Vehicle Key Authentication Using Motion Sensors to Prevent Relay Attacks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing keyless entry systems for vehicles are vulnerable to relay attacks, where the radio link between the key and the vehicle is extended, allowing unauthorized access or starting of the vehicle even when the key is outside the usual range.
Innovation Solution
An authorization system that includes an authentication element with sensors for detecting movement, vibration, and inclination, and a device for generating these signals, which creates a unique authentication signal that is compared to detect the legitimate presence of the key within the vehicle, preventing relay attacks by ensuring the signal's origin and timing match.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If keyless entry systems use radio communication for convenient access, then ease of operation is improved, but vulnerability to relay attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism using motion sensors and challenge-response protocols between the key and vehicle. Instead of direct radio authentication, a sensor-based motion challenge is introduced as a mediator that verifies the key's physical presence and responsiveness, preventing relay attacks while maintaining keyless convenience
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the authentication parameter from static radio signal presence to dynamic motion response characteristics. By monitoring acceleration patterns, vibration responses, and motion timing, the system verifies authentic keys through their physical movement parameters rather than just radio communication, thereby preventing relay attacks
2Reliability
If motion sensors are integrated into the authentication element, then security against relay attacks is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the authentication element multi-functional by integrating motion sensing capabilities into the existing key device. The same authentication key that communicates via radio now also contains motion sensors, combining radio communication and motion detection functions into a single universal device, thereby improving security without requiring separate hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the radio communication function and motion sensing function into a single integrated authentication system. The challenge-response protocol combines radio signal exchange with motion sensor verification, merging two authentication methods into one unified process that prevents relay attacks while maintaining system simplicity
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
Effectively prevents relay attacks by ensuring the authentication element is within the vehicle's vicinity and securely verifies its presence, maintaining the convenience of keyless entry systems while enhancing security.
Implementation Method 1
at least one authentication element for detecting a movement, vibration and/or tilt
Implementation Method 2
authentication element for detecting movement, vibration, and/or tilt
Implementation Method 3
a device for generating a movement, vibration and/or tilt
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
An authorisation system (30) for vehicles which has at least one authentication element (1) for detecting a movement, vibration and/or inclination, and a device (10) for generating a movement, vibration and/or inclination, wherein the authentication element (1) has a radio interface (2) for transmitting and receiving an authentication signal, and a sensor element (3) for detecting a movement, vibration and/or inclination, wherein the device (10) is arranged on the vehicle side and has at least one actuator (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) for generating a movement, vibration and/or inclination, and a radio device (13) for transmitting and receiving an authentication signal, wherein the at least one actuator (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) is arranged on a transmission means (20), in particular on a vehicle, in order to generate an authentication signal by movement, vibration and/or inclination and transmit it to the authentication element (1). In addition, the invention also relates to a method.