Returning Device Recognition With Hash-Based Attribute Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device recognition systems fail to accurately identify returning devices due to changes in device characteristics, are vulnerable to anonymization and spoofing attacks, leading to high False Accept Rate (FAR) and False Reject Rate (FRR), causing inconvenience and unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A system that maintains a database of unique device attribute groups, uses pseudorandom device identifiers, and employs secure communication paths to verify device integrity, minimizing changes in device attributes before re-identification, and detects spoofing attacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If device characteristics are collected and transmitted to the server for recognition, then device identification capability is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to anonymization and spoofing attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-computing and storing multiple possible hash values for each device attribute group in the database before actual device recognition occurs. When a device attribute group is first observed, the system pre-generates hash values for all possible transformations and stores them in advance, enabling rapid and accurate matching even when attributes change, while preventing spoofing attacks through cryptographic hashing.
2Reliability
If device characteristics are stored and compared for recognition, then returning devices can be identified, but False Accept Rate and False Reject Rate increase when attributes change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming device attributes into hash values that remain consistent despite changes in the original attributes. The system observes that device attributes may change over time (e.g., software updates, carrier changes), so it uses cryptographic hashing to create stable identifiers that preserve the ability to recognize returning devices while being insensitive to non-critical attribute variations, thereby reducing both FAR and FRR.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple device attributes are monitored for recognition, then recognition coverage is improved, but system complexity and computational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of storing and comparing multiple raw device attributes with a cryptographic hash-based identification system. Instead of maintaining and querying large databases of multiple attribute values, the system computes hash values from device attributes and stores these compact representations, significantly reducing storage requirements and computational complexity while maintaining or improving recognition coverage.
Data Source
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Figure 2B~3
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AI summary
A system for detecting whether a device seeking communication with a server is a returning device that previously communicated with the server includes a database that stores groups of device attributes based on observable device characteristics and unique identifiers. The database is generally not accessible to the devices. Each attribute group and the associated device identifier (DID) can uniquely identify a particular device, and the associated DID is generally not derivable from the attributes. The database may satisfy a uniqueness property so that each attribute value in the database may also uniquely identify a device.