Digital Car Key Sharing with Server-Managed Access Entitlements

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Solution Overview

Problem

The sharing of digital keys for vehicle operation can lead to conflicts among multiple digital key devices, as multiple copies of the digital key are stored, causing inconsistencies and unauthorized access.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where a vehicle server manages key sharing sessions, grants exclusive rights to the first digital key device, tracks active entitlements, and uses a digital twin server to ensure secure and conflict-free sharing by verifying owner signatures and certificates, allowing the digital key to be shared between devices without interruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple copies of digital key are stored on multiple digital key devices, then key sharing convenience is improved, but sharing conflicts and unauthorized access occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey sharing convenienceVSAvoidsharing conflict prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A vehicle server is introduced as an intermediary to manage digital key sharing sessions. The server coordinates key sharing requests, grants exclusive rights to the first device, and tracks active entitlements, preventing conflicts while maintaining convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic session management where exclusive rights are granted temporarily during active sharing sessions. The vehicle server tracks session states and automatically revokes exclusive rights when sessions end, allowing flexible key sharing without permanent conflicts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If digital key is shared without centralized management, then sharing speed is improved, but consistency and security are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey sharing speedVSAvoidkey sharing consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle server provides real-time feedback by tracking active entitlements and monitoring sharing session states. This feedback mechanism ensures consistency across multiple devices by coordinating key sharing operations and preventing overlapping sessions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing sharing sessions and granting exclusive rights before actual key sharing occurs. This pre-coordination ensures security and consistency while maintaining fast sharing execution during approved sessions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11856110B2Method for delegated key sharing for digital car key system

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A system and method for sharing a digital key for a vehicle. The system includes a first digital key device having a digital key stored thereon, a second digital key device, and a vehicle server. The first digital key device sends a request to the vehicle server for a key sharing session. The vehicle server commences a key sharing session in response to the request. The first digital key device shares the digital key to a second digital key device. The vehicle server ends the key sharing session.