RFID tag authentication with public-key cryptography
US9111283B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 14, 2014 |
| Grant date | Aug 18, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 14, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2209/805
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An authentication method includes RFID readers authenticating RFID tags using public-key cryptography. A tag manufacturer or other legitimate authority produces a tag private-public key pair and stores the tag private key in externally unreadable tag memory and the tag public key in externally readable tag memory. The authority produces a master private-public key pair and distributes the master public key to readers in the field. The authority generates a tag-specific electronic signature based on at least the tag public key and the master private key and stores this signature in externally readable tag memory. A reader authenticates the tag by retrieving the tag public key and electronic signature from the tag, verifying the authenticity of the tag public key using the master public key and the electronic signature, challenging the tag, receiving a response from the tag to the challenge, and verifying the response using the tag public key.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.