UE Relay Credentials for Secure Direct Communication

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The security of UE-to-UE relayed communications in 5G mobile communications is compromised by malicious relay UEs conducting man-in-the-middle attacks, compromising the security of information between peer UEs.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method for secure direct communication between UEs using credentials that include a first key, enabling simple key negotiation and ensuring the security of direct communication by using a session key generated based on an intermediate key.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If UE-to-UE relay communication is implemented, then communication flexibility is improved, but security is compromised due to malicious relay UEs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network device as an intermediary to issue credentials containing first keys to relay UEs. This credential-based intermediary mechanism enables the network to control and verify relay UE identities, preventing malicious UEs from conducting man-in-the-middle attacks while preserving the flexibility of UE-to-UE relay communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If key negotiation is simplified, then ease of operation is improved, but security may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey negotiation simplicityVSAvoidcommunication security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the network device pre-issue credentials containing first keys to relay UEs before communication occurs. During communication, relay UEs present these pre-obtained credentials to peer UEs for verification, simplifying the key negotiation process while maintaining security through network-authorized credential distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250374040A1Information processing method and apparatus, communication device and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD

AI summary

A method for information processing performed by a first UE that is a UE-to-UE relay UE or a remote UE; including: acquiring a credential, wherein the credential comprises a first key (S1110); and carrying out a secure direct communication with a second UE based on the first key (S1120).