Remote Diagnostic Tool Detection via Signal Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle diagnostic systems face challenges in detecting unauthorized remote use of diagnostic scan tools, which can circumvent licensing agreements and lead to misuse, as existing systems lack effective methods to differentiate between local and remote operations.

Innovation Solution

A method that tracks the duration and frequency of data signal exchanges between a diagnostic scan tool and a vehicle's electronic system, comparing these to predetermined thresholds to detect if the tool is being used remotely, and utilizes a monitor application to alert OEMs or authorized suppliers of potential unauthorized use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If remote diagnostic systems are used to access diagnostic software applications, then repair facilities can service multiple vehicle makes and models, but unauthorized remote use may circumvent licensing agreements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to service multiple vehicle makes and modelsVSAvoidlicensing agreement compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous monitoring of diagnostic operations with feedback mechanisms that track the identity of diagnostic tools, vehicle information, and operation outcomes. This feedback loop enables real-time detection of unauthorized remote access attempts and ensures licensing compliance while maintaining versatile diagnostic capabilities across multiple vehicle makes and models.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary monitoring layer between the diagnostic tool and the vehicle electronic system. This intermediary component verifies authorization credentials, validates licensing agreements, and controls access to diagnostic software applications, thereby preventing unauthorized remote use while allowing legitimate multi-vehicle servicing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If diagnostic scan tools are used remotely from the vehicle, then access to diagnostic software applications is enabled, but the time for data signal exchange exceeds expected thresholds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote access capabilityVSAvoiddata signal exchange duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing monitoring and timing mechanisms before diagnostic operations begin. Expected time thresholds for data signal exchange are predetermined and stored, allowing the system to proactively detect when remote operations exceed normal durations and potentially indicate unauthorized use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces physical proximity requirements with electronic monitoring and timing mechanisms. Instead of relying on the diagnostic tool being physically present at the vehicle, the system uses digital tracking of data signal exchange times and patterns to verify authorized remote operations, substituting mechanical presence with informational verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If monitoring systems track diagnostic tool operations, then unauthorized remote use can be detected, but the complexity of the diagnostic system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of unauthorized useVSAvoidmonitoring system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple tasks simultaneously: tracking diagnostic tool identity, monitoring data signal exchange timing, recording operation outcomes, and detecting unauthorized use patterns. This universal approach consolidates multiple monitoring functions into a unified system, reducing overall complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11348382B1System and method for detecting remote vehicle diagnosis

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 OPUS IVS INC

AI summary

A system and method of detecting remote use of a diagnostic scan tool computer device for scanning, diagnosing and/or programing a vehicle at a repair facility. A time duration for exchange of data signals between the diagnostic scan tool and an electronic system of a vehicle is tracked via a monitor application on a computer device. The tracked time is compared to a predetermined expected time threshold for the operation of exchanging data signals between the diagnostic scan tool and the electronic system of the vehicle, and an alert is provided if the tracked time exceeds the predetermined expected time threshold for the operation indicating that the diagnostic scan tool is being operated remotely from the vehicle. An electronic identifier of the diagnostic scan tool may be detected such that the number of times the diagnostic scan tool is used may be tracked and compared to an expected threshold.