Vehicle Controller Interface Security Across Production and Field Phases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices face challenges in implementing tiered security concepts tailored to different phases of use, particularly during production, field operation, and feedback phases, which increases the risk of manipulation and requires secure yet efficient software execution and transmission.
Innovation Solution
A method for a device with a tiered security concept that adapts the execution and transmission of computer programs based on state variables, allowing execution without authentication in the production phase, requiring authentication in the field phase, and enabling secure reactivation in the feedback phase through a hardware security module and volatile memory usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If authentication is required for computer program transmission in all phases, then security against manipulation is improved, but ease of operation during production phase deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic security mechanism where the authentication requirement for computer program transmission changes based on the device's usage phase. During the production phase, authentication is not required to enable quick testing and verification. During the field phase, authentication is required to prevent unauthorized manipulation. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the security mechanism flexible rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the security parameter (authentication requirement) based on the usage phase of the device. The control unit determines whether authentication is required by evaluating the current usage phase, thereby changing the security parameter dynamically. This allows the system to optimize between security and ease of operation depending on the operational context.
2Ease of operation
If interface is activated for testing purposes, then ease of operation during production phase is improved, but security against manipulation in field phase deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the interface activation status dynamic based on the usage phase. During the production phase, the interface is activated to allow easy connection for testing and programming. During the field phase, the interface is deactivated to prevent unauthorized access and manipulation. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the operational phases into distinct usage phases (production phase and field phase), each with different security requirements. By segmenting the operational context, the system can apply appropriate security measures for each phase, allowing interface activation during production while deactivating it during field operation.
3Duration of action of moving object
If computer program is stored permanently in device memory, then availability for execution is improved, but memory capacity for other functions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by loading the computer program into volatile memory (RAM) temporarily before execution. The program is not permanently stored but is made available for execution through temporary loading. This resolves the contradiction by providing availability during the execution phase without permanently consuming memory capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses volatile memory (RAM) as a temporary, disposable storage medium for the computer program. The program is loaded into RAM for execution and then discarded, rather than being permanently stored. This approach provides execution availability without permanently occupying memory capacity, as the memory can be reused for other purposes after the program is executed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for operating an apparatus (100), namely a controller of a motor vehicle, wherein the apparatus (100) has at least one interface (120) for data exchange with an external unit (200) and comprises at least one first memory device (130) for the nonvolatile storage of a state variable (ZV), wherein the method (300) comprises the following steps: evaluating (310) the state variable (ZV) and, depending on the evaluating (310), enabling (320) or not enabling (330) execution and/or transfer of at least one computer program (PRG1) for controlling execution (360) of test software, in particular end-of-line (EoL) software, from the external unit (200) via the interface (120), wherein a value of the state variable (ZV) is assigned to a use phase of the apparatus (100), and wherein the method (300) comprises the following further step: changing (380) the value of the state variable (ZV) depending on a use phase of the apparatus (100) and/or a transition from one use phase of the apparatus (100) to another use phase of the apparatus (100), wherein the value of the state variable (ZV) is changed in particular incrementally and/or in particular irreversibly.