Information processing device

Abstract

To make it possible to suitably respond to loss of a sticker from a vehicle.SOLUTION: A control unit 21 of an information processing device 2 mounted on a vehicle 10 outputs at least one of information indicating loss of a sticker 5 and information for prohibiting access to information related to the sticker 5, when the information processing device does not receive a radio wave that is transmitted by an electronic tag 6 included in the sticker 5 attached to the vehicle 10 when the electronic tag receives a radio wave transmitted from an on-vehicle device 4 of a smart entry system mounted on the vehicle 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, IC chips have been attached to vehicles after parts have been installed in the vehicle, parts have been replaced with specified parts, defective parts have been fixed, various coating operations have been performed, interior maintenance has been performed, service items have been set for the vehicle, parts have been replaced, etc. (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-346170 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing device that can appropriately deal with the loss of a sticker affixed to a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing device mounted on a vehicle, the information processing device including a control unit that outputs at least one of information indicating that the sticker is lost and information for prohibiting access to information related to the sticker when an electronic tag included in a sticker attached to the vehicle receives radio waves transmitted from an on-board device of a smart entry system mounted on the vehicle and the transmitted radio waves are not received.

[0006] In addition, aspects of the present disclosure may include at least one of an information processing method having similar characteristics to the above-mentioned information processing device, an information processing system including an information processing device, a program for causing a computer to operate as the above-mentioned information processing device, and a non-transitory storage medium having the program recorded thereon. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to appropriately deal with the loss of a sticker attached to a vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an information processing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a sticker attached to a vehicle body. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a position where a sticker is attached. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a sticker attached to a vehicle part. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example in which a sticker is attached to a vehicle part. [Figure 6] FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of terminal 2, and FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of terminal 3. As shown in FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the terminal 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] There is a technology to replace or update vehicle parts after the fact. For example, seats can be replaced from cloth to leather, or the steering wheel can be replaced with one that has a built-in heater. In addition, the software of the on-board computer can be replaced after the fact. By updating the software, it is possible to add functions (such as safety functions and driving assistance functions) that were not installed when the new car was sold. In this disclosure, the term "upgrade" refers to making vehicle parts more functional or of higher quality by replacing parts or updating software.

[0010] When vehicle parts are upgraded, the value of a used vehicle increases. Therefore, it is preferable for the vehicle manufacturer to certify that the upgrades were made through an official program. For example, by attaching a certificate to the vehicle's maintenance notes, it is possible to prove that the upgrades were made with genuine parts when the vehicle is sold.

[0011] The certification can also be done by a sticker. For example, by attaching a sticker indicating that a specific vehicle part has been upgraded to the body of the vehicle, it is possible to tell at a glance whether or not the vehicle has been upgraded.

[0012] On the other hand, such stickers may be peeled off from the vehicle for some reason and lost. Also, stickers may be intentionally peeled off from the vehicle. Stickers separated from the vehicle may be misused, such as by being affixed to other vehicles.

[0013] The information processing device according to the present disclosure aims to solve the above problem by making it possible to appropriately deal with the loss of a sticker from a vehicle.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. In Fig. 1, the information processing system includes a terminal 2 mounted on a vehicle 10, a terminal 3 carried by a user 11 of the vehicle 10, and a server 8. The terminal 2, the terminal 3, and the server 8 are capable of communicating with each other via a network 1. The terminal 2 is an example of an "information processing device."

[0015] The network 1 includes a wired network and a wireless network. The wired network is, for example, also called a core network or a backbone, and is a broadband network exemplified by an optical fiber network. The wireless network is, for example, a Long Term Evolution (LTE), a fifth generation mobile communication system (5G), a sixth generation mobile communication system (6G), etc. G) and other mobile phone networks.

[0016] The vehicle 10 is equipped with an on-board device 4 of a smart entry system. The user of the vehicle 10 has a smart key 7. When the distance between the on-board device 4 and the smart key 7 becomes shorter than a certain distance, the on-board device 4 transmits radio waves to the smart key 7. When the smart key 7 receives the radio waves transmitted from the on-board device 4, the smart key 7 transmits radio waves to the on-board device 4. When the on-board device 4 receives the radio waves from the smart key 7, it unlocks the doors of the vehicle 10 and makes the engine of the vehicle 10 ready to start. Note that the on-board device 4 locks the doors of the vehicle 10 and turns off the engine when, for example, the electric field strength or received power of the radio waves received from the smart key 7 falls below a predetermined level. Note that the smart key 7 may be a dedicated smart key device or a smart device (such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal) equipped with a smart key function.

[0017] A sticker 5 is attached to a predetermined position on the vehicle 10. In this disclosure, the sticker 5 is, for example, a label that is attached to the vehicle to certify that a predetermined vehicle part has been upgraded.

[0018] Examples of the predetermined vehicle parts include electronic control units (ECUs), on-board computers, communication devices, infotainment terminals, air conditioners, seats, steering wheels, doors, sunroofs, mirrors, and other electrical equipment. Although the target of the upgrade is a vehicle part, the target of the upgrade may be a component made up of multiple vehicle parts. In this case, the component can be upgraded by replacing the multiple vehicle parts that make up the component.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of sticker 5. For example, sticker 5 includes a statement that an upgrade has been implemented and information for identifying the vehicle part (or component) on which the upgrade has been implemented. For example, sticker 5A, which is an example of sticker 5, is a sticker that indicates that a safety support function has been added to an electronic control unit (ECU) mounted on the vehicle. Sticker 5B, which is another example of sticker 5, is a sticker that indicates that a unit that supplies power has been added to the outside of vehicle 10. Sticker 5C, which is another example of sticker 5, is a sticker that indicates that a sonar for detecting obstacles has been added.

[0020] The sticker 5 is affixed to a predetermined location on the vehicle 10. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a position for affixing the sticker. Fig. 3 shows a body frame of the vehicle as viewed from the front right side. The lower part of Fig. 3 is the side sill, and the center part is the center pillar (also called the B pillar).

[0021] In the example shown in Fig. 3, the sticker 5 is attached to a predetermined area arranged on the center pillar. The sticker may be attached near a caution plate on which the vehicle identification number and the like are printed. By placing the sticker 5 in such a location, the contents of the upgrade can be easily confirmed by opening the door.

[0022] In this embodiment, the stickers 5 are collectively attached to a portion of the body of the vehicle 10, but the stickers 5 may be attached to the vehicle parts themselves.

[0023] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a sticker affixed to a vehicle part. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a sticker affixed to an electronic control unit (ECU) of a vehicle 10. In this way, when a sticker is affixed to the vehicle part itself, the sticker indicates, for example, that "the target vehicle part is an upgraded product" or "the target vehicle part is an original product."

[0024] Typically, such stickers 5 are supplied by the vehicle manufacturer as a type of vehicle part, but the stickers may be supplied by a source other than the vehicle manufacturer.

[0025] The sticker 5 has an electronic tag 6. The electronic tag 6 is an RFID tag or the like. When the electronic tag 6 receives radio waves transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device 4, it transmits radio waves using the power of the radio waves as a driving source. The electronic tag 6 is firmly attached to the sticker 5, and if an attempt is made to separate the sticker 5 and the electronic tag 6, at least one of them will be damaged.

[0026] In this embodiment, as an example, the vehicle-mounted device 4 has a reader (receiver) of radio waves of the electronic tag 6. However, the terminal 2 may have a reader of the electronic tag 6.

[0027] The server 8 stores a database of information linked to the sticker 5. The database stores an electronic certificate of the upgrade, identification information (ID) of the vehicle 10, identification information (ID) of the sticker 5, identification information (ID) of the electronic tag 6 carried by the sticker 5, information indicating the contents of the upgrade, and the like. Proof of the upgrade using the sticker 5 is achieved by accessing the database and presenting a screen of the electronic certificate to the other party.

[0028] 6A is a diagram showing a configuration example of the terminal 2. The terminal 2 may be a terminal (fixed terminal) installed in the vehicle 10, or may be a portable terminal (mobile terminal) carried by the user 11 and placed in the vehicle 10.

[0029] 6A, the terminal 2 includes a processor 21, a storage device 22, a communication device 23, an input device 24, and an output device 25, which are connected via a bus 27, and is connected to the vehicle-mounted device 4.

[0030] The storage device 22 is an example of a non-transitory storage medium, and includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The main storage device is used as a storage area for programs and data, a program expansion area, a program work area, a buffer area for communication data, etc. The main storage device is configured with RAM (Random Access Memory) or a combination of RAM and ROM (Read Only Memory). The auxiliary storage device is used as a storage area for data and programs. A non-volatile storage medium can be applied as the auxiliary storage device. The non-volatile storage medium is, for example, a hard disk, a Solid State Drive (SSD), a flash memory, or an EE. Examples include PROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

[0031] The communication device 23 is a circuit that performs communication processing. The communication device 23 includes, for example, a network interface card (NIC) that is connected to an in-vehicle network (in-vehicle LAN) for communicating with the in-vehicle device 4, etc. The communication device 23 also includes a wireless communication device for transmitting and receiving data to and from the network 1.

[0032] The input device 24 is a key, a button, a pointing device (such as a mouse), a touch panel, etc. The input device 24 may also be an audio input device such as a microphone. The output device 25 is a display, etc. The output device 25 may also be an audio output device such as a speaker.

[0033] The processor 21 executes various processes by executing a program. For example, the processor 21 executes a process for detecting loss of the sticker 5 from the vehicle 10. The terminal 2 may further include a reader for the electronic tag 6 for receiving radio waves from the electronic tag 6.

[0034] Fig. 6B is a diagram showing a configuration example of the terminal 3. The terminal 3 is a portable terminal (mobile terminal) carried by the user 11, and is, for example, a smart device (such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal). In Fig. 6B, the terminal 3 includes a processor 31, a storage device 32, a communication device 33, an input device 34, and an output device 35, which are connected via a bus 37. The processor 31, the storage device 32, the communication device 33, the input device 34, and the output device 35 can be the same as the processor 21, the storage device 22, the communication device 23, the input device 24, and the output device 25, or devices of the same type can be applied.

[0035] Like the terminal 3, the server 8 may also include a processor, a storage device, and a communication device, and a database is stored on the storage device. The communication device of the server 8 may communicate with the terminal 2 or the terminal 3 via the network 1. The processor of the server 8 may store received data in the database, and transmit data read from the database to the terminal 2 or the terminal 3, etc. The processor of the server 8 may also lock and unlock access to the database based on information or instructions from the terminal 2.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the terminal 2. In FIG. In S001, the processor 21 of the terminal 2 detects the transmission of radio waves from the vehicle-mounted device 4. The vehicle-mounted device 4 transmits radio waves when the smart key 7 approaches. However, radio waves may be transmitted at a timing other than when the smart key 7 approaches. For example, when the doors of the vehicle 10 are locked, the vehicle-mounted device 4 may transmit radio waves at a predetermined cycle. The timing of transmitting radio waves can be set appropriately.

[0037] When the vehicle-mounted device 4 transmits radio waves, the processor 21 of the terminal 2 can detect the transmission of radio waves by receiving information indicating the transmission of radio waves from the vehicle-mounted device 4. However, the terminal 2 may be provided with a receiver for radio waves from the vehicle-mounted device 4 and detect the transmission of radio waves using this receiver.

[0038] In step S002, the processor 21 determines whether or not radio waves have been received from the electronic tag 6 (whether or not radio waves have been received). When the electronic tag 6 receives radio waves from the vehicle-mounted device 4, it transmits a response radio wave. In this embodiment, the vehicle-mounted device 4 has a reader for the electronic tag 6 and receives radio waves from the electronic tag 6. The processor 21 receives information indicating the reception of radio waves, which is transmitted to the terminal 2 by the vehicle-mounted device 4 that has received radio waves from the electronic tag 6. The processor 21 then determines whether or not radio waves have been received based on whether or not information indicating the reception of radio waves has been received within a predetermined time after detecting the transmission of the radio waves. At this time, if it is determined that radio waves have been received, the processing of FIG. 4 ends, and if not, the processing proceeds to step S003.

[0039] In addition, if the terminal 2 has a reader for the electronic tag 6, the processor 21 may determine in step S002 whether or not radio waves have been received based on whether or not the reader possessed by the terminal 2 receives radio waves from the electronic tag 6 within a specified period of time.

[0040] Proceeding to step S003 means that the vehicle-mounted device 4 or the terminal 2 is far enough away that it cannot receive radio waves from the electronic tag 6. In other words, it means that the sticker 5 has left the vehicle 10 and is lost. Therefore, in step S003, the processor 21 performs a process of notifying the user of information indicating that the sticker 5 is lost.

[0041] For example, the processor 21 transmits information indicating that the sticker 5 is lost to the terminal 3 via the network 1. The network address of the terminal 3 is known to the terminal 2. In the terminal 3, for example, the information indicating that the sticker 5 is lost is displayed in a pop-up display on the output device 35. This allows the user 11 to quickly learn that the sticker 5 is lost. Furthermore, as a method of notifying the user 11, the information indicating that the sticker 5 is lost may be output from the output device 25 of the terminal 2 using at least one of an image, text, light, and sound.

[0042] In step S004, the processor 21 performs a process of transmitting information indicating that access to the database is locked to the server 8 via the network 1. This information indicating the lock is an example of information for prohibiting access to information related to stickers. In the server 8, the processor of the server 8 receives the information indicating that access to the database is locked and locks (prohibits) access to the database. Also, together with or in addition to the information indicating the lock, information indicating that the sticker 5 is lost may be transmitted from the terminal 2 to the server 8, and the server 8 may display the lost state, etc.

[0043] By locking access to the database, even if someone tries to misuse the sticker 5 that has been separated (detached) from the vehicle 10, the database cannot be accessed, and the electronic certificate cannot be presented to the other party, thereby preventing misuse. Note that the sticker may contain information such as how to access the database and information on the need to present the electronic certificate. Note that the order of the processing of steps S003 and S004 may be reversed.

[0044] In this embodiment, the information processing system includes a terminal 2 which is an information processing device mounted on a vehicle 10. The terminal 2 includes a control unit (processor 21). The vehicle-mounted device 4 transmits radio waves (first radio waves) at a predetermined timing. The electronic tag 6 included in the sticker 5 affixed to the vehicle 10 transmits radio waves (second radio waves, or response radio waves) when it receives the first radio waves transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device 4. When the second radio waves are not received, the processor 21 outputs at least one of information indicating that the sticker 5 is lost and information for prohibiting access to information related to the sticker 5 (information stored in a database).

[0045] Information indicating the loss of the sticker 5 is notified to the user 11 via the terminal 2 or the terminal 3, so that the user 11 can conveniently know that the sticker is lost. Furthermore, information for prohibiting access to information related to the sticker 5 is sent to the server 8, so that the server 8 prohibits access. This prevents a misuser from accessing the electronic certificate, so that misuse of the sticker 5 that has been detached from the vehicle 10 is prohibited. This provides an appropriate response to the loss of the sticker. Note that, in the present embodiment, the use of the sticker 5 has been exemplified as proof of an upgrade of the vehicle 10 or vehicle parts, but the use of the sticker 5 may be other than proof of an upgrade.

[0046] The above embodiment is merely an example, and the present disclosure may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, a process described as being performed by one device may be shared and executed by multiple devices. Alternatively, a process described as being performed by different devices may be executed by one device. In a computer system, the hardware configuration (server configuration) by which each function is realized can be flexibly changed.

[0047] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a computer program implementing the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer, and having one or more processors of the computer read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer by a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium connectable to the system bus of the computer, or may be provided to the computer via a network. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is, for example, any type of disk, such as a magnetic disk (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk drive (HDD), etc.), an optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, a Blu-ray disk, etc.). The non-transitory computer-readable medium also includes a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a magnetic card, a flash memory, an optical card, and any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1. Network 2, 3... Terminal 4. Smart entry system on-board unit 5. Stickers 6. Electronic tags 7. Smart key 8. Server 10. Vehicle 11. User 21,31... Processor 22,32...Storage device 23,33 Communication devices 24,34... Input device 25,35... Output device

Claims

1. An information processing device mounted on a vehicle, a control unit that transmits to the server information for causing the server to prohibit access to information related to the sticker stored in a database of the server when an electronic tag included in the sticker attached to the vehicle receives radio waves transmitted from an on-board device of a smart entry system mounted on the vehicle and the transmitted radio waves are not received; An information processing device comprising:

2. The control unit further transmits information indicating that the sticker is lost to the server when the radio waves transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device are not received. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

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