Digital Vehicle Key Service Data Transfer With Secure Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for providing vehicle service data with digital vehicle keys are inconvenient and lack reliability, particularly in scenarios where the physical vehicle key is not available.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing a digital key stored in a secure storage unit of a user device, such as a smartphone, to receive and securely store vehicle service data via wireless communication, authenticate the key, and provide data to external units using QR codes or NFC, ensuring integrity through Message Authentication Codes and digital signatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a physical vehicle key with storage unit is used to store service data, then the service data can be stored securely, but the user must physically take the key to the servicing service which reduces convenience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice data securityVSAvoidconvenience of providing service data

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical physical key system with a digital key system using wireless communication. The digital key stored in the secure storage unit of a mobile device allows service data to be transmitted wirelessly to the servicing service, eliminating the need for physical key handling while maintaining security through cryptographic authentication mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a digital key as an intermediary between the vehicle and the servicing service. This digital key, stored securely in a mobile device, acts as a mediator that enables secure data transmission without requiring physical presence of the original key, thus improving convenience while maintaining security through trusted intermediary authentication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If digital key is used for wireless communication, then convenience is improved, but data integrity and authenticity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of providing service dataVSAvoiddata integrity and authenticity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary authentication actions before data transmission. The digital key undergoes authentication verification with the servicing service before service data is transmitted, ensuring that only authorized devices can access and transmit data. This preliminary security check maintains data integrity while enabling convenient wireless communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the servicing service verifies the authenticity of the digital key and the integrity of transmitted data through authentication protocols. This feedback loop ensures that any tampering or unauthorized access attempts are detected, maintaining reliability while allowing convenient wireless operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250365278A1Methods and Apparatuses for Providing Vehicle Service Data

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG

AI summary

A method for providing service data relating to a vehicle by a key device having a digital key for interacting with the vehicle stored in a secure storage unit of the key device, the method including receiving service data via a wireless communication connection between the key device and the vehicle, storing the service data in the secure storage unit, and providing the service data in response to a request from a vehicle application executed on the key device.