Motorcycle Keyless Access Sleep Timing Against Relay Attacks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Keyless comfort access systems for motorcycles are vulnerable to relay attacks, allowing unauthorized access and misuse due to insecure wireless communication between the control device and portable radio device.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where the portable radio device is put into a sleep mode after receiving blocking information and time interval data, preventing unauthorized communication and requiring reactivation through a distinct process to resume functionality, enhancing security without compromising user convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless communication is implemented between control device and portable radio device for keyless access, then user convenience is improved, but security against relay attacks deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidsecurity against relay attacks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic communication cycles where the portable radio device alternates between active communication mode and sleep mode. During each cycle, the device transmits authentication information for a limited time window, then enters sleep mode to prevent relay attacks. This periodic action maintains security while enabling convenient keyless access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device transmits a time window information to the portable radio device before authentication occurs. This preliminary action allows the radio device to pre-configure its communication timing and enter sleep mode outside this window, preventing relay attacks that attempt to intercept communications. The time window is set in advance to balance security requirements with user convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If portable radio device enters sleep mode to prevent unauthorized communication, then security is improved, but user convenience may deteriorate due to reactivation requirement

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback through visual indicators on both the control device and portable radio device. When the radio device enters sleep mode or when authentication is successful, visual feedback is provided to inform the user of the system state. This feedback mechanism reassures users that the security measures are working as intended while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive status indication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The portable radio device automatically manages its own sleep and wake cycles based on time window information received from the control device. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual user intervention to activate or deactivate the device, maintaining convenience while enforcing security protocols. The device autonomously reactivates during authorized time windows without requiring user action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3835144B1System with a motorcycle and a portable radio device
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 KTM AG
  • EP3835144B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3835144B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3835144B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system (1) is provided comprising a motorcycle (2) and a portable radio device (10), wherein the motorcycle (2) has a motorcycle frame (3) with a steering head bearing receptacle (4) and a drive unit (5) as well as a switch unit (5) and a control device (9), and the control device (9) is configured for wireless communication with the radio device (10) and for controlling operating modes of the motorcycle (2) depending on authentication information transmitted from the radio device (10) to the control device (9), and the control device (9) is configured for wireless transmission of a lockout information to the radio device (10) that puts the radio device (10) into a sleep mode, in which communication from the radio device (10) to the control device (9) is omitted.wherein the control device (9) is configured to wirelessly transmit first and/or second time interval information concerning the length of a first (T1) and/or second (T2) time interval to the radio device (10), after the expiry of which the radio device (10) enters sleep mode.