ARCHITECTURE FOR ENCRYPTED POWER RELEASE

Abstract

An electronic locking system (20) for a locking plate (14, 16) of a motor vehicle (10), which is rotatable relative to a vehicle body (12) of the motor vehicle, includes at least one locking assembly (22) configured to selectively lock and unlock the locking plate to the vehicle body. The system (20) also includes a remote control unit (30) that communicates with the at least one locking assembly (22) and is configured to encode a force release signal and transmit it as an encoded signal to instruct the actuation of the at least one locking assembly. The at least one locking assembly (22) is configured to receive the encoded signal from the remote control unit (30).The at least one locking assembly is also configured to decrypt the encrypted signal and actuate the at least one locking assembly accordingly.

Description

AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to an electronic locking system for a motor vehicle which receives encrypted signals, and to a method for operating an electronic locking system. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] It is known that electric or electronic door locks are provided in motor vehicles, for example, to control the opening and closing of various locking plates, such as passenger doors and tailgates. One of the defining characteristics of an electric locking assembly is that it does not include a mechanical connection to an external or internal door handle or other locking plate. Instead, the door is released by a power-driven actuator in response to an electrical signal from one of the handles. The electronic lock generally includes a locking mechanism with a latch that is selectively rotatable relative to a striker plate attached to a door jamb to lock and unlock the door.The locking mechanism generally includes a pawl that selectively engages the detent to prevent it from rotating. Electronic locks typically also include a power-driven actuator, such as an electric motor, electrically connected to a main vehicle power supply (e.g., the vehicle's 12V battery) to drive the pawl directly or indirectly. Finally, some electronic locks are equipped with a tightening mechanism configured to tighten the detent, providing a power-driven locking feature.

[0003] Consequently, many features can be achieved with an electronic lock that would typically require complex mechanical designs or mechanisms in conventional mechanical door locks. However, it is understood that a disadvantage of electronic locks is their reliance on electrical power for operation. As a result, opening a door by the vehicle occupant can be problematic in the event of a power interruption, such as a battery or circuit failure. Indeed, a common problem associated with electronic locks is controlling the opening and closing of the doors in the event of a failure of the vehicle's main power supply. Additionally, interruptions or a disconnection of the electrical connection between the main power supply and the electric motor in the e-latch can lead to similar control problems.Such interruptions or disconnections of the electrical connection can occur, for example, in an accident or collision involving the vehicle. However, enabling the doors to be opened and closed in these situations is generally required by vehicle regulations. It is therefore known to use an emergency power source for the electronic locking mechanism to supply the lock's electric motor with electrical energy if the vehicle's main power supply fails or is interrupted. EP 0 694 664 A1 discloses an emergency power source for an electric door lock designed to supply power to the lock during emergency situations and which includes an auxiliary battery located inside the door to provide power for releasing the locking bolt from the detent, thus facilitating the opening of the door by the vehicle occupant.WO2014 / 102282 discloses an emergency power source for an electric door lock designed to supply power to the electric motor during emergency situations. This source includes a supercapacitor array configured to store energy during normal operating conditions and to provide an emergency supply voltage to the electric motor during failure conditions. Electronic locks can communicate with other electronic locks on the same vehicle and / or with the same vehicle control units (e.g., body control modules) to transmit, for example, locking and unlocking signals. However, such communication can be vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks.

[0004] Accordingly, there remains a need for improved electronic locking systems and operating procedures that enable the operation of the electronic locking assembly while simultaneously protecting it against cybersecurity attacks. SUMMARY

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic locking system for a locking plate of a motor vehicle, which is rotatable with respect to a vehicle body of the motor vehicle. The electronic locking system includes at least one locking assembly configured to selectively lock and unlock the locking plate to the vehicle body. The system also includes a remote control unit that communicates with the at least one locking assembly and is configured to encode a force release signal and transmit it as an encrypted signal to instruct the actuation of the at least one locking assembly. The at least one locking assembly is configured to receive the encrypted signal from the remote control unit.The at least one locking assembly is also configured to decrypt the encrypted signal and actuate the at least one locking assembly accordingly.

[0006] In one aspect of the disclosure, the at least one locking assembly is configured to receive the encrypted signal from the remote control unit via a shared communication bus and to receive an unencrypted signal from a non-shared communication line connected to a vehicle handle.

[0007] In one aspect of the disclosure, the electronic locking system includes a decryption module that incorporates at least one cryptographic algorithm or pseudorandom number generator.

[0008] In one aspect of the disclosure, the electronic locking system further includes an emergency power source for providing emergency power to the at least one locking assembly during an emergency state of the electronic locking system. The locking control is configured to wake up from a power-saving sleep mode during the emergency state in order to trigger the use of the emergency power source in response to the use of at least one internal handle switch or at least one external handle switch.

[0009] In one aspect of the disclosure, the electronic locking system further includes at least one virtual switch, one remote switch, and one key fob. Each of the virtual switch, remote switch, and key fob can be actuated by a user to instruct the at least one locking assembly to lock and unlock.

[0010] In one aspect of the disclosure, the remote control unit includes an encryption module configured to encrypt the encrypted signal and transmit the encrypted signal via a vehicle bus to the at least one locking assembly.

[0011] An additional aspect of the disclosure is the provision of a method for operating an electronic locking system for a locking plate of a motor vehicle. The locking plate is rotatable relative to the vehicle body. The method includes the step of receiving an encrypted signal, corresponding to a force release signal at at least one locking assembly for the locking plate, to instruct the actuation of the at least one locking assembly from a remote control unit. The method also includes the step of decrypting the encrypted signal and correspondingly operating the at least one locking assembly.

[0012] In one aspect of the disclosure, the electronic locking system further includes at least one virtual switch, one remote switch, and one key fob. The method further includes the step of instructing the at least one locking assembly to lock and unlock in response to the actuation of the at least one virtual switch, one remote switch, and one key fob by a user.

[0013] In one aspect of the disclosure, the remote control unit includes an encryption module. The method further includes the step of encrypting the encrypted signal and transmitting the encrypted signal via a vehicle bus to the at least one locking assembly.

[0014] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method for operating an electronic locking system for a locking plate of a motor vehicle, which is rotatable with respect to the vehicle body. The method includes the step of providing a remote control unit with an encryption module for encrypting a force release signal as an encrypted signal to instruct the actuation of at least one locking assembly. The method continues by encrypting the force release signal by means of the encryption module as the encrypted signal. Next, the encrypted signal is transmitted via a vehicle bus to the at least one locking assembly.The procedure also includes the step of providing the at least one locking assembly with a decryption module for decrypting the encrypted signal from the remote control unit into a decrypted signal and actuating the at least one locking assembly using the decrypted signal.

[0015] Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a method for operating an electronic locking system for a locking plate of a motor vehicle. The locking plate is rotatable relative to the vehicle body. The method includes the step of receiving an encrypted signal corresponding to a force release signal at at least one locking assembly for the locking plate, instructing the actuation of the at least one locking assembly and decoding the encrypted signal into a decoded signal. The method further includes the step of receiving unencrypted signals corresponding to a movement of at least one internal or external handle of the locking plate by a user.The procedure also includes the step of controlling the at least one locking assembly based on at least one of the decoded signal or the unencrypted signals.

[0016] In one aspect of the disclosure, the electronic locking system further includes a motor configured to move the at least one locking assembly between a locked state, in which the locking plate is locked to the vehicle body, and a released state, in which the locking plate is unlocked from the vehicle body. The method further includes the step of controlling the motor such that the at least one locking assembly is moved into the released state based on the decoded signal.

[0017] In one aspect of the disclosure, the electronic locking system further includes a motor configured to move the at least one locking assembly between a locked state, in which the locking plate is locked to the vehicle body, and a released state, in which the locking plate is unlocked from the vehicle body. The method further includes the step of controlling the motor such that the at least one locking assembly is moved to the released state based on at least one of the decoded signal(s) or undecoded signals.

[0018] In one aspect of the disclosure, the remote control unit includes an encryption module. The method further includes the step of encrypting the encrypted signal and transmitting the encrypted signal via the vehicle bus to the at least one locking assembly.

[0019] In one aspect of the disclosure, the electronic locking system further includes at least one virtual switch, one remote switch, and one key fob. The method further includes the step of instructing the at least one locking assembly to lock and unlock in response to the user actuating the at least one of the virtual switches, the remote switch, and the key fob.

[0020] A further aspect of the present disclosure is the provision of a method for operating an electronic locking system for a locking plate of a motor vehicle, which is rotatable with respect to the vehicle body. The method includes the step of providing at least one locking assembly with a decryption module for decrypting an encrypted signal transmitted by a remote control unit via a vehicle. The method further includes the step of receiving and decrypting the encrypted signal from the remote control unit into a decrypted signal using the decryption module in order to actuate the at least one locking assembly using the decrypted signal.The method continues by providing the at least one locking assembly with an interface for unencrypted force release signals for connection to at least one inside handle switch and at least one outside handle switch. The method also includes the step of receiving unencrypted signals from the at least one inside handle switch and the at least one outside handle switch in response to being triggered by a user, in order to actuate the at least one locking assembly using the unencrypted signals.

[0021] These and other aspects and areas of application will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary serve solely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of protection afforded by this disclosure. DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a side view of a motor vehicle according to aspects of the disclosure; Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the motor vehicle and shows the open rear side door according to aspects of the revelation; Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the motor vehicle and shows the open front side door according to aspects of the revelation; Fig. Figure 4 is a block diagram of the electronic locking system and illustrates a locking assembly and the remote control unit connected to each other via the vehicle bus, according to aspects of the disclosure; Fig. 4A is a block diagram of the electronic locking system according to another possible embodiment, illustrating a locking assembly and the remote control unit connected via the vehicle bus and exchanging both encrypted and unencrypted data, according to aspects of the disclosure; Fig. Figure 4B is a block diagram of the electronic locking system according to another possible embodiment, illustrating an emergency power source that supplies power to the locking control according to aspects of the disclosure; and Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 to Fig. 8 illustrate steps of a method for operating an electronic locking system for a locking plate of a motor vehicle which is rotatable in relation to a vehicle body of the motor vehicle, according to aspects of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In general, the present disclosure relates to an electronic locking system of a type well suited for use in many applications. More specifically, an electronic locking system that includes a locking assembly which receives an encrypted signal from a remote control unit, decrypts the encrypted signal, and actuates at least one locking assembly according to the instructions of the remote control unit. The electronic locking system and the associated operating procedure according to this disclosure are described in conjunction with one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0023] With reference to the figures, in which the same reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the different views, an electronic locking system 20 for a motor vehicle 10 is disclosed. Fig. Figure 1 is a side view of a motor vehicle 10 and illustrates components of the electronic locking system 20. As shown, the motor vehicle 10 can include a vehicle body 12, a front side door 14, and a rear side door 16, both of which are pivotally attached to the vehicle body 12. The motor vehicle 10 includes several locking plates, which can also be referred to as locking assemblies, including the front and rear side doors 14 and 16, which are rotatable relative to the vehicle body 12 of the motor vehicle 10. A locking assembly 22, which can also be referred to as an electronic lock or E-latch for short, is located inside the front side door 14, and another locking assembly 22 is located in the rear side door 16.The electronic locking device 22 can also be located in other positions, for example, within another locking plate, such as a tailgate, tailgate, and the like, without limitation. The locking assembly 22 can, for example, be designed as a locking device as described in the jointly held U.S. Patent No. 9,353,556 entitled "Electrical vehicle latch," the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0024] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the motor vehicle 10 and shows the rear side door 16 in the open state. Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the motor vehicle 10 and shows the front side door 14 in the open position. Further reference to Fig. 1 and also with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 The electronic locking system 20 includes at least one locking assembly 22 configured to selectively lock and unlock the locking plate 14, 16 to the vehicle body 12. It is desirable to unlock the locking plate 14, 16 remotely or via a virtual switch interface on a touchscreen or via buttons not directly connected to the at least one locking assembly 22, which, for example, control a force release actuation.

[0025] Thus, the electronic locking system 20 also includes a remote control unit 30 (e.g., body control module or BCM or door control unit) that communicates with the at least one locking assembly 22 (e.g., via a shared vehicle communication bus 32, where multiple devices may have access to the vehicle communication bus 32). Additionally, according to aspects of the disclosure, the remote control unit 30 is configured to encrypt a force release signal and transmit it as an encrypted signal (in Fig. 1 (specified as reference numeral 33) to transmit in order to actuate the at least one locking assembly 22. The at least one locking assembly 22 is configured to receive the encrypted signal from the remote control unit 30, decrypt the encrypted signal, and actuate the at least one locking assembly 22 accordingly. However, for safety reasons, unlocking is normally classified as a function with Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) B. Accordingly, a signal, for example, via a bus or a communication network (e.g., Controller Area Network or CAN), which is not protected, cannot be used for the unlocking request.

[0026] Fig. Figure 4 is a block diagram of the electronic locking system 20 and illustrates a locking assembly 22 and the remote control unit 30, which are interconnected via the vehicle bus 32. While unlocking or release requests transmitted between the remote control unit 30 and the at least one locking assembly 22 are encrypted, signals from an inside handle 34 and an outside handle 36 ( Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3) the locking plate 14, 16 is not encrypted.

[0027] As shown and according to one aspect, the electronic locking system 20 further includes at least one internal handle switch 38 configured to be triggered by movement of an internal handle 34 of the locking plate 14, 16 by a user, and at least one external handle switch 40 configured to be triggered by movement of an external handle of the locking plate 14, 16 by the user. Additionally, the at least one locking assembly 22 further includes an interface 42 for unencrypted force release signals, which is connected to the at least one internal handle switch 38 and the at least one external handle switch 40 via lines 43 for unencrypted force release signals.

[0028] The interface 42 for unencrypted force release signals of the at least one locking assembly 22 is configured to receive unencrypted signals from the at least one interior handle switch 38 and the at least one exterior handle switch 40 in response to user activation. The at least one locking assembly 22 further includes a motor 44 configured to move the at least one locking assembly between a locked state, in which the locking plate 14, 16 is locked to the vehicle body 12, and a released state, in which the locking plate 14, 16 is unlocked from the vehicle body 12. The at least one locking assembly 22 includes a decryption module 46 configured to decrypt the encrypted signal from the remote control unit 30.In one possible configuration, the decryption module 46 can be a Secure Hardware Extension module, or "SHE" module. In another possible configuration, the decryption module 46 can be a Hardware Security Module (HSM).

[0029] In one possible configuration, the decryption module 46 can be a hardware accelerator, such as a cryptographic accelerator, which has increased processing power. Using a hardware accelerator can reduce the time required for encrypting and decrypting SL functions. This ensures that a control signal to the locking controller 48 is not delayed due to the decryption algorithms associated with the description module 46, thus preventing usability issues such as additional delay and waiting time for a user who has instructed a locking function, e.g., lock / unlock / force release. The decryption module 46, as a hardware security module (HSM), can be embedded within or separate from the locking controller 48.The decryption module 46, acting as a hardware security module (HSM), can implement a cryptographic algorithm and / or a pseudorandom number generator. In one possible configuration, the hardware security module (HSM) can be provided as a standalone, dedicated microprocessor within the locking assembly 22 and may differ from the main microprocessor of the locking controller 48.

[0030] Furthermore, the at least one locking assembly 22 includes a locking control unit 48, which communicates with the motor 44 and the decryption module 46 and is configured to receive and decrypt the encrypted signal into a decrypted signal using the decryption module 46. The locking control unit 48 is also configured to receive the unencrypted signals from the at least one internal handle switch 38 and the at least one external handle switch 40. The locking control unit 48 is also configured to control the motor 44 such that the at least one locking assembly 22 is moved into the unlocked state based on at least one of the decrypted signal(s) or unencrypted signals.

[0031] Furthermore, with reference to Fig. 4 and according to additional aspects, the electronic locking system 20 further includes a virtual switch 50, a remote switch 52 and / or a key fob 54, as well as a remote device such as a mobile phone, tablet, or the like, on which application software is running. For illustrative purposes, such remote devices can communicate with the remote ECU 30 via an encrypted signal path 31. In another possible configuration, such remote devices can also communicate directly with the locking mechanism 22 via an encrypted signal path. The virtual switch 50, the remote switch 52, and / or the key fob 54 can each be actuated by a user to instruct the at least one locking assembly 22 to lock and unlock.

[0032] The remote control unit 30 includes an encryption module 56, which is configured to encrypt the encrypted signal and transmit it via the vehicle bus 32 to the at least one locking assembly 22. Thus, communication between the remote control unit 30 and the at least one locking assembly 22 is end-to-end (E2E) protected. To ensure proper security, the requester (e.g., the remote control unit 30) is authenticated by the at least one locking assembly 22 to accept the unlock or release command. By encrypting the message and / or appending an authentication field to the message data, the message sender (e.g., the remote control unit 30) can be identified by the receiver (e.g., the at least one locking assembly 22).This prevents an unauthorized device 35 connected to the bus 32 from being able to maliciously release the lock 22 by force by sending communication signals over the shared bus 32, which could occur as part of a cyberattack or hacking operation.

[0033] Now, continuing with reference to Fig. 4A and according to additional aspects, the electronic locking system 20 is configured to exchange data, both encrypted and unencrypted, between the locking assembly 22 and the remote control unit 30, which are connected via the vehicle bus 32. For example, incoming data 33a can be command-related instructions, such as locking / unlocking commands or force release commands, which can be transmitted (for example, from the remote control unit 30 to the locking assembly 22) in an encrypted format, whereas outgoing data can only be informational data or non-command data 33b, such as locking diagnostic data, which can be transmitted (for example, from the remote control unit 30 to the locking assembly 22) in an unencrypted format.In another possible configuration, incoming data 33a can include both command-related instructions and informational data such as safety-relevant signals, e.g. vehicle speed.

[0034] In another possible configuration, outgoing data may include commands or status indications to another vehicle system, such as a short-lower command to a window regulator control unit, issued by the lock 22 after a successful unlocking operation to signal to the window regulator that the window pane should be moved downwards into a partially open position in a frameless door environment.

[0035] Now, continuing with reference to Fig. 4B and according to additional aspects, the electronic locking system 20 is configured to have an emergency power source 49, such as one or more supercapacitors or a battery source, to provide emergency power to the at least one locking assembly 22 during an emergency / emergency / accident condition of the electronic locking system 20. In one possible configuration, the decryption module 46 is configured so that it is not activated or supplied with power from the emergency power source 49 during the emergency / emergency / accident condition in order to prevent power consumption during the emergency / emergency / accident condition due to processing the decryption of any communication on the bus 32, in order to maximize the use of power from the emergency power source 49 for the purposes of an emergency force release command.Unencrypted signals from sensors 38, 40 via a non-shared communication line 43 can therefore be used to activate the force release function of the lock 22.

[0036] In another possible configuration, the power supply from the emergency power source 49 to the motor 44 and / or the interlock control 48 can only be triggered by the use of manual switches 38, 40. During an emergency / fall / accident condition, this first wakes the control 48 from a power-saving sleep mode to trigger the use of the emergency power source 49. The electronic interlock system 20 is configured to include an interlock assembly 22, which is configured to release the interlock in response to a signal from a mechanical switch 38, 40 and an encrypted signal from a vehicle bus 32 during a non-fall condition of the electronic interlock system 20. It is further configured to release the interlock in response to a signal received only from a mechanical switch 38, 40.

[0037] Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 to Fig. Figure 8 illustrates steps of a method for operating an electronic locking system 20 for a locking plate 14, 16 of a motor vehicle 10, which is rotatable with respect to a vehicle body 12 of the motor vehicle 10. First, in particular with reference to Fig. 5 and according to aspects of the disclosure, the method includes step 500 of receiving an encrypted signal corresponding to a force release signal at at least one locking assembly 22 for the locking plate 14, 16, to instruct the actuation of the at least one locking assembly 22 from a remote control unit 30. The method also includes step 502 of decrypting the encrypted signal and correspondingly operating the at least one locking assembly 22.

[0038] Next, with reference to Fig. 6 and according to aspects of the disclosure, the method includes step 600 of providing a remote control unit 30 with an encryption module 56 for encrypting a force release signal as an encrypted signal to instruct the actuation of at least one locking assembly. The method continues at 602 with encrypting the force release signal as the encrypted signal using the encryption module 56. Next, 604 transmits the encrypted signal via the vehicle bus 32 to the at least one locking assembly 22. The method also includes step 606 of providing the at least one locking assembly 22 with a decryption module 46 for decrypting the encrypted signal from the remote control unit 30 into a decrypted signal and actuating the at least one locking assembly 22 using the decrypted signal.

[0039] As discussed above, the electronic locking system 20 further includes a motor 44 configured to move the at least one locking assembly 22 between a locked state, in which the locking plate 14, 16 is locked to the vehicle body 12, and a released state, in which the locking plate 14, 16 is unlocked from the vehicle body 12. Again, the electronic locking system 20 further includes a decryption module 46 configured to decrypt the encrypted signal from the remote control unit 30. Thus, according to aspects of the disclosure, the method includes the step of decrypting the encrypted signal from the remote control unit 30 into a decrypted signal using the decryption module 46.The procedure also includes the step of controlling the motor 44 such that the at least one locking assembly 22 is moved into the released state based on the decoded signal.

[0040] The electronic locking system 20 can further include at least one internal handle switch 38 configured to be triggered by movement of an internal handle 34 of the locking plate 14, 16 by a user, and at least one external handle switch 40 configured to be triggered by movement of an external handle 36 of the locking plate 14, 16 by the user. Furthermore, as discussed, the at least one locking assembly 22 can also include an interface 42 for unencrypted force release signals connected to the at least one internal handle switch 38 and the at least one external handle switch 40. For example, each handle 34, 36 can be connected to the at least one locking assembly 22 via a dedicated point-to-point communication line, e.g.,a non-shared communication line 43, which is shown as being connected to the interface 42 for unencrypted force release signals. Signals transmitted via the dedicated line between the handle 34, 36 to the at least one locking assembly 22 may be unencrypted.

[0041] Therefore, according to additional aspects of the disclosure, the method includes the step of receiving unencrypted signals from the at least one internal handle switch 38 and the at least one external handle switch 40 via the interface 42 for unencrypted force release signals in response to the user triggering the at least one internal handle switch 38 and the at least one external handle switch 40. The method also includes the step of controlling the motor 44 such that the at least one locking assembly 22 is moved into the released state based on at least one of the decoded signal(s) or unencrypted signals.

[0042] As discussed above, the electronic locking system 20 further includes at least one virtual switch 50, one remote switch 52, and one key fob 54. Accordingly, the method may further include the step of instructing the at least one locking assembly 22 to lock and unlock in response to the actuation of the at least one virtual switch 50, one remote switch 52, and one key fob 54 by a user. Again, the remote control unit 30 includes an encryption module 56. Therefore, according to other aspects, the method further includes the step of encrypting the encrypted signal and transmitting the encrypted signal via a vehicle bus 32 to the at least one locking assembly 22.

[0043] Next, with reference to Fig. 7 and according to aspects of the disclosure, the method includes step 700 of receiving an encrypted signal corresponding to a force release signal at at least one locking assembly 22 for the locking plate 14, 16, to instruct the actuation of the at least one locking assembly 22 and decrypting the encrypted signal into a decrypted signal. The method further includes step 702 of receiving unencrypted signals corresponding to a movement by a user of at least one of an inner handle 34 or an outer handle 36 of the locking plate 14, 16. The method also includes step 704 of controlling the at least one locking assembly 22 based on at least one of the decrypted signal or the unencrypted signals.

[0044] With reference in particular to Fig.8 and according to other aspects, the method includes step 800 of providing at least one locking assembly 22 with a decryption module 46 for decrypting an encrypted signal transmitted by a remote control unit 30 via a vehicle. The method further includes step 802 of receiving and decrypting the encrypted signal from the remote control unit 30 into an unencrypted signal using the decryption module 46 in order to actuate the at least one locking assembly 22 using the unencrypted signal. The method continues at 804 with the provision of the at least one locking assembly 22 with an interface 42 for unencrypted force release signals for connecting to at least one inside handle switch 38 and at least one outside handle switch 40.The method also includes step 806 of receiving unencrypted signals from the at least one internal handle switch 38 and the at least one external handle switch 40 in response to being triggered by a user, in order to actuate the at least one locking assembly 22 using the unencrypted signals.

[0045] As discussed above, the electronic locking system 20 may further include a motor 44 configured to move the at least one locking assembly 22 between a locked state, in which the locking plate 14, 16 is locked to the vehicle body 12, and an unlocked state, in which the locking plate 14, 16 is unlocked from the vehicle body 12. Accordingly, the method further includes the step of controlling the motor 44 such that the at least one locking assembly 22 is moved to the unlocked state based on the decoded signal. Alternatively, according to other aspects, the method includes the step of controlling the motor 44 such that the at least one locking assembly 22 is moved to the unlocked state based on at least one of the decoded signal or the unencrypted signals.

[0046] The remote control unit 30 again includes an encryption module 56. Thus, according to one aspect of the disclosure, the method further includes the step of encrypting the encrypted signal and transmitting the encrypted signal via the vehicle bus 32 to the at least one locking assembly 22. As above, the electronic locking system 20 further includes at least one virtual switch 50, one remote switch 52, and one key fob 54. Therefore, according to further aspects, the method further includes the step of instructing the at least one locking assembly 22 to lock and unlock in response to the user actuating the at least one virtual switch 50, one remote switch 52, and one key fob 54. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 0 694 664 A1

[0003] WO 2014 / 102282

[0003] US 9,353,556

[0023]

Claims

[1] Electronic locking system 20 for a locking plate 14, 16 of a motor vehicle 10, which is rotatable in relation to a vehicle body 12 of the motor vehicle 10, the electronic locking system 20 comprising: at least one locking assembly 22 configured to selectively lock and unlock the locking plate 14, 16 to the vehicle body 12; a remote control unit 30 which communicates with and is configured to encode a force release signal and transmit it as an encrypted signal to instruct the actuation of the at least one locking assembly 22; and which is configured to have at least one locking assembly 22: Receiving the encrypted signal from the remote control unit 30 and Decrypting the encrypted signal and correspondingly actuating at least one locking assembly 22. [2] Electronic locking system 20 according to claim 1, further comprising: a decryption module 46 configured to decrypt the encrypted signal from the remote control unit 30; a motor 44 configured to move the at least one locking assembly between a locked state, in which the locking plate 14, 16 is locked to the vehicle body 12, and a released state, in which the locking plate 14, 16 is unlocked from the vehicle body 12; and a locking control unit 48 which communicates with the motor 44 and the decryption module 46 and is configured to: Receiving the encrypted signal and decrypting it into a decrypted signal using the decryption module 46 and Controlling the motor 44 such that the at least one locking assembly 22 is moved into the released state based on the decoded signal. [3] Electronic locking system 20 according to claim 2, further comprising at least one inside handle switch 38 configured to be triggered by movement of an inside handle 34 of the locking plate 14, 16 by a user, and at least one outside handle switch 40 configured to be triggered by movement of an outside handle 36 of the locking plate 14, 16 by the user, and wherein: which includes at least one locking assembly 22 and an interface 42 for unencrypted force release signals, which is connected to and configured with the at least one internal handle switch 38 and the at least one external handle switch 40 to receive unencrypted signals from the at least one internal handle switch 38 and the at least one external handle switch 40 in response to being triggered by the user; and The locking control 48 is further configured to: Receiving the unencrypted signals from the at least one internal handle switch 38 and the at least one external handle switch 40 and Controlling the motor 44 such that the at least one locking assembly 22 is moved into the released state based on at least one of the decoded signal or the unencrypted signals. [4] Electronic locking system 20 according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one locking assembly 22 is configured to receive the encrypted signal from the remote control unit 30 via a shared communication bus 32 and to receive a non-encrypted signal from a non-shared communication line 43 connected to a vehicle handle. [5] Method for operating an electronic locking system 20 for a locking plate 14, 16 of a motor vehicle 10, which is rotatable with respect to a vehicle body 12 of the motor vehicle 10, the method comprising the steps: Receiving an encrypted signal corresponding to a force release signal at at least one locking assembly 22 for the locking plate 14, 16, to instruct the actuation of the at least one locking assembly 22 from a remote control unit 30; and Decrypting the encrypted signal and correspondingly actuating at least one locking assembly 22. [6] The method of claim 5, further comprising the steps of: Providing the remote control unit 30 with an encryption module 56 for encrypting the force release signal as the encrypted signal; Encrypting the force release signal as the encrypted signal using the encryption module 56; Transmission of the encrypted signal via a vehicle bus 32 to the at least one locking assembly 22; and Providing at least one locking assembly 22 with a decryption module 46 for decrypting the encrypted signal from the remote control unit 30 into a decrypted signal and actuating the at least one locking assembly 22 using the decrypted signal. [7] Method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the electronic locking system 20 further includes a motor 44 configured to move the at least one locking assembly 22 between a locked state in which the locking plate 14, 16 is locked to the vehicle body 12 and a released state in which the locking plate 14, 16 is unlocked from the vehicle body 12, wherein the electronic locking system 20 further includes a decryption module 46 configured to decrypt the encrypted signal from the remote control unit 30, and wherein the method further includes the steps: Decrypting the encrypted signal from the remote control unit 30 into a decrypted signal using the decryption module 46; and Controlling the motor 44 such that the at least one locking assembly 22 is moved into the released state based on the decoded signal. [8] Method according to claim 7, wherein the electronic locking system 20 further includes at least one inside handle switch 38 configured to be triggered by movement of an inside handle 34 of the locking plate 14, 16 by a user, and at least one outside handle switch 40 configured to be triggered by movement of an outside handle 36 of the locking plate 14, 16 by the user, wherein the at least one locking assembly 22 further includes an interface 42 for unencrypted force release signals connected to the at least one inside handle switch 38 and the at least one outside handle switch 40, and the method further includes the steps: Receiving unencrypted signals from the at least one internal handle switch 38 and the at least one external handle switch 40 via the interface 42 for unencrypted force release signals in response to the at least one internal handle switch 38 and the at least one external handle switch 40 being triggered by the user; and Controlling the motor 44 such that the at least one locking assembly 22 is moved into the released state based on at least one of the decoded signal or the unencrypted signals. [9] Method for operating an electronic locking system 20 for a locking plate 14, 16 of a motor vehicle 10, which is rotatable in relation to a vehicle body 12 of the motor vehicle 10, the method comprising the steps: Receiving an encrypted signal corresponding to a force release signal at at least one locking assembly 22 for the locking plate 14,16, to instruct the actuation of the at least one locking assembly 22 and decrypting the encrypted signal into a decrypted signal; Receiving unencrypted signals corresponding to a movement of at least one of an internal handle 34 or an external handle 36 of the locking plate 14, 16 by a user; and Control of the at least one locking assembly 22 based on at least one of the decoded signal or the unencrypted signals. [10] The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps: Providing at least one locking assembly 22 with a decryption module 46 for decrypting the encrypted signal transmitted by a remote control unit 30 via a vehicle bus 32; Receiving and decrypting the encrypted signal from the remote control unit 30 into the decrypted signal using the decryption module 46 in order to actuate the at least one locking assembly 22 using the decrypted signal; preferably further including the following steps: Providing at least one locking assembly 22 with an interface 42 for unencrypted force release signals for connection to at least one internal handle switch 38 and at least one external handle switch 40, wherein the at least one internal handle switch 38 is configured to be triggered by movement of the internal handle 34 of the locking plate 14, 16 by the user, and the at least one external handle switch 40 is configured to be triggered by movement of the external handle 36 of the locking plate 14, 16 by the user; and Receiving unencrypted signals from the at least one internal handle switch 38 and the at least one external handle switch 40 in response to being triggered by the user, in order to actuate the at least one locking assembly 22 using the unencrypted signals.

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