Electronic Key System Property Code Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic key systems, such as smart entry & push button engine start systems, face challenges when a vehicle is resold, as it is difficult to identify and erase additional key codes without specialist intervention, allowing previous owners to potentially access the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a unique property code into key codes to differentiate between master and additional keys, enabling the electronic key system to identify and batch erase only additional key codes through two-way communication, with notification features to inform users of additional key presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all registered key codes are erased when a key is lost, then security is improved, but convenience deteriorates because the master key code must be re-registered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the key code into two distinct parts: a base code common to all keys and a unique individual code for each key. This segmentation allows the system to selectively erase only the unique individual code when a key is lost, while preserving the base code and avoiding the need to re-register the entire master key, thus resolving the contradiction between security and convenience.
2Ease of operation
If additional key codes are registered for mobility, then convenience is improved, but security deteriorates because previous owners can still access the vehicle after resale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the unique individual code from the complete key code structure, storing it separately in the key device. This extraction enables the system to selectively remove only the unique individual code of additional keys during vehicle resale, while maintaining the base code structure. This resolves the security issue by ensuring previous owners cannot access the vehicle, while preserving convenience by allowing legitimate additional keys to function normally.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a property code is added to differentiate key types, then manageability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding a specific property code indicator only to the unique individual code portion of the key code, rather than restructuring the entire key code system. This localized modification enables the lock device to identify and differentiate additional keys from master keys through simple code comparison, improving manageability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic key system which checks, using two-way communication, a key code stored in an electronic key against a key code stored in a lock device that locks an entrance to a predetermined space, and allows an unlocking operation of the lock device if the key code stored in the electronic key matches the key code stored in the lock device, is such that the key code includes an identification code unique to the electronic key and a property code indicative of a property of the electronic key (a master key or an additional key). The lock device erases a key code that includes a property code indicating that the key is an additional key, from among the key codes stored in the lock device, when a predetermined operation (including an operation using the master key) is performed.