Security Token Power Management via Threshold-Based Sleep Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
NFC-enabled mobile devices generate a weak RF field, which is insufficient to ensure stable operation of complex security tokens like multi-chip smart cards, leading to uncontrolled power consumption and potential battery depletion.
Innovation Solution
A method for a security token comprising a secure element and a microcontroller unit that manages power consumption by entering sleep states to conserve energy, only processing authentication requests when available power exceeds a predetermined threshold, and balancing power delivery between the secure element and microcontroller unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the security token processes authentication requests continuously, then authentication functionality is maintained, but power consumption increases and battery depletes
Solution Approach 1:
The security token dynamically adjusts its operational state based on power availability. The system transitions between active processing mode and sleep mode, adapting its functionality to match the available power supply from the NFC host device. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by maintaining authentication functionality when power is sufficient while conserving energy when power is limited.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the security token based on power conditions. When power availability exceeds a threshold, the token processes authentication requests; when power is insufficient, it enters sleep mode. This parameter-based control resolves the contradiction between maintaining functionality and reducing power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the security token enters sleep state to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but authentication processing is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The security token performs preliminary actions by staying in active state when power is sufficient to process authentication requests immediately. Only when power availability drops below the threshold does it transition to sleep mode. This preliminary preparation resolves the contradiction by ensuring authentication can proceed without delay when power conditions permit.
3Speed
If the microcontroller unit remains active to process authentication requests, then processing speed is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller unit operates periodically rather than continuously. It activates to process authentication requests when power is available, then enters sleep mode to conserve energy. This periodic operation pattern resolves the contradiction between maintaining processing speed and reducing power consumption by aligning active processing with power availability cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method of operating a security token, said security token comprising a secure element and a microcontroller unit being coupled to said secure element, wherein: the secure element receives an authentication command from a host device while the microcontroller unit is in a first sleep state; the secure element decodes the authentication command, sends a corresponding authentication request to the microcontroller unit and subsequently enters into a second sleep state; the microcontroller unit wakes up upon receiving the authentication request and subsequently determines an amount of available power; the microcontroller unit processes the authentication request only if the amount of available power exceeds a threshold. Furthermore, a corresponding computer program product and a corresponding security token are provided.