Service Support Device for Vehicle Key Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

When multiple business operators provide services using a vehicle, the security of the vehicle is compromised as mobile terminals of these operators can potentially acquire and use key information simultaneously, leading to conflicts and unauthorized access.

Innovation Solution

A service support device and method that coordinates key information delivery to mobile terminals of business operators, ensuring only one operator can use the key information at a time by limiting access periods, disabling usage until previous tasks are completed, and enabling bidirectional communication to manage conflicts and convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If key information is delivered to mobile terminals of multiple business operators, then service availability is improved, but vehicle security deteriorates due to potential simultaneous unauthorized access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidvehicle security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic key information management where the system actively monitors and adjusts key usage in real-time. When a first business operator uses key information, the system dynamically invalidates or restricts key information for other operators, creating a flexible security mechanism that adapts to current operational states while maintaining multiple service capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where usage status of key information by one business operator is continuously monitored and communicated back to the key management system. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically prevent simultaneous usage by other operators, resolving the security conflict while preserving service availability for authorized users

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If key information is made available to multiple business operators simultaneously, then operational convenience is improved, but conflict and unauthorized access increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational convenienceVSAvoidconflict and unauthorized access
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a key management system as an intermediary between multiple business operators and the vehicle. This intermediary automatically coordinates key information distribution and usage, eliminating direct conflicts between operators while maintaining operational convenience through automated mediation rather than manual coordination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3477979B1Service support device, service support method, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3477979B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3477979B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3477979B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A service support device (30) includes an information processing device. The information processing device is configured to deliver key information to a mobile terminal (20; 20Ac; 20Ad; 20B). The mobile terminal corresponds to each of a plurality of business operators that provide a user of a vehicle (10; 10A; 10B) with a predetermined service using the vehicle. The key information is information for unlocking the vehicle, starting the vehicle, or unlocking and starting the vehicle when a predetermined transmission signal is transmitted toward the vehicle. The information processing device is configured to, when the mobile terminal corresponding to a first business operator among the plurality of business operators uses the key information, make coordination such that the mobile terminal corresponding to a second business operator among the plurality of business operators does not use the key information.