VEHICLE OPERATION AUTHORIZATION SYSTEM

• US 20130179005A1
• Filed: 01/02/2013
• Published: 07/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: NISHIMOTO, Keigo, IKEYAMA, Masahiro
• Granted Patent: US 9,120,452 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1001 Alarm systems associated with another car fitting or mechanism, e.g. door lock or knob, pedals features related to the general power supply B60R25/1018
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

A vehicle operation authorization system includes a server that receives identification information, which identifies a first portable electronic device that is used as an electronic key for a vehicle, from the first portable electronic device, verifies the identification information, and transmits an operation permission signal to the vehicle to permit a vehicle operation in accordance with a request from the first portable electronic device. A key registration unit registers an encryption key, which is provided from the server, to the first portable electronic device. An access authorization unit uses the encryption key, which is registered in the first portable electronic device, to grant access authorization for accessing the server to a second portable electronic device so that the second portable electronic device functions as the electronic key authorized to operate the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle operation authorization system comprising:

a server that receives identification information, which identifies a first portable electronic device that is used as an electronic key for a vehicle, from the first portable electronic device, verifies the identification information, and transmits an operation permission signal to the vehicle to permit a vehicle operation in accordance with a request from the first portable electronic device;

a key registration unit that registers an encryption key, which is provided from the server, to the first portable electronic device; and

an access authorization unit that uses the encryption key, which is registered in the first portable electronic device, to grant access authorization for accessing the server to a second portable electronic device so that the second portable electronic device functions as the electronic key authorized to operate the vehicle.

2. The vehicle operation authorization system according to claim 1, further comprising an access authorization restriction unit that imposes a usage restriction to the access authorization granted to the second portable electronic device.

3. The vehicle operation authorization system according to claim 1, further comprising a usage restriction unit that restricts operation of the vehicle with the first portable electronic device when the access authorization is granted to the second portable electronic device.

4. The vehicle operation authorization system according to claim 1, further comprising an access authorization forcible cancellation unit that forcibly cancels the access authorization granted to the second portable electronic device.

5. The vehicle operation authorization system according to claim 1, wherein

the second portable electronic device includes an image capturing unit, and

the access authorization unit generates encrypted information with the encryption key, displays the encrypted information on the first portable electronic device, and grants the access authorization to the second portable electronic device based on the encrypted information captured by the image capturing unit of the second portable electronic device.

6. The vehicle operation authorization system according to claim 1, wherein the access authorization unit grants the access authorization to the second portable electronic device through encrypted communication performed between the first portable electronic device and the second portable electronic device using the encryption key.

7. The vehicle operation authorization system according to claim 1, wherein the key registration unit registers the encryption key to the first portable electronic device when a user performs user registration to the server.

8. A vehicle operation authorization controlling method for controlling communication between a first portable electronic device and a vehicle through a server so that the first portable electronic device functions as an electronic key of the vehicle, the method comprising:

acquiring a first encryption key from the server;

using the first encryption key to provide a second portable electronic device, which differs from the first portable electronic device, with access authorization information, wherein the access authorization information is used when the second portable electronic device accesses the server;

using a second encryption key, which corresponds to the first encryption key, to verify the second portable electronic device accessing the server based on the access authorization information; and

transmitting an operation permission signal, which permits a vehicle operation requested by the second portable electronic device, from the server to the vehicle when the second portable electronic device is verified.

9. A vehicle operation authorization controlling method for controlling communication between a first portable electronic device and a vehicle through a server so that the first portable electronic device functions as an electronic key of the vehicle, the method comprising:

acquiring an encryption key from the server;

using the encryption key so that encrypted verification is performed between the first portable electronic device and a second portable electronic device, which differs from the first portable electronic device;

providing the second portable electronic device with access authorization information from the first portable electronic device when the encrypted verification is accomplished, wherein the access authorization information is used when the second portable electronic device accesses the server;

receiving an operation request signal from the second portable electronic device accessing the server based on the access authorization information; and

transmitting an operation permission signal, which permits a vehicle operation corresponding to the operation request signal, to the vehicle.