
3Reliability
If physical cable connection is used for pairing, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates when devices are remotely located or difficult to move
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection with a server-mediated wireless communication system. The pairing server establishes secure encrypted channels over existing network infrastructure, eliminating the need for physical cable connections while maintaining security through cryptographic protocols. This allows devices to be paired remotely without physical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The pairing server serves as an intermediary that enables secure pairing over distance by mediating the key exchange process. Instead of requiring direct physical connection, the server relays encrypted authentication messages between devices, providing the same security guarantees as cable connections while allowing remote operation.
4Reliability
If preconfiguration with certificates is required, then security is improved, but device complexity and setup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs certificate verification and key exchange operations in advance through the pairing server during the initial pairing process. The server pre-establishes trusted relationships and validates device identities before actual data transmission begins, so that subsequent communications can proceed without repeated complex authentication, reducing both complexity and setup time.
Solution Approach 2:
The pairing server acts as a trusted intermediary that manages certificate verification and key distribution centrally. Instead of requiring each device to independently handle complex certificate chains and asymmetric key pairs, the server mediates the authentication process, simplifying the device implementation while maintaining strong security through centralized credential management.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of pairing a user device with a remote system. The user device communicates with an intermediary device via a secure communication channel to cause a secret key generated by the remote system to be received by the user device, from the intermediary device. The secret key is thereby assigned to the user device. The user device establishes communication with the remote system to pair the user device with the remote system using the secret key, such that data sent from the user device to the remote system is encrypted using the secret key and data received by the user device from the remote system is decrypted using the secret key.