Wearable Authentication Information Management via Server Sync

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for setting authentication information on wearable devices either burden users with operation inputs or compromise security due to fixed or simply inputted authentication information.

Innovation Solution

An authentication information management system that automatically receives and updates secure authentication information from an authentication server, using short-range communication and mobile communication to maintain user convenience and enhance security by regenerating authentication information as needed, detecting misuse, and ensuring proper transmission and association.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If authentication information is set through user input operation on terminal device, then user can control the authentication process, but operation burden increases and security level decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidauthentication security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device automatically receives authentication information from the authentication server without requiring user input operations. The device performs self-service by autonomously managing the authentication information setup process, eliminating the need for manual user intervention while maintaining security through server-generated credentials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication server acts as an intermediary that generates and provides authentication information to the terminal device. This mediator approach allows the system to maintain security by having the server control the authentication information generation, while the terminal device automatically receives and uses it without direct user input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If fixed authentication information is preset for wearable device, then setup process is simplified, but security level decreases due to fixed credentials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetup simplicityVSAvoidauthentication security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication information is made dynamic by allowing automatic updates from the authentication server. Instead of using fixed preset credentials, the terminal device periodically receives updated authentication information, transforming the static security model into a dynamic one that maintains security while simplifying initial setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication server performs preliminary action by generating authentication information in advance and providing it to the terminal device automatically. This eliminates the need for manual presetting while ensuring security credentials are established before actual authentication is needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If authentication information is automatically received from authentication server, then operation burden is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device leverages its existing communication capabilities to perform multiple functions - it uses its network communication interface not only for general data transmission but also for receiving authentication information from the authentication server. This multi-functionality approach avoids adding dedicated hardware complexity while enabling automatic authentication information management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3107022B1Terminal device, authentication information management method, and authentication information management system
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3107022B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3107022B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3107022B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An objective is to provide a terminal device, an authentication information management method, and an authentication information management system for securing a security level of authentication information while maintaining the convenience for a user. A mobile device (10) determines whether communication with a wearable device (30) is possible and determines whether the mobile device (10) is able to communicate with an authentication server (20). When it is determined that communication between the mobile device (10) and the wearable device (30) is possible and communication between the mobile device (10) and the authentication server (20) is possible, the mobile device (10) transmits identification information corresponding to the wearable device (30) to the authentication server (20), requests the authentication server (20) to transmit authentication information, receives the authentication information from the authentication server (20) in response to the transmission request, and transmits the received authentication information to the wearable device (30).