Time Client Device Secure Synchronization via Blockchain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing time synchronization systems face challenges in handling multiple time client devices efficiently, leading to synchronization delays or failures, and the Catch-22 situation where time client devices need prior knowledge of time to validate the time server certificate but cannot obtain time information without initial certificate validation.
Innovation Solution
A time client device receives an encrypted key from an authentication server, generates a message authentication code using this key, and transmits it to a time server for authentication, allowing secure time synchronization while using a blockchain network to generate a time estimation and validate certificates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single time server serves many time client devices, then time synchronization service is provided to multiple devices, but the time server becomes overloaded leading to synchronization delays or failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized time server system into distributed time client devices that can independently obtain time information. Each time client device can request time from multiple potential time sources (including other time clients), effectively segmenting the load and eliminating the single-point bottleneck that causes server overload.
2Reliability
If time client devices need to validate the time server certificate, then secure authentication is achieved, but the Catch-22 situation occurs where prior time knowledge is needed for validation but cannot be obtained without initial certificate validation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having time client devices pre-obtain time information through alternative means (such as from other trusted time clients or initial configuration) before formal certificate validation is possible. This preliminary time knowledge enables the certificate validation process to proceed, breaking the Catch-22 situation where neither action can proceed without the other.
3Measurement precision
If traditional time synchronization protocols are used, then time synchronization is achieved, but the system cannot efficiently handle multiple client devices simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary mechanisms where time client devices can act as intermediaries for each other. Instead of all clients directly querying the central server, time information can be propagated through the network via multiple clients, reducing direct server load while maintaining synchronization accuracy through the intermediary nodes.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a time client device comprising a network interface for communicating over a communication network, the time client device being configured to: receive, over the communication network from an authentication server (AS), a first key, and a first value containing the first key in encrypted form; generate a second value using the first key; and during a time synchronization phase, transmit to a time server (TS) the first and second values.