RFID Tag Authentication via Key Partitioning and Intermediary Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing RFID personal authentication systems are vulnerable to unauthorized access and lack user notification when being read, and biometric systems pose risks of bodily harm.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of enhanced RFID tags disguised as everyday items, using advanced cryptography and equipped with auditory or visual indicators to prevent unauthorized access, along with a system for generating and managing authentication keys through a network of RFID tags and readers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If RFID tags are used for personal authentication, then authentication convenience is improved, but security vulnerability to unauthorized access increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication convenienceVSAvoidsecurity against unauthorized access

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring RFID tags with unique identification data and authentication algorithms before deployment. When a reader attempts to access a tag, the tag first verifies the reader's authentication credentials against pre-stored data, and only if verification succeeds does it transmit the actual identification information. This preliminary verification step prevents unauthorized access while maintaining convenient authentication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If RFID tags store authentication information, then authentication functionality is improved, but risk of information breach increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication functionalityVSAvoidinformation breach risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism where RFID tags do not directly store sensitive authentication information. Instead, tags store only unique identification data and receive authentication credentials dynamically from authenticated readers. The actual authentication verification is performed by a centralized authentication server, not by the RFID tag itself. This intermediary approach ensures that even if a tag is compromised, the sensitive authentication information remains protected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If biometric authentication systems are used, then security is improved, but risk of bodily harm increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidbodily harm risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces biometric authentication systems with RFID-based authentication that uses electromagnetic fields and cryptographic algorithms instead of physical or biological measurements. The system employs RFID tags with unique identification data combined with challenge-response authentication protocols, eliminating the need for fingerprint scanning, facial recognition, or other biometric processes that could pose bodily harm risks while maintaining strong security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If RFID tags are made as everyday items, then user acceptance is improved, but device identification complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser acceptanceVSAvoididentification complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the authentication system into three distinct components: simple RFID tags containing only unique identification data, intermediate readers that handle communication, and a centralized authentication server that manages security protocols. This segmentation allows the RFID tags to remain simple and inexpensive (disguisable as everyday items) while the complexity of identification and authentication is distributed to the reader and server, which are not part of the tag itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Provides secure personal authentication without biometric data or cumbersome passwords, enhancing security by preventing unauthorized access and notifying users of tag reads, while avoiding bodily harm risks.

Implementation Method 1

The RFID reader 110 emits radio signals that power up and activate the passive RFID tags 105

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The activated RFID tags 105 transmit data to the RFID reader 110

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Radiation:

Data Source

PatentUS9467280B2Methods and systems for personal authentication

Publication Date: 2016.10.11 JORDAHL JENA

AI summary

A method for creating personal authentication keys includes the steps of determining a number of RFID tags, generating a key, partitioning the key into a number of parts, the number of parts corresponding to the number of determined RFID tags, and writing each of the plurality of key parts to a corresponding RFID tag.