Systems, apparatuses, and methods for secure beacon authentication via mobile devices

• US 9,848,327 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2015
• Issued: 12/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InMarket Media, LLC
• Original Assignee: InMarket Media, LLC
• Inventors: Dipaola, Todd J.
• Primary Examiner(s): BECHTEL, KEVIN M
• Application Number:
  US14/983,292
• Publication Number:
  US 20160135050A1
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/018 Certifying business or products
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3827 Portable transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/107 wherein the security policies are location-dependent, e.g. entities privileges depend on current location or allowing specific operations only from locally connected terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/065 Continuous authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 locating network equipment

Abstract

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for secure beacon authentication via mobile devices are disclosed. In some example embodiments, a verification element comprises: a memory storing a plurality of non-repeated verification codes; a wireless broadcast element; and a processing circuit electronically coupled to the memory and the wireless broadcast element, the processing circuit being configured to retrieve one of the non-repeated verification codes from the memory and to transfer the non-repeated verification code to the wireless broadcast element, the wireless broadcast element being configured to wirelessly broadcast the non-repeated verification code to a plurality of mobile devices for individual verification of the plurality of mobile devices, the non-repeated verification code being different than any other non-repeated verification code previously retrieved from the memory and used for individual verification of the plurality of mobile devices.

Claims

1. A verification system comprising:

a memory storing an identifier and an encryption key;

a wireless broadcast element;

a timing device configured to generate a time value;

a processing circuit electronically coupled to the memory, the timing device, and the wireless broadcast element, the processing circuit configured to periodically generate a verification code from a transformation of the identifier, the encryption key, and the time value generated by the timing device, wherein the wireless broadcast element is configured to broadcast the verification code, a plurality of mobile devices receiving the broadcast verification code and sending the verification code to a server; and

the server, wherein the server is configured to incorporate a time offset between a time value of a server clock and the time value of the timing device to synchronize the server with the wireless broadcast element, wherein the server is configured to compare a received verification code to expected server-generated verification codes corresponding to time values within a designated time window, wherein the server is configured to authenticate one or more of the plurality of mobile devices based on whether the received verification code matches one or more expected server-generated verification codes corresponding to time values within the designated time window.

2. The verification system of claim 1 wherein a time period between wireless broadcasts is configurable.

3. The verification system of claim 1 wherein a strength of the wireless broadcast is configurable.

4. The verification system of claim 1 wherein the memory is configured to not receive or alter values stored in the memory after deployment.

5. The verification system of claim 1 wherein the broadcast verification code corresponds to a location of the wireless broadcast element.

6. The verification system of claim 1 configured to with an adjustable output strength element to dynamically adjust a signal strength of the wireless broadcast element, wherein the adjustable output strength element is dynamically adjusted via the processing circuit to cause the signal strength of the wireless broadcast element to correspond with a signal transmission range configured to fit a venue in which the verification system is positioned.

7. A method comprising:

periodically generating, by a processing circuit, a verification code from a transformation of an identifier, an encryption key, and a time value generated by a timing device;

broadcasting, by a wireless broadcast element, the verification code;

receiving, by a plurality of mobile devices, the broadcast verification code and sending the verification code to a server;

incorporating, by the server, a time offset between a time value of a server clock and the time value of the timing device to synchronize the server with the wireless broadcast element;

comparing, by the server, a received verification code to expected server-generated verification codes corresponding to time values within a designated time window; and

authenticating, by the server, one or more of the plurality of mobile devices based on whether the received verification code matches one or more expected server-generated verification codes corresponding to time values within the designated time window.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein a time period between wireless broadcasts is configurable.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein a strength of the wireless broadcast is configurable.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein a memory is configured to not receive or alter values stored in the memory after deployment.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the broadcast verification code corresponds to a location of the wireless broadcast element.

12. The method of claim 7 including dynamically adjusting a signal strength of the wireless broadcast element to cause the signal strength of the wireless broadcast element to correspond with a signal transmission range configured to fit a venue in which the verification system is positioned.