Electronic Key Registration via Management Center Intermediary

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electronic key systems lack adequate security measures to prevent unauthorized registration of electronic keys to vehicle controllers, necessitating a robust method to ensure secure registration and verification.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a unique electronic key ID and encryption code for secure registration, where the electronic key ID and encryption code are stored in the controller, and associated with a unique communication subject ID and controller ID, employing challenge-response verification and Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for encrypted communication, with factory, online, and offline registration processes to accommodate various scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If electronic key ID and encryption code are stored in the controller for registration, then registration functionality is enabled, but security vulnerability to unauthorized registration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregistration functionalityVSAvoidsecurity against unauthorized registration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A management center is introduced as an intermediary between the electronic key and the controller. The management center stores the binding relationship between communication subject ID, controller ID, and electronic key ID in a database, and verifies this binding during registration. This intermediary mechanism enables registration functionality while preventing unauthorized registration by requiring management center verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a direct two-party registration (key-controller) to a three-party system (key-controller-management center). By adding the management center dimension, the system enables registration functionality while introducing a verification layer that prevents unauthorized registration attempts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If challenge-response verification with AES encryption is implemented, then security is enhanced, but communication complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity verificationVSAvoidcommunication protocol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management center serves multiple functions: storing binding relationships in the database, generating challenge codes, verifying responses using AES encryption, and managing registration approvals. By consolidating these functions in a centralized system rather than distributing complexity to the controller and key, the solution enhances security while managing communication complexity centrally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple registration methods (factory, online, offline) are provided, then system adaptability is improved, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregistration method flexibilityVSAvoidregistration process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The registration process is segmented into three distinct methods (factory registration, online registration, offline registration), each with specific procedures and verification mechanisms. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different operational scenarios while maintaining clear, separate process flows that manage complexity through structured division rather than a single complex unified process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2767446B1Electronic key registration method and electronic key registration system
Publication Date: 2015.04.29 KK TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
  • EP2767446B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2767446B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2767446B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for registering an electronic key (2a) includes storing an electronic key ID (ID-1) and an encryption code (K-1) in a vehicle controller (4) to register the electronic key (2a) to the controller (4), and associating the vehicle ID (α) with the controller ID (ID-A) and with the electronic key ID (ID-1) in a management center database (24-27).