Digital Vehicle Key Transfer With Owner and User Key Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital vehicle key systems face challenges in managing multiple owner keys and user keys, leading to confusion and inefficiencies when transferring ownership or assigning keys to new devices, particularly in scenarios where user accounts are unknown or need to be updated.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for authenticating users and managing digital vehicle keys by determining user accounts, creating new owner keys, and securely storing them on mobile devices, while deleting existing keys if necessary, using cryptographic hashes to ensure accurate key management and compatibility with standards like the Car Connectivity Consortium's Digital Key Release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple owner keys are allowed on different mobile devices, then user convenience and accessibility are improved, but key management complexity and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments key management by introducing two distinct key types: owner keys and user keys. Owner keys have full privileges and can create user keys, while user keys have limited functionality. This segmentation allows multiple devices to hold keys without complicating management, as each key type has clearly defined responsibilities and permissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authentication and authorization actions during key creation. Before an owner key can be created or a user key can be generated, the system verifies identities, checks ownership status, and establishes cryptographic credentials in advance. This preliminary action prevents future management issues by ensuring proper authorization before key deployment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If owner keys are transferred to new mobile devices, then device replacement flexibility is improved, but confusion and security issues arise from multiple active owner keys
Solution Approach 1:
Before creating a new owner key on a replacement device, the system performs preliminary verification to confirm the user's identity and ownership status. The authentication process checks whether the user is the legitimate owner and authorizes the key creation only after verification, preventing unauthorized or duplicate owner key creation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms during key management operations. When a new owner key is created, the system provides confirmation to the user and updates the centralized registry. This feedback ensures that all parties are aware of the current key status and prevents confusion about which devices hold valid owner keys.
3Reliability
If cryptographic authentication is implemented for key management, then security is improved, but processing time and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cryptographic authentication process is segmented into distinct phases: initial key pair generation, attestation package creation, vehicle registration, and ongoing verification. Each phase uses appropriate cryptographic strength matched to its security requirements, avoiding unnecessary computational overhead in low-risk operations while maintaining strong security where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Cryptographic credentials are generated and verified in advance during key creation and vehicle registration. The attestation package and cryptographic signatures are prepared beforehand, so that during actual key usage or device replacement, the authentication process can proceed more efficiently by validating pre-computed credentials rather than performing full cryptographic verification each time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a motor vehicle includes authenticating a user of a mobile device, including determining a user account of the user, determining that the user account corresponds to a user account which has been associated with an existing owner key for the motor vehicle and storing an additional digital owner key for the motor vehicle for the user.