Secure multi-bus control system for recreational vehicles

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024375612-A1
Application number	US-202418657978-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 8, 2024
Priority date	May 11, 2023
Publication date	Nov 14, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

A vehicle control system for recreational vehicles, designed to enhance the security and functionality of communication between various devices. The system includes a first communication bus for connecting devices, such as a first vehicle controller, responsible for controlling critical vehicle functions. Additionally, a second communication bus is provided for connecting devices, including a second vehicle controller, tasked with managing peripheral vehicle functions. The two communication buses are linked by a gateway device that enables communication between them. To ensure a secure communication environment, the system incorporates at least one firewall, which selectively allows information to pass from the second communication bus to the first communication bus via the gateway. This arrangement provides increased security and reliability in the communication and control of essential vehicle functions, while allowing for flexibility in the management of peripheral functions.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A vehicle control system for a recreational vehicle, the system comprising:
a first communication bus configured to facilitate communication among one or more connected devices including a first vehicle controller that is configured to control a critical vehicle function; a second communication bus configured to facilitate communication among one or more connected devices including a second vehicle controller that is configured to control a peripheral vehicle function; a gateway device connecting the first and second communication bus and enabling communication therebetween; and at least one firewall configured to define a secure communication environment for the first communication bus by selectively allowing information to pass, via the gateway, to the first communication bus from the second communication bus.

2 . The vehicle control system of claim 1 , further comprising a telematic control unit (TCU), wherein the firewall is configured to define a secure communication environment for the first communication bus by selectively allowing information to pass, via the gateway, to the first communication bus from the TCU.

3 . The vehicle control system of claim 1 , further comprising a diagnostic port, wherein the firewall is configured to define a secure communication environment for the first communication bus by selectively allowing information to pass to the first communication bus from the diagnostic port.

4 . The vehicle control system of claim 3 , wherein the diagnostic port is connected to the second communication bus.

5 . The vehicle control system of claim 1 , wherein the second vehicle controller is selected from a group consisting of a winch control system, lighting system, climate control system, and instrument/sensor cluster.

6 . The vehicle control system of claim 1 , wherein the first vehicle controller is selected from a group consisting of a vehicle display device configured to provide information related to the vehicle's performance and operating conditions, an electronic control module (ECM), and a vehicle control module (VCM).

7 . The vehicle control system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second communication bus each form a controller area network (CAN).

8 . The vehicle control system of claim 1 , further comprising a third communication bus configured to facilitate communication among one or more connected devices.

9 . The vehicle control system of claim 8 , wherein the firewall is configured to define a secure communication environment for the first communication bus by selectively allowing information to pass to the first communication bus from the third communication bus.

10 . The vehicle control system of claim 8 , further comprising a second firewall configured to define a secure communication environment for the second communication bus by selectively allowing information to pass to the second communication bus from the third communication bus.

11 . The vehicle control system of claim 8 , wherein the third communication bus includes at least one of a connected diagnostic port and a third vehicle controller that is configured to control at least one of a peripheral vehicle function and a critical vehicle function.

12 . The vehicle control system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle control system is installed into an off-road vehicle.

13 . A method of exchanging information with a control system for a vehicle, comprising: providing a first communication bus configured to facilitate communication among one or more connected devices including a first vehicle controller that is configured to control a critical vehicle function, providing a second communication bus configured to facilitate communication among one or more connected devices including a second vehicle controller that is configured to control a peripheral vehicle function;
providing a gateway device connecting the first and second communication bus and enabling communication therebetween; and providing at least one firewall configured to define a secure communication environment for the first communication bus by selectively allowing information to pass, via the gateway, to the first communication bus from the second communication bus.

14 . The method claim 13 , further comprising providing a telematic control unit (TCU), wherein the firewall is configured to define a secure communication environment for the first communication bus by selectively allowing information to pass, via the gateway, to the first communication bus from the TCU.

15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising a diagnostic port, wherein the firewall is configured to define a secure communication environment for the first communication bus by selectively allowing information to pass to the first communication bus from the diagnostic port.

16 . The vehicle control system of claim 15 , wherein the diagnostic port is connected to the second communication bus.

17 . The vehicle control system of claim 13 , wherein the second vehicle controller is selected from a group consisting of a winch control system, lighting system, climate control system, and instrument/sensor cluster.

18 . The vehicle control system of claim 13 , wherein the vehicle control system is installed into an off-road vehicle.

19 . A vehicle control system for a recreational vehicle, the system comprising:
a first controller area network (CAN) bus, configured to facilitate communication among one or more connected devices including a vehicle display device configured to provide information related to the vehicle's performance and operating conditions, an electronic control module (ECM), and a vehicle control module (VCM), wherein the one or more connected devices on the first CAN bus are configured to control one or more critical vehicle functions; a second CAN bus, configured to facilitate communication among one or more connected devices configured to control a peripheral vehicle function; a gateway device connecting the first and second CAN buses and enabling communication between the first and second CAN buses; and a firewall configured to define a secure communication environment for the first CAN bus by selectively allowing information to pass to the first CAN bus from at least the second CAN bus such that communication is monitored and controlled between the one or more devices configured to control the peripheral vehicle function and the one or more devices configured to control the one or more critical vehicle functions.

20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the peripheral vehicle function comprises at least one of a vehicle entertainment system, an audio system, a display, a lighting system, a climate control system, a power window system, a power seat system, and an onboard navigation system.

Assignees

• Polaris Inc

Inventors

• Norstad Timothy
• Mitchell Monica E

Classifications

• H04L2012/40273

  the transportation system being a vehicle · CPC title

• H04L2012/40215

  Controller Area Network CAN · CPC title

• H04L9/40

  Network security protocols · CPC title

• H04L63/0209

  Architectural arrangements, e.g. perimeter networks or demilitarized zones · CPC title

• H04L12/40182 Primary

  by using a plurality of communication lines · CPC title