Vehicle sharing accessory module and system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10654447-B2
Application number	US-201715718652-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 28, 2017
Priority date	Sep 28, 2017
Publication date	May 19, 2020
Grant date	May 19, 2020

Abstract

A system for authorizing temporary access and operation of a vehicle via a mobile computing device, the system includes a processor and a memory device. The system also includes a SRWC module configured to communicate with the mobile computing device; and a CNG module being in communication with the SRWC module, the CNG module includes a NAD, configured to communicate with one or more remote entities over a wireless carrier system; a GPS module, configured to generate vehicle position information and communicate that position data to the one or more remote entities; a CGM, configured to monitor and control incoming communications from the SRWC module, NAD, and GPS module. The CGM further configured to establish communications across a CAN; and a CMS, configured to encrypt the communications established by CGM as well as store the communications in the memory device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of authorizing temporary access and operation of a vehicle via a mobile computing device, the method comprises:
generating a reservation request to reserve the vehicle via the mobile computing device;
communicating the reservation request to a remote entity;
in response to a successful reservation request, via the remote entity, transmitting an authentication key to the mobile computing device over a wireless carrier system, wherein an accessory module is used to perform vehicle access and vehicle operations of the vehicle, wherein the accessory module comprises a CNG module that includes a Network Access Device (NAD), GPS module, Cybersecurity Gateway Module (CGM), and Cryptographic Module (CMS), and wherein the authentication key enable the mobile computing device and the accessory module to be paired for vehicle access and operations;
executing an authorization between the mobile computing device and the accessory module; and
enabling access to vehicle operations in response to a successful authorization;
wherein generating the reservation request to reserve the vehicle via the mobile computing device further comprises the steps of:
communicating the reservation request to a remote entity by the mobile computing device;
generating a signed access token by the remote entity; and
transmitting the signed access token to the NAD of the accessory module within a predetermined time from the reservation request.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the accessory module is enabled to perform vehicle access and vehicle operations through the steps of:
providing communications between the CNG module and a passive entry/passive start (PEPS) module;
requesting cryptography keys from a remote entity, via the NAD, for validation between the CNG module and the PEPS module; and
validating the cryptography keys via the CGM.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of sending a confirmation to the mobile computing device.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of executing an authorization between the mobile computing device and the accessory module further comprises the steps of:
receiving, by the mobile computing device, a broadcast short range wireless communications signal transmitted by a communications module of the accessory module;
pairing the mobile computing device and the communications module; and
validating the mobile computing device to the accessory module utilizing an authorization key validation technique.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the communications module utilizes a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) protocol.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein receiving, by the mobile computing device, the broadcast short range wireless communications signal transmitted by the communications module further comprises the steps of:
monitoring a communication bus for one or more communications over a predetermined period of time:
transmitting a wake-up call to the CNG module in response to the one or more communications on the communication bus during the predetermined period of time; otherwise,
entering sleep mode.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein enabling access to the vehicle and vehicle operations in response to a successful authorization further comprises the steps of:
actuating a command on the mobile computing device relating to a vehicle operation;
transmitting the command from the mobile computing device to a communications module over a short-range wireless communication protocol;
receiving the command by the communications module and communicating the command to the accessory module;
transmitting, by the accessory module, the command to a passive entry/passive start (PEPS) module; and
actuating, via the PEPS module, a selected vehicle function in response to receiving the command.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of transmitting the command to the PEPS module comprises:
transmitting, by the accessory module, a wake-up call to the (PEPS) module; and
transmitting the command to the (PEPS) module.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein enabling access to the vehicle and vehicle operations in response to a successful authorization further comprises the steps of:
detecting the mobile computing device within an interior of the vehicle, via a communications module, in response to actuating a vehicle function;
supplying power to the accessory module, wherein the accessory module stores at least one authentication key for enabling vehicle start functions;
detecting an actuation of a switch for ignition activation within the vehicle; and
enabling an engine start operation of the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
detecting at least one of an end of trip selection by a user or a timed out period;
transmitting, by the accessory module, a door lock command to a passive entry/passive start (PEPS) module;
actuating a vehicle door lock operation; and
deleting the authentication key from a memory of the accessory module.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising an external interface module (EIM) configured to communicate with one or more external vehicle systems.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the method is carried out by a processor coupled to an antenna system, the antenna system configured to enable the processor to communicate with one or more remote computing devices.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the method is carried out by a processor packaged in a tamperproof and potted enclosure being secured within a vehicle.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile computing device is a smart phone, cell phone, or tablet.

15. A system to authorize temporary access and operation of a vehicle via a mobile computing device, the system comprises:
a memory configured to comprise a plurality of executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, wherein the executable instructions enable the processor to:
generate a reservation request to reserve the vehicle via the mobile computing device;
communicate the reservation request to a remote entity;
in response to a successful reservation request, via the remote entity, transmit an authentication key to the mobile computing device over a wireless carrier system, wherein an accessory module is used to perform vehicle access and vehicle operations of the vehicle, wherein the accessory module comprises a CNG module that includes a Network Access Device (NAD), GPS module, Cybersecurity Gateway Module (CGM), and Cryptographic Module (CMS), and wherein the authentication key enable the mobile computing device and the accessory module to be paired for vehicle access and operations;
execute an authorization between the mobile computing device and the accessory module; and
enable access to vehicle operations in response to a successful authorization;
wherein generate the reservation request to reserve the vehicle via the mobile computing device further comprises:
communicate the reservation request to a remote entity by the mobile computing device;
generate a signed access token by the remote entity; and
transmit the signed access token to the NAD of the accessory module within a predetermined time from the reservation request.

16. A non-transitory machine-readable medium having stored thereon executable instructions configured to authorize temporary access and operation of a vehicle via a mobile computing device, which when provided to a processor and executed thereby, causes the processor to:
generate a reservation request to reserve the vehicle via the mobile computing device;
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Assignees

• Gen Motors Llc

Inventors

• Oesterling Christopher L
• Miles Robert
• Raval Hrushit B
• Pebbles Paul H

Classifications

• H04W4/35

  for the management of goods or merchandise · CPC title

• H04L63/0428

  wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload · CPC title

• H04W12/08

  Access security · CPC title

• G07C2009/00412

  the transmitted data signal being encrypted · CPC title

• H04L63/108

  when the policy decisions are valid for a limited amount of time · CPC title