RU2703659C1 - Vehicle intelligent electronic key system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: vehicle equipment and accessories.SUBSTANCE: vehicle intelligent electronic key system comprises a cloud server, a first user device, a second user device and a vehicle control unit. Vehicle control unit is installed inside vehicle and is connected to cloud server via Internet. When the electronic key sharing function is activated, the first user transmits a link to the electronic key information to the second user device. After activation of the link to electronic key information, the second user device transmits the privilege authentication request to the cloud server and receives an acknowledgment from the server. Second user device further activates vehicle control function and transmits the vehicle control signal to the vehicle control unit through the cloud server so that the vehicle control unit controls the operation of the vehicle.EFFECT: combined use of access privilege to electronic key improves convenience of vehicle operation.14 cl, 18 dwg

Description

1. TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present invention relates to an electronic key system and, in particular, to a vehicle intelligent electronic key system.

2. BACKGROUND

[002] Typically, in order for vehicle owners to allow others to use their vehicles in locations other than the location of the vehicle owners, the owners can either leave the keys to the vehicle with authorized persons or go with them to the parking place to provide access to vehicles. When returning vehicles, their keys must also be returned to the owners. Consequently, the key transfer process not only takes time for owners and authorized persons, but is also dangerously unpredictable in terms of key storage and operational safety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[003] An object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent vehicle electronic key system that solves problems regarding the time spent by a vehicle owner and a person authorized to use a vehicle’s physical key during the key transfer process and the unpredictable risk resulting from storing the key , and work safety.

[004] To solve the above problem, the vehicle intelligent electronic key system comprises a cloud server, a first user device, a second user device, and a vehicle control unit.

[005] The first user device has a wireless network connection function and is connected to the cloud server via the Internet.

[006] The second user device has a wireless network connection function and is connected to the cloud server via the Internet.

[007] The vehicle control unit is installed inside the vehicle, has a wireless network connection function, and is connected to the cloud server via the Internet.

[008] After the electronic key sharing function is activated, the first user device transmits a link to the electronic key information to the second user’s device, after the activation of the electronic key information link, the second user device transmits an access privilege request to the cloud server, and after the cloud server responds with by confirming access to the second user’s device, this device activates the vehicle control function and transmits a vehicle control signal by an orthogonal means to the vehicle control unit via a cloud server so that the vehicle control unit controls the operation of this vehicle.

[009] In view of the foregoing vehicle intelligent electronic key system, the first user device, the second user device, and the vehicle control unit are connected to each other via a cloud server and the Internet to share the electronic key access privilege with respect to vehicle control and its operation and improving convenience and security while sharing this access privilege.

[0010] In order to achieve the above objective, the vehicle smart electronic key system comprises a cloud server, a first user device, a second user device, and a vehicle control unit.

[0011] The first user device has a wireless network connection function and is connected to the cloud server via the Internet.

[0012] The second user device has a wireless network connection function and a near field connection function, and is connected to the cloud server via the Internet.

[0013] The vehicle control unit is installed inside the vehicle, has a wireless network connection function and a near field connection function, and is connected to the cloud server via the Internet, and at least one set of first key information is embedded in it.

[0014] After the electronic key sharing function is activated, the first user device transmits a link to the electronic key information to the second user’s device, after the activation of the electronic key information link, the second user device transmits an access privilege request to the cloud server, and after the cloud server responds with with access confirmation and second key information to the second user’s device, this device sends the second key authentication request to the control unit vehicle, the vehicle control unit correctly authenticates the second key information using the specified at least one set of first key information and then issues a response confirming access to the second user's device, and the second user device activates the vehicle control function and transmits a signal the vehicle control unit to the vehicle control unit so that the vehicle control unit controls the operation this vehicle.

[0015] Based on the foregoing vehicle intelligent electronic key system, the second user device can be connected to the vehicle control unit via a near field connection, and the second key information received from the cloud server is authenticated using the first key information in vehicle control unit. After the second key information is correctly authenticated by the specified first key information, the second user device can control the vehicle, thereby sharing the privileges of access to the electronic key in relation to the vehicle’s operation and operation, and to improve convenience and safety when sharing this access privilege. In addition, when the vehicle control unit cannot be connected to the cloud server via the Internet, a second user device can be powered to control this vehicle.

[0016] Other objects, advantages, and new features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In FIG. 1 schematically shows the system architecture of a vehicle smart electronic key system in accordance with the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram depicting a first type of operation of a sharing access privilege for a vehicle electronic key in accordance with the present invention;

[0019] In FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram depicting a second type of operation of a sharing access privilege for a vehicle electronic key in accordance with the present invention;

[0020] In FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram depicting the detailed operation of a vehicle key shown in FIG. 2A;

[0021] In FIG. 4A schematically shows a first user interface depicting a first owner operation in accordance with the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 4B schematically shows the first user interface shown in FIG. 4A depicting a second operation of the owner;

[0023] In FIG. 4C schematically shows the first user interface shown in FIG. 4A depicting a third operation of the owner;

[0024] In FIG. 4D schematically shows the first user interface shown in FIG. 4A depicting a fourth operation of the owner;

[0025] In FIG. 5A schematically shows a second user interface depicting a first authorized operation in accordance with the present invention;

[0026] In FIG. 5B schematically shows a second user interface shown in FIG. 5A depicting a second authorized operation;

[0027] FIG. 6 schematically shows the interface of the second user shown in FIG. 5A depicting a third authorized operation;

[0028] In FIG. 7 schematically shows another system architecture of a vehicle intelligent electronic key system in accordance with the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram depicting a third type of operation of a sharing access privilege for a vehicle electronic key in accordance with the present invention;

[0030] In FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of establishing first key information by using the vehicle control unit of the vehicle smart electronic key system shown in FIG. one;

[0031] In FIG. 10A schematically shows the first user interface shown in FIG. 4A depicting a fifth operation of the owner;

[0032] FIG. 10B schematically shows the interface of the second user shown in FIG. 5A depicting a fourth authorized operation;

[0033] FIG. 10C schematically shows the interface of the second user shown in FIG. 5A depicting a fifth authorized operation; and

[0034] FIG. 10D schematically shows the interface of the second user shown in FIG. 5A depicting a sixth authorized operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle smart electronic key system in accordance with the present invention comprises a first user device 11, a second user device 12, a cloud server 13, and a vehicle control unit 21. Cloud server 13 may be a cloud-based server host. A vehicle control unit 21 is installed inside the vehicle 20. For reasons of a clear view of the connectivity between the vehicle control unit 21 and the cloud server 13, the vehicle control unit 21 of FIG. 1 is shown located outside the vehicle 20.

[0036] The first user device 11 and the second user device 12 may be portable electronic devices or wearable electronic devices such as smartphones, tablet personal computers (PCs), laptop computers, personal digital assistants, smart watches or smart glasses. by them. As the device 11 of the first user or device 12 of the second user can take any mobile electronic device with wireless connectivity, portability or the ability to wear. The possibility of a wireless network connection can be realized through wireless network modules that comply with Wi-Fi, ZigBee, 3G, 3.5G, 4G or higher mobile communication standards and are embedded in the first user device 11 or the second user device 12.

[0037] The first user device 11, the second user device 12, and the vehicle control unit 21 are wirelessly connected to the cloud server 13 via the Internet or another network for mutual wireless communication with each other, which will be specified later in conjunction with FIG. 1 and 3.

[0038] As a practical example, in order to show the technical solution of the present invention, the owner of the vehicle 20 asks his friend or family member to move the vehicle 20 to a specified location from another location. The owner is the first user to have the device 11 of the first user. This friend or family member is a second user having a second user device 12.

[0039] When the first user (i.e., the owner) activates the electronic key sharing function using the first user device 11, the first user device 11 transmits the electronic key information link to the second user device 12 belonging to the second user. After controlling the second user device 12 in order to open a link to the electronic key information, the second user further controls the second user device 12 to activate the vehicle control function and transmit the vehicle control signal to the cloud server 13. Then, the cloud server 13 sends a control signal vehicle to the vehicle control unit 21 so that this unit controls the operation of the vehicle 20.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2A and 4A-4D, the first user launches the electronic key application using the first user device 11. As shown in FIG. 4A, the first user device 11 has a first display screen 15. When the first user starts the electronic key application, the first user interface 16 is shown on the first display screen 15 of the first user device 11 to serve as a user interface when the electronic key application is running. With the intention of sharing the electronic key access privilege with the second user, the first user performs the electronic key sharing function (S11) shown on the first user interface 16. According to the present embodiment, the electronic key sharing function marked 160 is displayed in the upper right corner of the first user interface 16. In accordance with the present invention, functions performed on user interfaces are implemented using the following: "keystroke", "button", "scroll bar", "text box", etc. and selectively presented according to operational functions. For example, if there is an intention to enable or disable the sharing of the electronic key, the first user can control the elements on the interface 16 of the first user in connection with the “scroll bar”, if there is an intention to change the name of the electronic key by default, the first user can control the elements in connection with text box, etc. The operations associated with the electronic key, hereinafter, can be further expressed by means of a “function” literally or the corresponding practical operation for “pressing a key”, “button”, “scroll bar”, “text box”, etc. on the first user interface 16, but not limited to this.

[0041] When the first user selects the execution of the electronic key sharing function 160, an image on the first user interface 16 corresponding to the electronic key application is shown in FIG. 4B. As shown in FIG. 4B, the electronic key application comprises an electronic key function 161 and a current location function 162. When the first user selects the function 161 of the current location, the first user interface 16 displays information about the coordinates and location of the parking location of the vehicle 20. For example, on the first user interface 16 or another user interface additionally activated on the first display screen 15, such as a web interface , the information about the current parking location of the vehicle 20 can be demonstrated through a digital map, viewing information street images, satellite images or text, but not limited to this. In other words, when the first user selects a function 162 of the current location, a vehicle search function is performed for the first user. The coordinate information of the current parking location of the vehicle corresponds to the coordinate information of the vehicle control unit 21 within the vehicle 20. One possible solution, inter alia, implementing the function 162 of the current location, is proposed below. The vehicle control unit 21 maintains its ability to connect to the cloud server 13 via the Internet and can continuously transmit information about its coordinates to the cloud server 13. Therefore, when the first user device 11 requests information about the coordinates of the vehicle 20 through the cloud server 13, the cloud server 13 may transmit the coordinate information of the vehicle control unit 21 to the first user device 11 to notify the first user of the information of the vehicle 20 the coordinates of the current parking location.

[0042] After selecting the dongle function 161, the first user can select the dongle sharing function 163 to share the dongle access privilege with a friend by creating an dongle (eKey). After the first user selects the key sharing function 163, an image on the first user interface 16 corresponding to the electronic key application is shown in FIG. 4C. As shown in FIG. 4C, the electronic key application further comprises a privilege sharing function 164. After the first user selects the key sharing function 163, the default status of the privilege sharing function is turned off, and the first user interface 16 also displays the name, privilege and the remaining time for sharing the electronic key shared with the other. For example, as shown in FIG. 4C, when an electronic key is created, the default name of the electronic key and the remaining default time for sharing can be “ekey1” and one hour, respectively, but are not limited to this.

[0043] In addition, if there is an intention to revoke the privilege of access to the electronic key, the first user can select or switch to change the privilege sharing function 164 from the on state to the off state so that the second user no longer has the privilege of access to the electronic key . In other words, even when the second user receives the electronic key, this electronic key is not valid for operation.

[0044] In addition, if there is an intention to provide additional sharing privileges of access to the electronic key with other persons, taking into account the analogy, a description related to how the first user can again select the key sharing function 163 on the first user interface 16, as shown in FIG. 4C, for adding a user other than the second user to share the electronic key access privilege, is not described in detail here.

[0045] When the electronic key name shown in FIG. 4C, the selected electronic key is configured, and the privilege of access to it is transferred. When selecting the electronic key, the first user interface 16 displays the corresponding image in FIG. 4D. As shown in FIG. 4D, the electronic key application further comprises a name setting function 165, an effective time setting function 166, a location sharing function 167, a comment function 168, a transmission function 169, and an activation function 170.

[0046] When the user selects the name setting function 165, the default name of the electronic key can be replaced with another new name that is more recognizable, especially when the privilege of access to the electronic key is shared among several persons at the same time. In addition, when the first user transmits privilege sharing information to the second user, the name of the electronic key is transmitted to the second user’s device 12 and displayed on it. When the first user selects the effective time setting function 166, the time for sharing the access privilege can be changed. The effective time setting function 166 may be available to set the remaining time for sharing or the designated validity period to facilitate awareness of the manipulation of working conditions for sharing the electronic key access privilege.

[0047] When the first user selects the location sharing function 167, the coordinate information and the location information of the parking location of the vehicle 20 can be transmitted in parallel to transmitting the shared access privilege information to the second user. When selecting comment function 168, the first user can enter text on how to use the electronic key in the first user interface 16, which is transmitted to the second user device 12 to remind the first user and notify the second user of the first user comment texts that know how use the electronic key also shown in FIG. 5B.

[0048] When selecting the transmission function 169, the first user can select any of the communication media, including, but not limited to, a multimedia messaging service, short message service (CMC), email, communication software (eg, LINE, WhatsApp , WeChat, Snapchat, Facebook, Messenger, Vessenger, Twitter messages, etc.) etc. to transfer the shared privilege of access to the electronic key to the device 12 of the second user for the second user to use this electronic key.

[0049] When selecting the activation function 170, the first user additionally shares the privilege of accessing advanced functions with the second user. For example, when the first user selects the activation function 170, the second user is enabled to activate the vehicle engine 20 using the second user device 12. On the contrary, if the activation function 170 is not selected by the first user, the second user can only open or lock the vehicle door with the second user device 12 and cannot further activate the vehicle engine 20. The privilege of access to advanced functions can be shown by the above description, but not limited to this.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2A and 2B, when the electronic key sharing function (S11) is selected, the first user can further perform the electronic key sharing function 160, as shown in FIG. 4A, to selectively execute an electronic key function 161, a current location function 162, a key sharing function 163, a privilege sharing function 164, a name setting function 165, an effective time setting function 166, a location sharing function 167 and a comment function 168, as discussed earlier. Then, the first user device 11 transmits (S12) an electronic key information link to the second user device 12 by performing the transfer function 169.

[0051] For example, when the first user device 11 transmits a link to electronic key information via the Internet and a cloud server 13, information about a web address to be connected and a corresponding link to electronic key information can be entered using the working interface for works used by CMC, email or communications software. Therefore, when transmitting a link to the electronic key information to the second user device 12, this link to the electronic key information received by the second user device 12 is information about the web address to be connected.

[0052] During the process of transmitting the electronic key information link from the first user device 11 to the second user device 12, hashing is introduced to preserve information integrity and authentication. For example, the original content of a link to information about an electronic key can be processed using a cryptographic hashing function, which may be, but is not limited to, an SHA-512 algorithm. After processing the link to the information about the electronic key by means of the cryptographic hashing function, a hashed value is obtained, which is then transmitted to the second user device 12. After receiving the hashed value by the second user device 12, the hashed value is authenticated by the cloud server 13, if the hashed value is correct or identical to that stored in the cloud server 13, this means that the link to the electronic key information was not falsified, and also confirms that the second user device 12 is the correct device capable of sharing the electronic key access privilege. Accordingly, the efficiency of maintaining the integrity of information and authentication can be achieved, and the security of sharing the privileges of access to the electronic key is improved.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 5A, the second user device 12 has a second display screen 25. When the second user selects a link to electronic key information, i.e. information about the web address to be connected on the second user device 12, the second user interface 26 is displayed on the second display screen 25 of the second user device 12. The second user interface 25 is a web interface. When you click on the link for information about the electronic key on the interface 26 of the second user (S13), the interface 26 of the second user displays information about the web address to be connected 260 at the top of this web interface.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2A, after selecting the link to the electronic key information on the second user device 12 (S13), the access privilege of the second user device 12 is further authenticated. In particular, after step S13, the second user device 12 transmits to (S19) the cloud server 13 a privilege authentication request, which can be generated by hashing for the electronic key. According to the present invention, since a privilege authentication request is generated when the first user device 11 activates the electronic key sharing function and transmits the access privilege request to the cloud server 13, the cloud server 13 issues a response to the privilege authentication request to the first user device 11 in accordance with access privilege request. Then, the first user device 11 transmits a privilege authentication request and a link to the electronic key information in aggregate to the second user device 12. When selecting a link to the electronic key information, the second user device 12 transmits a privilege authentication request to the cloud server 13 so that the cloud server 13 authenticates the privilege authentication request using information related to the privilege authentication stored therein. If the contents of the privilege authentication request are authenticated by the cloud server as correct, then the cloud server issues a response confirming access to the second user device 12 (S1A). Then, when the second user receives the access confirmation by the second user device 12, the second user is notified that the second user device 12 has an access privilege. Otherwise, if the second user device 12 does not receive the access confirmation or the received message is not an access confirmation notification, this means that the second user device 12 is an invalid device for accessing the electronic key.

[0055] After authenticating the second user device 12, the second user activates the vehicle control function (S14) on the second user interface 26 of the second user device 12 so that the second user device 12 transmits the vehicle control signal to the cloud server 13 (S15) via the network The Internet. Upon receiving the vehicle control signal, the cloud server 13 further transmits this vehicle control signal to the vehicle control unit 21 (S15 ′).

[0056] When receiving a vehicle control signal transmitted from the cloud server 13, the vehicle control unit 21 issues a vehicle control signal for controlling the operation of the vehicle (S16). In addition, the vehicle control unit 21 provides a response with information about the operation of the vehicle to the cloud server 13 (S17). After receiving information about the operation of the vehicle, the cloud server 13 provides a response with information about the operation of the vehicle to the device 12 of the second user (S17 '). A second user who receives information about the operation of the vehicle using the second user device 12 may be notified that the vehicle control unit 21 has performed a corresponding control operation for the vehicle 20.

[0057] It is optional and non-limiting that when responding with information about the operation of the vehicle to the second user device 12, the cloud server 13 may transmit the vehicle control notification to the first user device 11 (S18) in such a way that by receiving this vehicle control notification by means of the first user can be notified of the type of control or operating status in which the vehicle is located.

[0058] As further shown in FIG. 2B, which is primarily different from FIG. 2A in that after the response of the cloud server 13 confirming access to the second user device 12 (S1A) and before the vehicle control function is activated (S14), the cloud server 13 simultaneously transmits a key activation notification to the first user device 11 (S1B) through the network The Internet when responding with confirmation of access to the device 12 of the second user. Therefore, the first user can be notified that the second user device 12 has completed the privilege authentication and has become a valid device for accessing the electronic key by receiving a key activation notification.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle control function activated in step (S14) includes a vehicle positioning function, a door unlocking function, and an engine starting function. In other words, when the second user activates the electronic key information link (S13), the second user executes the vehicle location function (S141), the door unlock function (S142) or the engine start function (S143) depending on the actual situation.

[0060] When the second user forgets where the vehicle 20 is parked, the vehicle location function (S141) is executed. The second user device 12 transmits a vehicle location request to the cloud server 13 (S151) via the Internet. Since the vehicle control unit 21 is constantly connected to the cloud server 13 via the Internet, the vehicle control unit 21 can continuously transmit information about its coordinates to the cloud server 13. As a result, upon receiving a vehicle location request, the cloud server 13 transmits location information the vehicle to the second user device 12 (S161). Thus, the second user can obtain information about the coordinates of the parking location of the vehicle 20.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 6, the second user interface 26 generated by the second display screen 25 of the second user device 12 can display Pc information about the location. In accordance with the present embodiment, the location information of the vehicle 20 may be presented in the form of a digital map, but is not limited to this. For example, street view information, satellite image or text can be used to display parking location information of vehicle 20.

[0062] As further shown in FIG. 3, when the second user already knows where the vehicle 20 is parked, or determines its location using the vehicle positioning function, then the door unlocking function (S142) is executed. The second user device 12 transmits a door unlock signal to the cloud server 13 (S152) via the Internet. Upon receiving the door unlock signal, the cloud server 13 further transmits this door unlock signal to the vehicle control unit 21 (S152 ′).

[0063] Upon receiving the door unlock signal transmitted from the cloud server 13, the vehicle control unit 21 issues a control signal to unlock the door of the vehicle 20 (S162). In addition, the vehicle control unit 21 provides a response with information about the door unlock operation to the cloud server 13 (S172). When receiving information about the door unlock operation, the cloud server 13 further transmits information about the door unlock operation to the second user device 12 (S172 '). Thus, the second user can be notified that the vehicle control unit 21 has unlocked the door of the vehicle 20 by receiving information about the door unlocking operation by the second user device 12.

[0064] It is optional and non-limiting that when responding with information about the door unlock operation to the second user device 12, the cloud server 13 can simultaneously transmit the door unlock notification to the first user device 11 (S18) via the Internet. Thus, the first user can be notified that the vehicle control unit 21 has controlled the door of the vehicle 20 so that it is in an unlocked state.

[0065] When the second user further intends to start the engine of the vehicle 20, then the engine start function (S143) is performed. The second user device 12 transmits an engine start signal to the cloud server 13 (S153) via the Internet. Upon receiving the engine start signal, the cloud server 13 further transmits this engine start signal to the vehicle control unit 21 (S153 ′).

[0066] Upon receiving the engine start signal transmitted from the cloud server 13, the vehicle control unit 21 further outputs a control signal for controlling the vehicle 20 to start the engine (S163). In addition, the vehicle control unit 21 provides a response with information about the engine start operation to the cloud server 13 (S173). When receiving information about the engine start operation, the cloud server 13 additionally provides a response with information about the engine start operation to the second user device 12 (S173 '). Thus, the second user can be notified that the vehicle control unit 21 has performed a control operation for starting the engine of the vehicle 20 by receiving information about the engine starting operation.

[0067] It is optional and non-limiting that when responding with information about the engine start operation to the second user device 12, the cloud server 13 can simultaneously transmit a notification about the started engine to the first user device 11 (S183) via the Internet. Thus, the first user can be notified that the vehicle engine has been started by the vehicle control unit 21 by means of a notification of a running engine.

[0068] The above steps associated with notifying the first user to device 11, such as steps S1B, S18, S182 or S183, notify the first user device 11 via push messages, for example, push services provided by the cloud server 13, Google® cloud Messaging (GCM), Apple® Push Notification Service (APNS), Microsoft Push Notification Service (MPNS), or other push servers developed by technicians.

[0069] The steps performed by the second user may be carried out by means of the functions displayed in FIG. 5A. When the link to the electronic key information is activated (S13) on the second user interface 26, the vehicle control function shown in FIG. 5A, comprises a control function 261 and a position determination function 262. When the second user selects the location function 262, the second user device 12 performs the vehicle location function (S141). A detailed description may refer to FIG. 3 and 6 and the corresponding description and will not be repeated here.

[0070] When the second user selects a control function 261, the second user interface 26 further provides an engine lock / start function 263 and an engine unlock / shutdown function 264. When the second user briefly presses the engine lock / start function 263, the second user device 12 performs the door lock function. Since this is a basic operation for vehicles, the door lock function is not described in detail here. In addition, when the second user holds down the engine lock / start function 263 for some time, then the second user device 12 performs the engine start function S143. A detailed description associated with the engine start function S143 may refer to FIG. 3 and the corresponding description and, therefore, will not be repeated here.

[0071] The operation associated with texts entered into the comment function 168 mentioned above is described below. After the first user transfers the texts entered in the comment function 168 to the second user device 12, the second user can read the corresponding texts on the second user interface 26 of the second user device 12. The second user can further adjust the size of the texts displayed on the second user interface 26 by selecting a font size reduction function 265 or a font size increasing function 266.

[0072] When the vehicle 20 is parked in an open space, at a zero parking level or on the side of the road, where the vehicle control unit 21 can be seamlessly connected to the Internet in order to provide the first user with the privilege of accessing the vehicle to the second user, the vehicle control unit 21 can be directly connected to the cloud server 13 via the Internet. The second user can control the vehicle control unit 21 using the second user device 12 to connect to the cloud server 13 via the Internet.

[0073] In circumstances where the vehicle 20 is parked in an underground parking where the vehicle control unit 21 cannot directly connect to the cloud server 13, the second user may not be able to use the second user device 12 to control the vehicle control unit 12 through the cloud server 13. To solve this problem using the near field connection means, despite the conditions that the vehicle control unit 21 cannot connect to the cloud server rum 13 via the Internet, the vehicle control unit 21 can still communicate with the device 12 and device 12 can be controlled by the second user. Means of connection of the near field are described below in combination with the corresponding drawings.

[0074] Each of the first user device 11, the second user device 12, and the vehicle control unit 21 further has a near field connection function. As shown in FIG. 7, the first user device 11 and the second user device 12 can be connected to the vehicle control unit 21 using the near field connection function. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle control unit 21 may be connected to a cloud server 13 in an environment with access to the Internet. In particular, such a near field connection function can be realized via the Bluetooth® module in accordance with the Bluetooth® standard. Such a near field connection function is available when the first user device 11 and the second user device 12 are located at a limited distance between them. To simplify the description of the near field connection function, the near field connection can be represented by, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth® connection.

[0075] To describe a technical solution for control through a near field connection, as shown in FIG. 7 and 8, at least one set of first key information is integrated in the vehicle control unit 21. When the first user device 11 activates the electronic key sharing function (S41A), as shown in FIG. 10A, the first display screen 15 of the first user device 11 displays a first user interface 16A that provides an electronic key setting function comprising setting a name, effective time, link sharing, activation and location information associated with the electronic key, while the Bluetooth® control function 171A enables the second user device 12 to be connected to the vehicle control unit 21 and to control the vehicle 20 through h Bluetooth® connection. After the installation of the electronic key information is complete, the first user device 11 transmits a link to the electronic key information to the second user device 12 (S42A) so that the second user device 12 obtains the privilege of accessing the vehicle in accordance with the electronic key information.

[0076] After activating the electronic key information link (S43A), the second user device 12 transmits a privilege authentication request to the cloud server 13 (S44A). After confirming the validity of the access authentication request, the cloud server 13 issues an access confirmation response and transmits the second key information to the second user device 12 (S45A). Otherwise, if the second user device 12 cannot accept the access confirmation or receives a message that is a notification that is not related to the access confirmation, this means that the second user device 12 is an invalid device for accessing the electronic key.

[0077] In the response with confirmation of access and transmission of the second key information to the second user device 12, the cloud server 13 transmits a key activation notification to the first user device 11 (S46A) so that the first user knows that the second user has completed privilege authentication for electronic key and received the privilege of access to the electronic key through the device 11 of the first user.

[0078] Due to the lack of access to the Internet, when the vehicle is parked in the underground parking, the second user device 12 is connected to the vehicle control unit 21 via a Bluetooth® connection. In particular, when the first user sets the electronic key information, the Bluetooth® function is already activated. Therefore, when the second user device 12 is connected to the vehicle 20 via a Bluetooth® connection, no pairing Bluetooth® connection is required. For security reasons, after connecting to the vehicle control unit 21, the second user device 12 transmits a second key authentication request to the vehicle control unit 21 (S51A), and the vehicle control unit 21 authenticates the second key information using the at least one set of the first key information stored in the vehicle control unit 21. When the second key information is authenticated as identical to any of the at least one set of the first key information, the vehicle control unit 21 issues an access confirmation response to the second user device 12 (S52A) so that the second user device 12 controls the vehicle means 20 through the vehicle control unit 21. Otherwise, when the second user device 12 cannot accept the access confirmation or receives a message that is a notification not related to the access confirmation, this means that the second user device 12 is an invalid device for accessing the second key information.

[0079] After obtaining the access privilege for driving the vehicle 20, the second user device 12 activates the vehicle control function (S53A), as shown in FIG. 10V-10D. The second display screen 25 of the second user device 12 provides a second user interface 26A. The second user interface 26A provides a toolbar 31A at its bottom. The toolbar 31A comprises a lock / unlock tool 311A, an engine control tool 312A, and function setting tool 313A available for a second user to select.

[0080] When the second user selects the lock / unlock tool 311A, as shown in FIG. 10B, the second user interface 26A provides a lock function, an unlock function, a timing function, and a comment function. When the second user selects the engine control tool 312A, as shown in FIG. 10C, the second user interface 26A provides an engine start function and an engine shutdown function. When the second user selects the function setting tool 313A, as shown in FIG. 10D, the second user interface 26A provides a constantly on screen function, a function for setting a device search time and setting a delay time for transmitting commands. The function of the constantly on screen serves to constantly maintain the backlight of the second display screen. The device search time setting function is used to set the time required to search for a Bluetooth® connection for the second user device 12. Setting the delay time for sending commands is used to set the time period between two commands transmitted sequentially to prevent conflict of commands and their retransmission.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 8, the second user changes the state of the vehicle 20, such as the unlocked door state, in accordance with the corresponding part to be controlled by the vehicle 20, uses the second user device 12 to encrypt the vehicle control signal and sends the specified signal to the vehicle control unit 21 via Bluetooth® (S54A). The vehicle control unit 21 issues a control signal for controlling the operation of the vehicle 20 in accordance with the received vehicle control signal (S55A). After controlling the operation of the vehicle 20, the vehicle control unit 21 provides a response with encrypted vehicle operation information to the second user device 12 (S56A) so that the second user knows that the vehicle control unit 21 controls the operation of the vehicle through the second device 12 user.

[0082] By using the second user device 12 to obtain second key information through the cloud server 13 and to connect to the vehicle control unit 21 via a Bluetooth® connection, the second key information can be transmitted to the vehicle control unit 21 for authentication, and after successful authentication of the second key information, the second user device 12 may obtain an access privilege for driving the vehicle 20. Thus, in circumstances where the block 21 the vehicle control cannot connect to the cloud server 13 via the Internet, the second user can still use the device 12 of the second user to connect the near field to connect to the vehicle control unit 21 so as to control the operation of the vehicle 20, thereby ensuring the device 12 of the second user, the ability to control the vehicle 20 in the absence of the Internet and further achieving convenience.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 9, which shows a method for the above vehicle smart electronic key system for generating first key information.

[0084] Step S61: Connecting the first user device 11 to the cloud server through the network to send the update request of the first key information from the first user device 11 to the cloud server 13.

[0085] Step S62: Determining whether the cloud server has received a connection request from the vehicle control unit 21. If the answer is yes, then perform step S63. Otherwise, performing step S65. When located in an environment with the ability to connect to the Internet, the vehicle control unit 21 can connect to the Internet via a wireless network connection to send a connection request to the cloud server 13. If the location environment does not have the ability to connect to the Internet, the cloud server 13 cannot receive a connection request from the vehicle control unit 21.

[0086] Step S63: Direct transmission of the first key information from the cloud server 13 to the vehicle control unit 21 via the network and updating and storing the first key information.

[0087] Step S64: After storing the first key information, a confirmation response is saved from the vehicle control unit 21 to the cloud server 13.

[0088] Step S65: Transmitting the first key information from the cloud server 13 to the first user device 11.

[0089] Step S66: Pairing the first user device 11 and the vehicle control unit 21 for making a near field connection and transmitting the first key information to the vehicle control unit 21.

[0090] Step S67: Saving the first key information in the vehicle control unit 21 and transmitting the storage confirmation from the vehicle control unit 21 to the first user device 11. In particular, when the first user device 11 receives the first key information, the user device moves towards the floor where the vehicle 20 is parked so that the first user device 11 and the vehicle control unit 21 for pairing, after the formation of which the device 11 of the first user is connected to the vehicle control unit 21. The transmission of the storage confirmation received in response from the vehicle control unit 21 from the first user device 11 to the cloud server 13 for storage therein. After storing the first key information, the vehicle control unit 21 may transmit a storage confirmation to the cloud server 13 when the wireless network can be connected to the Internet.

[0091] According to the above method, the first key information can be created inside the vehicle control unit 21 in such a way that, if you intend to control the vehicle 20, the second user device 12 must send the second key information to the vehicle control unit 21 for correct authenticating the second key information with the first key information stored in the vehicle control unit 21, and then achieving operational security of the transport control sports facility 20.

In general, the present invention has the following features and advantages.

1. Thanks to the vehicle’s intelligent electronic key system, the second user device 12 and the vehicle control unit 21 are connected to each other via the Internet via an Internet connection to enable sharing of the electronic key access privilege for managing and operating and improving the security of the electronic key .

2. The first user or vehicle owner can share and revoke the electronic key and configure temporary settings to share access privileges to increase the operational security of using the electronic key.

3. The secure hashing algorithm calculates and converts the transmitted link to electronic key information to preserve data integrity and achieve integrity authentication, as well as to further improve security when sharing the privilege of access to the electronic key.

4. When the vehicle control function is performed, the second user device 12 additionally transmits a corresponding working notification to the first user device 11 so that the first user or vehicle owner receives information about the state of the vehicle under control.

5. When the vehicle 20 is parked in the underground parking, the second user device 12 can be connected to the vehicle control unit 21 by means of a near field connection so that if it is not possible to connect to the cloud server 13 via the Internet, the vehicle control unit 21 can control vehicle 20 to improve ease of use.

6. The second user device 12 is used to obtain second key information, which is authenticated using the first key information in the vehicle control unit 21 so that the second user device 12 under conditions of connection with the vehicle control unit 21 by connecting the near field all still needs to authenticate key information to maintain operational security.

Although the above description has given numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention, as well as details of the structure and function of the invention, the present description is only illustrative. Changes can be made in the details, especially with respect to the shape, size and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present invention, fully indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims (43)

1. A vehicle intelligent electronic key system comprising: Cloud server a first user device having a wireless network connection function and connected to the cloud server via the Internet; a second user device having a wireless network connection function and connected to the cloud server via the Internet; a vehicle control unit installed inside the vehicle having a wireless network connection function and connected to the cloud server via the Internet; moreover after activating the sharing function of the electronic key, the device of the first user transmits a link to information about the electronic key processed using the cryptographic hashing function to the device of the second user, after activating the link to the electronic key information, the second user’s device transmits the privilege authentication request generated by hashing to the cloud server, and after the authentication of the authentication request of the privilege by the cloud server and the response of the cloud server confirming access to the second user’s device, the device activates the vehicle control function and transmits the vehicle control signal to the vehicle control unit through the cloud server so that the vehicle control unit controls the operation this vehicle. 2. The intelligent vehicle electronic key system of claim 1, wherein the first user device comprises an electronic key application and is configured to run this electronic key application and generate a first user interface for controlling the electronic key application on the display screen of the first user device, moreover, the electronic key application provides the electronic key sharing function so that the first user device transmits a link to the electronic key information to the second user device via the cloud server. 3. The intelligent vehicle electronic key system of claim 1, wherein the second user’s device is configured to receive links to electronic key information from the cloud server via the Internet and after the second user’s device activates links to electronic key information, the second user’s device generates a second user interface for displaying the vehicle control function on the display screen of the second user’s device , moreover, the vehicle control function enables the second user device to transmit the vehicle control signal to the vehicle control unit via a cloud server via an Internet connection. 4. The intelligent vehicle electronic key system according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, in which the device of the first user is configured to transmit links to information about the electronic key to the device of the second user through the cloud server using the short message service (SMS), Email and communication software. 5. The vehicle’s intelligent electronic key system according to claim 3, wherein the second user interface is a web interface. 6. The vehicle intelligent electronic key system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle control function comprises a vehicle location determining function, a door unlocking function, or an engine starting function. 7. The vehicle’s intelligent electronic key system of claim 6, wherein, when the second user device performs the vehicle’s positioning function a second user device transmits a vehicle location request to a vehicle control unit via a cloud server via an Internet connection, and the vehicle control unit transmits vehicle positioning information to a second user device via a cloud server via an Internet connection. 8. The vehicle intelligent electronic key system according to claim 6, wherein, when the door unlock function is performed, the second user device transmits the door unlock signal to the vehicle control unit via a cloud server so that the vehicle control unit unlocks the doors of the vehicle. 9. The vehicle intelligent electronic key system according to claim 6, wherein, when the engine start function is performed, the second user device transmits an engine start signal to the vehicle control unit so that the vehicle control unit starts the engine of the vehicle. 10. The intelligent vehicle electronic key system according to any one of paragraphs. 7-9, in which, when the second user device performs the vehicle control function, the vehicle control unit further transmits a notification for the corresponding operation to the first user device through the cloud server. 11. A vehicle intelligent electronic key system comprising: Cloud server a first user device having a wireless network connection function and connected to the cloud server via the Internet; a second user device having a wireless network connection function and a near field connection function and connected to the cloud server via the Internet; and a vehicle control unit mounted inside the vehicle, having a wireless network connection function and a near field connection function and connected to a second user device by connecting a near field and with at least one set of first key information embedded therein; moreover after activating the sharing function of the electronic key, the device of the first user transmits a link to information about the electronic key processed using the cryptographic hashing function to the device of the second user, after activating the link to the electronic key information, the second user’s device transmits the privilege authentication request generated by hashing to the cloud server, and after the authentication of the authentication request of the privilege by the cloud server and the response of the cloud server with access confirmation and the second key information to the second user's device is authenticated, this device transmits the second key authentication request to the vehicle control unit, the vehicle control unit correctly authenticates the second key information using the specified at least one set of the first key information and then issues a response confirming access to the device of the second user, and the second user device activates the vehicle control function and transmits a vehicle control signal to the vehicle control unit so that the vehicle control unit controls the operation of the vehicle. 12. The vehicle’s intelligent electronic key system according to claim 11, wherein the first user device further comprises a near field connection function and is configured to transmit an update request of the first key information to a cloud server, the cloud server is configured to determine whether a connection request has been received from the vehicle control unit via the Internet, when this connection request is received, the cloud server transmits the first key information to the vehicle control unit for storage, and when the specified connection request is not accepted, the cloud server transmits the first key information to the device of the first user for storage, and after pairing with the vehicle control unit for making a connection via the near field connection function, the first user device transmits the first key information to the vehicle control unit to be stored in such a way as to create the first key information in the vehicle control unit. 13. The vehicle’s intelligent electronic key system of claim 12, wherein, after storing the first key information, the vehicle control unit issues a response confirming that the first user has been saved to the device. 14. The vehicle’s intelligent electronic key system according to claim 12, wherein after storing the first key information, the vehicle control unit issues a response with confirmation of storage to the cloud server.

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