Vehicle Key Locking Control for Secure Digital Key Provisioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems lack effective mechanisms to prevent unauthorized addition of new digital vehicle keys to a motor vehicle, compromising security functions like central locking and immobilization.

Innovation Solution

A method and control device are implemented to selectively set up and disable a locking device, preventing the addition of new digital vehicle keys by denying storage and cryptographic signature, and ensuring authorization through a key management system and vehicle interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking device is set up to prevent addition of new digital vehicle keys, then security against unauthorized key generation is improved, but the ability to add legitimate new keys later is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity against unauthorized key generationVSAvoidability to add new keys

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is implemented as a dynamic security mechanism that can be selectively activated and deactivated. The control device transitions between a locked state (preventing new key addition) and an unlocked state (allowing new key addition), enabling the system to adapt its security level based on operational requirements while maintaining both high security and flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the locking device is always active to prevent unauthorized keys, then security is maintained, but legitimate key management operations are blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity maintenanceVSAvoidkey management operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device operates in periodic cycles, alternating between locked and unlocked states based on authenticated requests. During locked periods, security is maintained; during unlocked periods, legitimate key management operations can proceed. This periodic activation/deactivation resolves the contradiction by ensuring both security maintenance and operational accessibility at different times

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If new digital vehicle keys are freely added, then key management flexibility is improved, but unauthorized key generation becomes possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey management flexibilityVSAvoidunauthorized key generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device serves as an intermediary security layer between the key management system and the vehicle's security functions. It selectively mediates key addition requests by either permitting or blocking them based on its current state, thus enabling flexible key management while preventing unauthorized key generation through the intermediary control mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250340182A1Control of a Motor Vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG

AI summary

A method for controlling a motor vehicle secured by a digital vehicle key includes determining that a locking device is set up against the addition of a new digital vehicle key, the locking device denying storage of a newly generated digital vehicle key from a key management. The method further includes detecting a request to unlock the locking device; determining that the request is based on a vehicle key authorized to do so; and disabling the locking device so that a new digital vehicle key that can be used to control the motor vehicle can be added.