Engine control unit configuration security

• US 9,158,926 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2014
• Issued: 10/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Infrastructure Technology, LLC (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Wentz, Jared J., Welch, Lori J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zand, Kambiz
• Assistant Examiner(s): KAPLAN, BENJAMIN A
• Application Number:
  US14/153,811
• Publication Number:
  US 20150199522A1
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 726/26
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1011 to devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/57 Certifying or maintaining trusted computer platforms, e.g. secure boots or power-downs, version controls, system software checks, secure updates or assessing vulnerabilities
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/60 Protecting data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/73 by creating or determining hardware identification, e.g. serial numbers

Abstract

An engine control unit configuration security system receives a request with a serial number associated with an engine control unit and a requested engine control unit change. The system determines that the requested engine control unit change is approved and in response generates a code including a serial number associated with the engine control unit and an instruction that causes the engine control unit to implement the requested engine control unit change.

Claims

1. A system for protecting a configuration of engine control units, the system comprising:

a memory comprising instructions; and

a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor, when executing the instructions, effectuates operations comprising;

receiving a serial number associated with an engine control unit and a requested engine control unit change;

determining that the requested engine control unit change is approved; and

generating a code comprising the serial number associated with the engine control unit and an instruction that causes the engine control unit to either;

implement the requested engine control unit change or reject the code or otherwise not implement the requested engine control unit change.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the requested engine control unit change is one of a change of a calibration configured at the engine control unit and a change of an engine type configured at the engine control unit.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise receiving a change time.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the serial number associated with the engine control unit and the requested engine control unit change are received in an encrypted electronic message.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting the code to the engine control unit in an encrypted electronic message.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein determining that the requested engine control unit change is approved comprises determining that an engine associated with the engine control unit is compatible with the requested engine control unit change.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein determining that the requested engine control unit change is approved comprises determining that an operator of an engine associated with the engine control unit has paid for the requested engine control unit change.

8. A method for protecting a configuration of engine control units, the method comprising:

receiving, at a change control device, a serial number associated with an engine control unit and a requested engine control unit change;

determining, at the change control device, that the requested engine control unit change is approved; and

generating, at the change control device, a code comprising the serial number associated with the engine control unit and an instruction that causes the engine control unit to either;

implement the requested engine control unit change or reject the code or otherwise not implement the requested engine control unit change.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the requested engine control unit change is one of a change of a calibration configured at the engine control unit and a change of an engine type configured at the engine control unit.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising receiving a change time.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the serial number associated with the engine control unit and the requested engine control unit change are received in an encrypted electronic message.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising transmitting the code to the engine control unit in an encrypted electronic message.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein determining that the requested engine control unit change is approved comprises determining that an engine associated with the engine control unit is compatible with the requested engine control unit change.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein determining that the requested engine control unit change is approved comprises determining that an operator of an engine associated with the engine control unit has paid for the requested engine control unit change.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to effectuate operations for protecting a configuration of engine control units, the medium comprising:

receiving a serial number associated with an engine control unit and a requested engine control unit change;

determining that the requested engine control unit change is approved; and

generating a code comprising the serial number associated with the engine control unit and an instruction that causes the engine control unit to either;

implement the requested engine control unit change or reject the code or otherwise not implement the requested engine control unit change.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the requested engine control unit change is one of a change of a calibration configured at the engine control unit and a change of an engine type configured at the engine control unit.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise receiving a change time.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the serial number associated with the engine control unit and the requested engine control unit change are received in an encrypted electronic message.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise transmitting the code to the engine control unit in an encrypted electronic message.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein determining that the requested engine control unit change is approved comprises determining that an engine associated with the engine control unit is compatible with the requested engine control unit change.