Central Unit Time Base for Vehicle Functionality Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle systems lack a reliable method to enforce time-limited functionality usage, allowing users to potentially extend trial periods by adjusting the clock time, which undermines the integrity of time-based offers and billing structures.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where a central unit, connected to the vehicle via a wireless communication interface, uses a trustworthy time base to transmit encrypted messages for activating or deactivating vehicle functionalities based on predefined time conditions, ensuring secure and reliable time-limited functionality usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the vehicle uses an adjustable clock time for time-limited functionality, then the user can freely adjust the time, but the reliability of time-based functionality control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUser ability to adjust clock timeVSAvoidTrustworthiness of time base for functionality control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a central unit as an intermediary between the user and the vehicle's time-based functionality control. This central unit maintains a trustworthy time base and communicates time information to the vehicle, thereby mediating the time control function and preventing direct manipulation of the time base by the user while still allowing time-based functionality to operate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the time base function from the vehicle's local clock system and relocates it to a central unit. By separating the time-keeping function from the vehicle system, the patent ensures that the time base cannot be manipulated by the user, while the vehicle retains the ability to use time-based control for functionalities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the vehicle allows user adjustment of clock time, then operational flexibility is improved, but security against arbitrary time extension deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveFlexibility in time adjustmentVSAvoidSecurity of time-limited functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The central unit acts as a secure intermediary that provides time information to the vehicle without allowing direct user access to modify the time base. This intermediary structure maintains security against arbitrary time extension while still providing the necessary time-based control for functionalities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the vehicle requests time information from the central unit, which then provides authenticated time data. This feedback loop ensures that the vehicle receives reliable time information without allowing local manipulation, thereby maintaining security while enabling time-based functionality control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8886367B2Communication between a vehicle and a central unit

Publication Date: 2014.11.11 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG

AI summary

A method is provided for communicating between a vehicle and a central unit, wherein, based on a time base, the central unit transmits a message to the vehicle. Based on the message, a functionality is activated or deactivated in the vehicle. A corresponding central unit as well as a corresponding vehicle for carrying out the method are disclosed.