RFID Tag Password Verification for Unauthorized Access Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional RFID systems lack security, allowing unauthorized users to access and read tag data, compromising user privacy as tag data can be received by multiple neighboring readers.

Innovation Solution

An RFID tag reading system that requires a preset password for data transmission, ensuring only authorized readers can access the data, with features like alarm signals for unauthorized attempts and secure operation modes to protect privacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional RFID systems transmit tag data without password verification, then the ease of operation is improved, but the security and privacy protection deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of data accessVSAvoiddata security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by requiring password verification before allowing tag data transmission. The password verification process is performed in advance as a prerequisite condition, ensuring that only authorized readers can access the tag data. This preliminary security check resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation for authorized users while preventing unauthorized access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If passive tags are used to minimize size and cost, then the device complexity is reduced, but the security functionality is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetag structure simplicityVSAvoidsecurity function
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism by implementing a password verification system that mediates between the simple passive tag structure and the security requirements. The password verification process acts as an intermediary layer that enhances security without requiring complex hardware modifications to the passive tag itself, thus maintaining device simplicity while improving security functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If multiple neighboring readers can receive tag data simultaneously, then the productivity is improved, but the loss of information increases due to unauthorized access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoiddata privacy violation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by implementing a password verification mechanism that provides selective access control. The system feedbacks whether the reader is authorized based on password verification, allowing data transmission only to authenticated readers. This feedback mechanism maintains high productivity by enabling simultaneous data transmission to multiple readers while preventing information loss through unauthorized access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enhances security by ensuring tag data is only transmitted when the correct password is input, protecting individual privacy and providing immediate alerts for unauthorized attempts.

Implementation Method 1

a passive tag generates an induced current using a magnetic wave transmitted from the RFID reader

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP1864248B1Rf-id tag reading system for using password and method thereof
Publication Date: 2013.08.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP1864248B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP1864248B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP1864248B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

Provided is a RFID tag with enhanced security. The tag includes a tag memory to store thereto pre-determined password information and tag data, an antenna to receive a tag data transmission request signal from an outer reader, and a tag controller to request the reader to transmit the password if the tag data transmission request signal is received, and then to transmit the tag data if the password received from the reader is identical with the pre-determined password. Accordingly, it can be prevented for a third-party, who does not know the password, to check the tag data.