Key Fob Pairing Using ID-Authenticated Key Agreement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional pairing of wireless key fobs with vehicles requires the transport of secret cryptographic keys to dealerships, which is vulnerable to theft and necessitates costly IT systems for key management.
Innovation Solution
A key fob-control unit pairing method using identification (ID) authenticated key agreement protocols, such as elliptical curve cryptography, to generate common secret encryption keys without the need for public key infrastructure and certificate authorities, ensuring secure pairing by transmitting and encrypting unique IDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If secret cryptographic keys are transported to dealerships for key fob pairing, then key fobs can be paired with vehicles, but the risk of key theft increases and costly IT infrastructure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the secret key from the pairing process entirely. Instead of transporting secret cryptographic keys to dealerships, the system uses public key infrastructure where only public keys and certificates are exchanged. The secret keys remain securely stored in their respective devices (vehicle and key fob) and never leave those devices, eliminating the security vulnerability of key transport while maintaining pairing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces certificates and public keys as intermediaries in the pairing process. Rather than directly sharing secret keys between vehicle and key fob, the system uses certificate authorities and public key cryptography as mediators. The vehicle controller and key fob authenticate each other through certificate verification and public key exchange, allowing secure pairing without exposing secret keys.
2Ease of operation
If secret keys are stored in key fobs and transported to dealers, then pairing can be performed, but IT infrastructure costs increase and security vulnerabilities arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the requirement for centralized key management infrastructure by extracting the secret key transport function from the system. Each device generates and retains its own secret keys locally, eliminating the need for secure key distribution networks, key management servers, and associated IT infrastructure while maintaining full pairing capability through public key exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service pairing where the vehicle and key fob autonomously authenticate each other using their own certificates and public keys without requiring external key management infrastructure. The devices perform mutual authentication and establish secure communication independently, eliminating dependence on costly centralized IT systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for pairing a key fob with a control unit is provided. The key fob executes an ID authenticated key agreement protocol with a pairing device based on a key fob identification to authenticate one another and to generate a first encryption key. The pairing device encrypts a control unit identification using the first encryption key. The key fob receives the encrypted control unit identification transmitted from the pairing device. The key fob then executes an ID authenticated key agreement protocol with the control unit based on the control unit identification to authenticate one another and to generate a second encryption key. The key fob then receives an operational key transmitted from the control unit that is encrypted with the second encryption key.