Secure Communication System And Software Architecture For A Digital License Plate

Abstract

A digital license plate has a secure communication system able to initialize the digital license plate, support external communications, and have various antitheft features. In some embodiments, a communication module can transmit both vehicle identification number and digital license plate identifier to a central server. The central server is able to act in the event of a security mismatch to modify operation of the digital license plate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for provisioning a digital license plate, comprising the steps of having a digital license plate:
 generate a private key;   connect to a PKI server and transmit a certificate signing request;   receive and store a new client certificate;   establish a secure connection using the private key and certificate; and   download to the digital license plate at least one of a number plate image, number plate overlay image, and runtime software.   
     
     
         2 . The method for provisioning the digital license plate of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of communicating with the central server to receive or transmit data. 
     
     
         3 . The method for provisioning the digital license plate of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of storing the new client certificate in encrypted on-board storage. 
     
     
         4 . The method for provisioning the digital license plate of  claim 1 , further comprising the step contacting a central server supported plate service via a representational state transfer (RESTful) interface. 
     
     
         5 . A digital license plate system comprising:
 a digital license plate having encrypted on-board storage with a digital license plate identifier;   an interface to a vehicle systems module to receive vehicle identification information, including a vehicle identification number; and   a communication module to transmit vehicle identification number and digital license plate identifier to a central server, the central server able to act in the event of a security mismatch to modify operation of the digital license plate.   
     
     
         6 . The digital license plate system of  claim 5 , wherein modifying operation of the digital license plate further comprises setting a warning flag. 
     
     
         7 . The digital license plate system of  claim 5 , wherein modifying operation of the digital license plate further comprises setting revoking a security certificate. 
     
     
         8 . The digital license plate system of  claim 5 , wherein modifying operation of the digital license plate further comprises setting the digital license plate to display a warning instead of a license number. 
     
     
         9 . The digital license plate system of  claim 5 , wherein modifying operation of the digital license plate further comprises disabling the digital license plate. 
     
     
         10 . The digital license plate system of  claim 5 , further comprising the digital license plate having a secure boot chain to prevent unauthorized replacement of manufacturer software code. 
     
     
         11 . A method of operating a server for a digital license plate comprising the steps of:
 receiving a communication request from the digital license plate to allow for continued display of a license number;   receiving credentials from the digital license plate;   verifying credentials from the digital license plate; and   refusing the communication request, which requires the digital license plate to be unable to display selected information after a set time.   
     
     
         12 . The method of operating the server for a digital license plate of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of supporting issuing a provisioning ticket. 
     
     
         13 . A method of operating the server for a digital license plate of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of supporting issuing a manufacturing receipt. 
     
     
         14 . The method of operating the server for a digital license plate of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of supporting verifying a provisioning ticket. 
     
     
         15 . The method of operating the server for a digital license plate of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of supporting provisioning a receipt associated with issuance of a digital license plate. 
     
     
         16 . The method of operating the server for a digital license plate of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of supporting issuing certificates that may include security certificates. 
     
     
         17 . The method of operating the server for a digital license plate of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of supporting revoking certificates. 
     
     
         18 . The method of operating the server for a digital license plate of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of supporting issuance of tokens associated with system security. 
     
     
         19 . The method of operating the server for a digital license plate of  claim 11 , wherein the digital license plate can only display images signed by the server.