Distributed Ledger Vehicle Programming Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle computers are vulnerable to unauthorized access and software tampering, which can lead to unauthorized alteration of programming instructions and operations, compromising vehicle safety and security.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a distributed electronic ledger, such as a blockchain network, to securely store and manage non-fungible tokens (NFTs) associated with programming instructions, ensuring that only authorized vehicle computers can access and execute specific vehicle operations by verifying the vehicle identifier and NFTs, thereby preventing unauthorized access and tampering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a distributed electronic ledger is used to store programming instructions, then security against unauthorized access and tampering is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a distributed electronic ledger (blockchain) as an intermediary between vehicle computers and programming instructions. The ledger stores programming instructions in a decentralized, immutable manner, allowing vehicle computers to verify authenticity without relying on a single centralized authority. This mediator structure enhances security by preventing unauthorized tampering while distributing trust across multiple nodes in the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the centralized storage of programming instructions into distributed storage across multiple nodes in the electronic ledger network. Each node maintains a copy of the ledger, and programming instructions are divided into blocks that are cryptographically linked. This segmentation prevents single-point failures and unauthorized access, as compromising one node does not affect the overall system integrity.
2Device complexity
If programming instructions are stored in a centralized location, then device complexity is reduced, but vulnerability to unauthorized access and tampering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing programming instructions in the distributed electronic ledger before they are needed by vehicle computers. The ledger is populated with authenticated programming instructions and their corresponding cryptographic hashes in advance. When a vehicle computer needs instructions, it retrieves them from the pre-established distributed network rather than querying a centralized server, reducing real-time complexity while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements copying by distributing identical copies of the programming instructions across multiple nodes in the electronic ledger network. Each node maintains a replicated copy of the ledger data, ensuring that vehicle computers can retrieve authenticated instructions from any node. This copying mechanism eliminates single-point vulnerabilities while maintaining data consistency through cryptographic verification.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle identifier and a nonfungible token (NFT) associated with the vehicle identifier are stored on an electronic ledger. The electronic ledger is a distributed electronic ledger shared between at least a computer and a remote computer. Upon transitioning a vehicle to an on state, the electronic ledger is queried to identify programming instructions associated with the NFT. Upon retrieving the identified programming instructions from the electronic ledger, the vehicle is actuated based on the retrieved programming instructions.