Terminal Pairing via Surface Connectors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing authentication methods for devices, such as WiFi and Bluetooth, require manual entry of long PIN codes or keys, leading to errors and security risks, especially when devices with different operating modes and battery capacities need frequent pairing and unpairing, which is cumbersome and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A method involving physical connection through external surface connectors for pairing devices, allowing secure pairing modes such as permanent or temporary physical connections, with a generated pairing code transmitted via the connection to finalize pairing wirelessly, eliminating the need for manual input and facilitating easy device interchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual entry of long PIN codes or keys is used for authentication, then security is improved, but error rate increases and user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-authentication by automatically generating and exchanging cryptographic keys between devices without requiring manual user input. The pairing process is autonomous, with devices independently completing the authentication handshake, thereby eliminating errors associated with manual entry while maintaining high security standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual key entry with an automated electronic key exchange mechanism. Instead of users physically typing PIN codes, the system uses programmed algorithms to generate and transmit cryptographic keys through communication protocols, substituting human action with automated computational processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If frequent pairing and unpairing of devices is required, then adaptability is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice interchangeabilityVSAvoidpairing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication actions by establishing a base pairing state between devices. When devices need to be paired, the pre-configured authentication framework is already in place, allowing for rapid completion of the pairing process without requiring full authentication sequences each time, thus reducing time consumption while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements different pairing modes with varying security parameters to optimize for speed. By changing authentication parameters based on the specific use case (e.g., using lower-security modes for frequent pairings and higher-security modes for critical operations), the system achieves both fast pairing times and appropriate security levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If manual entry of PIN codes is used, then authentication is achieved, but susceptibility to spying increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication capabilityVSAvoidspying risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces cryptographic key exchange protocols as intermediaries between devices. Instead of users directly entering and transmitting PIN codes that can be observed, the authentication process uses encrypted key exchange mechanisms where the actual authentication data never appears in readable form during transmission, thereby eliminating spying risks while maintaining authentication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If long PIN codes are entered manually, then security is improved, but error rate during entry increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity strengthVSAvoidentry accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual typing mechanism with automated key generation and exchange. The system programmatically creates cryptographic keys of sufficient length and complexity to ensure security, then automatically transmits them between devices without human intervention, thereby achieving both high security and 100% entry accuracy by eliminating the human typing process entirely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3528464B1Method of pairing of electronic terminals, pairing devices and corresponding program.

Publication Date: 2021.07.14 INGENICO INC

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AI summary

The invention relates to a method for pairing a first terminal, called the initiating terminal, wishing to transmit and receive data with a second terminal, called the accepting terminal. Such a method comprises: - a step of affixing an external surface connector of the initiating terminal to a complementary external surface connector of the accepting terminal, providing, to said initiating terminal, a presence data of said accepting terminal; - a step of determining, by said initiating terminal, a connection parameter; - a step of pairing said initiating terminal with said accepting terminal according to a pairing mode depending on the determined connection parameter.