Work Machine Remote Activation With Host-Mediated Challenge Authentication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional remote starting systems for work machines face security challenges due to reliance on cloud-based authorization and authentication, and safety precautions often prevent or impracticality of remote starting features, especially without proximity-based technologies.
Innovation Solution
A digital key framework, such as the Car Connectivity Consortium's, is used to securely activate remote actions in work machines, independent of user proximity, through a host server network authenticating messages between user devices and machines, using authentication keys and challenge-based verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cloud-based authorization and authentication are used for remote starting, then remote operation capability is improved, but security vulnerability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hosted digital authentication key framework that acts as an intermediary between the user device and work machine. The framework includes a hosted server that stores authentication keys and mediates the authentication process, preventing direct exposure of security credentials while enabling secure remote operations. The server hosts the authentication keys and manages the challenge-response protocol without requiring the keys to be stored locally on vulnerable devices.
2Reliability
If proximity-based technologies like UWB and BLE are used, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication key storage and management functionality from the user device and work machine, placing it instead in a hosted server environment. This removes the need for complex local security infrastructure including UWB and BLE hardware, while maintaining strong security through server-side key management and challenge-response authentication.
3Speed
If authentication keys are stored locally on devices, then authentication speed is improved, but security risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hosted server acts as an intermediary that holds the authentication keys securely, eliminating the need to store sensitive credentials locally on devices that could be compromised. The server mediates the authentication process by providing keys temporarily for challenge-response verification, enabling fast authentication without local key storage risks.
4Reliability
If safety precautions are implemented to prevent unauthorized remote starting, then security is improved, but operational flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic authentication where the hosted server can adaptively provide authentication keys based on contextual factors such as user identity, machine identity, location, and operational conditions. The challenge-response protocol allows the system to dynamically adjust security requirements, enabling flexible remote operations while maintaining security through context-aware authentication decisions.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for securely activating actions by work machines, independent of distance between the machines and users requesting the actions. An authentication network is established between a host server, authorized users, and work machines, wherein authorized user computing devices are assigned authentication keys. A user sends a first message to the host server comprising requested actions by an identified work machine and signed with an authentication key. The host verifies authenticity of the first message, optionally adds a host signature, and transmits the verified message to the work machine. The machine controller verifies authenticity of the first message and conditionally generates a second message comprising a confirmation challenge to the user. If the user responds satisfactorily to the challenge, the machine executes the requested actions, for example relating to startup/ shutdown, access control, autonomous control of operations, adjustments to machine settings, and the like.