E-Key Access Control for Vehicle User Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle management systems lack the ability to efficiently manage user profiles and settings across multiple vehicles, providing limited access control and customization, especially for guest drivers or temporary users, and do not effectively utilize cloud-based services for real-time updates and learning of user behavior.
Innovation Solution
The system integrates vehicle electronics with cloud services to manage user profiles, allowing wireless communication for accessing and customizing vehicle settings, including the creation of advisor accounts and electronic keys (e-keys) for secure and temporary access, enabling learning of user behavior and automatic implementation of settings based on usage patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional vehicle access control systems are used, then vehicle security is maintained, but access control flexibility and user experience for temporary users are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical key systems with electronic key (e-key) technology implemented through mobile devices. The e-key system uses wireless communication protocols to authenticate and grant vehicle access, eliminating the need for physical keys and enabling flexible access control for temporary users such as guest drivers, valets, and family members.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle access control system is designed to support multiple user types and access scenarios through a unified e-key platform. The system can accommodate permanent owners, temporary guests, family members, and professional drivers (valets) using the same technological infrastructure, allowing each user type to have customized permission levels and access conditions configured through the mobile application.
2Productivity
If cloud-based user profile management is implemented, then real-time settings synchronization and user behavior learning are enabled, but data security and system reliability challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud-based system continuously collects and analyzes user behavior data from vehicle usage patterns. The system processes this feedback information to automatically learn and adapt to individual user preferences, dynamically adjusting vehicle settings such as climate control, seat positions, and entertainment preferences based on observed usage patterns, thereby improving settings management efficiency and personalization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cloud-based server as an intermediary between the vehicle and user mobile devices. This intermediary handles sensitive operations including e-key generation, authentication verification, and profile management, thereby protecting the vehicle's internal systems from direct exposure to potential security threats while enabling secure remote access and settings synchronization.
3Measurement precision
If e-keys with customizable privileges are used, then access control precision and user safety are improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The e-key access control system is segmented into distinct privilege levels and permission categories. Different user types (owners, guests, family members, valets) are assigned specific privilege sets that can be independently configured and managed. This segmentation allows precise control over what each user can access or modify in the vehicle, such as limiting valet access to only driving functions while preventing access to settings or media controls.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided. One method includes receiving a request, at a server, to grant e-keys to a recipient for use of a vehicle, the vehicle being pre-associated to a user account. The method further includes generating a unique access code, at the server, in response to receiving the request. The method then encrypts the access code, at the server, using a vehicle public key associated with the vehicle, the vehicle public key is associated with the user account. The method includes sending the encrypted access code to the recipient for receipt by a device of the recipient. The encrypted access code is defined for transmission to the vehicle by way of the device of the recipient, and the encrypted access code is associated with instructions to cause the vehicle to decrypt the access code using a private key of the vehicle and to transmit the access code after decryption back to the device of the recipient along with privilege settings for the use of the vehicle. The access code received from the vehicle functions as e-keys for the vehicle that enable access to use of the vehicle in accordance with conditions defined in the privilege settings.