Smart Tag Presence Validation via Pseudo-Random TAC Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods of interacting with tags, such as NFC, Bluetooth, or RFID, cannot distinguish between a unique interaction and a copied or replayed data transmission, leading to unreliable presence validation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a tag that generates a pseudo-random sequence of numbers, like a Tag Authentication Cryptogram (TAC), which is verified by a local or remote authentication service to ensure unique interactions, correlating the user's location with the tag's known location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tag interaction methods (reading URL, email, phone number) are used, then the interaction process is simple and easy to operate, but the system cannot distinguish between unique interactions and copied/replayed data transmissions, leading to unreliable presence validation
Solution Approach 1:
The tag generates a pseudo-random sequence of numbers (TAC) in advance and stores it in its memory before any interaction occurs. This preliminary generation of unique identifiers enables the system to later verify whether an interaction is genuine or a replay, without requiring complex real-time computation during the interaction itself.
Solution Approach 2:
A validation engine is introduced as an intermediary component that maintains a database of used TACs and verifies whether received TACs are genuine. This mediator handles the complexity of reliability verification, allowing the tag and mobile device to maintain simple interaction protocols while achieving robust presence validation through the validation engine's authentication service.
2Reliability
If a validation engine with database tracking of pseudo-random sequences is implemented, then unique interactions can be validated reliably, but the system complexity and data storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The validation engine maintains a database that stores only the essential verification data (used TACs and their timestamps) rather than complete interaction histories. This localized storage of critical validation information minimizes data storage requirements while ensuring reliable unique interaction validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pseudo-random TACs with varying parameters (sequence numbers, timestamps) that allow the validation engine to verify uniqueness without storing extensive data. By changing these parameters with each interaction, the system achieves reliable validation with minimal storage requirements.
3Measurement precision
If location correlation is performed based on tag interactions, then presence information can be determined accurately, but the system cannot trust the location data if the tag interaction is a replay
Solution Approach 1:
The validation engine provides feedback by verifying the TAC against the database of used sequences before the location correlation is performed. This feedback mechanism ensures that only authentic interactions result in location correlation, preventing replay attacks from corrupting presence information while maintaining accurate location tracking for genuine interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs authentication verification of the TAC before proceeding with location correlation. This preliminary validation ensures that the interaction is authentic before trusting the associated location data, thereby maintaining both measurement precision and reliability simultaneously.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for determining presence information for mobile devices are disclosed. Specifically, the presence information for a mobile device can be determined based on whether or not the mobile device is having a unique interaction with a smart tag. If a unique interaction is detected, then the mobile device can be said to be within the presence of the smart tag and the location or presence information for the mobile device can be correlated to location information known for the smart tag.