Vehicle Wireless Sensor Pairing via Passkey and Private Address
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless vehicle sensor systems, such as TPMS, face challenges in secure pairing with central devices due to the lack of a physical interface, leading to difficulties in identifying the correct sensor amidst multiple devices in environments like tire shops or production lines, and inefficient user interface for pairing processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a pairing tool for an out-of-band exchange of a shared passkey between the wireless sensor and the vehicle control system, allowing for secure pairing without a physical interface, using a pre-shared passkey for verification and identity resolution, and periodic regeneration of a resolvable private address for enhanced security and privacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is used for bidirectional communication with wireless vehicle sensors, then communication capability is improved, but device identification and pairing become difficult due to multiple devices transmitting simultaneously causing significant cross talk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pairing tool as an intermediary device that mediates the pairing process between the wireless sensor and the vehicle control system. The pairing tool establishes a temporary communication channel to exchange pairing information (such as passkeys or identifiers) without interference from other BLE devices, thereby resolving the cross-talk issue while enabling bidirectional communication.
2Ease of operation
If automatic sensor learning is implemented during drive cycles, then user interface complexity is reduced, but pairing time increases significantly and vehicle awareness of sensors is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary pairing action by performing the sensor pairing process before the vehicle is delivered to the customer (e.g., at the dealership or manufacturing plant). The pairing tool is used to pre-establish communication between the sensor and the vehicle control system, so that when the customer receives the vehicle, the sensors are already recognized and no additional pairing time is required during the customer's ownership.
3Reliability
If a physical interface or display is added to the wireless sensor for passkey verification, then pairing security is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the pairing tool as an intermediary to handle the passkey verification process. Instead of adding a display or physical interface to the wireless sensor, the pairing tool (which the user already possesses) displays the passkey or verification information. The sensor communicates the passkey to the pairing tool through wireless communication, and the user verifies it on their own device, thereby maintaining security without increasing sensor complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
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AI summary
Methods, system, apparatuses, and computer program products for securely pairing a vehicle-mounted wireless sensor with a central device are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, securely pairing a vehicle-mounted wireless sensor with a central device in accordance with the present disclosure includes a vehicle sensor device pairing with a vehicle control system (VCS) using a pre-shared passkey. The pre-shared passkey is shared between the vehicle sensor device and the VCS via an out-of-band exchange. This embodiment also includes the vehicle sensor device transmitting an identifier for a resolvable private address (RPA) to the VCS. In addition, the vehicle sensor device communicates with the VCS using the RPA. In this example embodiment, the RPA is periodically regenerated by the vehicle sensor device.