Access Token Transfer Between Portable Devices for Secure Remote Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for accessing remotely controllable devices, such as vehicles, lack efficient methods to identify and transfer ownership of software-implemented access tokens among multiple portable electronic devices, leading to potential security issues and inefficiencies in device control.

Innovation Solution

A system where portable electronic devices collect and evaluate parameters like signal strength and motion to identify a preferred device for accessing a remotely controllable device, transferring ownership of a software-implemented access token to ensure secure and efficient access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If software applications are used to emulate key fob functionality on multiple portable electronic devices, then accessibility and convenience are improved, but security risks increase due to multiple devices having access tokens

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically determines which portable electronic device should have access token ownership based on real-time conditions such as proximity to the remotely controllable device, user activity state, and device availability. The access token ownership is not static but can be transferred between devices as needed, resolving the contradiction by making security adaptive rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical key fob systems with software-based access tokens that can be managed and transferred electronically. This substitution allows for more sophisticated security mechanisms including automated transfer protocols, proximity detection, and server-mediated authentication, thereby maintaining security while improving accessibility across multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If access token ownership is transferred among multiple portable electronic devices, then flexibility and usability are improved, but system complexity increases due to transfer management

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a server as an intermediary that mediates access token transfers between portable electronic devices. The server authenticates transfer requests, validates device eligibility, and manages the transfer process, thereby reducing the complexity burden on individual devices while enabling flexible multi-device access token ownership.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary authentication and validation checks before executing access token transfers. By pre-verifying device eligibility, user authorization, and transfer conditions, the system simplifies the actual transfer process and reduces the complexity of error handling and conflict resolution during token ownership changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3993367B1Portable electronic devices for accessing remotely controllable devices
Publication Date: 2024.10.23 APPLE INC
  • EP3993367B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3993367B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3993367B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Multiple portable electronic devices (104.1, 104.2... 104.n) within an exemplary system (100) functionally cooperate amongst themselves to access a remotely controllable device (102). These portable electronic devices execute exemplary prioritization routines to identify a preferred portable electronic device from among the portable electronic devices to access the remotely controllable device. Thereafter, the exemplary system transfers ownership of a software implemented access token to the preferred portable electronic device to allow the preferred portable electronic device to access the remotely controllable device.