Control device and program

Abstract

[Problem] To prevent an increase in processing time regarding authentication based on short-range radio communication. [Solution] A control device mounted on a mobile body, the control device comprising a control unit that authenticates a device on the basis of key information acquired from a device via short-range radio communication, wherein when a plurality of the devices are detected, the control unit determines an order of priority of authentication pertaining to the plurality of devices on the basis of a registration status of an identifier acquired from each of the plurality of detected devices.

Description

Control device and program

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device and a program.

[0002] In recent years, technologies have been developed that perform authentication based on wireless communication between devices and perform some kind of control based on the result of the authentication. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technology that employs near field communication (NFC) as the wireless communication.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-31968

[0004] However, in authentication based on short-range wireless communication, if multiple authentication targets are detected, there may be cases where the processing time increases.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent an increase in processing time for authentication based on short-range wireless communication.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control device mounted on a mobile body, the control device comprising: a control unit that authenticates the device based on key information obtained from the device via short-range wireless communication, and when multiple devices are detected, the control unit determines the authentication priority for the multiple devices based on the registration status of identifiers obtained from each of the detected multiple devices.

[0007] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a program is provided that causes a control device mounted on a mobile body to realize a control function of authenticating a device based on key information obtained from the device via short-range wireless communication, and that, when multiple devices are detected, causes the control function to determine the authentication priority for multiple devices based on the registration status of identifiers obtained from each of the detected multiple devices.

[0008] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent an increase in processing time for authentication based on short-range wireless communication.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of detection processing and authentication processing in the system 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a situation in which the time required for authentication processing according to the embodiment increases. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of determining the priority order of authentication according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of operational control of a controlled device 160 by a control device 10 according to the embodiment.

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0011] In addition, in this specification and drawings, when multiple identical components are to be described separately, letters or the like may be added to the end of the reference numerals. On the other hand, when it is not necessary to distinguish between multiple identical components, the letters or the like may be omitted and a description common to all of the multiple identical components may be given.

[0012] 1. Embodiment 1.1. Configuration Example First, a configuration example of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, a system 1 according to this embodiment includes a mobile object 15 and a plurality of NFC devices 20 .

[0015] (Mobile object 15) The mobile object 15 according to this embodiment may be a vehicle such as a four-wheeled vehicle, a two-wheeled vehicle, an aircraft, or a ship.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, a moving body 15 according to this embodiment is equipped with at least a control device 10 and a controlled device 160 .

[0017] (Controller 10) The controller 10 according to this embodiment is a device that authenticates the NFC device 20 and controls the operation of the controlled device 160 based on the result of the authentication.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a control device 10 according to this embodiment includes a short-range wireless communication unit 110, a control unit 120, and a storage unit .

[0019] (Near Field Wireless Communication Unit 110) The near field wireless communication unit 110 according to this embodiment performs near field wireless communication with an NFC device.

[0020] For this purpose, the near field communication unit 110 according to this embodiment includes an NFC reader and an NFC reader / writer.

[0021] (Control Unit 120) The control unit 120 according to this embodiment authenticates the NFC device 20 based on key information acquired from the NFC device 20 by the short-range wireless communication unit 110 via short-range wireless communication.

[0022] The control unit 120 according to this embodiment may recognize the authenticity of the NFC device 20, for example, if the key information acquired from the NFC device 20 matches the key information previously stored (registered) in the memory unit 130.

[0023] However, the above authentication method is merely an example, and the authentication method according to this embodiment is not limited to this example.

[0024] The key information may be any type of information that can prove the authenticity of the NFC device 20 based on the information registered in the memory unit 130, and the information registered in the memory unit 130 does not necessarily have to be the same information as the key information.

[0025] The authentication method of the present invention may be designed as appropriate.

[0026] Furthermore, one of the features of the control unit 120 according to this embodiment is that when multiple NFC devices 20 are detected based on short-range wireless communication, the control unit 120 determines the priority order of authentication for the multiple NFC devices 20 based on the registration status of the identifiers acquired from each of the detected multiple NFC devices 20.

[0027] For example, if the type of short-range wireless communication employed is Type A, the identifier may be a UID (Unique Identification).

[0028] Also, for example, if the type of short-range wireless communication employed is Type F, the identifier may be IDm.

[0029] The determination of the authentication priority order by the control unit 120 according to this embodiment will be described in detail separately.

[0030] Furthermore, the control unit 120 according to this embodiment controls the operation of the controlled device 160 mounted on the mobile object 15 based on the result of authentication of the NFC device 20 .

[0031] More specifically, when authenticating the NFC device 20, the control unit 120 according to this embodiment causes the controlled device 160 to execute a prescribed operation if the authenticity of the NFC device 20 is recognized.

[0032] The control unit 120 according to this embodiment may be, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0033] (Storage Unit 130) The storage unit 130 according to this embodiment stores various types of information used in the system 1.

[0034] The storage unit 130 according to this embodiment stores (registers), for example, the identifier of the NFC device 20 and key information in association with each other.

[0035] (Controlled Device 160) The controlled device 160 according to this embodiment may be any of various devices that perform a specified operation under the control of the control device 10.

[0036] The controlled device 160 according to this embodiment may be, for example, a locking device that locks and unlocks a locking mechanism provided in the moving body 15 as a prescribed operation.

[0037] For example, if the moving body 15 is a four-wheeled vehicle, the controlled device 160 may execute the locking and unlocking of a locking mechanism provided on the door of the moving body 15 as the specified operation.

[0038] Furthermore, for example, if the moving body 15 is a two-wheeled vehicle, the controlled device 160 may execute the locking and unlocking of a locking mechanism provided on the wheels of the moving body 15 as the specified operation.

[0039] However, controlled device 160 and the prescribed operation according to this embodiment are not limited to the above example.

[0040] For example, controlled device 160 according to this embodiment may be an engine. In this case, the specified operation may be permission or restriction of engine start.

[0041] Furthermore, for example, controlled device 160 according to the present embodiment may be a lighting device. In this case, the specified operation may be turning on or off the lighting.

[0042] (NFC Device 20) The NFC device 20 according to this embodiment can be any of various devices having a short-range wireless communication function.

[0043] The NFC device 20 according to this embodiment may be, for example, a card, a smartphone, a wearable device, or the like.

[0044] In this disclosure, the NFC device 20 may be simply referred to as the device.

[0045] The above describes an example of the configuration of the system 1 according to the present embodiment. Note that the configuration described above using Fig. 1 is merely an example, and the configuration of the system 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited to this example.

[0046] The configuration of the system 1 according to this embodiment can be flexibly modified according to specifications, operation, and the like.

[0047] <<1.2. Detailed Functions>> Next, the functions of the system 1 according to this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0048] First, the flow of the detection process and authentication process in the system 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0049] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of detection processing and authentication processing in the system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, first, a process for detecting the NFC device 20 (detection process) is executed between the control device 10 and the NFC device 20 (S100).

[0051] The detection process according to this embodiment includes polling sent by the short-range wireless communication unit 110 of the control device 10 and a response sent by the NFC device 20 in response to the polling.

[0052] The response also includes the identifier of the NFC device 20 .

[0053] The control device 10 according to this embodiment detects the presence of the NFC device 20 by receiving a response from the NFC device 20 .

[0054] In the detection process, following polling and sending and receiving of a response, various parameters may be exchanged between the control device 10 and the NFC device 20. After exchanging various parameters, the NFC device 20 transitions to an active state.

[0055] After the detection process in step S100 is completed, a process for authenticating the NFC device 20 (authentication process) is executed between the control device 10 and the detected NFC device (S200).

[0056] In the authentication process, the control device 10 transmits, for example, a request for key information to the detected NFC device 20, and the NFC device 20 returns a response including the key information in response to the request.

[0057] The control device 10 authenticates the NFC device 20 based on the key information included in the received response.

[0058] The flow of the detection process and authentication process according to this embodiment has been described above.

[0059] However, the sequence of the authentication process according to this embodiment can be designed as appropriate.

[0060] Prior to the authentication process according to this embodiment, a process for registering the identifier and key information of the NFC device 20 (registration process) is executed in advance.

[0061] The registration process may be performed by a manufacturer of the mobile unit 15 before the mobile unit 15 is shipped from the factory. Alternatively, the registration process may be performed by a dealer or the like before the mobile unit 15 is transferred to an owner.

[0062] Furthermore, if the NFC device 20 is a device equipped with an operation unit and a display unit, such as a smartphone, the registration process may be executed based on an operation by the owner of the mobile object 15 or the like.

[0063] In either case, a registration process may be performed subsequent to the detection process.

[0064] Next, a case where a plurality of NFC devices 20 are detected in the detection process according to this embodiment will be described.

[0065] In recent years, card-type NFC devices 20 have become widespread, and it is not uncommon for a plurality of NFC devices 20 to be stored in a wallet, card case, or the like.

[0066] In the above case, when a user of the mobile body 15 (for example, the owner of the mobile body 15 or a person authorized by the owner to use the mobile body 15) brings a wallet, card case, etc. close to the near-field wireless communication unit 110, a situation may arise in which multiple NFC devices 20 are detected.

[0067] Furthermore, a cover attached to a smartphone may be provided with a storage section for storing various cards. Here, if both the smartphone and the card stored in the cover are NFC devices 20, a situation may arise in which multiple NFC devices 20 are detected.

[0068] However, a situation in which a plurality of NFC devices 20 are detected also includes a situation in which an NFC device 20 whose key information is not registered in the storage unit 130 is detected.

[0069] Furthermore, in a situation where multiple NFC devices 20 are detected, including an NFC device 20 whose key information is not registered in the memory unit 130, if the order of the authentication process is not controlled in any way, the time required for the authentication process may increase.

[0070] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a situation in which the time required for authentication processing increases.

[0071] FIG. 3 illustrates a case where an NFC device 20A whose key information is not registered in the storage unit 130 (unregistered) and an NFC device 20B whose key information is registered in the storage unit 130 (registered) are detected.

[0072] In the example shown in FIG. 3, first, detection processes are executed between the control device 10 and the NFC device 20A, and between the control device 10 and the NFC device 20B (S100A and S100B), respectively.

[0073] The polling signals transmitted by the control device 10 in steps S100A and S100B may be the same signal.

[0074] Next, the control device 10 executes authentication processing with the NFC device 20A detected in step S100A and with the NFC device 20B detected in step S100B (S200A and S200B).

[0075] FIG. 3 illustrates a case where the control device 10 does not control the order of authentication processes, and the authentication process (S200A) for authenticating the NFC device 20A is executed prior to the authentication process (S200B) for authenticating the NFC device 20B.

[0076] In this case, the authentication process (S200A) for the unregistered NFC device 20A fails (because the authenticity of the NFC device 20A is not recognized), and the execution control of the specified operation is not performed. However, the subsequent authentication process (S200B) for the registered NFC device 20B is successful (because the authenticity of the NFC device 20B is recognized), and the execution control of the specified operation is performed.

[0077] That is, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the authentication process for the unregistered NFC device 20A is executed before the authentication process for the registered NFC device 20B, and it becomes necessary to execute the authentication process twice before the specified operation is executed.

[0078] In this way, when multiple NFC devices 20, including unregistered NFC devices 20, are detected, the number of times authentication processing is required increases, i.e., the time required for authentication processing increases, which may ultimately lead to a situation where usability is reduced.

[0079] The technical concept of one embodiment of the present invention was conceived with the above points in mind, and makes it possible to prevent an increase in processing time for authentication based on short-range wireless communication.

[0080] For this reason, one of the features of the control unit 120 of this embodiment is that when multiple NFC devices 20 are detected, the control unit 120 determines the priority order of authentication for the multiple NFC devices 20 based on the registration status of the identifiers obtained from each of the detected multiple NFC devices 20.

[0081] More specifically, the control unit 120 according to this embodiment may preferentially authenticate an NFC device 20 whose identifier and key information have already been registered in the storage unit 130 .

[0082] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of determining the authentication priority order according to this embodiment.

[0083] Figure 4 illustrates an example in which an NFC device 20A whose identifier and key information are not registered (unregistered) in the memory unit 130 and an NFC device 20B whose identifier and key information are registered (registered) in the memory unit 130 are detected.

[0084] In the example shown in FIG. 4, first, detection processes are executed between the control device 10 and the NFC device 20A, and between the control device 10 and the NFC device 20B (S100A and S100B), respectively.

[0085] The polling signals transmitted by the control device 10 in steps S100A and S100B may be the same signal.

[0086] Furthermore, the control device 10 acquires the identifier of the NFC device 20A in the detection process in step S100A, and the identifier of the NFC device 20B in the detection process in step S100B.

[0087] Next, the control device 10 checks whether the identifier of the NFC device 20A and the identifier of the NFC device 20B are registered in the storage unit 130 (S110).

[0088] Next, the control device 10 determines the order of authentication priorities based on the result of the comparison in step S110 (S120).

[0089] As described above, the control unit 120 of the control device 10 according to this embodiment may preferentially authenticate an NFC device 20 whose identifier and key information have already been registered in the storage unit 130 .

[0090] Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the control device 10 first executes authentication processing with the registered NFC device 20B (S200B).

[0091] According to the above control, the authentication process (S200B) for the registered NFC device 20B is successful (the authenticity of the NFC device 20B is recognized), and the execution control of the specified operation is performed.

[0092] The above has described the determination of the authentication priority order by the control device 10 according to the present embodiment. According to the series of controls described above, even when a plurality of NFC devices 20, including an unregistered NFC device 20, are detected, it is possible to prevent an increase in the number of authentication processes required, i.e., an increase in the time required for the authentication processes, and thus to prevent a decrease in usability.

[0093] Next, a flow of operational control of the controlled device 160 by the control device 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0094] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of operational control of the controlled device 160 by the control device 10 according to this embodiment.

[0095] The control device 10 determines whether or not to cause the controlled device 160 to execute a prescribed operation (determination of execution of the prescribed operation) based on the result of authentication of the NFC device 20 (S301).

[0096] If the authenticity of the NFC device 20 is confirmed in the authentication, the control device 10 may transmit an instruction to the controlled device 160 to execute a prescribed operation (S302).

[0097] In this case, controlled device 160 executes a specified operation based on the execution instruction received in step S302 (S303).

[0098] <2. Supplementary Information> Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0099] Furthermore, the series of processes performed by each device described in this specification may be realized by a program stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Each program is, for example, loaded into RAM when executed by a computer and executed by a processor such as a CPU. The storage medium may be, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a flash memory. The program may also be distributed, for example, via a network, without using a storage medium.

[0100] 1: System, 10: Control device, 15: Mobile object, 110: Near field communication unit, 120: Control unit, 130: Storage unit, 160: Controlled device, 20: NFC device

Claims

1. A control device mounted on a mobile body, comprising: a control unit that authenticates a device based on key information acquired from the device via short-range wireless communication; and when multiple devices are detected, the control unit determines the order of authentication priority for the multiple devices based on the registration status of identifiers acquired from each of the detected multiple devices.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit preferentially authenticates the device for which the identifier and the key information have been registered.

3. The control device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the control unit causes the controlled device mounted on the mobile body to execute a specified operation when the authenticity of the device is confirmed in the device authentication.

4. The control device according to claim 3, wherein the specified operation includes locking and unlocking a door provided on the moving body.

5. The control device according to claim 3, wherein the prescribed action includes permission to start an engine provided in the vehicle.

6. A program that causes a control device mounted on a mobile object to realize a control function that authenticates a device based on key information obtained from the device via short-range wireless communication, and that causes the control function, when multiple devices are detected, to determine the order of authentication priority for the multiple devices based on the registration status of identifiers obtained from each of the multiple detected devices.

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