Vehicle Sensor Data Access via Subscription Key Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems hinder third-party vendors from directly accessing vehicle sensor data for providing services, as they rely on user input or third-party information, leading to increased costs and resource requirements for OEMs to manage mobile device applications and network connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A subscription-based method that generates vehicle sensor keys and subscription keys, allowing permission-based access to vehicle sensor data through a vehicle subscription server, enabling mobile applications to access and augment information applications with vehicle sensor data without relying on OEM-provided network connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If an automotive OEM configures a vehicle to provide vehicle sensor data to vendors by way of a software application, then vendors can access in-vehicle sensor data, but equipment cost and data upload cost would be significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data storage and processing functions from the vehicle to external servers. The vehicle ECU only stores encrypted sensor data locally, while the external server handles data upload, storage, and processing. This extraction eliminates the need for expensive in-vehicle storage infrastructure and reduces data upload costs by allowing periodic batch transfers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an external server as an intermediary between the vehicle and vendors. The server receives encrypted sensor data from the vehicle, manages storage and processing, and provides access to authorized vendors. This intermediary architecture avoids the need for the OEM to maintain expensive direct connectivity infrastructure between vehicles and third-party vendors.
2Reliability
If an automotive OEM provides interface to vehicle owner's smartphone, radio devices, and infrastructure to support security of communications, then secure access to sensor data is enabled, but designing and maintaining mobile device applications would involve substantial resources and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automated authentication and data retrieval mechanisms. The vehicle ECU automatically encrypts and stores sensor data using keys managed by the external server. Vendors can independently retrieve authorized data through the server without requiring OEM-provided interfaces or ongoing application maintenance. The system serves itself through automated key management and authentication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The external server acts as an intermediary that handles all security-related operations including key management, authentication, and authorized data distribution. This eliminates the need for the OEM to provide and maintain complex mobile device interfaces and security infrastructure. The server mediates all communications between the vehicle and vendors, centralizing security management.
3Ease of operation
If vehicle sensor data is processed internally within the vehicle, then vehicle functions are controlled and driver information is provided, but in-vehicle memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts bulk data storage from the vehicle to external servers. The vehicle ECU retains only essential encrypted sensor data and cryptographic keys locally, while historical and bulk sensor data are stored externally. This extraction dramatically reduces in-vehicle memory requirements while maintaining the ability to control vehicle functions through real-time sensor access.
Data Source
AI summary
A subscription system and method of facilitating permission-based access to a subset of vehicle sensor data in a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU) to augment an information application. The system includes a vehicle subscription server. The method includes generating, by the vehicle subscription server, a sensor key and a subscription key, installing in a memory of the vehicle ECU the vehicle sensor key. In response to a request for a subscription by a mobile device, transmitting by the vehicle subscription server the subscription key. The vehicle ECU uses the subscription key to authenticate the mobile device as having a current subscription, and augments the information application with the subset of vehicle sensor data accessed based on the sensor subscription key.