Wireless Signal Confidence for Re-Authentication Decisions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining whether an electronic device needs re-authentication are inefficient, resource-intensive, and prone to unauthorized access of personal information due to strict requirements and limited applicability, particularly when GPS chips or network connections are absent.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device scans and stores wireless signals, calculates occurrence probabilities over multiple scans, and determines a confidence level to decide if re-authentication is needed based on preset thresholds, thereby improving accuracy and reducing unnecessary procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If GPS chip or IP address method is used to determine re-authentication need, then location-based security can be achieved, but device complexity increases and applicability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces GPS chips and network connection methods with wireless signal scanning (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, Zigbee) to detect surrounding devices. This substitution eliminates the need for additional hardware components while achieving the same security verification purpose through software-based wireless communication analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the electronic device's existing wireless communication capabilities to perform multiple functions: normal communication and security verification. By scanning for surrounding wireless signals and analyzing device information, the system achieves location-based security without requiring dedicated GPS or network infrastructure, making the solution applicable to diverse device types.

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

2Reliability

If re-authentication is performed frequently, then security is improved, but user experience deteriorates and resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity reliabilityVSAvoiduser experience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary scanning of wireless signals and stores device information in advance. By comparing current scan results with historical data, the system determines whether re-authentication is necessary before it is triggered, allowing security verification to occur only when actual environmental changes are detected, thus avoiding unnecessary authentication interruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the electronic device continuously scans wireless signals, compares them with stored historical data, and adjusts authentication behavior based on environmental stability. When surrounding devices remain consistent, the system maintains normal operation; when changes are detected, re-authentication is triggered, creating a dynamic security response that adapts to actual conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If strict location verification is implemented, then unauthorized access is prevented, but applicability to devices without GPS or network connection is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity reliabilityVSAvoidscenario adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hardware-dependent methods (GPS chips, network connections) with wireless signal scanning that utilizes the device's existing wireless communication modules. This substitution enables location and environment verification on devices without dedicated GPS or network infrastructure, including smart home devices, wearables, and IoT devices that have wireless capabilities but lack traditional location services.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4294066B1Method for determining whether electronic device requires re-authentication, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4294066B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4294066B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4294066B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides a method for determining whether an electronic device needs to be re-authenticated and an electronic device. The method includes: scanning and storing a wireless signal generated by a device in a surrounding environment; determining, based on a wireless signal obtained during first n times of scanning, an occurrence probability of each wireless signal during the first n times of scanning, where n is an integer greater than 1; determining, based on a wireless signal obtained during an (n+1)th time of scanning and the occurrence probability of each wireless signal during the first n times of scanning, a confidence level of the wireless signal obtained during the (n+1)th time of scanning; and determining, based on the confidence level of the wireless signal obtained during the (n+1)th time of scanning, whether the electronic device needs to be re-authenticated. According to the method provided in this application, a change of a surrounding wireless signal can be dynamically learned, and whether a surrounding environment is trusted is determined based on the change of the wireless signal around the electronic device, thereby improving accuracy of determining whether the electronic device needs to be re-authenticated, avoiding an unnecessary re-authentication procedure, saving resources, and improving user experience.