Vehicle Access Control Unit Secure Data Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing access to electronically controllable devices, such as vehicles, often rely on central databases and wireless connections, which can be unreliable, especially in areas with limited network access.
Innovation Solution
A method where a central control platform generates a signed and encrypted data container that is transmitted to a mobile communication device, which then transfers it to the access control unit of the electronically controllable device, ensuring secure and reliable data transfer even without direct network access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a central control platform uses wireless connections to manage access to electronically controllable devices, then access management can be centralized and updated remotely, but the system reliability deteriorates in areas with limited network access
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing access control data, configurations, and updates in the access control device before network connectivity is lost. The device maintains a local database that can operate independently, ensuring continuous functionality during network outages. This preliminary data storage and processing capability allows the system to function reliably without real-time network connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The access control device acts as an intermediary between the central control platform and the electronically controllable device. It receives and caches data from the central platform when connected, then independently manages access control operations when disconnected. This intermediary role buffers the system against network instability, maintaining reliability in limited network areas while preserving remote management capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If access control data is transmitted through mobile communication devices, then the system can operate without direct network access to the device, but data security may be compromised during transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a secure copy of the access control data transmission path by routing data through the mobile communication device as an intermediate carrier rather than requiring direct connection between the central platform and access control device. The mobile device receives encrypted data, maintains it securely in its memory, and transfers it to the access control device when needed, eliminating the need for direct network access while preserving security through encrypted copying.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements flexible security measures by using encrypted data containers that can be securely stored and transmitted through different channels (direct network or mobile device intermediary). The encryption acts as a protective shell around the data, maintaining security regardless of the transmission path taken, thus enabling operation without direct network access while mitigating security risks.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for monitoring access to electronically controllable devices, in particular vehicles. A communications connection is established between a mobile communications device and a central control platform. An entry for an electronically controllable device is created in the central control platform, and first data are transmitted to the mobile communications device. In addition, second data are transmitted from the central control platform to the mobile communications device, wherein the second data are signed and encoded with an individual key in the central platform before transmission, which key is associated with an access-control unit in the electronically controllable device. The mobile communications device is wirelessly coupled to the access-control unit of the electronically controllable device, wherein at least the second data are transmitted to the access-control unit. The access-control unit verifies and decodes the second data and adapts the configuration of access-control unit in accordance with the decoded data. An authorisation for access to the vehicle is subsequently checked.