Authentication System

Abstract

To provide an authentication system that simply determines the use of facilities, is yet highly reliable in preventing fraud.SOLUTION: An authentication system 100 comprises a facility device 10 having a display device 11 that displays authentication information, a management device 20 that manages the usage status of the facility device 10, and a vehicle device 30 having an on-vehicle camera 31 that photographs authentication information and a communication device 32 that transmits the photographed authentication information to the management device 20. The management device 20 has a collation unit 21a that performs collation with respect to the photographed authentication information, and permits use of a parking lot PA as a facility when the collation result indicates validity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an authentication system that enables management of entrance and exit to facilities such as parking lots. [Background technology]

[0002] A parking management system is known in which a two-dimensional code is attached to each parking space, and a user operates a mobile terminal to photograph the two-dimensional code and read the identification information of the parking space (Patent Document 1). In this parking management system, the identification information of the parking space is sent to a server device along with the parking start and end information detected by the mobile terminal, and is used to calculate parking fees, etc.

[0003] In addition, an authentication system that is used for car sharing is known in which an authentication code is issued in advance to a designated user, and when the system is used, the authentication code is photographed by an onboard camera to authenticate the designated user, and if it is determined that the authentication code was issued to the designated user, the vehicle doors are unlocked and the engine and traction motor are enabled to operate (Patent Document 2).

[0004] The system in Patent Document 1 is not applicable to managing entrance and exit to an entire facility such as a parking lot. In addition, this system has a complex process for determining the start and end of use, is highly dependent on mobile devices, and is not highly reliable against fraud.

[0005] The system of Patent Document 2 is not applicable to the use of facilities such as parking lots. In addition, this system is highly dependent on mobile terminals and is not highly reliable against fraud. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-205853 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-31172 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has an object to provide an authentication system that can easily determine facility use and is highly reliable in preventing fraud.

[0008] An authentication system for achieving the above-mentioned objective includes a facility device having a display device that displays authentication information, a management device that manages the usage status of the facility device, and a vehicle device having an on-board camera that photographs the authentication information and a communication device that transfers the photographed authentication information to the management device, wherein the management device has a matching unit that performs matching on the photographed authentication information, and if the matching result indicates validity, allows use of the facility.

[0009] In the above authentication system, an onboard camera in the vehicle captures the authentication information displayed on the display device of the facility device and transfers it to the management device, which has a matching section that performs a comparison on the captured authentication information.If the comparison result indicates validity, use of the facility is permitted, which simplifies management of facility use while increasing reliability in preventing fraud.

[0010] In a specific aspect of the present invention, in the authentication system, the facility device has a gate that allows or denies passage, and the management device allows passage through the gate when the verification result indicates validity. In this case, entry and exit are permitted or denied on-site by the gate, making management more reliable.

[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, the display device dynamically displays the authentication information. In this case, the dynamic display of the authentication information enables timing management, which has the effect of preventing fraud.

[0012] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the display device processes data including facility information as authentication information into a two-dimensional code and displays the code on the display. In this case, the two-dimensional code can display a variety of information with high precision and can also improve reading accuracy.

[0013] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the vehicle device transfers user information to the management device by adding it to the photographed authentication information, and the verification unit determines whether the photographed authentication information corresponds to the registered user information. In this case, by adding the user information to the photographed authentication information, it is possible to link and manage the facility usage status and the user information. It is also possible to determine whether the user is an authorized user who has access to the facility corresponding to the authentication information.

[0014] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the facility device is installed at an entrance / exit of a parking lot. In this case, the authentication system is suitable for traffic management at the entrance / exit of the parking lot. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an authentication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a parking lot as a facility and facility devices installed in the parking lot. [Figure 3] FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a facility device, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating a management device. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the authentication system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] [Embodiment] An example of an authentication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0017] The authentication system 100 shown in Fig. 1 manages the operation of facilities such as parking lots PA. Specifically, the authentication system 100 utilizes an in-vehicle camera 31 mounted on a vehicle VE to manage entry and exit by MPM (Merchant-Presented Mode) code determination.

[0018] The authentication system 100 is composed of a facility device 10 installed in a parking lot PA, a management device 20 installed at a location remote from the parking lot PA, and a vehicle device 30 installed in a vehicle VE in which a user or a person reserving the parking lot PA boards. For ease of explanation, FIG. 1 shows a single parking lot PA and vehicle VE, but the authentication system 100 of this embodiment operates and manages multiple parking lots PA and vehicles VE in parallel, including the parking lot PA and vehicle VE shown in the figure. A parking lot PA is a facility that provides a service of providing parking space, and the authentication system 100 that operates and manages such a facility is a management system for the parking lot PA. The management device 20 cooperates with the vehicle device 30 and the facility device 10 to manage the start and end of parking for each vehicle VE that uses the parking lot PA.

[0019] The facility devices 10 are capable of communicating with the management device 20 via a communication network NT. The vehicle devices 30 are also capable of communicating with the management device 20 via the communication network NT. This communication network NT is specifically the Internet.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3(A), the facility device 10 is a parking lot device and includes a display device 11, a gate 12, and a main control device 13. The facility device 10 is installed at the entrance / exit of the parking lot PA. This makes the authentication system 100 suitable for traffic management at the entrance / exit of the parking lot PA. The display device 11 is provided at each of the entrance EN and exit EX of the parking lot PA. Although not shown, the main control device 13 is capable of wireless or wired communication between the display device 11 and the gate 12. In the illustrated example, the main control device 13 is installed independently of the display device 11 and the gate 12, but it may be incorporated into the display device 11 or the gate 12.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3A, the display device 11 includes a display control device 11a, a storage device 11b, and a display 11c. Although not shown, the display device 11 includes a sensor that optically or electromagnetically detects a vehicle VE parked at a predetermined position in front of the display device 11. The display control device 11a operates based on a program stored in the storage device 11b under the control of the main control device 13. This program has a function of generating a two-dimensional code TC from authentication information. The display 11c is located above the front of the vehicle VE and within the capture range of the onboard camera 31 of the vehicle device 30. As will be described in detail later, the display 11c displays authentication information to the vehicle VE or the user. The authentication information includes facility information such as a parking lot identification ID, entry / exit status, and time information. The parking lot identification ID includes information that identifies the parking lot PA. The time information includes the time of use (entry or exit time) when the vehicle VE is detected and the current time when the two-dimensional code TC is generated. The display 11c may also present the user with information including an overview of how to use the parking lot PA and how to start using the parking lot PA.

[0022] The display device 11 dynamically displays authentication information on the display 11c through the operation of the display control device 11a. Dynamic display of authentication information enables timing management and prevents fraud. The display device 11 processes data, including facility information, into a two-dimensional code and displays it as authentication information. The two-dimensional code TC allows for high-precision display of diverse information and improved reading accuracy. The two-dimensional code TC is periodically generated, for example, at intervals of five or ten minutes. While the information regarding the parking lot ID and the time of use remains constant, the information regarding the current time constantly changes, resulting in the display of the two-dimensional code TC being periodically updated. When generating the two-dimensional code TC, a signature portion obtained by hashing and encrypting the authentication information can be attached. This allows the vehicle device 30 or the management device 20 to verify the authenticity of the data read from the two-dimensional code TC and prevents tampering with the two-dimensional code TC. The authentication information to be generated as the two-dimensional code TC may be encrypted and decrypted in the management device 20.

[0023] Gate 12 determines whether or not to permit passage. Specifically, gate 12 has an entrance gate device 12a and an exit gate device 12b. As shown in Fig. 2, entrance gate device 12a is provided at the entrance EN of a parking space PS formed in a parking lot PA. Exit gate device 12b is provided at the exit EX of the parking space PS.

[0024] The entrance gate device 12a includes a gate bar GBa and a drive mechanism that moves up and down under the control of the main controller 13. The exit gate device 12b includes a gate bar GBb and a drive mechanism that moves up and down under the control of the main controller 13.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3(A), the main control device 13 is a control unit for managing entry and exit, and controls the operation of the display device 11 and gate 12. The main control device 13 also has a communication device 13a for communicating with the management device 20. When the display device 11 on the entrance EN side detects that the vehicle VE has stopped in front of the entrance gate bar GBa when the vehicle VE enters, the main control device 13 causes the display device 11 to display a two-dimensional code TC on the display 11c of the display device 11 for the vehicle VE. Thereafter, if the collation result by the management device 20 is valid, specifically if the main control device 13 is able to confirm that the person is a registered user of the facility, the main control device 13 raises the gate bar GBa to allow the vehicle VE to enter.

[0026] When the display device 11 on the exit EX side detects that the vehicle VE has stopped in front of the exit gate bar GBb when the vehicle VE is about to exit, the main control device 13 causes the display device 11 to display a two-dimensional code TC on the display 11c of the display device 11 for the vehicle VE, and if the collation result is valid, specifically if payment of the parking fee has been confirmed for the user identified by the collation result, the main control device 13 raises the gate bar GBb to allow the vehicle VE to exit. Parking fees are paid in advance through a monthly contract or by online payment, etc.

[0027] The communication device 13a receives the collation result from the management device 20 via the communication network NT shown in Fig. 1. The main control device 13 may synchronize the current time with the management device 20 via the communication device 13a.

[0028] The management device 20 manages the usage status of the facility device 10, and ultimately the usage status of the parking lot PA. The management device 20 verifies the authentication information corresponding to the two-dimensional code TC photographed by the vehicle device 30, and permits use of the facility if the verification result indicates validity. Specifically, the management device 20 allows the gate 12 to permit passage if the verification result indicates validity. This allows the gate 12 to permit or deny entry and exit on-site, making management more reliable.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3(B), the management device 20 is a computer that operates under the management of a system administrator. Specifically, the management device 20 identifies the parking lot identification ID and user ID, and performs parking lot PA usage time management, fee settlement, reservation acceptance, etc. The management device 20 has a main control device 21, a storage device 22, and a communication device 23. The management device 20 communicates with the main control device 13 provided in each parking lot PA via the communication network NT shown in FIG. 1 using the communication device 23. The storage device 22 stores a program that operates the management device 20 and management information for each parking lot PA. The main control device 21 has a matching unit 21a that manages and matches information. The matching unit 21a determines whether the captured authentication information corresponds to registered user information (user ID). Linking the authentication information to the user information facilitates matching by the matching unit 21a.

[0030] The management device 20, in its matching unit 21a, matches the entry information, which is obtained by linking the authentication information, user information, and time information from the vehicle device 30, with registration information (e.g., vehicle type, etc.) linked to the user ID stored in the management device 20. When matching the entry information, the management device 20 determines whether the user corresponding to the user information is a user of the parking lot PA. The management device 20 manages the entry information, which is compiled into a list and stored in the storage device 22. Furthermore, the management device 20, in its matching unit 21a, matches the exit information, which is obtained by linking the authentication information, user information, and time information from the vehicle device 30, with registration information (e.g., entry information, etc.) linked to the user ID stored in the management device 20. When matching the exit information, the management device 20 performs an exit permission / refusal determination, settlement processing, etc., in addition to the entry information corresponding to the same user information.

[0031] The management device 20 receives the exit information from the vehicle device 30, searches for entry information that matches the exit information, and for the entry information that is determined to match, acquires the usage entry information and usage exit information for the specific user that corresponds to the matching or identical entry information and exit information. The management device 20 can manage the entry record and exit record in association with each other, and can list the user ID and the usage status of the parking lot PA and store it as a parking lot usage history.

[0032] The management device 20 can accept reservations for the use of the parking lot PA. The management device 20 can compare the previously acquired reservation information with the entry information and exit information received from the vehicle device 30 when the user subsequently uses the parking lot, and can use the information to authenticate the identity of the user.

[0033] 1, the vehicle device 30 has an in-vehicle camera 31 that captures authentication information and a communication device 32 that transfers the captured authentication information to the management device 20. A user ID is set in the vehicle device 30 by pre-registration with the management device 20. The vehicle device 30 adds the user ID, which is user information, to the captured authentication information and transfers it to the management device 20 via the communication device 32. The user ID as user information is, for example, a drive recorder ID, a mobile terminal ID, etc.

[0034] The vehicle-mounted camera 31 is, for example, a drive recorder. The vehicle-mounted camera 31 also includes a car navigation system with an application installed in the drive recorder. The vehicle-mounted camera 31 acquires authentication information directly from the display device 11. The authentication information is acquired by reading a two-dimensional coded image. The authentication information acquired by the vehicle-mounted camera 31 is transferred to the management device 20 and used for managing the usage time of the parking lot PA, settling the usage fee, etc.

[0035] Although not shown, the drive recorder has multiple software applications stored in its storage device, including a parking lot usage application. The parking lot usage application connects to the management device 20 using a user ID stored in the storage device, enabling usage processes such as parking lot reservations and payment. The parking lot usage application has a reader function that reads the two-dimensional code TC and reproduces authentication information, and transmits a set of entry or exit information to the management device 20, including the parking lot identification ID, entry or exit time, current time, etc. Here, the current time is the time when the two-dimensional code TC is captured using the vehicle device 30, and can be referred to as the self-reported entry or exit time. Note that the parking lot usage application does not need to be stored entirely in the storage device; it may be a web application or a cloud application.

[0036] The communication device 32 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, and communicates with the drive recorder, which is the in-vehicle camera 31, via Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like. The communication device 32 also transmits authentication information, a user ID, time information, and the like to the management device 20 via the communication network NT.

[0037] A series of operations related to the use and management of the parking lot PA performed by the authentication system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In the authentication system 100 of this embodiment, the user is registered in advance by signing a monthly contract or making a reservation for use of the parking lot PA.

[0038] First, in a start-of-use scene SC1, the facility device 10 of the parking lot PA detects entry using the sensor of the display device 11 (step S11). When the facility device 10 detects a vehicle VE, it starts displaying a two-dimensional code TC on the display 11c of the display device 11 (step S12). As described above, the two-dimensional code TC is generated from a set of authentication information, which includes a parking lot identification ID, an entry time as the start time of use, and the current time when the two-dimensional code TC is generated. The display of the two-dimensional code TC is periodically updated to approximately reflect the current time at which it is displayed. A vehicle VE using the parking lot PA automatically reads the two-dimensional code TC displayed on the display 11c by the on-board camera 31 of the vehicle device 30 (step S13). The vehicle device 30 reproduces a set of authentication information from the two-dimensional code TC, connects to the management device 20 using the user ID, and transmits the set of authentication information, including the parking lot identification ID, entry time, current time, etc., associated with the user information (user ID), to the management device 20 (step S14). As a result, the vehicle device 30 transmits the authentication information, etc., and a verification request is made to the management device 20. The management device 20 performs verification based on the authentication information and the user information (step S15). The management device 20 transmits the verification result to the facility device 10 (step S16). If the verification result is valid, the gate 12 of the facility device 10 raises the gate bar GBa to allow the vehicle VE to enter (step S17). After a certain time, the display device 11 of the facility device 10 stops displaying the two-dimensional code TC (step S18).

[0039] In the end-of-use scene SC2, the facility device 10 of the parking lot PA detects the vehicle's exit using the sensor of the display device 11 (step S21). When the facility device 10 detects the vehicle VE, it starts displaying a two-dimensional code TC on the display 11c (step S22). The two-dimensional code TC includes, as a set of authentication information, a parking lot ID, an exit time as the end of use, and the current time when the two-dimensional code TC was generated. The vehicle VE using the parking lot PA automatically reads the two-dimensional code TC displayed on the display 11c using the vehicle-mounted camera 31 of the vehicle device 30 (step S23). The vehicle device 30 reproduces the set of authentication information from the two-dimensional code TC, connects to the management device 20 using the user ID, and transmits the set of authentication information, including the parking lot ID, exit time, current time, etc., to the management device 20 in association with the user information (step S24). The management device 20 compares the authentication information with the user information (step S25). The management device 20 checks whether the fee has been paid, and if it has not been paid, calculates the fee based on the relevant entry information and performs the payment process (step S26). The management device 20 transmits the collation result to the facility device 10 (step S27). If the collation result is valid, the gate 12 of the facility device 10 raises the gate bar GBb to allow the vehicle VE to exit (step S28). After a certain period of time, the display device 11 of the facility device 10 stops displaying the two-dimensional code TC (step S29).

[0040] As described above, in the authentication system 100 according to this embodiment, the onboard camera 31 on the vehicle VE captures the authentication information displayed on the display device 11 of the facility device 10 and transfers it to the management device 20, and the management device 20 has a matching unit 21a that performs a comparison on the captured authentication information, and if the comparison result indicates validity, the use of the facility is permitted, thereby simplifying the management of facility use while increasing reliability in preventing fraud.

[0041] In the authentication system 100, by using a drive recorder camera as the onboard camera 31, it is possible to utilize a camera equipped in the vehicle VE for the purpose of assisting driving. Since the onboard camera 31 always captures the direction of travel, it can be used regardless of the vehicle type. Furthermore, the authentication system 100 performs verification using the authentication information on the display device 11, eliminating the need for a parking ticket medium, associated devices, operations, etc., when using the parking lot PA. Furthermore, since the authentication information is obtained by the vehicle device 30, it is not necessary to obtain information from the facility device 10, and problems such as vehicle number recognition, which is located in different positions depending on the vehicle type, and the difficulty of image recognition for obtaining user information due to facial recognition of users wearing masks, do not arise.

[0042] 〔others〕 The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0043] For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the authentication system 100 targets a parking lot PA has been described, but the objects managed by the authentication system 100 are not limited to parking lots, and can also be related to the use of bicycle parking lots and entrances and exits to various facilities. Furthermore, the authentication system 100 is not limited to general paid parking lots, but can also be applied to commercial facilities and residential facilities that include parking areas.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the fee settlement process can be omitted depending on the purpose of facility use.

[0045] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the two-dimensional code can be replaced with a one-dimensional code such as a barcode, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be replaced with various graphical codes.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the facility device 10 may be configured without the gate 12. The gate 12 of the facility device 10 may be the same for entrance and exit.

[0047] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the explanation is given on the assumption that a contract or reservation is made before starting to use the facility, but user registration can be performed in the management device 20 after starting to use the facility but before finishing it.

[0048] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the time when the vehicle VE is detected is set as the time of use (the time of entry or the time of exit), but the time when the collation result of the management device 20 is transmitted to the facility device 10 may also be set as the time of use.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the vehicle-mounted camera 31 of the vehicle device 30 is a drive recorder, but other vehicle-mounted cameras may be used as long as they can capture an image of the two-dimensional code of the authentication information, such as an infrared camera. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 10...facility equipment, 11...display device, 11a...display control device, 11b...storage device, 11c...display, 12...gate, 12a...entrance gate device, 12b...exit gate device, 13...main control device, 13a...communication device, 20...management device, 21...main control device, 21a...collation unit, 22...storage device, 23...communication device, 30...vehicle equipment, 31...on-board camera, 32...communication device, 100...authentication system, GBa, GBb...gate bar, NT...communication network, PA...parking lot, PS...parking space, TC...two-dimensional code, VE...vehicle

Claims

1. A facility device having a display device that displays authentication information including a parking lot identification ID and time information; a management device that manages the usage status of the facility equipment; a vehicle device including an on-board camera that captures the authentication information and a communication device that transfers the captured authentication information to the management device; Equipped with the display device dynamically displays the authentication information so as to be periodically updated to reflect the current time at which the display is made; the vehicle device associates the photographed authentication information with user information and transmits the photographed authentication information to the management device as entry information or exit information; the management device has a collating unit that collates the entry information or the exit information with registration information stored in the management device, The authentication system, wherein the matching unit determines that the person is a registered user of the facility based on a match between the parking lot identification ID or the user information, and permits use of the facility if the matching result indicates validity.

2. the facility device has a gate that allows or disallows passage; 2. The authentication system according to claim 1, wherein the management device allows the user to pass through the gate when the management device determines that the user is permitted to pass through the gate and the verification result indicates validity.

3. The authentication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display device processes data including the parking lot identification ID and facility information corresponding to the time information into a two-dimensional code as the authentication information and displays the code on the display.

4. 4. The authentication system according to claim 1, wherein the facility device is installed at an entrance / exit of a parking lot.

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