Virtual Assistant for WebAuthn Companion Device Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing authentication systems face challenges in efficiently transferring authentication data between computing devices and companion devices, particularly in detecting and connecting with companion devices for secure authentication processes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a computing device with a WebAuthn API to detect and connect with a companion device through signal monitoring, initiating a connection, and exchanging authentication requests and responses using a standard transport like USB, NFC, or Bluetooth, with the option of using a virtual assistant device for communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a physical device is used to detect and connect with a companion device for authentication, then secure authentication data transfer is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a simulated virtual assistant device as an intermediary component that mediates between the physical device and the companion device. This virtual assistant device receives authentication requests, detects companion devices, establishes connections, and forwards authentication data, thereby reducing the complexity burden on the physical device while maintaining secure authentication functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication system is segmented into distinct functional components: the physical device, the simulated virtual assistant device, and the companion device. Each component has specialized responsibilities, with the virtual assistant device handling detection and connection management, allowing the physical device to focus on secure authentication processing.
2Measurement precision
If signal monitoring is implemented to detect companion devices, then detection precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic signal monitoring instead of continuous monitoring. The virtual assistant device periodically scans for companion devices and establishes connections when needed, rather than maintaining constant monitoring. This periodic approach maintains detection precision when required while significantly reducing overall energy consumption during idle authentication periods.
3Ease of operation
If a virtual assistant device is used to simulate standard transport, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The simulated virtual assistant device creates a software copy or simulation of a standard authentication transport interface. This virtual representation mimics the behavior of physical authentication hardware, allowing applications to interact with it using standard protocols without requiring actual physical device connections. This copying approach simplifies operation while the simulation layer handles the complexity internally.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods that involve receiving an authentication request initiated by a relying party application on a computing device via Web Authentication (WebAuthn) interface; connecting to a nearby companion device; forwarding the authentication request to the authenticator on the companion device; receiving a response to that authentication request from the authenticator on the companion device; and transmitting the authentication response back to the sender application on the computing device for authentication purposes.