Methods and systems for assigning e-keys to users to access and drive vehicles

A method for assigning e-keys to enable access and use of a vehicle using the e-keys, comprising,

• receiving, at a server, a request to generate e-keys for a vehicle associated with a user account, the request identifying a recipient and metadata defining privileges of use for the e-keys;
• generating an access code for the request, the access code being unique for the request, wherein the access code is generated at a time after receipt of the request;
• encrypting the access code and at least part of the metadata to generate encrypted e-keys;
• and
• sending the encrypted e-keys to a device of the recipient;
• wherein the encrypted e-keys are configured for wireless transfer to the vehicle from the device of the recipient, the wireless transfer including transfer of a device ID of the device of the recipient, and the encrypted e-keys are configured to be decrypted by the vehicle and the access code is associated with the device ID on the vehicle, the access code being transmitted to the device of the recipient from the vehicle, such that the vehicle provides access for use to the device when the access code is used by the device having the device ID, the access code functioning as the e-keys for the vehicle and the metadata including privileges for use of the vehicle while using the e-keys,
• wherein the e-keys enable graphical icons on a screen of the device to be active for use of the vehicle, at least one or more of the graphical icons on the screen enabling unlocking of the vehicle, turning on of the vehicle, or locking the vehicle,
• wherein the method is executed by a processor.

A method for gaining access to e-keys for access to a vehicle using a smartphone, comprising,

• receiving at the smartphone a message indicating that e-keys were granted to the user of the smartphone, the message including encrypted e-keys that contain a generated access code, the generated access code being unique for the message, wherein the access code is configured to be generated at a time after receipt of a request to generate the e-keys;
• transmitting the encrypted e-keys to a vehicle using a wireless protocol, a device ID of the smartphone being sent to the vehicle along with the encrypted e-keys;
• and
• receiving activated e-keys from the vehicle at the smartphone, the activated e-keys including the access code, the access code enabling one or more graphical user interface controls that when selected provide instructions to access and operate the vehicle, the instructions to access include to unlock the vehicle, start the vehicle, turn-off the vehicle, and lock the vehicle, wherein the e-keys are electronic and enable access and operation of the vehicle, wherein the method is executed by a processor.