SMS Header Validation Code Extraction for Secure Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for authenticating a user's SIM card for service or software application access are costly and insecure, particularly due to the reliance on SMS validation, which can be intercepted and lead to increased costs from repeated attempts and manual errors.

Innovation Solution

A method that generates a technical validation number and code, allowing users to send a mini-message automatically or invisibly to this number, eliminating the need for SMS from the service provider and ensuring secure validation without manual identifier entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If SMS messages are sent for validation, then user authentication can be performed, but costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidvalidation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the validation code from the SMS message body and places it directly in the SMS header (specifically in the sender ID or service center number field). This allows the validation code to be transmitted as part of the routing information rather than as message content, eliminating the need to pay for code transmission in the message body while maintaining authentication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the SMS network infrastructure (service center, routing numbers) as an intermediary to convey the validation code. Instead of sending the code as user-visible message content, it leverages the SMS routing mechanism to embed the code in the message header, which is processed by the network but not charged as billable message content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If SMS messages are sent for validation, then user authentication can be performed, but security risks increase due to interception

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidmessage interception risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The validation code is extracted from the message body and placed in the SMS header fields (sender ID, service center number, or routing information). Since these header fields are processed by the network infrastructure and not displayed to users or easily accessible to interceptors, the code becomes significantly more secure against interception while maintaining its authentication function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the validation mechanism by embedding the code in multiple header fields simultaneously (both sender ID and service center number can contain validation information). This redundancy ensures that even if one field is compromised, the validation code remains secure in other fields, enhancing overall security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If manual entry of identifiers is required, then validation can be performed, but time loss and error risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalidation accuracyVSAvoidvalidation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-validation by automatically comparing the validation code extracted from the SMS header with the expected code generated by the service provider. This automated process eliminates the need for manual entry of identifiers by users, reducing both time loss and error risk while maintaining high validation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements an automatic feedback loop where the validation code in the SMS header is immediately verified by the system upon receipt. The system provides instant feedback on validation success or failure, eliminating manual intervention and reducing both time loss and errors associated with manual identifier entry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3685599B1Method for verifying the validity of a user's telephone line
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 ONOFF TELECOM
  • EP3685599B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for verifying the validity of a user's (User A) telephone service subscription card (2), comprising the following steps: - initiating (3) a validation procedure, - downloading (4) to the communication terminal (A) from the validation server (C) a dynamically generated validation code (1) associated with the validation procedure; - creating a mini-message, on the communication terminal (A), for a technical validation number (0) and containing the validation number (1), - verifying the correspondence between the validation code contained in the received mini-message and the dynamically generated validation code (1), and - validating the user's telephone line number (User A) since, in the previous step, the correspondence between the validation code contained in the received mini-message and the dynamically generated validation code (1) was verified.