Cloud e-Key Access Control for Shared Vehicle Privileges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack an efficient method for sharing and managing vehicle access, particularly in scenarios where temporary or conditional access is required, such as for rental or shared vehicle usage, without compromising security and user control.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based system that generates and manages electronic keys (e-Keys) for vehicle access, allowing for conditional access based on predefined privileges, geographic restrictions, and usage conditions, which can be sent to portable devices for unlocking and starting vehicles, with real-time monitoring and notification features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional physical keys are used for vehicle access, then security is maintained through physical control, but flexibility and ease of sharing access is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical key systems with electronic key systems. The electronic key comprises a portable device with a processor that communicates with the vehicle's control unit, eliminating the need for physical keys. This substitution enables flexible access sharing through digital distribution while maintaining security through encrypted authentication protocols between the portable device and vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the vehicle owner and potential key recipients. The server manages key generation, distribution, and revocation, enabling centralized control over access permissions. This intermediary facilitates easy sharing of access rights without requiring direct physical key exchange, while the server's authentication mechanisms maintain security.
2Ease of operation
If full access is granted to all users, then ease of use is improved, but security and user control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements differentiated access rights where different users receive electronic keys with specific privilege sets tailored to their needs. The control unit evaluates authentication data against stored privilege definitions, granting only the necessary permissions to each user. This allows the system to be easy to use for all users while maintaining security through granular, user-specific access control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of access control by transitioning from binary (access/denial) to multi-level permission structures. Each electronic key contains specific privilege parameters that define what operations the user can perform. The control unit dynamically evaluates these parameters during authentication, enabling flexible security control that adapts to different user roles and requirements.
3Reliability
If electronic keys with conditional access are implemented, then security and control are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the access control system into distinct functional modules: the portable device for key storage and authentication data, the vehicle's control unit for evaluation and decision-making, and the server for centralized management. This segmentation distributes complexity across multiple components, allowing each to specialize in specific tasks while maintaining overall system security and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the electronic key system to be universal, where a single portable device can serve multiple functions: storing authentication credentials, communicating with the vehicle, and being managed through a centralized server. The control unit universally evaluates different types of authentication data against stored privileges, providing a unified framework that manages complexity through standardization.
4Loss of information
If physical keys are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but monitoring and notification capabilities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the control unit communicates access attempts, authentication results, and vehicle status information back to the server and/or portable device. This feedback loop enables real-time monitoring of vehicle access and usage, providing information about who accessed the vehicle, when, and under what conditions, while maintaining system simplicity through standardized communication protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle configured to communicate with a server of a cloud system to enable access to use the vehicle via one or more electronic keys is provided. The vehicle includes electronics and a subsystem of the vehicle for enabling unlocking of the vehicle. The subsystem is interfaced with the electronics and a subsystem of the vehicle for enabling starting of the vehicle for use of the vehicle. The vehicle further includes communications circuitry that is interfaced with electronics of the vehicle. The communications circuitry is programmable to communicate with the server of the cloud system and communicate with a mobile device. The communications circuitry of the vehicle is configured to receive a request from the mobile device for unlocking of the vehicle. The request from the mobile device includes coded data obtained by the mobile device from the server to enable sending the request to the vehicle. The coded data is associated with privileges for use of the vehicle. The privileges are defined for the coded data, and the vehicle is configured to receive information from the server to authenticate the request by the mobile device. And, if the request is authentic, the mobile device is provided with data to enable an electronic key to use the vehicle, and the electronics of the vehicle instructs the subsystem of the vehicle to enable unlocking of the vehicle and enable starting of the vehicle for use of the vehicle via the electronic key consistent with the privileges of the coded data.