Motorcycle authentication device

Abstract

Provided is an authentication device for a motorcycle whereby it is possible to immediately notify a user that a mobile wireless terminal has been misplaced.　The authentication device for a motorcycle includes: a portable wireless terminal (50) for transmitting authentication information for a motorcycle (1); a communication control unit (35) that receives the authentication information and performs authentication; a vehicle control unit (31) that allows the motorcycle (1) to be started when authenticated by the communication control unit (35); and an external control unit (33) that controls an electrical component of the motorcycle (1). The motorcycle (1) is provided with an accommodation section (20) for accommodating the portable wireless terminal (50), and the external control unit (33) opens the lid (5) of the accommodation section (20) when it is determined that the motorcycle (1) is stopped. The accommodation section (20) is provided to a leg shield (7) disposed in the vicinity of a foot rest (13) in the motorcycle (1).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an authentication device for a motorcycle, and more particularly to an authentication device for a motorcycle that performs mutual authentication with a portable wireless terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Vehicles equipped with portable wireless terminals that perform mutual authentication with communication equipment on the vehicle side to determine whether or not the vehicle can be started are known.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which, when a user leaves a portable wireless terminal in a vehicle and attempts to get off, a predetermined warning sound is emitted to notify the user that the portable wireless terminal has been left behind. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4858381 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, motorcycles have also been commercialized that use the above-mentioned portable wireless terminal to determine whether or not the vehicle can be started. However, since the user can dismount a motorcycle more quickly than with a four-wheeled vehicle, it is necessary to notify the user immediately if the portable wireless terminal is left behind.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to provide an authentication device for a motorcycle that can immediately notify the user that the portable wireless terminal has been left behind. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an authentication device for a motorcycle having a portable wireless terminal (50) that transmits identification information of a motorcycle (1), a communication control unit (35) that receives and authenticates the identification information, a vehicle control unit (31) that allows the motorcycle (1) to start if the identification information is authenticated by the communication control unit (35), and an external control unit (33) that controls electrical equipment of the motorcycle (1), wherein the motorcycle (1) is provided with a storage unit (20) that stores the portable wireless terminal (50), and the external control unit (33) opens a lid (5) of the storage unit (20) when it is determined that the motorcycle (1) has stopped.

[0008] A second feature of the present invention is that the storage section (20) is provided in a leg shield (7) disposed near a footrest section (13) of the motorcycle (1).

[0009] A third feature is that the motorcycle (1) is provided with a side stand switch (14) that detects the deployed state of a side stand (15), and the external control unit (33) determines that the motorcycle (1) has stopped and opens the lid (5) when the side stand (15) is deployed, the side stand switch (14) is turned on, and the ignition switch (16) is turned off.

[0010] A fourth feature is that the external control unit (33) activates a sounding means (22) provided on the motorcycle (1) when it determines that the portable wireless terminal (50) is still in the storage unit (20) even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the lid (5) was opened.

[0011] Furthermore, a fifth feature is that the external control unit (33) opens and closes the lid (5) at predetermined time intervals if it determines that the portable wireless terminal (50) is still in the storage unit (20) even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the lid (5) was opened.

[0012] A sixth feature of the present invention is that the lid (5) is opened and closed by switching on and off a lid solenoid (36).

[0013] A seventh feature is that when the portable wireless terminal (50) is left in the storage section (20), the external control section (33) uses the portable wireless terminal (50) to notify the registered portable wireless terminal (60) of this fact.

[0014] Furthermore, an eighth feature is that the registered mobile wireless terminal (60) is contacted by telephone, email, SNS application, or the like. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to a first feature, in an authentication device for a motorcycle (1) having a portable wireless terminal (50) that transmits identification information of the motorcycle (1), a communication control unit (35) that receives and authenticates the identification information, a vehicle control unit (31) that allows the motorcycle (1) to start if the identification information is authenticated by the communication control unit (35), and an external control unit (33) that controls electrical equipment of the motorcycle (1), the motorcycle (1) is provided with a storage unit (20) that stores the portable wireless terminal (50), and the external control unit (33) opens a lid (5) of the storage unit (20) when it is determined that the motorcycle (1) has stopped.Since the storage unit lid opens when it is determined that the motorcycle has stopped, it is possible to immediately notify the user that the portable wireless terminal has been left behind.

[0016] According to the second feature, the storage section (20) is provided in the leg shield (7) disposed near the footrest section (13) of the motorcycle (1), so that the storage section is located where the driver in a riding position looks down a little, thereby increasing the convenience of the storage section and making it easier for the user to recognize when the lid is open.

[0017] According to the third feature, the motorcycle (1) is provided with a side stand switch (14) that detects the deployed state of a side stand (15). When the side stand (15) is deployed, the side stand switch (14) is turned on, and the ignition switch (16) is turned off, the external control unit (33) determines that the motorcycle (1) has stopped and opens the lid (5). Therefore, it is possible to determine that the motorcycle has stopped based on the output signals of the side stand switch and the ignition switch.

[0018] According to the fourth feature, when the external control unit (33) determines that the portable wireless terminal (50) is still in the storage section (20) even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the lid (5) was opened, it activates the sounding means (22) provided on the motorcycle (1). Therefore, when the user does not remove the portable wireless terminal from the storage section even after the lid of the storage section is opened, it is possible to alert the user by activating the sounding device.

[0019] According to the fifth feature, when it is determined that the portable wireless terminal (50) is still in the storage section (20) even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the lid (5) was opened, the external control section (33) opens and closes the lid (5) at predetermined time intervals. Therefore, when the user does not remove the portable wireless terminal from the storage section even after the lid of the storage section is opened, the user can be notified by opening and closing the lid.

[0020] According to the sixth feature, the lid (5) is opened and closed by switching on and off the lid solenoid (36), which makes it easy to open the lid quickly or open and close it continuously.

[0021] According to the seventh feature, when the portable wireless terminal (50) is left in the storage section (20), the external control section (33) uses the portable wireless terminal (50) to notify the registered portable wireless terminal (60) of this fact, so that if the user does not realize that he has left the portable wireless terminal behind, it becomes possible to automatically contact registered acquaintances, etc.

[0022] According to the eighth feature, the registered mobile wireless terminal (60) can be contacted by telephone, email, SNS application, etc., so that it is possible to contact registered acquaintances, etc. using the communication function of the mobile wireless terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a left side view of a motorcycle according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a steering handle of the motorcycle and its surrounding structure. [Figure 3] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the storage section in a state where the smartphone is stored. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an authentication device for a motorcycle according to the present invention; [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for controlling a portable wireless terminal to be left behind and notified; [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for controlling a portable wireless terminal to be left behind and notified; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a left side view of a motorcycle 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing a steering handlebar 2 of the motorcycle 1 and its surrounding structure. The motorcycle 1 has a front wheel WF and a rear wheel WR and is a saddle-ride type vehicle that travels by transmitting the driving force of a power unit P to the rear wheel WR. A seat 11 on which a rider R as a user sits is supported by a seat cowl 10, and a taillight device 9 is attached to the rear end of the seat cowl 10.

[0025] A leg shield 7 is disposed near the foot rest 13 of the driver R, facing the feet of the driver R. A windscreen 3 and a front cowl 4 that supports a headlight 6 are disposed in front of the leg shield 7. A steering handle 2 extending in the vehicle width direction is disposed above the leg shield 7.

[0026] A side stand 15 is pivotally supported so as to be deployable on the left side in the vehicle width direction, below the footrest section 13. A side stand switch 14 that detects the deployed state of the side stand 15 is disposed at the base of the side stand 15. The side stand switch 14 is configured to switch from off to on when the side stand 15 is deployed.

[0027] A storage compartment lid 5 capable of storing a smartphone 50 serving as a portable wireless terminal is disposed on the left side of the leg shield 7 in the width direction of the vehicle. An ignition switch 16 is disposed on the right side of the lid 5 in the width direction of the vehicle. A meter device 12 is disposed behind the windscreen 3. A control unit 8 is disposed below the seat 11, which performs wireless communication with the smartphone 50 and also performs start-up control of the power unit P.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the storage section 20 with the smartphone 50 stored therein. The storage section 20, which serves as a small compartment with an openable lid 5, is provided with a charging connector 21 for charging the smartphone 50. The smartphone 50 according to this embodiment has an authentication function for mutually authenticating identification information with a control device on the vehicle body in order to start the motorcycle 1. It is assumed that the rider R stores the smartphone 50 in the storage section 20 in order to charge the smartphone 50 while riding the motorcycle 1. In this case, since it is easier to dismount the motorcycle 1 than a four-wheeled vehicle, the rider R is more likely to leave the smartphone 50 in the storage section 20. The motorcycle authentication device according to the present invention is characterized in that it has a function for notifying the rider R when the rider R has left the smartphone 50 behind.

[0029] 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an authentication device for a motorcycle according to the present invention. The control unit 51 of the user's smartphone 50 includes a display 55, an app 54, an OS 53, and a communication control unit 52. When the rider R operates the ignition switch 16, the smartphone 50 transmits recognition information to the motorcycle 1. The control unit 8 of the motorcycle 1 receives and authenticates this recognition information, and if authentication is successful, grants permission to turn on the power supply 30 of the motorcycle 1. If authentication by the smartphone 50 is not performed, the power supply 30 will not be turned on even if the ignition switch 16 is operated.

[0030] The user's smartphone 50 is capable of wireless communication via a mobile phone line with an acquaintance's smartphone 60. The control unit 61 of the acquaintance's smartphone 60 includes a display 65, an application 64, an OS 63, and a communication control unit 62.

[0031] The control unit 8 of the motorcycle (vehicle) 1 is connected to a meter device 12, lighting devices 23, a horn 22, a charging connector 21, and a lid solenoid 36. The lighting devices 23 are made up of front and rear hazard lamps provided on the motorcycle 1. The lid solenoid 36 controls the opening and closing of the lid 5 of the storage section 20.

[0032] The control unit 8 is provided with a vehicle control unit 31 and an external control unit 33. A power supply control unit 32 included in the vehicle control unit 31 gives permission to turn on the power supply 30 of the motorcycle 1 when the identification information is authenticated. The external control unit 33, which controls the electrical components, includes a communication control unit 35 and a connection device control unit 34. The communication control unit 35 communicates with the user's smartphone 50. The external control unit 33 has a function of notifying the rider R when it is determined that the motorcycle 1 has stopped. Specifically, when it is determined that the motorcycle 1 has stopped while the smartphone 50 is stored in the storage unit 20, the external control unit 33 controls the opening and closing of the lid 5 and activates the lights 23 and horn 22. In addition, if the rider R does not notice the notification, the external control unit 33 enables the rider R to contact an acquaintance's smartphone 60.

[0033] 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the portable wireless terminal left behind notification control 1. In step S1, the ignition (IG) switch 16 is turned off. In step S2, it is determined whether the portable wireless terminal (user's smartphone) 50 is connected to the charging connector 21. Depending on whether the portable wireless terminal 50 is connected to the charging connector 21, the control unit 8 determines whether the portable wireless terminal 50 is accommodated in the accommodation unit 20.

[0034] If a positive determination is made in step S2, in step S3, the lid solenoid 36 is turned on to open the lid 5 of the storage section 20, thereby notifying the driver R. In this flowchart, the lid 5 of the storage section 20 is opened when the ignition switch 16 is turned off, but the lid 5 may be opened when the ignition switch 16 is turned off and the side stand switch 14 is turned on.

[0035] In step S4, when a predetermined time (for example, several seconds) has elapsed since the lid 5 of the storage section 20 was opened, in step S5 it is determined whether or not the portable wireless terminal 50 is connected. If the determination in step S5 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S6, where repeated on / off control of the lid solenoid 36 is executed. That is, if the portable wireless terminal 50 is not removed even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the lid 5 was opened, the driver R is notified by controlling the opening and closing of the lid 5. This opening and closing control can be performed at predetermined time intervals, for example, once per second.

[0036] In step S7, when a predetermined time (for example, several seconds) has elapsed since the start of the opening / closing control of the lid 5, in step S8 it is determined whether or not the portable wireless terminal 50 is connected. If the determination in step S8 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S9, where the horn 22 and the hazard lights 23 are activated. That is, if the portable wireless terminal 50 is not removed even after the predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the opening / closing control of the lid 5, a warning is issued to the driver R by the horn 22 and the hazard lights 23.

[0037] In step S10, when a predetermined time (for example, several seconds) has elapsed since the horn 22 and hazard lamps 23 were activated, in step S11 it is determined whether or not the portable wireless terminal 50 is connected. If the determination in step S11 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S12, where the lid solenoid 36 is turned off and the lid 5 of the storage compartment 20 is closed, and the series of controls ends. This is a measure to protect the portable wireless terminal 50 from tampering, etc., because the portable wireless terminal 50 has not been removed from the storage compartment 20 despite the three-stage alert. On the other hand, if the determination in steps S2, S5, and S11 is negative, that is, if it is determined that the portable wireless terminal 50 has been removed, the series of controls ends.

[0038] As described above, in the motorcycle authentication device according to this embodiment, the motorcycle 1 is provided with the storage compartment 20 that stores the portable wireless terminal 50, and the external control unit 33 opens the lid 5 of the storage compartment 20 when it is determined that the motorcycle 1 has stopped. Therefore, when it is determined that the motorcycle 1 has stopped, the opening of the lid 5 of the storage compartment 20 immediately notifies the user that the portable wireless terminal 50 has been left behind. Furthermore, the storage compartment 20 is provided in the leg shield 7 disposed near the footrest 13 of the motorcycle 1, which enhances the convenience of the storage compartment 20 and makes it easier for the user to recognize when the lid 5 is open. Furthermore, when the side stand 15 is deployed, the side stand switch 14 is turned on, and the ignition switch 16 is turned off, the external control unit 33 determines that the motorcycle 1 has stopped and opens the lid 5. Therefore, it is possible to determine that the motorcycle 1 has stopped based on the output signals of the side stand switch 14 and the ignition switch 16.

[0039] Furthermore, when it is determined that the portable wireless terminal 50 is still in the storage compartment 20 even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the lid 5 was opened, the external control unit 33 activates the horn 22 as sounding means provided on the motorcycle 1, so that if the user does not remove the portable wireless terminal 50 from the storage compartment 20 even after the lid 5 of the storage compartment 20 is opened, the horn 22 can be activated to notify the user. Furthermore, when it is determined that the portable wireless terminal 50 is still in the storage compartment 20 even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the lid 5 was opened, the external control unit 33 opens and closes the lid 5 at predetermined time intervals, so that if the user does not remove the portable wireless terminal 50 from the storage compartment 20 even after the lid 5 of the storage compartment 20 is opened, the lid 5 can be opened and closed to notify the user.

[0040] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of portable wireless terminal left-behind notification control 2. This control can be executed when it is determined that portable wireless terminal 50 has been left behind after step S12 shown in the flowchart of Fig. 5.

[0041] In step S20, the current location of the mobile wireless terminal 50 is confirmed. In step S21, it is determined whether there is a registered destination within close proximity. This registered destination may be an email address, telephone number, or contact information in an SNS application of an acquaintance registered in the mobile wireless terminal 50. If there is more than one registered destination, the closest registered destination is applied. If a positive determination is made in step S21, the process proceeds to step S22, where the mobile wireless terminal 50 transmits vehicle location information to the registered destination. This allows the registered acquaintance to know that the user has left the mobile wireless terminal 50 in the storage compartment 20 of the motorcycle 1 and the current locations of the motorcycle 1 and the mobile wireless terminal 50, and to notify the user of this.

[0042] In step S23, it is determined whether or not the mobile wireless terminal 50 is connected, and if a positive determination is made, the process returns to step S22. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S23, the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, a message is sent to the registration destination that the mobile wireless terminal 50 has been removed from the storage unit 20. This allows the registered acquaintance to know that the mobile wireless terminal 50 has been removed from the storage unit 20. In step S25, it is determined whether or not user authentication of the mobile wireless terminal 50 has been completed by inputting a PIN number, fingerprint authentication, or the like, and if a positive determination is made, the series of controls ends.

[0043] On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S21, that is, if it is determined that there is no registered destination within close proximity, the process proceeds to step S26, where the portable wireless terminal 50 is locked. This makes it possible to prevent tampering with the portable wireless terminal 50. Also, if a negative determination is made in step S25, that is, if user authentication of the portable wireless terminal 50 removed from the storage section 20 fails, the process proceeds to step S26, where the portable wireless terminal 50 is locked.

[0044] In step S27, it is determined whether user authentication has been completed, and if the determination is affirmative, the series of control steps is terminated. On the other hand, if the determination is negative in step S27, that is, if it is determined that the locked mobile wireless terminal 50 has been operated by someone and user authentication has failed, a message to that effect is transmitted to the registration destination, and the series of control steps is terminated.

[0045] As described above, according to the authentication device for a motorcycle of the present invention, when the portable wireless terminal 50 is left in the storage section 20, the external control section 33 uses the portable wireless terminal 50 to notify the registered portable wireless terminal 60 of this fact, so that registered acquaintances and the like can be automatically contacted if the user does not realize that they have left the portable wireless terminal 50 behind. Furthermore, since the contact with the registered portable wireless terminal 60 is made by telephone, email, an SNS application, or the like, it is possible to contact registered acquaintances and the like using the communication function of the portable wireless terminal 50.

[0046] The configuration of the motorcycle, the shape and structure of the storage compartment and lid, the configuration of the lid opening / closing control, the configuration of the horn and hazard lamp activation control, the configuration of the smartphone, and the means of contacting the smartphone of an acquaintance are not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be modified in various ways. For example, the driver may be notified by a display on the vehicle's meter device, or by voice and vibration on the smartphone. The authentication device according to the present invention is not limited to motorcycles, but can also be applied to saddle-type three-wheeled vehicles, four-wheeled vehicles, and the like. Furthermore, when applied to off-road vehicles (ATVs, SXSs), it is preferable to employ a waterproof structure for the storage compartment 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1...motorcycle, 5...lid, 7...leg shield, 13...footrest section, 14...side stand switch, 15...side stand, 16...ignition switch, 20...storage section, 22...sounding means (horn), 31...vehicle control section, 33...external control section, 35...communication control section, 36...lid solenoid, 50...mobile wireless terminal (user's smartphone), 60...registered mobile wireless terminal (acquaintance's smartphone)

Claims

1. An authentication device for a motorcycle (1) including a portable wireless terminal (50) for transmitting identification information of the motorcycle (1), a communication control unit (35) for receiving and authenticating the identification information, a vehicle control unit (31) for permitting the start of the motorcycle (1) when the identification information is authenticated by the communication control unit (35), and an external control unit (33) for controlling electrical equipment of the motorcycle (1), The motorcycle (1) is provided with a storage section (20) for storing the portable wireless terminal (50), The motorcycle authentication device is characterized in that the external control unit (33) opens a lid (5) of the storage unit (20) when it is determined that the motorcycle (1) has stopped.

2. 2. The motorcycle authentication device according to claim 1, wherein the storage section (20) is provided in a leg shield (7) disposed near a footrest section (13) of the motorcycle (1).

3. The motorcycle (1) is provided with a side stand switch (14) that detects the deployed state of a side stand (15), 3. The motorcycle authentication device according to claim 1, wherein the external control unit (33) determines that the motorcycle (1) has stopped and opens the lid (5) when the side stand (15) is deployed, the side stand switch (14) is turned on, and the ignition switch (16) is turned off.

4. 4. The motorcycle authentication device according to claim 1, wherein the external control unit (33) activates a sounding means (22) provided on the motorcycle (1) when it is determined that the portable wireless terminal (50) is still in the storage unit (20) even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the lid (5) was opened.

5. The authentication device for a motorcycle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the external control unit (33) opens and closes the lid (5) at predetermined time intervals when it is determined that the portable wireless terminal (50) is still in the storage unit (20) even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the lid (5) was opened.

6. 6. The authentication device for a motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein the lid (5) is opened and closed by switching on and off a lid solenoid (36).

7. 4. The motorcycle authentication device according to claim 1, wherein, when the portable wireless terminal (50) is left in the storage section (20), the external control section (33) uses the portable wireless terminal (50) to notify a registered portable wireless terminal (60) of this fact.

8. 8. The motorcycle authentication device according to claim 7, wherein the registered mobile wireless terminal (60) is contacted by telephone, email, or an SNS application.

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