Unidirectional In-Vehicle Network Interface for Hacking Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The in-vehicle network is vulnerable to malicious control and hacking, allowing unauthorized access and manipulation of vehicle functions, posing a risk to driver and passenger safety.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a physical unidirectional communication technology in out-of-vehicle devices to block malicious access by only allowing data transfer from the in-vehicle device interface apparatus to the out-of-vehicle device, preventing data from being sent back, thus enhancing network security and preventing abnormal vehicle control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If bidirectional communication is used between out-of-vehicle devices and in-vehicle network, then ease of operation and data exchange capability are improved, but security vulnerability to malicious control and hacking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a unidirectional communication interface as an intermediary between the in-vehicle network and out-of-vehicle devices. This interface allows data to flow only in one direction (from in-vehicle network to external devices), blocking malicious commands from entering the network while still enabling legitimate data exchange for monitoring and diagnostics purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication interface is segmented into separate unidirectional channels: one for transmitting data from the in-vehicle network to external devices, and another for receiving commands from external devices. By segmenting the communication paths and applying different security policies to each direction, the system enables convenient data exchange while preventing security vulnerabilities.
2Ease of operation
If OBD interface is accessible for hacking, then ease of operation for diagnostics is improved, but reliability of vehicle control functions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The unidirectional communication interface acts as a security intermediary that preserves diagnostic accessibility while protecting vehicle control reliability. It allows diagnostic data to be read from the in-vehicle network and transmitted to external devices, but blocks any commands or control signals from being transmitted back into the network, thus maintaining control function reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by pre-configuring the communication interface to block malicious commands before they can reach the vehicle control network. The unidirectional design proactively prevents potential hacking attempts while still allowing legitimate diagnostic operations to proceed.
3Ease of operation
If remote access to vehicle functions is enabled, then ease of operation for remote control is improved, but security risk to driver and passenger safety increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unidirectional communication interface serves as a safety intermediary that enables remote access for monitoring and information retrieval while preventing remote control commands from reaching the vehicle's control network. This eliminates safety risks associated with remote hacking while preserving legitimate remote diagnostic capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the control function from the communication interface by allowing only data transmission in one direction. Remote devices can extract and view vehicle data through the unidirectional interface, but the interface explicitly removes the capability for remote devices to send control commands, thereby eliminating safety risks.
Data Source
AI summary
An out-of-vehicle device interface apparatus includes a request message reception unit, a response message request unit, and a response message transmission unit. The request message reception unit receives a request message from an out-of-vehicle device, generates electrical signals in electric lines, and transfers the request message. The response message request unit requests response messages for the request message from one or more devices constituting an in-vehicle network based on one or more of the electric lines in which electrical signals have been generated. The response message transmission unit receives the response messages from the one or more devices, and transfers the response messages to the out-of-vehicle device via unidirectional communication.