Tachograph Chip Card Authentication for Secure Multi-Function Use

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tachographs lack versatility and flexibility in their secure data storage and authentication processes, limiting their application beyond their specified operation, and require additional components for user-defined applications, which increases costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A digital tachograph with a chip card reading unit that allows user-defined identification information to be securely stored and used for authentication and data storage, enabling secure and cost-effective use of the tachograph's hardware and software for various applications, including secure data transmission and access control, independent of the specified identification information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the tachograph uses specified identification information for its designated operation, then security and reliability are improved, but adaptability and versatility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The chip card reading unit is designed to accept both specified identification information (for designated operation) and user-defined identification information (for other applications). The authentication mechanism is universal, allowing the same hardware to verify different types of identification information securely, thus achieving multi-functionality without compromising security.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional components are added to enable user-defined applications, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveversatilityVSAvoidcomplexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The existing chip card reading unit and authentication mechanism are designed to handle both specified and user-defined identification information, eliminating the need for separate components for user-defined applications. This universal design achieves versatility while maintaining low complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the handling of specified identification information and user-defined identification information into a single authentication mechanism. Both types of identification information are processed through the same chip card reading unit and authentication logic, combining multiple functions into one integrated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the tachograph is designed for specified operation only, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation for multiple applications deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication mechanism is designed to universally accept both specified identification information and user-defined identification information. Users can easily insert their chip cards and be authenticated for different applications without needing to understand or configure complex security settings, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring security.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2115703B1Tachograph
Publication Date: 2018.12.26 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
  • EP2115703B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2115703B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2115703B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tachograph (TCO) comprises at least one chip card reading unit (CKLE). At least one chip card (CK) with secure memory (MEM_CK) and secured data transmission can be fed to the at least one chip card reading unit (CKLE). On the at least one chip card (CK), at least one user-defined piece of identification information is securely stored which is independent of a specified piece of identification information for a specified operation of the tachograph (TCO). The tachograph (TCO) is constructed so as to authenticate the at least one chip card (CK) in accordance with the at least one piece of user-defined identification information, and to read data securely from the at least one chip card (CK) and/or to store data securely on the at least one chip card (CK).