Electronic Key Management Connector for Offline Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic key management systems fail to register or invalidate electronic keys when the in-vehicle device cannot communicate with the center, particularly in areas with poor communication environments or device malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

An electronic key management system that includes a connector for connecting an in-vehicle authentication device to a management server using a communication device, allowing the system to request an execution key for transitioning to a registration or invalidation mode using an alternative communication device, enabling registration or invalidation even when primary communication is unavailable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the in-vehicle device uses the in-vehicle communication device to communicate with the management server, then the key management operations can be performed securely through authenticated communication, but the system cannot perform registration or invalidation operations in areas with poor communication environments or when communication malfunctions occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidoperational capability in poor communication environments

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an external communication device as an intermediary to enable communication between the in-vehicle device and the management server when the in-vehicle communication device fails or is unavailable. This intermediary device receives requests from the in-vehicle device and transmits them to the server, allowing key management operations to proceed despite communication environment challenges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary authentication and obtains execution keys from the management server before attempting key registration or invalidation operations. This preliminary action ensures that even when using alternative communication paths, the operations maintain security through pre-established authentication credentials and execution keys.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the system requires communication with the management server for key registration and invalidation, then security is maintained through centralized authentication, but the system becomes unable to perform these operations when communication is unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity through centralized authenticationVSAvoidoperational availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The external communication device serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between the in-vehicle device and the management server when direct communication is unavailable. This mediator enables the system to maintain centralized authentication security while overcoming communication barriers that would otherwise prevent operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication function is segmented into two independent paths: the primary in-vehicle communication device and the alternative external communication device. This segmentation allows the system to switch between communication paths based on availability, maintaining both security through centralized authentication and operational availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the system uses only the in-vehicle communication device for server communication, then the system architecture remains simple and direct, but the system lacks redundancy and fails when this communication device malfunctions or communication environment is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication architecture complexityVSAvoidcommunication availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed with multi-functionality in the communication subsystem, where the in-vehicle device can utilize both its built-in communication device and an external communication device depending on availability. This universal approach allows the same key management operations to proceed through different communication paths, enhancing reliability without significantly complicating the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10843661B2Electronic key management system assisting device, electronic key management system, method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2020.11.24 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic key management system assisting device including: a connector (31) that is mounted in a vehicle and is used for a connection with an in-vehicle authentication device communicating with a management server using an in-vehicle communication device; and a requester (35B) that requests the management server to transmit an execution key for obtaining a permission for a transition to a registration mode in which an electronic key of the vehicle is registered in the in-vehicle registration device or an invalidation mode in which the electronic key registered in the in-vehicle registration device is invalidated using a communication device other than the in-vehicle communication device in a case which the in-vehicle authentication device connected through the connector is not able to communicate with the management server using the in-vehicle communication device.