Method

Abstract

To improve a technology regarding unlocking of a vehicle door.SOLUTION: An information processing device 20 for providing telematics service for a vehicle registers identification information of a smart key, which is used for a vehicle 30 of a user who uses the telematics service, in association with the account of the user. Next, the information processing device 20 sets the condition for allowing the unlocking of the door of the vehicle 30. Next, when it is detected that the condition is satisfied, the information processing device 20 switches the state of the vehicle 30 from a first state to a second state. Then, when an operation for unlocking the door of the vehicle 30 using the smart key is detected, in the case where the state of the vehicle 30 is the second state, the information processing device 20 transmits the instruction for unlocking the door to the vehicle 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known techniques for unlocking vehicle doors. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for permitting unlocking when the locked position of a vehicle matches the position information of a terminal device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-054747 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There was room for improvement in the technology used to unlock vehicle doors.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology related to unlocking vehicle doors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method comprises: A method executed by an information processing device that provides a telematics service for a vehicle, comprising: Registering identification information of a smart key used in a vehicle of a user who uses the telematics service in association with the user's account; setting conditions for permitting unlocking of the vehicle doors; upon detecting that the condition is satisfied, switching the state of the vehicle from a first state to a second state; When detecting an operation to unlock the door using the smart key, if the vehicle is in the second state, transmitting an instruction to the vehicle to unlock the door; Includes: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, technology for unlocking vehicle doors is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart showing a first operation of the information processing device. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a second operation of the information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0010] (Outline of the embodiment) An overview of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The system 1 includes a plurality of terminal devices 10, an information processing device 20, and a plurality of vehicles 30. The plurality of terminal devices 10, the information processing device 20, and the plurality of vehicles 30 are communicably connected to a network 40 including, for example, the Internet and a mobile communication network.

[0011] The terminal device 10 is, for example, a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc. In this embodiment, the terminal device 10 is used to use a telematics service for vehicles, and is carried by a user.

[0012] The information processing device 20 is, for example, a computer such as a server device. The information processing device 20 is capable of communicating with one or more terminal devices 10 and one or more vehicles 30 via a network 40. In this embodiment, the information processing device 20 provides a telematics service.

[0013] The vehicle 30 may be, for example, a gasoline-powered vehicle, an electric vehicle (BEV; Battery Electric Vehicle), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV; Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV; Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV; Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle), but is not limited to these and may be any vehicle that can accommodate a human passenger. In this embodiment, the vehicle 30 can use a smart key to unlock the vehicle doors.

[0014] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be provided later. An information processing device 20 that provides a telematics service for vehicles registers identification information of a smart key used in the vehicle 30 of the user who uses the telematics service, linking it to the account of the user. Next, the information processing device 20 sets a condition for permitting unlocking of the doors of the vehicle 30. Next, when the information processing device 20 detects that the condition is satisfied, it switches the state of the vehicle 30 from a first state to a second state. Then, when the information processing device 20 detects an operation to unlock the doors of the vehicle 30 using the smart key, if the state of the vehicle 30 is the second state, it transmits an instruction to the vehicle 30 to unlock the doors.

[0015] As described above, according to this embodiment, the doors of the vehicle 30 are unlocked by the information processing device 20 only when a smart key linked to the account of a user who uses the telematics service is used and the conditions for permitting unlocking are satisfied. Therefore, the doors of the vehicle 30 cannot be unlocked even if, for example, a malicious third party uses an unauthorized unregistered smart key. Furthermore, even if a malicious third party fraudulently uses a genuine registered smart key through a relay attack, the doors will not be unlocked unless the state of the vehicle 30 is the second state. This reduces the likelihood of a third party unlocking the doors of the vehicle 30, thereby improving security. Therefore, according to this embodiment, technology related to unlocking vehicle doors is improved in that security related to unlocking vehicle doors can be improved.

[0016] (Terminal Device Configuration) The terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 11, an output unit 12, an input unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a control unit 15.

[0017] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 40. The communication interfaces correspond to mobile communication standards such as, but not limited to, 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation). In this embodiment, the terminal device 10 communicates with the information processing device 20 via the communication unit 11 and the network 40.

[0018] The output unit 12 includes one or more output devices that output information. Examples of the output devices include, but are not limited to, a display that outputs information as a video or a speaker that outputs information as a sound. Alternatively, the output unit 12 may include an interface for connecting an external output device.

[0019] The input unit 13 includes one or more input devices that detect an input operation by a user. Examples of the input devices include, but are not limited to, physical keys, capacitive keys, a mouse, a touch panel, a touch screen integrated with the display of the output unit 12, or a microphone. Alternatively, the input unit 13 may include an interface for connecting an external input device.

[0020] The storage unit 14 includes one or more memories. The memories may be, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, optical memories, etc., but are not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 14 may function, for example, as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 14 stores any information used in the operation of the terminal device 10. For example, the storage unit 14 may store system programs, application programs, embedded software, etc. In this embodiment, the storage unit 14 may store an application program for using a telematics service. The storage unit 14 also stores conditions for permitting unlocking of the doors of the vehicle 30 and status information of the vehicle 30. The information stored in the storage unit 14 may be updatable, for example, with information obtained from the network 40 via the communication unit 11.

[0021] The "state information of the vehicle 30" is information indicating whether the vehicle 30 is in a first state, which allows the doors of the vehicle 30 to be unlocked, or a second state, which does not allow the doors of the vehicle 30 to be unlocked, when the smart key is used. The default state information of the vehicle 30 may be the second state.

[0022] The control unit 15 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but is not limited to these. The programmable circuit may be, for example, but is not limited to, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The dedicated circuit may be, for example, but is not limited to, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 15 controls the overall operation of the terminal device 10.

[0023] The positioning unit 16 includes one or more devices that acquire position information of the terminal device 10. Specifically, the positioning unit 16 is, for example, a position sensor corresponding to a GPS (Global Positioning System) or the like, a geomagnetic sensor, a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, or a gyro sensor, but is not limited to these and may be any sensor.

[0024] (Configuration of information processing device) The information processing device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23.

[0025] The communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 40. The communication interfaces correspond to, for example, a mobile communication standard, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) standard, or a wireless LAN standard, but are not limited to these and may correspond to any communication standard. In this embodiment, the information processing device 20 communicates with one or more terminal devices 10 and one or more vehicles 30 via the communication unit 21 and the network 40.

[0026] The storage unit 22 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 22 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores any information used in the operation of the information processing device 20. For example, the storage unit 22 may store a system program, an application program, embedded software, a database, etc. The information stored in the storage unit 22 may be updated with information obtained from the network 40 via the communication unit 21, for example. In this embodiment, the storage unit 22 stores account information of a user who uses a telematics service, status information of each of one or more vehicles 30, identification information of a smart key linked to the user's account, and a condition for permitting unlocking of each of the doors of one or more vehicles 30.

[0027] "User account information" is information that identifies a user who uses a telematics service. The user account information may be one for one user, or one for one vehicle 30. The user account information includes an account ID that is used to uniquely identify the user account information. If the user account information is one for one user, the user account information may include information on one or more vehicles 30 owned by the user. If the user account information is one for one vehicle 30, the user account information may include information on the user who owns the vehicle 30. The account ID may be represented by alphanumeric characters, an email address, or Japanese characters such as kanji or hiragana, but may be represented by any expression, including but not limited to these.

[0028] The "smart key identification information" is information for uniquely identifying a smart key. As described above, the smart key identification information is configured to be linked to a user's account. The smart key identification information may include a smart key ID used to uniquely identify the smart key. The smart key ID may be expressed using alphanumeric characters or symbols, but may also be expressed using any expression, including but not limited to, alphanumeric characters.

[0029] The control unit 23 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but is not limited to these. The programmable circuit may be, for example, but is not limited to, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The dedicated circuit may be, for example, but is not limited to, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 23 controls the overall operation of the information processing device 20.

[0030] (Vehicle configuration) The vehicle 30 includes a communication unit 31, a sensor unit 32, a memory unit 33, and a control unit .

[0031] The communication unit 31 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 40. The communication interfaces are compatible with mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) and 5G (5th Generation), but are not limited to these and may be compatible with any communication standard. In this embodiment, the vehicle 30 communicates with the information processing device 20 via the communication unit 31 and the network 40.

[0032] The sensor unit 32 includes one or more sensors that acquire position information of the vehicle 30. Specifically, the sensor unit 32 is, for example, a position sensor corresponding to a GPS (Global Positioning System) or the like, a geomagnetic sensor, a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, or a gyro sensor, but is not limited to these and may be any sensor.

[0033] The storage unit 33 includes one or more memories. In this embodiment, the "memory" may be, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or the like, but is not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 33 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 33 stores any information used in the operation of the vehicle 30. For example, the storage unit 33 may store a system program, an application program, embedded software, and the like. Furthermore, the information stored in the storage unit 33 may be updatable with information obtained from the network 40 via the communication unit 21, for example.

[0034] The control unit 34 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but is not limited to these. The programmable circuit may be, for example, but is not limited to, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The dedicated circuit may be, for example, but is not limited to, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 34 controls the overall operation of the vehicle 30.

[0035] (Operation flow of information processing device) The operation of the information processing device 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 shows the first operation until the state of the vehicle 30 is switched from the first state to the second state, and Figure 3 shows the second operation after detecting an operation to unlock the doors of the vehicle 30 using a smart key.

[0036] First, a first operation of the information processing device 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0037] S100: The control unit 23 of the information processing device 20 registers the identification information of the smart key used in the vehicle 30 of the user who uses the telematics service, in association with the account of the user.

[0038] Specifically, the user uses the terminal device 10 to log in to the telematics service provided by the information processing device 20 using the user's account. Next, the user inputs the identification information of the smart key used for the user's vehicle 30, for example, from a screen for inputting the identification information of the smart key for the telematics service, which is displayed on the screen of the terminal device 10. Then, for example, when the user presses a button for confirming the input identification information of the smart key, which is displayed on the screen of the terminal device 10, the control unit 23 registers the identification information of the smart key used for the user's vehicle 30, linking it to the account of the user who uses the telematics service.

[0039] S101: The information processing device 20 sets conditions for permitting the doors of the vehicle 30 to be unlocked.

[0040] Specifically, the user sets the conditions for permitting unlocking of the doors of the vehicle 30 from a screen for setting the conditions for permitting unlocking of the doors of the vehicle 30 of the telematics service, which is displayed on the screen of the terminal device 10. Then, for example, when the user presses a button for deciding the set conditions for permitting unlocking of the doors of the vehicle 30, which is displayed on the screen of the terminal device 10, the control unit 23 sets the conditions for permitting unlocking of the doors of the vehicle 30.

[0041] The method for setting the conditions for permitting unlocking of the doors of the vehicle 30 is not limited to the above, and any method can be adopted.

[0042] For example, the condition for permitting the unlocking of the doors may include the user approaching within a predetermined distance from the location of the vehicle 30. For example, the condition for permitting the unlocking of the doors may include the current time being within a predetermined time range. For example, the condition for permitting the unlocking of the doors may be performing a remote start or remote parking. For example, the condition for permitting the unlocking of the doors may be that the user or the vehicle 30 is within a predetermined location range. For example, the condition for permitting the unlocking of the doors may be that an operation is performed using a predetermined smart key ID. For example, the condition for permitting the unlocking of the doors may be that an operation using the smart key is performed a predetermined number of times. In this way, the condition for permitting the unlocking of the doors may include a plurality of arbitrary conditions. For example, the condition for permitting the unlocking of the doors may be that any one of the above conditions selected from the above conditions is satisfied, or that all of the selected conditions are satisfied.

[0043] For example, if the condition for permitting door unlocking includes the user approaching within a predetermined distance from the vehicle 30, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 may provide the user with an interface that allows the user to input the predetermined distance. Alternatively, if the condition for permitting door unlocking includes the current time being within a predetermined time range, the control unit 15 may provide the user with an interface that allows the user to input the predetermined time range. Alternatively, if the condition for permitting door unlocking includes performing remote start or remote parking, the control unit 15 may provide the user with an interface that allows the user to select either or both of the remote start and remote parking as conditions for performing remote start or remote parking. Alternatively, if the condition for permitting door unlocking includes the user or the vehicle 30 being within a predetermined location range, the control unit 15 may provide the user with an interface that allows the user to select whether either or both of the user and the vehicle 30 are within the predetermined location range and an interface that allows the user to input the predetermined location range. Alternatively, if the condition for permitting door unlocking includes operation using a predetermined smart key ID, the control unit 15 may provide the user with an interface that allows the user to input the smart key ID. Alternatively, if the condition for allowing the door to be unlocked is that a predetermined number of operations are performed using the smart key, the control unit 15 may provide the user with an interface that allows the user to input the content of the operations using the smart key and the number of operations.

[0044] The condition for permitting unlocking of the doors may be changeable. For example, the condition for permitting unlocking of the doors may be changeable from the user approaching within a predetermined distance from the location of vehicle 30 to the current time being within a predetermined time range. For example, if the condition for permitting unlocking of the doors is that the user approaches within a predetermined distance from the location of vehicle 30, the predetermined distance may be changeable.

[0045] The "predetermined distance" may be expressed in meters, but may be expressed in any distance unit, including but not limited to meters. The "predetermined time range" may be expressed by a first time that is the start of the predetermined time and a second time that is the end of the predetermined time, or may be expressed in the form of a predetermined time and within a predetermined time from the predetermined time, but is not limited to these, and any predetermined time range can be used. The "within a predetermined location range" may be expressed by a range expressed by absolute or relative coordinates, or by a specific address and any distance unit, such as meters, but is not limited to these, and any predetermined location range can be used.

[0046] S101 may be performed at any timing after S100 is performed.

[0047] S102: The control unit 23 detects that the condition is satisfied.

[0048] Specifically, the control unit 23 performs different processing depending on the set condition and detects that the condition is satisfied. The processing for each set condition will be described in detail below. If the control unit 23 detects that the condition is satisfied (S102-Yes), the process proceeds to S103. If the condition is not satisfied (S102-No), the control unit 23 checks the state information of the vehicle 30 stored in the memory unit 22, and if the state information of the vehicle 30 is the second state, the process proceeds to S105.

[0049] When the condition for permitting the door unlocking is that the user approaches within a predetermined distance from the vehicle 30, the control unit 23 first transmits information about the vehicle's stopping position to the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 21 and the network 40. The information about the vehicle's stopping position is the vehicle's position information acquired using the sensor unit 32 when the vehicle 30 is stopped, and transmitted by the control unit 34 to the information processing device 20 via the communication unit 31 and the network 40. Next, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 acquires the position information of the user carrying the terminal device 10 using the positioning unit 16, and determines whether the user has approached within a predetermined distance from the vehicle's stopping position. If it is determined that the user has approached within a predetermined distance from the vehicle's stopping position, the control unit 15 transmits this information and the user's position information to the information processing device 20. When the control unit 23 receives this information and the user's position information from the terminal device 10, it requests the vehicle 30 to transmit the vehicle's current position information, and receives the vehicle's current position information. Then, if the user's position is within a predetermined distance from the current position of the vehicle 30, the control unit 23 determines that the condition is satisfied.

[0050] If the condition for allowing the door to be unlocked is that the current time is within a specified time range, the control unit 23 checks the current time, and if the current time is within the specified time range, it detects that the condition is met.

[0051] If performing remote start or remote parking is a condition for permitting unlocking of the doors, the control unit 23 detects that the condition has been met by receiving a request to perform remote start or remote parking from the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 21 and the network 40. The request to perform remote start or remote parking is transmitted to the information processing device 20 when the user performs a remote start or remote parking operation using the terminal device 10.

[0052] If the condition for permitting unlocking of the doors is that the user or the vehicle 30 is within a predetermined range, the control unit 23 periodically receives the location information of the user or the vehicle 30 from the terminal device 10 or the vehicle 30. Then, if the location of the user or the location of the vehicle 30 is within the predetermined range, the control unit 23 determines that the condition is satisfied.

[0053] If an operation using a predetermined smart key ID is a condition for permitting unlocking of the door, the control unit 23 receives the ID of the smart key that performed the operation via the vehicle 30. Then, if the ID of the received smart key matches the predetermined smart key ID, the control unit 23 determines that the condition has been met.

[0054] If the condition for permitting unlocking the door is that the smart key has been operated a predetermined number of times, the control unit 23 receives the details of the smart key operation via the vehicle 30 and counts the number of operations. When the count of the number of operations reaches a predetermined number, the control unit 23 determines that the condition has been met.

[0055] In addition, if the condition for permitting unlocking of the door is to satisfy multiple of the above-mentioned conditions, the control unit 23 may detect that the condition for permitting unlocking of the door has been satisfied when all of those conditions are satisfied.

[0056] S103: If it is detected in S102 that the condition is satisfied (S102-Yes), the control unit 23 switches the state of the vehicle 30 from the first state to the second state.

[0057] Specifically, the control unit 23 changes the state information of the vehicle 30 stored in the storage unit 22 from the first state to the second state. Next, the control unit 23 transmits the state information of the vehicle 30 to the terminal device 10. Upon receiving the state information of the vehicle 30, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 changes the state information of the vehicle 30 stored in the storage unit 14 from the first state to the second state.

[0058] S104: The control unit 23 detects that the termination condition is satisfied.

[0059] Specifically, for example, the control unit 23 detects that the termination condition is satisfied by periodically monitoring whether the condition that was satisfied in S102 becomes unsatisfied. If it is detected that the termination condition is satisfied (S104-Yes), the process proceeds to S105.

[0060] S105: If it is detected in S104 that the termination condition is satisfied (S104-Yes or S102-No), the control unit 23 switches the state of the vehicle 30 from the second state to the first state.

[0061] Specifically, the control unit 23 changes the state information of the vehicle 30 stored in the storage unit 22 from the second state to the first state. Next, the control unit 23 transmits the state information of the vehicle 30 to the terminal device 10. Upon receiving the state information of the vehicle 30, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 changes the state information of the vehicle 30 stored in the storage unit 14 from the second state to the first state.

[0062] Next, a second operation of the information processing device 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0063] S200: The control unit 23 detects an operation to unlock the doors of the vehicle 30 using a smart key.

[0064] Specifically, the control unit 23 detects an operation to unlock the doors of the vehicle 30 by receiving a door unlock request transmitted from the vehicle 30 when the user uses the smart key to unlock the doors of the vehicle 30. If an operation to unlock the doors of the vehicle 30 is detected (S200-Yes), the process proceeds to S201.

[0065] S201: The control unit 23 checks whether the state of the vehicle 30 is the second state.

[0066] Specifically, the control unit 23 checks whether the state information of the vehicle 30 stored in the storage unit 22 is in the second state. If it is in the second state (S201-Yes), the process proceeds to S202.

[0067] S202: The control unit 23 transmits to the vehicle 30 an instruction to unlock the doors.

[0068] Specifically, the control unit 23 transmits an unlock instruction to the vehicle 30 to unlock the doors of the vehicle 30. When the control unit 34 of the vehicle 30 receives the unlock instruction via the network 40 and the communication unit 31, the control unit 34 unlocks the doors of the vehicle 30.

[0069] As described above, the information processing device 20 that provides a telematics service for vehicles registers the identification information of a smart key used in the vehicle 30 of a user who uses the telematics service, linking it to the account of the user. Next, the information processing device 20 sets a condition for permitting unlocking of the doors of the vehicle 30. Next, when the information processing device 20 detects that the condition is satisfied, it switches the state of the vehicle 30 from the first state to the second state. Then, when the information processing device 20 detects an operation to unlock the doors of the vehicle 30 using the smart key, if the vehicle 30 is in the second state, it transmits an instruction to the vehicle 30 to unlock the doors.

[0070] According to this configuration, the doors of the vehicle 30 are unlocked by the information processing device 20 only when a smart key linked to the account of a user using the telematics service is used and the conditions for permitting unlocking are met. Therefore, the doors of the vehicle 30 cannot be unlocked even if, for example, a malicious third party uses an unauthorized unregistered smart key. Furthermore, even if a malicious third party fraudulently uses a genuine registered smart key through a relay attack, the doors will not be unlocked unless the state of the vehicle 30 is in the second state. This reduces the likelihood of a third party unlocking the doors of the vehicle 30, thereby improving security. Therefore, according to this embodiment, technology related to unlocking vehicle doors is improved in that security related to unlocking vehicle doors can be improved.

[0071] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0072] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration and operation of the information processing device 20 may be distributed among multiple computers that can communicate with each other. Also, for example, an embodiment in which some or all of the components of the information processing device 20 are provided in the terminal device 10 or the vehicle 30 is possible. For example, the terminal device 10 or the vehicle 30 may include some or all of the components of the information processing device 20.

[0073] Also, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the termination condition of S104 may include the expiration of the permission period after the state of the vehicle 30 is changed to the second state.

[0074] Specifically, for example, when the control unit 23 changes the state information of the vehicle 30 to the second state in S103, the control unit 23 starts a timer. Then, if the permitted period has elapsed on the timer (S104-Yes), the process may proceed to S105.

[0075] The "permitted period" is any time expressed in hours, minutes, and seconds. Whether or not the end condition includes the expiration of the permitted period may be set by the user of the terminal device 10. In this case, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 may provide the user with an interface for setting the permitted period. The permitted period may be changeable.

[0076] Furthermore, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 23 may request the terminal device 10 to perform two-step authentication before transmitting an instruction to unlock the door to the vehicle 30 in S202.

[0077] The two-step authentication may be, for example, an authentication code sent via SMS, biometric authentication, or the like, but is not limited to these, and any other two-step authentication may be used.

[0078] Furthermore, for example, in the above-described embodiment, when the terminal device 10 or the vehicle 30 is out of communication range, the control unit 34 of the vehicle 30 may request the user to input a passcode when starting the engine of the vehicle 30.

[0079] Specifically, when the control unit 34 detects that the information processing device 20 is out of communication range when sending a door unlock request to the vehicle 30 in S200, the control unit 34 unlocks the doors of the vehicle 30 and changes the state of the vehicle 30 to one in which a passcode is required to start the engine. Alternatively, the control unit 34, having received the door unlock request in S200, checks the communication state with the terminal device 10, and if the terminal device 10 is out of communication range, transmits this information to the vehicle 30. When the control unit 34 receives information from the information processing device 20 that the terminal device 10 is out of communication range, the control unit 34 unlocks the doors and changes the state of the vehicle 30 to one in which a passcode is required to start the engine. When starting the engine, the user inputs a passcode from, for example, a passcode confirmation screen displayed on the main menu screen of the in-vehicle device of the vehicle 30. If the passcode is correct, the control unit 34 starts the engine of the vehicle 30.

[0080] Also, for example, an embodiment is possible in which a general-purpose computer functions as the information processing device 20 according to the above-described embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing content for realizing each function of the information processing device 20 according to the above-described embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor, or a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing the program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1 System 10 Terminal Equipment 11 Communications Department 12 Output section 13 Input section 14 Storage section 15 Control Unit 16 Positioning unit 20 Information processing equipment 21 Communications Department 22 Memory section 23 Control Unit 30 vehicles 31 Communications Department 32 Sensor section 33 Storage section 34 Control Unit 40 Network

Claims

[Claim 1] A method executed by an information processing device that provides a telematics service for a vehicle, comprising: Registering identification information of a smart key used in a vehicle of a user who uses the telematics service in association with the user's account; setting conditions for permitting unlocking of the vehicle doors; upon detecting that the condition is satisfied, switching the state of the vehicle from a first state to a second state; When detecting an operation to unlock the door using the smart key, if the state of the vehicle is the second state, transmitting an instruction to the vehicle to unlock the door; A method comprising:

Images