Method and device for external operation of a device

• US 10,306,046 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2016
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Musial, Marek
• Primary Examiner(s): Bilodeau, David
• Application Number:
  US15/294,958
• Publication Number:
  US 20170111487A1
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/06 Automatic manoeuvring for parking
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/027 Parking aids, e.g. instruction means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00 Individual registration on entry or exit
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/84 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0442 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply asymmetric encryption, i.e. different keys for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for public-key encryption H04L9/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0807 using tickets, e.g. Kerberos cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using tickets or tokens H04L9/3213
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3234 involving additional secure or trusted devices, e.g. TPM, smartcard, USB or software token network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using an additional device in a packet data network H04L63/0853
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3271 using challenge-response
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

A method for external use of a device having a wireless communication interface by a program of a mobile device. External use is possible only when a key device serving as an authentication token communicates with the program. This increases the security of an entry method for a vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for external use of a device having a wireless communication interface by a program of a mobile device, the method comprising:

detecting when a key device serving as an authentication token communicates with the program of the mobile device; and

enabling the external use of the device to be controlled by the mobile device only when the key device is communicating with the program of the mobile device,

wherein the external use is enabled only while a dead man function of the key device remains activated,

wherein the key device is a vehicle key and the device is a vehicle, and

wherein the dead man function is a switch on the key device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the key device communicates with the mobile device via a short range wireless link.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the key device communicates with the device via the program.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the connection between the key device, the device and/or the mobile device is secured.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the connection between the key device, the device and/or the mobile device is secured by an asymmetric encryption method.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising checking a presence of the key device by a repeatedly performed challenge response authentication scheme.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the external use is not initiated and/or is interrupted if there is no communication between the key device and the device and/or between the key device and the mobile device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the device and the mobile device communicate with one another using a Bluetooth Low Energy protocol.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is a vehicle and the external use comprises one of starting, opening, or driving the vehicle.

10. An apparatus for external use of a device, the apparatus comprising:

a mobile device having a program for external use of the device, wherein the device and the mobile device each have a wireless communication interface configured for communication between device and mobile device,

a key device serving as an authentication token,

wherein the key device and the mobile device each have a wireless communication interface configured for communication between key device and mobile device

wherein the mobile device and the device are configured so that external use of the device controlled by the mobile device is initiated only when the key device communicates with the mobile device and/or the device, and

wherein the key device comprises a dead man function,

wherein the external use is possible only while a dead man function of the key device remains activated, and

wherein the dead man function is a switch on the key device.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the device is a vehicle.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the device is a vehicle and external use comprises one of starting, opening or driving the vehicle.

13. A method for external use of a device having a wireless communication interface by a program of a mobile device, the method comprising:

detecting when a key device serving as an authentication token communicates with the program of the mobile device; and

enabling the external use of the device controlled by the mobile device only when the key device is communicating with the program of the mobile device,

wherein the external use is enabled only while a dead man function of the key device remains activated, and

wherein the dead man function is a switch on the key device.