Sealed Authentication Token Post-Manufacturing Data Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Authentication tokens embedded in non-conductive enclosures pose a challenge as they cannot be communicated with post-manufacturing, making it difficult to match electronic data personalization with visual device identifiers, leading to potential desynchronization and inefficiencies in manufacturing processes.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a power source, secure user interface, and memory within the authentication token, along with a coupler for low-power communication methods like inductive, capacitive coupling, or RFID, allowing for post-manufacturing data transmission and synchronization of electronic and visual identifiers, and enabling electronic data personalization before or after enclosure manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If authentication tokens are embedded in non-conductive enclosures to make them tamperproof, then security and robustness are improved, but post-manufacturing communication capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamperproof propertyVSAvoidpost-manufacturing communication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary communication mechanism that enables data transfer through the non-conductive enclosure without compromising its tamperproof properties. The system uses a communication interface that can transmit signals through the enclosure material, allowing post-manufacturing personalization while maintaining the integrity and security of the sealed device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If electronic data personalization is performed before enclosure manufacturing, then communication capability is maintained, but synchronization between electronic and visual identifiers becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidsynchronization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables electronic data personalization to be performed after enclosure manufacturing by providing post-manufacturing communication capability. This allows the visual identifier to be attached first, and then the electronic identifier is personalized to match, eliminating synchronization problems. The communication interface facilitates this reverse sequence of operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that allow reading and verification of the electronic identifier after personalization. This enables confirmation that the electronic and visual identifiers are correctly matched, providing quality control and eliminating desynchronization issues in the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If traditional electrical contacts are used on the enclosure, then communication capability is maintained, but the tamperproof and waterproof properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidtamperproof property

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical electrical contacts with a non-contact communication interface that can transmit data through the non-conductive enclosure material. This substitution eliminates the need for physical openings or contacts in the seal, maintaining the tamperproof and waterproof properties while enabling post-manufacturing communication for device personalization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This approach eliminates the need for synchronized manufacturing, reduces desynchronization risks, and allows for customer-specific personalization without building separate inventories, ensuring tamperproof tokens with correctly matched visual and electronic identities.

Implementation Method 1

synchronizing said individualized data; wherein said coupler is inductive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInductive coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

synchronizing said individualized data; wherein said coupler is capacitive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

In both references cited above, the inductive or capacitive coupling is used to separate controlling data contained in a unit with a passive storage device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRFID: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS8220718B2Method for post-manufacturing data transfer to and from a sealed device

Publication Date: 2012.07.17 ONESPAN NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

The present invention is directed towards authentication tokens that are completely embedded in a non-conductive enclosure. The invention is based on the insight that it would be advantageous to separate the electronic data personalization of such tokens from the visual device personalization. The present application concerns an authentication token that allows communication with an external unit after the production of the nonconductive enclosure, in order to transmit or receive device identification data. As this communication need only take place during the manufacturing process, a low-power close-range transmission technique such as inductive coupling, capacitive coupling, or RFID communication suffices for this purpose. Accordingly, the present application discloses a method for manufacturing authentication tokens, and a token manufactured according to said method.teh