Vehicle management method and vehicle management system

Abstract

To provide a vehicle management method and a vehicle management system that enables a user of a vehicle to carry out an unlocking operation of an arbitrary door near the door.SOLUTION: A vehicle management system 1 and a vehicle management method comprise: a plurality of door lock devices 11, 21, 31 provided in each of a plurality of doors of a vehicle; and authentication parts 131, 231, 331 provided in each of the plurality of doors, and authenticating a user as authentication devices. A first authentication device that has succeeded in authentication of the user among the plurality of authentication devices unlocks the door lock device of the door where the first authentication device is installed. The remaining authentication devices other than the first authentication device among the plurality of authentication devices continue locking of the door lock devices of the doors where the remaining authentication devices are installed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle management method and a vehicle management system. [Background technology]

[0002] A vehicle is equipped with doors at multiple locations, such as the left and right sides and the rear of the vehicle, each of which is equipped with a door lock device. When a user uses the vehicle, they unlock a specific door lock device, for example, the door lock device of the front door closest to the driver's seat, thereby unlocking the door lock devices of all the doors in the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-190381 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When using a vehicle, if the location where the unlocking operation is performed is far from the location of the door the user wants to open, the user must perform the unlocking operation and then move to the door they want to open. For example, if the purpose of using the vehicle is not to drive but to load luggage into the trunk, the user first unlocks the door lock device at the front of the vehicle, then moves to the rear of the vehicle and opens the trunk back door to load the luggage.

[0005] In this case, there is a problem that it takes time to carry in luggage because it takes time to move from the position where the unlocking operation is performed to the door to be opened.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle management method and a vehicle management system that allow a vehicle user to unlock any door in the vicinity of that door. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A vehicle management method according to one aspect of the present invention is executed by a plurality of authentication devices in a vehicle management system that includes a plurality of door lock devices installed on a plurality of doors of a vehicle, and a plurality of authentication devices installed on the plurality of doors and performing user authentication.A first authentication device among the plurality of authentication devices that successfully authenticates a user unlocks the door lock device of the door on which the first authentication device is installed.The remaining authentication devices among the plurality of authentication devices, other than the first authentication device, continue to lock the door lock devices of the doors on which the remaining authentication devices are installed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle user can unlock any door while in the vicinity of the door. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing a temporary key issuing process executed by a vehicle management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a lock / unlock process executed by a vehicle management system according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a vehicle C owned by an owner X is used by a temporary user Y, such as a delivery worker, who has been granted temporary use.

[0011] [Configuration of a vehicle management system according to one embodiment] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle management system 1 according to this embodiment. The vehicle management system 1 includes an owner terminal 100 owned by an owner X of a vehicle C to be managed, a temporary user terminal 200 owned by a temporary user Y, a management server 300, and various devices installed in the vehicle C.

[0012] The owner terminal 100 and the temporary user terminal 200 are configured as, for example, general-purpose smart devices, and have applications for using the vehicle management system 1 pre-installed.

[0013] The vehicle C is equipped with a rear door lock system 10, a right door lock system 20, a left door lock system 30, an interior light 41, a BCM (Body Control Module) 42 as an equipment control unit, and a first communication unit 43.

[0014] The owner terminal 100 and the temporary user terminal 200, the owner terminal 100 and the management server 300, the temporary user terminal 200 and the management server 300, and the management server 300 and the first communication unit 43 in the vehicle C are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via a wide area communication network 400.

[0015] The management server 300 has a second communication unit 301 and a CPU 302. The second communication unit 301 communicates with the owner terminal 100, the temporary user terminal 200, and various devices in the vehicle C via the wide area communication network 400.

[0016] The CPU 302 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) provided in a general-purpose microcomputer, and by installing and executing a predetermined vehicle management program, configures one or more information processing units described below.

[0017] The CPU 302 includes a temporary key generation unit 302a. The temporary key generation unit 302a generates temporary key information, which is authentication information for temporarily enabling use of the vehicle C, in response to a request from the owner terminal 100, and transmits the generated temporary key information to the owner terminal 100 and devices within the vehicle C.

[0018] The rear door lock system 10 is installed on the back door or trunk lid, which is the rear door of the vehicle C, and has a first door lock device 11, a first reading device 12, a first ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 13, and a first activation switch 14. The first door lock device 11 is installed on the rear door (not shown) of the vehicle C, and switches between locking and unlocking this rear door under the control of a BCM 42, which will be described later.

[0019] The first reading device 12 is installed in a position within a predetermined distance from the first door locking device 11 in the rear door, and reads the temporary key information presented by the temporary user Y as will be described later.

[0020] The first ECU 13 has a first authentication unit 131. In this embodiment, the first reading device 12 and the first authentication unit 131 configure an authentication device. The first authentication unit 131 is communicatively connected to the first reading device 12, and stores temporary key information transmitted from the management server 300. When the first authentication unit 131 detects that the reading device 12 has acquired information corresponding to the stored temporary key information, it determines that authentication of temporary user Y, who presented the temporary key information to the reading device 12, has been successful, and generates an unlock signal and transmits it to the BCM 42.

[0021] The first activation switch 14 is installed at a predetermined position inside the rear door of the vehicle C, such as a trunk button (not shown) on the rear door. When the first activation switch 14 detects that a predetermined operation has been performed by the user, it generates an activation signal for activating the ECU associated with the first activation switch 14 and transmits the activation signal to the BCM 42. The position where the first activation switch 14 is installed is not limited to the trunk button, and may be a back door handle inside the rear door, for example.

[0022] The right door lock system 20 is installed on the right door of the vehicle C and has a configuration similar to that of the rear door lock system 10. In the right door lock system 20, a second reading device 22 installed on the right door reads information presented by a user attempting to unlock a second door lock device 21 installed on the right door, and a second authentication unit 231 authenticates the user based on the read information. If the second authentication unit 231 succeeds in authenticating the user, it unlocks the second door lock device 21.

[0023] The left door lock system 30 is installed on the left door of the vehicle C and has a configuration similar to that of the rear door lock system 10. In the left door lock system 30, a third reading device 32 installed on the left door reads information presented by a user attempting to unlock a third door lock device 31 installed on the left door, and a third authentication unit 331 authenticates the user based on the read information. If the third authentication unit 331 succeeds in authenticating the user, it unlocks the third door lock device 31.

[0024] The interior light 41 is a lighting device installed inside the vehicle C. The BCM 42 is communicatively connected to the first door lock device 11, the second door lock device 21, the third door lock device 31, the first ECU 13, the second ECU 23, the third ECU 33, the first activation switch 14, the second activation switch 24, and the third activation switch 34.

[0025] When the BCM 42 receives a start-up signal from the first start-up switch 14, the second start-up switch 24, or the third start-up switch 34, it starts up the ECU associated with the start-up switch that sent the start-up signal. Specifically, when the BCM 42 receives a start-up signal from the first start-up switch 14, it starts up the first ECU 13, when it receives a start-up signal from the second start-up switch 24, it starts up the second ECU 23, and when it receives a start-up signal from the third start-up switch 34, it starts up the third ECU 33.

[0026] Furthermore, when the BCM 42 receives an unlock signal from the first authentication unit 131 of the first ECU 13, the second authentication unit 231 of the second ECU 23, or the third authentication unit 331 of the third ECU 33, it unlocks the door lock device associated with the ECU that transmitted the unlock signal. Specifically, when the BCM 42 receives an unlock signal from the first authentication unit 131, it unlocks the first door lock device 11, when it receives an unlock signal from the second authentication unit 231, it unlocks the second door lock device 21, and when it receives an unlock signal from the third authentication unit 331, it unlocks the third door lock device 31.

[0027] The first communication unit 43 connects the devices in the vehicle C to the management server 300 via the wide area communication network 400 for communication.

[0028] [Operation of a vehicle management system according to one embodiment] The temporary key issuing process and the lock / unlocking process executed by the vehicle management system 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. Fig. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the temporary key issuing process executed by the vehicle management system 1.

[0029] Before using vehicle C, temporary user Y performs an operation to send a temporary key issuance request from temporary user terminal 200 to owner terminal 100. Temporary user terminal 200 generates a temporary key issuance request based on the operation of temporary user Y and sends it to owner terminal 100 (S1). When owner terminal 100 acquires the temporary key issuance request from temporary user terminal 200, it transmits the acquired temporary key issuance request to management server 300 (S2).

[0030] In the management server 300, the temporary key generation unit 302a receives the temporary key issuance request from the owner terminal 100 via the second communication unit 301. In response to the request from the owner terminal 100, the temporary key generation unit 302a generates temporary key information for temporarily making vehicle C available for use (S3), and transmits the generated temporary key information to the owner terminal 100 and vehicle C (S4). The temporary key information generated by the temporary key generation unit 302a is represented, for example, by a two-dimensional barcode.

[0031] When the owner terminal 100 acquires the temporary key information from the management server 300, it transmits the acquired temporary key information to the temporary user terminal 200 (S5). Specifically, the owner terminal 100 transmits the temporary key information to the temporary user terminal 200 via the management server 300 by an application. The temporary user terminal 200 stores the acquired temporary key information (S6).

[0032] Furthermore, in vehicle C, the temporary key information transmitted from the management server 300 is acquired and stored by the first authentication unit 131 in the first ECU 13, the second authentication unit 231 in the second ECU 23, and the third authentication unit 331 in the third ECU 33 via the first communication unit 43 (S7). That is, the same temporary key information is stored in the first authentication unit 131, the second authentication unit 231 in the second ECU 23, and the third ECU 33. This completes the temporary key issuance process.

[0033] 3 is a sequence diagram showing the lock-unlocking process executed by the vehicle management system 1. Here, an example will be described in which a delivery worker who is temporary user Y opens the rear trunk door to bring in a package to be delivered to vehicle C.

[0034] After completing the temporary key issuance process described above, when temporary user Y uses vehicle C, if the temporary user Y performs a predetermined operation inside the rear door, such as pressing and holding the trunk button for five seconds or more, or pressing it three times within three seconds, this is detected by first activation switch 14. When first activation switch 14 detects the predetermined operation performed by temporary user Y on the rear door, it generates an activation signal for activating first ECU 13 and transmits it to BCM 42.

[0035] When the BCM 42 receives a start signal from the first start switch 14 ("YES" in S11), it transmits the received start signal to the first ECU 13 associated with the first start switch 14 (S12). Here, the BCM 42 may recognize the first ECU 13, among the multiple ECUs 13, 23, 33, that is closest to the position of the first start switch 14 that is the source of the start signal as the ECU associated with the first start switch 14 and transmit the start signal to that ECU.

[0036] The first ECU 13 starts up based on the start signal acquired from the BCM 42 (S13). When the first ECU 13 starts up, it generates a start notification and transmits it to the BCM 42 (S14).

[0037] When the BCM 42 receives the activation notification from the first ECU 13, it turns on the interior light 41 for a predetermined time based on this notification (S15). For example, the BCM 42 turns on the interior light 41 for 30 seconds after receiving the activation notification, or while the temporary user Y is pressing the first activation switch 14. When the interior light 41 is turned on for the predetermined time, the temporary user Y can recognize that the first ECU 13 has started up and is ready to execute authentication processing.

[0038] Here, the control performed by the BCM 42 when receiving the activation notification is not limited to turning on the interior light 41, but may be any control that changes the operating state of the devices in the vehicle C so that the temporary user Y who is near the vehicle C can recognize that the authentication process is now in a state where it can be performed. For example, the BCM 42 may turn on the display unit of a car navigation device installed in the vehicle C for a predetermined period of time when receiving the activation notification. In order to enable the temporary user Y to properly recognize that the authentication process is now in a state where it can be performed, the distance between the first reading device 12 operated by the temporary user Y and the device whose state is to be changed (the interior light 41 in this embodiment) is preferably within 2 m based on ergonomics.

[0039] After the first ECU 13 is started, the temporary user Y operates the temporary user terminal 200 to display a two-dimensional barcode including the stored temporary key information on a display unit (not shown) of the temporary user terminal 200. The temporary user Y holds the display unit of the temporary user terminal 200 over the first reading device 12 to present it, thereby reading the information in the displayed two-dimensional barcode.

[0040] When the first reading device 12 reads the information of the two-dimensional barcode displayed on the temporary user terminal 200 ("YES" in S16), it obtains the temporary key information contained in the read two-dimensional barcode and transmits it to the first authentication unit 131 (S17).

[0041] When the first authentication unit 131 detects, based on the information transmitted from the first reading device 12, that the reading device 12 has acquired information related to the temporary key information stored in step S7, it determines that it has successfully authenticated the temporary user Y who presented the temporary key information to the reading device 12, that is, it has recognized the temporary user Y as a user authorized to use the vehicle C ("YES" in S18). When the first authentication unit 131 has successfully authenticated the temporary user Y, it generates an unlock signal to unlock the door lock device related to the reading device 12 that transmitted the temporary key information, that is, the first door lock device 11 of the rear door on which the reading device 12 is installed, and transmits the signal to the BCM 42 (S19).

[0042] At this time, the second authentication unit 231, which is the remaining authentication unit other than the first authentication unit 131 in the vehicle C, does not generate an unlock signal, and continues to lock the second door locking device 21 of the right door in which the second reading device 22 connected to this second authentication unit 231 is installed. Similarly, the third authentication unit 331, which is the remaining authentication unit other than the first authentication unit 131, does not generate an unlock signal, and continues to lock the third door locking device 31 of the left door in which the third reading device 32 connected to this third authentication unit 331 is installed.

[0043] The BCM 42 unlocks the first door locking device 11 based on the unlocking signal acquired from the first authentication unit 131 (S20). This allows the temporary user Y to open the rear door of the vehicle C and carry in the luggage. When the temporary user Y has finished using the vehicle C, the temporary key information stored in the temporary user terminal 200, the first authentication unit 131, the second authentication unit 231, and the third authentication unit 331 becomes invalid information.

[0044] In the above-described embodiment, the first reading device 12 reads the temporary key information from a two-dimensional code, but this is not limiting. For example, the temporary key information may be configured as a one-dimensional barcode. The first reading device 12 may also be configured to read the temporary key information stored in the temporary user terminal 200 using short-range wireless communication such as NFC (Near Field Communication), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or UWB (Ultra Wide Band). Alternatively, the first reading device 12 may be configured to read the biometric information of the temporary user Y as the temporary key information. In this case, the management server 300 generates temporary key information including the biometric information of the temporary user Y, and when the first reading device 12 reads the biometric information of the temporary user Y, the first authentication unit 131 determines that the authentication of the temporary user Y has been successful.

[0045] The management server 300 may generate temporary key information including the identification information of the temporary user Y or the identification information of the temporary user terminal 200 possessed by the temporary user Y. In this case, the first reading device 12 can perform authentication processing by reading the identification information of the temporary user Y or the identification information of the temporary user terminal 200.

[0046] In the above-described embodiment, an activation switch is provided for each door, i.e., for each door lock device, and when the activation switch is operated, only the ECU associated with this activation switch is activated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. At least one activation switch may be provided in vehicle C, and when this activation switch detects a predetermined operation by the user, BCM 42 may activate all ECUs in vehicle C.

[0047] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when temporary user Y uses vehicle C, after starting up the first ECU 13, he or she may input door identification information identifying the door he or she wants to open, for example, the rear door, into the temporary user terminal 200, and have the first reading device 12 read the temporary key information including this input door identification information. In this case, the first reading device 12 transmits the temporary key information including the read door identification information to the first authentication unit 131, and when the authentication process of the temporary key information is successful and the door indicated by the door identification information included in the temporary key information matches the door on which the first authentication unit 131 is installed, the first authentication unit 131 generates an unlock signal.

[0048] This door identification information may be different for each door and for each use by temporary user Y, or the same door identification information may be used for a specific door at different times by setting a validity period.

[0049] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when the door associated with the reading device that read the temporary key information is in an open state, the authentication unit connected to this reading device cannot perform authentication processing. Therefore, this authentication unit may transmit the information read by the reading device via BCM42 to an authentication unit associated with another door, causing the authentication processing to be performed.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when the BCM 42 recognizes that the temporary user Y has performed an unlocking operation on one of the doors of the vehicle C, that the unlocking was successful or unsuccessful, or that the door has been opened, information indicating the recognized content may be transmitted to the owner terminal 100. This allows the owner X to recognize that the temporary user Y has performed an unlocking operation on one of the doors of the vehicle C, that the unlocking was successful or unsuccessful, or that the door has been opened.

[0051] Furthermore, the BCM 42 may store, in an in-vehicle device in the vehicle C, history information indicating that the temporary user Y has performed an unlocking operation on any of the doors of the vehicle C, whether the unlocking attempt was successful or unsuccessful, and whether the door has been opened. This allows the owner X to access this in-vehicle device from the owner terminal 100 and check the usage status of the vehicle C by the temporary user Y at any time.

[0052] In the above-described embodiment, the BCM 42 may set a limit on the number of times that the authentication process can be executed for the temporary user Y, and if the authentication process is executed beyond this limit and the authentication fails, the operation of the authentication device may be locked. This makes it possible to prevent unauthorized use of the vehicle C.

[0053] [Effects of the embodiment] As described above, the vehicle management method according to this embodiment is executed by a plurality of authentication devices in a vehicle management system that includes a plurality of door lock devices installed on each of a plurality of doors of a vehicle and a plurality of authentication devices installed on each of the plurality of doors and that authenticate users. Of the plurality of authentication devices, a first authentication device that successfully authenticates a user unlocks the door lock device of the door on which the first authentication device is installed. Of the plurality of authentication devices, the remaining authentication devices other than the first authentication device continue to lock the door lock devices of the doors installed on the remaining authentication devices.

[0054] According to this, when a temporary user who does not have a smart key for the vehicle uses the vehicle, no matter which door is located, the door can be opened by performing an unlocking operation near the door.

[0055] In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle management system may further include a start switch that starts the authentication devices when a predetermined operation performed by a user is detected. This stops the operation of the ECU in which the authentication device is embedded except when the temporary user is using the vehicle, thereby reducing dark current consumption.

[0056] In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of activation switches may be provided, each associated with a corresponding authentication device, and each activation switch may activate an authentication device associated with the activation switch upon detecting a predetermined operation performed by the user. This allows only the ECU corresponding to the door to be opened when the temporary user uses the vehicle to be activated, while the other ECUs remain stopped, thereby further reducing dark current consumption.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, when each of the multiple activation switches detects a predetermined operation performed by a user, the activation switch may recognize the authentication device closest to the self-activation switch as the authentication device associated with the self-activation switch and activate it. This makes it easy to determine the authentication device associated with the self-activation switch.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle management system may change the operating state of any device in the vehicle when at least one of the authentication devices is activated by the activation switch, thereby enabling the temporary user to recognize that the ECU has been activated normally when performing a predetermined operation.

[0059] In the above-described embodiment, each of the plurality of reading devices may have a reading device that reads authentication information presented by the user via short-range wireless communication, and the authentication process may be performed using the authentication information read by the reading device. In this way, the temporary user can present information to the vehicle with a simple operation.

[0060] In the above-described embodiment, the first authentication device may recognize the door lock device that is closest to the first authentication device among the multiple door lock devices as the door lock device of the door on which the first authentication device is installed and unlock it. This makes it easier for the temporary user to recognize the reading device corresponding to the door lock device of the door they want to open when performing the information presentation operation.

[0061] In the above-described embodiment, the authentication information may include door identification information that identifies the door to be unlocked, and the first authentication device may unlock the door lock device of the door on which the first authentication device is installed when it determines that the door identified by the door identification information included in the authentication information read by the reader in the first authentication device matches the door on which the first authentication device is installed. This allows the authentication device to identify with high accuracy the door that the temporary user wants to open and perform the unlocking process.

[0062] Although several embodiments have been described, the embodiments can be modified or varied based on the above disclosure. All components of the above embodiments and all features described in the claims may be individually extracted and combined, unless they contradict each other.

[0063] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1. Vehicle management system 10 Rear door lock system 11 First door lock device 12 First reading device 13 1st ECU 14 First start switch 20 Right door lock system 21 Second door lock device 22 Second reading device 23 2nd ECU 24 Second start switch 30 Left door lock system 31 Third door lock device 32 Third reading device 33 3rd ECU 34 Third start switch 41 Interior Light 42 BCM 100 Owner Terminal 131 First Certification Section 200 Temporary User Terminal 231 Second Certification Department 300 Management Server 331 Third Certification Department

Claims

1. a plurality of door lock devices installed on a plurality of doors of a vehicle; a vehicle management system including a plurality of authentication devices each installed at a plurality of doors and performing user authentication, The first authentication device that has successfully authenticated the user unlocks the door lock device of the door on which the first authentication device is installed, A vehicle management method, wherein the remaining authentication devices other than the first authentication device continue to lock the door lock devices of the doors installed in the remaining authentication devices.

2. The vehicle management method according to claim 1 , wherein the vehicle management system further comprises a start switch that starts up the plurality of authentication devices when a predetermined operation performed by a user is detected.

3. a plurality of the activation switches are provided in association with the plurality of authentication devices, The vehicle management method according to claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of activation switches activates an authentication device associated with the activation switch when detecting a predetermined operation performed by a user.

4. The vehicle management method according to claim 3, wherein when each of the plurality of start-up switches detects a predetermined operation performed by a user, it recognizes the authentication device closest to the position of the start-up switch as the authentication device associated with the start-up switch and activates it.

5. 3. The vehicle management method according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle management system changes an operating state of any device in the vehicle when at least one of the authentication devices is activated by the activation switch.

6. The vehicle management method according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of authentication devices has a reading device that reads authentication information presented by a user via short-range wireless communication, and performs authentication processing using the authentication information read by the reading device.

7. 2. The vehicle management method according to claim 1, wherein the first authentication device recognizes the door lock device among the plurality of door lock devices that is closest to the first authentication device as the door lock device of the door on which the first authentication device is installed and unlocks it.

8. The authentication information includes door identification information for identifying a door to be unlocked, 7. The vehicle management method of claim 6, wherein the first authentication device unlocks the door lock device of the door on which the first authentication device is installed when the first authentication device determines that the door identified by the door identification information included in the authentication information read by the reading device within the first authentication device matches the door on which the first authentication device is installed.

9. a plurality of door lock devices installed on a plurality of doors of a vehicle; a plurality of authentication devices that are installed at the plurality of doors, respectively, and that authenticate users; a first authentication device among the plurality of authentication devices that has successfully authenticated the user unlocks the door lock device of the door on which the first authentication device is installed; A vehicle management system in which the remaining authentication devices other than the first authentication device among the plurality of authentication devices continue to lock the door lock devices of the doors in which the remaining authentication devices are installed.

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