Authentication of devices in a wireless network
View Patent ↗Various aspects are discussed, for example, a method is described for authentication of devices in a wireless network involving NFC (Near Field Communication), wherein a device periodically switches its mode from a read mode, in which it is able to receive authentication data from one or more other devices, to a write mode, in which it sends out authentication data to the one or more other devices, according to a random time slot scheme. The device authenticates itself after having received authentication data from another device during the read mode, and the device switches permanently its mode to the write mode after being authenticated.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a chip configured to communicate using near field communication (NFC), and to implement bi-directional authentication comprising:
a read mode in which the chip is configured to:
receive an authentication identification;
compare the received authentication identification to stored authentication identification on the chip; and
authenticate the apparatus based upon the comparison of the received authentication identification to the stored authentication identification; and
a write mode in which the chip is configured to:
access the stored authentication identification; and
transmit the authentication identification to a second chip operating in the read mode, wherein the chip is further configured to enter the read mode after being powered on, to remain in the read mode, and to attempt the bi-directional authentication until the apparatus is authenticated or until a time out occurs.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the chip is further configured to alternate between the read mode and the write mode at random intervals.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the chip is further configured to initiate an authentication protocol after power-on of the apparatus, to remain in the read mode, and to attempt the bi-directional authentication until the apparatus is authenticated or until the time out occurs.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the chip is further configured to enter the read mode after a pre-specified application has started, to exchange information, with the second chip, to arbitrate for establishing a connection between the chip and the second chip prior to implementation of the bi-directional authentication.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the chip is further configured to perform a second authentication, when the chip is shut down, in which a shutdown operation is authenticated.
6. A method for implementing a bi-directional authentication process by a chip, the method comprising:
receiving, in a read mode, an authentication identification;
comparing, in the read mode, the received authentication identification to stored authentication identification on the chip;
authenticating, in the read mode, an apparatus based upon the comparing;
accessing, in a write mode, the stored authentication identification;
transmitting, in the write mode, the stored authentication identification to a second chip operating in the read mode;
entering the read mode after the chip is powered on; and
remaining in the read mode and attempting the bi-directional authentication process until the apparatus is authenticated or until a time out occurs.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising alternating between the read mode and the write mode at random intervals.
8. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
initiating an authentication protocol after power-on of the apparatus,
attempting the bi-directional authentication process until the apparatus is authenticated or until the time out occurs.
9. The method of claim 6 , further comprising
entering the read mode after a pre-specified application has started; and
exchanging information, with the second chip, to arbitrate for establishing a connection between the chip and the second chip prior to implementation of the bi-directional authentication process.
10. The method of claim 6 , further comprising entering a second authentication process, when the chip is shut down, in which a shutdown operation is authenticated.