Vehicle Functionality Control via BLE Announcement Frame Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for controlling vehicle functionalities via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocols are hindered by slow connection establishment times, especially when multiple connection frames are exchanged, and the communication module becomes unavailable during this process, limiting simultaneous interactions with other devices like physical keys.

Innovation Solution

A method where authentication data is transmitted within an announcement frame during the connection establishment process, allowing vehicle functionality control before the connection is fully established, using a user terminal with a second communication module to request and verify authentication data with the vehicle's electronic control unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If connection establishment frames are exchanged between communication modules to establish a connection, then reliable communication is achieved, but connection establishment time increases and the communication module becomes unavailable during this period

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidconnection establishment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by including authentication data in the announcement frame before the connection is fully established. The electronic control unit verifies authentication data and commands functionality execution during the connection establishment process itself, rather than waiting for connection completion. This allows the vehicle function to be controlled while the connection is still being established, reducing the effective time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple connection establishment frames are exchanged, then secure connection is established, but the communication module is unavailable for simultaneous interactions with other devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidsimultaneous interaction capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary authentication and functionality command execution during the connection establishment process. By verifying authentication data and executing functionality commands before the connection is fully established, the system maintains connection security while enabling simultaneous interactions with multiple devices, as the communication module can process authentication and commands without waiting for connection completion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If authentication data is transmitted after connection establishment, then authentication security is maintained, but functionality control time is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidfunctionality control time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by transmitting and verifying authentication data within the announcement frame during connection establishment, before the connection is fully formed. The electronic control unit receives the announcement frame containing authentication data, verifies it, and commands the functionality execution during this preliminary phase. This eliminates the sequential delay of first establishing connection and then performing authentication, thereby reducing functionality control time while maintaining authentication security through proper verification protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3314596B1Method for controlling a functionality of a vehicle by means of a user terminal
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 VALEO COMFORT & DRIVING ASSISTANCE
  • EP3314596B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3314596B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3314596B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling a functionality of a vehicle (10) fitted with a first communication module (16), by means of a user terminal (20) fitted with a second communication module (26), said method comprising the following steps: determination of authentication data by a processor (22) of the user terminal (20); emission by the second communication module (26), in at least one announcement frame, of a request for control of the functionality and the authentication data; reception of the announcement frame by the first communication module (16) and verification of the authentication data by an electronic control unit (11) of the vehicle (10); and control of the functionality by the electronic control unit (11) in the event of positive verification.