Vehicle Communication Security Certificate Replenishment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle communication systems lack an efficient method to determine the optimal time and manner for replenishing security certificates based on the vehicle's driving environment, leading to potential communication disruptions and security risks.

Innovation Solution

An on-board vehicle communication system that employs a controller to monitor the number of security certificates stored and assess the driving environment's risk factor, determining when to request additional certificates from external sources via communication media, such as DSRC, cellular, or WiFi, ensuring continuous and secure communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If security certificates are replenished periodically without considering driving environment, then security certificates are maintained, but communication disruptions occur and security risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidcertificate depletion time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic certificate replenishment by adjusting the replenishment timing and strategy based on real-time driving environment assessment. The controller evaluates communication quality, vehicle density, and environmental factors to dynamically determine when to request new certificates, replacing static periodic replenishment with adaptive dynamic control that responds to changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors communication quality, certificate usage status, and environmental conditions, then uses this feedback to adjust certificate replenishment decisions. The controller receives feedback about communication disruptions and security risks, and modifies the replenishment strategy accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes certificate management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If security certificates are replenished frequently, then security is maintained, but communication efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of certificate replenishment frequency from a fixed value to a variable that depends on environmental conditions. The controller adjusts the replenishment timing parameter based on assessed risk levels and communication quality, allowing the system to operate efficiently in safe conditions while maintaining high security when risks are detected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary assessment of the driving environment and communication conditions before initiating certificate replenishment. By evaluating factors such as vehicle density, communication quality, and current security status in advance, the system determines the optimal timing for replenishment, avoiding unnecessary communication overhead while ensuring security needs are met.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If security certificates are replenished based on fixed thresholds, then certificate depletion is prevented, but environmental conditions are not optimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecertificate quantityVSAvoidenvironmental adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static threshold-based replenishment approach into a dynamic environment-aware system. Instead of simply monitoring certificate quantity against fixed thresholds, the controller continuously assesses driving environment conditions and adjusts replenishment decisions accordingly, making the system adaptable to varying operational contexts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different replenishment strategies based on local environmental conditions. Rather than using a uniform threshold approach, the controller tailors the replenishment behavior to specific situations such as high-traffic areas, congested environments, or secure zones, optimizing certificate management for each local context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3116158B1In-vehicle communication system and in-vehicle communication method
Publication Date: 2018.12.05 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3116158B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3116158B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3116158B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An on-board vehicle communication system and method employ a storage device, a communication device and a controller. The storage device is configured to store a plurality of security certificates. The communication device is configured to receive external information that is external to a host vehicle equipped with the on-board vehicle communication system. The controller is configured to determine whether to begin a security certificate replenishment process to attempt to receive additional security certificates from at least one source that is external of the host vehicle based on the received external information, upon an amount of security certificates stored in the storage device decreasing below a first prescribed threshold.