Fault-Spoofing Engine Shutdown Device for Safe Vehicle Immobilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle immobilization methods fail to ensure safe and credible immobilization, potentially causing accidents or damage, and do not effectively protect the authorized driver from unauthorized use, especially in situations like carjacking, as they often result in sudden engine shutdown or loss of control, which can lead to harm or retribution.
Innovation Solution
A fault-spoofing engine shutdown device and system that mimics a genuine fault condition to the vehicle's electronic control module, allowing for gradual engine derate and immobilization, while maintaining control and safety, and credibly attributing the shutdown to a vehicle fault, using a processor, memory, and sensors to manage engine shutdown and other vehicle systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stolen vehicle is made to come to a sudden stop, then the vehicle immobilization is effective, but the driver, passengers, or innocent passers-by could be injured
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides a delay period between detecting unauthorized use and executing engine shutdown, allowing the authorized driver time to safely exit the vehicle before immobilization occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the immobilization timing based on whether the authorized driver is present, transitioning from immediate shutdown to delayed shutdown to balance security effectiveness with safety
2Reliability
If the vehicle is immobilized immediately, then unauthorized use is prevented, but the authorized driver cannot plausibly deny involvement or return the vehicle to normal control
Solution Approach 1:
The system spoofs fault conditions by mimicking genuine sensor readings (such as fake engine overheating signals) to create a credible false narrative that the immobilization was caused by a mechanical fault rather than deliberate action
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides a delay period that allows the authorized driver to safely exit the vehicle before immobilization occurs, enabling the driver to plausibly deny involvement or return the vehicle to normal control
3Reliability
If the vehicle is immobilized while the authorized driver is present, then unauthorized use is stopped, but the driver may attempt retribution or coercion
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a delay mechanism that executes engine shutdown only after the authorized driver has had time to exit the vehicle safely, thereby preventing the driver from being present to attempt retribution or coercion
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors various conditions (such as driver presence detection) and uses this feedback to determine whether to implement immediate or delayed immobilization, adjusting the timing based on the operational context
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with one embodiment, an onboard computer (OBC) and associated circuitry capable of spoofing or mimicking a fault condition tricks an electronic control module (ECM) of an automobile or other such vehicle into implementing an engine derate procedure resulting in vehicle immobilization that is safe and that is credibly attributable to a genuine vehicle fault condition. For example, in response to an engine shutdown command, the OBC might cause a fault-spoofing engine shutdown device in one embodiment to spoof an engine overheating condition by inserting an electrical resistance in parallel with the resistance of an engine temperature sensor, thus lowering the electrical resistance of the temperature sensor as detected by the ECM.