JP2004224265A - Vehicle theft prevention device, vehicle theft prevention system, and rental car theft prevention system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a high security identification performable when a user of vehicle is identified by using a cellular phone held by the user without adding a special function to the cellular phone or requesting a troublesome operation to the user. <P>SOLUTION: An engine control computer 80 forming a vehicle theft prevention device is provided with a storage part 82 storing the identification information of the cellular phone 20 owned by the user, a receiving part 83 receiving position registration request signals transmitted from the cellular phone 20 to the base station 31 off a cellular phone communication network 30, and a permission part 84 collating the identification information of the cellular phone 20 included in the position registration request signals with the identification information stored in the storage part 82 and, when these information match with each other, permitting the start of the engine. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle anti-theft device, a vehicle anti-theft system and a rental car anti-theft system for authenticating a user when using a vehicle, and more particularly to a mobile phone (PHS terminal) suitable for authenticating a user such as a rental car. ), A vehicle theft prevention system, and a rental car theft prevention system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various types of vehicle theft prevention devices that authenticate a user when using a vehicle (rent-a-car) have been proposed (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
For example, a vehicle theft prevention device disclosed in Patent Document 1 compares a transmitter ID and a receiver ID when a data signal is transmitted from a transmitter possessed by a user to a receiver on the vehicle side, It is configured to output only the coincidence signal to the engine control unit.
[0003]
Further, the rental car system disclosed in Patent Literature 2 is configured such that when an unlock signal is transmitted from a keyless remote control transmitter possessed by a user to a keyless remote control receiver on a vehicle side, ID information included in the unlock signal is stored in advance. The registered use permission ID information is collated, and if they match, the door lock is unlocked.
[0004]
However, the vehicle anti-theft devices and the rental car systems disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 use a dedicated transmitter when authenticating a user, and thus have a problem of increasing costs. In particular, when introducing the system to a rental car, many dedicated transmitters are required. Therefore, not only the cost of the transmitter itself but also the labor and cost required for its management and delivery must be considered.
[0005]
In order to authenticate the user, it has been proposed to use a mobile phone owned by the user (for example, see Patent Documents 3 and 4).
For example, in a vehicle antitheft system disclosed in Patent Document 3, when using a vehicle, it is required to connect a mobile phone carried by a user to a car navigation device mounted on the vehicle. Then, the car navigation device compares the telephone number of the connected mobile telephone with the telephone number registered in advance, and when these are different, activates the anti-theft function.
[0006]
In addition, the vehicle security system disclosed in Patent Document 4 forms a short-range wireless link with a mobile phone (mobile communication terminal) owned by a user, searches for ID information of the mobile phone, When this does not match the ID information registered in the storage means, an alarm signal is output.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 6-74537 (page 2, FIG. 2)
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2002-13326 (page 3-5, FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-2002-220029 (page 3, FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 4]
JP-A-2002-269663 (page 3-4, FIG. 1)
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the vehicle anti-theft system disclosed in Patent Literature 3 is configured using a car navigation device, so that the cost is high.
Further, in this case, when using the vehicle, it is necessary to connect the user's mobile phone to the connector of the car navigation device, so that there is a disadvantage that the procedure for using the vehicle is complicated.
In this case, since authentication is performed based on a telephone number with low confidentiality, there is a problem in security.
[0009]
On the other hand, the vehicular security system disclosed in Patent Literature 4 automatically searches for the ID information of the mobile phone via wireless communication means when the main power supply for the vehicle is turned on. Compared with usability and security.
However, the above-mentioned wireless communication means is not a long-distance wireless communication means for communication (for communicating with a base station of a mobile phone communication network) provided as a standard feature of a mobile phone, but is an additional to some mobile phones. Since this is a short-range wireless communication means (e.g., Bluetooth) installed in a mobile phone, there is a problem that a general mobile phone cannot be used.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and uses a mobile phone possessed by a user for user authentication while adding a special function to a mobile phone or using the same. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle anti-theft device, a vehicle anti-theft system, and a rental car anti-theft system that can perform highly secure authentication without requiring a troublesome operation for a user.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle anti-theft device of the present invention is a vehicle anti-theft device that authenticates a user when using a vehicle, and stores in advance identification information of a mobile phone possessed by the user. A storage unit that receives a data signal transmitted from the mobile phone to a base station of a mobile phone communication network, identification information of the mobile phone included in the data signal, and the storage unit stores And a permission unit for permitting the use of the vehicle when the identification information matches the identification information.
[0012]
With this configuration of the vehicle anti-theft device, while using the mobile phone for user authentication, the mobile phone receives a data signal transmitted from the mobile phone to the base station of the mobile phone communication network. By authenticating the user based on the identification information of the mobile phone included in the data signal, a general mobile phone without any special function can be used.
[0013]
In addition, it is not necessary to connect the mobile phone with the connector when authenticating the user, so that the usability of the user can be improved.
Further, since the user is authenticated based on the unique identification information given to the mobile phone, authentication with higher security can be performed as compared with the case where the user is authenticated based on a telephone number with low confidentiality. .
[0014]
Further, in the vehicle theft prevention device of the present invention, the data signal is constituted by a location registration request signal automatically transmitted from the mobile phone to the base station.
If the vehicle anti-theft device is configured as described above, in order to secure a communication path with the base station, it is possible to automatically perform user authentication by using a position registration request signal transmitted from time to time by a mobile phone. Will be possible.
[0015]
Further, the vehicle antitheft device of the present invention is configured such that the permitting unit permits starting of an engine or unlocking of a door lock in the vehicle.
With this configuration of the vehicle anti-theft device, it is possible to permit only a legitimate user to start the engine or unlock the door lock.
[0016]
Further, the vehicle theft prevention device of the present invention is configured such that the user authentication is executed only when the engine of the vehicle is started.
With this configuration of the vehicle anti-theft device, it is possible to solve the problem that the engine is suddenly stopped or the door lock cannot be unlocked due to the battery exhaustion of the mobile phone or the reception failure of the receiving unit.
[0017]
In the vehicle antitheft device of the present invention, the storage unit, the reception unit, and the permission unit are provided in an engine control computer of the vehicle.
If the vehicle anti-theft device is configured in this manner, the user is authenticated by the engine control computer which is difficult to perform unauthorized operations, so that the anti-theft effect of the vehicle can be enhanced.
[0018]
In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle anti-theft system of the present invention is a vehicle anti-theft system that authenticates a user when using a vehicle, wherein the mobile phone possessed by the user and the mobile phone or Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information of the mobile phone from a mobile phone communication network; identification information registration means for registering the identification information in a storage unit of a vehicle antitheft device mounted on the vehicle; And a data signal transmitted to a base station of the mobile phone communication network from the mobile phone, and collates the identification information of the mobile phone included in the data signal with the identification information stored in the storage unit. And a vehicle antitheft device for permitting use of the vehicle when they match.
[0019]
If the vehicle anti-theft system is configured in this way, a highly secure authentication can be performed using a general mobile phone that does not have special functions, while using the mobile phone for user authentication. Not only can it be performed, but troublesome operations such as connector connection are not required for user authentication.
In addition, the provision of the identification information acquisition unit and the identification information registration unit enables a flexible response to a change in the user or a change in the mobile phone.
[0020]
Further, in order to achieve the above object, a rental car anti-theft system of the present invention is a rental car anti-theft system for authenticating a user when using a rental car, wherein the mobile phone owned by the user and the rental car are reserved. Based on the reservation information of the user, the identification information of the mobile phone possessed by the user is obtained from a mobile telephone communication network, and the identification information is distributed according to the reservation schedule of the rental car. A reservation management center for transmitting the identification information received from the reservation management center to a storage unit of a vehicle anti-theft device mounted on the rental car; and a mobile phone communication from the mobile phone. A data signal transmitted to a base station of a network is received, and the mobile phone included in the data signal is received. The identification information of the talking machine, collates the identification information the storage unit stores, when they are the same, it is constituted and a said vehicle antitheft apparatus to permit use of the rental car.
[0021]
If the rental car anti-theft system is configured in this way, a highly secure authentication can be performed using a general mobile phone that does not have special functions, while using the mobile phone for user authentication. Not only can it be performed, but troublesome operations such as connector connection are not required for user authentication.
This makes it possible to construct a rental car anti-theft system with excellent operability and high anti-theft effect at low cost.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a rental car anti-theft system.
As shown in this figure, the rental car anti-theft system (vehicle anti-theft system) communicates with a mobile phone 20 owned by a reservation user (user) of a rental car 10, a mobile phone communication network (mobile phone company) 30, A reservation management center 50 connected to the mobile telephone communication network 30 via the line 40, a dispatch center 70 connected to the reservation management center 50 via the communication line 60, and an engine control computer ( Vehicle theft prevention device) 80.
Note that the communication line 40 and the communication line 60 are the Internet, an intranet, a general telephone communication network, a mobile telephone communication network, a dedicated communication line, and the like, and arbitrary ones are used.
[0023]
The rental car 10 is configured using a general automobile. In the present embodiment, a vehicle anti-theft device is configured in the rent-a-car 10 by adding some functions to the engine control computer 80 that controls the engine of the rent-a-car 10.
[0024]
The mobile phone 20 is configured using a general mobile phone terminal or PHS terminal. The function required by the rental car anti-theft system for the mobile phone 20 is a wireless communication function for calls provided in general mobile phone terminals and PHS terminals, and special functions such as Bluetooth which some mobile phone terminals additionally provide. Not a communication function.
[0025]
The mobile phone communication network 30 includes base stations 31 in various places that perform wireless communication with the mobile phone 20, an exchange 32 that connects these base stations 31 to each other, and a customer management computer 33 that manages customer data of the mobile phone 20. And
[0026]
Each base station 31 periodically transmits a radio signal including unique area information to an unspecified mobile phone 20. When receiving the radio wave signal including the area information, the mobile phone 20 selects the base station 31 based on the strength of the radio wave and automatically transmits a position registration request signal to the base station 31. The location registration request signal includes unique identification information (for example, a 15-digit code) of the mobile phone 20 and area information of the base station 31. When receiving the position registration request signal from the mobile phone 20, the base station 31 sends the signal to the exchange 32.
[0027]
The exchange 32 has a location registration database 32a. In this position registration database 32a, the identification information and the telephone number of each mobile phone 20 are registered in advance. When the exchange 32 receives the location registration request from the base station 31, it registers the area number in association with the identification information. That is, the exchange 32 always knows the latest position (the base station 31 capable of wireless communication) of the mobile phone 20 that is turned on.
[0028]
Thus, when the exchange 32 requests from another telephone to call the predetermined mobile phone 20, the exchange 32 determines the base station 31 with which the mobile phone 20 can communicate based on the registered location information of the location registration database 32a. It becomes possible to specify and call a predetermined mobile phone 20.
[0029]
The customer management computer 33 is a computer for a mobile phone company to manage customer information, and includes a customer management database 33a. In the customer management database 33a, the identification information and the telephone number of the mobile phone 20 owned by the customer are registered along with the name, address, billing method, and the like of each customer.
[0030]
Further, upon receiving the inquiry information from the reservation management center 50, the customer management computer 33 of the present embodiment, based on the customer information (for example, telephone number) included in the inquiry information, identifies the mobile telephone 20 owned by the customer. And a function of transmitting the search request to the reservation management center 50.
[0031]
The reservation management center 50 is installed by a rental car company to manage the reservation schedule of the rental car 10, and a reservation management computer 51 is provided here. The reservation management computer 51 is configured to store the reservation information of the reservation user in the reservation management database 51a, and to manage the reservation schedule of the rental car 10 according to the reservation information.
[0032]
Further, the reservation management computer 51 of the present embodiment makes an inquiry to the customer management computer 33 of the mobile telephone communication network 30 based on the reservation information of the reservation user, and identifies the mobile phone 20 possessed by the reservation user. It has a function of acquiring information (identification information acquisition means). The identification information acquired from the customer management computer 33 is stored in the reservation management database 51a, and is transmitted to the dispatch center 70 together with the rental car number according to the reservation schedule of the rental car 10 (a predetermined time before the reservation time).
[0033]
The dispatching center 70 is installed by a rental car company in various places in order to manage and rent the rental car 10, and an identification information updating device 71 is provided here. The identification information updating device 71 has a function of receiving the identification information and the rental car number from the reservation management center 50 and registering the received identification information in the engine control computer 80 of the corresponding rental car 10 (identification information registration means). ing.
The connection between the identification information updating device 71 and the engine control computer 80 is arbitrary, whether wired or wireless.
[0034]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the engine control computer.
As shown in the figure, the engine control computer 80 includes a storage unit 82, a reception unit 83, and a permission unit 84 in addition to an engine control unit 81 that controls the engine. Functions as a vehicle anti-theft device.
[0035]
The storage unit 82 is a unit that stores in advance the identification information of the mobile phone 20 held by the reservation user of the rental car 10, and the writing is performed by the identification information updating device 71.
The receiving unit 83 is a part that receives a location registration request signal (data signal) transmitted from the mobile phone 20 to the base station 31 of the mobile phone communication network 30. In the present embodiment, the receiving area of the receiving unit 83 is set relatively small in order to avoid receiving the position registration request signal transmitted by the mobile telephone 20 outside the vehicle.
The permission unit 84 compares the identification information of the mobile phone 20 included in the position registration request signal received by the reception unit 83 with the identification information stored in the storage unit 82, and when they match, the This part allows the engine to start.
[0036]
Next, the overall operation of the car rental anti-theft system and the operation procedure of the engine control computer will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the entire operation of the car rental anti-theft system, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the engine control computer.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 3, when the reservation management center 50 (reservation management computer 51) determines the registration of the reservation information (S101), it identifies the mobile phone 20 owned by the reservation user based on the reservation information. The information is inquired to the mobile phone communication network 30 (customer management computer 33) (S102).
[0038]
The mobile phone communication network 30 searches for the identification information in response to the inquiry from the reservation management center 50, and transmits this to the reservation management center 50 (S103).
The reservation management center 50 receives the identification information from the customer management computer 33 and stores it in the reservation management database 51a (S104).
Further, when a predetermined time comes before the reservation time (S105), the reservation management center 50 transmits the identification information and the rental car number to the dispatch center 70 (S106).
[0039]
Upon receiving the identification information and the rental car number from the reservation management center 50 (S107), the dispatch center 70 (identification information updating device 71) registers the information in the engine control computer 80 (storage unit 82) of the rental car 10 corresponding to the rental car number (S107). S108, S109).
[0040]
The reservation user holds the mobile phone 20, goes to the dispatch center 70 at the reserved time, and rents the rental car 10. When the reservation user turns on the key switch of the rental car 10 (S110), the engine control computer 80 transmits a location registration request signal transmitted from the reservation user's mobile phone 20 to the base station 31 of the mobile phone communication network 30. Is received (S111).
[0041]
Then, the engine control computer 80 collates the identification information of the mobile phone 20 included in the position registration request signal with the identification information stored in the storage unit 82 (S112), and only when they match (S113). ), The start of the engine is permitted (S114).
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 4, the engine control computer 80 determines whether or not the key switch of the rental car 10 is on (S201). If the determination result is YES, it is determined whether or not the engine is stopped. Is further determined (S202).
[0043]
If the result of this determination is YES, a position registration request signal transmitted from the mobile phone 20 to the base station 31 of the mobile phone communication network 30 is received (S203), and the mobile phone 20 included in the location registration request signal is received. Is compared with the identification information stored in the storage unit 82 (S204). Then, referring to the collation results (S205), if they match, the engine start is permitted (S206), and if they do not match, the engine start is prohibited (S207).
[0044]
On the other hand, when the determination result of the engine stop determination (S202) is NO, the process returns to the host control without receiving the position registration request signal or collating the identification information. That is, once the engine is started, no user authentication is performed thereafter.
[0045]
According to the present embodiment configured as described above, the mobile phone 20 is transmitted from the mobile phone 20 to the base station 31 of the mobile phone communication network 30 while using the mobile phone 20 for authentication of the rental car reservation user. Receiving the location registration request signal, and authenticating the reservation user based on the identification information of the mobile phone 20 included in the location registration request signal, the general mobile phone 20 having no special function added. Can be used.
[0046]
Moreover, it is not necessary to connect the mobile phone 20 with a connector when authenticating the reservation user, so that the usability of the reservation user can be improved.
In addition, since the reservation user is authenticated based on the unique identification information given to the mobile phone 20, authentication with higher security is performed as compared with the case where the reservation user is authenticated based on a telephone number with low confidentiality. be able to.
[0047]
In addition, in order to secure a communication path with the base station 31, a user can be automatically authenticated by using a position registration request signal transmitted from time to time by the mobile phone 20.
In addition, since the authentication of the reservation user is executed only when the engine of the rental car 10 is started, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the engine is suddenly stopped due to running out of the battery of the mobile phone 20 or poor reception of the receiving unit 83.
[0048]
Further, since the reservation user is authenticated by the engine control computer 80 which is difficult to perform unauthorized operations, the effect of preventing the rental car 10 from being stolen can be enhanced.
With the configuration and effects described above, in the present embodiment, a rental car anti-theft system having excellent operability and a high anti-theft effect can be constructed at low cost.
[0049]
Note that, needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, permission / prohibition of starting the engine in the vehicle is performed according to the authentication result of the user. However, permission / prohibition of unlocking the door lock in the vehicle is performed according to the authentication result of the user. It may be.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, a rental car is targeted, but it goes without saying that the present invention can also be implemented as a vehicle anti-theft device or a vehicle anti-theft system targeting a general vehicle. However, when targeting a general vehicle, it is desirable to separately provide an identification information acquisition unit and an identification information registration unit so that it can flexibly respond to a change of a user or a change of a mobile phone.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a special function is added to a mobile phone or troublesome for a user, even though the mobile phone owned by the user is used for user authentication. Authentication with high security can be performed without requiring an operation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a car rental anti-theft system.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an engine control computer.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the entire operation of the rental car anti-theft system.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of an engine control computer.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Rental Car 20 Cellular Phone 30 Cellular Phone Communication Network 31 Base Station 32 Exchange 32a Location Registration Database 33 Customer Management Computer 33a Customer Management Database 40 Communication Line 50 Reservation Management Center 51 Reservation Management Computer 51a Reservation Management Database 60 Communication Line 70 Vehicle Allocation Center 71 Identification information updating device 80 Engine control computer 81 Engine control unit 82 Storage unit 83 Receiving unit 84 Permission unit

Claims (7)

A vehicle theft prevention device that authenticates a user when using a vehicle,
A storage unit for storing in advance the identification information of the mobile phone possessed by the user,
A receiving unit that receives a data signal transmitted from the mobile phone toward a base station of a mobile phone communication network,
It is characterized by comprising an identification unit for collating the identification information of the mobile phone included in the data signal with the identification information stored in the storage unit, and when they match, permitting use of the vehicle. Vehicle anti-theft device. 2. The vehicle anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein the data signal is a location registration request signal automatically transmitted from the mobile phone to the base station. 3. The vehicle anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein the permission unit permits starting of an engine or unlocking of a door lock in the vehicle. The vehicle anti-theft device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the authentication of the user is performed only when an engine of the vehicle is started. The vehicle antitheft device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the storage unit, the receiving unit, and the permission unit are provided in an engine control computer of the vehicle. A vehicle anti-theft system that authenticates a user when using a vehicle,
A mobile phone carried by the user;
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information of the mobile phone from the mobile phone or a mobile phone communication network,
Identification information registration means for registering the identification information in a storage unit of a vehicle anti-theft device mounted on the vehicle;
A data signal transmitted from the mobile phone to the base station of the mobile phone communication network is received, and the identification information of the mobile phone included in the data signal and the identification information stored in the storage unit are included. And a vehicle anti-theft device that permits use of the vehicle when they match. A rental car anti-theft system that authenticates users when using a rental car,
A mobile phone carried by the user;
Based on the reservation information of the user who has reserved the rental car, the identification information of the mobile phone possessed by the user is obtained from a mobile phone communication network, and this identification information is used for the reservation schedule of the rental car. In response, a reservation management center to transmit to the dispatch center,
The dispatch center that registers the identification information received from the reservation management center in a storage unit of a vehicle anti-theft device mounted on the rental car;
A data signal transmitted from the mobile phone to the base station of the mobile phone communication network is received, and the identification information of the mobile phone included in the data signal and the identification information stored in the storage unit are included. And a vehicle anti-theft device that permits the use of the rental car when they match.

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