Vehicle Digital Key Subset Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle remote access systems provide access to all vehicle functions, even though only a subset is necessary for specific services, and do not easily allow access for new users or services.

Innovation Solution

A method and cloud service that create or authenticate digital keys for vehicle service providers, allowing access to a subset of specific vehicle functions, with restrictions based on service requirements, safety checks, location, and time limits, enabling secure and efficient remote operation of necessary functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a digital key is created to allow remote access to vehicle functions, then service providers can access vehicle functions, but all vehicle functions are accessed even though only a subset is necessary

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote access capabilityVSAvoidunnecessary access risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments vehicle functions into different groups or categories, and the digital key is configured to grant access only to specific segments required for the service task, rather than providing universal access to all vehicle functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The digital key is programmed with specific authorization parameters that define which particular vehicle functions can be accessed, creating localized access rights for specific functions rather than blanket access to the entire vehicle system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If digital keys are created during vehicle production or linked to specific user accounts, then initial access is established, but it is difficult to allow access for new users or services

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control securityVSAvoidnew user access flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The digital key system is designed to be dynamic, allowing authorization parameters to be created, modified, and revoked remotely through a server, enabling flexible adaptation to new users and services without reissuing physical keys or reprogramming during vehicle production

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A server acts as an intermediary between the vehicle and digital keys, managing the creation, storage, and distribution of authorization parameters, which enables centralized control over access rights and simplifies the process of granting access to new users

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If access is granted to all vehicle functions, then service providers have complete control, but service provider efficiency is reduced due to unnecessary access rights

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice provider accessVSAvoidservice provider efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary vehicle functions required for a specific service task and includes them in the digital key's authorization parameters, removing unnecessary access rights that would otherwise be granted with a full-access key

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4141826A1Method and cloud service for allowing remote access to specific vehicle functions
Publication Date: 2023.03.01 NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RES & DEV CO LTD
  • EP4141826A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4141826A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4141826A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a method for allowing remote access to specific vehicle functions of a vehicle (1), wherein the method comprises: - receiving information from a vehicle owner/user that a specific service of the vehicle (1) is requested, - in response to the requested specific service, creating a new digital key or authenticating an existing digital key for a vehicle service provider (9), which provides the specific service requested, wherein the digital key comprises information arranged to allow remote access to a subset of a plurality of specific vehicle functions, which subset is associated with the specific service of the vehicle (1), - allowing operation of the subset of specific vehicle functions by the vehicle service provider (9) for performing the specific service if the digital key is received. The disclosure also relates to a cloud service (5) configured for performing the method.