US 12337715

Patent Analysis: US 12,337,715

Date of Analysis: May 13, 2026

This report provides a concise summary of United States Patent 12,337,715, including its key bibliographic details, a summary of its abstract, and a plain-language explanation of its independent claims.

Bibliographic Information

• Title: Methods and systems for sharing e-keys to access vehicles
• Assignee: Emerging Automotive LLC
• Inventors: Angel A. Penilla, Albert S. Penilla
• Filing Date: October 11, 2023
• Issue Date: June 24, 2025

Abstract

The patent describes methods and systems for generating and sharing electronic keys (e-keys) for vehicles through a cloud-based processing system. A request to create an e-key for a specific recipient can be made, including conditions for the vehicle's use. The system then generates and sends the e-key to the recipient's device. Data about the vehicle's use is sent back to the system, and if a condition of use is violated, a warning notification is sent to the recipient's device and/or the vehicle. This process is managed by a server accessible via the internet, which communicates with the vehicle and the user's device. The request for an e-key can be initiated by various authorized individuals, such as the vehicle's owner, a fleet operator, or a rental car operator.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims

US Patent 12,337,715 has three independent claims. Below is a plain-language explanation of each.

Independent Claim 1:

This claim describes a method for a server to manage electronic keys (e-keys) for a vehicle. The process is as follows:

1. A server receives a request to create an e-key for a specific person to use a vehicle. This request includes information on how to send the e-key to the person (like a phone number or email) and sets specific rules for how the vehicle can be used (e.g., speed limits, geographic boundaries).
2. The server then generates the e-key with these rules embedded.
3. The e-key is sent to the recipient's device (like a smartphone).
4. The server also sends data to the vehicle to authorize the use of this new e-key.
5. While the vehicle is being used with the e-key, it sends usage data back to the server.
6. If this data shows that a rule has been broken, the server sends a warning to the recipient's device, the vehicle, or both.

This entire process is handled by at least one server connected to the internet, and the vehicle is equipped to communicate wirelessly. The request to generate an e-key can come from an authorized party such as the vehicle's owner or a rental company.

Independent Claim 15:

This claim focuses on the method for a server to assign e-keys. Here's a breakdown:

1. A server receives a request to create e-keys for a vehicle that is linked to a user's account. The request specifies who the recipient is and what they are allowed to do with the vehicle (privileges).
2. The server generates a unique access code for this specific request.
3. This access code, along with some of the privilege information, is encrypted to create the e-key, which is then sent to the recipient's device.
4. The recipient's device wirelessly transmits this encrypted e-key to the vehicle.
5. During the use of the e-key, the vehicle sends back data on how it's being used (e.g., speed, location), which the server stores as a history.
6. If the original user wants to cancel the e-key, the server sends a deactivation command to either the recipient's device, the vehicle, or both.

Independent Claim 20:

This claim details the process from the perspective of the user's smartphone receiving and using the e-key:

1. The smartphone receives a message containing a unique, encrypted e-key.
2. The smartphone then wirelessly sends this encrypted e-key to the vehicle, along with its own unique device ID.
3. The vehicle decrypts the e-key and sends back an "activated" e-key to the smartphone.
4. This activated e-key enables a graphical user interface on the smartphone with controls to unlock, start, turn off, and lock the vehicle.

Litigation Status

As of early 2026, U.S. Patent 12,337,715, held by Emerging Automotive LLC, is the subject of litigation. Emerging Automotive has asserted this patent in lawsuits against major automakers, including Toyota and Kia, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Case 2:25-cv-00782 and 2:25-cv-00799). Furthermore, this patent is also the subject of a Post-Grant Review (PGR) proceeding before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) of the USPTO, with the case number PGR2026-00008. These legal challenges contest the validity and alleged infringement of the patent's claims.