Digital Vehicle Key Locking for Unauthorized Key Addition Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The addition of new digital vehicle keys to a motor vehicle system poses security risks, as existing technologies lack effective means to prevent unauthorized creation and use of such keys, potentially compromising vehicle security functions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method to detect and prevent the addition of newly created digital vehicle keys by setting locks in the vehicle's control unit or key management system, ensuring that only authorized keys can be used to control security functions, and using cryptographic measures to validate and store keys.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new digital vehicle keys can be freely created and added to the system, then key management flexibility and user convenience are improved, but security risks increase due to potential unauthorized key creation and use
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing a lock mechanism in the control unit before any key addition attempts occur. This lock is set in advance to prevent unauthorized key creation, while still allowing authorized keys to be added through proper authentication procedures. The lock serves as a preliminary security barrier that maintains flexibility for legitimate key management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary lock mechanism that mediates between the key management system and the control unit. This lock acts as a mediator that can be selectively engaged or disengaged to control key addition processes. It provides a middle ground that allows authorized key management operations while blocking unauthorized attempts, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and security.
2Reliability
If a lock is set to prevent addition of new digital vehicle keys, then vehicle security is improved, but key management flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It can be engaged to prevent unauthorized key addition when security threats are detected, and disengaged to allow legitimate key management operations. This dynamic nature allows the system to adapt its security posture based on the operational context, maintaining both security and flexibility as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the security parameter (lock state) based on authentication results and operational context. When authorized operations are detected, the lock parameter is changed to an unlocked state, allowing key addition. When unauthorized attempts are detected, the lock parameter is changed to a locked state, preventing key addition. This parameter change mechanism resolves the contradiction by making security flexible rather than rigid.
3Reliability
If cryptographic validation is required for each new digital vehicle key, then security against unauthorized keys is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex cryptographic validation process from the main control unit and places it in a separate key management system. The control unit retains only the essential lock mechanism and basic validation logic, while the key management system handles the sophisticated cryptographic operations. This extraction reduces the complexity burden on the control unit while maintaining strong security validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The key management system acts as an intermediary that handles the complex cryptographic validation operations. It mediates between the key creation process and the control unit, performing the sophisticated security checks offloaded from the main control unit. This intermediary approach maintains security while reducing the complexity burden on the primary control system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a motor vehicle includes detecting a request to lock addition of a newly created digital vehicle key that can be used to control the motor vehicle, determining that the request uses an existing and authorized digital vehicle key, and setting a lock that prevents validation of a newly created digital vehicle key or storage of it in the motor vehicle.