LOCKING AND UNLOCKING SYSTEM

Abstract

Locking and unlocking system of a vehicle (10), comprising: a portable terminal (20) that can be connected to the vehicle (10); and a server (30) that can be connected to the portable terminal (20), wherein the portable terminal (20) includes: a communication device configured to receive authentication information from the server (30), the authentication information being used to lock and unlock the vehicle (10), and a transmitter configured to transmit an initial signal, wherein the initial signal requests locking or unlocking from a key unit provided in the vehicle (10), wherein the initial signal includes the authentication information, and wherein the authentication information is specifically tailored to the key unit and not to the vehicle (10), and The server (30) includes: a computer configured to receive schedule information from a reservation management server (40) configured to perform schedule management, wherein the schedule information includes a date on which the vehicle (10) is reserved so that the vehicle (10) is used, and the schedule information includes initial identification information of a user who has reserved the vehicle (10), and a second transmitter configured to transmit authentication information to the user's portable terminal (20) based on the schedule information captured by the computer, and the vehicle (10) includes: the key unit located inside the vehicle, which is configured to receive the first signal transmitted from the portable terminal (20) requesting the locking or unlocking of the vehicle (10), and a locking / unlocking device comprising an electronic body control unit, wherein the electronic body control unit is configured to perform the operational control of a door locking motor that performs locking or unlocking the vehicle (10), and wherein: the key unit is further configured to transmit a second signal to the locking / unlocking device in response to the first signal, the second signal comprising key information and the key information being matched to the vehicle (10), the door locking motor performs the locking or unlocking of the vehicle (10) according to the second signal transmitted by the key unit, the server (30) includes a user information database in which the user's second identification information is pre-registered, and the computer is configured so that it identifies the user and the user's portable device (20) by matching the first identification information with the second identification information, and the authentication information is transferred to the portable device (20) by extracting an end date on which the user will stop using the vehicle (10) from the schedule information.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking and unlocking system of a vehicle. 2. State of the art

[0002] Key management systems have already been described which receive authentication information for unlocking a vehicle from a server via a network with a portable terminal and are available by using this portable terminal as an electronic key (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-118122 (JP 2006-118122 A)).

[0003] US 2017 / 0 178 035 A1 describes a vehicle locking and unlocking system with a portable terminal and a server. The portable terminal receives authentication information from the server and sends a signal to lock or unlock the vehicle. US 2017 / 0 134 382 A1 and US 2016 / 0 140 649 A1 describe further locking and unlocking systems for vehicles, while US 2016 / 0 044 472 A1 concerns a locking and unlocking system for a hotel room.

[0004] By using the configuration known from JP 2006-118122A, for example, in a case where a plurality of users in different time zones use the same vehicle, such as rental cars, car sharing cars, and company cars, it is possible to save the effort of handing over an electronic key or the like, and user convenience is improved.

[0005] In addition, the same technology can also be used to lock and unlock the same facility (e.g., conference rooms, resorts, or fitness centers) used by multiple users at different times, and user convenience can be improved by using a portable terminal as an electronic key for a locking / unlocking device installed in the facility. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] However, in a case where a plurality of users use the same vehicle, facility, or the like in different time zones, the operation of reserving an object vehicle or facility and the operation of acquiring authentication information may need to be performed separately by portable terminals, which may cause inconvenience.

[0007] The object of the invention is therefore to create a locking and unlocking system that further improves user-friendliness in a case where multiple users use the same vehicle or the same facilities in different time zones. This object is achieved by a locking and unlocking system for a vehicle having the features of claim 1.

[0008] The vehicle locking and unlocking system according to the invention comprises a portable terminal that can be connected to the vehicle, and a server that can be connected to the portable terminal. The portable terminal comprises a communication device configured to receive authentication information from the server, wherein the authentication information is used to lock and unlock the vehicle, and a transmitter configured to transmit a first signal, wherein the first signal requests locking or unlocking from a key unit provided in the vehicle, and the first signal comprises the authentication information, and wherein the authentication information is specifically tailored to the key unit and not tailored to the vehicle.The server includes a computer configured to acquire schedule information from a reservation management server configured to perform schedule management, the schedule information including a date on which the vehicle is reserved so that the vehicle is used, and the schedule information including first identification information of a user who has reserved the vehicle, and a second transmitter configured to transmit the authentication information to the user's portable terminal based on the schedule information acquired by the computer.

[0009] According to the above-described aspect, the locking and unlocking system transmits the authentication information used for locking and unlocking the vehicle to the portable terminal of the user who has reserved the vehicle based on the acquired vehicle schedule information. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform the process of acquiring the authentication information used for locking and unlocking the vehicle, thereby improving user experience.

[0010] According to the invention, the schedule information can be set from the portable terminal or another terminal using a schedule management application program, wherein the other terminal has access to the schedule management application program. The schedule management application program can be executed by the further server, wherein the schedule management application program is available via the web.

[0011] According to this aspect, the user experience can be improved because the user of the portable terminal automatically acquires the authentication information simply by writing the schedule information of the vehicle or facilities using a web application from the portable terminal or the other terminal. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0012] The features and advantages, as well as the technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the invention, are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like elements, and in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of a locking and unlocking system; Fig. 2 is a configuration view schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a locking / unlocking device and a key unit; Fig. 3 is a conceptual diagram conceptually illustrating the operation of the locking and unlocking system; and Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the locking and unlocking system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, the embodiments for realizing the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] First, the configuration of a locking and unlocking system 1 in connection with the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 described.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of the locking and unlocking system 1 related to the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a locking / unlocking device 11 and a key unit 12 included in a vehicle 10.

[0016] The locking and unlocking system 1 includes the vehicle 10, a portable terminal 20, a central server 30, and a reservation management server 40.

[0017] The vehicle 10 is an object for locking / unlocking (locking and unlocking) in the locking / unlocking system 1. The vehicle 10 includes the locking / unlocking device 11 and the key unit 12.

[0018] In addition, the vehicle 10 in connection with the present embodiment is assumed to be rental cars, car sharing cars (whether provided by providers or individuals), company cars within companies, or the like, which are available to a plurality of users in different time zones.

[0019] The locking / unlocking device 11 performs locking / unlocking of the doors of the vehicle 10 according to a locking signal and an unlocking signal transmitted as radio waves (hereinafter referred to as "RF radio waves") of a radio frequency: high frequency (RF) band (e.g., 300 MHz to 3 GHz) from the key unit 12. The locking / unlocking device 11 includes a low frequency (LF) radio wave transmitter 111, an RD radio wave receiver 112, an electronic verification control unit (ECU) 113, a body ECU 114, and a door lock motor 115.

[0020] In addition, the locking / unlocking device 11 operates with an electric power supplied from an auxiliary motor battery (not shown) installed in the vehicle 10.

[0021] The low-frequency radio wave transmitter 111 is installed in, for example, a center console or a door handle within a vehicle cabin, and transmits radio waves (low-frequency radio waves (hereinafter referred to as “low-frequency radio waves”) of an low-frequency band (for example, 30 Hz to 300 kHz)) under the control of the verification ECU 113 (low-frequency transmission processing unit 1131 described below).

[0022] The RF radio wave receiver 112 is provided, for example, in the trim of a trunk of the vehicle 10, and receives the RF radio waves under the control of the verification ECU 113 (RF reception processing unit 1132 described below).

[0023] The verification ECU 113 is an electronic control unit that performs the locking / unlocking control of the doors of the vehicle 10 according to the locking signal and unlocking signal received from the key unit 12. The verification ECU 113 is mainly configured with a microcomputer and implements various types of control processing by executing a program stored in a ROM on a CPU. The verification ECU 113 includes the LF transmission processing unit 1131, the RF reception processing unit 1132, an authentication processing unit 1133, and a locking / unlocking control unit 1134 as functional units implemented by executing one or more programs on the CPU. In addition, the verification ECU 113 includes a storage unit 1135 implemented as a storage area of ​​an internal memory.

[0024] The LF transmission processing unit 1131 performs the processing of transmitting the LF radio waves to the inside of the vehicle cabin and to the outside of the vehicle cabin with the LF radio wave transmitter 111.

[0025] The RF reception processing unit 1132 performs the processing of receiving the RF radio waves with the RD radio wave receiver 112. Specifically, the RF reception processing unit 1132 receives the lock signal and the unlock signal transmitted as RF radio waves from the key unit.

[0026] The authentication processing unit 1133 performs authentication based on the key information (key information 1245b described below) included in the lock signal or the unlock signal when the RF reception processing unit 1132 has received the lock signal or the unlock signal. Specifically, the authentication processing unit 1133 determines a case where the key information 1135a registered in advance in the storage unit 1135 and the key information included in the lock signal or the unlock signal match each other as successful authentication, and determines a case where the key information and the lock signal or the unlock signal do not match each other as unsuccessful authentication.

[0027] The lock / unlock control unit 1134 transmits, in a case where the authentication performed by the authentication processing unit 1133 is successful, a lock command (in a case where the RF reception processing unit 1132 has received the lock signal) or an unlock command (in a case where the RF reception processing unit 1132 has received the unlock signal) to the body ECU 114 via vehicle-mounted networks such as a Controller Area Network (CAN).

[0028] The body ECU 114 is an electronic control unit that performs operation control of the lock motor 115, which is communicatively connected thereto via a one-to-one communication line or the like. The body ECU 114 outputs a command signal to cause the door lock motor 115 to perform a locking operation in accordance with the locking command from the verification ECU 113. The body ECU 114 outputs a command signal to cause the door lock motor 115 to perform a locking operation in accordance with the locking command from the verification ECU 113.

[0029] The door lock motor 115 is a known electric actuator that locks and unlocks the doors (including a trunk lid, a rear door, and the like) of the vehicle 10 according to the control command of the body ECU 114.

[0030] The key unit 12 is arranged in the vehicle 10 (in the vehicle cabin) and transmits the locking signal and the unlocking signal as RF radio waves to the locking / unlocking device 11, respectively, corresponding to a locking request and an unlocking request transmitted from the portable terminal 20. The key unit 12 includes an LF radio wave receiver 121, an RF radio wave transmitter 122, a communication device 123, and a key ECU 124.

[0031] Furthermore, the key unit 12 may be disposed in a position where visual recognition is not possible from the perspective of a user sitting on one of the seats of the vehicle 10 (for example, in a glove box, a center console compartment, or the like). Furthermore, the key unit 12 may be attached to the vehicle 10 or may not be attached thereto. Furthermore, the key unit 12 may be powered by an integrated button cell or the like, or may be powered by the electrical power supplied from the auxiliary engine battery charged in the vehicle 10.

[0032] The LF radio wave receiver 121 performs the processing of receiving the LF radio waves under the control of the key ECU 124 (an LF reception processing unit 1241 described below).

[0033] The RF radio wave transmitter 122 performs the processing of transmitting the RF radio waves under the control of the key ECU 124 (an RF transmission processing unit 1242 described below).

[0034] The communication device 123 is any device that communicates with the portable terminal 20 at a relatively close distance (a distance such that communication is possible between the interior of the vehicle cabin and the exterior of the vehicle cabin) according to a predetermined telecommunication standard under the control of the key ECU 124. The communication device 123 may be, for example, a BLE communication module with the portable terminal 20 conforming to a Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE) telecommunication standard. Hereinafter, the description will proceed assuming that the telecommunication standard adopted by the communication device 123 conforms to BLE communication.

[0035] Furthermore, the communication device 123 may be a communication device conforming to a short-range telecommunications standard (e.g., NFC (Near Field Communication) standard) in which a communication distance is very short. In this case, the communication device 123 may be provided at a position (e.g., in a door handle) or the like near a body surface outside the vehicle cabin of the vehicle 10. Accordingly, even in a case where the communication distance of the communication device 123 is very short, the key unit 12 (key ECU 124) can communicate with the portable terminal 20 outside the vehicle cabin.

[0036] The key ECU 124 is an electronic control unit that performs the control processing of transmitting the lock signal and the unlock signal for the lock / unlock device 11, respectively, according to the lock request and the unlock request received from the portable terminal 20. The key ECU 124 is mainly configured with a microcomputer and realizes various types of control processing by executing various programs stored in a ROM on a CPU. The key ECU 124 includes the LF reception processing unit 1241, the RF transmission processing unit 1242, a communication processing unit 1243, and an authentication processing unit 1244 as functional units, which are realized by executing one or more programs.In addition, the key ECU 124 includes, for example, a storage unit 1245, which is realized as a storage area of ​​the internal memory.

[0037] The LF reception processing unit 1241 performs the processing of receiving the LF radio waves with the LF radio wave receiver 121. The LF reception processing unit 1241 receives, for example, the LF radio waves transmitted from the locking / unlocking device 11.

[0038] The RF transmission processing unit 1242 performs the processing of transmitting the RF radio waves with the RF radio wave receiver 122. For example, the RF transmission processing unit 1242 performs the processing of transmitting the lock signal (in a case where the communication processing unit 1243 has received the lock request) including the key information 1245b described below, or the unlock signal (in a case where the communication processing unit 1243 has received the unlock request), in a case where the authentication performed by the authentication processing unit 1244 is successful.

[0039] The communication processing unit 1243 performs communication processing with a portable terminal 20 via the communication device 123. The communication processing unit 1243 receives the lock request and the unlock request from the portable terminal 20 via the communication device 123. Furthermore, in a case where the lock signal corresponding to the lock request of the portable terminal 20 has been transmitted from the RF transmission processing unit 1242 to the locking / unlocking device 11, the communication processing unit 1243 transmits a notification (lock notification) indicating that the vehicle 10 has been locked to the portable terminal 20 in accordance with a request from the authentication processing unit 1244. Accordingly, the portable terminal 20 can detect that the vehicle 10 has been locked.

[0040] The authentication processing unit 1244 performs authentication, in a case where the communication processing unit 1243 has received the lock request or the unlock request from the portable terminal 20, based on BLE authentication information (an example of first authentication information) included in the lock request or the unlock request and set in advance uniquely with respect to the key unit 12, that is, matched with the key unit 12.Specifically, the authentication processing unit 1144 determines a case where the BLE authentication information 1245a registered in advance in the storage unit 1245 and the BLE authentication information included in the lock request or the unlock request match each other as successful authentication, and determines a case where these BLE authentication information do not match each other as unsuccessful authentication.

[0041] In addition, in a case where the authentication is successful according to the unlocking request received by the communication processing unit 1243, the authentication processing unit 1244 turns on a power source of the key unit 12. Subsequently, the authentication processing unit 1244 sends a transmission request to the RF transmission processing unit 1242 and transmits the unlocking signal to the locking / unlocking device 11.

[0042] In addition, the authentication processing unit 1244 sends the transmission request to the RF transmission processing unit 1242, transmits the lock signal to the lock / unlock device 11, then sends a transmission request to the communication processing unit 1243, and transmits the lock message to the portable terminal 20 in a case where the authentication corresponding to the lock request received by the communication processing unit 1243 is successful. Subsequently, the authentication processing unit 1244 turns off the power source of the key unit 12.

[0043] Furthermore, the functions of the communication processing unit 1243, the authentication processing unit 1244, and the like, whose power consumption is very low, are made available even when the power source of the key unit 12 is in an OFF state. Furthermore, for example, the LF radio wave receiver 121, the RF radio wave transmitter 122, and the like, whose power consumption is high, are made available when the power source of the key unit 12 is switched from OFF to ON.

[0044] In addition, in a case where the authentication is successful, the authentication processing unit 1244 performs the processing of restoring the key information 1245b stored in the storage unit 1245 to an accessible state. The key information 1245b is stored in a state in which the key information cannot be used for authentication for the locking / unlocking device 11, for example, because it is in an inaccessible state, an encrypted state, or the like. For this reason, in a case where the authentication is successful, the authentication processing unit 1244 changes the access right to the storage unit 1245 for changing the key information 1245b to an accessible state or decrypts the key information 1245b based on the BLE authentication information.Accordingly, the RF transmission processing unit 1242 can access the normally inaccessible key information 1245b and transmit the locking signal and unlocking signal including the key information 1245b to the locking / unlocking device 11, or can transmit the locking signal and unlocking signal including the decrypted key information 1245b to the locking / unlocking device 11. For this reason, the locking / unlocking device 11 (specifically, the authentication processing unit 1133) can perform appropriate authentication based on the key information 1245b included in the locking signal or the unlocking signal.In addition, even in a situation where a malicious third party illegally obtains the key unit 12, the vehicle 10 can be prevented from being stolen because the key information 1245b in the key unit 12 is made inaccessible or encrypted.

[0045] The portable terminal 20 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. The portable terminal 20 can perform bidirectional communication with the central server 30 and the reservation management server 40 via a predetermined communication network (for example, a cellular network, the Internet network, or the like having a number of base stations as terminals). The portable terminal 20 includes communication devices 21, 22, a processing device 23, and a touch panel display device (hereinafter referred to simply as a display device) 24.

[0046] The communication device 21 is any device that performs communication with the key unit 12 according to the same telecommunication standard as the communication device 123, and is, for example, the BLE communication module.

[0047] The communication device 22 is any device that performs communication with the central server 30 and the reservation management server 40 via the predetermined communication network.

[0048] The processing device 23 includes a CPU, an auxiliary memory, and the like, and includes a first communication unit 231, a second communication unit 232, a lock / unlock request unit 233, a usage reservation unit 234, and the authentication information deletion unit 235 as functional units implemented by executing one or more programs on the CPU. In addition, the processing unit 23 includes a storage unit 236 implemented as a storage area in the auxiliary memory.

[0049] The first communication processing unit 231 (an example of a first transmission unit) performs radio communication with the key unit 12 using the communication device 21, and transmits and receives various signals. For example, the first communication processing unit 231 transmits the lock signal and the unlock signal to the key unit 12 according to a request from the lock / unlock request unit 233.

[0050] The second communication processing unit 232 (an example of a first receiving unit) performs radio communication with a base station using the communication device 22, and transmits and receives various signals such as a data signal and a control signal. In the present embodiment, the second communication processing unit 232 transmits and receives various signals between the central server 30 and the reservation management server 40 via the predetermined communication network including the mobile network or the Internet network with the base stations as terminals. The second communication processing unit 232 receives, for example, signals including the BLE authentication information transmitted from the central server 30 to the portable terminal 20.The BLE authentication information received by the second communication processing unit 232 is stored in the storage unit 236. Further, according to the request of the locking / unlocking requesting unit 233, the second communication processing unit 232 transmits a signal requesting permission to use the vehicle 10 to the central server 30 and receives a signal (use permission signal) permitting use of the vehicle 10 from the central server 30. "Using the vehicle 10" includes unlocking the vehicle 10, getting into the vehicle 10, turning on an ignition switch of the vehicle 10, operating the vehicle 10, and moving the vehicle, and the like.In addition, the second communication processing unit 232 transmits a signal requesting the transmission of schedule information of the vehicle 10 to the reservation management server 40 in accordance with a request from the use reservation unit 234, and receives the schedule information (reference data) of the vehicle 10 from the reservation management server 40. In addition, the second communication processing unit 232 transmits a signal requesting the updating of the schedule information of the vehicle 10 in accordance with the request of the use reservation unit 234, and receives a response indicating the completion of updating the schedule information of the vehicle 10 from the reservation management server 40.

[0051] The lock / unlock request unit 233 displays a graphical user interface (GUI) as an operation screen on a display device 24. The lock / unlock request unit 233 transmits the lock request including the BLE authentication information or the unlock requests including the BLE authentication requests to the key unit 12 by means of the first communication processing unit 231 according to a predetermined operation for the GUI. For example, a lock button requesting locking of the vehicle 10 and an unlock button requesting unlocking of the vehicle 10 are recorded on the GUI, the lock request being transmitted by touching the lock button, and the unlock request being transmitted by touching the unlock button.

[0052] In addition, the operation for transmitting the lock request and the unlock request to the key unit 12 does not need to be the touch operation of the display device 24, but the operation of another hardware operation part provided in the portable device 20. In addition, in a case where the BLE authentication information is not stored in the storage unit 236 (that is, in a case where the BLE authentication information is not received from the central server 30, in a case where the BLE authentication information is deleted by the authentication information deletion unit 235, and the like), the BLE authentication information is not included in the lock signal and the unlock signal.For this reason, the doors of the vehicle 10 cannot be locked or unlocked even if this locking signal and unlocking signal are transmitted to the key unit 12. Furthermore, in a case where the BLE authentication information is not stored in the storage unit 236, the locking signal and unlocking signal may not be transmitted.

[0053] In addition, according to a predetermined operation of the GUI by the user at the start of use of the vehicle 10 (before unlocking of the vehicle 10 is performed for the first time), the locking / unlocking request unit 233 transmits a signal requesting permission to use the vehicle 10 including position information of the portable terminal 20 to the central server 30 via the second communication processing unit 232. Accordingly, a vehicle use management unit 322 of the central server 30 can receive this signal and, based on the position information of the portable terminal 20 included in this signal, can check whether the user has arrived at a parking position of the vehicle 10.Subsequently, the vehicle use management unit 322 checks whether the arrival date is immediately before a use start date of the vehicle 10 or within a use reservation date, and transmits the use permission signal to the portable terminal 20.

[0054] In addition, the lock / unlock request unit 233 can automatically transmit the signal requesting permission to use the vehicle 10 to the central server 30, for example, in a case where it is determined that the user has arrived at the parking position of the vehicle 10 and the arrival date is immediately before the use start date of the vehicle 10 or within the use reservation date. Furthermore, the portable terminal 20 has a known GPS positioning function and a known base station positioning function, and can acquire the position information of the portable terminal 20 using these positioning functions.

[0055] The usage reservation unit 234 displays the GUI serving as an operation screen on the display device 24 and makes a usage reservation of the vehicle 10 according to the user's predetermined operation of the GUI of the display device 24. The usage reservation unit 234 requests, for example, the schedule information (current reservation status) of the vehicle 10 from the reservation management server 40 via the second communication processing unit 232. In this case, the usage reservation unit 234 transmits a request including identification information, a password, and the like specific to the vehicle 10 to the reservation management server 40.Reservation information (date of respective use reservations, use period, identification information of the using user, and the like) of the vehicle 10 is included in the schedule information (specifically, the schedule information DB 423 described below) of the vehicle 10 stored in the reservation management server 40. Furthermore, the use reservation unit 234 displays the schedule information (current reservation status) of the vehicle 10 on the display device 24, which is obtained from the reservation management server 40 via the second communication processing unit 232. Accordingly, the user can check a free period using the schedule information displayed on the display device and can make a reservation for a free time zone (a time zone where no reservation exists) of a vehicle 10.Furthermore, in a case where the user has made a reservation for a specific date, the use reservation unit 234 requests updating the schedule information including newly inputted reservation information (the use reservation date, the use time, the user's identification information, and the like) by means of the second communication processing unit 232. Accordingly, the new use reservation of the user of the portable terminal 20 is reflected within the schedule information DB 423 in the schedule information of the vehicle 10.

[0056] In addition, the use reservation of the vehicle 10 may be performed from a terminal device other than the portable terminal device 20 (for example, a PC or the like that can be connected to the reservation management server 40 via the predetermined communication network).

[0057] The authentication information deletion unit 235 performs the processing of deleting the BLE authentication information received from the central server 30 via the second communication processing unit 232 from the storage unit 236. The authentication information deletion unit 235 deletes the BLE authentication information, for example, in a case where a use end date of the vehicle 10 has expired. Accordingly, a situation in which the vehicle 10 is provided to the user of the portable terminal 20 outside the use reservation date can be prevented.

[0058] Furthermore, the authentication information deletion unit 235 may check the end of use date of the vehicle 10 based on the usage condition information transmitted from the central server 30 along with the BLE authentication information. Furthermore, the authentication information deletion unit 235 may acquire the reservation information about the usage reservation of the vehicle 10 by the user of the portable terminal 20 from the reservation management server 40 via the usage reservation unit 234, and may check the end of use date of the vehicle 10.

[0059] The central server 30 (an example of a server) manages a usage status of the vehicle 10. The central server 30 includes a communication device 31 and a management device 32.

[0060] The communication device 31 is any device that communicates with the portable terminal 20, the reservation management server 40, and the like via the predetermined communication network.

[0061] The management device 32 is mainly configured with one or more computers, and includes a communication processing unit 321, a vehicle usage management unit 322, and a schedule information acquisition unit 323 as functional units implemented by executing one or more programs on the CPU. In addition, the management device 32 includes user information DB 324 and authentication information DB 325 stored in an internal auxiliary memory.

[0062] The communication processing unit 321 (an example of a second transmission unit) transmits and receives various signals between the portable terminal 20 and the reservation management server 40 using the communication device 31. The communication processing unit 321 transmits, for example, a signal including the BLE authentication information to the portable terminal 20 in accordance with a request from the vehicle use management unit 322. Furthermore, the communication processing unit 321 receives the signal requesting the use permission of the vehicle 10 from the portable terminal 20 and transmits the use permission signal of the vehicle 10 to the portable terminal 20 in accordance with the request from the vehicle use management unit 322 according to this signal.In addition, the second communication processing unit 321 transmits the signal requesting the transfer of the schedule information of the vehicle 10 to the reservation management server 40 according to a request from the schedule information acquiring unit 323, and receives the schedule information of the vehicle 10 from the reservation management server 40.

[0063] The vehicle usage management unit 322 transmits the BLE authentication information based on the schedule information of the vehicle 10 acquired by the schedule information acquisition unit 323 to the portable terminal 20 of the user who made the usage reservation via the communication processing unit 321. The vehicle usage management unit 322 compares, for example, the user identification information included in the reservation information of each usage reservation with the user identification information included in the user information DB 324, and determines the user and the user's portable terminal 20.Furthermore, the vehicle usage management unit 322 retrieves the BLE authentication information corresponding to the key unit 12 installed in the vehicle 10 from the authentication information DB 325 in which the BLE authentication information is stored in such a manner that the BLE authentication information is associated with the identification information specific to the key unit 12. Furthermore, the vehicle usage management unit 322 extracts the usage end date based on the reservation information. Subsequently, the vehicle usage management unit 322 transmits a signal including the BLE authentication information and the usage condition information (the usage end date of the vehicle 10) of the BLE authentication information to the designated user's portable terminal 20 via the communication processing unit 321.

[0064] The schedule information acquisition unit 323 (an example of an acquisition unit) is periodically connected to the reservation management server 40 and acquires the schedule information of the vehicle 10. For example, the schedule information acquisition unit 323 transmits the signal requesting the transmission of the schedule information of the vehicle 10 via the communication processing unit 321 at predetermined time intervals. Accordingly, the schedule information acquisition unit 323 can acquire the schedule information (reference data) of the vehicle 10 from the reservation server 40 (schedule information DB 423) via the communication processing unit 321.

[0065] Pre-registered identification information, corresponding passwords, and the like of each user using the vehicle 10 are stored in the user information DB 324.

[0066] The BLE authentication information associated with the identification information specific to the key unit 12 is stored in the authentication information DB 325.

[0067] The reservation management server 40 manages the schedules of objects (people, things, including vehicles, and facilities) that have been registered in advance. In the present embodiment, the reservation management server 40 is a general-purpose schedule management server. For example, a cloud application (not shown) (an example of a schedule management application available via the Web) is stored on the reservation management server 40. Then, the user can execute this cloud application on the portable terminal 20 or another terminal via the predetermined communication network such as the mobile network or the Internet network, and can thereby set (create, update, and the like) the schedule information using this cloud application.

[0068] Furthermore, the reservation management server 40 may include an aspect in which an organization (self-organization) that performs the provision of a program that implements the lock / unlock request unit 233 and manages the central server 30 performs the management, or may include an aspect in which an organization (third-party) other than the self-organization performs the management. Furthermore, the reservation management server 40 may be an exclusive schedule management server that performs the schedule management of the vehicle 10. Furthermore, the schedules of things, facilities, or the like including vehicles represent the usage schedules (usage reservations) of things, facilities, and the like.

[0069] The reservation management server 40 includes a communication device 41 and a schedule management device 42.

[0070] The communication device 41 is any device that communicates with the portable terminal 20, the central server 30, and the like via the predetermined communication network.

[0071] The schedule management device 42 is mainly configured with one or more computers, and includes a communication processing unit 421 and a schedule management unit 422 as functional units realized by executing one or more programs on the CPU. Furthermore, the schedule management device 42 includes schedule information DB 423 stored in the internal auxiliary memory, and the schedule information of the vehicle 10 is included in the schedule information DB 423.

[0072] The communication processing unit 421 transmits and receives various signals from the portable terminal 20, the central server 30, and the like using the communication device 41. The communication processing unit 421 receives the signal requesting the transmission of the schedule information of the vehicle 10 from the portable terminal 20 and returns the schedule information (reference data) of the vehicle 10 to the portable terminal 20 in accordance with a request from the schedule management unit 422 according to this signal. Furthermore, the communication processing unit 421 receives a signal requesting the updating of the schedule information from the portable terminal 20 and returns a signal indicating the completion of the updating to the portable terminal 20 in accordance with a request from the schedule management unit 422 according to this signal.The communication processing unit 421 receives the signal requesting the transmission of the schedule information of the vehicle 10 from the central server 30, and returns the schedule information (reference data) of the vehicle 10 to the central server 30 in accordance with a request from the schedule management unit 422 according to this signal.

[0073] The schedule management unit 422 manages the schedules of objects (people, items including vehicles, facilities, and the like) registered in advance by the user, for example, according to various types of input using the cloud application described above. In the present embodiment, the vehicle 10 is registered in advance as a management object of the schedule management unit 422, and the schedule management unit 422 manages the schedule information of the vehicle 10 stored in the schedule information DB 423.In a case where the communication processing unit 421 has received the signal requesting the transfer of the schedule information of the vehicle 10 from the portable terminal 20 (another terminal in a case where the use reservation of the vehicle 10 is performed in the other terminal), the schedule management unit 422 first determines whether the current access is a regular access or not based on identification information, a password, and the like included in this signal.

[0074] Subsequently, in a case where the current access is regular access, the schedule management unit 422 retrieves the schedule information of the vehicle 10 and transmits this schedule information from the schedule information DB 423 to the portable terminal 20 (or the other terminal) via the communication processing unit 421. Furthermore, in a case where the communication processing unit 421 has received a signal from the portable terminal 20 (or the other terminal) containing a request indicating that the schedule information of the vehicle 10 is updated, the schedule management unit 422 updates the schedule information of the vehicle 10 within the schedule information DB 423 according to the content (that is, the change content included in the added reservation information) of this request.Furthermore, in a case where the communication processing unit 421 has received the signal requesting transmission of the schedule information from the vehicle 10 from the central server 30, similar to the case of the request from the portable terminal 20, the schedule management unit 422 determines whether the current access is regular access or not based on identification information, a password, and the like included in this signal. Subsequently, in a case where the current access is regular access, the schedule management unit 422 retrieves the schedule information of the vehicle 10 from the schedule information DB 423 and transmits this schedule information to the central server 30 via the communication processing unit 421.

[0075] Next, an overview of the operation of the locking / unlocking system 1 in connection with the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3 described.

[0076] Fig. 3 is a conceptual diagram conceptually illustrating the operation (a flow until the locking / unlocking of the doors of the vehicle 10 is performed by the use reservation of the vehicle 10) of the locking and unlocking system 1 related to the present embodiment.

[0077] In addition, Fig. 3, the illustration of hardware (the communication devices 21, 22, 31, 41, and the like) or software (the first communication processing unit 231, the second communication processing unit 232, the communication processing unit 321, 421, and the like) has been omitted in order to conceptually explain the transmission of the signals between the main components.

[0078] First, at step S301, the use reservation unit 234 (for example, a schedule application installed in the portable terminal 20) of the portable terminal 20 performs the use reservation of the vehicle 10 according to a user operation of the GUI displayed on the display device 24.

[0079] The usage reservation unit 234 uses, for example, the cloud application included on the reservation management server 40 described above, and transmits the signal requesting the transfer of the schedule information of the vehicle 10 to the reservation management server 40. In this case, the usage reservation unit 234 uses an application programming interface (API) 424 that calls the schedule management unit 422 and makes a request according to the method, specification, and the like of the API 424. Accordingly, the schedule management unit 422 is called by the API 424. The schedule management unit 422 retrieves the schedule information (reference data) of the vehicle 10 from the schedule information DB 423 and returns the schedule information of the vehicle 10 to the portable terminal 20 using the API 424.

[0080] Furthermore, in a case where the user makes a new usage reservation via the GUI of the display device 24, the usage reservation unit 234 also transmits the signal requesting the update of the schedule of the vehicle 10 to the reservation management server 40 using the same API 424. Accordingly, the schedule management unit 422 is called by the API 424. The schedule management unit 422 updates the schedule information of the vehicle 10 in the schedule information DB 423 to contents including the reservation information regarding the new usage reservation, and completes the new usage reservation of the vehicle 10 by the user of the portable terminal 20. Subsequently, the schedule management unit 422 returns a signal indicating the completion of the update to the portable terminal 20 using the API 424.

[0081] Subsequently, at step S302, the schedule information acquisition unit 323 of the central server 30 periodically acquires, at a time point when it is connected to the reservation management server 40, the schedule information of the vehicle 10 updated in the contents including the new usage reservation by the user of the portable terminal 20.

[0082] For example, the schedule information acquisition unit 323 transmits the signal requesting the transmission of the schedule information of the vehicle 10 to the reservation management server 40 via the API 424. Accordingly, the schedule management unit 422 is called by the API 424. The schedule management unit 422 retrieves the schedule information of the vehicle 10 from the schedule information DB 423, and the reservation management server 40 returns the schedule information (reference data) of the vehicle 10 to the central server 30. In this case, the reservation management server 40 uses the API 326, which calls the schedule information acquisition unit 323. Accordingly, the schedule information acquisition unit 323 is called by the API 326, and the schedule information acquisition unit 323 can acquire the schedule information (reference data) of the vehicle 10.

[0083] Subsequently, at step S303, the vehicle usage management unit 322 of the central server 30 checks the schedule information of the vehicle 10 acquired by the schedule information acquisition unit 323. Accordingly, the vehicle usage management unit 322 can acquire that the new reservation information of the user of the portable terminal 20 is included in the schedule information of the vehicle 10.

[0084] Subsequently, the central server 30 (vehicle usage management unit 322) transmits the BLE authentication information corresponding to the key unit 12 installed in the vehicle 10 to the portable terminal at step S304. As described above, the BLE authentication information received from the portable terminal 20 is stored in the storage unit 236 of the portable terminal 20.

[0085] Subsequently, at step S305, the locking / unlocking request unit 233 (for example, a locking / unlocking application installed in the portable terminal 20) transmits the locking request and the unlocking request including the BLE authentication information to the key unit 12 in accordance with the user's operation of the GUI displayed on the display device 24. Accordingly, the locking / unlocking of the vehicle 10 can be performed by operating the locking / unlocking device 11 using the key unit 12 as described above.

[0086] Next, a specific example of the operation of the locking / unlocking system 1 in connection with the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4 described.

[0087] Fig.4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the locking / unlocking system 1 related to the present embodiment.

[0088] First, steps S402 to S410 represent a series of operations until the BLE certification information about the usage reservation of the vehicle 10 is transmitted to the portable terminal 20.

[0089] At step S402, the usage reservation unit 234 of the portable terminal 20 performs the usage reservation of the vehicle 10 according to the user's input on the GUI displayed on the display device 24. Accordingly, the schedule information of the vehicle 10 stored in the schedule information DB 423 of the reservation management server 40 is updated, and the new usage reservation is added to the schedule information of the vehicle 10.

[0090] At step S404, the schedule information acquisition unit 323 of the central server 30 transmits the signal requesting the transmission of the schedule information of the vehicle 10 to the reservation management server 40 via the communication processing unit 321 at a predetermined timing after the processing of step S402.

[0091] At step S406, the schedule management unit 422 of the reservation management server 40 returns the schedule information (reference data) of the vehicle 10 via the communication processing unit 421.

[0092] At step S408, the vehicle use management unit 322 of the central server 30 checks the schedule information of the vehicle 10 acquired by the schedule information acquisition unit 323. Then, the vehicle use management unit 322 detects that the new use reservation is added to the schedule information of the vehicle 10 according to the processing of step S402.

[0093] At step S410, the vehicle usage management unit 322 of the central server 30 transmits the BLE authentication information corresponding to the key unit 12 disposed in the vehicle 10 to the portable terminal 20 via the communication processing unit 321. Accordingly, the portable terminal 20 can acquire the BLE authentication information.

[0094] Furthermore, the vehicle usage management unit 322 can transmit the BLE authentication information to the portable terminal 20 immediately before (for example, 10 minutes before) the usage start date of the vehicle 10. Accordingly, a situation in which the user unlocks the vehicle 10 and uses the vehicle 10 before the usage start date of the vehicle 10 can be avoided.

[0095] The subsequent steps S412 to S422 represent a series of operations at the beginning of the use of the vehicle 10.

[0096] At step S412, the lock / unlock request unit 233 of the portable terminal 20 transmits the signal requesting the use permission of the vehicle 10 according to the user's predetermined operation of the GUI displayed on the display device 24 to the central server 30 via the second communication processing unit 232.

[0097] At step S414, the vehicle use management unit 322 of the central server 30 transmits the use permission signal to the portable terminal 20 via the communication processing unit 321. Accordingly, the lock / unlock unit 233 of the portable terminal 20 receives the use permission signal via the second communication processing unit 232.

[0098] Furthermore, a process may be adopted in which the BLE authentication information received from the portable terminal 20 is encrypted according to the processing of step S410 and decrypted according to the processing of step S414 using the use permission signal received from the portable terminal 20. Accordingly, a situation in which the user unlocks the vehicle 10 before the use start date of the vehicle 10 and the vehicle 10 is available can be avoided.

[0099] At step S416, the lock / unlock request unit 233 of the portable terminal 20 transmits the unlock request including the BLE authentication information to the key unit 12 according to the user's predetermined operation of the GUI of the display device 24. Accordingly, the communication processing unit 1243 of the key unit 12 receives the unlock request.

[0100] At step S418, the authentication processing unit 1244 of the key unit 12 performs the authentication based on the BLE authentication information included in the unlocking request, and turns on the power source of the key unit 12 when the authentication is successful.

[0101] At step S420, the authentication processing unit 1244 of the key unit 12 sends the transmission request to the RF transmission processing unit 1242, and the RF transmission processing unit 1242 transmits the unlocking signal included in the key information to the locking / unlocking device 11 after reconstructing it according to this transmission signal. Accordingly, the RF reception processing unit 1232 of the key unit 11 receives the unlocking request.

[0102] At step S422, the authentication processing unit 1133 of the locking / unlocking device 11 performs authentication based on the key information contained in the unlocking signal. If the authentication is successful, the locking / unlocking control unit 1134, via the body ECU 114, drives the door locking motor 115 to unlock the doors of the vehicle 10. Accordingly, the user of the portable terminal 20 can enter the vehicle 10 to use the vehicle 10.

[0103] The subsequent steps S424 to S438 represent a series of operations at the end of the use of the vehicle 10.

[0104] At step S424, the lock / unlock request unit 233 of the portable terminal 20 transmits the unlock request including the BLE authentication information according to the predetermined operation of the GUI of the display device 24 by the user to the key unit 12. Accordingly, the communication processing unit 1243 of the key unit 12 receives the lock request.

[0105] At step S426, the authentication processing unit 1244 of the key unit 12 performs the authentication based on the BLE authentication information included in the lock request.

[0106] Subsequently, if the authentication is successful, the authentication processing unit 1244 of the key unit 12 sends the transmission request to the RF transmission processing unit 1242 at step S428, and the RF transmission processing unit 1242 transmits the lock signal including the key information after recovery according to this transmission request to the lock / unlock device 11. Accordingly, the RF reception processing unit 1232 of the lock / unlock device 11 receives the lock signal.

[0107] At step S430, the authentication processing unit 1133 of the locking / unlocking device 11 performs authentication based on the key information contained in the locking signal. If the authentication is successful, the locking / unlocking control unit 1134, via the body ECU 114, drives the door lock motor 115 to lock the doors of the vehicle 10.

[0108] However, when the authentication processing unit 1244 of the key unit 12 transmits the locking signal to the locking / unlocking device 11 via the RF transmission processing unit 1242, the transmission request is sent to the communication processing unit 1243 at step S432, and the communication processing unit 1243 transmits the locking message to the portable terminal 20.

[0109] Subsequently, the authentication processing unit 1244 of the key unit 12 turns off the power source of the key unit 12 at step S434 when the lock message is transmitted to the portable terminal 20 via the communication processing unit 1243.

[0110] At step S436, the authentication information deletion unit 235 of the portable terminal 20 deletes the BLE authentication information within the storage unit 236 when the use end date has expired.

[0111] At step S438, the authentication information deletion unit 235 of the portable terminal 20 sends a transmission request to the second communication processing unit 232, and the second communication processing unit 232 transmits the notification of the end of use according to this transmission request to the central server 30.

[0112] In this way, the portable terminal 20 transmits the locking request (or unlocking request) including the BLE authentication information coordinated with the key unit 12 in the present embodiment to the key unit 12 arranged in the vehicle cabin of the vehicle 10. Furthermore, in a case where the authentication is successful based on the BLE authentication information included in the received locking request (or unlocking request), the key unit 12 transmits the locking signal (or unlocking signal) including the key information coordinated with the vehicle 10 to the locking / unlocking device 11.Subsequently, the locking / unlocking device 11 performs locking (unlocking) of the vehicle 10 in a case where the authentication is successful based on the key information included in the received locking (or unlocking) signal. Therefore, the burden of handing over an electronic key or the like can be eliminated, and user convenience can be improved because the user can perform locking / unlocking of the vehicle 10 by acquiring the BLE authentication information in advance, for example, using the portable terminal 20 possessed by the user himself.

[0113] In addition, in the present embodiment, the key information matched to the vehicle 10 within the key unit 12, that is, the key information specific to the vehicle 10, is normally in an encrypted or inaccessible state. Therefore, even if a malicious third party unlawfully obtains only the key unit 12, it is difficult to use the key unit to lock / unlock the vehicle 10, and vehicle theft or the like can be prevented. Furthermore, the BLE authentication information transmitted from the portable terminal 20 to the key unit 12 is matched to the key unit 12, not matched to the vehicle.For this reason, even if the BLE authentication information leaks from the central server 30, it is necessary to more precisely specify a correspondence relationship between the key unit 12 and the vehicle 10 (where the key unit 12 is disposed in a specific vehicle 10) in addition to a correspondence relationship between the BLE authentication information and the key unit 12, whereby vehicle theft and the like can be prevented.

[0114] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the locking / unlocking device 11 is the existing component among the components included in the vehicle 10, and the locking / unlocking of the vehicle 10 can be performed by the portable terminal 20 simply by placing the key unit 12 in the vehicle cabin of the vehicle 10. That is, the locking / unlocking of the vehicle 10 can be performed using the portable terminal 20 that has received authentication from the central server 30 simply by adding the key unit 12, without redesigning the vehicle or making a design change of the vehicle. For this reason, the initial investment when starting a service such as car sharing can be avoided.

[0115] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the central server 30 (vehicle usage management unit 322) transmits the BLE authentication information based on the vehicle schedule information acquired by the schedule information acquisition unit 323 to the portable terminal 20 of the user who has reserved the vehicle. Therefore, when the user makes a usage reservation of the vehicle 10, it is not necessary to perform the process of acquiring the BLE authentication information, and user experience can be improved.

[0116] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the schedule information acquired by the central server 30 (schedule information acquisition unit 323) is executed by the reservation management server 40 and set by the portable terminal 20 or another terminal using the cloud application available via the web. Therefore, user convenience can be improved because the user of the portable terminal 20 can automatically acquire the BLE authentication information from the portable terminal 20 or another terminal simply by writing the vehicle's schedule information using a web application.

[0117] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a universal schedule management server managed by a third-party provider can be used as the reservation management server 40. Accordingly, for example, it is not necessary to provide an exclusive reservation control function, and the initial investment when starting a service such as car sharing can be avoided. Furthermore, in companies or the like, schedules for personnel, equipment, and the like can be managed by the schedule management application (cloud application) linked to the universal schedule management server provided by the third-party provider. For this reason, the locking / unlocking system 1 associated with the present embodiment can be more easily introduced into companies or the like by managing the schedule information of company cars using the same universal schedule management server.

[0118] Although the embodiment for carrying out the invention has been described in detail above, the invention is not limited to this specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes may be made.

[0119] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the lock request and the unlock request transmitted from the portable terminal 20 to the vehicle 10 are transmitted to the key unit 12. However, an aspect may be adopted in which the lock request and the unlock request are transmitted directly to the locking / unlocking device 11.That is, a configuration may be adopted in which the portable terminal 20 receives the key information from the central server 30 instead of the BLE authentication information, an unlocking request or a locking request including the key information is transmitted to the locking / unlocking device 11, and the locking / unlocking device 11 performs the authentication to perform locking or unlocking of the vehicle 10 according to the unlocking request or locking request.

[0120] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the object of locking / unlocking and use reservation is the vehicle. However, the object is not limited to the vehicle, as long as the object is available in different time zones for a plurality of users and can be locked and unlocked. That is, the vehicle, which is the object of locking / unlocking and use reservation in the above-described embodiment, can be replaced, for example, with facilities such as conference rooms, resorts, and fitness centers that can be locked and unlocked. Accordingly, the convenience of a user using the facilities can be improved, similar to the above-described embodiment.

Claims

[1] Locking and unlocking system of a vehicle (10), comprising: a portable terminal (20) that can be connected to the vehicle (10); and a server (30) which can be connected to the portable terminal (20), wherein the portable terminal (20) comprises: a communication device configured to receive authentication information from the server (30), the authentication information being used to lock and unlock the vehicle (10), and a transmitter configured to transmit a first signal, the first signal requesting locking or unlocking from a key unit provided in the vehicle (10), the first signal comprising the authentication information, and the authentication information being specifically tailored to the key unit and not tailored to the vehicle (10), and the server (30) includes: a computer configured to acquire schedule information from a reservation management server (40) configured to perform schedule management, wherein the schedule information includes a date on which the vehicle (10) is reserved so that the vehicle (10) is used, and the schedule information includes first identification information of a user who has reserved the vehicle (10), and a second transmitter configured to transmit the authentication information to the user's portable terminal (20) based on the schedule information acquired by the computer, and the vehicle (10) comprises: the key unit arranged within the vehicle, which is configured to receive the first signal requesting locking or unlocking of the vehicle (10) transmitted from the portable terminal (20), and a locking / unlocking device comprising an electronic body control unit, wherein the electronic body control unit is configured to perform the operation control of a door locking motor that performs the locking or unlocking of the vehicle (10), and wherein: the key unit is further configured to transmit a second signal to the locking / unlocking device in response to the first signal, the second signal comprising key information and the key information being tailored to the vehicle (10), the door locking motor performs the locking or unlocking of the vehicle (10) according to the second signal transmitted by the key unit, the server (30) comprises a user information database in which second identification information of the user is registered in advance, and the computer is configured to the user and the user's portable terminal (20) by comparing the first identification information with the second identification information, and transmits the authentication information to the portable terminal (20) by extracting an end date on which the user will stop using the vehicle (10) from the schedule information. [2] The locking and unlocking system according to claim 1, wherein the schedule information is set by the portable terminal (20) or another terminal using a schedule management application program, the terminal having access to the schedule management application program, the schedule management application program being executed by the reservation management server (40), and the schedule management application program being available via the web.

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