Car Sharing System Mobile Terminal Key Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing car sharing systems complicate vehicle configuration with the need for communication devices and reader/writer systems, and pose security risks due to the presence of vehicle keys in passenger compartments, which can be stolen and lead to unauthorized use.

Innovation Solution

A car sharing system that includes a key function unit and user authentication function unit, allowing temporary key information to be generated and verified through a mobile terminal, eliminating the need for direct key operation and simplifying vehicle configuration, while enhancing security by using a mobile terminal as a vehicle key.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a communication device is installed in the vehicle to enable server communication, then car sharing functionality is achieved, but vehicle configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecar sharing functionalityVSAvoidvehicle configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication device is extracted from the vehicle and relocated to the mobile terminal. The server communicates with the mobile terminal instead of the vehicle, eliminating the need for communication devices within the vehicle while maintaining car sharing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile terminal acts as an intermediary between the server and the vehicle. It receives reservation information from the server and transmits key information to the vehicle, eliminating the need for direct server-vehicle communication and the associated communication devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a reader/writer device is installed in the vehicle to read membership cards, then user authentication is enabled, but vehicle configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser authenticationVSAvoidvehicle configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reader/writer device is extracted from the vehicle and integrated into the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal reads the membership card and transmits authentication information to the vehicle, eliminating the need for reader/writer devices within the vehicle while maintaining authentication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of reading the membership card directly in the vehicle, the system creates a digital copy of the authentication information in the mobile terminal and transmits it to the vehicle. This copy-based approach eliminates the need for physical reading devices in the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If a vehicle key is kept in the passenger compartment for easy access, then ease of operation improves, but security deteriorates due to theft risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey accessibilityVSAvoidtheft risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The physical vehicle key is replaced with an electronic key system. The mobile terminal stores and transmits key information electronically, eliminating the need for physical keys that can be stolen. The electronic key system maintains ease of operation through mobile device accessibility while improving security through encrypted communication and temporary key generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10668896B2Car sharing system and car sharing method

Publication Date: 2020.06.02 KK TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO

AI summary

A car sharing system includes a car sharing device. The car sharing device includes a key function unit and a user authentication function unit. The key function unit allows a device of a vehicle that is shared with multiple people to operate by performing ID verification through a process similar to an electronic key of the vehicle. When the device of the vehicle is operated with a mobile terminal, the user authentication function unit obtains key information from an external device via the mobile terminal and performs authentication of the key information. When authentication of the key information is accomplished and use of the vehicle is within a reservation time, the user authentication function unit validates the key function unit. The key information is generated as information that is permitted only a temporary use.