Digital Vehicle Key Rules for Granular Access and Travel Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle access systems restrict travel entirely, leading to reduced convenience.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus creates a digital key with usage rules, transmitting it to vehicles and terminals, allowing flexible control of vehicle access and usage based on predefined conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If function restriction information is added to key information to permit locking, unlocking, and content usage but restrict traveling entirely, then security and control are improved, but convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle usage controlVSAvoidvehicle convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The usage permissions are segmented into distinct types: locking/unlocking permission, content providing apparatus usage permission, and traveling permission. Each permission is independently controllable through separate flags in the usage rule information, allowing granular control over vehicle functionality rather than blanket restrictions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts permission levels by setting different values for usage rule flags (permitted, restricted, prohibited) based on user needs. The vehicle control apparatus evaluates these flags in real-time to enable or disable specific functions, creating a flexible permission system that adapts to different usage scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If entire traveling is restricted for security purposes, then vehicle security is improved, but user flexibility and adaptability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle securityVSAvoidusage flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different quality levels of permission are applied to different vehicle functions. The system assigns specific permission attributes (permitted, restricted, prohibited) to different usage types independently, allowing high-security settings for certain functions while maintaining flexibility for others, creating localized permission control rather than uniform restriction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the permission parameter states by modifying usage rule flags to transition between different permission levels. The vehicle control apparatus monitors these parameter changes and adjusts system behavior accordingly, enabling dynamic reconfiguration of vehicle access and usage permissions based on evaluated conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250296528A1Information processing apparatus, information processing method, vehicle control apparatus, and information processing terminal

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes circuitry configured to create a digital key for using a vehicle, and set a usage rule for the digital key. The usage rule represents permitted usage of the vehicle. A transmitter transmits the digital key to at least one of the vehicle and/or an information processing terminal that uses the digital key, and transmits usage rule information representing the usage rule to at least one of the vehicle and/or the information processing terminal.