Authentication method and related devices

A device comprising:

• a processor configured to negotiate with a second device including a second processor for use of one authentication mode of a plurality of authentication modes, each authentication mode corresponding to a respective degree of privacy of the device, wherein each respective degree of privacy corresponds to a particular degree of protection of the identity of second device during authentication;
• and
• wherein in response to a successful negotiation for the one authentication mode, the second device is authenticated by the processor according to the one authentication mode;
• wherein in response to an unsuccessful negotiation for the one authentication mode, the second device is authenticated by the processor according to another authentication mode of the plurality of authentication modes, wherein the another authentication mode provides a different degree of privacy for the second device;
• and
• wherein the plurality of authentication modes comprise at least an opposable authentication mode and a non-opposable authentication mode, which implements a zero knowledge type authentication mechanism.

A system comprising:

• a first device;
• and
• a second device configured to communicate wirelessly with the first device:
• wherein the first device is configured to negotiate with the second device for use of one authentication mode of a plurality of authentication modes, each authentication mode corresponding to a respective degree of privacy of the first device, wherein each respective degree of privacy corresponds to a particular degree of protection of the identity of the first device during authentication;
• wherein in response to a successful negotiation for the one authentication mode, the second device is configured to authenticate the first device using the one authentication;
• wherein in response to an unsuccessful negotiation for the one authentication mode, the second device is configured to authenticate the first device using another authentication mode of the plurality of authentication modes, wherein the another authentication mode provides a different degree of privacy;
• and
• wherein the plurality of authentication modes comprise at least an opposable authentication mode and a non-opposable authentication mode, which implements a zero knowledge type authentication mechanism.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by a processor of a first device, cause the processor to:

• negotiate with a second device including a second processor for use of one authentication mode of a plurality of authentication modes, each authentication mode corresponding to a respective degree of privacy of the second device, wherein each respective degree of privacy corresponds to a particular degree of protection of the identity of the second device during authentication;
• wherein in response to a successful negotiation for the one authentication mode, the processor is configured to authenticate the second device according to the one authentication mode;
• wherein in response to an unsuccessful negotiation for the one authentication mode, the processor is configured to is authenticate the second device according to another authentication mode of the plurality of authentication modes, wherein the another authentication mode provides a different degree of privacy for the second device;
• and
• wherein the plurality of authentication modes comprise at least an opposable authentication mode and a non-opposable authentication mode, which implements a zero knowledge type authentication mechanism.

A device comprising:

• a processor configured to negotiate with a second device including a second processor for use of one authentication mode of a plurality of authentication modes, each authentication mode corresponding to a respective degree of privacy of the device, wherein each respective degree of privacy corresponds to a particular degree of protection of the identity of the first device during authentication;
• wherein in response to a successful negotiation for the one authentication mode, the device is authenticated by the second processor according to the one authentication mode;
• and
• wherein in response to an unsuccessful negotiation for the one authentication mode, the device is authenticated by the second processor according to another authentication mode of the plurality of authentication modes, wherein the another authentication mode provides a different degree of privacy for the device;
• and
• wherein the plurality of authentication modes comprise at least an opposable authentication mode and a non-opposable authentication mode, which implements a zero knowledge type authentication mechanism.