Hands-Free Vehicle Locking with Secure Proximity Authorization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle locking systems using mobile terminals are prone to security gaps, leading to unauthorized access and theft, as they lack robust authentication and authorization mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A method that employs a double plausibility check via a direct, secured wireless point-to-point two-way communication connection between the mobile terminal and the vehicle, ensuring the terminal is within a tolerable distance and authorized, using a security key, to prevent unauthorized access, and includes automatic locking when the user moves away.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a digital vehicle key is transmitted via cellular network and near-field communication is used for vehicle access, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened due to vulnerability to radio range extension attacks and unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing a secure wireless point-to-point connection and conducting authorization checks before allowing vehicle access. The double plausibility check is performed in advance to verify both the communication connection and the mobile terminal's location within the surrounding area, preventing unauthorized access before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary authorization mechanism that mediates between the mobile terminal and the vehicle locking system. A control unit acts as an intermediary that verifies the wireless connection and location plausibility before granting access, adding a security layer without compromising the hands-free operation.
2Ease of operation
If hands-free automatic opening is implemented when mobile terminal is in surrounding area, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened due to potential unauthorized opening
Solution Approach 1:
Before enabling hands-free automatic opening, the system performs preliminary authorization checks including establishing a secure wireless point-to-point connection and verifying the mobile terminal's location plausibility. These preliminary actions ensure that only authorized terminals can trigger automatic opening, preventing unauthorized access while maintaining convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring the wireless connection status and location plausibility. The control unit receives feedback from the wireless communication system and location checking system to dynamically control the locking system, ensuring that automatic opening only occurs when both authorization and location conditions are satisfied.
3Reliability
If location-based access control is implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened due to additional location checking systems
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile terminal's existing location determination capabilities (GPS, cellular triangulation, Wi-Fi positioning) are utilized for security verification purposes. The system leverages the universal location functionality already present in smartphones for both navigation and security authentication, avoiding the need for separate dedicated location checking hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service principles by utilizing the mobile terminal's own location determination system to verify its presence within the surrounding area. The mobile terminal essentially checks its own location through its built-in positioning capabilities, eliminating the need for complex external location verification infrastructure and simplifying the overall system architecture.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the operator-free control of a vehicle locking system (3) with a mobile device (2), comprising the steps of: checking whether the mobile device (2) is located in an area (5) of the vehicle (1), if so, authorizing the mobile device (2) vis-à-vis the vehicle (1) by means of a wireless point-to-point two-way communication connection secured with a security key, and opening or closing the vehicle (1) by the vehicle locking system (3) if in the area (5) a difference between a current location position of the vehicle (1) and a current location position of the mobile device (2) falls below or exceeds a predetermined value.