RELAY ATTACK INHIBITING

• US 20160075307A1
• Filed: 09/16/2014
• Published: 03/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Jakobsson, Bjorn Markus
• Granted Patent: US 9,802,574 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/209 Remote starting of engine
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/31 of human presence inside or outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00555 comprising means to detect or avoid relay attacks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

An apparatus in a wireless vehicle-access system, that includes a vehicle and a fob, includes: a vehicle-authorization parameter module configured to obtain a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises at least one of movement of the fob, a received directional signal, or a received audible signal; and a vehicle function compatibility module configured to: determine whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle; inhibit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function of the vehicle; and permit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An apparatus in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the apparatus comprising:

a vehicle-authorization parameter module configured to obtain a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises at least one of movement of the fob, a received directional signal, or a received audible signal; and

a vehicle function compatibility module configured to;

determine whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

inhibit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function of the vehicle; and

permit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function of the vehicle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob, wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle starting, and wherein the vehicle function compatibility module is configured to determine that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is at least one of:

a fob speed being below a vehicle-starting threshold;

spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of a seat of the vehicle, the spatial fob motion comprising at least one of a direction or a magnitude of fob motion;

or

the spatial fob motion being consistent with a user of the fob sitting in the vehicle.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of the seat of the vehicle comprises the spatial fob motion differing from concurrent movement of at least a portion of the seat by less than a fob/seat-movement-differential threshold.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob, wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle starting, and wherein the vehicle function compatibility module is configured to determine that the movement of the fob is inconsistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is spatial fob motion indicative of pedestrian motion.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob, wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle driving, and wherein the vehicle function compatibility module is configured to determine that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is at least one of:

spatial fob motion being consistent with a user of the fob sitting in the vehicle, the spatial fob motion comprising at least one of a direction or a magnitude of fob motion;

a fob speed differing by less than a speed-differential threshold relative to a speed of the vehicle;

or

the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of a seat of the vehicle.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of the seat of the vehicle comprises the spatial fob motion differing from concurrent movement of at least a portion of the seat by less than a fob/seat-movement-differential threshold.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob, wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle driving, and wherein the vehicle function compatibility module is configured to determine that the movement of the fob is inconsistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is spatial fob motion indicative of pedestrian motion.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob, wherein the desired function of the vehicle is unlocking the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle function compatibility module is configured to determine that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function if a fob speed is below a vehicle-unlocking threshold.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter is the received directional signal, and wherein the vehicle function compatibility module is configured to determine that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is non-zero.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the vehicle function compatibility module is configured to determine that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter exceeds a non-zero directional-signal-intensity threshold.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the directional signal is received by the fob from the vehicle.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the directional signal is received by the vehicle from the fob.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter is the received audible signal, and wherein the vehicle function compatibility module is configured to determine that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is non-zero.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the vehicle function compatibility module is configured to determine that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter exceeds a non-zero audible-signal-intensity threshold.

15. A method for a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the method comprising:

obtaining, at the vehicle-access system, a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises at least one of movement of the fob, a received directional signal, or a received audible signal;

determining, at the vehicle-access system, whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle; and

either;

inhibiting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being inconsistent with the desired function;

or

permitting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being consistent with the desired function.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob, wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle starting, and wherein the movement of the fob is determined to be consistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is at least one of:

a fob speed being below a vehicle-starting threshold;

spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of a seat of the vehicle, the spatial fob motion comprising at least one of a direction or a magnitude of fob motion;

or

the spatial fob motion being consistent with a user of the fob sitting in the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of the seat of the vehicle comprises the spatial fob motion differing from concurrent movement of at least a portion of the seat by less than a fob/seat-movement-differential threshold.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob, wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle starting, and wherein the movement of the fob is determined to be inconsistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is spatial fob motion indicative of pedestrian motion.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob, wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle driving, and wherein the movement of the fob is determined to be consistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is at least one of:

spatial fob motion being consistent with a user of the fob sitting in the vehicle, the spatial fob motion comprising at least one of a direction or a magnitude of fob motion;

a fob speed differing by less than a speed-differential threshold relative to a speed of the vehicle;

or

the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of a seat of the vehicle.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of the seat of the vehicle comprises the spatial fob motion differing from concurrent movement of at least a portion of the seat by less than a fob/seat-movement-differential threshold.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob, wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle driving, and wherein the movement of the fob is determined to be inconsistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is spatial fob motion indicative of pedestrian motion.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob, wherein the desired function of the vehicle is unlocking the vehicle, and wherein the movement of the fob is determined to be consistent with the desired function if a fob speed is below a vehicle-unlocking threshold.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter is the received directional signal, and wherein the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is determined to be consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is non-zero.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is determined to be consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter exceeds a non-zero directional-signal-intensity threshold.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the directional signal is received by the fob from the vehicle.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the directional signal is received by the vehicle from the fob.

27. The method of claim 15, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter is the received audible signal, and wherein the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is determined to be consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is non-zero.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is determined to be consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter exceeds a non-zero audible-signal-intensity threshold.

29. An apparatus in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the apparatus comprising:

means for obtaining a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises at least one of movement of the fob, a received directional signal, or a received audible signal; and

vehicle function compatibility means comprising;

means for determining whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

means for inhibiting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function; and

means for permitting the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob, wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle starting, and wherein the means for determining are for determining that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function of the vehicle if the movement of the fob is at least one of:

a fob speed being below a vehicle-starting threshold;

spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of a seat of the vehicle, the spatial fob motion comprising at least one of a direction or a magnitude of fob motion;

or

the spatial fob motion being consistent with a user of the fob sitting in the vehicle.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of the seat of the vehicle comprises the spatial fob motion differing from concurrent movement of at least a portion of the seat by less than a fob/seat-movement-differential threshold.

32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob, wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle starting, and wherein the vehicle function compatibility means are for determining that the movement of the fob is inconsistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is spatial fob motion indicative of pedestrian motion.

33. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob, wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle driving, and wherein the vehicle function compatibility means are for determining that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is at least one of:

spatial fob motion being consistent with a user of the fob sitting in the vehicle, the spatial fob motion comprising at least one of a direction or a magnitude of fob motion;

a fob speed differing by less than a speed-differential threshold relative to a speed of the vehicle;

or

the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of a seat of the vehicle.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of the seat of the vehicle comprises the spatial fob motion differing from concurrent movement of at least a portion of the seat by less than a fob/seat-movement-differential threshold.

35. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob, wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle driving, and wherein the vehicle function compatibility means are for determining that the movement of the fob is inconsistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is spatial fob motion indicative of pedestrian motion.

36. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob, wherein the desired function of the vehicle is unlocking the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle function compatibility means are for determining that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function if a fob speed is below a vehicle-unlocking threshold.

37. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter is the received directional signal, and wherein the vehicle function compatibility means are for determining that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is non-zero.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the vehicle function compatibility means are for determining that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter exceeds a non-zero directional-signal-intensity threshold.

39. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter is the received audible signal, and wherein the vehicle function compatibility means are for determining that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is non-zero.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the vehicle function compatibility means are for determining that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter exceeds a non-zero audible-signal-intensity threshold.

41. A processor-readable storage medium in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor to:

obtain a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises at least one of movement of the fob, a received directional signal, or a received audible signal;

determine whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle;

inhibit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function; and

permit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function.

42. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 41, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob, wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle starting, and wherein the instructions configured to cause the processor to determine are configured to cause the processor to determine that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function of the vehicle if the movement of the fob is at least one of:

a fob speed being below a vehicle-starting threshold;

spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of a seat of the vehicle, the spatial fob motion comprising at least one of a direction or a magnitude of fob motion;

or

the spatial fob motion being consistent with a user of the fob sitting in the vehicle.

43. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 42, wherein the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of the seat of the vehicle comprises the spatial fob motion differing from concurrent movement of at least a portion of the seat by less than a fob/seat-movement-differential threshold.

44. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 41, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob, wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle starting, and wherein the instructions configured to cause the processor to determine are configured to cause the processor to determine that the movement of the fob is inconsistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is spatial fob motion indicative of pedestrian motion.

45. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 41, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob, wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle driving, and wherein the instructions configured to cause the processor to determine are configured to cause the processor to determine that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is at least one of:

spatial fob motion being consistent with a user of the fob sitting in the vehicle, the spatial fob motion comprising at least one of a direction or a magnitude of fob motion;

a fob speed differing by less than a speed-differential threshold relative to a speed of the vehicle;

or

the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of a seat of the vehicle.

46. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 45, wherein the spatial fob motion being consistent with movement of the seat of the vehicle comprises the spatial fob motion differing from concurrent movement of at least a portion of the seat by less than a fob/seat-movement-differential threshold.

47. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 41, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob, wherein the desired function of the vehicle is vehicle driving, and wherein the instructions configured to cause the processor to determine are configured to cause the processor to determine that the movement of the fob is inconsistent with the desired function if the movement of the fob is spatial fob motion indicative of pedestrian motion.

48. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 41, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises movement of the fob, wherein the desired function of the vehicle is unlocking the vehicle, and wherein the instructions configured to cause the processor to determine are configured to cause the processor to determine that the movement of the fob is consistent with the desired function if a fob speed is below a vehicle-unlocking threshold.

49. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 41, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter is the received directional signal, and wherein the instructions configured to cause the processor to determine are configured to cause the processor to determine that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is non-zero.

50. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 49, wherein the instructions configured to cause the processor to determine are configured to cause the processor to determine that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter exceeds a non-zero directional-signal-intensity threshold.

51. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 41, wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter is the received audible signal, and wherein the instructions configured to cause the processor to determine are configured to cause the processor to determine that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is non-zero.

52. The processor-readable storage medium of claim 51, wherein the instructions configured to cause the processor to determine are configured to cause the processor to determine that the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent with the desired function if the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter exceeds a non-zero audible-signal-intensity threshold.

53. An apparatus in a wireless vehicle-access system that includes a vehicle and a fob, the apparatus comprising:

a fob movement module configured to determine movement of the fob;

a vehicle movement module configured to determine vehicle movement, of at least a portion of the vehicle, that is concurrent with the movement of the fob; and

a vehicle function compatibility module configured to;

determine whether the movement of the fob and the vehicle movement are consistent or inconsistent with each other;

inhibit a desired function of the vehicle in response to the movement of the fob and the vehicle movement being inconsistent with each other; and

permit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the movement of the fob and the vehicle movement being consistent with each other.

54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the movement of the fob comprises at least one of a direction or a magnitude of fob motion and wherein the vehicle movement comprises at least one of a direction or a magnitude of motion of the at least a portion of the vehicle.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the movement of the fob and the vehicle movement are consistent with each other if the movement of the fob differs from the vehicle movement by less than a fob/vehicle-movement-differential threshold.

56. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the at least a portion of the vehicle comprises at least a portion of a seat of the vehicle.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the at least a portion of the seat of the vehicle comprises a cover of the seat of the vehicle and wherein the movement of the fob and the vehicle movement are consistent with each other if the magnitude and direction of the movement of the fob differ from the magnitude and direction of the vehicle movement by less than a fob/seat-movement-differential threshold.

58. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the desired function of the vehicle comprises at least one of unlocking the vehicle or driving the vehicle.