Remote Vehicle Access Control via Decoupled Authorization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing car-sharing and rental services face challenges in providing vehicles without physical keys or badges, as existing systems require costly and visible on-board equipment, lack security, and often require specific integration with vehicle management servers.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a remote vehicle management server and a user server to independently manage door unlocking and vehicle starting, using existing telematics systems, ensuring security by requiring separate authorization messages and vehicle-specific criteria, such as mileage or fuel level verification, to prevent unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specific on-board equipment is installed in vehicles for car-sharing identification, then user identification and vehicle security are improved, but equipment cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the user identification function from the vehicle on-board system and relocates it to an external server. The vehicle only retains standard telematics equipment for receiving commands, while the complex identification and authorization processes are performed remotely by the server using existing vehicle identifiers, thereby reducing on-board equipment complexity while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the standard telematics box multi-functional by enabling it to handle both standard vehicle telematics functions and car-sharing access control functions. The existing vehicle identifier and communication capabilities are reused for authorization purposes, eliminating the need for dedicated car-sharing equipment and reducing overall system complexity
2Ease of operation
If visible on-board equipment is used for vehicle access control, then user identification capability is improved, but security against circumvention deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary server that mediates between the user and the vehicle. The server acts as a secure intermediary that performs identification and authorization remotely, sending only simple unlock or start commands to the vehicle. This intermediary layer prevents direct access to vehicle systems and protects against circumvention of visible equipment
3Ease of operation
If door unlocking is enabled remotely without additional verification, then ease of vehicle access is improved, but vehicle security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary verification actions before enabling door unlocking. The server first verifies the user's identity and authorization status, then checks vehicle-specific criteria (such as mileage or fuel level) before sending the unlock command. This preliminary verification ensures that only authorized users can access the vehicle, maintaining security while enabling convenient remote access
4Reliability
If separate authorization messages are required for door unlocking and vehicle starting, then security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vehicle access control into two distinct authorization messages: one for door unlocking and another for vehicle starting. This segmentation ensures that even if one authorization is compromised, the other remains protected. The server manages these separate authorization flows, while the vehicle's standard telematics system handles the execution, keeping the complexity centralized rather than distributed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention concerns a method of making a vehicle (V) available, comprising a step (E3, E4) of sending a message (M2, M3) in order to unlock at least one vehicle door (V) from a remote vehicle management server (SDGV), following a user request (M1), said user request having been subject to identification of the user (U) and authorisation of use by the user (U) for the vehicle (V). The method is characterised in that it further comprises a step (E7, E9) of sending a message (M5, M6), independent of the above-mentioned unlocking message (M2, M3), authorising the starting of the vehicle (V) by a control system (SC) of said vehicle (V) from the remote vehicle management server (SDGV).