Auto PC firewall

Details Auto PC firewall Auto PC firewall

1998-08-10

2001-11-06

Cuchlinski, Jr., William A. (Department: 3661)

Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location

Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication

Vehicle subsystem or accessory control

C307S010100, C340S870030, C340S870030

Reexamination Certificate

active

06314351

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to computers for automotive vehicles and more particularly to a firewall for protecting vehicle functions from unauthorized access.
It is known to provide a vehicle with a personal computer or “auto PC” which provides a user interface to vehicle functions, such as climate control, audio system, power windows, windshield wipers, etc. In order to provide these features, the auto PC must have access to the vehicle bus. Many vehicle components, including the engine control module, send and receive information and commands via the vehicle bus. Since the auto PC will permit the installation of third party software, unauthorized access to the vehicle bus is a concern. Unauthorized access to the vehicle bus could cause undesirable control of vehicle components. More importantly, unauthorized access to the vehicle bus could impair critical functions of the vehicle, such as the engine control system or braking system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a system and method for preventing unauthorized access by software in the auto PC to the vehicle bus or directly to vehicle components. This accomplished by a firewall between the auto PC software and vehicle bus. The firewall may be implemented solely in software in the auto PC itself, or may comprise a separate hardware module. Preferably, the firewall utilizes encryption handshaking with auto PC software in the firewall.


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Ted Doty, “A Firewall Overview”, from ConneXions, vol. 9, No. 7, pp. 20-23, Jul. 1995.

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