Digital Certificate Controls Motor Vehicle Access via Sharing

ChangeBridge: Patent Apps - Networking (H04L)

Detected March 26th, 2026

Summary

The USPTO has published a patent application detailing technology for controlling motor vehicle access using digital certificates and shared vehicle keys. The application, filed by Matthias Fink, describes a method for securely sharing vehicle access derived from a digital vehicle key.

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What changed

This document is a patent application (US20260084649A1) from the USPTO, not a regulatory rule or guidance. It describes a method for controlling access to a motor vehicle using digital certificates. The technology involves receiving user input, sending a digital certificate with an account ID, and initiating vehicle access based on a shared vehicle key derived from a digital vehicle key.

As this is a patent application, it does not impose any immediate regulatory obligations or deadlines on companies. However, it signals potential future technological developments in vehicle access control and digital identity management within the automotive sector. Companies involved in automotive technology, cybersecurity, and digital identity solutions may wish to monitor patent filings in this area for competitive intelligence and potential licensing opportunities.

Source document (simplified)

← USPTO Patent Applications

Technology for Controlling an Access to a Motor Vehicle

Application US20260084649A1 Kind: A1 Mar 26, 2026

Inventors

Matthias FINK

Abstract

A method for controlling an access to a motor vehicle, comprising receiving a first user input; sending a first digital certificate containing an account ID of a device-side user account for at least one mobile device; receiving a second user input to initiate a sharing procedure of a shared vehicle key for the motor vehicle, wherein the shared vehicle key is derived from a digital vehicle key for the motor vehicle; sending a prompt message relating to the sharing procedure, wherein the prompt message is signed based on the first certificate; and initiating starting of a drive motor of the motor vehicle based on the shared vehicle key.