Method for duplicating an electronic car key

Abstract

Method for duplicating an electronic key for a car (6), or for other vehicles in general, and wherein said car (6) or vehicle comprises at least one OBD socket which is electronically connected to a control unit of the same car (6) or vehicle, said method is characterised in that: a data reader (2) is connected to the OBD socket of the car or vehicle, and in this way the identification data of the electronic key to be duplicated present in said control unit are acquired by said reader (2), the data acquired by said data reader (2) are used in an electronic key transponder duplicator (12,12') for their storage in a blank key, which will constitute a copy of the electronic key to be duplicated.

Description

[0001] METHOD FOR DUPLICATING AN ELECTRONIC CAR KEY.

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention concerns a method and an infrastructure for duplicating an electronic key for cars, or vehicles in general.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] Electronic car keys are known which comprise a microprocessor, into which a data processing program is loaded, a memory containing data and a transponder for exchanging data with the control unit of the car.

[0006] Generally, the data present in the electronic key memory can be divided into four main categories and include:

[0007] - a key identification code (UID), consisting of an alphanumeric string that allows the key to be uniquely identified,

[0008] - a series of data typical of the key, such as in particular the model, the production batch, the hardware, firmware and software versions used, etc.,

[0009] - a series of data (User Data) acquired during the use of the key, such as in particular the mileage travelled by the car, the number of ignitions, the configuration of the buttons, the configuration of the car, the settings of the seats, the errors of the control unit and other information linked to the use of the key and the car and therefore intended to change over time;

[0010] - the security information (Security Data), which basically consists of the encryption key (Secret Key) used to encrypt the data and messages that the key exchanges with the control unit of the car.

[0011] In particular, the Secret Key is used in a customized algorithm that is in possession of both the key and the control unit and which encrypts the data and messages that the key and the control unit exchange to perform their mutual recognition and to operate.

[0012] If you need to make a copy of the electronic key from a blank key or virgin key, it is necessary to transfer all the data present in the original key into the memory of this virgin key to enable it to exchange information with the control unit of the car and to effectively replace the original key.

[0013] In the case of old generation keys, the recovery of the Secret Key does not present particular difficulties, since to duplicate an original key, special transponder duplicators are used, which send a series of request messages (challenge) to the original key, record the corresponding responses (response) and with a specific algorithm, which receives as input the sequence of challenge / response pairs previously acquired, obtain the Secret Key without the need to interrogate the control unit of the car.

[0014] In the case of more recent generation keys, the duplication operation is made more difficult by the fact that the acquisition by the blank key of the data stored in the original key to be duplicated requires prior mutual recognition between the original key and the control unit and in the absence of this it is not possible to acquire the data stored in the original key. This method requires that the original key be inserted into the appropriate ignition switch of the car and rotated several times turning the ignition on and off in order to record with a suitable device, in practice consisting of an inductive reader coupled to the key, the data and messages that the control unit and the original key exchange with each other.

[0015] Once the inductive reader has acquired this data, it is transferred to a transponder reader / writer, which retrieves from it the data and messages previously acquired by it and, using an appropriate algorithm, carries out the appropriate calculation procedures on this data which lead to obtaining the Secret Key.

[0016] This technique has overcome certain limitations of the previous technique but has proven to be ineffective with the latest generation of keys, which would require for its application an enormous quantity of challenge / response data (from tens to hundreds) and therefore a very high number of key actuation interventions to ignite and shut off and very long processing times for the data thus acquired.

[0017] US2020 / 013241 and US 2022 / 139137 show a method for duplicating an electronic car key wherein data acquired from a vehicle and / or a key already associated with the vehicle are stored in an encrypted database.

[0018] GB2534256 describes an alarm system connected to an OBD port of a motor vehicle.

[0019] OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The object of the invention is to propose a method and an infrastructure for duplicating an electronic key for cars, or vehicles in general, which allow to overcome, at least in part, the dblankbacks of the known solutions.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to propose a method for duplicating a key that is simple, intuitive and quick to implement.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to propose a method that uses known devices that are easily available on the market.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to reduce the number of devices used for duplicating an electronic car key. Another object of the present invention is to reduce the number of operational steps required for duplicating an electronic car key.

[0024] Another object of the present invention is to propose a method for duplicating an electronic car key that can be implemented simply, quickly and at low cost.

[0025] Another object of the present invention is to propose a method for duplicating that is applicable to a wide range of key models and to a wide variety of cars.

[0026] Another object of the present invention is to propose a small size infrastructure for duplicating an electronic car key.

[0027] Another object of the present invention is to propose an infrastructure that can be used in a simple, rapid and intuitive way.

[0028] Another object of the present invention is to propose an infrastructure that can be implemented simply, quickly and at low cost.

[0029] Another object of the present invention is to propose a portable infrastructure.

[0030] Another object of the present invention is to propose a method and an infrastructure that are an improvement and / or alternative with respect to traditional solutions.

[0031] Another object of the present invention is to propose a method and an infrastructure with an alternative characterization, both in functional and implementational terms, compared to the traditional ones.

[0032] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0033] All these objects, both individually and in any combination thereof, and others that will result from the following description are achieved, according to the invention, with a method for duplicating an electronic key for cars, or other vehicles in general, as defined in claim 1 and a duplication infrastructure for duplicating an electronic key for cars, or other vehicles in general, as defined in claim 30.

[0034] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0035] The present invention is further clarified below in some of its preferred practical embodiments reported for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached dblanking, wherein figure 1 schematically illustrates the method according to the invention.

[0036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND SOME OF ITS PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] As can be seen from the figure, the method according to the invention provides for using a data reader 2, traditional in itself, preferably provided with a connector 4 that can be inserted into the standard OBD socket (port) of a car 6 (or of another vehicle in general equipped with an OBD socket). In particular, the OBD socket / port is present in practically all modern motor vehicles and is used to connect the control unit of the car 6 with specific equipment that performs engine diagnoses. In more detail, the OBD socket is electronically connected to the control unit of the car 6.

[0038] In particular, the method according to the invention provides for:

[0039] - connecting the data reader 2 to an OBD socket of the car 6, and in this way the identification data of the electronic key to be duplicated present in the control unit of the car 6 are acquired by said reader 2.

[0040] - using the data acquired by said data reader 2 in an electronic key transponder duplicator 12, 12' for their storage in a blank key, which will thus constitute a copy - and more preferably a clone copy - of the electronic key to be duplicated.

[0041] Conveniently, the data reader 2 is configured to acquire the data stored in the control unit of vehicles provided with an OBD socket generally circulating on the road network.

[0042] Preferably, the data reader 2 comprises a connection module for transferring the data acquired by the control unit to at least one external device. More preferably, said connection module is of the wireless type.

[0043] Preferably, the connector 4 to the OBD socket is part of the data reader 2 and, more preferably, is physically integrated into data reader 2.

[0044] Preferably, in the method according to the invention, the identification data of the electronic key to be duplicated are acquired exclusively by connecting said data reader 2 to the OBD socket of the car or vehicle, i.e. without using further devices.

[0045] Preferably, the method also comprises any smart device 8 (e.g. a smartphone, tablet, laptop or equivalent devices), wherein an APP is loaded - for example called MKP - which is programmed and used by the key manufacturer to make the equipment of its own production, intended to operate on the keys, communicate with a software platform containing data regarding both the equipment and the keys. Preferably, said APP is a native mobile software application.

[0046] Conveniently, the APP is programmed to connect said smart device 8 to said reader 2 to receive the data acquired from the control unit of the car 6 whose key is to be duplicated. Preferably, the reader 2 can be configured to receive commands from a user through said APP, which is conveniently programmed to send commands to the reader 2, for example to choose which data to acquire from the control unit. Advantageously, in this way the smartphone 8 is able to communicate with a remote storage unit, such as for example a cloud system and / or a real or virtual remote server, in order to store in it the information read in the control unit of the car 6 for their deferred use. More specifically, this data can then be transmitted to the duplicator 12, 12' of transponders of various types, so that they can be stored when necessary in a blank key, which will have to constitute the copy - and more properly the clone - of an original key, to which that data belongs.

[0047] Conveniently, the duplicator 12, 12' can be connected wirelessly to said remote storage unit 10, wherein the data acquired by the reader 2 has been stored, so that the data stored in said remote unit 10 can be advantageously accessed from any location where a corresponding wireless connection is available.

[0048] Conveniently, it is also provided that the same data (which are stored in the control unit of the car and which have been acquired by means of the data reader 2 which is connected to the OBD socket of the car via the connector 4) can also be transmitted directly from the smartphone 8, wirelessly - for example via Bluetooth or via Wi-Fi - or by wire, to the transponder duplicator 12,12' for their immediate use. Since these transponder duplicators 12,12' are themselves known, it is not necessary to describe them further.

[0049] Conveniently, the method according to the invention provides for:

[0050] - wirelessly transferring, directly or via a smart device (8), the data acquired by said data reader (2) to a storage unit (10),

[0051] - wirelessly transferring to said transponder duplicator (12,12'), directly or via a smart device (8), the data acquired by said data reader (2) and previously transferred to said storage unit (10).

[0052] Preferably, the various devices - in particular the data reader 2, the smart device 8 and the duplicator 12, 12', the remote storage unit 10 - can be connected to each other via a wireless connection, more preferably via an Internet connection.

[0053] Preferably, in another possible embodiment not shown, the data reader 2 can be connected directly - without the intermediation of the smart device 8 - to said remote storage unit 10. More preferably, in this case, the reader 2 can be controlled remotely by means of the same remote storage unit 10 which can comprise a PC or a server.

[0054] Preferably, the data reader 2, the smart device 8 and the duplicator 12, 12' are comfortably portable, for example they can be carried in a backpack and / or in the pockets of a user's clothing.

[0055] The method according to the invention for duplicating an original electronic car key, i.e. for creating a copy of this original key, first provides for connecting the reader 2 directly to the OBD socket of the car (or of another vehicle in general).

[0056] Conveniently, with this connection the reader 2 automatically recognizes the control unit model and is able to read and download from it all the information (data) contained in it and essential for making a copy of a key already stored in the control unit itself, and more specifically its Secret Key which is the encryption key used to encrypt the data and messages that the key exchanges with the control unit of the car.

[0057] Preferably, the data thus acquired by the reader 2 can then be transmitted, for example via Bluetooth or via Bluetooth Low Energy or via Wi-Fi or via Wireless or even by wire to the smartphone 8, wherein said APP is present, for example called MKP, which after having recognised the reader 2 can acquire them and retransmit them to the remote storage unit 10, for example comprising a cloud system or a remote server, managed by the key manufacturer.

[0058] Advantageously, data reader 2 is the only data acquisition device that is connected to the car 6 whose electronic key is to be duplicated, thus simplifying the method. Preferably, the data reader 2 is the only device that is connected to the OBD socket of the car 6.

[0059] Preferably, the data reader 2 connected to the OBD socket of the car 6 acquires from the control unit of the car itself data of the key - more preferably at least the data necessary for its duplication and including the identification data (i.e. a unique identification code of the key (UID) to be duplicated) and the security information (Security Data) of the key to be duplicated - after the key to be duplicated has been recognised by the control unit of the car 6. Conveniently, the key to be duplicated is recognised by the control unit of the car 6 when it is inside or in proximity of the cabin of the car 6 and / or (if provided) when it is inserted into the ignition switch of the car 6.

[0060] More preferably, in a possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is not necessary to repeatedly turn the car 6 on and off to acquire said data from said control unit.

[0061] Preferably, in a possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the data reader 2 connected to the OBD socket of the car 6 acquires from the control unit of the car itself identification data of the key - and more preferably at least a unique identification code of the key (UID) to be duplicated and also the security information (Security Data) of the key to be duplicated - when the electronic key to be duplicated is inside or in proximity of the cabin of the car 6, and without having pressed the ignition button of the car 6 and / or without needing the ignition of the car 6.

[0062] Preferably, in a possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, the data reader 2 connected to the OBD socket of the car 6 acquires from the control unit of the car itself identification data of the key - and more preferably at least one unique identification code of the key (UID) to be duplicated and also the security information (Security Data) of the key to be duplicated - when the electronic key to be duplicated is inside or in proximity of the cabin of the car 6, after having also turned on (at least once) the car 6 and / or after having also pressed (at least once) the ignition button of the car 6.

[0063] Preferably, in a possible embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is sufficient to turn on the on-board instrumentation of the car 6 to acquire the identification data of the electronic key necessary for duplication through said data reader 2. Conveniently, when successively the duplication of an electronic key is required, the key manufacturer or even a duplication centre in possession of a transponder duplicator 12, 12' can connect to the remote storage unit 10, for example comprising a cloud system or a remote server, in order to acquire from it all the data necessary for identifying the particular blank key to be duplicated and for its duplication.

[0064] Preferably, there is no requirement for an operator to acquire the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) code of the car 6 for key duplication.

[0065] Preferably, the identification data of the key to be duplicated which are present in the control unit of the car 6 and which are acquired by the data reader 2 by connecting it to the OBD socket of the car 6 may include a unique identification code of the key (UID) to be duplicated, which allows the key to be duplicated to be uniquely identified.

[0066] Preferably, the data of the key to be duplicated which are present in the control unit of the car 6 and which are acquired by the data reader 2 by connecting it to the OBD socket of the car 6 may include security information (Security Data) of the key to be duplicated, which in practice consist of the encryption key (Secret Key) used to encrypt the data and messages that the key to be duplicated exchanges with the control unit of the car and / or data useful for reconstructing said encryption key (Secret Key).

[0067] Conveniently, the data thus acquired by said data reader 2 are transmitted and used in an electronic key transponder duplicator 12, 12' for their storage in a blank key, which will constitute a copy - and more preferably the clone - of the electronic key to be duplicated. In particular, the copy / clone key will have the same unique identification code (UID) as the key to be duplicated and, furthermore, will contain the same security information (Security Data) as the key to be duplicated and, in particular, will contain the same encryption key (Secret Key) used to encrypt the data and messages that the key to be duplicated exchanges with the control unit of the car.

[0068] More preferably, further data which are present in the control unit of the car 6 and which are acquired by connecting the data reader 2 to the car's OBD socket may include:

[0069] - a series of data typical of the key to be duplicated, such as the model, the production batch, the hardware, firmware and software versions used, etc., and / or - a series of data (User Data) acquired during the use of the key to be duplicated, such as the mileage travelled by the car, the number of times it is started, the configuration of the buttons, the configuration of the car, the settings of the seats, the errors of the control unit and other information linked to the use of the key and the car and therefore intended to change over time.

[0070] Conveniently, the further data thus acquired by said data reader 2 are transmitted and used in an electronic key transponder duplicator 12,12' for their storage in a blank key, which will constitute a copy - and more preferably the clone - of the electronic key to be duplicated. In particular, the copy / clone key contains the same typical data of the key to be duplicated, such as for example the model, the production batch, the hardware, firmware and software versions used, etc., and also the same data (User Data) acquired during the use of the key to be duplicated, such as for example the mileage travelled by the car, the number of ignitions, the configuration of the keys, the configuration of the car, the settings of the seats, the errors of the control unit and other information linked to the use of the key and the car and therefore intended to change over time.

[0071] It should be noted that, advantageously, the method described above is able to transfer to the duplicator 12,12' all the information (data) regarding the original key to be duplicated, including the UID code of the original key to be duplicated. It follows that the key subsequently obtained has the same UID as one of the original keys already present in the control unit of the car and therefore the new key does not have its own UID different from one of those (UID1 , UID2, ...) already present in the control unit, but has the same UID as the original key to be duplicated, of which it is more properly a clone copy. Advantageously, this makes the new key directly usable in the car without the need for its prior acquisition by the control unit of the car.

[0072] Conveniently, if the original key to be duplicated also has a blade with a mechanical cutting, which must be reproduced on the blade of the copy key in order to then operate the ignition of the car, this reproduction can be carried out with traditional criteria either by taking the mechanical cutting from the original key and then commanding a mechanical duplicating machine so that it reproduces the same cutting on the blade of the new key, or by introducing the code of that particular cutting, if known, into the mechanical duplicating machine so that from this the mechanical duplicating machine can reproduce the mechanical cutting on the new key even in the absence of the original key.

[0073] Conveniently, said reader 2 can acquire from the control unit of the car 6 only the data of the key to be duplicated which are essential for identifying the Secret Key, and then the remaining data are acquired, in particular the User Data directly from the original key via said transponder duplicator 12, 12'.

[0074] Conveniently, it is also provided that certain data regarding the original key to be duplicated, and more particularly the User Data, can be recovered, depending on the characteristics of the equipment used, from the original key or even from the control unit, and in the latter case the presence of the original key may not even be necessary to obtain the copy key.

[0075] Conveniently, it is also possible that with said reader 2 all the data of the key to be duplicated are acquired from the control unit of the car and said data are then stored in the blank key to be transformed into a copy - and more preferably a clone - of the original key.

[0076] Preferably, it is also provided that the data acquired by the reader 2 connected to the control unit of the car via the OBD socket and necessary for the transponder duplicator 12,12' to create the copy of the original key can be transferred from the reader itself directly to the transponder duplicator 12,12', even without the need to use the smart device 8.

[0077] The present invention also relates to an infrastructure for duplicating an electronic car key comprising:

[0078] - a data reader 2 provided with a connector 4 for the connection to the car's OBD socket and configured to thereby acquire identification data of the electronic key to be duplicated present in the control unit of the car 6,

[0079] - an electronic key transponder duplicator 12, 12',

[0080] - means for transferring to said transponder duplicator 12, 12' the data acquired by said reader 2.

[0081] Preferably, said infrastructure also comprises a smart device 8 configured to transfer the data acquired by said reader 2 to a remote storage unit 10.

[0082] Preferably, said transponder duplicator 12, 12' can connect when necessary to said remote storage unit to acquire said data.

[0083] Preferably, said data reader 2 is the one and only device of the infrastructure directly connected to the car 6 .

[0084] Advantageously, the infrastructure is operational even when the engine of the car whose key you want to duplicate is kept turned off.

[0085] Advantageously, the duplication method according to the invention allows, after the first connection of the data reader with the control unit of the car to which the key is associated, it is possible to access the data contained in the original key and / or in the control unit without having the control unit and / or the key itself available anymore. Advantageously, after the first acquisition of the data stored in the control unit of the car to which the key to be duplicated is associated, the method can be implemented remotely.

[0086] The present invention has been illustrated and described in some of its preferred embodiments, but it is understood that executive variations may be made to them in practice, without however departing from the scope of protection of the present patent for industrial invention.

Claims

C L A I M S1. Method for duplicating an electronic key for a car (6), or for other vehicles in general, and wherein said car (6) or vehicle comprises at least one OBD socket which is electronically connected to a control unit of the same car (6) or vehicle, said method is characterised in that:- a data reader (2) is connected to the OBD socket of the car or vehicle, and in this way the identification data of the electronic key to be duplicated present in said control unit are acquired by said reader (2),- the data acquired by said data reader (2) are used in an electronic key transponder duplicator (12,12') for their storage in a blank key, which will constitute a copy of the electronic key to be duplicated.

2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the identification data of the electronic key to be duplicated are acquired exclusively by connecting said data reader (2) to the OBD socket of the car or vehicle.

3. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, to acquire the identification data of the electronic key to be duplicated by means of said data reader (2), the on-board instrumentation of the car (6) or vehicle is turned on.

4. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein by connecting the data reader (2) to the OBD socket of the car (6) or vehicle, the data reader (2) automatically recognises the control unit model and is able to read and download from it all the data contained in the control unit and essential for making a copy of a key already stored in the control unit itself.

5. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the data of the electronic key to be duplicated present in said control unit and acquired by said data reader (2) comprise identification data of the electronic key to be duplicated and also all the data necessary for the duplication of said electronic key.

6. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the identification data of the electronic key to be duplicated present in said control unit and acquired by said data reader (2) comprise a unique identification code (UID) of the key to be duplicated.

7. Method according to the previous claim, wherein said unique identification code (UID) of the key to be duplicated, which has been acquired by the data reader (2) and which is present in the control unit, is used by the transponder duplicator (12, 12') for its storage in the blank key, which therefore has the same unique identification code (UID) as the key to be duplicated.

8. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the data of the electronic key to be duplicated present in said control unit and acquired by said data reader (2) comprise security data (Security Data) of the key to be duplicated and, more preferably, comprise data of the encryption key (Secret Key) used to encrypt the data and messages that the key to be duplicated exchanges with the control unit and / or data useful for reconstructing said encryption key.

9. Method according to the previous claim, wherein the security data (Security Data) of the key to be duplicated, which have been acquired by the data reader (2) and which are present in the control unit, are used by the transponder duplicator (12, 12') to store them in the blank key, which therefore has the same security data (Security Data) as the key to be duplicated.

10. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the data of the electronic key to be duplicated present in said control unit and acquired by said data reader (2) also comprise further data which, preferably, comprise:- a series of data typical of the key to be duplicated, such as the model, the production batch, the hardware, firmware and software versions used, etc., and / or- a series of data (User Data) acquired during the use of the key to be duplicated, such as the mileage travelled by the car, the number of times it is started, the configuration of the buttons, the configuration of the car, the settings of the seats, the errors of the control unit and other information linked to the use of the key and the car and therefore intended to change over time.11 . Method according to the preceding claim, wherein said further data, which have been acquired by the data reader (2) and which are present in the control unit of the car, are used by the transponder duplicator (12, 12') for their storage in the blank key.

12. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the data reader (2) connected to the OBD socket acquires key data from the control unit itself after the electronic key to be duplicated is recognised by the control unit of the car.

13. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the data reader (2) connected to the OBD socket acquires key data from the control unit itself when the electronic key to be duplicated is inside or in proximity of the cabin of the car or vehicle.

14. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the data reader (2) connected to the OBD socket of the car (6) acquires key data from the control unit itself when the electronic key to be duplicated is inside or in proximity of the cabin of the car, and without needing the ignition of the car or vehicle.

15. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the data reader (2) connected to the OBD socket of the car (6) acquires key data from the control unit itself when the electronic key to be duplicated is inside or in proximity of the cabin of the car, and after having turned on the car or vehicle at least once.

16. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the data acquired by said data reader (2) are transferred to a remote storage unit (10) using a dedicated software application APP (MKP) loaded into a smart device (8), preferably into a smartphone.

17. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the data acquired by said data reader (2) are transferred to a remote storage unit (10), preferably a cloud system and / or a remote server, to which said transponder duplicator (12, 12') can be connected to recover said data when a copy of said electronic key needs to be created.

18. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a dedicated software application APP is used which is programmed to send commands to the data reader (2).

19. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the data acquired by said data reader (2) is transferred to said transponder duplicator (12,12') via a smart device (8).

20. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein:- the data acquired by said data reader (2) are transferred, directly or via a smart device (8), to a storage unit (10),- the data acquired by said data reader (2) and previously transferred to said storage unit (10) are transferred to said transponder duplicator (12, 12'), directly or via a smart device (8).

21. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the data acquired by said data reader (2) are transferred directly to said transponder duplicator (12, 12').

22. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the ignition of the car (6) or vehicle engine is not required for the acquisition by said data reader (2) of the identification data of the electronic key to be duplicated present in said control unit.

23. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the data reader (2) is the only data acquisition device that is connected to the car (6) or vehicle.

24. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the acquisition of the VI N code of the car (6) or vehicle is not required.

25. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the data reader (2) further comprises a wireless connection module, to thereby transfer the acquired data.

26. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein only the data of the key to be duplicated essential for identifying the Secret Key of said blank key to be transformed into a copy of the original key are acquired with said data reader (2) from the control unit and the remaining data, preferably the User Data, are then acquired directly from the original key via said transponder duplicator (12, 12').

27. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein all the data of the key to be duplicated are acquired with said data reader (2) from the control unit and said data are then stored in the blank key to be transformed into a copy of the original key.

28. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said electronic key to be duplicated is also provided with mechanical cutting, and wherein the electronic duplication of the key is completed with its mechanical cutting based on the mechanical cutting data of the original key.

29. Method according to the previous claim, wherein the mechanical cutting of the copy key is carried out on the basis of a code present in said remote storage unit (10) and identifying said mechanical cutting.

30. Infrastructure for duplicating an electronic key for a car (6), or for other vehicles in general, and wherein said car (6) or vehicle comprises at least one OBD socket which is electronically connected to a control unit of the same car (6) or vehicle, configured to implement a method according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises:- a data reader (2) provided with a connector for connecting to said OBD socket and configured to acquire identification data of the electronic key to be duplicated present in said control unit,- an electronic key transponder duplicator (12, 12') which is configured to store in a blank key, which will constitute a copy of the electronic key to be duplicated, the data acquired by said data reader (2),- means for transferring to said transponder duplicator (12, 12') the data of interest of the key to be duplicated acquired by said data reader (2) and present in said control unit.

31. Infrastructure according to the preceding claim, wherein said infrastructure comprises a smart device (8) configured to transfer the data acquired by said datareader (2) to a remote storage unit (10), to which said transponder duplicator (12,12') can connect when necessary to acquire said data.

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