Mobile Credential Management for Vehicle Key Box Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional lock boxes require manual operation and knowledge of a combination, making them cumbersome and insecure, especially in situations where access to a vehicle is needed without a salesperson present, such as in vehicle sales.
Innovation Solution
A mobile credential management system that issues a credential to a mobile device to unlock a vehicle key box within a specified time window, allowing access to a vehicle key and notifying a user system of the access, with features including scheduling requests, verification messages, and administrative control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional manual lock boxes with combination codes are used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates and security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical lock box operation with an automated electronic system. The controller automatically unlocks the latch when it receives a valid credential signal from a mobile device, eliminating the need for manual combination entry and mechanical key turning. This substitution improves ease of operation while the automated control system manages the increased complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock box system provides self-service functionality by automatically authenticating credentials and unlocking without requiring manual intervention. The controller autonomously processes credential verification and actuates the latch mechanism, allowing users to access keys independently without needing assistance from sales personnel or security staff.
2Reliability
If traditional manual lock boxes are used, then device complexity is reduced, but security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces insecure manual combination locks with an electronic credential verification system. The controller authenticates digital credentials from mobile devices using encrypted communication protocols, providing enhanced security through automated authentication rather than relying on users to remember and enter combination codes, which can be compromised.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the credential verification system and the latch mechanism. It receives encrypted credential data from mobile devices, processes authentication securely, and only actuates the latch when verification succeeds. This intermediary layer adds security by separating the authentication logic from the mechanical unlocking action.
3Ease of operation
If mobile credential system is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed as a multi-functional device that handles credential verification, secure communication with mobile devices, latch control, and user notification. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single controller unit, the system achieves ease of operation through a unified interface while managing complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate components.
4Productivity
If automated credential verification is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Credentials are pre-configured in the controller's memory along with associated time windows and vehicle identifiers. When a mobile device presents a credential, the controller has already prepared the authentication criteria and can immediately verify and actuate the latch without requiring complex real-time decision-making. This preliminary configuration of access parameters enables rapid automated verification that improves productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where the controller monitors credential verification results and provides real-time notifications to users via mobile devices. When a credential is successfully verified and the latch is actuated, the system sends confirmation notifications. This automated feedback mechanism streamlines the access process, allowing users to immediately know whether authentication succeeded without manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile credential management system includes a processing system and a memory system with computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, cause the processing system to perform a plurality of operations. The operations include issuing a credential to a mobile device operable to trigger opening of a releasable latch of a vehicle key box responsive to receiving the credential within an assigned window of time. The operations also include monitoring for a releasable latch opened indicator from the vehicle key box indicative of the vehicle key box acknowledging the credential and providing access to a vehicle key corresponding to a vehicle assigned to the vehicle key box. The operations further include sending a notification to a user system responsive to receiving the releasable latch opened indicator, the notification identifying the vehicle and information about a user of the mobile device.