Keyed-alike Digital Access Key for Fleet Vehicle Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing PBK systems face complexity and cost issues when managing access to fleets of vehicles, particularly in shared access scenarios like fleet, service, and first responder applications, where each user requires separate keys for multiple vehicles, leading to logistical challenges and impracticality, especially for autonomous vehicle technicians.
Innovation Solution
A system that generates and deploys a keyed-alike digital consumer access key (CAK) for multiple vehicles, allowing shared access through a mobile device, using a phone-as-a-key server to authenticate users by matching the CAK on the vehicle and mobile device, with optional secondary identification tokens for tracking and secure session management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate keys are assigned to each user for each vehicle in a fleet, then access security is improved, but system complexity and management costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal key system where a single digital key stored on a mobile device can access multiple vehicles within a fleet. The server generates a fleet-wide access key that is distributed to authorized users, eliminating the need for separate physical keys for each vehicle while maintaining security through centralized authentication and authorization management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies of the access key on mobile devices, replacing physical key copies. The server generates cryptographic key pairs and distributes the access key digitally to authorized users, enabling key replication without physical duplication while maintaining security through cryptographic verification and centralized key management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate keys are assigned to each user for each vehicle in a fleet, then individual access control is improved, but management costs and logistics increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service key management where users can independently obtain, store, and use their access keys on mobile devices. The server automatically distributes keys to authorized users without requiring manual key distribution or physical key cutting, reducing management overhead and logistics costs while maintaining individual access control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical key distribution and management system with a digital/cryptographic system. Instead of physically distributing and managing physical keys, the system uses digital key generation, distribution, and verification through mobile devices and a centralized server, eliminating the logistical burden of physical key management.
3Device complexity
If a common digital key is used for multiple vehicles, then access management complexity is reduced, but tracking and identification capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the server receives and processes access attempts, user identifiers, and vehicle identifiers. When a user presents their digital key to a vehicle, the server logs the access event with associated metadata (user ID, vehicle ID, timestamp, location) and can provide real-time feedback about access status, enabling both simplified key management and comprehensive tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized server acts as an intermediary between the user's mobile device and the vehicle. While the digital key itself is common across the fleet, the server mediates each access attempt by verifying the key, identifying the user and vehicle, logging the interaction, and providing feedback. This intermediary layer preserves tracking and identification capabilities despite using a common key format.
Data Source
AI summary
A keyed-alike digital consumer access key is generated for distribution to a plurality of vehicles of a fleet. The keyed-alike digital consumer access key is deployed to the plurality of vehicles. The keyed-alike digital consumer access key is deployed to a mobile device. A request from a mobile device may be received to gain access to the plurality of vehicles. Responsive to validating the mobile device, the mobile device may be sent the keyed-alike digital consumer access key and a unique identifier corresponding to the mobile device, the keyed-alike digital consumer access key for use by the mobile device in authentication to one or more of the plurality of vehicles, the unique identifier for use by the mobile device in tracking which mobile device is accessing the one or more of the plurality of vehicles.