Signed Network Address Validation for Sponsored Data Campaigns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Service providers face challenges in securely delivering subsidized network data to users while preventing unauthorized access to sponsored content, as existing methods lack secure validation and charging mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A system that generates and manages security keys for sponsored data campaigns, signs network addresses using digital signatures, and validates these signatures to ensure only authorized parties access the content, allowing the service provider to subsidize data costs and the network operator to securely manage access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If service providers subsidize network data costs for users, then user accessibility to content is improved, but security risks of unauthorized access increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by generating digital signatures for network addresses before content delivery. The service platform signs the network address with a private key in advance, creating a validated network address that embeds authentication information. This preliminary signing ensures security checks are already in place before the actual content delivery occurs, allowing free access for authorized users while preventing unauthorized access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary validation mechanism between the service provider and network operator. The service platform acts as an intermediary that signs network addresses and provides them to the network operator for validation. This intermediary layer enables the network operator to verify authenticity without directly trusting the service provider, solving the security trust issue while maintaining free access for legitimate users.
2Productivity
If free access to sponsored content is provided, then user engagement increases, but unauthorized access and fraud risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback through the validation process. When a user accesses content via a signed network address, the network operator validates the signature against the public key. This feedback mechanism confirms whether the access request is legitimate or fraudulent. Authorized access proceeds freely, while unauthorized attempts are detected and blocked, thereby maintaining high user engagement for legitimate users while preventing fraud.
3Reliability
If digital signature validation is implemented, then security and access control are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the security validation function into a separate, dedicated component. The service platform handles signature generation independently, while the network operator handles validation independently. This extraction allows each system to focus on its specific security task without the other system becoming overly complex. The signature validation is taken out as a distinct process that can be implemented through dedicated algorithms and data structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses copying by distributing the public key from the service platform to the network operator. Instead of requiring the network operator to have access to private keys or complex authentication mechanisms, it simply receives and stores a copy of the public key for validation purposes. This copying approach simplifies the network operator's system while maintaining strong security through cryptographic verification.
Data Source
AI summary
A device may receive a network address and a signature. The network address may be associated with a sponsored data campaign, and the signature may be generated based on a security key and based on the network address. The device may perform a validation operation on the signature to validate that the network address is associated with the sponsored data campaign. The validation operation may be performed based on the security key. The security key may be obtained based on a key identifier. The device may selectively permit or deny access to content associated with the network address based on a result of the validation operation.