Secure Element Time-Based Cyphertext for Proximity Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack a reliable method to verify the proximity of a user to a secure element (SE) at a specific location and time, which is crucial for applications like voting verification and employee tracking in large facilities.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing secure elements (SEs) to generate time-based cyphertext, which is then transferred to a user device via short-range data transfer means, allowing a verifier to confirm the user's proximity by matching computed verification codes with the received data, ensuring the user was within the SE's range at the specified time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional verification methods are used, then system complexity is reduced, but the ability to verify user proximity and location accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the verification process into distinct components: a secure element that generates time-based cyphertext, a short-range communication module that transfers data, and a verification server that validates proximity. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system security and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The secure element pre-generates time-based cyphertext using a secret key before the actual verification event. This preliminary action ensures that when verification is needed, the system can quickly verify proximity without requiring complex real-time computation, thereby improving location verification accuracy while managing system complexity.
2Reliability
If time-based cyphertext verification is implemented, then proximity verification reliability is improved, but data transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic time-based cyphertext generation where the secure element creates verification codes at regular time intervals. This periodic action allows the verification server to validate proximity reliably by comparing timestamps, while the regular timing enables efficient data transmission and reduces overall verification time compared to continuous or real-time verification methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of verification from continuous monitoring to discrete time-based checkpoints. By using time-based cyphertext with specific timestamps, the system achieves reliable proximity verification while minimizing data transmission time, as verification only occurs at discrete intervals rather than continuously.
3Measurement precision
If secure element with short-range data transfer is used, then user proximity verification is improved, but device accessibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a verification server as an intermediary between the secure element and the user device. This intermediary handles the complex verification logic and communicates with the user-friendly interface, allowing accurate proximity measurement through short-range data transfer while maintaining ease of operation for users who simply need to provide their location verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The secure element performs self-service by autonomously generating time-based cyphertext using its internal secret key without requiring external intervention. This self-service capability enables accurate proximity verification through short-range communication while simplifying the user experience, as the system automatically handles the verification process without requiring complex user actions.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods verify that a person's mobile device was presumptively in a vicinity of a secure element (SE) at a certain time. In a scenario where a collection of SEs is used, the systems and methods can verify that the person's mobile device was in a vicinity of at least one of the SEs in the collection.