Secure Device Discovery Codes for LTE Proximity Services

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly in LTE technology, face challenges in efficient device discovery and secure communication, leading to resource inefficiencies and security vulnerabilities in device-to-device communication.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method where user equipment (UE) receives a discovery code and key information to generate and transform a discovery message, which is then broadcast, allowing monitoring UEs to unscramble and verify the message for secure and efficient device discovery, using techniques such as time-hashing and Message Integrity Codes (MICs) to protect against tracking, impersonation, and replay attacks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If discovery messages are transmitted in clear text for device discovery, then device discovery efficiency is improved, but security vulnerabilities increase allowing tracking, impersonation, and replay attacks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice discovery efficiencyVSAvoidsecurity of device discovery
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses discovery codes as simplified copies or representations of full discovery messages. Instead of transmitting complete messages in clear text, the system transmits condensed discovery codes that can be verified by monitoring UEs through comparison with locally stored reference codes, eliminating the need to transmit sensitive full message content while maintaining discovery functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces discovery codes as an intermediary element between the announcing UE and monitoring UE. These codes serve as a secure medium that carries essential discovery information in a condensed, verifiable format that prevents tracking and impersonation attacks while maintaining efficient device discovery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If discovery messages are encrypted to protect security, then security vulnerabilities are reduced, but resource consumption increases due to processing overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of device discoveryVSAvoidprocessing energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential verification elements from full discovery messages to create condensed discovery codes. By taking out only the critical identifying information and storing reference codes locally at monitoring UEs, the system eliminates the need for complex encryption/decryption operations while maintaining security through code comparison verification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of message representation from full detailed messages to condensed discovery codes. This parameter change transforms the discovery mechanism from one requiring heavy cryptographic processing to one based on efficient code comparison, significantly reducing processing energy consumption while maintaining security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If full discovery messages are transmitted to ensure complete information exchange, then information completeness is improved, but resource inefficiencies occur due to increased transmission overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completeness in discoveryVSAvoidtransmission energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates condensed discovery codes that capture the essential information needed for device discovery verification. These codes serve as sufficient copies for the discovery purpose, eliminating the need to transmit redundant full message content and reducing transmission energy consumption while maintaining information completeness for discovery operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3281487B1Method and apparatus for securing structured proximity service codes for restricted discovery
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3281487B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3281487B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP3281487B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus may be a UE. The UE receives a discovery code and key information associated with the discovery code. A discovery message may be generated based on the discovery code. The UE transforms the discovery message using the key information. The UE then broadcasts the transformed discovery message. In a second configuration, the UE receives a first discovery code, key information associated with the first discovery code, and a discovery message containing a second discovery code. The UE unscrambles the discovery message using the key information to obtain the second discovery code. The first discovery code and the second discovery code are compared. If the first and second discovery codes match, the UE may check the integrity of the discovery message and/or remove confidentiality of the discovery message using the key information.