Single Secret Key for Multi-Provider Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current authentication methods in 3GPP cellular networks require multiple secret keys for user devices to access information from various sources, which can be resource-intensive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The system generates a single secret key using a key generator that can be shared among multiple information providers, allowing user devices to decrypt encrypted information from different sources without needing separate authentication processes for each provider.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple secret keys are used for authentication with different information providers, then security and authorization for each provider is maintained, but network resource consumption increases and authentication efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple secret keys into a single secret key that can be used for authentication with multiple information providers. The home subscriber server generates one secret key for the user device instead of requiring separate keys for each provider, reducing authentication overhead while maintaining security through the underlying GBA authentication framework
Solution Approach 2:
The single secret key generated by the home subscriber server serves multiple functions and can be used for authentication with different information providers. This universal key eliminates the need for provider-specific authentication processes, streamlining access to authorized content across multiple sources
2Reliability
If multiple secret keys are generated for different information providers, then access control for each provider is ensured, but device complexity and key management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple provider-specific secret keys into a single secret key managed by the user device. This consolidation simplifies key storage, retrieval, and management operations while the home subscriber server maintains the ability to control access to different information providers through the unified authentication mechanism
3Reliability
If separate authentication processes are used for each information provider, then provider-specific authorization is maintained, but network resource consumption and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication process becomes universal and can be used with multiple information providers without modification. The single secret key enables the user device to authenticate with any authorized provider through the same process, eliminating redundant authentication operations and reducing network resource consumption while maintaining authorization accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A first network device is configured to receive a request for content from a user device, determine that the user device is not authenticated, and send information to the user device that the user device requires authentication. The first network device is configured further to receive a notification that the user device is authorized to receive content from multiple content providers. The first network device is configured further to generate a secret key and authenticate the user device by using the secret key. The first network device is further configured to send the content to the user device.