Apparatus for Detecting Stolen Automotive Components
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Abstract
In a system for preventing automobile theft, select automotive components are embedded with digital information and devices, including a unique public key, a unique private key, a decryption/encryption module, and a network address. Upon assembly of a vehicle, the components form addressable nodes of that vehicle. Relevant digital information of all components is recorded in a proprietary, highly secure data base at the time of manufacture, and updated for vehicular repairs. Only registered agents may access the data base or submit updates to the federal network. During refueling or re-charging of a vehicle, a digital handshake compares public keys of the vehicular components to the proprietary data base, and confirms the integrity of at least some components by a public-key/private-key challenge and response. If components have been reported stolen, or other irregularities are detected in the vehicle'"'"'s network of components during the hand shake process, the vehicle is disabled, and a message is automatically transmitted to one or more law enforcement agencies, identifying the vehicle and its location.
26 Citations
21 Claims
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1. (canceled)
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2. An apparatus for detecting the trafficking of stolen automobile parts, comprising:
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a. a first vehicle having first and second automotive components respectively comprising first and second public digital component values; b. a second vehicle having third and fourth automotive components respectively comprising third and fourth public digital component values; c. a smart grid having a central database that comprises; i. first and second public digital database values corresponding to the first and second public digital component values; and
,ii. third and fourth public digital database values corresponding to the third and fourth public digital component values. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification