Authentication system, payment system, information processing device, payment method, and program

Abstract

This technology improves security by allowing communication between electric vehicles and their charging facilities without encryption, ultimately contributing to energy efficiency. [Solution] A random number is generated. The generated random number is transmitted to the charging equipment as a first random number for temporarily identifying the electric vehicle. The generated random number is transmitted as a second random number associated with predetermined identification information for identifying the electric vehicle. When the first random number is matched with the second random number, the first random number is authenticated as corresponding to the identification information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an authentication system, a payment system, an information processing apparatus, a payment method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in order to enable more people to access affordable, reliable, sustainable, and advanced energy, research and development have been conducted on charging in mobility equipped with secondary batteries that contribute to energy efficiency. When charging an electric vehicle at charging facilities, charging and billing are enabled by confirming that the user is a service user through an authentication process.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, a charging control device provided in a vehicle enables charging of a battery by performing authentication using certificate information with a charging facility. In particular, when the charging plug of the charging facility is inserted into the connection part of the electric vehicle, the user's V2G ROOT certificate stored in the vehicle's storage device is notified to the charging facility, and the user's V2G ROOT certificate is authenticated by the business office's V2G ROOT certificate. When the authentication of the certificate using the authentication chain is successful, the electric vehicle can obtain a private key used for communication with the charging facility, and charging and billing are performed by subsequent V2G communication using the private key.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when charging and supplying power to mobility devices equipped with secondary batteries, depending on the communication standard, security measures such as encryption may not be possible, potentially creating security risks in communication between the vehicle and the charging equipment. For example, if the CHAdeMO standard is used for communication, and CAN information is publicly available, it is possible to tamper with the vehicle ID transmitted from the vehicle to the communication equipment, which could lead to impersonation or theft of rewards.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to improve security in communication between electric vehicles and their charging equipment without encryption. Ultimately, it contributes to energy efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An authentication system according to one aspect of the present invention that achieves the above objective is: A means for generating random numbers, A charging device includes a first transmitting means for transmitting the random number generated by the generation means as a first random number for temporarily identifying an electric vehicle, and A second transmission means transmits the random number generated by the generation means to a second information processing device as a second random number associated with predetermined identification information that identifies the electric vehicle. A first information processing device comprising, An acquisition means for obtaining the first random number from the charging equipment and the second random number from the first information processing device, Authentication means that authenticates the first random number as corresponding to the identification information when the first random number is found to match the second random number. A second information processing device comprising It is characterized by being equipped with [the following features]. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This technology improves security by allowing communication between electric vehicles and their charging facilities without encryption, ultimately contributing to energy efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example configuration of an information processing system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of an electric vehicle according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of a charging device according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of another information processing device according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of an electric vehicle according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of a charging equipment according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of an information processing device according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of another information processing device according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] A flowchart showing an example of information processing according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be combined in any way. Furthermore, identical or similar configurations will be given the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0011] [System Configuration] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to this embodiment that authenticates that an electric vehicle is a vehicle using the charging facility service and also processes payment. Here, the electric vehicle 100 is the vehicle of user 150 that uses the service at the charging facility 110. In the information processing system of Figure 1, the electric vehicle 100, the charging facility 110, the information processing device 120, and the information processing device 130 are connected via a network 140. The electric vehicle 100 can also communicate with the charging facility 110 via a wired connection through a charging plug. First, an overview of the service at the charging facility 110 used by user 150 of the electric vehicle 100 in the information processing system of Figure 1 will be explained.

[0012] To charge the electric vehicle 100 using the charging equipment 110, the electric vehicle 100 connects to the charging equipment 110 using a charging plug (not shown). Here, the information processing device of the electric vehicle 100 communicates with various external devices, including the charging equipment 110. The electric vehicle 100 generates a random number and transmits the generated random number to the charging equipment 110 (its server) as a random number to temporarily identify the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle 100 then transmits the generated random number to the information processing device 120 as a random number associated with predetermined identification information (e.g., VIN code) that identifies the electric vehicle 100. The charging equipment 110 also transmits the received random number to the information processing device 120.

[0013] The information processing device 120 checks whether the random number received from the electric vehicle 100 matches the random number received from the charging equipment 110. If these random numbers match, the information processing device 120 authenticates that the random number received from the charging equipment 110 corresponds to the identification information associated with the random number received from the electric vehicle 100, and transmits the authentication result to the charging equipment 110. Upon successful authentication, the charging equipment 110 becomes capable of supplying power to the electric vehicle 100, and the information processing device 120 becomes capable of charging the user 150 on the service. The information processing device 120 is, for example, a vehicle-facing server managed by the electric vehicle manufacturer.

[0014] Hereinafter, each device constituting the information processing system according to FIG. 1 will be described. The device that executes each process in the electric vehicle 100 is an information processing device corresponding to the electric vehicle 100, and may be, for example, the ECU of the electric vehicle 100, or may be a server device that transmits and receives information to and from the ECU of the electric vehicle 100. Details of each process executed by the electric vehicle 100 will be described later. Note that the electric vehicle 100 according to the present embodiment will be described as a four-wheel electric vehicle, but it is not particularly limited as long as it is a vehicle that can be charged at a charging facility, such as a three-wheel or two-wheel vehicle.

[0015] As described above, the electric vehicle 100 transmits a random number for temporarily identifying the electric vehicle 100 to the charging facility 110. Further, the electric vehicle 100 transmits the random number transmitted to the electric vehicle 100 to the information processing device 120 in association with predetermined identification information for identifying the electric vehicle. Here, as this predetermined identification information, an individual identification number of the vehicle assigned at the time of manufacture of the electric vehicle 100, such as the VIN code (serial number) of the electric vehicle 100, can be used. However, the identification information is not particularly limited as long as it is identification information that is set in advance to be able to identify the electric vehicle 100, such as a number assigned when the electric vehicle 100 is registered in the database of the information processing device 120, for example. In the following, the description will be made using the VIN code as an example of the identification information associated with the random number transmitted from the electric vehicle 100 to the information processing device 120.

[0016] The charging equipment 110 includes equipment for supplying power to the battery of the electric vehicle and a server device provided with the equipment. The charging equipment 110 according to this embodiment is equipped with a charging plug and supplies power by connecting to the electric vehicle 100 via the charging plug. The charging equipment 110 can also communicate with the electric vehicle 100 via a wired connection through the charging plug. The charging equipment 110 also obtains a random number from the electric vehicle 100 to temporarily identify the electric vehicle 100 and transmits the random number to the information processing device 120. Hereinafter, the random number obtained by the charging equipment 110 from the electric vehicle 100 in this manner may be referred to as a "one-time random number".

[0017] The information processing device 120 is a device that authenticates that the electric vehicle 100 is a vehicle using the service of the charging equipment 110. The information processing device 120 is, for example, a server device that communicates with a terminal device (not shown) owned by the user 150 (for example, a smartphone or personal computer). The information processing device 120 obtains a one-time random number from the charging equipment 110 and a random number associated with the VIN code from the electric vehicle 100. In the following, the random number obtained by the information processing device 120 from the electric vehicle 100 may be referred to as the "correct random number" to distinguish it from the one-time random number. The information processing device 120 checks whether the one-time random number and the correct random number match, and if they match, it authenticates the one-time random number as the random number corresponding to the VIN code. If the authentication is successful (the one-time random number and the correct random number match), the information processing device 120 transmits the authentication result to the charging equipment 110. Hereafter, when we simply refer to "authentication (result)," we will be referring to authentication (or the result) obtained by matching random numbers in this manner.

[0018] In this example, the electric vehicle 100 transmits a correct random number associated with its VIN code to the information processing device 120. However, the process is not limited to this, as long as the information processing device 120 can handle correct random numbers associated with the identification information of the electric vehicle 100. For example, the electric vehicle 100 may transmit only the correct random number to the information processing device 120, and the information processing device 120, upon receiving the correct random number, may identify the connected electric vehicle 100 and associate its identification information with the correct random number.

[0019] In this embodiment, the information processing device 120 can transmit the authentication result to the information processing device 130 in association with the VIN code. The information processing device 130 performs payment for the use of the service at the charging equipment 110 upon successful authentication. Here, the information processing device 130 enables the user 150 of the electric vehicle 100 corresponding to the VIN code to be charged for the service upon successful authentication. The content of the charge will be in accordance with the content of the service, and for example, an amount proportional to the amount of power supplied may be paid from the user 150's registered account. Although the payment here is assumed to be made from a registered account, other arbitrary payment procedures may be used, such as payment using prepaid electronic money. Since the basic payment processing can be the same as that used in general electric vehicle charging services, a detailed explanation is omitted here. The transmission of the authentication result from the information processing device 120 to the charging equipment 110 may be performed via the information processing device 130 as a transmission of permission to charge.

[0020] The configuration of each device shown in Figure 1 is merely an example, and the configuration is not limited to this example as long as similar functions can be implemented. For example, in the example in Figure 1, the electric vehicle 100 is described as performing both the process of sending a one-time random number to the charging equipment 110 and the process of sending a correct random number to the information processing device 120. However, for example, the electric vehicle 100 may first send the correct random number to a server (not shown) corresponding to the electric vehicle 100, and the server may then send the correct random number to the information processing device 120. Also, the charging equipment 110 may not directly send the one-time random number to the information processing device 120, but may first send it to the information processing device 130, and then the information processing device 130 may send the one-time random number to the information processing device 120. Furthermore, for example, the charging equipment 110 may have the same functions as the information processing device 130 and be capable of performing payment processing.

[0021] [Hardware configuration] Next, with reference to Figures 2 to 5, an example of the hardware configuration of the electric vehicle 100, charging equipment 110, information processing device 120, and information processing device 130 according to this embodiment will be described. Figures 2 to 5 are block diagrams showing an example of the hardware configuration of the electric vehicle 100, charging equipment 110, information processing device 120, and information processing device 130, respectively.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the electric vehicle 100 includes a CPU 201, a storage device 202, a first communication unit 203, a second communication unit 204, a display unit 205, an operation input unit 206, a sensor 207, and a battery 208. Note that the steering system, drive system, and other components related to the operation of the electric vehicle 100 are omitted in Figure 2.

[0023] The control operation of the electric vehicle 100 is realized by the CPU 201 reading and executing a computer program stored in the storage device 202. The CPU 201 may be one or more CPUs. The storage device 202 is one or more memories that store various kinds of information. For example, the storage device 202 stores information received from other devices, and computer programs that are read and executed by the CPU 201.

[0024] The first communication unit 203 has the function of communicating with other devices (particularly the charging equipment 110) via a wired connection. The second communication unit 204 has the function of communicating with external devices via the network 140. The display unit 205 displays various videos and images to the user. The operation input unit 206 receives various operation instructions from the user. The sensor 207 detects changes in various states, such as when the battery 208 of the electric vehicle 100 is charged or when the power of the battery 208 is consumed. The battery 208 is a rechargeable battery that can be charged by receiving power from the user's home or the charging equipment. The charging equipment 110 according to this embodiment may be installed, for example, attached to a gas station, or it may be installed independently.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the charging equipment 110 includes a CPU 301, a storage device 302, a first communication unit 303, a second communication unit 304, a display unit 305, and an operation unit 306.

[0026] The control operation of the charging equipment 110 is realized by the CPU 301 reading and executing a computer program stored in the storage device 302. The CPU 301 may be one or more CPUs. The storage device 302 is one or more memories that store various types of information. For example, the storage device 302 stores information received from other devices and computer programs that are read and executed by the CPU 301.

[0027] The storage device 302 stores various data in addition to the program executed by the CPU 301. For example, the storage device 302 may include a database for storing data of users who have been registered in advance for the charging service, and a database for storing data of the charging equipment that provides the charging service. Such databases may be separate databases or may be combined into a single database.

[0028] The first communication unit 303 has the function of communicating with the electric vehicle via a wired connection. Here, the first communication unit 303 performs communication with the electric vehicle 100 connected via the charging plug included in the operating unit 306. The second communication unit 304 has the function of communicating with external devices via the network 140.

[0029] The display unit 305 displays various videos and images to the user. For example, the display unit 305 can display various information on the display for the electric vehicle 100 connected by the first communication unit 303, such as the remaining battery level, the details of the charging service performed, or the fee to be charged to the user 150 for performing the charging service. The operation unit 306 receives input of various operation instructions from the user. The operation unit 306 also includes a charging plug for connecting to the electric vehicle 100. In this embodiment, the charging plug functions as a power supply path to the electric vehicle 100 and also includes a cable for wired communication with the electric vehicle 100.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the information processing device 120 comprises a CPU 401, a storage device 402, and a communication unit 403. The control operation of the information processing device 120 is realized by the CPU 401 reading and executing a computer program stored in the storage device 402. The CPU 401 may be one or more CPUs. The storage device 402 is one or more memories that store various types of information. For example, the storage device 402 stores information received from other devices and computer programs that are read and executed by the CPU 401. The communication unit 403 has the function of communicating with other devices via wired or wireless connections through the network 140.

[0031] As shown in Figure 5, the information processing device 130 comprises a CPU 501, a storage device 502, and a communication unit 503. The control operation of the information processing device 130 is realized by the CPU 501 reading and executing a computer program stored in the storage device 502. The CPU 501 may consist of one or more CPUs. The storage device 502 is one or more memories that store various types of information. For example, the storage device 502 stores information received from other devices and computer programs that are read and executed by the CPU 501. The communication unit 503 has the function of communicating with other devices via the network 140, either wired or wirelessly.

[0032] [Functional Configuration] Next, with reference to Figures 6 to 9, an example of the functional configuration of the electric vehicle 100, charging equipment 110, information processing device 120, and information processing device 130 according to this embodiment will be described. Figures 6 to 9 are block diagrams showing an example of the functional configuration of the electric vehicle 100, charging equipment 110, information processing device 120, and information processing device 130, respectively.

[0033] As shown in Figure 6, the electric vehicle 100 includes a charging start unit 601, a random number generation unit 602, a first transmission unit 603, a second transmission unit 604, and a notification unit 605.

[0034] The charging start unit 601 initiates the use of the charging service for the electric vehicle 100. Here, the charging start unit 601 initiates the use of the charging service, for example, when the electric vehicle 100 is connected to the charging equipment 110 by a charging plug. However, the timing of initiating the use of the charging service is not particularly limited in this way, and any event used as a trigger when executing a specific service may be adopted. For example, the use of the charging service may be initiated when a specific user operation is performed on the electric vehicle 100 or the charging equipment 110 after the electric vehicle 100 and the charging equipment 110 are connected by a charging plug (for example, when the start button displayed on the display is pressed), or when a user 150 performs a specific operation via an application on a terminal such as a smartphone.

[0035] The random number generation unit 602 generates random numbers. The random numbers generated here are temporarily stored random numbers that are transmitted to the charging equipment 110 by the first transmission unit 603, which will be described later. For example, the random number generation unit 602 can generate a sequence of numbers up to 24 digits long as a random number.

[0036] In this embodiment, the random number generation unit 602 generates random numbers when the use of the charging service is initiated (i.e., when the charging plug of the charging equipment 110 is connected to the electric vehicle 100). However, the timing of this random number generation is not particularly limited, and random numbers may be generated in advance. For example, the random number generation unit 602 may generate random numbers at predetermined intervals and store these random numbers in the information processing device 130 for a predetermined period of time. Alternatively, the random number generation unit 602 may regenerate random numbers each time they are transmitted to the charging equipment by the first transmission unit 603. Generating random numbers when the use of the charging service is initiated reduces costs by executing processing only when necessary. Furthermore, generating random numbers in advance speeds up the authentication process compared to generating random numbers as needed.

[0037] The first transmitting unit 603 transmits the random number generated by the random number generation unit 602 as a one-time random number to the charging equipment 110. In this example, the first transmitting unit 603 transmits the one-time random number via a wired connection through the charging plug, but the transmission of the one-time random number may be performed by a different process.

[0038] The following describes in detail the transmission process of one-time random numbers by the first transmitter 603. The first transmitter 603 can use the random numbers generated by the random number generation unit 602 as data to be transmitted in a specific communication standard. For example, the first transmitter 603 can transmit one-time random numbers using the CHAdeMO standard, which employs CAN (Controller Area Network) communication as the communication method.

[0039] The CHAdeMO standard has a format in which H'710, H'711, and H'712 are used as headers to indicate that it is a vehicle ID for identifying an electric vehicle, and a vehicle ID consisting of a sequence of 24 bytes of numbers, with each header having a data length of 8 bytes, is transmitted. If the electric vehicle 100 transmits the vehicle ID directly to the charging equipment 110 using this format, and the user authentication for service use is performed using this vehicle ID, there is a risk of the vehicle ID being tampered with because the CAN communication information is public, which could lead to situations such as impersonation or the theft of achievements and the transfer of rewards to users of other vehicles.

[0040] From this perspective, the first transmission unit 603 in this embodiment transmits a random number generated by the random number generation unit 602 as information for identifying the electric vehicle 100 to the charging equipment 110, and authentication is performed in the information processing device 130 using the random number. In particular, the first transmission unit 603 can divide the random number generated by the random number generation unit 602, which has a maximum of 24 digits, into 8-digit groups (filling any remaining digits with zeros from the top or bottom), and transmit them to the electric vehicle 100 by attaching them to three headers of the vehicle ID in the CHAdeMO standard. Alternatively, the first transmission unit 603 may transmit a one-time random number using a standard other than the CHAdeMO standard among the standards used for transmitting data from the electric vehicle 100 to the charging equipment 110 in CAN communication, as long as it can similarly transmit a one-time random number to the charging equipment 110.

[0041] The second transmitting unit 604 transmits the random numbers generated by the random number generation unit 602 to the information processing device 120 as correct random numbers associated with predetermined identification information that identifies the electric vehicle 100. Here, as described above, the VIN code is used as the identification information.

[0042] The notification unit 605 provides notifications according to the authentication result. For example, if authentication fails, the notification unit 605 can notify the user 150 of the authentication result by voice notification using a speaker (not shown) provided by the electric vehicle 100. This notification may be, for example, voice notification only when authentication fails, or it may play different notification sounds for successful and unsuccessful authentication, or it may be a guide voice notification such as "Authentication complete. Charging will begin" or "Authentication failed. Please check the details."

[0043] Furthermore, the device that executes the notification controlled by the notification unit 605 is, in this case, the electric vehicle 100, but for example, the charging equipment 110 may play the notification sound.

[0044] As shown in Figure 7, the charging equipment 110 includes a random number acquisition unit 701, a transmission unit 702, an authentication result acquisition unit 703, and a charging execution unit 704.

[0045] The random number acquisition unit 701 acquires a one-time random number from the electric vehicle 100. As described above, the random number acquisition unit 701 acquires a one-time random number inserted into the vehicle ID format in the CHAdeMO standard via wired communication through the charging plug.

[0046] The transmitting unit 702 transmits the one-time random number obtained from the electric vehicle 100 to the information processing device 120. As mentioned above, the one-time random number does not need to be transmitted directly from the charging equipment 110 to the information processing device 120; it may be configured to first be transmitted by the transmitting unit 702 to the information processing device 130, and then transmitted from the information processing device 130 to the information processing device 120.

[0047] Furthermore, if authentication is successful and charging becomes possible (if charging permission is obtained from the information processing device 130), the transmission unit 702 can transmit the charge amount of the electric vehicle 100 to the information processing device 130. The information processing device can determine the payment amount based on the charge amount obtained in this way. This charge amount may be obtained, for example, by the charging equipment 110 from the state of the battery 208 via the charging plug, or it may be calculated based on the sensor 207 and transmitted from the electric vehicle 100 to the charging equipment 110.

[0048] The authentication result acquisition unit 703 acquires the authentication result from the information processing device 120. Note that this authentication result does not need to be transmitted directly from the information processing device 120 to the charging equipment 110; it may first be transmitted from the information processing device 120 to the information processing device 130, and then the authentication result acquisition unit 703 acquires the authentication result from the information processing device 130.

[0049] The charging execution unit 704 performs charging of the electric vehicle 100 if authentication is successful. When charging is performed, the charging execution unit 704 can also calculate the amount of charge based on the state of the battery 208 before charging, or the amount of power supplied by charging, and transmit the calculated amount of charge to the information processing device 130.

[0050] Furthermore, the charging execution unit 704 may, for example, initiate a charging start sequence on the charging equipment 110 and put it into a standby state when it is connected to the electric vehicle 100 by a charging plug, and then release the standby state and perform charging if authentication is successful. In this case, if the authentication result acquisition unit 703 acquires an authentication result indicating that authentication has failed, the charging execution unit 704 will terminate the charging start sequence and will not perform charging. In this embodiment, authentication is performed quickly by using a random number of lightweight data of about 24 bytes, and even if authentication fails, the authentication result can be acquired without delay, making it possible to terminate the charging start sequence at that time. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the discomfort caused to the user 150 by the continued sound of the charging equipment 110 during the charging start sequence, even though the matching has failed and charging cannot be performed.

[0051] If authentication is successful, payment and charging will be performed using the registered account. However, even if authentication fails, the user may still enter a separate payment method and complete the payment. From this perspective, the charging equipment 110 may present the user with a UI for entering a payment method if authentication fails. In such a case, even if authentication fails, the charging execution unit 704 can perform charging of the electric vehicle 100 once the payment according to the entered payment method has been completed. The payment method presented to the user and used for payment can be any method commonly used for service payments, such as payment via account number input, payment using prepaid electronic money, or cash payment.

[0052] As shown in Figure 8, the information processing device 120 includes a registration unit 801, a correct random number acquisition unit 802, a one-time random number acquisition unit 803, a verification unit 804, an authentication unit 805, and an authentication result transmission unit 806.

[0053] The registration unit 801 can register information of electric vehicles using the information processing system according to this embodiment in a database. For example, the registration unit 801 may record the VIN code acquired by the correct random number acquisition unit 802 when the electric vehicle 100 uses the charging service for the first time, and register the VIN code as electric vehicle information linked to the account of the user 150 using the service. Alternatively, the registration unit 801 may register information that the user has previously entered on the application as electric vehicle information, and is not limited to any method as long as it can register pre-set information that identifies the vehicle. Furthermore, the registration unit 801 can associate and register the account information of the user 150 used when making payments with the electric vehicle 100. The account information registered by the user (registered account) is acquired by the information processing device 130 when the user 150 enters it using a terminal such as a smartphone, and is transmitted to the information processing device 120 in association with the VIN code.

[0054] The correct random number acquisition unit 802 acquires correct random numbers associated with the VIN code from the electric vehicle. The one-time random number acquisition unit 803 acquires one-time random numbers from the charging equipment 110 (for example, via the information processing device 130). As described above, if the one-time random numbers are transmitted divided according to the header in the CHAdeMO standard, the one-time random number acquisition unit 803 can generate and acquire a one-time random number by integrating those divided random numbers (for example, by arranging the random numbers corresponding to H'710, H'711, and H'712 in that order from left to right).

[0055] The matching unit 804 checks whether the acquired one-time random number matches the correct random number. Here, the matching is considered successful if each random number is a perfect match, but matching may be performed according to specific rules using known techniques. The authentication unit 805 authenticates the acquired one-time random number as corresponding to the VIN code of the electric vehicle 100 if the acquired one-time random number matches the correct random number.

[0056] The authentication result transmission unit 806 transmits the authentication result to the information processing device 130. The authentication result transmission unit 806 can also transmit the VIN code of the successfully authenticated vehicle to the information processing device 130 along with the authentication result. The authentication result transmission unit 806 may also transmit the authentication result to the information processing device 130 only if the authentication is successful, or perform other authentication result transmission according to predetermined rules.

[0057] As shown in Figure 9, the information processing device 130 includes a random number transmission / reception unit 901, an authentication result acquisition unit 902, a charge amount acquisition unit 903, and a settlement unit 904.

[0058] The random number transmission / reception unit 901 can transmit and receive random numbers, including one-time random numbers. In this case, the random number transmission / reception unit 901 may acquire one-time random numbers from the charging equipment 110 and transmit them to the information processing device 120.

[0059] The authentication result acquisition unit 902 acquires the authentication result from the information processing device 120. The authentication result acquisition unit 902 can also transmit permission for charging to the charging equipment 110 if the authentication is successful. The charge amount acquisition unit 903 acquires the charge amount to be provided to the electric vehicle 100 from the charging equipment 110. The charge amount acquisition unit 903 may acquire the charge amount only if the authentication is successful, or it may acquire it in advance regardless of the success or failure of the authentication (for example, simultaneously with the acquisition of a one-time random number).

[0060] The settlement unit 904 executes payment for the use of services at the charging equipment 110 in response to successful authentication. For example, the settlement unit 904 can determine the fee based on the amount of charge acquired by the charge amount acquisition unit 903 and settle the payment using the user 150's registered account. Here, the settlement unit 904 can identify the user 150's registered account based on the vehicle's VIN code acquired from the authentication result transmission unit 806 along with the authentication result and execute the payment. In this embodiment, payment for the use of services at the charging equipment 110 may include charges for charging as well as charges for using other services (e.g., car washing). Since the determination of the fee by the settlement unit 904 can be performed by a process similar to that used in known settlement methods, based on a pre-set fee per amount of charge and service usage fees, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0061] [process] Next, with reference to Figure 10, the procedures for each process performed in the information processing system according to this embodiment will be described. The process shown in Figure 10 starts with the F1001 process when the charging plug is connected to the electric vehicle 100.

[0062] At F1001, the charging start unit 601 initiates the use of the charging service for the electric vehicle 100. Here, the charging start unit 601 initiates the use of the charging service in response to the charging plug being connected to the electric vehicle 100.

[0063] In F1002, the random number generator 602 generates random numbers. Here, we assume that random numbers with a maximum of 24 digits are generated.

[0064] In F1003, the first transmitting unit 603 transmits the random number generated in F1002 as a one-time random number to the charging equipment 110, and the random number acquisition unit 701 acquires the said one-time random number.

[0065] At F1004, the transmitting unit 702 transmits the one-time random number obtained from the first transmitting unit 603 at F1003 to the information processing device 130, and the random number transmission / reception unit 901 acquires the one-time random number. At F1005, the random number transmission / reception unit 901 transmits the one-time random number obtained from the transmitting unit 702 at F1004 to the information processing device 120, and the one-time random number acquisition unit 803 acquires the one-time random number. Note that if the one-time random number is transmitted to the information processing device 120 at F1004, F1005 may be omitted.

[0066] In F1006, the second transmission unit 604 associates the random number generated in F1002 with the VIN code and transmits it to the information processing device 120 as a correct random number, which is then acquired by the correct random number acquisition unit 802. In Figure 10, F1006 is shown as being executed after F1003 to F1005, but the execution timing of F1006 may be before F1003, and as long as it is executed before F1007, the timing is not particularly limited.

[0067] In F1007, the matching unit 804 checks whether the one-time random number obtained in F1005 matches the correct random number obtained in F1006. In F1008, the authentication unit 805 authenticates the one-time random number obtained in F1005 as corresponding to the VIN code associated with the correct random number obtained in F1006, if the one-time random number is found to match the correct random number in F1007, and proceeds to F1009. If the one-time random number does not match the correct random number, the process may end in F1008, and in the subsequent F1009, a message indicating that authentication could not be performed may be sent to the information processing device 130, and the process in Figure 10 may end without charging.

[0068] At F1009, the authentication result transmission unit 806 transmits the authentication result to the information processing device 130, and the authentication result acquisition unit 902 acquires the authentication result.

[0069] In F1010, the authentication result acquisition unit 902 transmits permission to charge (or an instruction to execute charging) to the charging equipment 110, depending on whether the authentication was successful.

[0070] At F1011, the charging execution unit 704 performs charging of the electric vehicle 100. In this case, the charging execution unit 704 calculates the amount of charge to be added to the electric vehicle 100 at F1011.

[0071] In F1012, the charging execution unit 704 transmits the amount of charge performed in F1011 to the information processing device 130, and the charge amount acquisition unit 903 acquires the amount of charge.

[0072] At F1013, the settlement unit 904 determines the charge for the charging service based on the amount of charge acquired at F1012, executes the settlement, and terminates the process shown in Figure 10.

[0073] In the example in Figure 10, charging is performed in F1011 and payment is made in F1013. However, charging may be performed after payment. In that case, only the amount of charge is calculated in F1011, and the charging process is performed after F1013.

[0074] This process makes it possible to determine if the electric vehicle 100 is successfully verified when the one-time random number transmitted to the charging equipment 110 matches the correct random number transmitted to the information processing device 120. In particular, when such verification is successful, payment for the use of services at the charging equipment 110 can be executed. Therefore, by using random numbers to verify electric vehicles, it is possible to prevent impersonation and improve security without encrypting communication between the electric vehicle and the charging equipment. Furthermore, since the data transmitted and received during verification consists of random numbers (character information) of at most about 24 bytes, the aforementioned security improvement can be obtained without increasing the amount of communication.

[0075] In this example, the information processing device 120 performs the matching using two random numbers, but the entity performing the matching is not limited to this, as long as it can perform the matching in a similar manner. For example, the matching may be performed on a server provided in the charging equipment 110.

[0076] <Summary of Embodiments> 1. The authentication system according to the above embodiment is: A means for generating random numbers (602), A first transmitting means (603) transmits the random number generated by the generating means to the charging equipment (110) as a first random number for temporarily identifying the electric vehicle (100), and A second transmission means (604) transmits the random number generated by the generation means to a second information processing device (120) as a second random number associated with predetermined identification information that identifies the electric vehicle. A first information processing device (100) comprising, Acquisition means (802, 803) that acquire the first random number from the charging equipment and acquire the second random number from the first information processing device, and Authentication means (805) for authenticating the first random number as corresponding to the identification information when the first random number is found to match the second random number. The second information processing device comprises the above-mentioned second information processing device and It is equipped with.

[0077] This makes it possible to improve security without encrypting communication between electric vehicles and charging equipment. It also enables authentication using low-data transmission.

[0078] 2. The payment system according to the above embodiment is A means for generating random numbers (602), A first transmitting means (603) transmits the random number generated by the generating means to the charging equipment (110) as a first random number for temporarily identifying the electric vehicle (100), and A second transmission means (604) transmits the random number generated by the generation means to a second information processing device (120) as a second random number associated with predetermined identification information that identifies the electric vehicle. A first information processing device (100) comprising, Acquisition means (802, 803) that acquire the first random number from the charging equipment and acquire the second random number from the first information processing device, and Authentication means (805) for authenticating the first random number as corresponding to the identification information when the first random number is found to match the second random number. A second information processing device comprising, A third information processing device, which includes a payment means (904) for settling a payment for the use of the service in the charging equipment when the first random number is found to match the second random number, It is equipped with.

[0079] This makes it possible to improve security by not encrypting communication between electric vehicles and charging equipment. It also enables authentication and payment using low-data communication.

[0080] 3. In the payment system according to the above embodiment, The first transmitting means transmits the random number generated by the generating means to the charging equipment using CAN communication as the communication method.

[0081] This makes it possible to perform authentication with enhanced security using existing CAN communication.

[0082] 4. In the payment system according to the above embodiment, The first transmission means transmits the random number generated by the generation means to the charging equipment using the CHAdeMO standard format.

[0083] This makes it possible to perform authentication with enhanced security using the CHAdeMO standard format.

[0084] 5. In the payment system according to the above embodiment, The first transmission means transmits the random numbers generated by the generation means to the charging equipment, divided using the CHAdeMO standard format.

[0085] This makes it possible to perform authentication with enhanced security using the CHAdeMO standard format.

[0086] 6. In the payment system according to the above embodiment, The first transmitting means transmits the random numbers generated by the generating means to the charging equipment, divided into 8-byte sequences of numbers.

[0087] This makes it possible to perform authentication with enhanced security using the CHAdeMO standard format.

[0088] 7. In the payment system according to the above embodiment, The first information processing device further includes a notification means (605) that provides voice notification when authentication by the authentication means fails.

[0089] This makes it possible to send appropriate notifications when authentication fails.

[0090] 8. The information processing apparatus according to the above embodiment is: A means for generating random numbers, A charging device includes a first transmitting means that transmits the random number generated by the generation means as a first random number for temporarily identifying an electric vehicle, A second transmission means for transmitting the random number generated by the generation means to an external device as a second random number associated with predetermined identification information for identifying the electric vehicle, Equipped with, The random numbers generated by the generation means are authenticated by the external device as corresponding to the identification information when the first random number matches the second random number.

[0091] This makes it possible to improve security without encrypting communication between electric vehicles and charging equipment. It also enables authentication using low-data transmission.

[0092] 9. The payment method according to the above embodiment is: In the first information processing device, The generation process for generating random numbers, A first transmission step of transmitting the generated random number to the charging equipment as a first random number for temporarily identifying the electric vehicle, and The second information processing device is instructed to perform a second transmission step, which involves transmitting the generated random number as a second random number associated with predetermined identification information that identifies the electric vehicle. In the second information processing device, An acquisition step of obtaining the first random number from the charging equipment and obtaining the second random number from the first information processing device, If the first random number is found to match the second random number, an authentication step is performed to authenticate the first random number as corresponding to the identification information. In the third information processing device, If the first random number is found to match the second random number, the system will execute a settlement process for settling the payment for the use of the service at the charging facility. It is equipped with.

[0093] This makes it possible to improve security by not encrypting communication between electric vehicles and charging equipment. It also enables authentication and payment using low-data communication.

[0094] 10. The program according to the above embodiment is: The computer is made to function as one of the means of the payment system described in any one of claims 2 to 7.

[0095] This makes it possible to improve security by not encrypting communication between electric vehicles and charging equipment. It also enables authentication and payment using low-data communication.

[0096] <Other Embodiments> Furthermore, a program that implements one or more functions described in each embodiment is supplied to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device can read and execute this program. The present invention can also be realized in this manner.

[0097] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0098] 100: Electric vehicles, 110: Charging equipment, 120: Information processing equipment, 130: Information processing equipment, 140: Network, 150: User

Claims

1. A means for generating random numbers, A charging device includes a first transmitting means for transmitting the random number generated by the generation means as a first random number for temporarily identifying an electric vehicle, and A second transmission means transmits the random number generated by the generation means to a second information processing device as a second random number associated with predetermined identification information that identifies the electric vehicle. A first information processing device comprising, An acquisition means for obtaining the first random number from the charging equipment and the second random number from the first information processing device, Authentication means for authenticating the first random number as corresponding to the identification information when the first random number is found to match the second random number. The second information processing device comprises An authentication system equipped with the following features.

2. A means for generating random numbers, A charging device includes a first transmitting means for transmitting the random number generated by the generation means as a first random number for temporarily identifying an electric vehicle, and A second transmission means transmits the random number generated by the generation means to a second information processing device as a second random number associated with predetermined identification information that identifies the electric vehicle. A first information processing device comprising, An acquisition means for obtaining the first random number from the charging equipment and the second random number from the first information processing device, Authentication means for authenticating the first random number as corresponding to the identification information when the first random number is found to match the second random number. The second information processing device comprises, A third information processing device, which includes a payment means for settling a payment for the use of the service in the charging equipment when the first random number is found to match the second random number, A payment system equipped with these features.

3. The settlement system according to claim 2, characterized in that the first transmitting means transmits the random number generated by the generating means to the charging equipment using CAN communication as the communication method.

4. The payment system according to claim 3, characterized in that the first transmission means transmits the random number generated by the generation means to the charging equipment using the CHAdeMO standard format.

5. The settlement system according to claim 4, characterized in that the first transmission means transmits the random number generated by the generation means to the charging equipment in a divided format using the CHAdeMO standard.

6. The settlement system according to claim 5, characterized in that the first transmission means transmits the random number generated by the generation means to the charging equipment in the form of an 8-byte sequence of numbers.

7. The payment system according to claim 2, further comprising a notification means for causing the first information processing device to provide voice notification when authentication by the authentication means fails.

8. A means for generating random numbers, A charging device includes a first transmitting means that transmits the random number generated by the generation means as a first random number for temporarily identifying an electric vehicle, A second transmission means for transmitting the random number generated by the generation means to an external device as a second random number associated with predetermined identification information for identifying the electric vehicle, Equipped with, The random numbers generated by the generation means are authenticated by the external device as corresponding to the identification information when the first random number matches the second random number. Information processing device.

9. In the first information processing device, The generation process for generating random numbers, A first transmission step of transmitting the generated random number to the charging equipment as a first random number for temporarily identifying the electric vehicle, and The second information processing device is instructed to perform a second transmission step, which involves transmitting the generated random number as a second random number associated with predetermined identification information that identifies the electric vehicle. The second information processing device, An acquisition step of obtaining the first random number from the charging equipment and obtaining the second random number from the first information processing device, If the first random number is found to match the second random number, an authentication step is performed to authenticate the first random number as corresponding to the identification information. In the third information processing device, If the first random number is found to match the second random number, the system will execute a settlement process for settling the payment for the use of the service at the charging facility. A payment method that includes [a specific feature / feature].

10. A program for causing a computer to function as one of the means of a payment system according to any one of claims 2 to 7.

Images