USIM Authentication Memory Address Offset Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional USIM authentication methods fail due to partial memory damage during the UMTS AKA process, leading to repeated authentication failures and the impossibility of providing call services, resulting in unnecessary USIM replacements and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that generate and transmit authentication vectors using updated or alternative memory addresses to avoid impaired memory addresses, including updating memory addresses based on predetermined values or using random values to ensure successful authentication, thereby preventing repeated authentication failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional UMTS AKA authentication is performed using sequential memory addresses, then authentication can be completed efficiently, but authentication fails when memory addresses are impaired due to partial damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidauthentication process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system stores the last successfully used memory address in advance before authentication failures occur. When authentication is attempted again, this pre-stored address information is retrieved and used to avoid previously successful addresses, preventing repeated failures due to partial memory damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication process dynamically changes the memory address parameter by adding an offset to the last successful address. Instead of using sequential addresses starting from a fixed point, the system modifies the address parameter based on historical successful authentication data, allowing authentication to bypass damaged memory regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If authentication vectors are retransmitted after authentication failure, then re-authentication can be attempted, but repeated failures occur when the same impaired memory addresses are used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication efficiencyVSAvoidauthentication success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by storing information about the last successful memory address and using this information to adjust subsequent authentication attempts. The offset calculation provides feedback that avoids previously successful addresses, preventing infinite loops of repeated authentication failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The memory address selection becomes dynamic rather than static. Instead of following a fixed sequential pattern, the address changes dynamically based on the offset added to the last successful address, allowing the authentication process to adapt and avoid damaged memory regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If USIM replacement is performed to resolve authentication failures, then call service can be restored, but unnecessary costs are incurred due to partial memory damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice restorationVSAvoidUSIM replacement cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful effect of partial memory damage into a beneficial outcome by using the offset mechanism. Instead of treating the damaged memory as a failure condition requiring replacement, the system leverages the offset to bypass damaged regions and continue using the partially functional USIM, thereby eliminating unnecessary replacement costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP2445241B1Method for authenticating a universal subscriber identity module and system thereof
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 KT CORP
  • EP2445241B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2445241B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP2445241B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Disclosed are a method for authenticating a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) and a system thereof. The method for authenticating a universal subscriber identity module according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a step of determining whether the memory address for the USIM is stored when a USIM authentication-related message is received through a switch; a step of updating the memory address to a first memory address in which the memory address is increased by a predetermined value, if it is determined that the memory address is stored; a step of generating an authentication vector including the first memory address; and a step of transmitting the authentication vector to the USIM via the switch such that the USIM performs an authentication using the authentication vector. (Fig. 4)