System and method for enabling secure transactions using flexible identity management in a vehicular environment

Abstract

A method in one embodiment includes authenticating a first agent to an on board unit (OBU) of a vehicle if the first agent validates a first set of one or more authentication requirements and identifying a first identity profile corresponding to the first agent. The method also includes determining a role of the first agent in the vehicle and configuring the vehicle with the first identity profile, where the vehicle is configured based, at least in part, on the role of the first agent. In this embodiment, the first identity profile is one of a plurality of identity profiles provisioned on the OBU. In specific embodiments, each one of a plurality of agents corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of identity profiles, and includes one or more of a human agent, a machine device, a software agent, an authorized entity, and a mobile device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a divisional (and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120) of U.S. application Ser. No. 13 / 014,605, filed Jan. 26, 2011, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING SECURE TRANSACTIONS USING FLEXIBLE IDENTITY MANAGEMENT IN A VEHICULAR ENVIRONMENT,” Inventors Sateesh K. Addepalli, et al., which application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 433,138, filed Jan. 14, 2011, by Sateesh K. Addepalli, et al., entitled “SYSTEM, METHOD, AND PROCESSES ASSOCIATED WITH CONNECTED VEHICLES.” The disclosures of both of the prior applications are considered part of (and are incorporated by reference in) the disclosure of this application in their entireties.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates in general to the field of electronic communications and, more particularly, to enabling secure transactions using flexible identity management in a vehicular environment.BA...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is about a system and method for enabling secure transactions in a vehicular environment using flexible identity management. The technical effects of this patent include providing a secure and flexible framework for conducting transactions in a mobile environment, with multiple end users and owners, and accessing remote networks using the identity of an agent. The method includes detecting an event for a transaction, determining whether the transaction is authorized, identifying network credentials of the agent, and providing the network credentials to a transaction application corresponding to the transaction. The system also includes accessing a remote network using the network credentials and evaluating a memory element to determine whether the transaction application is mapped to the agent. Overall, this patent provides a solution for securely and flexibly managing identities in a vehicle environment.

Problems solved by technology

Networking architectures have grown increasingly complex and have been designed for use in a wide variety of communications environments.

In particular, configuring suitable network architecture for vehicular environments (e.g., automobiles, airplanes, trains, boats, etc.) presents unique difficulties.

Providing the ability to conduct transactions in vehicular network environments in a secure manner and providing a secure and flexible identity management framework for various agents conducting the transactions present significant challenges to system designers, automobile manufacturers, service providers, and the like.

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