Vehicle, vehicle control method, and vehicle control program

Abstract

To provide a vehicle capable of promoting, to a friend device, communication between the friend device and the vehicle.SOLUTION: A vehicle 20 is provided, including an acquisition part 201 for acquiring notification that use as a key of the vehicle 20 is permitted from an information processing device 10A to an information processing device 10B, and a control part 202 for controlling presentation to promote, to the information processing device 10B, communication through an NFC (Near Field Communication) reader 24 provided in the vehicle 20 in order to make the information processing device 10B start to use as the key according to the acquisition of the notification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle, a vehicle control method, and a vehicle control program. [Background technology]

[0002] Automobiles have become a widespread element of mobility services, and various services such as car sharing are expected to increase in number and become more widespread. Along with this trend, there is a growing need for wireless digital key systems that use smartphones as car keys, eliminating the need for physical key exchange.

[0003] One example of technology related to wireless digital key systems is Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic key system for a vehicle that includes a portable device and an in-vehicle device, and that unlocks the vehicle doors when the in-vehicle device authenticates the portable device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-33707 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) has established standards related to vehicle electronic key systems. The CCC standards define owner devices, which are devices used by the vehicle owner, and friend devices, which are devices intended for use by the owner's family or friends.

[0006] When adding a friend device, communication between the friend device and the vehicle is required to share information related to the digital key between the friend device and the vehicle. If communication between the friend device and the vehicle is not possible, the friend device cannot function as a vehicle key.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide a vehicle, a vehicle control method, and a vehicle control program that can prompt a friend device to communicate with the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires a notification from a first information processing device to a second information processing device that it has been authorized to be used as a key for the vehicle; and a control unit that, in response to acquiring the notification, controls a presentation to prompt the second information processing device to communicate via an NFC (Near Field Communication) reader provided in the vehicle in order to cause the second information processing device to begin using it as the key.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, by providing a prompt to communicate via an NFC reader provided in the vehicle, it is possible to prompt communication between the vehicle and a second information processing device that is to be a friend device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a vehicle, a vehicle control method, and a vehicle control program can be provided that can prompt a second information processing device, which is a friend device, to communicate between the second information processing device and the vehicle by making a presentation to encourage communication via an NFC reader installed in the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle digital key system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a vehicle. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the vehicle digital key system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to designate identical or equivalent components and parts. The dimensional proportions of the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital key system for a vehicle according to this embodiment.

[0014] The digital key system shown in FIG. 1 includes information processing devices 10A and 10B, a vehicle 20, and servers 30A, 30B, and 30C.

[0015] The information processing device 10A is a device that stores a key (digital key) for unlocking the vehicle 20 and enabling driving. The information processing device 10A may be a portable device such as a smartphone or a wearable device. The information processing device 10A communicates with the vehicle 20 using short-range wireless communication technology such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE), Near Field Communication (NFC), or Ultra Wide Band (UWB). The information processing device 10A may be an owner device in accordance with the "Digital Key" standard established by the CCC. The information processing device 10A is an example of a first information processing device of the present invention.

[0016] Like the information processing device 10A, the information processing device 10B is a device that stores a key (digital key) for unlocking the vehicle 20 and enabling driving. The information processing device 10B may be a portable device such as a smartphone or a wearable device. The information processing device 10B communicates with the vehicle 20 using short-range wireless communication technology such as BLE, NFC, or UWB. The information processing device 10B may be a friend device in accordance with the "Digital Key" standard established by the CCC. The information processing device 10B is an example of a second information processing device of the present invention.

[0017] The information processing devices 10A and 10B can be used as a digital key for the vehicle 20, for example, by downloading and installing an application to function as a digital key for the vehicle 20 and sharing information related to the digital key with the vehicle 20.

[0018] The vehicle 20 performs short-range wireless communication using the various short-range wireless communication technologies described above with the information processing devices 10A, 10B, which function as digital keys for the vehicle 20, and executes processes related to the digital key. As processes related to the digital key, the vehicle 20 executes processes to lock and unlock the doors of the vehicle 20. The vehicle 20 also executes processes to start the engine or motor based on a request to start the engine or motor from the information processing devices 10A, 10B, which function as digital keys for the vehicle 20.

[0019] When receiving an engine start request from the information processing devices 10A, 10B, the vehicle 20 determines whether or not the information processing devices 10A, 10B are present inside the vehicle 20. The reason for determining whether or not the information processing devices 10A, 10B are present inside the vehicle 20 is to prevent the engine from starting when the information processing devices 10A, 10B are outside the vehicle cabin. The vehicle 20 determines whether or not the information processing devices 10A, 10B are present inside the vehicle 20 by referring to the strength of radio waves emitted from the information processing devices 10A, 10B and received by an antenna provided inside the vehicle cabin.

[0020] In addition, when the information processing device 10B is added as a friend device, the information processing device 10B communicates with an antenna installed at a predetermined location inside the vehicle 20, and shares information related to the digital key with the vehicle 20.

[0021] The server 30A is a server that provides the information processing device 10A with information that enables the information processing device 10A to function as a digital key for the vehicle 20. The server 30A provides the information processing device 10A with a digital key application, information related to the digital key, and the like, as information that enables the information processing device 10A to function as a digital key for the vehicle 20, in response to a request from the information processing device 10A.

[0022] The server 30B is a server that provides the information processing device 10B with information that enables the information processing device 10B to function as a digital key for the vehicle 20. The server 30B provides the information processing device 10B with a digital key application, information related to the digital key, and the like, as information that enables the information processing device 10B to function as a digital key for the vehicle 20, in response to a request from the information processing device 10B.

[0023] The servers 30A and 30B may be provided for each manufacturer of the information processing devices 10A and 10B. If the information processing devices 10A and 10B are made by the same manufacturer, the information required to function as a digital key may be provided from the same server.

[0024] The server 30C cooperates with the servers 30A and 30B to provide the information processing devices 10A and 10B and the vehicle 20 with information that enables the information processing devices 10A and 10B to function as a digital key for the vehicle 20. A server 30C may be provided for each manufacturer of the vehicle 20. The server 30C provides the vehicle 20 with information related to the digital key, etc., as information that enables the information processing devices 10A and 10B to function as a digital key for the vehicle 20, in response to a request from the information processing devices 10A and 10B and the vehicle 20, or even without a request from the information processing devices 10A and 10B and the vehicle 20.

[0025] 1 illustrates only one information processing device 10B that can be a friend device, but in the present invention, the number of information processing devices that can be friend devices may be two or more. Also, while FIG. 1 illustrates only one server 30A, 30B, and 30C, each server may be composed of multiple devices.

[0026] The vehicle 20 according to this embodiment receives a notification from the information processing device 10A to the information processing device 10B that the information processing device 10A is permitted to be used as a key for the vehicle 20. In response to receiving the notification, the vehicle 20 according to this embodiment controls a presentation to prompt the information processing device 10B to communicate via an NFC reader provided in the vehicle 20, in order to cause the information processing device 10B to start using the information processing device 10B as a key for the vehicle 20.

[0027] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of vehicle 20. As shown in Fig. 2, vehicle 20 according to this embodiment is configured to include ECU 21. Vehicle 20 further includes NFC reader 24, door lock 25, ignition switch (SW) 26, monitor 27, speaker 28, and antenna 29.

[0028] The ECU 21 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 21A, a read-only memory (ROM) 21B, a random access memory (RAM) 21C, a wireless communication interface (I / F) 21E, an input / output I / F 21F, and an antenna 21G. The CPU 21A, the ROM 21B, the RAM 21C, the wireless communication I / F 21E, and the input / output I / F 21F are connected to each other via an internal bus 21H so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0029] The CPU 21A is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 21A reads out a program from the ROM 21B and executes the program using the RAM 21C as a work area.

[0030] The ROM 21B stores various programs and various data. In this embodiment, the ROM 21B stores a control program for controlling the ECU 21.

[0031] The RAM 21C temporarily stores programs or data as a working area.

[0032] The wireless communication I / F 21E is a wireless communication module for communicating with the information processing devices 10A and 10B. The wireless communication module uses, for example, the BLE communication standard. The wireless communication I / F 21E is connected to an antenna 21G.

[0033] The input / output I / F 21F is an interface for communicating with a door lock 25, an ignition switch 26, a monitor 27, a speaker 28, and an antenna 29 mounted on the vehicle 20.

[0034] The antenna 21G is an antenna for transmitting and receiving packets of wireless communication according to BLE between the information processing devices 10A and 10B.

[0035] The NFC reader 24 is a reader for performing near-field wireless communication using NFC with devices such as the information processing devices 10A and 10B. The NFC reader 24 may be provided, for example, in a center console. The NFC reader 24 may include a light-emitting unit that emits light of a predetermined color or brightness around the reader portion. The light-emitting unit may be, for example, a light-emitting diode.

[0036] The door lock 25 is a key for the door of the vehicle 20, and is opened and closed by a user who gets into the vehicle 20, and the opening and closing thereof is controlled by the CPU 21A.

[0037] The ignition switch 26 is a switch that starts the engine of the vehicle 20, and is turned on and off by a user who gets into the vehicle 20, and is also controlled to be turned on and off by the CPU 21A.

[0038] The monitor 27 is a liquid crystal monitor provided on an instrument panel, a meter panel, etc., for displaying images relating to the current location, the driving route, and warning information. The monitor 27 may be provided with a touch panel that also functions as a switch for inputting operations by the occupant's fingers.

[0039] The speaker 28 is a device that is provided on the instrument panel, center console, front pillar, dashboard, etc., and outputs sound.

[0040] The antenna 29 is an antenna for measuring the radio wave intensity of BLE packets transmitted by the information processing devices 10A and 10B. While the antenna 21G of the ECU 21 is used for wireless communication with the information processing device 10, the antenna 29 is used for measuring the radio wave intensity of BLE packets transmitted by the information processing devices 10A and 10B. A plurality of antennas 29 are provided in the vehicle 20. The antennas 29 may be provided, for example, at the front, left side, or right side of the vehicle 20. The CPU 21A uses the intensity of the radio waves received by the antenna 29 to calculate the distance between the information processing device 10 and the vehicle 20 and determine whether the information processing devices 10A and 10B are located inside the vehicle 20.

[0041] 2, one ECU 21 controls each device of the vehicle 20, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the ECU that controls the door lock 25 and the ECU that controls the ignition switch 26 may be separate ECUs.

[0042] Next, the functional configuration realized by the vehicle 20 will be described.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the vehicle 20.

[0044] 3, the vehicle 20 has, as functional components, an acquisition unit 201 and a control unit 202. Each functional component is realized by the CPU 21A reading and executing a control program stored in the ROM 21B.

[0045] The acquisition unit 201 acquires a notification from the information processing device 10A, which is the owner device, to the information processing device 10B, which is the friend device, that the information processing device 10A is permitted to use as a key for the vehicle 20. The notification is acquired from, for example, the server 30C.

[0046] In response to the acquisition unit 201 acquiring the notification, the control unit 202 controls a presentation to prompt the information processing device 10B to communicate via the NFC reader 24 provided in the vehicle 20, in order to cause the information processing device 10B to start using it as a key for the vehicle 20. Having the information processing device 10B start using it as a key for the vehicle 20 means that information related to the digital key of the vehicle 20 is shared between the information processing device 10B and the vehicle 20.

[0047] The control unit 202 may perform control to emit light at the location of the NFC reader 24 as a prompt to the information processing device 10B to communicate. By emitting light from the NFC reader 24, the control unit 202 can notify the user of the information processing device 10B that it is necessary to hold the information processing device 10B over the NFC reader 24.

[0048] The control unit 202 may also control the light to blink when controlling the light to be emitted at the location of the NFC reader 24. By causing the NFC reader 24 to blink, the control unit 202 can notify the user of the information processing device 10B that it is necessary to hold the information processing device 10B over the NFC reader 24.

[0049] Furthermore, when the control unit 202 controls the location of the NFC reader 24 to emit light, the control unit 202 may control the location of the NFC reader 24 to emit light in a color different from that of the console part of the vehicle 20. By causing the location of the NFC reader 24 to emit light in a color different from that of the console part, the control unit 202 can notify the user of the information processing device 10B that it is necessary to hold the information processing device 10B over the NFC reader 24.

[0050] Furthermore, when the control unit 202 controls the location of the NFC reader 24 to emit light, the control unit 202 may control the location of the NFC reader 24 to emit light in accordance with the illuminance in the vehicle cabin. By causing the location of the NFC reader 24 to emit light in accordance with the illuminance in the vehicle cabin, the control unit 202 can indicate the location of the NFC reader 24 with a brightness appropriate for the illuminance in the vehicle cabin.

[0051] The control unit 202 may perform control to send a message to the information processing device 10B to prompt the information processing device 10B to communicate with the information processing device 10B, instructing the user to hold the information processing device 10B over the NFC reader 24. By sending the message to the information processing device 10B, the control unit 202 can notify the user of the information processing device 10B that it is necessary to hold the information processing device 10B over the NFC reader 24.

[0052] The control unit 202 may perform control to present a message on the monitor 27 as a prompt to the information processing device 10B to communicate via the NFC reader 24. When performing control to present a message on the monitor 27, the control unit 202 may perform control to present a message that is text, an image, or a combination of text and an image. When performing control to present a message on the monitor 27, the control unit 202 may also perform control to illuminate the location where the NFC reader 24 is located.

[0053] The control unit 202 may control the speaker 28 to output a sound as a prompt to the information processing device 10B to communicate via the NFC reader 24. When the control unit 202 controls the speaker 28 to output a sound, the control unit 202 may control the speaker 28 to output a human voice or to output a sound effect such as a chime. When the control unit 202 controls the speaker 28 to output a sound, the control unit 202 may also control the speaker 28 to emit light at the location where the NFC reader 24 is located. When the control unit 202 controls the speaker 28 to output a sound and the speaker 28 to emit light at the location where the NFC reader 24 is located, the control unit 202 may synchronize the timing of the sound emission and the light emission.

[0054] When sending a message to information processing device 10B, control unit 202 may send the message to information processing device 10B via servers 30C and 30B, or may send the message to information processing device 10B via information processing device 10A.

[0055] If pairing with the information processing device 10B has already been completed through communication other than NFC communication via the NFC reader 24, the control unit 202 may not provide any prompt to prompt the information processing device 10B to communicate via the NFC reader 24 provided in the vehicle 20.

[0056] If pairing has already been completed, the control unit 202 can perform communication between the vehicle 20 and the information processing device 10B via the NFC reader 24 to start using the digital key.

[0057] Next, the operation of the digital key system for the vehicle 20 will be described.

[0058] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the digital key system of the vehicle 20. The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is a flowchart when the information processing device 10B, which is a friend device, starts using the key for the vehicle 20. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the operation of the vehicle 20 is controlled by the CPU 21A reading out a control program stored in the ROM 21B, expanding it into the RAM 21C, and executing it. The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 can be realized by one or more processors reading and executing a program stored in one or more memories.

[0059] It is assumed that the processing shown in FIG. 4 is performed on the premise that pairing between the information processing device 10A and the vehicle 20 has been completed and a communication channel has been established between the information processing device 10A and the information processing device 10B.

[0060] When the information processing device 10B, which is a friend device, starts using the key of the vehicle 20, the information processing device 10A, which is an owner device, first requests the information processing device 10B to generate information related to the digital key of the vehicle 20 (step S101).

[0061] The information processing device 10B internally generates information related to the digital key of the vehicle 20 in response to a request, and requests the information processing device 10A to certify the generated information (step S102).

[0062] When the information processing device 10A receives a request for certification of information related to the digital key generated by the information processing device 10B, the information processing device 10A generates a certificate for the information generated by the information processing device 10B and transmits the certificate to the information processing device 10B (step S103).

[0063] When the information processing device 10B receives the certificate from the information processing device 10A, the information processing device 10B attaches the certificate to information relating to the generated digital key and transmits the information to the server 30B (step S104).

[0064] The server 30B transmits the information received from the information processing device 10B to the server 30C (step S105).

[0065] When the server 30C receives the information transmitted from the information processing device 10B, the server 30C executes a process of registering the information transmitted from the information processing device 10B as a key for the vehicle 20, and returns the process result to the server 30B (step S106).

[0066] The server 30B transmits the processing result received from the server 30C to the information processing device 10B (step S107).

[0067] When the server 30C executes the process of registering the key as the key for the vehicle 20, the information processing device 10A notifies the information processing device 10B to the vehicle 20 that the use as the key for the vehicle 20 is permitted (step S108).

[0068] When the CPU 21A of the vehicle 20 receives the notification from the server 30C, the CPU 21A controls a presentation to prompt the information processing device 10B to communicate via the NFC reader 24 provided in the vehicle 20 (step S109).

[0069] The CPU 21A may control the area where the NFC reader 24 is located to emit light as a prompt to the information processing device 10B to communicate via the NFC reader 24. When controlling the area where the NFC reader 24 is located to emit light, the CPU 21A may control the light to blink. When controlling the area where the NFC reader 24 is located to emit light, the CPU 21A may control the area where the NFC reader 24 is located to emit light in a color different from that of the console portion of the vehicle 20. When controlling the area where the NFC reader 24 is located to emit light, the CPU 21A may control the area where the NFC reader 24 is located to emit light in accordance with the illuminance in the vehicle interior.

[0070] The CPU 21A may perform control to transmit a message to the information processing device 10B to prompt the information processing device 10B to communicate via the NFC reader 24. In this case, the CPU 21A may transmit the message to the information processing device 10B via the servers 30C and 30B, or may transmit the message to the information processing device 10B via the information processing device 10A.

[0071] The CPU 21A may perform control to present a message on the monitor 27 as a prompt to the information processing device 10B to communicate via the NFC reader 24. When performing control to present a message on the monitor 27, the CPU 21A may perform control to present a message that is a character, an image, or a combination of a character and an image.

[0072] The CPU 21A may control the speaker 28 to output a sound as a prompt to the information processing device 10B to communicate via the NFC reader 24. When the CPU 21A controls the speaker 28 to output a sound, the CPU 21A may control the speaker 28 to output a human voice or a sound effect such as a chime. When the CPU 21A controls the speaker 28 to output a sound, the CPU 21A may also control the speaker 28 to emit light at the location where the NFC reader 24 is located. When the CPU 21A controls the speaker 28 to output a sound and the speaker 28 to emit light at the location where the NFC reader 24 is located, the CPU 21A may synchronize the timing of the sound emission and the light emission.

[0073] If pairing with the information processing device 10B has already been completed through communication other than NFC communication via the NFC reader 24, the CPU 21A may not provide any prompt to prompt the information processing device 10B to communicate via the NFC reader 24 provided in the vehicle 20.

[0074] The information processing device 10B performs short-range wireless communication with the vehicle 20 via the NFC reader 24, and executes processing to start using the key (step S110).

[0075] The vehicle 20 can prompt the information processing device 10B, which is to be a friend device, to communicate between the information processing device 10B and the vehicle 20 by making a presentation to prompt communication via the NFC reader 24 provided in the vehicle 20.

[0076] In the above embodiments, the control processing executed by the CPU after reading the software (program) may be executed by various processors other than the CPU. Examples of such processors include programmable logic devices (PLDs) whose circuit configuration can be changed after fabrication, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and dedicated electrical circuits, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), which are processors with circuit configurations specifically designed to execute specific processes. The control processing may be executed by one of these various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (e.g., multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). The hardware structure of these various processors is, more specifically, an electrical circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor devices.

[0077] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the control processing program is described as being pre-stored (installed) in a ROM or storage, but this is not limiting. The program may be provided in a form recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The program may also be downloaded from an external device via a network. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 10A, 10B Information processing device 20 vehicles 30A, 30B, 30C Servers

Claims

1. A vehicle, an acquisition unit that acquires, from a server that stores information related to the vehicle key, a notification from the first information processing device to the second information processing device that the use of the vehicle key as a key for the vehicle is permitted; a control unit that controls a presentation to prompt the second information processing device to communicate via an NFC (Near Field Communication) reader provided in a passenger compartment of the vehicle in response to acquisition of the notification, in order to cause the second information processing device to start using the key; A vehicle equipped with:

2. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit causes a location of the NFC reader to emit light as a prompt to communicate.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit causes a light to blink when emitting light at a location where the NFC reader is located.

4. 3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the control unit illuminates a location where the NFC reader is provided on a console provided in the vehicle interior with light in a color different from a portion of the console where the NFC reader is not provided.

5. The vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit causes a location of the NFC reader to emit light in accordance with illuminance in the vehicle interior.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit transmits a message to the second information processing device to instruct the second information processing device to hold the second information processing device over the NFC reader.

7. A vehicle control method, comprising: The processor: The first information processing device notifies the second information processing device that the use of the vehicle key as a key has been permitted from a server that stores information related to the vehicle key; In response to receiving the notification, the device controls a presentation to prompt the second information processing device to communicate via a near field communication (NFC) reader provided in a passenger compartment of the vehicle in order to cause the second information processing device to start using the key. A method for controlling a vehicle to perform processing.

8. A vehicle control program, an acquisition unit that acquires, from a server that stores information related to the vehicle key, a notification from the first information processing device to the second information processing device that the use of the vehicle key as a key for the vehicle is permitted; a control unit that controls a presentation to prompt the second information processing device to communicate via an NFC (Near Field Communication) reader provided in a passenger compartment of the vehicle in response to acquisition of the notification, in order to cause the second information processing device to start using the key; A vehicle control program for causing a vehicle to function as a vehicle equipped with the above.

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