RFID Tag Authentication Coupon Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current RFID tag identification and authentication protocols require multiple messages and data exchanges, increasing the complexity and time required for tag identification and authentication processes.

Innovation Solution

A method where a radio tag sends a single message containing a value based on an authentication coupon during the identification protocol, which serves both for identification and authentication, reducing the number of messages and data exchanged between the tag and the reader.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate identification and authentication protocols are used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidprotocol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines identification and authentication into a single integrated protocol. The tag transmits both its identification information and authentication response in one message to the reader, eliminating the need for separate message exchanges. This merging reduces protocol complexity and message overhead while maintaining the reliability of both identification and authentication functions through the use of cryptographic coupling between the two processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple messages are exchanged for identification and authentication, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidauthentication time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges identification and authentication message exchanges into a single transmission. The tag sends its identification data and authentication response simultaneously in one message, and the reader processes both functions in one reception event. This eliminates the time required for multiple separate message exchanges while preserving authentication reliability through cryptographic verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple messages are exchanged for identification and authentication, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidtag energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines identification and authentication into a single message transmission from tag to reader. This reduces the number of radio communications required, thereby decreasing the energy consumption of the tag which relies on radio frequency transmissions. The cryptographic authentication mechanism remains intact, ensuring reliability is maintained despite the reduced communication overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2532140B1Method for identifying and authenticating an RFID tag by a reader
Publication Date: 2017.05.10 ORANGE SA
  • EP2532140B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2532140B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2532140B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method of identification and authentication of an RFID tag (Tj) by a radio reader (R), said tag belonging to a set of tags within radio range of the reader and having selected a time slot from a set of available slots (2q), the method comprising a step of: - transmission (E31-2) of an interrogation message by the reader during the selected time slot, - and reception (E31-6) of a response message from the tag having selected the time slot, said response message comprising a random value selected by the tag. The invention is characterized in that, as the tag stores authentication coupons (Xj), the response of the tag, received by the reader during the time slot, contains a value that is a function of one of said coupons, as a random value selected by the tag.