Vehicle Digital Key Server Segmentation for Replay Attack Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current digital key management for vehicle-sharing using mobile devices faces challenges such as the risk of theft due to replay attacks, difficulty in managing increasing numbers of digital keys, compatibility issues with app store updates and operating systems, and inefficient resource management for vehicle-sharing services.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a key server that generates primary and secondary keys with specific rights for vehicle control, allowing secure sharing and usage without generating additional digital keys, while preventing illegal use and simplifying management through secure key transmission and usage permissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If digital keys are shared indefinitely without management, then key availability increases, but key management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey availabilityVSAvoidkey management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments digital keys into two distinct types: primary keys for vehicle access and secondary keys for sharing. This segmentation allows independent management of each key type, reducing overall management complexity while maintaining key availability. Primary keys remain securely stored in the mobile device, while secondary keys can be freely shared and revoked without affecting the primary key.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic key management where secondary keys can be generated, shared, and revoked flexibly based on sharing needs. The system dynamically adjusts key availability by generating secondary keys on-demand and revoking them when sharing periods expire or conditions are met, allowing adaptability without permanent complexity accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple digital keys are generated for sharing, then sharing capability improves, but security against replay attacks decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesharing capabilityVSAvoidsecurity against replay attacks

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that manages secondary key generation and validation. The server acts as a trusted mediator that can verify key authenticity and prevent replay attacks by maintaining records of used keys. This intermediary layer enables secure sharing capability while maintaining security through centralized control and validation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates secondary keys as controlled copies of the primary key functionality. These copies enable sharing capability by allowing multiple users to access vehicle functions, while the copying process is secured through server-mediated generation and validation, preventing unauthorized replay attacks on the original primary key.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If digital keys are provided as encrypted SMS, then distribution ease improves, but security against decryption decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistribution easeVSAvoidsecurity against decryption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the SMS-based distribution mechanism with a server-mediated digital key generation and transmission system. This substitution maintains distribution ease through automated server delivery while improving security by using robust cryptographic methods and controlled key generation, eliminating the vulnerability of SMS encryption that can be decrypted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional vehicle-sharing management is implemented, then service functionality improves, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice functionalityVSAvoidresource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service functionality where the system automatically manages key generation, sharing periods, and revocation without requiring continuous manual intervention. The server automatically tracks sharing usage, manages billing, and revokes keys when conditions are met, reducing resource consumption while maintaining comprehensive service functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10589719B1Method for managing digital key of mobile device for vehicle-sharing and key server using the same

Publication Date: 2020.03.17 HYUNDAI AUTOEVER AMERICA LLC

AI summary

A method for managing a digital key of a mobile device for vehicle-sharing is provided. The method includes steps of: a key server, (a) if a registration request is acquired from an owner mobile device of an owner of the vehicle, generating a primary key and a secondary key, primary rights and secondary rights, combining the primary rights with the primary key and the secondary rights with the secondary key, transmitting the primary key and the secondary key to the owner mobile device, and setting the vehicle and the owner mobile device as a domain of the vehicle; and (b) if a vehicle-sharing request is acquired from the owner mobile device or a vehicle-sharing server, generating vehicle-sharing rights, combining the vehicle-sharing rights with the secondary key, transmitting each combined vehicle-sharing right to its corresponding information-receiving means of the vehicle-sharing users, and registering the user mobile devices in the domain.