JP2023009917A - Key storage unit and sharing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a key storage unit and a sharing system capable of improving security against an unauthorized use of an operation target.SOLUTION: When receiving a first radio wave (for example, a radio wave in an LF band) transmitted from a communication unit 8 of an operation target 2, an electronic key 1 transmits a second radio wave (for example, a radio wave in a UHF band) whose frequency is different from that of the first radio wave to the communication unit 8, and performs authentication by wireless communication. A key storage unit 42 stores the electronic key 1 in a storage unit 43, and is configured to be able to be attached to the operation target 2. The storage unit 43 of the key storage unit 42 is covered by an attenuation material 48 capable of attenuating the first radio wave up to a state where a communication is not established.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a key storage unit that stores an electronic key and a sharing system.

Conventionally, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique for unlocking a vehicle door by installing a housing for storing an electronic key inside a vehicle and remotely operating the electronic key using a device carried by a user. ing.

EP-A-3418985

However, in the case of a configuration in which the electronic key is left inside the vehicle, ensuring a high degree of security is an important issue in order to prevent unauthorized communication between the electronic key and the vehicle by a third party. .

A key storage unit that solves the above problems, when receiving a first radio wave transmitted from a communication unit to be operated, transmits a second radio wave having a frequency different from that of the first radio wave to the communication unit, and performs wireless communication. An electronic key for executing authentication is stored in a storage part and is configured to be attachable to the operation target, and the attenuation material is capable of attenuating the first radio wave until communication is not established. Covered storage compartment.

A sharing system for solving the above problems receives a first radio wave transmitted from a communication unit to be operated, transmits a second radio wave having a frequency different from that of the first radio wave to the communication unit, and performs wireless communication. An electronic key for executing authentication is stored in a storage unit, and a key storage unit configured to be attachable to the operation target and a terminal carried by a user are authenticated by short-range wireless communication. Based on this, a control unit that manages the use of the electronic key stored in the storage unit, and when the user uses the shared operation target, the key information is registered in the terminal, so that the terminal is a digital key authenticated by the control unit, and the storage unit is covered with an attenuation material capable of attenuating the first radio wave until communication is not established.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve security against unauthorized use of an operation target.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a first embodiment; FIG. The block diagram of an electronic key. The perspective view which shows the outline|summary of a key storage unit. A procedure diagram for authenticating a terminal. A procedure diagram for unlocking a vehicle door with a terminal. FIG. 4 is an operation diagram when the operation portion of the electronic key in the key storage unit is mechanically operated; (a) and (b) are operation diagrams of the opening/closing body of the key storage unit. FIG. 4 is an operation diagram when starting the engine with the electronic key. Schematic diagram when a third party illegally operates the engine switch.

An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.
[Overview of system configuration]
As shown in FIG. 1, the operation target 2 of the electronic key 1 has an authentication system 3 that performs user authentication and controls the operation of the operation target 2 . The authentication system 3 includes, for example, an electronic key system 4 that authenticates the electronic key 1 by wireless communication and activates the operation target 2 . For example, the electronic key system 4 executes two-way communication (smart communication) with the electronic key 1 triggered by communication from the operation target 2 to authenticate the electronic key 1, and a smart system that authenticates the electronic key 1. and a wireless key system that authenticates the electronic key 1 when triggered.

The operation target 2 is preferably a vehicle 6, for example. The vehicle 6 may be a shared car shared by a plurality of people, or may be a personal vehicle owned by the user.

The authentication system 3 includes a verification device 7 that verifies the electronic key 1 . In the verification device 7, the ID information Did of the electronic key 1 is stored in a memory (not shown). The ID information Did includes, for example, a unique ID code possessed by each electronic key 1, an authentication key used for encrypted communication, and the like. The verification device 7 is provided with a communication section 8 that communicates with the electronic key 1 . Communication unit 8 includes a transmission unit 9 that transmits radio waves to electronic key 1 and a reception unit 10 that receives radio waves from electronic key 1 . The transmitter 9 transmits radio waves in the LF (Low Frequency) band, for example. The receiving unit 10 receives, for example, UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band radio waves.

A mounting device 12 is connected to the verification device 7 via a communication line 11 . The communication line 11 is preferably CAN (Controller Area Network) or LIN (Local Interconnect Network), for example. The mounting device 12 is, for example, a door lock device that controls locking/unlocking of a door (vehicle door 13 in this example), a steering lock device that switches whether the steering wheel can be operated, or an engine control device that controls the engine.

The verification device 7 is connected to an engine switch 14 that is operated when the power supply of the operation target 2 (vehicle 6) is changed. The engine switch 14 is preferably, for example, a push-type switch provided in the driver's seat. The verification device 7 operates the engine control device as the mounting device 12 based on the operation of the engine switch 14 .

As shown in FIG. 2, when the electronic key 1 receives a first radio wave S1 transmitted from the communication unit 8 of the operation target 2, it transmits a second radio wave S2 having a frequency different from that of the first radio wave S1 to the communication unit 8. to perform authentication by wireless communication. In this example, the first radio wave S1 is the LF radio wave, and the second radio wave S2 is the UHF radio wave.

Specifically, the electronic key 1 includes a key control section 17 that controls the operation of the electronic key 1, a reception section 18 that receives radio waves, and a transmission section 19 that transmits radio waves. The key control unit 17 stores ID information Did assigned to each electronic key 1 in a memory (not shown). The receiving unit 18 receives, for example, radio waves in the LF band. The transmitter 19 transmits, for example, radio waves in the UHF band. When the operation target 2 is operated by the smart system, the verification device 7 verifies the ID information Did of the electronic key 1 through LF-UHF two-way communication, and controls the mounting device 12 based on the verification result.

The electronic key 1 has an operation unit 20 used for remote operation of the operation target 2 . The operation unit 20 includes, for example, an unlock button 20a operated when unlocking the door of the operation target 2 (vehicle door 13), and a lock button 20b operated when locking the door of the operation target 2 (vehicle door 13). and so on. The operation of the operation unit 20 is detected by, for example, a switch or a sensor (both not shown).

When operating the operation object 2 with the wireless key system, the operation unit 20 of the electronic key 1 is operated. At this time, when the operation unit 20 is operated, the key control unit 17 transmits wireless radio waves SwI corresponding to the operated operation unit 20 from the transmission unit 19 by radio waves in the UHF band. Specifically, when the unlocking button 20a or the locking button 20b is operated, the key control section 17 transmits the door control request Sk corresponding to the operated button from the transmission section 19 . When receiving the wireless radio waves Swl transmitted from the electronic key 1, the verification device 7 controls the mounting device 12 based on the wireless radio waves Swl.

As shown in FIG. 1, the use of the operation object 2 is managed by a sharing system 23 that enables one operation object 2 to be shared among a plurality of users. The sharing system 23 is a system that uses the operation target 2 using the electronic key 1 stored in the room of the operation target 2 . The sharing system 23 is a system using a digital key system 25 that authenticates the terminal 24 by short-range wireless communication and activates the mounting device 12 of the operation target 2 . Digital key system 25 is a function of authentication system 3 .

The terminal 24 is, for example, a multifunctional terminal mainly having a telephone function, such as a high-performance mobile phone. The digital key system 25 downloads the key information Dk required for authentication from the outside to the terminal 24 and enables the operation target 2 to be operated on the terminal 24 . The terminal 24 becomes the key of the operation target 2, that is, the digital key 26 by registering the key information Dk from the outside.

The short-range wireless communication may be either PAN (Personal Area Network) communication or close proximity wireless communication. Personal area network communication includes, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, UWB (Ultra Wide Band) communication, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication. Also, the Bluetooth communication is preferably BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). Proximity wireless communication is a type of RFID, for example, NFC (Near Field Communication).

The authentication system 3 includes a communication device 28 that authenticates the terminal 24 through short-range wireless communication. The communication device 28 includes an antenna 29 that performs short-range wireless communication with the terminal 24 and an authentication unit 30 that authenticates the terminal 24 . The authentication unit 30 performs short-range wireless communication with the terminal 24 via the antenna 29 to authenticate the terminal 24 . The communication device 28 may be, for example, a product that is pre-installed on the operation target 2 before shipment, or may be a product that can be retrofitted to the operation target 2 .

The terminal 24 (digital key 26) includes a terminal control unit 32 that controls the operation of the terminal 24, a network module 33 that performs network communication, a communication module 34 that performs short-range wireless communication, and data storage. It has a memory 35, an operation unit 36 used for operating the terminal 24, and a display unit 37 for displaying a screen. The terminal 24 performs short-range wireless communication with the communication device 28 via the communication module 34 . The display unit 37 is preferably a touch panel, for example.

The terminal 24 (digital key 26 ) has an application 38 registered in the memory 35 which is necessary for operating the terminal 24 as the key of the operation object 2 . The application 38 is, for example, acquired through network communication from the outside (for example, media of a server, etc.), and is written and saved in the memory 35 . By registering the application 38 in the terminal 24 , it becomes possible to download the key information Dk to the terminal 24 and operate the operation target 2 on the terminal 24 .

The terminal 24 (digital key 26) has key information Dk registered in the memory 35 that is used for authentication by short-range wireless communication. The key information Dk is preferably distributed to the terminal 24 from the external key information provider 39 . It is preferable that the terminal 24 registers the key information Dk by various methods such as download from a server, wireless acquisition from a master key, and image reading of code information. Thus, the key information providing unit 39 can be a server, a master key, or the like. The key information Dk may be downloaded to the terminal 24 on the market, or may be pre-written at the time of shipment. The authentication unit 30 (communication device 28 ) determines whether or not the operation target 2 can be used by authenticating the key information Dk registered in the terminal 24 .

[Configuration of key storage unit 42]
As shown in FIG. 1, the operation target 2 has a key storage unit 42 configured to store the electronic key 1 therein. The key storage unit 42 has a storage section 43 that stores the electronic key 1 . As described above, the electronic key 1 is stored in the storage unit 43 before the operation object 2 is used, and the electronic key 1 is taken out from the key storage unit 42 and used when the operation object 2 is used. The key storage unit 42 is configured to be attachable to the operation target 2 . The key storage unit 42 is preferably attached to, for example, the rear surface of the instrument panel, the inside of the dashboard, or the like.

The key storage unit 42 includes a key operation mechanism 44 configured to enable operation of the operation portion 20 of the electronic key 1 stored in the storage portion 43 . The key operation mechanism 44 is preferably, for example, a mechanism that electrically operates an actuator to push the operation portion 20 of the electronic key 1 . The key operation mechanism 44 may be a mechanism using any structure as long as it is a mechanism capable of mechanically operating the electronic key 1 .

The key storage unit 42 has a control unit 46 that manages the use of the electronic key 1 stored in the storage section 43 . In this example, the control unit 46 is electrically connected to the key operating mechanism 44 . The control unit 46 is preferably arranged outside the storage section 43 . The control unit 46 manages the use of the electronic key 1 stored in the storage section 43 based on the authentication result when the terminal 24 is authenticated by short-range wireless communication.

When the terminal 24 is authenticated, the control unit 46 operates the operation unit 20 of the electronic key 1 via the key operation mechanism 44 to cause the electronic key 1 to transmit a wireless radio wave Swl corresponding to the operation unit 20. , to operate the operation target 2 . In this example, the wireless radio wave Swl is the door control request Sk for switching between locking and unlocking of the vehicle door 13 . The vehicle 6 authenticates the electronic key 1 taken out of the storage unit 43 through two-way wireless communication, and sets whether or not the power transition operation is permitted. That is, when the engine of the vehicle 6 is started, authentication is performed by smart communication of the electronic key 1 .

As shown in FIG. 3, in the key storage unit 42, the storage part 43 is covered with an attenuation material 48 capable of attenuating the first radio waves S1 until communication is not established. Thus, the key storage unit 42 includes the storage portion 43 that stores the electronic key 1 and the damping material 48 that covers the outer surface of the storage portion 43 . The key storage unit 42 is preferably formed in a rectangular box shape, for example.

The damping material 48 preferably uses, for example, a high magnetic permeability material having a predetermined magnetic permeability. Examples of the high magnetic permeability material include iron. Also, the damping material 48 is not limited to iron, and may be silicon steel or the like. Also, the damping material 48 is not limited to a member with high magnetic permeability, and a conductor that generates an eddy current may be used. Examples of this conductor include aluminum and copper.

The key storage unit 42 includes an opening/closing body 50 that opens and closes the opening 49 of the storage section 43 . The opening/closing body 50 is preferably, for example, an opening/closing tray 51 on which the electronic key 1 can be placed. The opening/closing body 50 is preferably of, for example, a sliding type. When the opening/closing body 50 is pushed inward when the opening/closing body 50 is in the closed state, the opening/closing body 50 is switched to the open state (the state indicated by the chain double-dashed line in the figure). Further, when the opening/closing body 50 is pushed to the closed position when the opening/closing body 50 is in the open state, the opening/closing body 50 assumes the closed state (the solid line state in the figure).

As shown in FIG. 1 , the key storage unit 42 includes an electronic lock 52 capable of locking the opening/closing body 50 of the storage section 43 . The electronic lock 52 is electrically connected to the control unit 46 and its operation is controlled by the control unit 46 . The control unit 46 unlocks the electronic lock 52 when the terminal 24 is authenticated while the electronic lock 52 is in the locked state. As a result, the opening operation of the opening/closing body 50 of the key storage unit 42 becomes possible, and the electronic key 1 can be taken out from the key storage unit 42 .

Next, the operation of the key storage unit 42 (sharing system 23) of this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 illustrates the procedure for authenticating the terminal 24 (digital key 26). First, as a premise, a user who wishes to use the operation object 2 (vehicle 6 ) completes the reservation for use of the operation object 2 by executing the reservation for use of the operation object 2 using the terminal 24 . At the time of reservation for use, the key information Dk is distributed from the key information providing unit 39 to the terminal 24 via the network. The usage reservation may be an advance reservation that is completed by the day before, or a last-minute reservation just before using the operation target 2 .

At step 101, the communicator 28 periodically and repeatedly transmits advertisements that notify information related to communication of the own communicator. Advertise is, for example, a type of packet data, and is regularly transmitted from the communication device 28 at all times.

In step 102, the terminal 24, upon receiving the Advertise transmitted from the communication device 28, performs scanning processing. In addition, it is preferable that the terminal 24 starts the scanning process, for example, when the received signal strength when the advertisement is received reaches or exceeds a specified value. At this time, after the scanning process, the terminal 24 transmits a connection request to the communication device 28 as a request for providing details of the short-range wireless communication.

In step 103, when the terminal 24 and the communication device 28 perform the above exchanges, they shift to a state in which short-range wireless communication is connected, that is, a state of communication connection.
In step 104, the terminal 24 and the communication device 28 perform authentication of the terminal 24 when the short-range wireless communication transitions to the communication connection state. In this example, for example, in response to a request from the communication device 28, the terminal 24 transmits the key information Dk registered in the memory 35 to the communication device 28 by short-range wireless communication. When the communication device 28 receives the key information Dk, the authentication unit 30 authenticates the key information Dk. In the case of this example, the authentication unit 30 can correctly decrypt the key information Dk, and when the authentication of the key information Dk is established, for example, the reservation time information, the session to be used in the subsequent short-range wireless communication A key, a terminal ID that is a unique ID of the terminal 24, and the like can be obtained. On the other hand, if the key information Dk is incorrect or the reservation time is incorrect, the authentication unit 30 forcibly terminates the process and does not permit the use of the operation target 2 .

In step 105, when the key information Dk is authenticated, the terminal 24 and the communication device 28 enter an authentication completion state in which the authentication is recognized. The authentication completed state is a state in which both the terminal 24 and the communication device 28 know the common session key and terminal ID. This enables the operation of the operation target 2, that is, the locking/unlocking operation of the vehicle door 13 in the case of this example.

In step 106, the terminal 24 and the communication device 28 perform communication to confirm whether or not the short-range wireless communication is maintained after transitioning to the authentication completion state. In the case of this example, each of the terminal 24 and the communication device 28 transmits periodic radio waves at predetermined periodic intervals (connection interval), and confirms whether or not a response to the periodic radio waves can be received, thereby establishing communication. is maintained. That is, if the terminal 24 transmits periodic radio waves at predetermined periodic intervals and can receive a response to the periodic radio waves, it is determined that communication is maintained, and the communication device 28 also executes similar processing.

When the terminal 24 becomes unable to receive a response to the periodic radio waves it transmits from the communication device 28, it disconnects the communication. Further, when the communication device 28 becomes unable to receive a response to the periodic radio waves it transmits from the terminal 24, it disconnects the communication.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a procedure for unlocking the vehicle door 13 with the terminal 24 (digital key 26).
At step 201, the terminal 24 and the communication device 28 are shifted to an authentication completion state through short-range wireless communication. When the terminal 24 whose key information Dk has been authenticated is reconnected to the communication device 28, it is preferable to transition to the authentication completed state by authentication using the session key.

In step 202, when the vehicle door 13 is unlocked by the terminal 24, the terminal 24 sends a door unlocking command Sa1 requesting door unlocking as a door control command Sa corresponding to the unlocking operation. It transmits to the communicator 28 by long-distance wireless communication. The unlocking operation is, for example, touching an unlocking button (not shown) displayed on the display unit 37 of the terminal 24 . The unlocking operation may be performed, for example, by operating a switch or a sensor provided on the outside handle of the vehicle door 13 .

When receiving the door control command Sa from the terminal 24, the communication device 28 outputs a door control command reception notification Sb indicating that the door control command Sa has been received to the control unit 46 if the authentication is completed. In this example, the door control command reception notification Sb is the door unlock command reception notification Sb1 indicating that the door unlock command Sa1 has been received.

At step 203 , the control unit 46 unlocks the vehicle door 13 when receiving the door unlock command reception notification Sb1 from the communication device 28 . In this example, when the control unit 46 receives the door unlock command reception notification Sb1, the control unit 46 operates the key operation mechanism 44 to mechanically press the unlock button 20a of the electronic key 1 stored in the storage unit 43. press to.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the unlocking button 20a of the electronic key 1 is pressed by the key operation mechanism 44, a door unlocking request Sk1 is transmitted from the electronic key 1 as wireless radio waves Swl (door control request Sk) by UHF radio waves. be done. Since the door unlocking request Sk1 is a UHF radio wave, the radio wave is transmitted to the outside of the key storage unit 42 even if the key storage unit 42 is covered with the damping material 48. - 特許庁The door unlocking request Sk1 is preferably a radio wave including, for example, the ID information Did of the electronic key 1 and a command requesting door unlocking.

When the door unlocking request Sk1 is transmitted from the electronic key 1, the verification device 7 receives this door unlocking request Sk1 at the receiving section 10. FIG. When receiving a door unlocking request Sk1 with correct ID information Did, the collating device 7 outputs a door unlocking command to the door control device as the mounted device 12 to unlock the vehicle door 13 . As described above, the vehicle door 13 is switched from locked to unlocked, so that the user can get into the vehicle.

When the control unit 46 receives the door unlock command reception notification Sb1 from the communication device 28, the control unit 46 switches the electronic lock 52 of the key storage unit 42 from the locked state to the unlocked state. As a result, the opening operation of the opening/closing member 50 of the key storage unit 42 is permitted.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the user who gets into the vehicle executes an operation of taking out the electronic key 1 from the key storage unit 42 . Specifically, an operation of pushing the opening/closing member 50 in the closed state with a finger or the like is executed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the sliding opening/closing member 50 protrudes into an open state, and the electronic key 1 inside can be taken out. The user takes out the electronic key 1 from the key storage unit 42 and holds it, and pushes the opening/closing member 50 again to return it to the closed state.

After the electronic key 1 is taken out of the key storage unit 42 , the locking/unlocking of the vehicle door 13 may be switched by the user's operation of the operation section 20 of the electronic key 1 . Further, the vehicle door 13 may be locked and unlocked by the operation-free function of the smart system. That is, in a state in which smart verification is established, if a touch operation on the outside handle of the vehicle door 13 is detected, the vehicle door 13 is unlocked, and if an operation of the lock button on the outside handle is detected, the vehicle door 13 is unlocked. may be unlocked.

As shown in FIG. 8, when starting the engine of the vehicle 6, the user presses the engine switch 14 on the driver's seat while depressing the brake pedal. When the verification device 7 detects that the engine switch 14 has been operated, the verification device 7 performs smart communication with the electronic key 1 . At this time, since the electronic key 1 has been removed from the key storage unit 42, smart communication with the verification device 7 can be executed. Smart verification using the ID information Did is executed between the electronic key 1 and the verification device 7, and when the smart verification is established, the engine is started.

When the operation object 2 is used and the operation object 2 is to be returned, the electronic key 1 is returned to the key storage unit 42, the user gets off the vehicle, and the terminal 24 is operated from outside the vehicle to lock the vehicle door 13. Note that the locking operation is basically the same processing as that of unlocking the vehicle door 13 from outside the vehicle, except that unlocking is changed to locking. Therefore, in this example, details of the locking operation are omitted.

Here, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, when the vehicle 6 is parked (doors locked, engine stopped), it is assumed that a third person illegally opens the vehicle door 13 and enters the vehicle. . When a third party intends to steal the vehicle, it is assumed that the third party will try to start the engine and take the vehicle 6 away.

In this example, since the electronic key 1 is stored inside the key storage unit 42 whose periphery is covered with the damping material 48, even if the engine switch 14 is operated by a third party and the smart communication is started, , without moving smart communication to establishment. That is, even if the LF radio wave of smart communication is transmitted from the verification device 7 , the LF radio wave does not reach the electronic key 1 inside the key storage unit 42 due to the attenuation material 48 covering the periphery of the storage portion 43 . Therefore, since smart communication is not established, there is no need for a third party to start the engine of the vehicle 6 . Therefore, it is possible to improve security against vehicle theft.

According to the key storage unit 42 (sharing system 23) of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the electronic key 1 receives the first radio wave S1 transmitted from the communication unit 8 of the operation target 2, the electronic key 1 transmits a second radio wave S2 having a frequency different from that of the first radio wave S1 to the communication unit 8. Execute authentication by communication. The key storage unit 42 stores the electronic key 1 in the storage portion 43 and is configured to be attachable to the operation target 2 . The key storage unit 42 has a storage part 43 covered with an attenuation material 48 capable of attenuating the first radio wave S1 until communication is not established.

According to the configuration of this example, when the electronic key 1 is stored in the key storage unit 42, even if the first radio wave S1 is transmitted from the communication unit 8 of the operation target 2 triggered by an operation by a third party, One radio wave S1 is attenuated by the attenuation material 48 and does not reach the electronic key 1. - 特許庁Therefore, it is not necessary to establish communication between the electronic key 1 and the communication unit 8 based on a third party's operation. Therefore, security against unauthorized use of the operation target 2 can be improved.

(2) The two-way wireless communication performed between the electronic key 1 and the communication unit 8 is smart communication that authenticates the electronic key 1 with communication from the communication unit 8 as a trigger. According to this configuration, since the electronic key 1 is authenticated by smart communication, it is possible to accurately determine whether the electronic key 1 is genuine.

(3) The control unit 46 of the key storage unit 42 allows the use of the electronic key 1 stored in the storage unit 43 based on the authentication result when the terminal 24 carried by the user is authenticated by short-range wireless communication. to manage. According to this configuration, it is possible to set whether or not the electronic key 1 can be removed from the key storage unit 42 by using the operation of the terminal 24 as a trigger. Therefore, since the electronic key 1 cannot be taken out from the key storage unit 42 unless the terminal 24 is in possession, the security against unauthorized use of the electronic key 1 is further improved.

(4) The key storage unit 42 includes a key operation mechanism 44 configured to enable operation of the operation portion 20 of the electronic key 1 stored in the storage portion 43 . When the terminal 24 is authenticated, the control unit 46 operates the operation unit 20 of the electronic key 1 via the key operation mechanism 44 to cause the electronic key 1 to transmit wireless radio waves Swl corresponding to the operation unit 20. , to operate the operation target 2 . According to this configuration, the operation target 2 is operated by mechanically operating the operation portion 20 of the electronic key 1 by the key operation mechanism 44 provided in the key storage unit 42 . Therefore, the configuration of the key storage unit 42 does not become complicated.

(5) The operation target 2 is the vehicle 6 . The wireless radio wave Swl is a door control request Sk for switching between locking and unlocking of the vehicle door 13a. The vehicle 6 authenticates the electronic key 1 taken out of the storage unit 43 through two-way wireless communication, and sets whether or not to allow the power transition operation. According to this configuration, switching between locking and unlocking of the vehicle door 13 is performed using the terminal 24 . The transition operation of the vehicle power supply is permitted after the electronic key 1 taken out from the key storage unit 42 is authenticated. Therefore, the engine can be started by the conventional operation using the electronic key 1 .

(6) The key storage unit 42 includes an electronic lock 52 capable of locking the opening/closing body 50 that opens and closes the opening 49 of the storage section 43 . The control unit 46 unlocks the electronic lock 52 when the terminal 24 is authenticated while the electronic lock 52 is in the locked state. According to this configuration, the opening/closing member 50 of the key storage unit 42 cannot be unlocked unless the authorized terminal 24 is in possession, which contributes to an improvement in security against unauthorized use of the electronic key 1 .

(7) When the operation object 2 is used, the terminal 24 becomes the digital key 26 that operates as the key of the operation object 2 by registering the key information Dk from the outside. According to this configuration, when the electronic key 1 is taken out from the key storage unit 42, it is necessary to register the key information Dk in the terminal 24 for authentication. do.

(8) The control unit 46 is arranged outside the storage section 43 . According to this configuration, the position of arrangement of the control unit 46 is not restricted, so the degree of freedom of arrangement of the control unit 46 is improved.

In addition, this embodiment can be changed and implemented as follows. This embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically consistent range.
- The shape of the key storage unit 42 is not limited to the rectangular box shape, and can be changed to other shapes as appropriate.

- The opening/closing structure of the opening/closing body 50 is not limited to the sliding type, and may be changed to another type such as a hinge type.
- Attenuating material 48 may be provided in this portion like a sealing material so that the first radio wave S1 does not enter through the gap of opening 49 when opening/closing body 50 is in the closed state.

- The material of the attenuation material 48 may be any material that can attenuate or shield the first radio wave S1.
- The thickness of the attenuation material 48 may be any thickness that can attenuate or shield the first radio wave S1.
- The control unit 46 may be arranged inside the storage section 43 .

- The communication device 28 may be arranged inside the housing portion 43 as long as only the antenna 29 is exposed to the outside of the housing portion 43 .
- The electronic lock 52 may be omitted from the key storage unit 42 .

- The first radio wave S1 is not limited to the LF band radio wave, and may be a radio wave of any other frequency.
- The second radio waves S2 are not limited to radio waves in the UHF band, and may be radio waves of other frequencies.
The authentication system 3 that authenticates the electronic key 1 is not limited to a smart system, an immobilizer system, or the like, and may be any system that authenticates the electronic key 1 through two-way communication.

- The operation target 2 is not limited to the vehicle 6, and may be changed to other devices or devices.
- The control unit 46 may be configured by [1] one or more processors that operate according to a computer program (software), or [2] execute at least part of the various processes with such a processor. may be configured in combination with one or more dedicated hardware circuits, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). A processor includes a CPU and memory, such as RAM and ROM, which stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to perform processes. Memory (computer-readable media) includes any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. Alternatively, instead of a computer including the above processor, a processing circuit configured by one or more dedicated hardware circuits that perform all of the various types of processing may be used.

• The control unit 46 may consist of an independent processor, or may be constructed of a processor with shared functions. In this way, the control unit 46 is not limited to independent functional blocks, and may be composed of one functional block, or may be composed of partially shared functional blocks.

- Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to examples, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such examples or structures. The present disclosure also includes various modifications and modifications within the equivalent range. In addition, various combinations and configurations, as well as other combinations and configurations, including single elements, more, or less, are within the scope and spirit of this disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Electronic key, 2... Operation object, 6... Vehicle, 13... Vehicle door, 8... Communication part, 20... Operation part, 24... Terminal, 26... Digital key, 39... Key information provision part, 42... Key storage unit , 43... storage section, 44... key operation mechanism, 46... control unit, 48... damping material, 49... opening, 50... open/close body, 52... electronic lock, S1... first radio wave, S2... second radio wave, Swl... Wireless radio wave, Sk... door control request, Dk... key information.

Claims (9)

When the first radio wave transmitted from the communication unit to be operated is received, a second radio wave having a frequency different from that of the first radio wave is transmitted to the communication unit, and an electronic key for performing authentication by wireless communication is stored in the storage unit. A key storage unit that stores and is configured to be attachable to the operation target,
A key storage unit in which the storage part is covered with an attenuation material capable of attenuating the first radio wave until communication is not established. 2. The key storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the two-way wireless communication performed between the electronic key and the communication unit is smart communication that authenticates the electronic key in response to communication from the communication unit. . Claim 1 or Claim 2, further comprising a control unit for managing use of the electronic key stored in the storage unit based on an authentication result when the terminal possessed by the user is authenticated by short-range wireless communication. 3. The key storage unit according to 2. a key operation mechanism configured to be able to operate an operation portion of the electronic key housed in the housing;
When the terminal is authenticated, the control unit operates the operation unit of the electronic key via the key operation mechanism to transmit wireless radio waves corresponding to the operation unit from the electronic key, 4. The key storage unit according to claim 3, which operates the operation target. The operation target is a vehicle,
the wireless radio wave is a door control request for switching between locking and unlocking of the vehicle door;
5. The key storage unit according to claim 4, wherein the vehicle authenticates the electronic key taken out from the storage unit through two-way wireless communication, and sets whether or not to allow power transition operation. An electronic lock capable of locking an opening and closing body that opens and closes the opening of the storage part,
The key storage unit according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the control unit unlocks the electronic lock when the terminal is authenticated while the electronic lock is in a locked state. 7. The terminal according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein when using the operation target, the terminal becomes a digital key that operates as the operation target key by registering key information from the outside. key storage unit. The key storage unit according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the control unit is arranged outside the storage section. When the first radio wave transmitted from the communication unit to be operated is received, a second radio wave having a frequency different from that of the first radio wave is transmitted to the communication unit, and an electronic key for performing authentication by wireless communication is stored in the storage unit. a key storage unit that stores and is configured to be attachable to the operation target;
a control unit that manages the use of the electronic key stored in the storage unit based on the authentication result when the terminal possessed by the user is authenticated by short-range wireless communication;
a key information providing unit for registering key information in the terminal to use the terminal as a digital key authenticated by the control unit when the user uses the shared operation target;
The sharing system, wherein the storage unit is covered with an attenuation material capable of attenuating the first radio wave until communication is not established.

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