SECURE ACTIVE SUSPENSION SYSTEM

• US 20070113070A1
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Inventors: Lackritz, Neal
• Application Number:
  US11/537,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20070113070A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/151
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/018 characterised by the use of a specific signal treatment or control method
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/09 Feedback signal
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/90 other signal treatment means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/702 Improving accuracy of a sensor signal
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0045 using databus protocols
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0058 Signal modulation for data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0059 Signal noise suppression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/84 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0442 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply asymmetric encryption, i.e. different keys for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for public-key encryption H04L9/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0833 involving conference or group key network architectures or network communication protocols for key management in group communication in a packet data network H04L63/065
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0838 Key agreement, i.e. key establishment technique in which a shared key is derived by parties as a function of information contributed by, or associated with, each of these network architectures or network communication protocols for key exchange in a packet data network H04L63/061
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/30 Public key, i.e. encryption algorithm being computationally infeasible to invert or user's encryption keys not requiring secrecy

Abstract

Among other things, an active suspension system for a vehicle includes a first component, and a second component in communication with the first component using a network. The first component is configured to encrypt at least some of the data transmitted by the first component to the second component using the network.

Claims

1. An active suspension system for a vehicle comprising:

a first component;

a second component in communication with the first component using a network, wherein the first component is configured to encrypt at least some of the data transmitted by the first component to the second component using the network.

2. The active suspension system of claim 1 wherein the first component comprises a central controller.

3. The active suspension system of claim 2 wherein the second component comprises an actuator mechanically coupled to a wheel of the vehicle.

4. The active suspension system of claim 1 wherein the first component comprises an actuator.

5. The active suspension system of claim 1 wherein the second component is configured to decrypt the encrypted data received from the first component.

6. The active suspension system of claim 1 wherein the second component is configured to encrypt at least some of the data transmitted by the second component to the first component using the network.

7. The active suspension system of claim 1 wherein the first component is configured to use a secret key shared between the first and second component to encrypt the data.

8. The active suspension system of claim 7 wherein the second component is configured to use the secret key to decrypt the encrypted data received from the first component.

9. The active suspension system of claim 1 wherein the data transmitted from the first component to the second component comprises control commands.

10. The active suspension system of claim 9 wherein the control commands are encrypted.

11. The active suspension system of claim 1 wherein the data transmitted from the first component to the second component comprise sensor feedback information.

12. The active suspension system of claim 11 wherein the sensor feedback information is encrypted.

13. The active suspension system of claim 1 wherein the network comprises a data bus.

14. The active suspension system of claim 1 wherein the network comprises a ring topology.

15. The active suspension system of claim 1 wherein the network comprises a point-to-point topology.

16. The active suspension system of claim 1 wherein the first and second components are in two-way communication with each other.

17. An active suspension system comprising:

a first actuator that includes a stator coupled to the body of the vehicle and an armature coupled to a first wheel of the vehicle;

a controller configured to issue control commands to the first actuator using a network, wherein the controller is configured to encrypt the control commands prior to transmitting the control commands to the first actuator.

18. The active suspension system of claim 17 wherein the network comprises a bus, star or ring topology.

19. The active suspension system of claim 17 wherein the first actuator is configured to transmit data to the controller using the network.

20. The active suspension system of claim 19 wherein the data transmitted by the first actuator comprises motion information.

21. The active suspension system of claim 19 wherein the data transmitted by the first actuator to the controller is clear.

22. The active suspension system of claim 19 wherein at least some of the data transmitted by the first actuator to the controller is encrypted.

23. A method for managing encryption keys for a mass-produced active suspension system, wherein each mass-produced active suspension system includes one or more components that require an encryption key, the method comprising:

using a first encryption key for a first set of suspension system components;

using a second encryption key for a second set of suspension system components; and

maintaining a database for tracking encryption keys that are used in the first and second sets of components.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the first encryption key is used for suspension system components supplied to a first automobile manufacturer, while the second encryption key is used for suspension system components supplied to a second automobile manufacturer.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the first encryption key is used for suspension systems components supplied for a first automobile make, while the second encryption key is used for suspension system components supplied for a second automobile make.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the first encryption key is used for suspension systems components supplied for a first automobile model, while the second encryption key is used for suspension system components supplied for a second automobile model.

27. The method of claim 23 wherein the first encryption key is used for suspension systems components supplied for a first vehicle, while the second encryption key is used for suspension system components supplied for a second vehicle.

28. The method of claim 23 wherein the first encryption key is used for a first number of suspension systems components supplied over a first time period, while the second encryption key is used for a second number suspension system components supplied over a second time period.