Vehicular Authorization Client for Offline Resource Server Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access delegation standards, such as OAuth 2.0, assume uninterrupted connectivity, which is not valid in vehicular contexts, leading to delayed authorization flows when connectivity is weak or unavailable.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a local authorization server managed by an external provider, with a trusted authorization client and cryptographic key, allowing offline access token generation based on a digital signature-verified application package, establishing a chain of trust that does not rely on continuous connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing access delegation standards (OAuth 2.0) are used, then access control security is maintained, but authorization flow is delayed when connectivity is weak or unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing trust relationships and caching authorization metadata locally before connectivity is needed. The authorization client stores application metadata including permission information in local memory, and the local authorization server pre-configures trust relationships with resource servers. This allows the authorization flow to proceed offline without waiting for external connectivity, resolving the time delay while maintaining security through pre-validated trust chains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a local authorization server as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between offline applications and remote resource servers. This local server acts as a mediator by holding cached authorization metadata and trust relationships, enabling it to issue access tokens offline while maintaining the security guarantees of the original OAuth 2.0 framework. The intermediary resolves the contradiction by decoupling the authorization decision from real-time connectivity requirements.
2Reliability
If continuous connectivity is required for authorization, then access token validity is ensured, but vehicle movement freedom is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-caching authorization metadata, application permissions, and trust relationship information in local memory before connectivity is needed. The local authorization server pre-configures itself with the necessary authorization data, enabling it to issue valid access tokens offline. This preliminary preparation maintains access token validity while eliminating the requirement for continuous connectivity, thereby restoring vehicle movement freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by distributing authorization capabilities from a centralized remote server to a local authorization server within the vehicle. The local server maintains a localized copy of authorization metadata and trust relationships, enabling autonomous authorization decisions at the edge (in the vehicle) without requiring constant connection to the central server. This localizes the authorization function, maintaining security and validity while adapting to mobile environments with intermittent connectivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If offline access token generation is enabled, then connectivity dependency is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The local authorization server is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as an offline authorization issuer and as a cache for remote authorization metadata. It can operate independently when offline while also synchronizing with remote authorization servers when connectivity is available. This universal design enables the system to handle both offline and online scenarios with a single component, adding minimal complexity while achieving offline capability. The server universally manages authorization tokens regardless of connectivity status.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates simplified copies of the remote authorization server's functionality locally. The local authorization server stores cached copies of authorization metadata, application permissions, and trust relationship information that mirror the remote server's data structure. This copying approach enables offline operation by replicating essential authorization functions without requiring a complete duplicate system, thereby limiting the increase in complexity while achieving offline token generation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system comprising a local authorization server managed by an external provider; processing circuitry configured to execute software code realizing a software application extracted from an application package, which has a digital signature of the external provider and further contains metadata associated with the software application; a protected memory for a cryptographic key; and an authorization client, trusted by the external provider and with exclusive access to the cryptographic key. The authorization client verifies the application package's authenticity using the digital signature; reads, from the metadata, a set of access permissions to be used by the software application vis-à-vis a resource server having a trust relationship with the external provider; submits, using the cryptographic key, a request (RQ) for access tokens (TKN) corresponding to the set of access permissions; and makes the access tokens available to the processing circuitry.