Tire Monitoring Network Setup Using Untrusted Device Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire pressure monitoring systems face challenges in securely configuring networks of tire monitoring devices, particularly when using untrusted devices, which can compromise the integrity of the communication between devices.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced that involves an untrusted device transmitting configuration data to tire monitoring devices, receiving verification inputs that the data has been correctly loaded, and then initiating the generation of cryptographic parameters for secure communication between the devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If configuration data is transmitted to tire monitoring devices using an untrusted device, then the ease of operation is improved, but the security and reliability of the network is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of configurationVSAvoidnetwork security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by requiring verification of configuration data loading before proceeding to cryptographic parameter generation. The system performs configuration data transmission and verification as preliminary steps before establishing secure communication, ensuring that the untrusted device cannot compromise security by injecting malicious data at a later stage. This sequential verification process mitigates the security risk while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the tire monitoring devices send verification signals back to the untrusted device to confirm successful configuration data loading. This feedback loop allows the system to verify that configuration was performed correctly before proceeding to secure communication establishment, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and network security through controlled verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If cryptographic parameters are generated after configuration data loading, then the manufacturing precision of the configuration process is improved, but the time required for network setup increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidnetwork setup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs configuration data transmission and verification as preliminary actions before cryptographic parameter generation. This sequencing ensures configuration accuracy by verifying data integrity before secure communication establishment, while the automated verification process minimizes the time penalty through efficient sequential operations rather than iterative debugging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The tire monitoring devices perform self-verification of configuration data by sending confirmation signals back to the controlling device. This self-service mechanism automates the verification process, reducing manual intervention time and ensuring configuration accuracy without significantly extending the overall setup time, as the verification occurs automatically as part of the configuration flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4253101B1A method of configuring a network of tire monitoring devices
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 AIRBUS OPERATIONS LTD
  • EP4253101B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4253101B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4253101B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a method of configuring a network of tire monitoring devices using an untrusted device. The method includes transmitting, by the untrusted device, first configuration data to a first tire monitoring device, and receiving, by the untrusted device, a first input verifying that the first configuration data has been loaded to the first tire monitoring device and matches expected first configuration data. The method includes transmitting, by the untrusted device, second configuration data to a second tire monitoring device, and receiving, by the untrusted device, a second input verifying that the second configuration data has been loaded to the second tire monitoring device and matches expected second configuration data. The method includes, after receipt of both the first input and the second input, transmitting, by the untrusted device, a command initialising generation of a cryptographic parameter by the first tire monitoring device, and causing the cryptographic parameter to be exchanged with the second tire monitoring device such that secure future communication is established between the first and second tire monitoring devices.