JP2024111374A - Electronic Key System - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable a highly convenient lending of a test-driving car while suppressing an occurrence of a problem on security.SOLUTION: A first portable terminal executes a process that includes: a step of transmitting reservation information to a managing server (S102) when an input of the reservation information completes (step S100: YES); a step of storing a digital key (S106) when the digital key is received from the managing server (S104: YES); a step of executing a communication connecting process (step S112) when moved to a test-driving place (S108: YES) and when a second portable terminal is detected (S110: YES): and a step of executing an activation process (S116) when activation information is received from the second portable terminal (S114: YES).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

This disclosure relates to an electronic key system.

For example, JP 2020-004317 A (Patent Document 1) discloses a technology in which, when a target vehicle is recognized by an incoming vehicle recognition unit, an electronic key that enables the target vehicle to be operated is transmitted as a digital key to a communication terminal of a parking staff member at the valet parking facility. Through such an operation, the parking staff member can operate the target vehicle using the electronic key and send the target vehicle to a vehicle storage space.

JP 2020-004317 A

When reserving and renting a test drive vehicle handled by a dealership or the like using a digital key as described above, the digital key is automatically issued to the user when reserving the test drive vehicle (more specifically, the digital key is downloaded to the user's mobile device). However, if this automatically issued digital key were the same as the digital key held by the dealership's staff, the user would be able to unlock and use the test drive vehicle even when the dealership's staff is not present, which could pose a security problem.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an electronic key system that makes it possible to conveniently rent out test drive vehicles while minimizing the occurrence of security issues.

An electronic key system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a mobile terminal to which a digital key that enables unlocking and use of a vehicle is assigned in an invalid state, and a terminal capable of communicating with the mobile terminal. The terminal includes a detection unit that detects the approach of the mobile terminal, a storage unit that stores activation information that enables the digital key assigned to the mobile terminal to be set to an active state, and a transmission unit that transmits the activation information to the mobile terminal when the approach of the mobile terminal is detected and a predetermined condition is met.

In this way, the digital key on the mobile device cannot be used to unlock or use the vehicle until it is changed to a valid state by the terminal. This prevents, for example, a user who has reserved a test drive vehicle and downloaded a digital key from using the test drive vehicle on his or her own.

In one embodiment, the predetermined conditions include a condition that the distance between the mobile terminal and the terminal is less than or equal to a threshold value.

In this way, the digital key is enabled when the mobile device and the terminal are close enough together to fall below a threshold distance, preventing users from using the test drive vehicle alone and improving convenience when using the test drive vehicle.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, the predetermined condition includes a condition that an operation to transmit activation information has been performed on the terminal.

In this way, activation information is sent to the mobile device when the terminal is operated, allowing the terminal operator to recognize that the digital key on the mobile device has been activated.

In yet another embodiment, the mobile terminal is a first mobile terminal. The terminal includes a second mobile terminal that is provided with a valid digital key.

In this way, the second mobile terminal can be used to manage things like washing and maintenance of test drive vehicles.

This disclosure provides an electronic key system that makes it possible to conveniently rent out test drive vehicles while minimizing the occurrence of security issues.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an electronic key system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a vehicle. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed in each of a management server, a first portable terminal, and a second portable terminal. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed in each of the management server, the first portable terminal, and the second portable terminal in a modified example.

The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are given the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an electronic key system 1 according to this embodiment. The electronic key system 1 manages electronic keys (specifically, digital keys) for multiple vehicles. In reality, digital keys for many vehicles can be managed by the electronic key system 1, but for ease of explanation, a specific vehicle 100 will be described below as an example.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the electronic key system 1 includes a communication network 6, a wireless base station 7, a management server 8, a vehicle 100, a first mobile terminal 400, and a second mobile terminal 402.

In this embodiment, the vehicle 100 is, for example, a test drive vehicle (hereinafter also referred to as a test drive vehicle) managed by a vehicle dealership (hereinafter referred to as a dealer). In other words, the vehicle 100 is a vehicle owned by the dealership. The dealer may be any vehicle dealership that owns test drive vehicles, and may be, for example, a dealership of used vehicles.

Vehicle 100 may be, for example, a vehicle that uses an engine as its driving source, or an electric vehicle that uses an electric motor as its driving source, or a hybrid vehicle that is equipped with an engine and an electric motor and uses at least one of them as its driving source.

The electronic key system 1 is configured to manage the reservation and rental of test drive vehicles by obtaining information regarding reservations for test drive vehicles (described later) from a first mobile terminal 400 that is configured to be able to communicate with the management server 8, and by providing information regarding digital keys for using the test drive vehicles.

The management server 8 includes a control device 11, a communication device 13, and a storage device 15. The control device 11, the communication device 13, and the storage device 15 are connected to each other via a communication bus 14 so that they can communicate with each other.

The control device 11 includes a processor 11a that executes programs such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory (ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory)) 11b, and an input/output port (not shown) that inputs and outputs various signals. The programs stored in the memory 11b are read by the processor 11a and software processing is executed. The various controls by the control device 11 can also be realized by a general-purpose computer (not shown) executing the programs stored in the storage device 15. The various controls by the control device 11 are not limited to software processing, and may be processed by dedicated hardware (electronic circuits).

The storage device 15 stores predetermined information about the vehicle 100 that is configured to be able to communicate with the management server 8. The predetermined information includes, for example, information about the control program of the vehicle 100 described below, information for identifying the vehicle 100 (hereinafter referred to as the vehicle ID), information about reserving a test drive vehicle, and information about the digital key of the test drive vehicle. The vehicle ID is unique information set for each vehicle. The management server 8 can identify the test drive vehicle that is the source or destination of the transmission by the vehicle ID.

The communication device 13 is configured to be capable of wireless communication with the first mobile terminal 400 and the second mobile terminal 402 via the communication network 6 and the wireless base station 7 in a predetermined communication format. The predetermined communication format includes, for example, wireless communication according to a communication standard used in a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or a communication standard used in a fourth or fifth generation mobile communication system (a mobile phone communication network).

The first mobile terminal 400 is a portable terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a wearable device. The first mobile terminal 400 includes a control device 400a, a communication device 400b, a storage device 400c, a position detection device 400d, and a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) 400e. The control device 400a, the communication device 400b, the storage device 400c, the position detection device 400d, and the UI 400e are communicatively connected to each other by a communication bus (not shown).

The control device 400a includes a processor that executes programs such as a CPU, a memory, and an input/output port that inputs and outputs various signals (none of which are shown). The operation and functions of the control device are similar to those of the control device 11 of the management server 8, so a detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

The communication device 400b is configured to communicate directly with the second mobile terminal 402 in a predetermined communication format (e.g., short-range wireless communication), or to communicate with the management server 8 via the communication network 6 and wireless base station 7 in a predetermined communication format (e.g., a mobile phone communication network).

The memory device 400c stores information about the digital key for unlocking or locking the entry/exit doors of the vehicle 100 and for using the vehicle 100.

The position detection device 400d detects, for example, the position information of the first mobile terminal 400. The position detection device 400d detects the position of the first mobile terminal 400 using, for example, a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite or a wireless LAN.

The UI 400e includes, for example, a display device that displays various information and an input device that accepts user operations. The UI 400e may be configured, for example, by a touch panel display.

The second mobile terminal 402 has a similar configuration to the first mobile terminal 400. Therefore, a detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the vehicle 100. As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle 100 includes a door lock device 120, a communication device 130, a drive device 150, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 170.

The door lock device 120 is configured to be switchable between a locked state that restricts the opening and closing of a closed entry door (not shown) and an unlocked state that allows the closed entry door to be opened and closed in response to a control signal from the ECU 170. The door lock device 120 is controlled to be in the locked state, for example, when it receives a control signal indicating a lock command from the ECU 170. The door lock device 120 is also controlled to be in the unlocked state, for example, when it receives a control signal indicating an unlock command from the ECU 170.

The communication device 130 is configured, for example, by a DCM (Data Communication Module) or the like. The communication device 130 is configured to be capable of two-way communication with the management server 8 via the communication network 6 and the wireless base station 7. Furthermore, the communication device 130 is configured to be capable of communicating with each of the first mobile terminal 400 and the second mobile terminal 402 via the communication network 6 and the wireless base station 7, or directly.

The drive device 150 includes, for example, a power source such as an engine or a motor generator for generating driving force for the vehicle 100, and a transmission including a gearbox and a differential device for transmitting the output of the power source to the drive wheels.

The ECU 170 is a computer having a processor that executes programs such as a CPU, a memory, and an input/output interface. The ECU 170 includes various control programs for controlling various actuators mounted on the vehicle 100. The various control programs include, for example, at least one of steering control, drive control, and braking control. In this embodiment, the various control programs further include a control program that controls the door lock device 120.

For example, when ECU 170 is able to communicate with a device for locking or unlocking the doors of vehicle 100 via communication device 130, ECU 170 authenticates whether the device is a legitimate device capable of locking or unlocking the doors using authentication information (digital key) received from the device. For example, when the received authentication information matches authentication information stored in memory, ECU 170 authenticates that the device with which it is communicating is a legitimate device capable of locking or unlocking the doors. In this case, when ECU 170 receives an unlock command for door lock device 120 from the device, ECU 170 controls door lock device 120 to be in an unlocked state. Note that a similar authentication process is also performed when vehicle 100 is made available for use, but a detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

In this embodiment, the second mobile terminal 402 is included as an authorized device capable of locking or unlocking the entry/exit door. For example, authentication information that enables the door lock device 120 of the vehicle 100 to be unlocked is stored in advance in the memory of the second mobile terminal 402. For example, the second mobile terminal 402 can operate to lock or unlock the entry/exit door by starting an app. Then, when a locking or unlocking operation is received, the second mobile terminal 402 communicates with the ECU 170 and performs authentication processing. When a lock command or unlock command is sent to the ECU 170 after authentication, the entry/exit door can be locked or unlocked.

When reserving and renting a test drive vehicle handled by a vehicle dealership or the like using the electronic key system 1 having the above-mentioned configuration, a digital key may be automatically issued to the user's terminal when reserving the test drive vehicle. For example, when a reservation process is performed using the first mobile terminal 400, which is the user's mobile terminal, the reservation information is registered in the management server 8, and information indicating the digital key can be downloaded from the management server 8. In this case, if the automatically issued digital key is the same as the digital key held by the staff of the dealership or the like (for example, the digital key stored in the second mobile terminal 402), the user can unlock and use the test drive vehicle using the first mobile terminal 400 even when the staff of the dealership or the like is not present, which may cause security problems.

In this embodiment, when the reservation information input using the first mobile terminal 400 is registered in the management server 8, the management server 8 grants the first mobile terminal 400 a digital key in an invalid state. When the second mobile terminal 402 detects the approach of the first mobile terminal 400, it transmits activation information to the first mobile terminal 400 that enables the digital key to be set to an active state when a predetermined condition is met. The first mobile terminal 400 updates the digital key to an active state using the activation information. In this embodiment, the predetermined condition includes a condition that the distance between the first mobile terminal 400 and the second mobile terminal 402 is equal to or less than a threshold value.

In this way, the digital key of the first mobile terminal 400 cannot be used to unlock the vehicle 100 until it is updated to a valid state by the second mobile terminal 402, which can, for example, prevent a person who has made a reservation for a test drive vehicle from using the test drive vehicle alone.

Below, an example of the processing executed in each of the management server 8, the first mobile terminal 400, and the second mobile terminal 402 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing executed in each of the management server 8, the first mobile terminal 400, and the second mobile terminal 402. A series of processing shown in this flowchart is repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals in each of the management server 8 (specifically, the control device 11 of the management server 8), the first mobile terminal 400 (specifically, the control device 400a of the first mobile terminal 400), and the second mobile terminal 402 (specifically, the control device of the second mobile terminal 402). Below, the processing executed in the first mobile terminal 400 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

In step (hereinafter, step is written as S) 100, the first mobile terminal 400 judges whether input of reservation information is completed. The reservation information is information required to reserve a test drive of the vehicle 100, which is a test drive vehicle, and includes, for example, information identifying the test drive vehicle (such as the model), information identifying the user of the first mobile terminal 400 (such as the name and address), and information regarding use (such as the scheduled time to start use and the scheduled time to end use). The first mobile terminal 400 judges that input of reservation information is completed when, for example, items required for creating reservation information are input in an app or the like and the input information is confirmed. Note that, in the first mobile terminal 400, for example, the reservation information may be input only when a time slot available for reservation is selected. If it is determined that input of reservation information is completed (YES in S100), the process proceeds to S102.

In S102, the first mobile terminal 400 transmits the reservation information to the management server 8. The first mobile terminal 400 creates reservation information using the input information, and transmits the created reservation information to the management server 8 via the wireless base station 7 and the communication network 6. Then, the process proceeds to S104.

In S104, the first mobile terminal 400 determines whether to receive a digital key from the management server 8. The management server 8 registers the reservation information as described below and then transmits an invalid digital key to the first mobile terminal 400. The invalid digital key may be configured, for example, by including information that does not match the authentication information on the vehicle 100 side when the authentication process is executed. If it is determined that the digital key has been received (YES in S104), the process proceeds to S106.

At S106, the first mobile terminal 400 stores the received digital key in the storage device 400c. The process then proceeds to S108.

In S108, the first mobile terminal 400 determines whether the current location is a test drive location where the test drive vehicle to be reserved is located. The test drive location indicates, for example, the location of the dealer where the test drive vehicle 100 is parked. The first mobile terminal 400 may obtain the location information of the test drive location when reserving the test drive vehicle. The first mobile terminal 400 determines that the current location is a test drive location when, for example, the distance between the location of the first mobile terminal 400 detected using the position detection device 400d and the location indicating the location of the dealer is within a threshold value, or when the location of the first mobile terminal 400 is within a predetermined range including the location indicating the location of the dealer. If it is determined that the current location is a test drive location (YES in S108), the process proceeds to S110.

In S110, the first mobile terminal 400 determines whether or not the second mobile terminal 402 has been detected. The first mobile terminal 400 may determine that the second mobile terminal 402 has been detected, for example, when the second mobile terminal 402 is detected as a device with which communication is possible. The first mobile terminal may acquire information for detecting the second mobile terminal 402, for example, when reserving a test drive vehicle. If it is determined that the second mobile terminal 402 has been detected (YES in S110), the process proceeds to S112.

At S112, the first mobile terminal 400 executes a communication connection process. The first mobile terminal 400 executes a process for enabling information communication with the second mobile terminal 402 as the communication connection process. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S114.

At S114, the first mobile terminal 400 determines whether or not to receive activation information for activating the disabled digital key from the second mobile terminal 402. The activation information includes, for example, information that functions as an encryption key for updating the disabled digital key to a valid state. If it is determined that the activation information has been received from the second mobile terminal 402 (YES at S114), the process proceeds to S116.

At S116, the first portable terminal 400 executes an activation process. The activation process is a process for updating an invalid digital key to a valid state. The first portable terminal 400 activates the digital key, for example, by updating information indicating an invalid state among information indicating the digital key to information indicating a valid state using the activation information. The activation process is executed, for example, as a function of an app in the first portable terminal 400. This process is then terminated.

If it is determined that the input of the reservation information has not been completed (NO in S100), the process returns to S100. If it is determined that the digital key has not been received from the management server 8 (NO in S104), the process returns to S104. If it is determined that the location of the first mobile terminal 400 is not the test drive location (NO in S108), the process returns to S108. If it is determined that the second mobile terminal 402 has not been detected (NO in S110), the process returns to S110. If it is determined that the activation information has not been received (NO in S114), the process returns to S114.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, we will explain the process executed on the second mobile terminal 402 to send activation information to the first mobile terminal 400.

In S200, the second mobile terminal 402 determines whether or not to receive reservation information from the management server 8. The reservation information is as described above, and therefore a detailed description thereof will not be repeated. If it is determined that the reservation information is to be received (YES in S200), the process proceeds to S202.

In S202, the second mobile terminal 402 stores the reservation information received from the management server 8 in the storage device of the second mobile terminal 402. Then, the process proceeds to S204.

In S204, the second mobile terminal 402 determines whether or not the first mobile terminal 400 has been detected. For example, the second mobile terminal 402 may determine that the first mobile terminal 400 has been detected when the first mobile terminal 400 is detected as a device with which communication is possible. If it is determined that the first mobile terminal 400 has been detected (YES in S204), the process proceeds to S206.

At S206, the second mobile terminal 402 executes a communication connection process. The second mobile terminal 402 executes a process for enabling communication of information with the first mobile terminal 400 as the communication connection process. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S208.

In S208, the second mobile terminal 402 determines whether the location of the first mobile terminal 400 is within a predetermined distance from the location of the second mobile terminal 402. For example, the second mobile terminal 402 acquires information indicating the location of the first mobile terminal 400 when executing a communication connection process. The second mobile terminal 402 determines whether the location of the first mobile terminal 400 is within a predetermined distance from the second mobile terminal 402 using the acquired location of the first mobile terminal 400 and the location of the second mobile terminal 402 detected using the location detection device of the second mobile terminal 402. If it is determined that the location of the first mobile terminal 400 is within the predetermined distance from the second mobile terminal 402 (YES in S208), the process proceeds to S210.

At S210, the second mobile terminal 402 transmits activation information to the first mobile terminal 400, which is connected for communication by the communication connection process. The activation information is as described above, so a detailed description thereof will not be repeated. The process then ends.

If it is determined that the reservation information has not been received (NO in S200), the process returns to S200. If it is determined that the first portable terminal 400 has not been detected (NO in S204), the process returns to S204. If it is determined that the first portable terminal 400 is not within a predetermined distance (NO in S208), the process returns to S208.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, we will explain the process executed by the management server 8 to send reservation information to the second mobile terminal 402.

In S300, the management server 8 determines whether reservation information has been received. For example, the management server 8 determines whether reservation information has been received from a mobile terminal that has been registered in advance as a terminal to be used by a user of the test drive vehicle. In this embodiment, the management server 8 determines whether reservation information has been received from, for example, the first mobile terminal 400. The reservation information has been described above, and therefore detailed description thereof will not be repeated. If it is determined that reservation information has been received (YES in S300), the process proceeds to S302.

In S302, the management server 8 registers the reservation information in the storage device 15. The process then proceeds to S304.

At S304, the management server 8 transmits the disabled digital key to the first mobile terminal 400. The disabled digital key has been described above, and detailed description thereof will not be repeated. The management server 8 transmits to the first mobile terminal 400 information about the second mobile terminal 402, which is the source of the activation information at the test drive location, along with information about the digital key. The information about the second mobile terminal 402 includes at least information that enables the second mobile terminal 402 to be detected, and may include, for example, unique information that enables the second mobile terminal 402 to be identified (e.g., a MAC (Media Access Control) address, etc.). Processing then proceeds to S306.

At S306, the management server 8 transmits the reservation information to the second mobile terminal 402. Note that the reservation information transmitted by the management server 8 to the second mobile terminal 402 may include the reservation information transmitted by the first mobile terminal 400 to the management server 8, and may also include information other than the reservation information. The process then ends.

If it is determined that reservation information has not been received (NO in S300), the process returns to S300.

An example of the operation of each of the management server 8, the first mobile terminal 400, and the second mobile terminal 402 based on the above-described structure and flowchart will now be described.

For example, assume that a user who wishes to use a test drive vehicle launches an app on the first mobile terminal and inputs information about the model of the test drive vehicle, information about the user, and information about the use. At this time, when an operation to confirm the input information is received, it is determined that input of reservation information is complete (YES in S100), and the input reservation information is sent to the management server 8 (S102).

When the management server 8 receives the reservation information (YES in S300), it registers the received reservation information in the storage device 15 (S302) and transmits an invalid digital key to the first mobile terminal 400 (S304). The management server 8 then transmits the reservation information to the second mobile terminal 402 owned by the dealer that manages the test drive vehicle that is the subject of the reservation (S306).

When the first mobile terminal 400 receives the digital key from the management server 8 (YES in S104), the digital key is stored in the storage device 400c (S106). After this, assume that the user (reservation person) who owns the first mobile terminal 400 moves to the dealer that manages the reserved test drive vehicle. When the first mobile terminal 400 determines that the location of the first mobile terminal 400 is the test drive location (YES in S108), it determines whether the second mobile terminal 402 is detected (S110).

On the other hand, when the second mobile terminal 402 receives reservation information from the management server 8 (YES in S200), the received reservation information is stored in the storage device of the second mobile terminal 402 (S202), and it is determined whether the first mobile terminal 400 is detected (S204).

When the second mobile terminal 402 is detected as a communication-enabled device in the first mobile terminal 400 (YES in S110), a communication connection process is executed (S112). Also, when the first mobile terminal 400 is detected as a communication-enabled device in the second mobile terminal 402 (YES in S204), a communication connection process is executed (S206). By executing the communication connection process in both, the first mobile terminal 400 and the second mobile terminal 402 are connected so that they can communicate with each other.

When the second mobile terminal 402 determines that the location of the first mobile terminal 400 is within a predetermined distance (YES in S208), activation information is sent to the first mobile terminal 400 (S210). When the first mobile terminal 400 receives the activation information (YES in S114), activation processing is executed and the digital key is updated to an active state. When the digital key is in an active state, authentication becomes possible when the authentication information matches the authentication information on the vehicle 100 side when authentication processing is executed, i.e., the person who made the reservation can lock or unlock the boarding/exiting doors or use the vehicle 100.

As described above, according to the electronic key system 1 of this embodiment, the digital key stored in the first mobile terminal 400 cannot be used to unlock or use the test drive vehicle 100 until it is updated to a valid state by the second mobile terminal 402. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, a person who makes a reservation from using the test drive vehicle alone without the dealer's consent. On the other hand, when the first mobile terminal 400 and the second mobile terminal 402 are within a threshold distance (predetermined distance), the digital key stored in the first mobile terminal 400 can be updated to a valid state. Therefore, it is possible to provide an electronic key system that makes it possible to conveniently rent out test drive vehicles while preventing the occurrence of security problems.

Furthermore, the second mobile terminal 402 is provided with a valid digital key that enables unlocking and use of the vehicle 100, so that the second mobile terminal can be used to manage the washing and maintenance of the test drive vehicle.

Modifications will be described below.
In the above embodiment, the second portable terminal 402 is a portable terminal as an example. However, a terminal such as a personal computer installed in a dealer may be used instead of a portable terminal.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a case has been described as an example in which activation information is transmitted from second mobile terminal 402 to first mobile terminal 400 when a predetermined condition is met in which the distance between first mobile terminal 400 and second mobile terminal 402 is within a predetermined distance. However, the predetermined condition may include, for example, a condition in which an operation is performed on second mobile terminal 402 to transmit activation information to first mobile terminal 400.

An example of the process executed in each of the management server 8, the first mobile terminal 400, and the second mobile terminal 402 in this modified example will be described below. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the process executed in each of the management server 8, the first mobile terminal 400, and the second mobile terminal 402 in the modified example. A series of processes shown in this flowchart is repeatedly executed at a predetermined period in each of the management server 8, the first mobile terminal 400, and the second mobile terminal 402. The process contents of S102, S104, S106, S108, S110, and S112 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 below are respectively similar to the process contents of the same step numbers in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, the detailed description thereof will not be repeated. Furthermore, the process contents of S300, S302, S304, and S306 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 are respectively similar to the process contents of the same step numbers in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, the detailed description thereof will not be repeated. Furthermore, the process contents of S200, S202, S204, S206, S208, and S210 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 are similar to the process contents of the same step numbers in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, except as described below. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

If the second mobile terminal 402 determines that the location of the first mobile terminal 400 is within the predetermined distance (YES in S208), the process proceeds to S250.

At S250, the second mobile terminal 402 executes a display process. The second mobile terminal 402 executes, as the display process, a process of displaying, on a display device, information for confirming whether or not to send activation information to the first mobile terminal 400. On the display device of the second mobile terminal 402, for example, text information for confirming whether or not to send activation information and a button image for accepting an operation on an input device may be displayed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S252.

At S252, the second portable terminal 402 determines whether or not a sending operation has been performed on the input device. The second portable terminal 402 may determine that a sending operation has been performed, for example, when a touch operation has been performed on the above-mentioned button image. If it is determined that a sending operation has been performed (YES at S252), the process proceeds to S210. Note that if it is determined that a sending operation has not been performed (NO at S252), the process returns to S252.

In this way, when the first mobile terminal 400 and the second mobile terminal 402 approach each other (YES in S208), information for confirming whether or not to send the activation information is displayed on the second mobile terminal 402 (S250). Then, when a transmission operation is performed on the second mobile terminal 402 (YES in S252), the activation information is sent to the first mobile terminal 400 (S210). Therefore, the operator of the second mobile terminal 402 can recognize that the digital key of the first mobile terminal 400 has been activated (i.e., the user (reservation person) of the first mobile terminal 400 can use the test drive vehicle). Note that, in this modified example, the process of determining whether the position of the first mobile terminal 400 is within a predetermined distance in S208 is executed, but the process of S208 may be omitted.

The above-described modified examples may be implemented in whole or in part in appropriate combination.
The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

1 Electronic key system, 6 Communication network, 7 Wireless base station, 8 Management server, 11, 400a Control device, 11a Processor, 11b Memory, 13, 130, 400b Communication device, 14 Communication bus, 15, 400c Storage device, 100 Vehicle, 120 Door lock device, 150 Drive device, 400 First mobile terminal, 400d Position detection device, 400e UI, 402 Second mobile terminal.

Claims (4)

A mobile device to which a digital key that enables unlocking and use of a vehicle is provided in an invalid state;
A terminal capable of communicating with the mobile terminal,
The terminal includes:
A detection unit that detects the approach of the portable terminal;
a storage unit that stores activation information that enables the digital key assigned to the mobile terminal to be set to an activated state;
a transmitting unit configured to transmit the activation information to the portable terminal when a predetermined condition is met upon detection of the approach of the portable terminal. The electronic key system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition includes a condition that the distance between the mobile terminal and the terminal is equal to or less than a threshold value. The electronic key system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition includes a condition that an operation to transmit the activation information has been performed on the terminal. The mobile terminal is a first mobile terminal,
The electronic key system according to claim 1 , wherein the terminal includes a second mobile terminal to which the digital key in the valid state is assigned.

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