Vehicle Computer Remote Control Registration Security

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle computer systems are vulnerable to theft, as malicious individuals can easily connect external tools to diagnostic sockets to register and steal remote control devices, allowing unauthorized access and control of vehicles.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that extends the registration procedure for remote control devices with unknown identifiers to a predefined duration significantly longer than normal, rendering existing valid identifiers invalid and requiring prolonged connection to the vehicle's diagnostic socket, thereby deterring theft.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the registration procedure is carried out quickly without validation checks, then the ease of operation is improved, but the security against theft deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregistration speedVSAvoidtheft protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary validation checks to determine if the vehicle already has registered remote control devices before proceeding with the registration procedure. This preliminary action allows the system to apply different registration durations based on the initial state, ensuring security when needed while maintaining speed when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The registration duration parameter is dynamically changed based on the validation result. When the vehicle has existing registered devices, the registration duration is extended to 10-30 minutes to prevent theft. When no devices are registered, the normal quick registration procedure is used. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adapting the registration speed to the security context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the registration procedure is extended to prevent theft, then the theft protection is improved, but the productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetheft protectionVSAvoidregistration efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial extension of the registration procedure only when necessary - specifically when the vehicle already has registered remote control devices. In this case, the extended duration of 10-30 minutes provides enhanced theft protection. When no devices are registered, the system uses the normal quick procedure, thus avoiding unnecessary productivity loss while maintaining adequate security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the system validates existing identifiers before registration, then the security is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the validation result of existing identifiers determines the subsequent registration procedure. The computer receives feedback from the validation step and adjusts the registration duration accordingly. This feedback-based control achieves enhanced security through a relatively simple decision logic: if validation finds existing devices, use extended registration; otherwise, use normal registration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3113988B1Method and system for registering a remote control device of a vehicle with variable registering duration
Publication Date: 2017.11.29 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3113988B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3113988B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3113988B1 patent drawing

AI summary

According to the invention, a registration device (DE) is fit for being provided in a computer (CS) of a vehicle (V) and for registering remote control devices (DC) that are each associated with an identifier and intended for controlling said vehicle (V). Said registration device (DE), in the event that it has a remote control device (DC) and in the presence of at least one valid registered identifier in the computer (CS), is configured such as to render invalid each valid registered identifier in the latter (CS) then, if said remote control device (DC) in question is associated with an unknown identifier from the computer (CS), to cause the registration of said identifier in the latter (CS) by triggering a registration procedure for a predefined extended duration strictly greater than a duration of a normal registration procedure carried out when there is no identifier registered in the computer (CS).