Battery Voltage Fingerprinting for Vehicle Anti-Theft Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle theft prevention systems rely solely on keys or key-fobs, making them vulnerable to theft and cyber attacks, as they can be cloned or compromised through RF-based authentication methods, leading to a significant number of auto thefts.
Innovation Solution
A battery authentication system that uses vehicle batteries to authenticate drivers by encoding customized sequences of e-system operations into unique voltage fingerprints, preventing engine cranking unless the correct authentication is matched, thus providing an additional layer of anti-theft protection independent of wireless communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If key-based authentication systems (metal key, RF-integrated key, smart key-fob) are used for vehicle theft prevention, then vehicle security is improved, but the systems become vulnerable to cloning, hot-wiring, and cyber attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a battery authentication system as an intermediary layer between the driver and the vehicle's ignition system. Instead of relying solely on key-based authentication, the system uses the vehicle's battery as a mediator to verify driver identity through unique voltage fingerprints generated during e-system operations. This intermediary authentication mechanism prevents thieves from gaining access even if they possess cloned keys or have compromised RF authentication, as the battery authentication layer remains independent and secure.
2Reliability
If battery authentication system is implemented to prevent vehicle theft, then security against key cloning and cyber attacks is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery authentication system leverages the vehicle's existing battery and e-systems to perform authentication functions without requiring separate dedicated hardware components. The battery naturally generates unique voltage fingerprints during normal e-system operations, and these fingerprints are captured and used for authentication. This self-service approach allows the battery to serve dual purposes: providing power to the vehicle and simultaneously authenticating the driver's identity, thereby minimizing additional system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If battery voltage is monitored continuously for authentication, then authentication accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery authentication system performs voltage monitoring and fingerprint capture periodically during specific e-system operations rather than continuously. The system triggers authentication checks at predetermined moments when e-systems are activated, capturing voltage fingerprints only during these periodic events. This periodic action maintains high authentication accuracy by sampling voltage during actual operational phases while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The battery authentication system effectively prevents vehicle theft by ensuring that only authorized drivers can start the engine, even if thieves possess the key or key-fob, and remains secure against cyber attacks and physical tampering, with high precision and recall rates in authenticating operations.
Implementation Method 1
measuring voltage of the battery during a sequence of vehicle events to form a time series
Implementation Method 2
outputting electric power from the battery to an electric starter motor of the vehicle
Implementation Method 3
electric power output from the battery to the electric starter motor is restricted
Data Source
AI summary
A method is presented for controlling power output by a battery in a vehicle. The method includes: measuring voltage of the battery during a sequence of vehicle events to form a time series, where each vehicle event is powered by the battery; constructing an unknown fingerprint from the voltage measurements made during the sequence of vehicle events, where the unknown fingerprint is indicative of a sequence of vehicle events; comparing the unknown fingerprint to the at least one fingerprint; receiving a start signal, where the start signal is a request to start the engine of the vehicle; and, in response to receiving the start signal and based on the comparison of the unknown fingerprint to the at least one fingerprint, outputting electric power from the battery to an electric starter motor of the vehicle.