Vehicle Communication Interface Secure ECU Access Without Tool Pairing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle communication interface (VCI) devices lack secure communication protocols to prevent unauthorized access to vehicle electronic control units (ECUs), which can lead to unauthorized diagnostic requests and potential security breaches.
Innovation Solution
The VCI device is equipped with a security circuit that receives a secure access protocol and an encrypted ECU key from a diagnostic tool, allowing it to authenticate with the vehicle ECU and establish secure communication requests, even when the diagnostic tool is disconnected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If VCI device is configured to communicate with vehicle ECU without security features, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unauthorized access risks
Solution Approach 1:
The VCI device performs preliminary authentication actions by storing security credentials (encrypted ECU key and secure access protocol) in advance during a setup phase. When connecting to the ECU, the device automatically uses these pre-stored credentials to authenticate, eliminating the need for manual security configuration during each diagnostic session while ensuring reliable secure communication.
2Reliability
If VCI device implements secure communication protocol with ECU, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex security credential storage and management functions into a separate security circuit component, distinct from the main processing circuitry. This separation isolates the cryptographic operations and secure key management to a dedicated hardware module, reducing the complexity burden on the main VCI device while ensuring reliable secure communication through specialized security hardware.
3Adaptability or versatility
If diagnostic tool transfers security features to VCI device, then adaptability is improved, but loss of information increases due to potential security credential exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/software-based security credential transfer with a hardware-based secure element approach. The security circuit in the VCI device contains dedicated hardware for storing cryptographic credentials, and the diagnostic tool transfers credentials through secure hardware interfaces rather than software files or text-based protocols. This hardware substitution prevents credential exposure during transfer while enabling the VCI device to adaptively authenticate with various ECUs.
Data Source
AI summary
Securing communication requests from a vehicle communication interface to a vehicle. In an exemplary aspect, a vehicle communication interface (VCI) device that is configured to be connected to a vehicle communication port is configured to support secure communications with a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU), such as in a standalone mode. The VCI device is configured to receive a security feature(s) from a connected diagnostic tool to then have secure access to the vehicle ECU when the diagnostic tool is disconnected from the VCI device. In this manner, the VCI device is configured to mimic secure diagnostic behavior of the diagnostic tool and leverage the pre-existing diagnostic infrastructure to securely communicate with the vehicle ECU. This prevents or mitigates unauthorized VCI-like devices from being able to be connected to a vehicle's communication port and obtain vehicle data or provide vehicle programming in an unauthorized manner.