DE102007035351A1 - Method for authentication of vehicle portions in motor vehicle, involves attaching radio-frequency identification tag at vehicle portion, where portion of memory contents of radio frequency identification tags is retrieved and analyzed - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves attaching a Radio frequency identification (RFID)tag (3) at a vehicle portion (1) in a dividable manner. A portion of memory contents of the RFID tags is retrieved and analyzed by using an evaluation unit (4) in a motor vehicle (2). Cryptographic information is stored in the RFID tag to identify the manufacturer, which is read and examined from the evaluation unit.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for the authentication of vehicle parts in a motor vehicle.

in the The prior art are devices and methods for authentication and / or for securing vehicle parts in a motor vehicle, with serial numbers on vehicle parts or visually or machine-readable Markings are attached. Such serial numbers and markings can be read at certain times and with deposited serial numbers and markings are compared, so that it can be determined whether the installed vehicle part is an original vehicle part, that is, a vehicle part authorized by the vehicle manufacturer, or is an unauthorized vehicle part.

Out In the prior art, the RFID method for the automatic identification of Objects known. In addition to the contactless Identification and localization of objects stands for RFID for automatic capture and storage of data. The English term "Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) "means in German" identification over Radio waves ".

Of the Construction of an RFID transponder, also referred to as an RFID tag sees in principle, an antenna, an analogue circuit for receiving and transmitting (transceiver), as well as a digital circuit and a permanent memory before. RFID tags can be over have a rewritable memory in the during the lifetime information can be stored. To Application area, the other key figures also differ, such as B. radio frequency, transmission rate, life, Cost per unit, storage space, read range and functionality.

in principle does the RFID communication work as follows: The Reader generates a high-frequency alternating electromagnetic field, which receives the antenna of the RFID transponder. In The antenna coil is formed as soon as it is close to the antenna coil electromagnetic field comes, induction current. This activated the microchip in the RFID tag. The induced current is at passive tags also charged a capacitor, which for permanent power supply of the chip ensures. This takes over Active tags have a built-in battery. Is the microchip once activated, it receives commands that the reader into its magnetic Field modulated. By the day an answer in the from the reader modulated field sent, it sends its serial number or other Data requested by the reader.

Moreover, from the DE 10 2006 033 225 A1 a tamper detection system for vehicle parts known, wherein a identification chip for wireless identification is attached to the vehicle part.

The DE 102 09 766 B4 discloses a component exchange warning system for vehicle parts installed in a vehicle during manufacture, which detects the process in the case of unauthorized removal or installation of a vehicle part, generates a warning signal or does not allow the component to be released.

From the US Pat. No. 6,898,489 B1 is known a detection system of vehicle parts for a motor vehicle, wherein the vehicle parts RFID tags are marked with unique alphanumeric codes. The RFID tags are interconnected with a control unit in the vehicle and evaluated.

Of the Invention is the object of an improved method for authentication of vehicle parts in a motor vehicle specify.

The The object is achieved by the feature combinations solved according to claim 1.

advantageous Embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention stored in the RFID tag cryptographic information that the Identifies the manufacturer and which, upon request, is transmitted to the evaluation unit and is decrypted by the evaluation unit. The cryptographic Information is provided through a public-private-key procedure created by means of a digital signature. In the RFID tag will then a digital signature authorized by the vehicle manufacturer stored.

special Advantageously, it proves to be the unique identification code of the RFID tag with the manufacturer's private key digitally signed and stored in the RFID tag. The digital signature is determined by means of the evaluation unit, via the public Checked the key of the vehicle manufacturer, wherein the evaluation unit also aligned as an RFID reader is to read the digitally signed information from the RFID tags.

about the verification of the digital signature of a vehicle part can be determined according to the invention in a simple manner whether the vehicle part is a manufacturer-authorized one Original vehicle part or original vehicle spare part is.

Original vehicle parts are manufactured by the manufacturer or by the authorized supplier and then installed in the vehicle. Original vehicle spare parts are the vehicle parts that are produced and sold directly by the manufacturer or come from manufacturer-authorized production, such as suppliers or spare parts manufacturers. For authorized vehicle parts, the verification or verification of the digital signature in the evaluation unit of the vehicle leads to a positive result.

Especially This also applies to tuning vehicle parts, which in general be installed later in the vehicle. through The vehicle owner can verify the digital signature Make sure that it has manufacturer-authorized tuning vehicle parts has built and these parts also the manufacturer's warranty subject.

One Replacing a vehicle part thus requires no new training the evaluation unit. The public key in the evaluation unit of the vehicle is capable of all digital signed, ie authorized by the manufacturer vehicle parts to read and to verify.

Especially Advantageously, it is the RFID tags already in production to bring the vehicle parts, since then the RFID tags for Logistics tasks or for production process control can.

The A further advantage of the method is that the authentication of the Vehicle parts save time, automatically and directly in the vehicle via an evaluation can be performed. Separate security or surveillance systems are no longer necessary. The Evaluation unit has a standard reader for this purpose, So an antenna tuned for reading the RFIDs and over the public key of the manufacturer.

Of the The unique code of the RFID tag can not be easily reproduced so copying RFID tags can be difficult designed.

The Creation of the digital signature and its verification can, for example, with the help of today known cryptographic Procedures, such as the public-private-key method performed become. This will be a key pair with a corresponding public and a private key generated by the manufacturer or requested by the manufacturer from a key management agency.

The digital signature is by means of the private key created. The decoding, so the review the digital signature, by means of the public Key directly in the evaluation unit.

Advantageous in the inventive method is that no complicated calculation must be performed. The verification a digital signature using the public key the signer can be done almost in real time.

in The method according to the invention becomes signals at least one RFID tag arranged on a vehicle part requested and received by means of an antenna to the evaluation.

According to one Embodiment of the method according to the invention the evaluation is carried out by the evaluation unit in predetermined Intervals. This can be used on certain occasions or in certain time intervals easily safety protocols be created to check if the built-in vehicle part is a vehicle part authorized by the manufacturer.

A Particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that Measures for impairment or shutdown the functionality of the vehicle to be made when determined by the evaluation unit that the vehicle parts not on the required authorized digital signature feature.

The Procedure ensures in a simple way that the installation of unauthorized vehicle parts for a vehicle owner is no longer attractive.

in an embodiment of the device according to the invention is in the vehicle at least one evaluation unit for evaluation the signals from the RFID tag in the vehicle part available.

The Evaluation unit comprises an antenna for activation and reception the RFID signals. Preferably, on a plurality of vehicle parts, in particular at non-electronic and estimable, in particular expensive, vehicle parts such as xenon headlamps, navigation system, Seat units, etc. each arranged an RFID tag.

Preferably the evaluation unit is part of an already existing in the vehicle central authentication unit. This can be done on simple and cost-saving manner the authentication of the vehicle parts done. For this purpose, for example, the central control unit for monitoring and control of driving authorization and locking functions be used.

It is alternatively also possible to arrange a plurality of decentralized evaluation units with corresponding antennas in the motor vehicle. Especially For example, the engine control unit can be used as an evaluation unit for authenticating estimable vehicle parts in the area of the engine. Another control unit in the vehicle interior then covers the authentication of estimated vehicle parts in the interior of the vehicle; etc.

to Securing the respective vehicle part can be optional automatically measures to affect the Functionality of the vehicle part are made when determined by the evaluation unit that the vehicle part is not authorized by the manufacturer, so for example not from the manufacturer have correct digital signature.

Equipped according to the invention Vehicle parts are thus for the vehicle owner as original parts to recognize the vehicle manufacturer. The vehicle owner has it When buying replacement parts, the warranty is authorized by the manufacturer To have installed vehicle parts in his vehicle. A fake or cloning of RFID tags of the vehicle parts is very much difficult because over the private key of the Manufacturer and the identification code, which specifies the RFID tag via special methods can be protected.

See the article "Public-Key Cryptography for RFID Tags" ( Batina, J. Guajardo, T. Kerins, N. Mentens, P. Tuyls, I. Verbauwhede, Public-Key Cryptography for RFID Tags, "percomw, pp. 217-222, Fifth Annual IEEE International Conference on Pervasive Computing and Communications Workshops -PerComW'07, 2007 ) are known from the public-private-key method in order to generate forgery-proof RFID tags.

An embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to a 1 explained in more detail, which shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the device according to the invention.

1 shows a schematic plan view of a vehicle 2 with four parts to be authenticated and secured 1 , At the vehicle parts 1 These are two xenon headlamps as well as two rear lights, that is, estimated but non-electronic vehicle parts 1 , At every vehicle part 1 is an RFID tag 3 arranged. The send and receive function of the RFID tag should also be via the antenna 3.1 be highlighted. Furthermore, the RFID tag, in addition to the antenna, circuits for sending and receiving and a permanent memory.

In the vehicle 2 is also an evaluation unit 4 a driving authorization control device is arranged, on which an antenna 5 is arranged for activating and reading the RFID tags.

The evaluation unit 4 can over the antenna 5 with the RFID tags 3 the vehicle parts 1 communicate and in particular evaluate signals received from the RFID tags 3 over their antennas 3.1 to be shipped.

With the RFID tags 3 These are RFID tags that are already in production of the vehicle 2 at the vehicle parts 1 for logistics tasks during delivery, storage and for the production process control of the vehicle part 1 as well as the vehicle 2 have been arranged.

In the memory of the RFID tag 3 their identification codes are stored digitally signed with the private key of the manufacturer. When reading the RFID tags, this cryptographic information is output.

alternative The identification code of the RFID tag can be encrypted and be filed. In addition, the RFID tag can provide more information about include the vehicle part, such as vehicle part name and vehicle parts code, date of manufacture, place of manufacture, manufacturing company etc.

To the vehicle parts 1 Manufactured by a supplier to a vehicle manufacturer to also provide the digital signature, the manufacturer may, under appropriate security requirements, provide his private signing key to the supplier.

alternative the vehicle manufacturer can proceed in a separate process step Delivery of the vehicle and / or vehicle replacement parts the identification codes the RFID tags in their memory store digitally signed.

alternative The identification code of the RFID tags can also be over the Public-private-key method cryptographically encrypted be filed.

The RFID tags become inseparable from the vehicle part 1 connected. That is, removing the RFID tag from the vehicle part 1 only with destruction of the RFID tag and / or the vehicle part 1 can be done. This has the advantage that the so marked vehicle parts are not suitable for theft, since their origin is known about the identification codes of the RFID tag and / or the damage of the vehicle part is visible to the buyer.

The evaluation unit 4 is centrally located in the vehicle, with the antennas 3.1 and 5 are designed with radio frequencies and field strengths, that the evaluation unit 4 can read the RFID tags.

Alternatively, it is also possible to use different evaluation units 4 in the vehicle 2 to arrange. For example, an already installed engine control unit can also be provided with an antenna and used as an additional evaluation unit and for the authentication and hedging of estimated vehicle parts 1 serve in the environment of the engine, while another evaluation unit in the area of the cabin of the vehicle 2 is arranged and vehicle parts 1 in the area of the interior of the vehicle 2 authenticated and secured.

For authentication of vehicle parts 1 On certain occasions, for example when starting the vehicle or at certain time intervals, the memory contents of the RFID tags are read out. The digital signature of the received RFID identification codes is verified by means of the manufacturer's public key. For this purpose, the manufacturer's public key is in the memory of the evaluation unit 4 stored.

With positive verification of the digital signature, it has been proven that it is vehicle parts authorized by the manufacturer 1 is. An authorized installation of the vehicle parts 1 is especially given when the installation of vehicle parts 1 in the production of the vehicle 2 or if after an accident an exchange of the vehicle part 1 with vehicle parts authorized by the manufacturer.

Once from the evaluation unit 4 it is recognized that a vehicle part 1 is not authorized by no signal from the vehicle part 1 is received or if the verification of the digital signature is running on an error, by the evaluation unit 4 a warning is given.

Alternatively, it is also possible that by the evaluation 4 , the functions of the relevant vehicle part 1 only partially provides or a shutdown of the unauthorized vehicle part 1 is made.

Alternatively, in the case of a negative verification of the digital signature, it is also possible to impair the functionality or also to switch off other parts of the vehicle 1 and / or the vehicle 2 through the evaluation unit 4 to have it done.

Since the public key of the manufacturer in the evaluation unit 4 can be based on a complex calculation for verification of the vehicle part 1 be waived. The verification of the digital signature can be carried out virtually in real time.

Under vehicle parts 1 In particular, vehicle parts are to be understood, which can be placed as buildable units in the vehicle. Such vehicle parts can be supplied, for example, as finished preassembled components from the vehicle supplier. In particular, vehicle headlights, vehicle seat unit, navigation system, airbag system, etc.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 102006033225 A1 [0006]
• - DE 10209766 B4 [0007]
• - US 6898489 B1 [0008]

Cited non-patent literature

• Batina, J. Guajardo, T. Kerins, N. Mentens, P. Tuyls, I. Verbauwhede, Public-Key Cryptography for RFID Tags, "percomw, pp. 217-222, Fifth Annual IEEE International Conference on Pervasive Computing and Communications Workshops -PerComW'07, 2007 [0034]

Claims (4)

Method for authenticating vehicle parts ( 1 ) in a motor vehicle ( 2 ), wherein - on a vehicle part ( 1 ) an RFID tag is attached inseparably, - in the vehicle ( 2 ) by means of an evaluation unit ( 4 ) Parts of the memory contents of the RFID tag ( 3 ) is queried and evaluated and - depending on the evaluation generates a warning signal and / or the functionality of the vehicle is impaired, characterized in that - in the RFID tag cryptographic information is stored, which identifies the manufacturer and - which of the evaluation unit ( 4 ) is read and checked. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the cryptographic information about a public-private-key method is created by means of a digital signature. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that in the RFID tag authorized by the vehicle manufacturer digital Signature is filed. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the unique code of the RFID tag with the private key digitally signed by the manufacturer and stored in the RFID tag.