Vehicle Control Systems

Abstract

To provide a vehicle control system that reduces a risk of an operation of a vehicle being performed by a third person.SOLUTION: A vehicle control system comprises: a terminal device including an ear mount part mounted in an ear of a user; and a vehicle that performs wireless communication with the terminal device. The terminal device comprises: a user authentication part for authenticating the user based on an acoustic reflection sound inside the ear; a first authentication part for performing authentication with the vehicle by wireless communication when entering an area that allows wireless communication with the vehicle; and an operation instruction part for receiving an instruction from the user for performing a prescribed operation of the vehicle, after the authentication of the user and the authentication with the vehicle have been successful, and sending a signal corresponding to the instruction to the vehicle. The vehicle comprises: a second authentication part for communicating with the first authentication part to perform authentication with the terminal device; and an operation control part for receiving the signal from the operation instruction part to perform the prescribed operation corresponding to the signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle control system for causing a vehicle to perform a predetermined operation. [Background technology]

[0002] A smart system has been proposed that enables a user possessing an electronic key or the like that has been authenticated via wireless communication with the vehicle to control operations such as unlocking the door by performing a specified operation, such as touching the door handle (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] On the other hand, a terminal device has been proposed called a hearable device that has an ear canal authentication function, which is worn on the user's ear, emits a reference sound from a sound emitting means into the ear canal, collects the reflected sound with a sound collecting means, and authenticates the user based on the characteristics of the reflected sound (see Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-169008 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2010-86328 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] If hearable devices become widespread, they could be used in place of electronic keys for smart systems to perform authentication processing with both the user and the vehicle. However, if general communication standards are used, which allow communication with the vehicle over a wider area than conventional standards, up to about 10 m from the vehicle, there is a risk that a third party who is closer to the vehicle than the user may be able to perform operations such as unlocking the vehicle after successful authentication.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a vehicle control system that reduces the risk that a third party will execute an operation of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle control system including a terminal device including an ear attachment portion attached to a user's ear, and a vehicle that performs wireless communication with the terminal device, wherein the terminal device includes a user authentication unit that authenticates a user based on acoustic reflected sound in the ear, a first authentication unit that performs authentication with the vehicle via wireless communication when the terminal device enters an area where wireless communication with the vehicle is possible, and an operation instruction unit that receives an instruction from the user to perform a predetermined operation of the vehicle after authentication of the user and authentication with the vehicle are successful, and transmits a signal corresponding to the instruction to the vehicle, and the vehicle includes a second authentication unit that communicates with the first authentication unit to perform authentication with the terminal device, and an operation control unit that receives a signal from the operation instruction unit and performs a predetermined operation corresponding to the signal.

[0008] This allows the user to make the vehicle perform an action by speaking into the terminal device worn by the user, thereby reducing the risk that a third party near the vehicle will make the vehicle perform an action.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is a vehicle control system including a terminal device including an ear attachment part attached to a user's ear, and a vehicle that performs wireless communication with the terminal device, the terminal device including a user authentication part that performs authentication of a user based on an acoustic reflection sound in the ear, a first authentication part that performs authentication with the vehicle by wireless communication when the terminal device enters an area where wireless communication with the vehicle is possible, and a second authentication part that detects that a predetermined operation has been performed on the vehicle from the vehicle after the authentication of the user and the authentication with the vehicle are successful. and an operation instruction unit which, when it receives a signal indicating that a command has been issued, if an instruction to prohibit the vehicle from operating in accordance with a specified operation is received from the user within a specified period of time after the reception, transmits a signal to the vehicle in accordance with the instruction.The vehicle is equipped with a second authentication unit which communicates with the first authentication unit to perform authentication with the terminal device, an operation detection unit which detects the specified operation and notifies the operation instruction unit if authentication with the terminal device is successful, and an operation control unit which, after the operation detection unit detects the specified operation, executes a vehicle operation corresponding to the specified operation if a signal in accordance with the instruction is not received from the operation instruction unit within a specified period of time, and does not execute the vehicle operation if a signal in accordance with the instruction is received.

[0010] This allows the user to cancel the vehicle's corresponding operation even if a specified operation is performed by a third party, thereby reducing the risk that a third party near the vehicle will cause the vehicle to perform an operation.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention is a vehicle control system including a terminal device including an ear mounting unit to be attached to a user's ear, and a vehicle that communicates with the terminal device, wherein the terminal device is equipped with a user authentication unit that authenticates a user based on acoustic reflected sound in the ear, a first authentication unit that authenticates with the vehicle via wireless communication when the terminal device enters an area where wireless communication with the vehicle is possible, and a first human body communication unit that has an electrode that contacts the user when the ear mounting unit is attached to the user's ear, and if the user contacts the vehicle and performs a predetermined operation after user authentication and authentication with the vehicle are successful, performs authentication with the vehicle through communication via the user's body, and the vehicle is equipped with a second authentication unit that communicates with the first authentication unit and performs authentication with the terminal device, a second human body communication unit that has an electrode that contacts when the user performs a predetermined operation, detects the predetermined operation, and performs authentication with the terminal device through communication between the first human body communication unit and the user's body, and an operation control unit that executes a vehicle operation corresponding to the predetermined operation if authentication by the second human body communication unit is successful.

[0012] This allows authentication with the vehicle through human body communication by a specific operation by the user wearing the terminal device, thereby reducing the risk that a third party near the vehicle will cause the vehicle to perform an operation.

[0013] The terminal device may further include a notification unit that notifies the user when authentication of the user and authentication between the user and the vehicle is successful.

[0014] This allows the user to know when they are within a certain distance from the vehicle.

[0015] The terminal device may further include a notification unit that notifies the user in response to a signal indicating that a predetermined operation has been performed on the vehicle.

[0016] This allows the user to more reliably know when a third party has performed a predetermined operation.

[0017] The notification unit of the terminal device may also provide notification by vibration.

[0018] This reduces the risk of the user feeling annoyed compared to notifications by voice or the like.

[0019] The predetermined operation may also include at least one of the operations of locking / unlocking a door, starting the engine, opening the trunk, and opening the fuel filler door.

[0020] This makes it possible to control a variety of operations and improve convenience. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, a vehicle control system can be provided that controls vehicle operation by issuing operational instructions or operational prohibition instructions to a terminal device worn by a user, or by performing human body communication via the user wearing the terminal device, thereby reducing the risk of vehicle operation being performed by a third party. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] Functional block diagram of a vehicle control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing the processing of a vehicle control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a communication range according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention; [Figure 4] Functional block diagram of a vehicle control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the processing of a vehicle control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] A functional block diagram of a vehicle control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the processing of a vehicle control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] (overview) The vehicle control system according to the present invention instructs or cancels vehicle operations based on operation instructions or operation prohibition instructions given to a terminal device worn by a user. Alternatively, the vehicle operations are controlled by human body communication via the user wearing the terminal device. This reduces the risk of a third party executing the vehicle operations.

[0024] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0025] (First embodiment) <Configuration> 1 shows a functional block diagram of a vehicle control system 11 according to this embodiment. The vehicle control system 11 includes a terminal device 110 and a vehicle 210.

[0026] The terminal device 110 is a small device including an ear attachment unit that is attached to the user's ear. The terminal device 110 includes a user authentication unit 111, an output unit 112, an input unit 113, an operation instruction unit 114, a notification unit 115, a first authentication unit 116, and a first communication unit 117. The output unit 112 includes a speaker that can emit sound to the user's ear hole. The input unit 113 includes an authentication microphone that collects reverberation in the user's ear hole, and a speech microphone that collects the user's speech sound. The input unit 113 also has a function of performing voice recognition from the collected user's speech sound. The vehicle 210 includes an operation control unit 211, a second authentication unit 212, and a second communication unit 213. The terminal device 110 and the vehicle 210 may each have a control unit that appropriately controls the operation of each of the above-mentioned units. The notification unit 115 generates notification content for the user as a voice or the like and causes the output unit 112 to output it.

[0027] <Processing> 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing of the vehicle 210 and the terminal device 110. This processing will be described with reference to FIG.

[0028] Step S101: Terminal device 110 performs ear canal authentication. Ear canal authentication may be performed when terminal device 110 is worn on the ear, or may be performed periodically thereafter, or may be performed before each operation performed by terminal device 110. As an example, user authentication unit 111 of terminal device 110 emits an authentication sound from output unit 112 into the ear canal, acquires the reflected sound with an authentication microphone in input unit 113, and authenticates the user by comparing the characteristics of the reflected sound with the characteristics of the reflected sound of a pre-registered legitimate user. If authentication fails, the subsequent process is performed. The sequence ends without performing any authentication. The sound for authentication may be an audible sound or an inaudible sound such as ultrasonic. If it is an audible sound, the user can be informed by the sound that authentication processing will be performed. If it is an inaudible sound, the user may be notified by a voice such as "Authentication will be performed" before the authentication processing.

[0029] Step S102: When the terminal device 110 enters a communication range with the vehicle 210, for example, upon receiving a radio signal periodically transmitted by the vehicle 210, the first communication unit 117 of the terminal device 110 performs wireless communication with the second communication unit 213 of the vehicle 210. FIG. 3 shows an example of a range 500 in which the vehicle 210 and the terminal device 110 can wirelessly communicate with each other. The range 500 is, for example, a range of about 10 m or less from the vehicle. The wireless communication is controlled by the first authentication unit 116 of the terminal device 110 and the second authentication unit 212 of the vehicle 210, and authentication is performed by checking whether the identifier of the terminal device 110 matches a regular identifier registered in advance in the vehicle 210 through communication. Alternatively, authentication may be performed by checking whether the identifier of the vehicle 210 matches a regular identifier registered in advance in the terminal device 110. If authentication fails, the following process is not performed and this sequence is terminated.

[0030] Step S103: If the authentication in step S102 is successful, the notification unit 115 of the terminal device 110 drives the output unit 112 to notify the user. This allows the user to know that the terminal device 110 has entered a communication range with the vehicle 210. The method of notification is not limited, and may be a voice output from a speaker of the output unit 112, or the output unit 112 may be equipped with a vibrator and may be a vibration. Although a voice is easier to understand, it can be annoying if it is frequent, so a vibration that the user can feel may be used. Also, the user may be able to select either a voice or a vibration.

[0031] Step S104: Upon receiving the notification, the user issues an instruction to execute a predetermined operation of the vehicle 210. The instruction can be issued by speaking a predetermined phrase such as "unlock the door" or "open it." The voice is input to a speech microphone of the input unit 113 of the terminal device 110. The operation instruction unit 114 of the terminal device 110 accepts the input predetermined phrase as an operation instruction for the vehicle. Note that earhole authentication similar to that in step S101 may be performed here to authenticate the user who spoke.

[0032] Step S105: The operation instruction unit 114 of the terminal device 110 transmits a signal representing the accepted operation instruction to the vehicle 210 via the first communication unit 117.

[0033] Step S106: The operation control unit 211 of the vehicle 210 receives a signal representing an operation instruction from the operation instruction unit 114 of the terminal device 110 via the second communication unit 213, and executes an operation such as unlocking the door in response to the signal. This ends the sequence.

[0034] <Effects> According to the above process, the user can know that the terminal device 110 has entered the communication range with the vehicle 210 and that it is now possible to execute an operation of the vehicle according to this embodiment. After that, the user can make the vehicle execute an operation by speaking to the terminal device 110 worn by the user. This reduces the risk that a third party near the vehicle will make the vehicle execute an operation, even if the communication area is wider than before.

[0035] Second embodiment <Configuration> 4 shows a functional block diagram of the vehicle control system 12 according to this embodiment. The vehicle control system 12 includes a terminal device 120 and a vehicle 220. The terminal device 120 has a functional block configuration similar to that of the terminal device 110 in the first embodiment. The vehicle 220 also includes a first The vehicle 210 in this embodiment further includes an operation detection unit 224. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and descriptions of the same or corresponding features will be omitted or simplified.

[0036] <Processing> 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing of the vehicle 220 and the terminal device 120. This processing will be described with reference to FIG.

[0037] Step S201: The terminal device 120 authenticates the user by ear hole authentication, similarly to step S101 in the first embodiment.

[0038] Step S202: As in step S102 in the first embodiment, when the terminal device 120 enters a communication range with the vehicle 220, the terminal device 120 and the vehicle 220 perform authentication by wirelessly communicating with each other.

[0039] Step S203: The notification unit 115 of the terminal device 120 notifies the user that the authentication in step S202 has been successful, similar to step S103 in the first embodiment.

[0040] Step S204: This step to step S208 will explain a case where the user performs a predetermined operation on the vehicle 210, such as touching the door handle, with the intention of causing the vehicle to perform an operation such as door unlock. In this step, when the user performs the predetermined operation, the operation detection unit 224 of the vehicle 220 detects it.

[0041] Step S205: The operation detection unit 224 of the vehicle 220 transmits a signal indicating that a predetermined operation has been performed via the second communication unit 213 to notify the terminal device 120. The operation instruction unit 114 of the terminal device 120 receives the signal via the first communication unit 117.

[0042] Step S206: The operation instruction unit 114 of the terminal device 120 causes the notification unit 115 to execute a notification to the user in response to the signal received in step S205. For example, if the predetermined operation is a touch operation on the door handle, the notification unit 115 causes the speaker of the output unit 112 to output a voice message saying "Door will be unlocked" or, in addition, "If you want to cancel, please perform a cancel action." This step can reliably notify the user when an operation unintended by the user is performed on the vehicle, but since a third party nearby may notice the operation and some users may find the notification annoying, this step may be omitted. The notification may also be made by vibration. Whether or not to execute the notification may also be customized by the user.

[0043] Step S207: The operation instruction unit 114 of the terminal device 120 waits for a predetermined prohibition instruction input from the user for a predetermined period of time after the notification in step S206. The prohibition instruction input will be described later. The operation control unit 211 of the vehicle 220 also waits for the same period of time as the operation instruction unit 114. The operation instruction unit 114 may authenticate the user by having the user authentication unit 111 perform ear hole authentication similar to step S201. The predetermined period is preferably, for example, from 0.5 seconds to 1 second.

[0044] Step S208: In this step, since no prohibition instruction has been input from the user for a predetermined period of time, the vehicle 220 executes a vehicle operation corresponding to the predetermined operation detected in step S204. This ends the sequence.

[0045] Step S214: This step to step S218 are carried out when a third party other than the user This section describes a case where a user performs a predetermined operation on vehicle 220, such as touching the door handle, with the intention of causing the vehicle to perform an operation such as door unlock without legitimate authority, or where the user or a third party performs such an operation accidentally or by mistake, and the user cancels the vehicle operation based on such an operation. In this step, when such a predetermined operation is performed, the operation detection unit 224 of vehicle 220 detects it, similarly to step S204.

[0046] Step S215: As in step S205, the operation detection unit 224 of the vehicle 220 transmits a signal indicating that a predetermined operation has been performed to notify the terminal device 120.

[0047] Step S216: As in step S206, the operation instruction unit 114 of the terminal device 120 causes the notification unit 115 to execute a notification to the user.

[0048] Step S217: The operation instruction unit 114 of the terminal device 120 waits for a predetermined prohibition instruction input from the user for a predetermined period of time after the notification in step S216. The operation instruction unit 114 of the terminal device 120 may authenticate the user by having the user authentication unit 111 execute earhole authentication, as in step S207. In this step, the user does not intend to operate the vehicle, so inputs a prohibition instruction. The prohibition instruction can be issued by speaking a predetermined phrase, such as "don't unlock the door." The voice is input to a speech microphone of the input unit 113 of the terminal device 120. The method of inputting the instruction is not limited to this, and for example, if the input unit 113 is equipped with a motion sensor, the instruction can be issued by the user shaking his head sideways twice.

[0049] Step S218: The operation instruction unit 114 of the terminal device 120 transmits a signal representing the received prohibition instruction to the vehicle 220 via the first communication unit 117. The operation control unit 211 of the vehicle 220 receives the signal representing the operation instruction from the operation instruction unit 114 of the terminal device 110 via the second communication unit 213, and in response thereto, cancels the operation such as door unlock based on the operation such as touching the door handle received in step S214. This ends the sequence.

[0050] <Effects> According to the above process, the user can know that the terminal device 110 has entered the communication range with the vehicle 210 and that it is now possible to execute an operation by operating the vehicle according to this embodiment. Furthermore, even if a third party performs a predetermined operation, the user can cancel the corresponding vehicle operation. This reduces the risk that a third party near the vehicle will cause the vehicle to execute an operation, even if the communication area is wider than before.

[0051] (Third embodiment) <Configuration> 6 shows a functional block diagram of the vehicle control system 13 according to this embodiment. The vehicle control system 13 includes a terminal device 130 and a vehicle 230. The terminal device 130 is the terminal device 110 in the first embodiment without the operation instruction unit 114, and further includes a first human body communication unit 137. The vehicle 230 is the vehicle 210 in the first embodiment, and further includes a second human body communication unit 235. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and descriptions of the same or corresponding features will be omitted or simplified.

[0052] <Processing> 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing of the vehicle 230 and the terminal device 130. This processing will be described with reference to FIG.

[0053] Step S301: The terminal device 130 authenticates the user by ear hole authentication, similarly to step S101 in the first embodiment.

[0054] Step S302: As in step S102 in the first embodiment, when the terminal device 130 enters a communication range with the vehicle 220, the terminal device 130 and the vehicle 230 perform authentication by wirelessly communicating with each other.

[0055] Step S303: The notification unit 115 of the terminal device 130 notifies the user that the authentication in step S302 has been successful, similar to step S103 in the first embodiment.

[0056] Step S304: When the user performs a predetermined operation, the second human body communication unit 235 of the vehicle 230 detects this. The second human body communication unit 235 has electrodes provided at positions that the user touches by various operations, such as a door handle, an engine start switch, and a brake pedal.

[0057] Step S305: The first human body communication unit 137 of the terminal device 130 has an electrode that contacts the user's ear or the like when the user wears the terminal device 130 (or the electrode may be located very close to the user's ear or the like even if it is not in contact). Therefore, when the user performs a predetermined operation in step S302, a human body communication path is formed between the first human body communication unit 137 and the second human body communication unit 235, with the user's body, which is a dielectric, serving as a communication path. In this step, the terminal device 130 and the vehicle 230 perform authentication by human body communication. The authentication includes, for example, notification of the authentication result in steps S301 and S302, or new authentication processing between the terminal device 130 and the vehicle 230 using human body communication. Also, in this step, ear hole authentication may be performed again. If such authentication fails, the sequence is terminated without executing the subsequent processing.

[0058] Step S306: If the authentication is successful in step S305, the operation control unit 211 of the vehicle 230 executes an operation such as unlocking the door based on the predetermined operation performed in step S302. This ends the sequence.

[0059] <Effects> According to the above process, the user can know that the vehicle 230 is nearby because the terminal device 130 has entered a communication range with the vehicle 230. Furthermore, since authentication with the vehicle through human body communication is possible by a predetermined operation by the user wearing the terminal device 130, it is possible to reduce the risk that a third party near the vehicle will cause the vehicle to perform an operation even if the communication area is wider than before.

[0060] Since authentication between the terminal device 130 and the vehicle 230 is possible by the human body communication in step S304, if the notification in step S303, that is, the notification that a vehicle is nearby, is not required, step S302 may be omitted. In this case, wireless communication is not required.

[0061] In each of the above embodiments, door unlocking has been given as an example of a vehicle operation to be controlled, but this is not limited to this, and various other operations such as door locking, engine starting, trunk opening, and fuel filler opening may also be controlled to further improve convenience.

[0062] The terminal device may be configured, for example, such that all of the components are included in an ear attachment unit that is attached to the user's ear, or such that at least the output unit is included in the ear attachment unit and the other components are included in a portable terminal device such as a smartphone, and the ear attachment unit and the portable terminal device communicate with each other wirelessly or via wires. The configuration may be such that the signal is trusted.

[0063] The present invention can be understood not only as a system including a terminal device and a vehicle, but also as a single terminal device or vehicle, a method executed by one or more computers equipped with a processor, or a program thereof. [Industrial Applicability]

[0064] The present invention is useful for a vehicle control system that controls the operation of a vehicle or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 11, 12, 13 Vehicle control system 110, 120, 130 Terminal equipment 111 User authentication section 112 Output section 113 Input section 114 Operation instruction section 115 Notification Department 116 First Authentication Section 117 First Communications Department 137 First Human Body Communication Department 210, 220, 230 vehicles 211 Motion control section 212 Second Authentication Section 213 Second Communication Department 224 Operation detection unit 235 Second Human Body Communication Department

Claims

1. Vehicle an authentication unit that authenticates a terminal device based on information related to the terminal device that has determined a user using biometric information; an operation detection unit that, after authenticating the terminal device, detects an operation on the vehicle and then notifies the terminal device according to the operation; a control unit that controls the vehicle not to perform an operation corresponding to the operation if an instruction to prohibit the operation is received from the terminal device within a specified period after the notification, and controls the vehicle to perform an operation corresponding to the operation if an instruction to prohibit the operation is not received from the terminal device within a specified period after the notification.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1 , further comprising: a terminal device configured to notify the user when authentication between the terminal device and the vehicle is successful.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the terminal device is configured to, in response to a signal indicating that an operation on the vehicle has been detected, give the user a notification corresponding to the operation.

4. The vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the terminal device notifies the user by vibration.

5. 5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the action corresponding to the operation includes at least one of the actions of locking / unlocking a door, starting an engine, opening a trunk, and opening a fuel filler door.

6. a step of wirelessly communicating between the vehicle and the terminal device based on information related to the terminal device that has determined the user using the biometric information; a step of, after the vehicle and the terminal device perform the wireless communication with each other and authentication is performed, based on detection of an operation on the vehicle, notifying the terminal device according to the operation; a step of not performing an operation corresponding to the operation if the vehicle receives an instruction to prohibit the operation from the terminal device within a predetermined period after the notification, and a step of performing an operation corresponding to the operation if the vehicle does not receive an instruction to prohibit the operation from the terminal device within a predetermined period after the notification.

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