Vehicle Ad-Hoc Network Rules Node for Service Access Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for publishing and subscribing to services in ad-hoc networks connecting vehicles and external devices face performance degradation due to bottlenecks in data bearer channels and ad-hoc selection of overloaded computing platforms, limiting interconnectivity between nodes on and off vehicles.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a common messaging protocol and a rules node on vehicles to govern relationships between publisher and subscriber nodes, using a set of rules to define interrelationships and manage service provision and consumption, allowing nodes to join and communicate without prior knowledge of the network structure, and enabling secure authentication and service access based on credentials and conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If nodes are allowed to join and communicate freely in the ad-hoc network, then network adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but system security and service reliability deteriorate due to lack of control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rules node as an intermediary component that mediates between publisher nodes and subscriber nodes. This rules node stores and enforces access control rules, allowing the network to remain open and adaptable while maintaining security and reliability through centralized rule enforcement. The rules node acts as a gatekeeper that enables free joining and communication while preventing unauthorized access.
2Productivity
If data is transmitted freely across the network, then communication efficiency is improved, but data security and privacy protection worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing access control rules before data transmission occurs. The rules node pre-configures authorization policies that determine which publisher nodes can transmit data to which subscriber nodes. This preliminary rule setup enables efficient data transmission while preventing security breaches, as the authorization decisions are made in advance rather than in real-time during transmission.
3Ease of operation
If ad-hoc selection of publishers and subscribers is allowed, then ease of operation is improved, but system performance deteriorates due to overloaded computing platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The rules node serves as an intermediary that manages the ad-hoc selection process. Instead of relying on nodes to independently evaluate and select publishers/subscribers (which causes computational overhead), the rules node centralizes the selection logic. This maintains ease of operation for individual nodes while improving overall system performance by preventing computational bottlenecks.
4Reliability
If centralized control is implemented to improve security, then service reliability is improved, but network adaptability and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating control functions from data transmission functions. The rules node handles only access control and authorization decisions, while publisher and subscriber nodes maintain independence for data publishing and consumption. This segmentation allows centralized security control without compromising network adaptability, as the control node does not interfere with the operational autonomy of data nodes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Devices and nodes associated with a vehicle may communicate using a higher-level, common messaging protocol over an ad-hoc network to publish and subscribe to services, even though different nodes may utilize different types of links and channels. The network includes a rules node that is fixedly connected to the vehicle and that stores a set of rules. Given a possible publisher, subscriber, and/or a service, a node action is allowed or denied based on the set of rules. The rules may be generated or updated based on priorities, security levels, and/or characteristics of publishers, subscribers, their respective users, and/or services; a current dynamic condition; and/or user input. The rules node and at least one other node may be transported by the vehicle, and both transported nodes and nodes external to the vehicle may use the common messaging protocol to join the ad-hoc network, discover other nodes, authenticate, and publish/consume services.