Information processing device, information processing method and storage medium

Abstract

This application provides an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a storage medium. The information processing apparatus, which can be used as a vehicle key, includes: a display unit that displays information about one or more other devices connected to the information processing apparatus; a memory; and a processor connected to the memory. The processor is configured to: receive a user selection that selects one or more other devices from the one or more other devices displayed on the display unit to operate as a vehicle key, and perform copying processing on each of the selected one or more other devices for use as a vehicle key.

Description

[0001] This application asserts priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-100568, filed June 22, 2022, pursuant to Section 119 of Title 35 of the United States Law, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a non-transitory storage medium storing information processing programs for copying vehicle keys. Background Technology

[0003] As cars become increasingly prevalent as a component of mobility services, it's conceivable that services like car sharing will continue to grow and become more widespread. Along with this trend, the demand for wireless digital key systems that eliminate the need for physical keys by using smartphones as car keys is increasing.

[0004] As a technology related to wireless digital key systems, there is, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-033707. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-033707 discloses an electronic key system for vehicles that includes a portable device and a vehicle-mounted unit, and unlocks vehicle doors based on the authentication of the portable device by the vehicle-mounted unit.

[0005] The Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) has developed standards related to electronic key systems for vehicles. These standards define the devices used by the vehicle owner (owner's device) and devices intended for use by the owner's family or friends (friend's device).

[0006] In cases where multiple friend devices are added to the vehicle owner's device in accordance with CCC's regulations, it is quite troublesome for users to add the devices one by one. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This disclosure provides an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a non-transitory storage medium storing information processing programs, which alleviate the hassle of additional registration when additional terminals are added as keys in addition to the terminal used as a key to a vehicle.

[0008] The first aspect of this disclosure is an information processing device that can be used as a vehicle key, comprising: a display unit that displays information of one or more other devices connected to the information processing device; a memory; and a processor configured to: receive a user selection of one or more other devices among the one or more other devices displayed on the display unit that can be used as a vehicle key, and perform copying processing on each of the selected one or more other devices for use as a vehicle key.

[0009] The information processing apparatus of the first type can use other devices as vehicle keys by copying the key information contained in the apparatus to other devices. In this information processing apparatus, the user selects one or more other devices from those displayed on the display unit that will function as vehicle keys, and copies the information for using the selected other devices as vehicle keys for each of the selected devices. According to this information processing apparatus, when additional terminals are added as keys besides the terminal used as a vehicle key, the hassle of additional registration can be reduced.

[0010] The second aspect of this disclosure is an information processing method, comprising: displaying information of one or more other devices connected to an information processing device that can be used as a key to a vehicle; receiving a user selection of one or more other devices among the displayed one or more other devices that can be used as a key to the vehicle; and performing copying processing on each of the selected one or more other devices for use as a key to the vehicle.

[0011] The third aspect of this disclosure is a non-transitory storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform information processing, wherein the information processing includes: displaying information of one or more other devices connected to an information processing device that can be used as a key to a vehicle; receiving a user selection of one or more other devices among the displayed one or more other devices that can be used as a key to the vehicle; and performing copying processing on each of the selected one or more other devices for use as a key to the vehicle.

[0012] According to this disclosure, when additional terminals are added as keys in addition to the terminal used as a vehicle key, the hassle of additional registration can be reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing a simplified structure of the key management system according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2This is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of the vehicle according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of the terminal in the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating the functional structure of the terminal in the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the registration process in the terminal of the vehicle owner's device as described in the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 6 This is an example of an image showing the terminal name and communication method displayed on the touch panel of the terminal of the vehicle owner's device in the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 7 This is an example of an image showing a prompt to switch the communication device displayed on the touch panel of the terminal of the vehicle owner's device in the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the copying process in the terminal of the vehicle owner's device as described in the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the response processing flow in the terminal that becomes a friend device in the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 10 This is an example of an image requesting consent displayed on the touch panel of a terminal of a friend's device as described in the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 11 This is an example of an image showing the terminal name displayed on the touch panel of the terminal of the vehicle owner's device in the second embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The key management system, which includes a terminal as an information processing device in this disclosure, will be described. The key management system is a system that manages electronic keys (hereinafter referred to as "keys") used for unlocking, locking, and starting vehicles.

[0025] [First Implementation]

[0026] (Overall structure)

[0027] like Figure 1As shown, the key management system 10 of the first embodiment includes a vehicle 12, a terminal 14, and a server 16. The server 16 includes a vehicle server 16A for managing the vehicle 12 and a terminal server 16B for managing the terminal 14. Furthermore, the terminal 14 of this embodiment includes a vehicle owner device, i.e., terminal 14A, whose key information is pre-set, and a friend device, i.e., terminal 14B, for copying the key information of terminal 14A. As the terminal 14, a terminal carried by the driver of the vehicle 12, such as a smartphone, can be exemplified. Terminal 14A is an example of an information processing device, and terminal 14B is an example of other devices.

[0028] Vehicle 12 and vehicle server 16A are connected and can communicate with each other. Additionally, each terminal 14 and its corresponding terminal server 16B are connected and can communicate with each other. Furthermore, each terminal 14 can also be connected to vehicle server 16A for communication. Vehicle server 16A and terminal server 16B are interconnected via a public network N.

[0029] The number of vehicles 12, terminals 14, and servers 16 is not limited to... Figure 1 The number shown in the diagram. Additionally, it is not necessary to set up a terminal server 16B for each terminal 14; multiple terminals 14 can be connected to a single terminal server 16B.

[0030] (vehicle)

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle 12 in this embodiment includes a verification ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 20, a communication unit 22, a body ECU 24, and an engine ECU 26.

[0032] The ECU 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 20B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20C, an in-vehicle communication I / F (Interface) 20D, and a wireless communication I / F 20E. The CPU 20A, ROM 20B, RAM 20C, in-vehicle communication I / F 20D, and wireless communication I / F 20E are interconnected via an internal bus (not shown in the diagram) and can communicate with each other.

[0033] CPU20A is the central processing unit, which executes various programs and controls other components. Specifically, CPU20A reads programs from ROM20B and uses RAM20C as its working area to execute the programs.

[0034] ROM20B stores various programs and various data. In this embodiment, ROM20B stores information about the key to vehicle 12, namely key information 100.

[0035] RAM20C is used as a working area to temporarily store programs or data.

[0036] The in-vehicle communication I / F20D is an interface used to connect to the body ECU 24 and the engine ECU 26. This interface can use either CAN (Controller Area Network) or Ethernet (registered trademark) communication standards. The in-vehicle communication I / F20D connects to the external bus 28.

[0037] The wireless communication I / F20E is an interface used for communication with the vehicle server 16A. Communication standards such as 5G, 4G, and LTE are applied in the wireless communication I / F20E. Furthermore, if communication with the vehicle server 16A can be achieved through a DCM (Data Communication Module), other ECUs, etc., the wireless communication I / F20E does not need to be included in the verification ECU 20.

[0038] The body ECU 24 is an ECU that controls the lights, doors, and other devices of the vehicle 12. The body ECU 24 is connected to a door locking device (not shown) and can control the locking and unlocking of the doors of the vehicle 12.

[0039] Engine ECU26 is the ECU that controls the engine of vehicle 12. Engine ECU26 can control the starting and stopping of the engine.

[0040] The communication unit 22 includes an NFC (Near Field Communication) communication unit 22A, an NFC communication unit 22B, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication unit 22C, and a UWB (Ultra Wide Band) communication unit 22D. The NFC communication unit 22A is installed in each door of the vehicle 12, and the NFC communication unit 22B is installed in the center console of the vehicle 12, etc. In addition, the BLE communication unit 22C and the UWB communication unit 22D are installed in locations inside the vehicle capable of receiving radio waves from the surrounding environment of the vehicle 12. Multiple BLE communication units 22C and UWB communication units 22D may be installed in the vehicle 12.

[0041] (terminal)

[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, the terminal 14 in this embodiment includes a control unit 40, a communication unit 42, and a touch panel 44.

[0043] The control unit 40 includes a CPU 40A, a ROM 40B, a RAM 40C, and a communication I / F 40D. The CPU 40A, ROM 40B, RAM 40C, and communication I / F 40D are connected via an internal bus (not shown) and are capable of communicating with each other. The functions of the CPU 40A, ROM 40B, RAM 40C, and communication I / F 40D are the same as those of the CPU 20A, ROM 20B, RAM 20C, and wireless communication I / F 20E used to verify the ECU 20. In the control unit 40 of this embodiment, the CPU 40A acts as a processor by executing the execution program 150. Figure 4 The selection unit 200, execution unit 210, and notification unit 220 shown in the diagram perform their functions.

[0044] like Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, ROM 40B stores the executable program 150 and information about the key of the vehicle 12, namely key information 160. The executable program 150 is a program used to perform the registration process, copying process, and response process described later. In addition, the key information 160 is data used to verify against the key information 100 stored in the vehicle 12.

[0045] The touch panel 44 includes a liquid crystal display as a display unit and a touch sensor as an input unit.

[0046] Communication unit 42 includes NFC communication unit 42A, BLE communication unit 42C, UWB communication unit 42D, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication unit 42E. NFC communication unit 42A, BLE communication unit 42C, and UWB communication unit 42D are examples of a first communication unit, and Wi-Fi communication unit 42E is an example of a second communication unit.

[0047] like Figure 4 As shown, the selection unit 200 has the function of allowing the user to select a terminal 14B that operates as a key to the vehicle 12. Specifically, the selection unit 200 allows the user to select a terminal 14B from the other terminals 14B displayed on the touch panel 44 that operates as a key to the vehicle 12.

[0048] The execution unit 210 has the function of performing a copying process on the terminal 14B selected by the selection unit 200 for using the terminal 14B as a key to the vehicle 12. The copying process is the processing of information from the terminal 14A, which has already been used as a key, to the terminal 14B, which will be used as a key thereafter, and, if a consent notification is received from the terminal 14B that sent the copying request, to the terminal 14B that sent the consent notification, to send the key.

[0049] Additionally, the execution unit 210 sends information to the terminal 14B to determine whether the terminal 14B performing the copying process is one or multiple terminals. Furthermore, the execution unit 210 sends information to the terminal 14B indicating whether user consent is required.

[0050] In this embodiment, when terminal 14B, acting as a friend device, is connected to the vehicle owner device (i.e., terminal 14A) via NFC communication unit 42A, BLE communication unit 42C, or UWB communication unit 42D, copying can be performed. However, when terminal 14B is connected to terminal 14A via Wi-Fi communication unit 42E, copying cannot be performed. Therefore, when the user selects terminal 14B connected to Wi-Fi communication unit 42E, the execution unit 210 prompts a connection to NFC communication unit 42A, BLE communication unit 42C, or UWB communication unit 42D, and performs copying for terminal 14B that has reconnected to any one of these three units.

[0051] The notification unit 220 has the function of notifying the user of the vehicle owner device, i.e., terminal 14A, of the result of the copying process for each terminal 14B when the copying process for the terminal 14B selected by the execution unit 210 has been performed. Specifically, the notification unit 220 notifies the user of the result of the copying process by displaying it on the touch panel 44.

[0052] (Control process)

[0053] use Figure 5 , Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 The flowchart below explains the processing flow performed in the key management system 10 of this embodiment. The processing in the terminal 14 is performed by the CPU 40A, which functions as the selection unit 200, execution unit 210, and notification unit 220. Furthermore, while each figure illustrates the CPU 40A performing each process, the implementation is not limited to this; the following flowchart can be implemented by loading and executing programs stored in one or more memories using one or more processors.

[0054] First, the registration process performed in the vehicle owner's device, namely terminal 14A, will be explained.

[0055] exist Figure 5 In step S100, CPU 40A retrieves the terminal 14B connected to each communication unit 42.

[0056] In step S101, CPU 40A performs display processing. Specifically, CPU 40A causes touch panel 44 to display terminal 14B connected to this device. For example, as Figure 6As shown, the touch panel 44 displays the terminal name and the communication method for connecting to the terminal.

[0057] exist Figure 5 In step S102, CPU 40A accepts the selection of terminal 14B as a friend device for copying keys. Specifically, CPU 40A accepts the selection of terminal 14B displayed on touch panel 44 through user operation on touch panel 44.

[0058] In step S103, CPU 40A determines whether a terminal 14B connected via Wi-Fi exists. If CPU 40A determines that a terminal 14B connected via Wi-Fi exists (step S103: Yes), it proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, if CPU 40A determines that a terminal 14B connected via Wi-Fi does not exist (step S103: No), it proceeds to step S105.

[0059] In step S104, CPU 40A sends a handover request to Wi-Fi connected terminal 14B. Therefore, in terminal 14B that receives the handover request, for example... Figure 7 As shown, the touch panel 44 displays a screen prompting users to switch from Wi-Fi to BLE connection.

[0060] exist Figure 5 In step S105, CPU40A performs the copying process. Details regarding the copying process will be described later.

[0061] In step S106, CPU 40A determines whether processing of all terminals 14B has been attempted. If CPU 40A determines that processing of all terminals 14B has been attempted (step S106: Yes), it proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, if CPU 40A determines that processing of all terminals 14B has not been attempted (step S106: No), it returns to step S105.

[0062] In step S107, CPU 40A notifies terminal 14B of the processing result for attempting to copy the key. That is, in terminal 14B that can copy the key of terminal 14A, a message notifying that the copy was successful is displayed on touch panel 44; in terminal 14B that cannot copy the key of terminal 14A, a message notifying that the copy failed is displayed on touch panel 44.

[0063] In step S108, CPU 40A determines whether to end the registration process. For example, CPU 40A determines to end the registration process if the user operates the end button displayed on the touch panel 44. If CPU 40A determines that the registration process has ended (step S108: Yes), it terminates the registration process. On the other hand, if CPU 40A determines that the registration process should not end (step S108: No), it returns to step S105. That is, the registration process is re-executed for terminal 14B where the key copying failed.

[0064] Next, the details of the copying process in step S105 will be explained.

[0065] exist Figure 8 In step S200, CPU 40A determines whether there are multiple terminals 14B for copying the key. If CPU 40A determines that there are multiple terminals 14B for copying the key (step S200: Yes), it proceeds to step S201. On the other hand, if CPU 40A determines that there are only one terminal 14B for copying the key (step S200: No), it proceeds to step S203.

[0066] In step S201, CPU 40A sends a multi-copy request to each terminal 14B of the copy key. Here, a multi-copy request refers to a copy request containing information indicating that copy processing is also performed on other terminals 14B. A terminal 14B receiving a multi-copy request can determine that copy processing is also performed on other terminals 14B. That is, the multi-copy request is equivalent to "information indicating whether copy processing is performed on one or multiple terminals 14B". Furthermore, a terminal 14B receiving a multi-copy request can accept the situation where copy processing is performed on terminals 14B other than its own. That is, the multi-copy request is equivalent to "information indicating whether user consent from other devices is required".

[0067] In step S202, CPU 40A determines whether a consent notification has been received from all terminals 14B among the multiple terminals 14B. If CPU 40A determines that a consent notification has been received from all terminals 14B (step S202: Yes), it proceeds to step S205. On the other hand, if CPU 40A determines that a consent notification has not been received from all terminals 14B (step S202: No), it proceeds to step S206.

[0068] In step S203, CPU40A sends a copy request to terminal 14B of the copy key.

[0069] In step S204, CPU 40A determines whether a consent notification has been received from terminal 14B. If CPU 40A determines that a consent notification has been received from terminal 14B (step S204: Yes), it proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, if CPU 40A determines that a consent notification has not been received from terminal 14B (step S204: No), it terminates the copying process.

[0070] In step S205, CPU40A sends key information to all terminals 14B.

[0071] In step S206, CPU40A sends key information to terminal 14B that has given consent, i.e., terminal 14B that has sent consent notification.

[0072] In step S207, CPU 40A receives the copying result from terminal 14B after sending the key information. Then, CPU 40A ends the copying process.

[0073] Next, we will describe in detail the response processing performed in terminal 14B that receives the copy request.

[0074] exist Figure 9 In step S300, CPU40A receives a copy request from terminal 14A.

[0075] In step S301, CPU 40A determines whether there are multiple terminals 14B that are copying the key together with this device. This determination is performed by determining whether the received copy request is a multiple copy request. If CPU 40A determines that there are multiple terminals 14B that are being copied (step S301: Yes), it proceeds to step S302. On the other hand, if CPU 40A determines that there are not multiple terminals 14B that are being copied, that is, only one terminal (step S301: No), it proceeds to step S305.

[0076] In step S302, CPU 40A accepts the omission of consent selection. Omission of consent selection is a process used to omit the consent selection in other terminals 14B that have been requested to make copy requests. For example, as... Figure 10 As shown, in terminal 14B, the option to omit consent is accepted by operating the multiple consent buttons 48C displayed on touch panel 44.

[0077] exist Figure 9In step S303, CPU 40A determines whether there is an omitted consent selection, i.e., whether the multiple consent buttons 48C have been operated. If CPU 40A determines that there is an omitted consent selection (step S303: Yes), it proceeds to step S304. On the other hand, if CPU 40A determines that there is no omitted consent selection (step S303: No), it proceeds to step S305.

[0078] In step S304, CPU 40A sends a representative consent notification to terminal 14A. The representative consent notification is a consent notification for all terminals 14B.

[0079] In step S305, CPU40A accepts the consent selection. For example, as Figure 10 As shown, in terminal 14B, the consent selection is accepted by operating the consent button 48A displayed on touch panel 44.

[0080] exist Figure 9 In step S306, CPU 40A determines whether there is an "agree" option, i.e., whether the "agree" button 48A has been operated. If CPU 40A determines that there is an "agree" option (step S306: Yes), it proceeds to step S307. On the other hand, if CPU 40A determines that there is no "agree" option (step S306: No), it proceeds to step S311.

[0081] In step S307, CPU40A sends an agreement notification to terminal 14A.

[0082] In step S308, CPU 40A determines whether key information has been received from terminal 14A. If CPU 40A determines that key information has been received from terminal 14A (step S308: Yes), it proceeds to step S309. On the other hand, if CPU 40A determines that key information has not been received from terminal 14A (step S308: No), it proceeds to step S310.

[0083] In step S309, CPU40A performs key setting processing. As a result, the key from the vehicle owner's device, i.e., terminal 14A, is copied to this device.

[0084] In step S310, CPU 40A sends the copying result to terminal 14A. Then, CPU 40A ends the response processing. In the copying result, if the key setting process ends without problems, a copying success notification is sent to terminal 14A; if the key setting process fails and the key copying fails, a copying failure notification is sent to terminal 14A.

[0085] In step S311, CPU40A sends a rejection notification to terminal 14A. Then, CPU40A terminates the response processing.

[0086] (Summarize)

[0087] The terminal 14A in this embodiment is an information processing device that can be used as a key to a vehicle 12. Its characteristic is that it performs a copying process to make a terminal 14B selected on the touch panel 44 a key to the vehicle 12. That is, in this embodiment, the terminal 14B selected by the user can also be added as a friend device to the owner's device, i.e., the terminal 14A. According to this embodiment, the hassle of adding multiple friend devices as keys to the vehicle 12 can be reduced.

[0088] Furthermore, in the terminal 14 of this embodiment, it is characterized by having multiple communication units 42 with different communication methods. During the display process, the touch panel 44 displays the terminal name of the terminal 14B, which can realize multiple keys, along with the connected communication method. As described above, in this embodiment, the copying process cannot be performed when the terminal 14B is connected to the terminal 14A via the Wi-Fi communication unit 42E. Therefore, during the registration process performed by the terminal 14A, the terminal 14B, which is only connected to the Wi-Fi communication unit 42E, is prompted to reconnect to the communication unit 42 capable of performing the copying process. Thus, according to this embodiment, even if the terminal 14B is connected via a communication method that cannot perform the copying process, the copying process can still be performed.

[0089] Furthermore, the copying process can be performed first on the terminal 14B connected to the communication unit 42 other than the Wi-Fi communication unit 42E, and after the process is completed, the terminal connected to the Wi-Fi communication unit 42E can be urged to reconnect to the communication unit 42 that can perform the copying process.

[0090] Furthermore, in the terminal 14A of this embodiment, there is a function to notify the user of terminal 14A of the result of the copying process of each terminal 14B when all copying processes for the selected terminal 14B have been performed (see step S107). Therefore, according to this embodiment, the user can choose to exclude the terminal 14B whose copying process failed from the multiple terminals 14B with multiple keys or to retry the copying process.

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a function is provided to send information to terminal 14B regarding whether the copying request is for one or multiple terminals 14B (see step S201). Therefore, when it is confirmed on terminal 14B that the key is being copied to multiple terminals 14B, including this device, user consent can be omitted from other terminals 14B. Alternatively, it can be pre-set in terminal 14A to omit user consent from all terminals 14B. In this case, key information is sent to terminal 14B without receiving consent notifications from terminal 14B.

[0092] Furthermore, in this embodiment, there is a function to send multiple copy requests as a request for consent to copy processing by other terminals 14B to terminal 14B (see step S201). Thus, a terminal 14B can accept consent from other terminals 14B, and can delegate the choice of whether to omit consent from the user.

[0093] As described above, this embodiment is suitable for situations where multiple friend devices are added from a single vehicle owner device, i.e., terminal 14A, when managing multiple vehicles together, such as taxis or rental cars.

[0094] [Second Implementation]

[0095] In the second embodiment, the display processing in step S101 described above differs from that in the first embodiment. The differences from the first embodiment will be explained below.

[0096] Through the display processing in step S101, the terminal name of terminal 14B, which is connected to the communication unit 42 other than the Wi-Fi communication unit 42E, is displayed on the touch panel 44 of terminal 14A. For example, as Figure 11 As shown, the touch panel 44 displays only the names of terminals connected to the BLE communication unit 42C. In this case, the terminal names of terminals 14B connected to communication units 42 other than the BLE communication unit 42C are displayed in gray. Alternatively, it can be controlled so that the terminal names of terminals 14B connected to communication units 42 other than the BLE communication unit 42C are not displayed on the touch panel 44.

[0097] Thus, according to this embodiment, a terminal that can perform copying processing while keeping the communication unit 42 in the current connection unchanged can be displayed, reducing the trouble for users to change the communication method for copying processing.

[0098] [Remark]

[0099] Furthermore, while the copying process in the above embodiments is performed through direct communication between terminal 14A and terminal 14B, it is not limited to this. For example, the copying process can also be performed via vehicle server 16A and terminal server 16B. Even in this case, the hassle of additional registration when adding multiple friend devices as keys to vehicle 12 can be reduced.

[0100] The various processes executed by the CPU40A after reading the software (program) in the above embodiments can also be executed by various processors other than the CPU. Examples of processors in this case include FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) and processors with dedicated circuit structures designed for specific processes, such as PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices) and ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), whose circuit structures can be modified after manufacturing. Furthermore, the aforementioned processes can be executed by one of these various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (e.g., multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). More specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors is a circuit that incorporates circuit elements such as semiconductor components.

[0101] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the description assumes that each program is pre-stored (installed) on a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium. For example, the execution program 150 in the control unit 40 is pre-stored in ROM 40B. However, this is not a limitation; each program may also be provided in the form of a non-transitory recording medium such as CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), and USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Additionally, the program may also be downloaded from an external device via a network.

[0102] The processing flow described in the above embodiments is an example, and unnecessary steps can be deleted, new steps can be added, and the processing order can be changed without departing from the main idea.

Claims

1. An information processing device capable of being used as a vehicle key, wherein, have: The display unit displays information from one or more other devices connected to the information processing device; The selection unit allows the user to select one or more other devices displayed on the display unit that will function as the key to the vehicle. as well as The execution unit performs copying processes on each of the selected one or more other devices for use as a key to the vehicle. It has multiple communications departments, The display unit shows the one or more other devices that are connected to only one of the communication units. The communication unit includes a first communication unit and a second communication unit with a different communication method than the first communication unit. The display unit will show the type of communication method of the one or more other devices connected to any one of the communication units, along with the communication methods of the connected communication units. When the user selects one or more other devices to connect to the second communication unit, the execution unit prompts the selected one or more other devices to connect to the first communication unit, and performs the copying process on the one or more other devices that have reconnected to the first communication unit. The first communication unit is any one of the NFC communication unit, the BLE communication unit, and the UWB communication unit, and the second communication unit is the Wi-Fi communication unit.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The system includes a notification unit that notifies the user of the result of the copying process for each of the selected other devices when the execution unit has performed all of the copying processes for the selected one or more other devices.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The execution unit sends information to the other devices to determine whether the other devices performing the copying process are one or more.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The copying process includes sending a copy request from the information processing device to one or more other devices, and, upon receiving a consent notification from one or more other devices that received the copy request, sending the key information to the other devices that sent the consent notification. The execution unit sends information to the one or more other devices indicating whether user consent from the one or more other devices is required.

5. An information processing method, wherein, include: Display processing of information from one or more other devices that can be connected to an information processing device that can be used as a vehicle key, wherein the information processing device includes multiple communication units including a first communication unit and a second communication unit with a communication method different from the first communication unit. The user selects one or more of the displayed other devices that can be used as a key to the vehicle. For each of the selected one or more other devices, a copying process is performed to make it usable as a key to the vehicle. In the display process, the types of communication methods of the one or more other devices connected to any one of the communication units and the communication units to which they are connected are displayed together. If the user selects one or more other devices to connect to the second communication unit, the selected devices are prompted to connect to the first communication unit, and the copying process is performed on the devices that have reconnected to the first communication unit. The first communication unit is any one of the NFC communication unit, the BLE communication unit, and the UWB communication unit, and the second communication unit is the Wi-Fi communication unit.

6. A storage medium that stores a non-temporary program for enabling a computer to perform information processing, wherein, The information processing includes: Display processing of information from one or more other devices that can be connected to an information processing device that can be used as a vehicle key, wherein the information processing device includes multiple communication units including a first communication unit and a second communication unit with a communication method different from the first communication unit. The user selects one or more of the displayed other devices that can be used as a key to the vehicle. For each of the selected one or more other devices, a copying process is performed to make it usable as a key to the vehicle. In the display process, the types of communication methods of the one or more other devices connected to any one of the communication units and the communication units to which they are connected are displayed together. If the user selects one or more other devices to connect to the second communication unit, the selected devices are prompted to connect to the first communication unit, and the copying process is performed on the devices that have reconnected to the first communication unit. The first communication unit is any one of the NFC communication unit, the BLE communication unit, and the UWB communication unit, and the second communication unit is the Wi-Fi communication unit.

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