Vehicle Battery Software Reset Through Segmented Digital Keys

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle battery management systems face challenges in simultaneously protecting against malicious software and allowing software reset as per regulatory requirements, which are conflicting and difficult to fulfill.

Innovation Solution

A digital key verification system is implemented in vehicle electrical energy storage systems, where processing circuitry sends a verification request message and limits system use if the key is not verified correctly, and includes a software reset function to delete the key and access protection module, allowing third-party software downloads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If digital key verification is implemented to protect against malicious software, then software security is improved, but software reset capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftware securityVSAvoidsoftware reset capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The protection mechanism is segmented into two distinct digital keys: a first digital key for vehicle verification and software protection, and a second digital key for software reset operations. This segmentation allows the system to maintain security while enabling authorized reset operations by differentiating between protection and reset functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A software access protection module acts as an intermediary between the digital keys and the software system. This module manages the verification process and controls access based on key validation, enabling both security enforcement and authorized reset operations through a unified interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If software access protection module is present to verify digital keys, then software integrity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftware integrityVSAvoidsoftware download operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The software access protection module automatically performs digital key verification and access control without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages the security checks and authorization processes, reducing operational complexity for users while maintaining robust security and integrity verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4485240A1Battery management software reset
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4485240A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4485240A1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4485240A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A computer system (100) of a vehicle (10) comprising processing circuitry (102) configured to: send a verification request message (M) to an electrical energy storage system (104) of the vehicle, receive a response message from the electrical energy storage system (104) that depends on the existence of a correct digital key (106) in a memory (108) of the electrical energy storage system (104); when the digital key (106) is correctly verified, allow electrical systems (110) of the vehicle to use the electrical energy storage system, when the digital key (106) cannot be correctly verified, limit the use of the electrical energy storage system (104) for the electrical systems (110) of the vehicle.