Electronic Vehicle Key Secure Memory Authorization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle key systems require access to an external database for authorization, limiting flexibility in using multiple vehicles and necessitating smartphone dependency for registration and authorization.

Innovation Solution

An electronic vehicle key with a secure memory for cryptographic material, equipped with near field communication and radio link capabilities, allowing direct communication of use authorizations to vehicles without external database access, enabling adaptation of permissions for multiple vehicle use and fleet access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If use of smartphone and external database is required for vehicle authorization, then centralized control and security management are improved, but flexibility in using multiple vehicles and device independence deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized security controlVSAvoidmulti-vehicle usage flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments authorization management into two parts: cryptographic material (public keys, certificates) is stored locally in the secure memory of the electronic vehicle key and vehicle, enabling independent operation, while usage authorizations are managed centrally via the server. This segmentation allows the system to maintain centralized security control while enabling flexible multi-vehicle usage without continuous external database access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces cryptographic material (public-private key pairs and certificates) as an intermediary that enables secure direct communication between the electronic vehicle key and vehicle without requiring continuous connection to the external database. The cryptographic material acts as a mediator that preserves centralized security verification while allowing offline authorization operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If smartphone is required for registration and authorization, then user identification accuracy is improved, but device complexity and operation convenience deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser identification accuracyVSAvoidsystem device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cryptographic verification functionality from the smartphone and external database system, embedding public keys and certificates directly in the secure memory of the electronic vehicle key and vehicle. This extraction eliminates the mandatory requirement for smartphones while maintaining secure user identification through direct cryptographic authentication between the key and vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11104299B2Electronic car key and communication system

Publication Date: 2021.08.31 VOLKSWAGEN AG

AI summary

An electronic vehicle key and a communication system wherein the cryptographic material stored in the secure memory of the electronic vehicle key is alterable by a command received from a first communication device or a second communication device to provide multiple vehicles flexibly using personal electronic vehicle key without being dependent, during use, on access to an external database.