Vehicle-mounted device sharing system

Abstract

This invention relates to a vehicle-mounted device sharing system, primarily consisting of a cloud server connecting a first electronic device and a second electronic device. The first and second electronic devices are connected to a vehicle-mounted Bluetooth device. The vehicle-mounted Bluetooth device is connected to a door lock remote control. When the vehicle owner activates the sharing function via the first electronic device, the cloud server verifies the second electronic device. Upon successful verification, the cloud server sends a usage permission confirmation to the second electronic device. The user then transmits a lock or unlock signal to the vehicle-mounted Bluetooth device via the second electronic device, allowing the vehicle-mounted Bluetooth device to control the car's locking or unlocking via the door lock remote control. In this way, the vehicle owner only needs to activate the sharing function via the first electronic device, eliminating the need to physically hand over the car keys to the user, allowing the owner to conveniently share vehicle usage rights with the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a sharing system and a sharing method, particularly a sharing system for an in-vehicle device. Prior Technology

[0002] When people need to move from one place to another, they usually walk. However, as the distance between the two places increases, walking becomes not only time-consuming but also physically exhausting. Therefore, to shorten travel time and reduce physical strain, many modes of transportation have been invented, with automobiles becoming the preferred choice for many. Driving a car reduces both travel time and physical exertion, thus lowering the burden on the body.

[0003] Most cars are currently privately owned, with the owner possessing a vehicle remote key. When family or friends need to borrow the car, or when the owner needs help moving the vehicle, the owner must provide the remote key to them. However, if the owner doesn't have the remote key with them, they cannot provide it to family or friends, causing inconvenience in sharing vehicle usage rights. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, the main objective of the present invention is to provide a vehicle device sharing system that allows vehicle owners to share the right to use the vehicle device with other users through electronic devices.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the vehicle-mounted device sharing system includes a first electronic device, a second electronic device, a cloud server, a vehicle-mounted Bluetooth device, and a door lock remote control.

[0006] The cloud server communicates with the first electronic device and the second electronic device. The in-vehicle Bluetooth device is installed inside a car and connects to either the first or the second electronic device. The door lock remote control is connected to the in-vehicle Bluetooth device.

[0007] When the first electronic device activates a sharing function, it sends a sharing signal to the cloud server. Upon receiving the sharing signal, the cloud server sends a confirmation connection to the second electronic device. When the second electronic device receives the confirmation connection, it connects to the cloud server and sends an authorization verification request. Upon receiving the authorization verification request, the cloud server verifies the second electronic device. When the second electronic device passes verification, the cloud server sends a usage license confirmation to the second electronic device.

[0008] When the second electronic device receives the usage license confirmation, it connects to the vehicle's Bluetooth device based on the confirmation and transmits the usage license confirmation to the vehicle's Bluetooth device. When the vehicle's Bluetooth device receives the usage license confirmation, it performs Bluetooth pairing verification on the second electronic device based on the confirmation. When the second electronic device successfully completes the Bluetooth pairing verification, the vehicle's Bluetooth device transmits a verification success confirmation. When the second electronic device receives the verification success confirmation, it transmits a lock signal or an unlock signal to the vehicle's Bluetooth device. When the vehicle's Bluetooth device receives the lock signal or the unlock signal, it transmits a lock command or an unlock command to the door lock remote control. When the door lock remote control receives the lock command or the unlock command, it controls the vehicle to lock or unlock based on the command.

[0009] Therefore, when the car owner activates the sharing function through the first electronic device, the cloud server receives the sharing signal and sends a confirmation connection to the sharer's second electronic device. The sharer first connects to the cloud server through the second electronic device for verification. After successful verification, the sharer can further use the second electronic device to perform Bluetooth pairing verification with the vehicle's Bluetooth device based on the usage permission confirmation sent by the cloud server. After successful Bluetooth pairing verification, the sharer can use the second electronic device to send the lock or unlock signal to lock or unlock the car, thereby entering the car to operate it. This achieves the goal of allowing the sharer to operate the car, while the car owner only needs to activate the sharing function through the first electronic device, without having to personally hand over the car keys to the sharer, allowing the car owner to conveniently share the car's usage rights with the sharer. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0010] Figure 1 is a block diagram of the system architecture of the sharing system of the vehicle-mounted device of the present invention. Figures 2A and 2B are flowcharts of one step of an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a flowchart of the steps of the first embodiment of the sharing system of the vehicle-mounted device of the present invention generating the on / off signal. Figure 4 is a flowchart of the steps of the second embodiment of the sharing system of the vehicle-mounted device of the present invention generating the on / off signal. Implementation

[0011] Referring to Figure 1, the vehicle-mounted device sharing system of the present invention includes a first electronic device 10 for the vehicle owner, a second electronic device 20 for the sharer, a cloud server 30, a vehicle-mounted Bluetooth device 40 installed in a vehicle, and a door lock remote control 60. The first electronic device 10, the second electronic device 20, and the cloud server 30 are interconnected via a network 50. The vehicle-mounted Bluetooth device 40 is connected to either the first electronic device 10 or the second electronic device 20. The door lock remote control 60 is connected to the vehicle-mounted Bluetooth device 40.

[0012] Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, when the first electronic device 10 activates a sharing function, it transmits a sharing signal to the cloud server 30 (S201). When the cloud server 30 receives the sharing signal, it transmits a confirmation connection to the second electronic device 20 based on the sharing signal (S202). When the second electronic device 20 receives the confirmation connection, it connects to the cloud server 30 based on the confirmation connection and transmits an authorization verification request to the cloud server 30 (S203). When the cloud server 30 receives the authorization verification request, it verifies the second electronic device 20 based on the authorization verification request (S204). When the second electronic device 20 passes the verification, the cloud server 30 transmits a usage license confirmation to the second electronic device 20 (S205).

[0013] When the second electronic device 20 receives the usage license confirmation, it connects to the vehicle Bluetooth device 40 based on the confirmation and transmits the usage license confirmation to the vehicle Bluetooth device 40 (S206). When the vehicle Bluetooth device 40 receives the usage license confirmation, it performs Bluetooth pairing verification on the second electronic device 20 based on the confirmation (S207). When the second electronic device 20 passes the Bluetooth pairing verification, the vehicle Bluetooth device 40 transmits a verification success confirmation to the second electronic device 20 (S208). When the second electronic device 20 receives the verification success confirmation, it transmits a lock signal or an unlock signal to the vehicle Bluetooth device 40 (S209). When the vehicle Bluetooth device 40 receives the lock signal or the unlock signal, it transmits a lock command or an unlock command to the door lock remote control 60 (S210). When the door lock remote control 60 receives the lock command or the unlock command, the door lock remote control 60 controls the vehicle to lock or unlock according to the lock command or the unlock command (S211).

[0014] After the second electronic device 20 is paired and verified via Bluetooth, the sharer can lock or unlock the car by sending a lock or unlock signal through the second electronic device 20, and then enter the car to operate it. This achieves the purpose of allowing the sharer to operate the car, while the car owner only needs to activate the sharing function through the first electronic device 10, without having to hand over the car key to the sharer in person, allowing the car owner to conveniently share the use of the car with the sharer.

[0015] In this embodiment, the first electronic device 10 is a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a smart wearable device, or a mobile communication device belonging to the vehicle owner. The second electronic device 20 is a portable device belonging to the sharer, such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, a smart wearable device, or a mobile communication device.

[0016] For example, when a car owner wants to share their car with other users, the owner must first install an application (APP) on the first electronic device 10 and connect to the cloud server 30 via the network 50 through the application to pre-register the owner's identity information and vehicle information. The owner's identity information includes a registered account and a password. The owner's identity information includes an electronic device identification code of the first electronic device 10, such as an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI). The vehicle information includes a device serial number or device identification code of the in-vehicle Bluetooth device 40, or the vehicle model and license plate number of the car. The cloud server 30 stores the owner's identity information and the vehicle information so that the owner can transmit the owner's identity information to the cloud server 30 for login verification through the application on the first electronic device 10, and so that the cloud server 30 can confirm the sharing of vehicle usage qualifications based on the stored vehicle information.

[0017] After the car owner completes registration, when the car owner wants to share the car with other sharers, the car owner must first ask the sharer to use the second electronic device 20 to install the application. The car owner then needs to use the first electronic device 10 to open the application, log in to the cloud server 30, and activate the sharing function, so that the first electronic device 10 sends the sharing signal to the cloud server 30. In this embodiment, the sharing signal transmitted by the first electronic device 10 to the cloud server 30 contains a sharer's account.

[0018] When the cloud server 30 receives the sharing signal, it transmits the confirmation link to the second electronic device 20 based on the sharing signal. In this embodiment, after generating the confirmation link, the cloud server 30 can transmit it to the second electronic device 20 via the network 50 using SMS, email, social media such as Line, WhatsApp, Facebook, WeChat, Messenger, Skype, etc. For example, the confirmation link can be a web address, allowing the second electronic device 20 to connect to the cloud server 30.

[0019] When the second electronic device 20 receives the confirmation link, it connects to the cloud server 30 via the confirmation link and sends an authorization verification request to the cloud server 30. In this embodiment, the authorization verification request sent by the second electronic device 20 to the cloud server 30 includes a sharer account to be verified.

[0020] When the cloud server 30 receives the permission verification request, it verifies the second electronic device 20 according to the request. In this embodiment, when the cloud server 30 verifies the second electronic device 20 according to the permission verification request, it verifies whether the sharer account is the same as the sharer account to be verified. If the sharer account is the same as the sharer account to be verified, the cloud server 30 determines that the second electronic device 20 has passed the verification. For example, the sharer account includes a sharer email address or a sharer phone number. That is, when the car owner activates the sharing function, they can first set the sharer's email address or phone number as the verification basis, and send it to the cloud server 30 through the sharing signal for the cloud server 30 to use as the verification basis.

[0021] When the second electronic device 20 passes verification, the cloud server 30 transmits the usage license confirmation to the second electronic device 20. In this embodiment, the usage license confirmation transmitted by the cloud server 30 to the second electronic device 20 includes a Bluetooth pairing code. Furthermore, since the vehicle owner's first electronic device 10 can connect to the in-vehicle Bluetooth device via Bluetooth pairing, the in-vehicle Bluetooth device 40 can store the Bluetooth verification code for pairing and connecting with the first electronic device 10 via Bluetooth.

[0022] When the second electronic device 20 receives the usage license confirmation, the second electronic device 20 connects to the vehicle Bluetooth device 40 according to the usage license confirmation and transmits the usage license confirmation to the vehicle Bluetooth device 40.

[0023] When the vehicle Bluetooth device 40 receives the usage license confirmation, it performs Bluetooth pairing verification on the second electronic device 20 based on the usage license confirmation. In this embodiment, when the vehicle Bluetooth device 40 performs Bluetooth pairing verification on the second electronic device 20 based on the usage license confirmation, it verifies whether the Bluetooth verification code is the same as the Bluetooth pairing code. If the Bluetooth verification code is the same as the Bluetooth pairing code, the vehicle Bluetooth device 40 determines that the second electronic device 20 has passed the Bluetooth pairing verification. Preferably, the Bluetooth verification code includes a vehicle owner electronic device identification code; for example, the vehicle owner electronic device identification code is the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of the first electronic device 10.

[0024] When the second electronic device 20 passes the Bluetooth pairing verification, the vehicle Bluetooth device 40 sends the verification confirmation to the second electronic device 20, so that the second electronic device 20 can send the lock signal or the unlock signal to the vehicle Bluetooth device 40.

[0025] When the vehicle Bluetooth device 40 receives the lock signal or the unlock signal, the vehicle Bluetooth device 40 transmits the lock command or the unlock command to the door lock remote control 60. When the door lock remote control 60 receives the lock command or the unlock command, the door lock remote control 60 controls the vehicle to lock or unlock according to the lock command or the unlock command.

[0026] For example, the door lock remote control 60 is a car key, and typically has lock and unlock buttons for the owner to press to lock or unlock the car. The in-vehicle Bluetooth device 40 is connected to the door lock remote control 60. The in-vehicle Bluetooth device 40 has an output circuit (not shown) for connecting to the circuits on the door lock remote control 60 used to connect the lock and unlock buttons. Furthermore, the output circuit of the in-vehicle Bluetooth device 40 can simulate the electrical signals when the lock or unlock button is pressed, such as a lock command or an unlock command.

[0027] Although the door lock remote control 60 is a factory-installed part of the vehicle, and the signals used by the remote control 60 to lock or unlock the vehicle are specially encrypted, the in-vehicle Bluetooth device 40 only simulates the electrical signals when the lock or unlock button of the door lock remote control 60 is pressed. Therefore, when the door lock remote control 60 receives the lock or unlock command, it simply determines that the lock or unlock button has been pressed and then executes the subsequent action of sending control commands to the vehicle. In other words, the in-vehicle Bluetooth device 40 does not actually modify the encrypted signals sent by the door lock remote control 60; it merely replaces the button function and allows the door lock remote control 60 to perform actions according to the factory settings.

[0028] Referring to Figure 3, in a first embodiment of the vehicle-mounted device sharing system of the present invention, when the second electronic device 20 receives the verification confirmation, the second electronic device 20 first determines whether to generate the lock signal or the unlock signal (S2091). Only when the second electronic device generates the lock signal or the unlock signal does it transmit the lock signal or the unlock signal to the vehicle-mounted Bluetooth device 40 (S2092). In this embodiment, the user can launch the application through the second electronic device 20. The application displays a lock button and an unlock button. When the user selects the lock button, the second electronic device 20 generates the lock signal. When the user selects the unlock button, the second electronic device 20 generates the unlock signal. In other words, the user can manually operate the second electronic device 20 to generate the lock signal or the unlock signal, thereby controlling the vehicle to lock or unlock.

[0029] Referring to Figure 4, in a second embodiment of the vehicle-mounted device sharing system of the present invention, when the second electronic device 20 receives the verification confirmation, the second electronic device 20 first determines whether the signal strength connected to the vehicle Bluetooth device 40 is greater than a strength threshold. When the signal strength is greater than the strength threshold, the second electronic device 20 automatically transmits the unlock signal to the vehicle Bluetooth device 40. When the signal strength is less than or equal to the strength threshold, the second electronic device 20 automatically transmits the lock signal to the vehicle Bluetooth device 40. In this embodiment, the sharer can launch the application through the second electronic device 20. In the application, the second electronic device 20 determines the signal strength connected to the vehicle Bluetooth device 40. The signal strength is inversely proportional to the distance between the second electronic device 20 and the vehicle Bluetooth device 40. That is, the closer the second electronic device 20 and the vehicle Bluetooth device 40 are, the stronger the signal strength. Conversely, the greater the distance between the second electronic device 20 and the vehicle Bluetooth device 40, the weaker the signal strength. In this way, the distance between the second electronic device 20 and the vehicle Bluetooth device 40 can be determined by the signal strength. When the distance is close, it means the shared vehicle wants to use the car; in this case, the signal strength will be greater than the strength threshold, and the second electronic device 20 will automatically generate an unlock signal and transmit it to the vehicle Bluetooth device 40. When the distance is far, it means the shared vehicle wants to leave the car; in this case, the signal strength will be less than or equal to the strength threshold, and the second electronic device 20 will automatically generate a lock signal and transmit it to the vehicle Bluetooth device 40. In other words, the second electronic device 20 can automatically generate the lock or unlock signal based on the signal strength, thereby controlling the car to lock or unlock, providing a more convenient operating method.

[0030] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0031] 10: First Electronic Device 20: Second electronic device 30: Cloud Server 40: In-vehicle Bluetooth device 50: Internet 60: Door lock remote control S201~S211, S2091~S2095: Steps

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted device sharing system, comprising: a first electronic device; a second electronic device; a cloud server communicatively connected to the first electronic device and the second electronic device; a vehicle-mounted Bluetooth device for installation inside a vehicle and connected to the first electronic device or the second electronic device; and a door lock remote control connected to the vehicle-mounted Bluetooth device; wherein, When the first electronic device activates a sharing function, it transmits a sharing signal to the cloud server. Upon receiving the sharing signal, the cloud server sends a confirmation connection to the second electronic device. Upon receiving the confirmation connection, the second electronic device connects to the cloud server and sends an authorization verification request. Upon receiving the authorization verification request, the cloud server verifies the second electronic device. Upon successful verification, the cloud server sends a usage license confirmation to the second electronic device. Upon receiving the usage license confirmation, the second electronic device connects to the vehicle's Bluetooth device and sends the usage license confirmation to the vehicle's Bluetooth device. Upon receiving the usage license confirmation, the vehicle's Bluetooth device performs Bluetooth pairing verification on the second electronic device. Specifically, when the second electronic device passes the Bluetooth pairing verification, the vehicle Bluetooth device sends a verification confirmation to the second electronic device; when the second electronic device receives the verification confirmation, it sends a lock signal or an unlock signal to the vehicle Bluetooth device; when the vehicle Bluetooth device receives the lock signal or the unlock signal, it sends a lock command or an unlock command to the door lock remote control; and when the door lock remote control receives the lock command or the unlock command, it controls the vehicle to lock or unlock according to the lock command or the unlock command.

2. A sharing system for in-vehicle devices as described in claim 1, wherein, When the second electronic device receives the verification confirmation, it first determines whether the locking signal or the unlocking signal has been generated. Only when the second electronic device generates the locking signal or the unlocking signal will it transmit the locking signal or the unlocking signal to the vehicle Bluetooth device.

3. A sharing system for in-vehicle devices as described in claim 1, wherein, When the second electronic device receives the verification confirmation, it first determines whether the signal strength of the connection to the vehicle Bluetooth device is greater than a strength threshold. When the signal strength is greater than the strength threshold, the second electronic device automatically sends the unlock signal to the vehicle Bluetooth device.

4. A sharing system for in-vehicle devices as described in claim 3, wherein, When the signal strength is less than or equal to the strength threshold, the second electronic device automatically transmits the locking signal to the vehicle Bluetooth device.

5. A sharing system for an in-vehicle device as described in claim 1, wherein, The sharing signal transmitted from the first electronic device to the cloud server includes a sharer account; the permission verification request transmitted from the second electronic device to the cloud server includes a sharer account to be verified; when the cloud server verifies the second electronic device according to the permission verification request, the cloud server verifies whether the sharer account is the same as the sharer account to be verified; when the sharer account is the same as the sharer account to be verified, the cloud server determines that the second electronic device has passed the verification.

6. A sharing system for an in-vehicle device as described in claim 5, wherein, The sharer account contains either a sharer's email address or a sharer's phone number.

7. A sharing system for an in-vehicle device as described in claim 1, wherein, The license confirmation transmitted from the cloud server to the second electronic device includes a Bluetooth pairing code; the vehicle Bluetooth device stores a Bluetooth verification code; when the vehicle Bluetooth device performs Bluetooth pairing verification on the second electronic device based on the license confirmation, the vehicle Bluetooth device verifies whether the Bluetooth verification code is the same as the Bluetooth pairing code; when the Bluetooth verification code is the same as the Bluetooth pairing code, the vehicle Bluetooth device determines that the second electronic device has passed the Bluetooth pairing verification.

8. A sharing system for an in-vehicle device as described in claim 7, wherein, The Bluetooth verification code contains a vehicle owner's electronic device identification code.

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