RFID Transceiver Authorization for Privacy Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for protecting products against piracy are inadequate in terms of data protection and consumer privacy, as RFID tags can be read unnoticed, allowing for unauthorized data access and creation of consumer movement profiles.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where the authenticity of a product is checked only after prior authorization of a reader, using a transceiver unit with a stored reference value, ensuring that data cannot be queried without owner consent, involving encrypted communication and authentication processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If RFID tags are used for product authentication, then product authenticity can be verified, but data protection and consumer privacy are compromised due to unnoticed data reading

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct authenticationVSAvoidunauthorized data access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by requiring prior authorization from the product owner before any data can be read from the RFID tag. The owner must explicitly grant permission through the reading device, and only then can authentication data be accessed. This prevents unnoticed data reading while maintaining authentication capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the RFID tag stores encrypted authentication data and the reading device acts as a mediator that can only access this data with proper authorization. The authorization process serves as a control layer between the RFID tag and any external reading device, preventing unauthorized access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If RFID tags store serial numbers for authentication, then product verification is enabled, but consumer movement profiles can be created without consent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct verificationVSAvoidconsumer privacy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system requires preliminary authorization before any data can be read from the RFID tag. Without this prior consent, the tag remains inaccessible to reading devices, preventing creation of movement profiles or other consumer data collection activities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID tag implements self-protection by automatically rejecting unauthorized reading attempts. The tag actively prevents data extraction without external authorization, giving the consumer control over their own data and preventing privacy violations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If authorization mechanism is added to RFID system, then data protection is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata protectionVSAvoidauthentication system
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID tag performs self-protection by automatically verifying authorization before allowing any data access. The tag independently manages its own security, rejecting unauthorized reading attempts without requiring complex external authentication systems or additional hardware components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the authorization verification function directly into the RFID tag itself, separating the security mechanism from the reading device. This allows the tag to independently handle authorization and data protection, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining strong security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Ensures the authenticity of products can only be verified with owner authorization, preventing unauthorized data access and movement tracking, thus enhancing data protection and consumer privacy.

Implementation Method 1

a transceiver unit (104) which is designed for communicating via radio with a reading device (106)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio wave communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2156602B1Method and system for verifying the authenticity of a product, and reading device
Publication Date: 2016.01.27 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP2156602B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2156602B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2156602B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for verifying the authenticity of a product (100), comprising the following steps: - an identifier that is associated with the product is detected; - the identifier is entered into a reading device (106) encompassing an interface (110) for communicating, via radio, with a transceiver unit (104) which is assigned to the product and in which a reference value (114) for the identifier is stored; - the reading device is granted authorization, by means of the identifier via the interface (110) with the transceiver unit, to access the transceiver unit. The product is considered authentic when the identifier matches the reference value.