Wireless Vehicle Application Unlocking via Remote Authorization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience and negative experiences when trying to access premium content or features in vehicles, such as satellite radio or music streaming services, due to the need for manual authorization and dealership involvement, which requires time and effort.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a short-range wireless protocol to automatically transmit a unique identifier from the vehicle's electronics to a user's smartphone, which then communicates with a remote authorization source to obtain an unlock code, enabling seamless access to premium content without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual authorization procedures are used for accessing premium content, then security and control are improved, but user convenience and activation time are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing authorization identifiers in the vehicle electronics and pre-configuring the automatic transmission mechanism. When a user enters the vehicle with their smartphone, the system automatically transmits the stored identifier to the remote authorization source without requiring any manual action from the user, thus resolving the contradiction between security control and user convenience
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service authorization by automatically detecting the user's presence, retrieving the stored identifier, transmitting it to the remote authorization source, and receiving the unlock code without requiring user intervention. This eliminates the need for users to manually provide proof of ownership or visit dealerships, while still maintaining secure authorization control
2Reliability
If dealership involvement is required for application activation, then authorization control is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the authorization control function from the dealership and relocates it to a remote authorization source that can be accessed automatically via wireless communication. The dealership's manual involvement is completely removed from the activation process, while authorization control is maintained through automated verification of stored identifiers against remote authorization databases
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical/manual authorization process with an automated electronic and wireless communication-based system. Instead of requiring physical visits to dealerships or manual code entry, the system uses wireless transmission of identifiers and automatic processing by remote authorization sources to achieve the same authorization control function with significantly reduced time consumption
3Ease of operation
If automatic wireless transmission of identifiers is implemented, then user convenience is improved, but system complexity and security requirements are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal short-range wireless communication protocol that can be integrated into existing vehicle electronics and smartphone devices. This multi-functional wireless interface handles multiple tasks including identifier transmission, authentication, and data exchange, thereby reducing overall system complexity compared to implementing dedicated complex authorization hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a remote authorization source as an intermediary between the vehicle electronics and the content delivery system. This intermediary handles the complex security verification and unlock code generation, allowing the vehicle's own system to remain relatively simple while maintaining high security standards through the intermediary's sophisticated authorization logic
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed which involves using an identifier which may be stored in an electronic component of a vehicle. A short range, wireless protocol connectivity system of the vehicle may establish a wireless link with a personal electronic device (PED) of a user when the user enters the vehicle with the PED powered on. The link may be used to automatically transmit the identifier to the PED. The PED then transmits the identifier to a remote authorization source which checks if the identifier is valid and, if so, sends an unlock code back to the PED. The PED uses the unlock code to unlock an application on the PED which enables access to the remote content source.