Motion-Sensing Battery Power Control for Relay Attack Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing keyless entry systems are vulnerable to relay attacks, which exploit wireless communications to unauthorizedly unlock vehicles, and current mitigation methods, such as using faraday cages, are inconvenient and interfere with legitimate operations.

Innovation Solution

A battery system that controls power output based on environmental conditions, such as state of motion or magnetic field strength, to automatically power down devices and prevent unauthorized signal interception, using a control portion with a switching, sensing, and processing means to manage power supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If challenge-response authentication is implemented in PKE systems, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but vulnerability to relay attacks persists

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidrelay attack vulnerability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting motion patterns and environmental conditions before authentication occurs. The battery monitors acceleration data and magnetic field strength in advance to determine device state, enabling proactive security decisions that prevent relay attacks before they can exploit the authentication process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The battery acts as an intermediary between the device and the authentication process. By controlling power supply based on environmental conditions and motion detection, the battery mediates security decisions, cutting power to prevent signal transmission when relay attacks are detected or suspected, thereby protecting the authentication process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If faraday cages are used to block radio transmissions, then relay attack protection is improved, but convenience and legitimate operation are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelay attack protectionVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of static blocking like faraday cages, the system dynamically controls power supply based on real-time environmental conditions and motion detection. The battery adjusts its power output dynamically, cutting power only when relay attacks are detected through anomalous motion patterns or environmental conditions, thereby maintaining convenience during legitimate use while providing protection when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides self-service security by automatically detecting potential relay attacks through motion sensors and environmental monitors, then autonomously cutting power without user intervention. This eliminates the need for users to manually store devices in faraday cages while maintaining protection, as the device self-manages its security state based on detected conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If devices remain powered on continuously, then operational readiness is improved, but battery power consumption and attack surface are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational readinessVSAvoidbattery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic monitoring of environmental conditions and motion patterns, with power cut-off actions triggered by detected anomalies. Rather than continuous operation, the battery periodically assesses conditions and selectively cuts power when relay attacks are suspected, maintaining operational readiness for legitimate use while reducing attack surface during vulnerable states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Object-affected harmful factors

If automatic power down based on motion detection is implemented, then relay attack protection is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelay attack protectionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery serves multiple functions: it provides power supply, detects motion through acceleration sensors, monitors environmental conditions, and controls power cut-off decisions. By making the battery a multi-functional component rather than adding separate security hardware, the system achieves relay attack protection without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The battery system effectively protects devices from relay attacks by automatically powering down when not in use, conserving battery power, and maintaining operational readiness when needed, without modifying the devices.

Implementation Method 1

The control portion may be configured to determine a state of motion of the battery based on acceleration data obtained for the battery.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

The switching means may comprise a solid state switch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4579866A1Systems and methods for secure power delivery
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 HUIN STEEVE
  • EP4579866A1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP4579866A1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP4579866A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a battery comprising: an electrical power supply portion configured to supply electrical power to a device connected to the battery; and a control portion configured to control a power output of the electrical power supply portion. The control portion is configured to control the power output of the electrical power supply portion based on a determined environmental condition of the battery.