Vehicle Access Key Control Using Smartphone Unlock Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle key systems are vulnerable to relay attacks, which allow thieves to steal vehicles by manipulating wireless communication between the access key and the vehicle, and existing anti-theft measures like motion sensors or electric wave stop modes are either costly or prone to false triggers.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle key system that integrates a portable terminal device, such as a smartphone, using Bluetooth communication to authenticate user input and control the access key, ensuring it only sends authentication signals when in close proximity and locked in an unlock mode, thereby preventing relay attacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If motion sensors or electric wave stop modes are added to prevent relay attacks, then vehicle security is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable terminal device (smartphone) as an intermediary between the user and the access key. The terminal device authenticates the user and controls whether the access key can communicate with the vehicle, thereby preventing relay attacks without modifying the access key itself with additional sensors or complex circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the portable terminal device's existing authentication capabilities (fingerprint, face recognition, etc.) to provide security functions. Instead of adding dedicated anti-theft hardware to the access key, the system uses the terminal device's self-service authentication features to control key functionality.
2Reliability
If motion sensors or electric wave stop modes are added to prevent relay attacks, then vehicle security is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable terminal device serves multiple functions: it acts as an authentication device, a controller for the access key, and a communication hub between the user and vehicle. By making the terminal device universal and multi-functional, the system avoids needing separate dedicated anti-theft components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the portable terminal device (which users already possess) instead of requiring expensive additional hardware in the access key. The terminal device's existing authentication capabilities are leveraged, avoiding the need for costly motion sensors, specialized circuits, or other expensive anti-theft components in the access key itself.
3Ease of operation
If the access key sends authentication signals continuously, then user convenience is improved, but vulnerability to relay attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication through the portable terminal device before allowing the access key to communicate with the vehicle. The terminal device authenticates the user in advance and only then enables the access key to send authentication signals, ensuring that convenient continuous communication does not occur without proper authorization.
Solution Approach 2:
The access key's communication capability is made dynamic rather than static. The key can send authentication signals only when activated by the portable terminal device, which in turn only activates when the user is authenticated. This dynamic control mechanism allows convenient operation when needed while preventing relay attacks when the key should remain inactive.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively prevents vehicle theft by relay attacks while maintaining user convenience and reducing costs associated with additional hardware, as it relies on existing devices like smartphones for authentication.
Implementation Method 1
The key wireless communicator is configured to send and receive a signal via the wireless communication
Implementation Method 2
A vehicle key system that integrates a portable terminal device, such as a smartphone, using Bluetooth communication to authenticate user input
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle key system includes an access key, a portable terminal device, and a vehicle. The access key sends an accessible signal via wireless communication. The portable terminal device is switched between a lock mode and an unlock mode. The vehicle unlocks a door of the vehicle or perform a start-up of the vehicle or both when receiving the accessible signal. The portable terminal device includes an authenticator and a terminal wireless communicator. The authenticator authenticates a user input and switches the portable terminal device from the lock mode to the unlock mode. The terminal wireless communicator sends an unlock mode signal regarding the portable terminal device to the access key via the wireless communication. The access key includes a key wireless communicator that sends and receives a signal via the wireless communication. The key wireless communicator sends the accessible signal when receiving the unlock mode signal.