Wireless OBD Device Connection Management via Server Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless devices, such as on-board diagnostics (OBD) systems, face challenges in securely establishing communication connections with external devices due to security vulnerabilities and inefficient battery usage, particularly when located in hard-to-reach areas like under a vehicle dashboard, and lack of user convenience in managing connections.
Innovation Solution
A method for a wireless device to store unique information of connectable external devices in a connection target list, receive a connection waiting command from a server, and establish a connection only with registered devices, minimizing power consumption and enhancing security by decoding encoded command data using a received decoding key.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the wireless device maintains discoverable mode continuously to allow connection requests, then connection availability is improved, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless device enters discoverable mode periodically based on scheduled time slots rather than maintaining continuous discoverable mode. The device alternates between discoverable and non-discoverable states, reducing energy consumption while still allowing connections during active slots. This is implemented through timer-based control that switches the radio interface between on and off states.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-schedules connection time slots and notifies external devices in advance when the wireless device will be in discoverable mode. This allows external devices to prepare connection requests timing, eliminating the need for continuous scanning and maintaining connection availability only when necessary.
2Ease of operation
If the wireless device provides UI for connection management, then user control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface functionality is extracted from the wireless device and relocated to the external device. The external device's application provides the UI for managing connections, viewing device information, and controlling communication. This reduces the complexity of the wireless device while maintaining user control capabilities through the external device's more powerful processing and display resources.
3Ease of operation
If the wireless device uses unique information from packaging for connection, then ease of connection is improved, but security vulnerability increases
Solution Approach 1:
A server acts as an intermediary between the wireless device and external devices for authentication purposes. The server stores secure unique information and manages the authentication process, receiving connection requests from external devices and verifying credentials before allowing connections. This eliminates the need for physical packaging labels while maintaining ease of connection through automated server-mediated authentication.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the wireless device is placed under dashboard for vehicle integration, then integration is improved, but user accessibility worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface and control functions are extracted from the physically constrained wireless device under the dashboard and relocated to the user's external device (smartphone, tablet). This allows the wireless device to be optimally positioned for vehicle integration while users interact with familiar portable devices, eliminating accessibility issues caused by the hidden location.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for at a wireless device establishing a communication connection with an external device is disclosed. The wireless device stores unique information of at least one external device connectable with the wireless device in a connection target list, and receives a connection waiting command from a server connected with the wireless device. In response to the received connection waiting command, the wireless device changes a status thereof to a connection waiting status allowing a connection with the external device, and receives a connection request from the external device finding the wireless device which is in the connection waiting status. If unique information of the connection-requesting external device is contained in the connection target list, the wireless device performs a communication connection with the connection-requesting external device, receives a command data regarding a transportation device from the connected external device, and transmits the received command data to the transportation device.