Method and device for providing generation information of digital access key for motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for providing generation information of a digital access key for a motor vehicle (10), the method comprising: receiving a generation inquiry on a remote computing unit (20) in order to generate a digital access key for the motor vehicle (10); invoking a generation limit for the digital access key; and when the generation limit is reached: providing a release request to the management terminal (30); receiving, on the management terminal device (30), an administrator input from the management user; and if the administrator input comprises a release of the generation restriction: providing generation information for the digital access key by the remote arithmetic mechanism (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing information for generating digital access keys for motor vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] A system for data exchange between at least one vehicle and at least one mobile terminal device is known, for example, from document DE 10 2014 203 060 A1. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and an improved apparatus for providing information for generating digital access keys for motor vehicles.

[0004] This objective is achieved according to the invention as described in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims and the specification.

[0005] According to the first aspect, a method is provided for providing information on the generation of a digital access key for a motor vehicle.

[0006] The method according to the present invention includes the following steps: receiving a generation query on a remote computing device to generate a digital access key for a motor vehicle; invoking a generation restriction for the digital access key; when the generation restriction is reached: providing a release request to a management terminal device; receiving administrator input from a management user on the management terminal device; and if the administrator input includes a release of the generation restriction, then the remote computing device provides generation information for the digital access key.

[0007] The method according to the invention is also particularly used for the generation of digital access keys for the management of one or more motor vehicles, and especially for the release of keys by the administrator when the restrictions for generating such digital access keys are reached. The method according to the invention also enables, in particular, the dynamic design of restrictions for further key generation.

[0008] To this end, an inquiry is first received at a remote computing facility in order to generate a digital access key for the vehicle.

[0009] A digital access key is a digitally stored and processed key that grants the key's user or owner access to one or more motor vehicles, particularly exactly one motor vehicle. This access functionality may include, in particular, locking and unlocking and / or activating, and especially releasing, anti-theft locks. Specifically, this access functionality may be associated with a user, a user terminal device, and / or a user account, as will be further clarified in the following sections.

[0010] Specifically, at least one digital access key for a motor vehicle already exists before the start or implementation of the method, and particularly relates to the generation of additional digital access keys, wherein the first, initial digital access key should also retain its validity during and after the implementation of the method.

[0011] In order to generate such additional, particularly second or additional, such as third or fourth keys, an inquiry is received on a remote computing facility.

[0012] The remote computing facility is configured herein to be distinct, separate, and spaced from the motor vehicle and possible terminal devices, particularly management terminal devices and / or one or more user terminal devices—as will be further clarified in the following process. The remote computing facility may include one or more servers, which may also be partially or wholly hosted in the cloud. The remote computing facility may be operated, in particular, by the manufacturer of the motor vehicle and / or the service provider, and may be used, for example, for the generation and management of one or more digital access keys for one or more motor vehicles.

[0013] Such provision or receipt of inquiries can be achieved through wired and / or wireless communication methods, such as one or more of LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) or WIFI, mobile radio standards such as 3G, 4G, 5G, Bluetooth, NFC (Near Field Communication) and / or Car2X (Vehicle-to-Everything), especially Car2 (Vehicle-to-Everything Infrastructure).

[0014] The query, received here for example by a user terminal device, particularly a user and / or user account, requests or desires to obtain or generate such a digital access key. Such a user terminal device is, in particular, a portable or mobile device, distinct from a motor vehicle. The user terminal device may be configured, for example, a mobile radio, smartphone, tablet, tablet computer, and / or wearable device, such as a smartwatch, Fitbit, and / or smart glasses. The user terminal device is, in particular, also, but not only, used to provide interaction with a motor vehicle and, in particular, such aforementioned access functionality, especially after it has obtained or generated a digital access key.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, queries may also be received by a static computing unit. The static computing unit may be, in particular, a personal computer and / or a computer terminal, which may be optionally configured solely for the management of such digital access keys for one or more vehicles, on which users query or request the generation of digital access keys.

[0016] Specifically, in response to a query, a restriction on the generation of a digital access key is invoked on the remote computing unit. This generation restriction may be predetermined and / or related to other factors, as will be explained further in the following process. Specifically, the generation restriction may be an integer value and / or may be zero. In other words, the generation restriction may be predetermined such that, in the absence of administrator input as described below, no other digital access key can be generated. Alternatively, a fixed positive integer value may be stored, for example, the generation restriction may be 1, 2, 3, or greater.

[0017] The generated restrictions can be stored in the memory of a remote computing unit and retrieved there and / or from a remote location. For example, uniform generated restrictions or different generated restrictions can be stored for multiple or all models, vehicles, trademarks, usage types, users, user terminal devices, and / or user accounts—managed by the remote computing unit—that vary according to model, vehicle, trademark, usage type, user, user terminal device, and / or user account, as will be explained further in the following process. Alternatively or additionally, generated restrictions can also be received and / or queried dynamically and / or on a case-by-case or situation-by-situation basis, as will also be explained further in the following process.

[0018] When the limit is reached, a release request is provided to the management terminal device.

[0019] Specifically, the computing unit compares the number of digital access keys already generated with the generation limit for new generation queries and invocations or storage. If the number exceeds the generation limit, the remote computing unit responds by providing a release request to the management terminal device. This can also be achieved through wired and / or wireless communication methods, as described above.

[0020] The management terminal device may be configured similarly or identically to the aforementioned user terminal device. In particular, the management terminal device is equipped with additional rules, especially management rules, to generate the management releases described herein. Specifically, the management terminal device is a terminal device or apparatus that includes or accesses a valid digital access key.

[0021] In particular, the management terminal device has a first or initial digital access key, which is at least temporarily the only digital access key, and / or another digital access key is generated based on or applied to the first or initial digital access key, and in particular, the other digital access key should be generated within the scope of the method.

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, the management terminal equipment may be, in particular, a device solely configured for management purposes, which does not possess a valid access key for the motor vehicle. Specifically, this may involve computer terminals and / or static computing devices that are not mobile and / or are not configured and / or intended to trigger functions for the motor vehicle.

[0023] For example, while the management terminal device could be a mobile smart device, such as a smartphone, with applications for communicating with a remote computing facility, it would not include a valid access key for a motor vehicle. Similarly, it could involve a traditional personal computer, on which an administrative user could establish communication with a remote computing facility and / or another server—which communicates with the remote computing facility—using a combination of username and password.

[0024] If the generation limit is not met by comparison, then information for the generation of a digital access key, in particular another digital access key, can be generated on a remote computing device and can be provided to a device—which receives a generation query—in particular a user terminal device, alternatively or additionally provided to a motor vehicle—for which a digital access key should be generated—and / or other devices, in particular management terminal devices.

[0025] However, if a restriction is reached and a release request is provided to the management terminal device, then in response, administrator input from the management user can be received or detected on the management terminal device.

[0026] Administrator input here may include the release and thus cancellation of a production restriction that has been reached, or the rejection of a release and thus (another) prohibition. Administrator input here may also explicitly specify a new production restriction, such as generally increasing the production restriction, increasing it by, for example, 1, 2, 3, or more, or on a case-by-case or situation-by-situation basis. Administrator input here may be received, for example, on a management terminal device, on a touchscreen, hardware or software keyboard, as voice or gesture input, and subsequently, as described above, may be provided wired or wirelessly to a remote computing agency. Administrator input here is received by the administrator of the management terminal device, who in particular has administrator privileges, specifically associated with an administrator account that is active or logged in on the management terminal device. In particular, the administrator or administrator account possesses an activated or valid digital access key, but this is not necessarily the case.

[0027] If the administrator input includes the release of restrictions, then the remote computing unit generates and provides generation information for a digital access key, particularly another digital access key. This generation information can be provided to the device—which receives the generation query—particularly the user terminal device, alternatively or additionally to the vehicle—for which a digital access key should be generated—and / or other devices, particularly management terminal devices. Thereupon, a digital access key can be generated based on the provided generation information and, if necessary, further information.

[0028] In particular, there can be a certain time interval, such as 1, 2, 6, 12, or 24 hours, between the release of information entered or generated by the administrator and the actual provision or generation of the digital access key. For example, the generation of an inquiry may already be implemented by the user within the scope of the inquiry used for booking motor vehicles, and the generation information may be provided only upon actual booking or in response to another generation inquiry used to make a booking.

[0029] After generating and / or providing generation information, in particular, the number of digital access keys generated can be increased or generation restrictions can be reduced.

[0030] The method according to the invention enables the generation of keys for digital access keys used in the management of one or more motor vehicles, and, particularly, the release of keys by the administrator when the restrictions for generating such digital access keys are reached. The method according to the invention also enables, in particular, the dynamic design of restrictions for further key generation.

[0031] According to one improvement, the method further includes the step of receiving a generation restriction for a digital access key from a management terminal device on a remote computing organization, wherein the step of receiving a generation query on the remote computing organization is implemented in response to the receipt of the generation restriction.

[0032] According to this improvement, the generation limit is not predetermined, or at least not merely predetermined, but can be limited or set by the administrator of the management terminal device. Specifically, the administrator can input the generation limit via input on the management terminal device, which then provides the generation limit to the remote computing unit. This generation limit can be set on a case-by-case or situation-by-situation basis. In response to the receipt of the generation limit, or subsequently thereafter, a generation query can be received.

[0033] This improvement enables, in particular, the dynamic generation and restriction of digital access keys.

[0034] According to one improvement, the method further includes the step of: providing generation information for a digital access key to a user terminal device from a management terminal device, wherein the generation query received on the remote computing unit is based on the generation information from the user terminal device.

[0035] Therefore, the generation information for the digital access key, and in particular for the aforementioned access key, is provided to the user terminal device by the management terminal device. This generation information may, in particular, differ from the generation information provided by the management terminal device. Specifically, the generation information from the management terminal device and the generation information from the remote computing unit may and / or must be used or processed together to generate the digital access key.

[0036] The generated information received by the management terminal device on the user terminal device is used here, particularly for authenticating the user terminal device, especially on a remote computing facility. Specifically, some or all of the generated information received by the management terminal device on the user terminal device may also be provided to the remote computing facility, particularly along with the generated query, and to the user terminal device, and thereby the generated query is also checked or authenticated on the remote computing facility.

[0037] The user terminal device—which should or should generate the digital access key—may be specifically referred to as the first user terminal device and, in particular, also possesses the authority or option to create and / or generate generation information for another digital access key and, in particular, to provide it to another second user terminal device, either that way or as long as it possesses a valid digital access key. Specifically, the first user terminal device, however, may not be equipped with the authority or option to confirm, release, and / or change or limit generation restrictions, which can only be implemented by the management terminal device.

[0038] This improvement enables, in particular, the dynamic generation and restriction of digital access keys.

[0039] According to one improvement, in response to the management terminal device providing information for the generation of a digital access key to the user terminal device, the step of receiving the generation limit on the remote computing device is implemented.

[0040] In particular, production restrictions can be set or limited simultaneously with the production information provided by the management terminal device, and this information can be provided to a remote computing unit. This allows for the setting or limitation of production restrictions based on occasion or situation.

[0041] This improvement enables, in particular, the dynamic generation and restriction of digital access keys.

[0042] In one improvement, the administrator input includes a signature with a valid digital access key.

[0043] Signatures, especially electronic signatures, explicitly identify administrators or administrator accounts on management terminal devices, thereby authenticating the release of restricted access. In particular, signatures can be based on asymmetric cryptographic systems, which can be verified using public keys that reside in or are publicly accessible to remote computing institutions.

[0044] This improvement enables the generation of highly secure digital access keys.

[0045] According to one improvement, the generation restrictions include restrictions on the generation of digital access keys for predetermined motor vehicles.

[0046] In particular, production restrictions for the intended motor vehicle are determined on a case-by-case or occasion-by-occupation basis. The intended motor vehicle may, in particular, be the model, trademark, type, equipment, power, and / or drive mode of the motor vehicle, which relates to or determines production restrictions. Specifically, production restrictions include production restrictions for digital access keys from a fleet of vehicles comprising multiple motor vehicles. Here, production restrictions may apply not only to the entire fleet but also to individual or selected or specific vehicles from the fleet.

[0047] In other words, the generation of restrictions can relate to the following: which models, etc., receive the inquiry and release restrictions accordingly. In particular, the model, etc., that generated the inquiry can be provided to the management terminal device along with the release inquiry, so that the management user can form an opinion and grant or deny the release.

[0048] This improvement enables the dynamic generation and restriction of digital access keys, particularly allowing for highly effective restrictions.

[0049] According to one improvement, the generation restrictions include restrictions on the generation of digital access keys for predetermined users.

[0050] In particular, the generation restrictions for the reserved users are determined on a case-by-case or occasion-by-occupation basis. The reserved users may be characterized by, in particular, their name, age, gender, user account, user type, and / or user terminal device, which are subject to or determine the generation restrictions.

[0051] In other words, the generation of restrictions can relate to the following: which users, etc., receive the generation inquiry and release restrictions accordingly. In particular, the user who generated the inquiry, along with the release inquiry, can be provided to the management terminal device, so that the management user can form an opinion and may grant or deny the release.

[0052] This improvement enables the dynamic generation and restriction of digital access keys, in particular. It also allows for the restriction or prevention of user misuse.

[0053] According to one improvement, the generation restrictions include restrictions on the generation of digital access keys for predetermined time periods.

[0054] In particular, the generation restrictions for the scheduled time period are determined on a case-by-case or occasion-by-occupation basis. The scheduled time period may be, in particular, a duration, such as an hour, day, week, month, time, such as 7:00, 11:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 21:00, and / or daytime, such as morning, noon, evening, night, which are subject to or determined by the generation restrictions.

[0055] In other words, the generation of restrictions can relate to the period during which an inquiry is received and, based on this, the generation of restrictions. Specifically, the period during which the inquiry is generated, along with the release inquiry, can be provided to the management terminal device, allowing the management user to form an opinion and decide whether or not to grant a release.

[0056] This improvement enables the dynamic generation and restriction of digital access keys, in particular. It also allows for the restriction or prevention of user misuse.

[0057] According to one improvement, the generation restrictions include a generation restriction for a predetermined number of digital access keys.

[0058] In particular, limitations on the generation of a predetermined number of digital access keys are determined on a case-by-case or occasion-by-occupation basis, especially the number of digital access keys that can be generated or valid simultaneously. The predetermined number may, for example, involve a specific user, a specific vehicle, and / or a predetermined time period.

[0059] For example, generation restrictions for a specific user may include: only one, two, or three digital access keys for a vehicle are allowed to be generated or valid simultaneously for that user. Similarly, generation restrictions for a specific vehicle may include: only one, two, or three digital access keys for a user are allowed to be generated or valid simultaneously for that vehicle. Furthermore, generation restrictions for a specific time period may include: for example, only one, two, or three digital access keys can be generated within 1, 2, 6, 12, or 24 hours.

[0060] This improvement enables the dynamic generation and restriction of digital access keys, in particular. It also allows for the restriction or prevention of user misuse.

[0061] Now, we will reiterate two specific implementations, which are not mutually exclusive and can coexist.

[0062] The first embodiment here specifically relates to a private scenario, such as generating digital access keys for a single motor vehicle within a family and / or circle of friends.

[0063] Here, in the first step, generation information for generating a digital access key for the motor vehicle is provided to the first user terminal device of the first user through the management user of the management terminal device. The management user here may be, for example, the owner of the motor vehicle, such as a mother. Alternatively or additionally, the management user may also be the owner of the motor vehicle, who is not the owner but has management authority, such as a father. The management user or management terminal device here may specifically possess a valid digital access key for the motor vehicle. The first user here is, for example, the first driver, such as a child in the family. In response to the provision of the first generation information, the first user terminal device may provide a generation query to the remote computing agency in order to generate or complete the digital access key for the motor vehicle. To this end, the remote computing agency, in response to the generation query, provides the first user terminal device with another second generation information for generating the digital access key.

[0064] Based on the characteristics of the managing user or their permissions, no generation restrictions are invoked or detected here, and a digital access key is created or completed on the first user terminal device based on the obtained generation information. Such permissions for the managing user may be included, for example, in the generation information—provided to the first user terminal device by the managing terminal device—and / or in the generation query—provided to the remote computing agency by the first user terminal device. However, the first user may have generation restrictions, which include the further generation of a digital access key by the first user or the first user terminal device, which may also be zero. These generation restrictions may not only be included in the generation information—provided to the first user terminal device by the managing terminal device—and / or in the generation query—provided to the remote computing agency by the first user terminal device—but may also be provided directly to the remote computing agency by the managing terminal device, particularly with respect to a specific user, here the first user, and / or a specific vehicle. Similarly, additional restrictions may be determined, such as a predetermined time period—in which a digital access key may be generated—or a predetermined number of digital access keys may be generated, particularly again with respect to a specific user and / or a specific vehicle. The following is based on the premise that the generation limit for the first user and the motor vehicle is not zero, but specifically one, which means that another digital access key for the motor vehicle can or is permitted to be generated without being released by the managing user.

[0065] In another step, the first user of the first user terminal device can now provide generation information for generating another digital access key for the same vehicle to the second user or the second user terminal device. A possible scenario here is, for example, a family child whose vehicle has broken down and wants to generate another digital access key for breakdown assistance. This generation information can then include generation restrictions for the second user or the second user terminal device. Alternatively or additionally, predetermined generation restrictions for the other digital access key can be stored, for example, in a telecomputing facility.

[0066] Then, in response to the provision of the first generation information, the second user terminal device provides a generation query to the remote computing agency to generate or complete another digital access key for the vehicle. Here, the generation limit is then invoked and detected. Because the generation limit for the first user terminal device or the first user is set to 1 with or after the generation of the digital access key, the remote computing agency can generate generation information for the second user or the second user terminal device for another digital access key. Furthermore, this other digital access key or the second user and / or the second user terminal device can then have a generation limit, which could, for example, be zero.

[0067] However, it can also be assumed, for example, that the generation limit for the first user or the first user terminal device to generate another digital access key has been reached and / or is zero. This can be detected through different means. For example, before the first generation information should be provided to the second user terminal device, the first user terminal device may have already provided a generation query to the remote computing agency, and when the generation limit is reached, the generation information is not provided to the second user terminal device by the first user terminal device at all. Alternatively or additionally, this can be detected in conjunction with the generation query from the second user terminal device to the remote computing agency. For this purpose, the generation information—which is provided by the first user terminal device to the second user terminal device—may include, for example, a link and / or URL (Global Resource Locator), which, if invoked on the second user terminal device, provides a generation query to the remote computing agency.

[0068] If a restriction is reached regardless of the circumstances, a release request may be provided by the remote computing agency to the management terminal device in response to a request. The management user may then provide administrator input on the management terminal device, which includes releasing or denying the restriction. If the administrator input does not include release, then no release information will be provided by the remote computing agency to the second user terminal device, and another digital access key cannot or will not be generated on the second user terminal device. However, if the administrator input includes release, then release information will be provided by the remote computing agency to the second user terminal device. Subsequently, the method ends or may restart in response to release information provided by the second user terminal device to another third user terminal device.

[0069] Another embodiment relates here to a commercial scenario, such as generating digital access keys for one or more motor vehicles from a fleet of vehicles comprising multiple motor vehicles for one or more users, for example for fleet management, particularly for vehicle rental services.

[0070] Therefore, specifically before implementing the method, one or more motor vehicles are added to the vehicle fleet, which are managed on a remote computing facility, for example by a management user on a management terminal device. The management user or management terminal device itself does not possess valid digital access keys for the one or more motor vehicles in the vehicle fleet, but is equipped with permissions to release the generation of one or more digital access keys. Specifically, a valid digital access key is stored on the remote computing facility for each added motor vehicle in the vehicle fleet. Also specifically, authorization in principle is stored on the remote computing facility, storing one or more additional digital access keys for each digital access key stored there, particularly regardless of actual generation restrictions. Similarly, one or more users who can or want to access the vehicle fleet are stored, specifically with individual generation restrictions for each user, which can, however, be uniform or pre-configured.

[0071] Then, in the first step of the method, a generation query is received by a first user on a first user terminal device to generate a digital access key for a vehicle from a vehicle fleet and to provide the generation query to a remote computing agency. This can be implemented, particularly within the scope of reservation queries for specific or general vehicles from a vehicle fleet. The remote computing agency then invokes generation limits, particularly for specific users and / or specific vehicles, and checks whether these limits have been met. If the generation limits have not been met, then the generation information for generating the digital access key is provided by the remote computing agency to the first user terminal device. This can be implemented not only directly in response to a generation query or a reservation query, but also only at a subsequent time or delayed, such as at the time of reservation itself, particularly in response to a re-generation query via the first user terminal device.

[0072] However, if a restriction is imposed on all vehicles from a vehicle fleet and / or on all users, which in particular can be uniformly set to zero, then a release request will be provided by the remote computing agency to the management terminal or the management user, so that release or rejection information can be generated or generated via administrator input. If the administrator input includes rejection, then no information will be generated by the remote computing agency to the first user terminal, and a digital access key cannot or will not be generated for the first user terminal. However, if the administrator input includes release, then information—which may in particular include the digital access key itself—will be generated by the remote computing agency to the first user terminal. Subsequently, the method ends or can restart in response to a generation query from another second user terminal.

[0073] According to another aspect, an apparatus is proposed, which includes a mechanism for implementing or at least causing the implementation of the above-described method.

[0074] In particular, the apparatus includes one or more processor mechanisms to implement the above-described methods. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a memory where code is stored, and in particular, the code, when executed by the processor mechanism, causes the processor mechanism to implement the above-described methods.

[0075] In particular, the device may include a management terminal device, a first user terminal device, a second or other user terminal device, a motor vehicle and / or a remote computing unit, forming a system and / or cooperating with it to implement the above-described method.

[0076] Further features of the invention arise from the claims, drawings, and accompanying drawings. Features and combinations thereof described previously in the specification, as well as features and combinations thereof described subsequently in the description of the drawings and / or shown separately in the drawings, are available not only in their respective proposed combinations, but also in other combinations or individually. Attached Figure Description

[0077] The invention will now be further explained with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0078] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view showing one embodiment of a method and apparatus for providing information on the generation of a digital access key for a motor vehicle; and

[0079] Figure 2 Shown from Figure 1 A schematic flowchart of one implementation of the method. Detailed Implementation

[0080] Figure 1A schematic perspective view showing one embodiment of a method and apparatus 100 for providing information on the generation of a digital access key for a motor vehicle 10.

[0081] The device 100 may include at least one remote computing unit 20 and is configured to implement or at least cause the methods described below. For this purpose, the device 100 is wirelessly connected to the management terminal device 30—operated by the management user 3—and also to the first user terminal device 40—operated by the first user 4—and to the second user terminal device 50—operated by the second user 5.

[0082] To this end, the device 100 is first configured to receive and generate an inquiry on the remote computing unit 20 in order to generate a digital access key for the vehicle 10.

[0083] Device 100 is also configured to invoke restrictions on the generation of digital access keys.

[0084] The device 100 is also configured to provide a release request to the management terminal device 30 when a limit is reached.

[0085] The device 100 is also configured to receive administrator input from the management user 3 on the management terminal device 30.

[0086] The device 100 is also configured such that if the administrator input includes the release of the restriction, then the remote computing unit 20 provides information for generating the digital access key.

[0087] The device 100 is also configured to receive a generation restriction for a digital access key from the management terminal device 30 on the remote computing unit 20, wherein the receipt of the generation restriction enables the remote computing unit 20 to receive a generation query.

[0088] The device 100 is also configured such that the management terminal device 30 provides generation information for the digital access key to the first user terminal device 40, wherein the generation query received on the remote computing unit 20 is based on the generation information from the user terminal device 40.

[0089] The device 100 is also configured to cause a restriction on receiving data on the remote computing unit 20 in response to the management terminal device 30 providing information for generating a digital access key to the first user terminal device 40.

[0090] The administrator input here can specifically include a signature with a valid digital access key.

[0091] The restrictions may include restrictions on the generation of digital access keys for a predetermined vehicle, a predetermined user, a predetermined time period, and / or for a predetermined number of digital access keys.

[0092] The management terminal device 30 may here have, in particular, a first, especially first, valid digital access key for motor vehicles.

[0093] Based on the first valid digital access key, the management terminal device 30 can then provide the first user terminal device 40 with information for generating the second digital access key.

[0094] The first user terminal device 40 can then query the remote computing unit 20 for additional generation information based on the generation information used for the second digital access key by means of generation query.

[0095] After the management terminal device 30 detects and releases the generation restrictions as necessary, additional generation information can be provided to the first user terminal device 40 by the remote computing unit 20, and based on this and the generation information previously generated by the management terminal device 30, a second valid digital access key for the motor vehicle 10 is generated on the first user terminal device 40.

[0096] Based on the second valid digital access key, the second user terminal device 40 can then generate generation information for the third digital access key and provide it to the second user terminal device 50.

[0097] The second user terminal device 50 can then query additional generation information from the remote computing unit 20 by means of generation query based on the generation information for the third digital access key.

[0098] After the management terminal device 30 detects and releases the generation restrictions as necessary, additional generation information can be provided to the second user terminal device 50 by the remote computing unit 20, and based on this and the generation information previously generated by the first user terminal device 40, a third valid digital access key for the motor vehicle 10 is generated on the second user terminal device 40.

[0099] In other words, while it is possible for a user terminal device to generate another digital access key in the chain based on a valid digital access key, the final generation of the other digital access key is only possible after the previous release of the management terminal device if a generation limit is reached (which can also be zero).

[0100] Figure 2 Shown from Figure 1 A schematic flowchart of an embodiment of a method for providing information on the generation of a digital access key for motor vehicle 10.

[0101] Here, in Figure 2The flowchart is divided into four parts. The first part relates to the processing or method steps of the management terminal device 30 and / or the management user; the second part relates to the processing or method steps of the first user terminal device 30 and / or the first user; the third part relates to the processing or method steps of the second user terminal device 40 and / or the second user; and the fourth part relates to the processing or method steps of the remote computing unit 20.

[0102] The management user—who interacts with the management terminal device—can be, in particular, the owner and / or manager of the motor vehicle, the first user can be, in particular, the driver of the motor vehicle, and the second user can be, in particular, a third party who desires to enter or access the motor vehicle.

[0103] According to this Figure 2 The flowchart described here illustrates two different implementations for providing the generated information: a first generation method 110, with alternative 110a, which specifically describes the generation of a digital access key for a single or unique motor vehicle for private or personal use; and a second generation method 120, with alternative 120a, which specifically describes the generation of a digital access key for commercial or business use—which may also involve, for example, a fleet of vehicles consisting of multiple motor vehicles belonging to a business owner and / or lessor. It goes without saying that the two implementations can be combined with each other and are not mutually exclusive.

[0104] In the first generation method 110, in the first step S1, generation information for generating a digital access key for a motor vehicle is first provided by the management terminal device 30 of the managing user to the first user terminal device 40 of the first user. This can be achieved, in particular, in response to administrator input from the managing user on the management terminal device. This generation information forms only a part of the information required to generate or complete the generation of the digital access key for the motor vehicle. In particular, additional generation information is also required for this purpose, which is provided by the remote computing unit 20 to the first user terminal device 40, as will be further explained in the following process. For this purpose, in another step S2, the first user terminal device 40 provides a generation query to the remote computing unit 20. This can be achieved, in particular, in response to user input and / or user operation of the first user on the first user terminal device 40, and in particular, such that additional generation information should be invoked. This can be achieved, in particular, by invoking a URL or link, which is provided by the management terminal device 30 to the first user terminal device 40 within the scope of the generation information and may point to the remote computing unit 20 and may contain additional information, in particular, also the generation information. In response to an inquiry, the generation limit for the digital access key for the motor vehicle can be invoked on the remote computing unit 20, and additional generation information is provided by the remote computing unit 20 to the first user terminal device 40 in the same step S2 only if the generation limit has not been reached. Alternatively, however, the generation information provided by the management terminal device 30 or by the management user to the first user terminal device 40 can be omitted. In particular, in this step S2, additional information, especially supplementary and / or additional generation information, can also be exchanged or provided between the management terminal device 30, the first user terminal device 40, and the remote computing unit 20, especially when another remote computing unit, such as one or more servers (not shown), is used. On the first user terminal device 40, the digital access key for the motor vehicle can then be generated based on the generation information provided by the remote computing unit 20 and additionally based on the generation information provided by the management terminal device 30. In particular, the digital access key for the motor vehicle can be completed or implemented based on the generation information from the remote computing unit 20.

[0105] Then, in another step S3—which may also be implemented simultaneously with steps S1 and / or S2—the management user receives a generation restriction for generating a digital access key for the motor vehicle on the management terminal device 30 and provides it to the remote computing unit 20. This generation restriction may specifically relate to a determined first user and / or a determined first user terminal device 40, and particularly also relates to the generation of a digital access key generated for the first user on the first user terminal device 40 or based on its use for generating another digital access key.

[0106] Then, in another step S5, the first user of the first user terminal device 40 provides the generation information for another digital access key to the second user terminal device 50. This can be implemented, in particular, in response to user input from the first user on the first user terminal device 40. This can also be implemented, in particular, in response to user input and / or user operation from the second user on the second user terminal device 50, and in particular, so that additional generation information should be invoked. This can be implemented, in particular, by invoking a URL or link, which is provided by the first user terminal device 40 to the second user terminal device 50 within the scope of the generation information and which points to the remote computing unit 20 and may contain additional information, in particular, also the generation information. And here, additional generation information from the remote computing unit 20 is required again, so in another step S6, a query is provided by the second user terminal device 50 to the remote computing unit 20. In particular, similar to step S2, in step S6, additional information, especially supplementary and additional generation information, may be exchanged or provided between the management terminal device 30, the first user terminal device 40, the second user terminal device 50, and the remote computing unit 20, especially when using other remote computing units, such as one or more servers—not shown here. In response, the generation limits previously received from the management terminal device 30 are invoked and checked. If the generation limits for the vehicle, the first and / or second user, and / or the first and / or second user terminal devices 40, 50 have not been met, then the generation information is provided by the remote computing unit 20 to the second user terminal device 50, which is not explicitly shown in this step.

[0107] However, when the restriction is reached, the remote computing unit 20 provides a release request to the management terminal device 30 in alternative step S8 (110a) and receives it there. In response, in step S9, the management terminal device 30 receives administrator input from the managing user, which includes a release request for the restriction, signed with a valid digital access key. This release is then provided to the remote computing unit in another step S10. In response, in step S11, the release for the second user terminal device 40 and the new digital access key to be generated are recorded, and in response, in another step S12, an inquiry for the generation of the digital access key is provided to the second user terminal device 50 to complete the digital access key generation. Only such a generated digital access key can be used to trigger functions on the vehicle, such as unlocking doors and / or anti-theft locks.

[0108] In the second generation method 120, at least one motor vehicle is first added to the vehicle fleet on the remote computing unit 20 in the first step S13, where the vehicle fleet is also managed. The vehicle fleet may include at least one other vehicle, and in particular multiple additional vehicles. The addition can be achieved by administrator input from a managing user on the management terminal device 30 and provided to the remote computing unit 20, wherein, in response to this, the motor vehicle or the added vehicle is added to the vehicle fleet on the remote computing unit 20 in another step S14.

[0109] In another step S15, the remote computing unit 20 grants the first user access rights for at least one motor vehicle, particularly a previously added motor vehicle in a vehicle fleet. This can be achieved by an administrator input on the management terminal device 30 and provided to the remote computing unit 20. Multiple users can also be granted access rights for one or more vehicles in a vehicle fleet, for example, at least another user, such as a second user. In response, in another step S16, the remote computing unit then accepts the first user or a newly added user with the granted permissions as a user into the vehicle fleet.

[0110] In another step S17, a generation query for creating a digital access key for a motor vehicle, particularly a previously added motor vehicle, is received by the first user on the first user terminal device 40. This generation query is provided to and received by the remote computing unit 20. In response, in another step S18, the remote computing unit 20 invokes the generation restrictions for the digital access key and checks whether there are generation restrictions for the determined motor vehicle, the determined first user, and / or the determined first user terminal device 30, or whether the generation of the digital access key is permitted or permissible as requested. If the generation restrictions are not met, generation information is provided by the remote computing unit 20 to the first user terminal device 40, which is not explicitly shown in this step. Specifically, this generation information is sufficient to generate or include the digital access key for the first user terminal device 30, and in particular, no additional generation information is required to implement or complete the digital access key, nor is generation information from the management terminal device 30 required.

[0111] However, if the generation restriction is not met, then in alternative 120a, the remote computing unit 20 provides a release request to the management terminal device 30 in another step S19 and receives it there. In response, in step S20, the management terminal device 30 receives administrator input from the managing user, which includes a release of the generation restriction. This release differs from generation method 110 in that it is not signed with a valid digital access key, but rather through other means, such as a combination of username and password, particularly two-factor authentication. This release is then provided to the remote computing unit in another step S21. In response, then in step S22, generation information for the digital access key is generated on the remote computing unit 20, and in response, in another step S23, the requested generation information—which includes the digital access key—is provided to the first user terminal device 40. Specifically, the digital access key is not generated here, and not based on any additional generation information.

[0112] List of reference numerals

[0113] 3. Managing Users

[0114] 4 First User

[0115] 5 Second User

[0116] 10 motor vehicles

[0117] 20 remote computing institutions

[0118] 30 Management Terminal Equipment

[0119] 40 First User Terminal Equipment

[0120] 50 Second User Terminal Equipment

[0121] 100 devices

[0122] 110 generation method

[0123] 110a alternative

[0124] 120 generation method

[0125] 120a alternative

[0126] S1 Method Steps

[0127] S2 Method Steps

[0128] S3 Method Steps

[0129] S4 Method Steps

[0130] S5 Method Steps

[0131] S6 Method Steps

[0132] S7 Method Steps

[0133] S8 Method Steps

[0134] S9 Method Steps

[0135] S10 Method Steps

[0136] S11 Method Steps

[0137] S12 Method Steps

[0138] S13 Method Steps

[0139] S14 Method Steps

[0140] S15 Method Steps

[0141] S16 Method Steps

[0142] S17 Method Steps

[0143] S18 Method Steps

[0144] S19 Method Steps

[0145] S20 Method Steps

[0146] S21 Method Steps

[0147] S22 Method Steps

[0148] S23 Method Steps

Claims

1. A method for providing information on the generation of a digital access key for a motor vehicle (10), comprising: - Receive an inquiry on the remote computing unit (20) in order to generate a digital access key for the motor vehicle (10); - Invoke the restrictions on the generation of digital access keys; and When the limitation is reached: - Provide a release request to the management terminal device (30); - Receive administrator input from the management user (3) on the management terminal device (30); and If the administrator input includes the release that generates the restriction, then: - The remote computing unit (20) provides information for generating the digital access key.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: - Receive the generation restrictions for the digital access key from the management terminal device (30) on the remote computing unit (20); The step of receiving the generation query in response to the generation restriction is implemented on the remote computing unit (20).

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims further includes: - The management terminal device (30) provides the user terminal device (40) with the information for generating the digital access key. The generation query received on the remote computing unit (20) is based on generation information from the user terminal device (40).

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, if claim 2 is referenced, The step of receiving the generation restriction on the remote computing unit (20) is implemented in response to the management terminal device (30) providing the generation information for the digital access key to the user terminal device (40).

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The administrator input includes a signature with a valid digital access key.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The generation restrictions include restrictions on the generation of digital access keys for predetermined motor vehicles.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The generation restrictions include restrictions on the generation of digital access keys for predetermined users.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The generation restrictions include limitations on the generation of digital access keys for predetermined time periods.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The generation restrictions include restrictions on the generation of a predetermined number of digital access keys.

10. An apparatus (100) for providing information on the generation of a digital access key for a motor vehicle (10), comprising a mechanism for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

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