Vehicle Battery Authentication Using Physical Property Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems are inadequate in effectively detecting unauthorized battery replacement in battery-powered vehicles, particularly in rental or leased vehicles where there is a high risk of replacing genuine batteries with non-genuine or inferior products.

Innovation Solution

A determination system that includes a sensor to measure physical properties of the target battery and an information processing apparatus connected to the sensor. The apparatus acquires vehicle identification information, first battery identification information corresponding to the vehicle, physical properties of the target battery, second battery identification information corresponding to these properties, and compares these to determine the authenticity of the battery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If battery replacement is allowed for maintenance purposes, then battery productivity and vehicle availability are improved, but the risk of unauthorized replacement with non-genuine batteries increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle availabilityVSAvoidbattery authenticity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary registration of genuine battery identification information and physical properties in a database before the battery is installed in the vehicle. This preliminary action enables subsequent verification of battery authenticity by comparing measured properties against the registered data, allowing maintenance personnel to replace batteries freely while maintaining security through pre-established reference data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the authentication result (match or mismatch between measured and registered battery properties) is provided back to the user. This feedback loop enables real-time verification of battery authenticity during maintenance operations, allowing immediate detection of unauthorized replacements while permitting legitimate battery changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If battery authentication systems are implemented, then detection of unauthorized replacement is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunauthorized replacement detectionVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery authentication system is designed to be self-service, where the battery itself contains identification information and physical property characteristics that enable its own authentication. The measurement device simply reads these inherent battery properties and compares them against registered data, eliminating the need for complex active authentication components within the battery and simplifying the overall system structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a database as an intermediary component to store and manage the relationship between battery identification information and physical properties. This intermediary allows the measurement device and authentication logic to be separated, with the database serving as the central reference, thereby reducing the complexity of direct point-to-point authentication connections and enabling modular system design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If multiple measurement parameters are used for battery authentication, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery identification accuracyVSAvoidsensor configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement device is designed with multi-functionality, capable of measuring multiple battery physical properties (inductance, resistance, voltage, current) using a single integrated system. This universal approach allows the same device to collect various authentication parameters without requiring separate specialized instruments for each measurement, thereby improving authentication precision while controlling device complexity through consolidation.

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

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively determines the authenticity of the battery installed in a vehicle by comparing identification information, thereby detecting unauthorized battery replacements and ensuring the use of genuine batteries.

Implementation Method 1

determining the type of a target battery based on the inductance of the target battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductance measurement: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4501684A1Determination system, information processing apparatus, determination method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.02.05 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP4501684A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4501684A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4501684A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A determination system (1) includes a sensor (22) configured to measure physical properties of a target battery (41) that is a battery installed in a vehicle (40), and an information processing apparatus (10) communicably connected to the sensor (22), the information processing apparatus (10) including a controller (11). The controller (11) acquires vehicle identification information that identifies the vehicle (40), acquires first battery identification information that identifies a battery corresponding to the acquired vehicle identification information, acquires the physical properties of the target battery (41) as measured by the sensor (22), acquires second battery identification information that identifies a battery corresponding to the acquired physical properties, compares the first battery identification information with the second battery identification information to determine authenticity of the target battery installed in the vehicle (40), and outputs the result of determination of the authenticity of the target battery.