Digitally Signed QR Codes for Secure Vehicle Identification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle identification and tracking systems, such as those using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), are vulnerable to license plate theft and tampering, leading to unreliable vehicle information matching.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a system that digitally signs Quick Response (QR) codes with a certificate management system, allowing for secure and reliable vehicle identification and tracking by verifying the digital signature of the QR code.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional license plate recognition systems are used for vehicle identification, then the system can detect vehicle information, but the system becomes vulnerable to license plate theft and tampering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle identification reliabilityVSAvoidlicense plate theft and tampering
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional license plates with QR codes that contain encrypted vehicle information. The QR code serves as a digital copy of the vehicle identification data, making it harder to steal or tamper with compared to traditional physical license plates. The QR code can be easily replicated digitally, but the encryption ensures that only authorized systems can read and verify the information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical license plate system with a digital QR code system. Instead of relying on physical license plates that can be stolen or altered, the system uses machine-readable QR codes that can be easily captured, verified, and validated through digital means. This substitution eliminates the physical vulnerability of traditional license plates.

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

2Measurement precision

If manually entering license plate information is used, then the system can store vehicle information, but the process becomes time-consuming and prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle information accuracyVSAvoidinformation entry time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The QR code system enables automatic information retrieval without manual intervention. When a QR code is scanned, the system automatically extracts and retrieves vehicle information from the encrypted database, eliminating the need for manual data entry. This self-service approach reduces both time consumption and human error in information recording.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual keyboard entry with automated optical scanning and digital data retrieval. The QR code is scanned by a camera or mobile device, and the system automatically decodes and retrieves the associated vehicle information from the database, eliminating the mechanical process of manual typing and reducing errors associated with manual data entry.

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

3Reliability

If QR codes are used for vehicle identification, then the system can improve information security, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation securityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a QR code as an intermediary between the vehicle and the database system. The QR code contains encrypted information that acts as a mediator to access the vehicle data without exposing the full database structure. This intermediary approach simplifies the user interface while maintaining security, as users only need to scan the QR code rather than directly access the complex database system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the vehicle information into encrypted portions within the QR code and separate database records. Instead of storing all vehicle information in a single accessible location, the system divides the data into secure segments that can be retrieved and decrypted only with proper authorization. This segmentation reduces the impact of potential system breaches while maintaining overall system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250119303A1Issuing digitally signed QR codes for vehicles
Publication Date: 2025.04.10 DIGICERT INC
  • US20250119303A1 patent drawing
  • US20250119303A1 patent drawing
  • US20250119303A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods for applying a digitally signed QR code to a vehicle are provided. In one implementation, a method includes the step of receiving, from a requesting entity, a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) and object-related information associated with an object. The method further includes the step of issuing a digital certificate to authenticate the object and/or the requesting entity. Also, the method includes the step of digitally signing a machine-detectable code configured to reference a database associated with the digital certificate and the object-related information. The method also includes the step of sending the digitally signed machine-detectable code to the requesting entity.