SMS Relay Device for Lost Mode Command Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems lack a robust mechanism for remotely controlling lost or stolen devices, particularly mobile devices, as existing methods rely on unreliable Internet connections for command conveyance, which can be vulnerable to interception and misuse.
Innovation Solution
A networked communication system that employs a server to relay a lost-mode command through an authorized mobile device acting as an SMS gateway, using public-key cryptography to encrypt and authenticate commands, ensuring only authorized devices can execute the command and prevent malicious interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Internet connections are used to convey commands to disable or restrict devices, then remote control capability is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to connection unavailability and vulnerability to interception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an SMS gateway as an intermediary component that bridges the server and mobile devices. The gateway receives commands from the server and forwards them as SMS messages to target devices, ensuring reliable delivery even when Internet connections are unavailable. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by providing a fallback communication path that maintains reliability without requiring complex direct Internet connectivity between all components.
2Reliability
If SMS messaging is used for command conveyance, then reliability of command delivery is improved, but vulnerability to interception and misuse increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary authentication and encryption actions before commands are transmitted via SMS. The server authenticates the requesting user and encrypts the command payload before sending it through the SMS gateway. This preliminary securing of the command ensures that even if the SMS message is intercepted, the malicious actor cannot execute unauthorized actions without the decryption key and proper authentication credentials.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the server verifies command delivery and execution status. After sending a command via SMS, the server waits for confirmation from the target device or SMS gateway, and can retry or log failures appropriately. This feedback loop ensures that commands are not only sent but actually received and processed, maintaining security while improving reliability.
3Reliability
If a relay device is introduced to forward commands via SMS, then robustness of control mechanism is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The SMS gateway is designed as a universal component that can handle multiple functions: receiving commands from the server, formatting them as SMS messages, routing them to appropriate mobile devices, and receiving responses. This multi-functional design consolidates what could be multiple separate components into a single versatile gateway, improving robustness while minimizing the increase in system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An administrative or relay device can communicate with a target device, for example to disable lost or stolen devices using an SMS command. The SMS command is encrypted to prevent malicious attacks. The SMS command includes a universal device identifier unique to the target device, the phone number of the relaying device, and a time stamp memorializing command creation. The relaying device relays the encrypted command to the target device. Successful decryption authenticates the administrative or relay device. Before executing the command, however, the target device reviews the unique identifier to verify the target and compares the phone number of the relaying device with the number identified with the incoming SMS message to authenticate the relaying device. The target device also considers an embedded time stamp to determine whether the command is superseded by a subsequently issued though later received command.