Pseudo-VIN Generation Using CRC on Vehicle PID Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicles, especially older models and those using earlier CAN-based systems, do not support accessing Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) through the OBD II port, posing challenges for differentiation and authentication, which is crucial for preventing fraud and facilitating activities like emissions certification and maintenance history retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing GPS capabilities and two-way in-vehicle data communications to generate and utilize pseudo-VINs by processing PID information through a 16-bit CRC algorithm, creating a unique identifier for vehicles that do not provide a standard VIN, ensuring proper vehicle association and preventing unauthorized device swapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard VIN access through OBD II port is used, then vehicle identification is straightforward for modern vehicles, but older vehicles and some CAN-based vehicles cannot provide VIN data, creating a gap in vehicle identification capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using PID data as a mediator to generate a pseudo-VIN. Instead of directly accessing the VIN from the vehicle's ECU (which fails on older vehicles), the system uses intermediate PID parameters (mode and PID byte values) that are available on all vehicles, processes them through a CRC algorithm, and generates a pseudo-VIN that serves as a reliable vehicle identifier across all vehicle types regardless of their VIN accessibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pseudo-VIN generation using CRC algorithm is implemented, then vehicle identification works on all vehicle types, but the system complexity increases due to additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by having the TCU utilize its existing OBD II communication capabilities and processing resources to generate the pseudo-VIN locally. The system leverages the TCU's existing ability to read PID data and its processor to execute the CRC algorithm, eliminating the need for external specialized equipment or complex additional hardware. The TCU serves itself by generating the identifier using its own built-in capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If PID data collection and CRC processing is performed, then unique vehicle identification is achieved for vehicles without standard VIN access, but the time required for identification increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by collecting and storing the necessary PID data (mode and PID byte values) during the normal TCU boot-up sequence before the pseudo-VIN generation is explicitly triggered. The CRC processing is performed in advance using this pre-collected data, so when vehicle identification is needed, the system can quickly process the pre-gathered information without requiring time-consuming real-time data collection, thus reducing the apparent identification time while maintaining uniqueness.
Data Source
AI summary
Upon initial boot-up, a telematics device receives a PID map in response to a PID map request. The TCU may send multiple PID map requests for different mode and PID combinations over a vehicles communication bus, and then may append each received PID map to the already-received PID maps. The multiple PID maps appended to one another form a composite bit value, or composite PID map. The composite PID map is processed according to a hash algorithm, resulting in a pseudo-VIN. Upon subsequent boot-ups of the TCU, the TCU sends the multiple PID map requests over the vehicle's bus and generates a pseudo VIN following the same steps as it did at initial boot-up. The TCU compares the currently generated pseudo-VIN to the initial pseudo VIN; if it determines a mismatch, it sends a notification to an interested third party that indicates improper usage of the TCU.