Vehicle Smart Key Security via Shared Key Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional smart key technologies are vulnerable to hacking due to simplex RF communication, which can lead to unauthorized access to vehicles.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a vehicle system that uses shared keys for secure communication between the smart key and the vehicle, including a communicator to transmit and receive security data, and a controller to determine matching keys, thereby unlocking the vehicle only when valid authentication is confirmed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If simplex RF communication is used for smart key operation, then ease of operation is improved, but security is deteriorated due to vulnerability to hacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmart key operationVSAvoidcommunication security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The communication process is segmented into multiple stages: initial LF communication for key detection, followed by RF communication for authentication. The authentication itself is segmented into challenge-response phases with multiple verification steps. This segmentation allows the system to maintain ease of operation while incorporating security measures at different stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A shared key acts as an intermediary between the smart key and vehicle controller. The shared key is used to encrypt and decrypt authentication data during RF communication, serving as a mediator that enables secure verification without exposing raw authentication credentials. This intermediary mechanism protects against hacking while maintaining communication functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If encryption technology using shared key is applied to RF signal, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication securityVSAvoidauthentication system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shared key is pre-established between the smart key and vehicle controller before actual authentication occurs. This preliminary action of key distribution simplifies the authentication process, as the encryption/decryption mechanism is already in place and does not require complex key management during the authentication moment itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The smart key and vehicle controller perform self-verification using the shared key. Each party independently encrypts or decrypts data using the shared key without requiring external verification infrastructure. This self-service approach reduces system complexity by eliminating the need for additional verification hardware or complex protocol management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10464528B2System for protecting communication between vehicle and smart key and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2019.11.05 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle includes: a communicator configured to transmit security data to a smart key and configured to receive response data from the smart key based on the security data; and a controller configured to determine whether the smart key matches the vehicle based on the response data, and configured to unlock the vehicle when it is determined that the smart key matches the vehicle.