Patent Publication Number: US-2006015730-A1

Title: Authentication system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to a certification system comprising a storage device storing therein identification information and a certification apparatus for certifying the storage device as being an authorized device authorized to use components mounted on a vehicle.  
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART  
      Up until now, there have been provided a wide variety of vehicle management systems each of which permits only a person with an ID card having an ID stored therein to open doors and start an engine of the vehicle. One typical example of the conventional vehicle management system is disclosed in, for example, Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-274293.  
      The conventional vehicle management system disclosed therein, however, encounters a drawback that the ID is frequently subject to being registered or unregistered without the knowledge of the owner of the ID card. This leads to the fact that the conventional management system is at a relatively low level in security.  
      The present invention was made to overcome the aforementioned drawback, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a certification system which can enhance the security in using the vehicle.  
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION  
      In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a certification system comprising: a plurality of storage devices each storing therein identification information; and a certification apparatus including certification means for certifying whether or not each of the storage devices is an authorized device authorized to use components mounted on a vehicle, and in which the storage devices includes an authorized storage device to be certified as being the authorized device, and a master storage device to be used to certify the authorized storage device as being the authorized device, the certification apparatus includes obtaining means for obtaining the identification information stored in each of the storage devices, storage means for storing therein information, and storage control means for controlling the storage means, the certification means is operative to certify whether or not each of the storage devices is the authorized device on the basis of the identification information of each of the storage devices obtained by the obtaining means and the information stored in the storage means, the certification means is operative to certify that the master storage device is not the authorized device under the condition that the storage means has already stored therein the identification information of the authorized storage device, and the storage control means is operative to control the storage means to have the storage means store therein the identification information of the authorized storage device obtained by the obtaining means only under the condition that the certification means certifies the master storage device as being the authorized device.  
      In accordance with this construction, the certification system according to the present invention can prevent the other authorized storage device from being certified by the certification means as being the authorized device using the master storage device without the knowledge of the owner of the authorized storage device resulting from the fact that the master storage device is not certified as the authorized device while the authorized storage device is certified as the authorized device, thereby enhancing the security.  
      In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a certification system comprising: a plurality of storage devices each storing therein identification information; and a certification apparatus including certification means for certifying whether or not each of the storage devices is an authorized device authorized to use components mounted on a vehicle, and in which the storage devices includes a first authorized storage device and a second authorized storage device each to be certified as being the authorized device, the certification apparatus includes obtaining means for obtaining the identification information stored in each of the storage devices, storage means for storing therein information, and storage control means for controlling the storage means, the certification means is operative to certify whether or not each of the storage devices is the authorized device on the basis of the identification information of each of the storage devices obtained by the obtaining means and the information stored in the storage means, and the storage control means is operative to control the storage means to have the storage means store therein the identification information of the second authorized storage device obtained by the obtaining means only under the condition that the certification means certifies the first authorized storage device as being the authorized device.  
      In accordance with this construction, the certification system according to the present invention can prevent the second authorized storage device from being certified by the certification means as the authorized device without the knowledge of the owner of the first authorized storage device resulting from the fact that the second authorized storage device cannot be certified as the authorized device unless the first authorized storage device is in advance certified, thereby enhancing the security.  
      In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a certification system comprising: a plurality of storage devices each storing therein identification information; and a certification apparatus including certification means for certifying whether or not each of the storage devices is an authorized device authorized to use components mounted on a vehicle, and in which the storage devices includes first and second authorized storage devices each to be certified as being the authorized device, and a master storage device to be used to certify the first authorized storage device as being the authorized device, the certification apparatus includes obtaining means for obtaining the identification information stored in each of the storage devices, storage means for storing therein information, and storage control means for controlling the storage means, the certification means is operative to certify whether or not each of the storage devices is the authorized device on the basis of the identification information of each of the storage devices obtained by the obtaining means and the information stored in the storage means, the certification means is operative to certify that the master storage device is not the authorized device under the condition that the storage means has already stored therein the identification information of the first authorized storage device obtained by the obtaining means, the storage control means is operative to control the storage means to have the storage means store therein the identification information of the first authorized storage device obtained by the obtaining means only under the condition that the certification means certifies the master storage device as being the authorized device, and the storage control means is operative to control the storage means to have the storage means store therein the identification information of the second authorized storage device obtained by the obtaining means only under the condition that the certification means certifies the first authorized storage device as being the authorized device.  
      In accordance with this construction the certification system according to the present invention can prevent the other authorized storage device from being certified by the certification means as being the authorized device using the master storage device without the knowledge of the owner of the first authorized storage device resulting from the fact that the master storage device is not certified as the authorized device while the authorized storage device is certified as the authorized device. Further, the certification system according to the present invention can prevent the second authorized storage device from being certified by the certification means as the authorized device without the knowledge of the owner of the first authorized storage device resulting from the fact that the second authorized storage device cannot be certified as the authorized device unless the first authorized storage device is in advance certified, thereby enhancing the security. Accordingly, the certification system according to the present invention can enhance the security.  
      Further, in the certification system according to the present invention, components mounted on the vehicle which the first authorized storage device are to be authorized to use may include one or more components mounted on the vehicle other than components mounted on the vehicle which the second authorized storage device are to be authorized to use.  
      In accordance with this construction, the certification system according to the present invention can provide different level of security depending on the user of the vehicle, and accordingly, improve convenience, resulting from the fact that the vehicle-mounted components which the first authorized storage device is authorized to use include one or more vehicle-mounted components, which the second authorized storage device is not authorized to use. The first authorized storage device as well as the second authorized storage device may be authorized to, for example, unlock the door lock and start the engine while, on the other hand, only the first authorized storage device is authorized to unlock the glove box lock and the trunk lock, and the second authorized storage device is not authorized to unlock the glove box lock and the trunk lock. The certification system thus constructed makes it possible for the vehicle owner to have, for example, an employee at a hotel or a restaurant, use the second authorized storage device to move the vehicle with the glove box and the trunk securely locked.  
      Further, in the certification system according to the present invention, the storage control means may control the storage means to have the storage means delete the identification information of the second authorized storage device therefrom only under the condition that the certification means certifies the first authorized storage device as being the authorized device.  
      In accordance with this construction, the certification system according to the present invention can prevent the second authorized storage device from becoming unauthorized device without the knowledge of the owner of the first authorized storage device resulting from the fact that the second authorized storage device cannot become unauthorized device unless the first authorized storage device is in advance certified, thereby enhancing the security.  
      Further, in the certification system according to the present invention, the storage control means may control the storage means to have the storage means delete the identification information of the first authorized storage device therefrom only under the condition that the storage means has not stored therein the identification information of the second authorized storage device and the certification means certifies the first authorized storage device as being the authorized device.  
      In accordance with this construction, the certification system according to the present invention can prevent the first authorized storage device from becoming unauthorized device without the knowledge of the owner of the first authorized storage device resulting from the fact that the first authorized storage device cannot become unauthorized device unless the first authorized storage device is in advance certified, thereby enhancing the security. In addition, the certification system according to the present invention can prevent the second authorized storage device from remaining as the authorized device without the knowledge of the owner of the first authorized storage device resulting from the fact that the first authorized storage device cannot become unauthorized device unless the second authorized storage device has become unauthorized device.  
      Further, in the certification system according to the present invention, the storage control means may control the storage means to have the storage means delete the identification information of the first authorized storage device therefrom only under the condition that the storage means has not stored therein the identification information of the second authorized storage device and the certification means certifies the first authorized storage device as being the authorized device, and the master storage device may become the authorized device when the storage control means controls the storage means to have the storage means delete the identification information of the first authorized storage device therefrom.  
      In accordance with this construction, the certification system according to the present invention can always provide at least one authorized device resulting from the fact that the master storage device becomes the authorized device again in the event that the first authorized storage device becomes unauthorized device, and the first authorized storage device and the second authorized storage device can later become the authorized device.  
      Further, in the certification system according to the present invention, the storage control means may control the storage means to have the storage means delete the identification information of the authorized storage device only under the condition that the certification means certifies the authorized storage device as being the authorized device.  
      In accordance with this construction, the certification system according to the present invention can prevent the authorized storage device from becoming unauthorized device without the knowledge of the owner of the authorized storage device resulting from the fact that the authorized storage device cannot become unauthorized device unless the authorized storage device is in advance certified, thereby enhancing the security.  
      Further, the certification system according to the present invention may further comprise transmitting means for transmitting the identification information to be stored in the storage means to the exterior thereof when the identification information is stored in the storage means.  
      In accordance with this construction, the certification system according to the present invention makes it easy for a person exterior of the vehicle to recognize the storage device registered as being the authorized device, thereby improving convenience in using the vehicle. The transmitting means may transmit the identification information to be stored in the storage means to, for example, the Land Transportation Office, when the identification information is stored in the storage means. This leads to the fact that the certification system can improve the operational efficiency of the Land Transportation Office in terms of registering vehicles. Here, the Land Transportation Office is intended to mean an administration facility which administers information regarding vehicle registration.  
      Further, the certification system according to the present invention may further comprise transmitting means for transmitting the identification information to be deleted from the storage means to the exterior thereof when the identification information is deleted from the storage means.  
      In accordance with this construction, the certification system according to the present invention makes it easy for a person exterior of the vehicle to recognize the storage device unregistered from being the authorized device, thereby improving convenience in using the vehicle. The transmitting means may transmit the identification information to be deleted from the storage means to, for example, the Land Transportation Office, when the identification information is deleted from the storage means. This leads to the fact that the certification system can improve the operational efficiency of the Land Transportation Office in terms of registering vehicles.  
      Further, in the certification system according to the present invention, the authorized storage device may be constituted by a driving license.  
      In accordance with this construction, the certification system according to the present invention can improve convenience in using the vehicle in comparison with the case that the authorized storage device is provided separately from the driving license resulting from the fact that vehicle owner does not need to have an authorized storage device in addition to the driving license.  
      Further, in the certification system according to the present invention, at least one of the first authorized storage device and the second authorized storage device may be constituted by a driving license.  
      In accordance with this construction the certification system according to the present invention can improve convenience in using the vehicle in comparison with the case that both the first authorized storage device and the second authorized storage device are provided separately from the driving license resulting from the fact that vehicle owner does not need to have at least one of the first authorized storage device and the second authorized storage device in addition to the driving license.  
      In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a certification method comprising the steps of: a certification step of certifying whether or not each of a plurality of storage devices each storing therein identification information is an authorized device authorized to use components mounted on a vehicle, an obtaining step of obtaining the identification information stored in each of the storage devices, a storage step of storing information, and a storage control step of controlling the storage step of storing the information, and in which the storage devices includes an authorized storage device to be certified as being the authorized device, and a master storage device to be used to certify the authorized storage device as being the authorized device, the certification step has a step of certifying whether or not each of the storage devices is the authorized device on the basis of the identification information of each of the storage devices obtained in the obtaining step and the information stored in the storage step, the certification step has a step of certifying that the master storage device is not the authorized device under the condition that the identification information of the authorized storage device has already been stored in the storage step, and the storage control step has a step of controlling the storage step to have the storage step has a step of storing the identification information of the authorized storage device obtained in the obtaining step only under the condition that the certification step has a step of certifying the master storage device as being the authorized device.  
      In accordance with this method, the certification method according to the present invention can prevent the other authorized storage device from being certified by the certification means as being the authorized device using the master storage device without the knowledge of the owner of the authorized storage device resulting from the fact that the master storage device is not certified as the authorized device while the authorized storage device is certified as the authorized device, thereby enhancing the security.  
      In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a certification method comprising the steps of: a certification step of certifying whether or not each of a plurality of storage devices each storing therein identification information is an authorized device authorized to use components mounted on a vehicle, an obtaining step of obtaining the identification information stored in each of the storage devices, a storage step of storing information, and a storage control step of controlling the storage step, and in which the storage devices includes a first authorized storage device and a second authorized storage device each to be certified as being the authorized device, the certification step has a step of certifying whether or not each of the storage devices is the authorized device on the basis of the identification information of each of the storage devices obtained in the obtaining step and the information stored in the storage step, and the storage control step has a step of control the storage step to have the storage step has a step of storing the identification information of the second authorized storage device obtained in the obtaining step only under the condition that the certification step has a step of certifying the first authorized storage device as being the authorized device.  
      In accordance with this construction, the certification system according to the present invention can prevent the second authorized storage device from being certified by the certification means as the authorized device without the knowledge of the owner of the first authorized storage device resulting from the fact that the second authorized storage device cannot be certified as the authorized device unless the first authorized storage device is in advance certified, thereby enhancing the security.  
      In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a certification method comprising the steps of: a certification step of certifying whether or not each of a plurality of storage devices each storing therein identification information is an authorized device authorized to use components mounted on a vehicle, an obtaining step of obtaining the identification information stored in each of the storage devices, a storage step of storing information, and storage control step of controlling the storage step, and in which the storage devices includes first and second authorized storage devices each to be certified as being the authorized device, and a master storage device to be used to certify the first authorized storage device as being the authorized device, the certification step has a step of certifying whether or not each of the storage devices is the authorized device on the basis of the identification information of each of the storage devices obtained in the obtaining step and the information stored in the storage step, the certification step has a step of certifying that the master storage device is not the authorized device under the condition that the identification information of the first authorized storage device obtained in the obtaining step is already stored in the storage step, the storage control step has a step of controlling the storage step to have the storage step has a step of storing the identification information of the first authorized storage device obtained in the obtaining step only under the condition that the certification step has a step of certifying the master storage device as being the authorized device, and the storage control step has a step of controlling the storage step to have a step of storing therein the identification information of the second authorized storage device obtained in the obtaining step only under the condition that the certification step has a step of certifying the first authorized storage device as being the authorized device.  
      In accordance with this construction the certification system according to the present invention can prevent the other authorized storage device from being certified by the certification means as being the authorized device using the master storage device without the knowledge of the owner of the first authorized storage device resulting from the fact that the master storage device is not certified as the authorized device while the authorized storage device is certified as the authorized device. Further, the certification system according to the present invention can prevent the second authorized storage device from being certified by the certification means as the authorized device without the knowledge of the owner of the first authorized storage device resulting from the fact that the second authorized storage device cannot be certified as the authorized device unless the first authorized storage device is in advance certified, thereby enhancing the security. Accordingly, the certification system according to the present invention can enhance the security.  
      In accordance with a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a certification apparatus comprising: certification means for certifying whether or not each of a plurality of storage devices each storing therein identification information is an authorized device authorized to use components mounted on a vehicle; obtaining means for obtaining the identification information stored in each of the storage devices; storage means for storing therein information; and storage control means for controlling the storage means, and in which the storage devices includes an authorized storage device to be certified as being the authorized device, and a master storage device to be used to certify the authorized storage device as being the authorized device, the certification apparatus includes obtaining means for obtaining the identification information stored in each of the storage devices, the certification means is operative to certify whether or not each of the storage devices is the authorized device on the basis of the identification information of each of the storage devices obtained by the obtaining means and the information stored in the storage means, the certification means is operative to certify that the master storage device is not the authorized device under the condition that the storage means has already stored therein the identification information of the authorized storage device, and the storage control means is operative to control the storage means to have the storage means store therein the identification information of the authorized storage device obtained by the obtaining means only under the condition that the certification means certifies the master storage device as being the authorized device.  
      In accordance with this construction, the certification system according to the present invention can prevent the other authorized storage device from being certified by the certification means as being the authorized device using the master storage device without the knowledge of the owner of the authorized storage device resulting from the fact that the master storage device is not certified as the authorized device while the authorized storage device is certified as the authorized device, thereby enhancing the security.  
      In accordance with an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a certification apparatus comprising: certification means for certifying whether or not each of a plurality of storage devices each storing therein identification information is an authorized device authorized to use components mounted on a vehicle; obtaining means for obtaining the identification information stored in each of the storage devices; storage means for storing therein information; and storage control means for controlling the storage means, and in which the storage devices includes a first authorized storage device and a second authorized storage device each to be certified as being the authorized device, the certification means is operative to certify whether or not each of the storage devices is the authorized device on the basis of the identification information of each of the storage devices obtained by the obtaining means and the information stored in the storage means, and the storage control means is operative to control the storage means to have the storage means store therein the identification information of the second authorized storage device obtained by the obtaining means only under the condition that the certification means certifies the first authorized storage device as being the authorized device.  
      In accordance with this construction, the certification system according to the present invention can prevent the second authorized storage device from being certified by the certification means as the authorized device without the knowledge of the owner of the first authorized storage device resulting from the fact that the second authorized storage device cannot be certified as the authorized device unless the first authorized storage device is in advance certified, thereby enhancing the security.  
      In accordance with a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a certification apparatus comprising: certification means for certifying whether or not each of a plurality of storage devices each storing therein identification information is an authorized device authorized to use components mounted on a vehicle; obtaining means for obtaining the identification information stored in each of the storage devices; storage means for storing therein information; and storage control means for controlling the storage means, and in which the storage devices includes first and second authorized storage devices each to be certified as being the authorized device, and a master storage device to be used to certify the first authorized storage device as being the authorized device, the certification means is operative to certify whether or not each of the storage devices is the authorized device on the basis of the identification information of each of the storage devices obtained by the obtaining means and the information stored in the storage means, the certification means is operative to certify that the master storage device is not the authorized device under the condition that the storage means has already stored therein the identification information of the first authorized storage device obtained by the obtaining means, the storage control means is operative to control the storage means to have the storage means store therein the identification information of the first authorized storage device obtained by the obtaining means only under the condition that the certification means certifies the master storage device as being the authorized device, and the storage control means is operative to control the storage means to have the storage means store therein the identification information of the second authorized storage device obtained by the obtaining means only under the condition that the certification means certifies the first authorized storage device as being the authorized device.  
      In accordance with this construction the certification system according to the present invention can prevent the other authorized storage device from being certified by the certification means as being the authorized device using the master storage device without the knowledge of the owner of the first authorized storage device resulting from the fact that the master storage device is not certified as the authorized device while the authorized storage device is certified as the authorized device. Further, the certification system according to the present invention can prevent the second authorized storage device from being certified by the certification means as the authorized device without the knowledge of the owner of the first authorized storage device resulting from the fact that the second authorized storage device cannot be certified as the authorized device unless the first authorized storage device is in advance certified, thereby enhancing the security. Accordingly, the certification system according to the present invention can enhance the security. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The features and advantages of a certification system according to the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the certification system according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a sequence chart explaining a sequence of operations performed by the certification system shown in  FIG. 1  when a first card is registered.  
       FIG. 3  is a sequence chart explaining a sequence of operations performed by the certification system shown in  FIG. 1  when a second card is registered.  
       FIG. 4  is a sequence chart explaining a sequence of operations performed by the certification system shown in  FIG. 1  when a second card and a limited card are unregistered. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings.  
      The construction of the embodiment of a certification system will be described first.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, there is shown a certification system  10  comprising a master card  21  constituted by an integrated circuit (hereinlater referred to simply as “IC”) card capable of transmitting information to and receiving information from the exterior thereof and carried by a dealer of a vehicle, an IC card  22  capable of transmitting information to and receiving information from the exterior thereof and carried by an owner of the vehicle, an IC card  23  capable of transmitting information to and receiving information from the exterior thereof and carried by a person authorized by the vehicle owner, a certification apparatus  30  equipped with a control unit  31  including a certification unit  31   a  for certifying whether or not each of the master card  21 , the IC card  22 , and the IC card  23  is an authorized device authorized to use components mounted on the vehicle (hereinlater referred to simply as “vehicle-mounted components”) such as, an engine, a door lock, a glove box lock, and a trunk lock. The certification apparatus  30  is fixedly retained on an instrument panel of the vehicle.  
      The master card  21 , the IC card  22 , and the IC card  23  have respective identification information, hereinlater referred to simply as “ID” stored therein and constitute storage devices according to the present invention. Here, the IC card certified by the certification unit  31   a  using the master card  21  as being the authorized device is called a first card, and the IC card certified by the certification unit  31   a  using the first card as being the authorized device is called a second card or a limited card. The master card constitutes a master storage device according to the present invention to be used by the certification unit  31   a  to certify the IC card as being the first card. Any one of the IC cards  22  and  23  may be certified as being the first card, the second card, or the limited card, and constitute a authorized storage device, a first authorized storage device, or a second authorized storage device.  
      The master card  21 , the first card, and the second card are authorized to use vehicle-mounted components such as for example an engine, a door lock, a glove box lock, a trunk lock, and the like. The limited card is, on the other hand, authorized to use vehicle-mounted components excluding one or more vehicle-mounted components such as locks of storage rooms, for example, the glove box lock, the trunk lock and the like, which the master card  21 , the first card and the second card are authorized to use. This means that the vehicle-mounted components which the master card  21 , the first card, and the second card are authorized to use include one or more vehicle-mounted components other than the vehicle-mounted components which the limited card is authorized to use.  
      The certification apparatus  30  further comprises a blue light emitting diode (hereinlater referred to simply as “LED”)  32   a , a red LED  32   b , a first switch  33   a  and a second switch  33   b , both of which are to be pushed by a user, and a permission unit  34  for permitting the vehicle-mounted components to be used. The first switch  33   a  and the second switch  33   b  are disposed in a place where a user sitting on a driving seat can operate them with ease while, on the other hand, a person exterior to the vehicle cannot operate them.  
      The control unit  31  of the certification apparatus  30  further includes a communicating unit  31   b  for communicating with an IC card such as, for example, the master card  21 , the IC card  22 , and the IC card  23 , inserted into an IC cardholder, not shown, to obtain the ID from the IC card, an internal storage unit  31   c  for storing therein ID of the IC card, and storage control means constituted by a registering unit  31   d  for controlling the internal storage unit  31   c  to have the internal storage unit  31   c  selectively store therein and delete therefrom the ID of each of the master card  21 , the IC card  22 , and the IC card  23 , and an information transmitting unit  31   e  for transmitting the ID of the first card to be deleted from or stored in the internal storage unit  31   c  to the exterior thereof, viz., the Land Transportation Office when the ID is deleted from or stored in the internal storage unit  31   c.    
      The certification unit  31   a  is operative to certify whether or not each of the master card  21 , the IC card  22 , and the IC card  23  is the authorized device on the basis of the ID of each of the master card  21 , the IC card  22 , and the IC card  23  obtained by the communicating unit  31   b  and the ID stored in the internal storage unit  31   c . Further, the certification unit  31   a  is operative to certify that the master card  21  is not the authorized device under the condition that the internal storage unit  31   c  has already stored therein the ID of the IC card obtained by the communicating unit  31   b  as being the ID of the first card.  
      The registering unit  31   d  is operative to control the internal storage unit  31   c  to have the internal storage unit  31   c  store therein the ID of the IC card obtained by the communicating unit  31   b  as being the ID of the first card only under the condition that the certification unit  31   a  certifies that master card  21  as being the authorized device. Further, the registering unit  31   d  is operative to control the internal storage unit  31   c  to have the internal storage unit  31   c  store therein the ID of the IC card obtained by the communicating unit  31   b  as being the second card or the limited card only under the condition that the certification unit  31   a  certifies the first card as being the authorized device.  
      The registering unit  31   d  is operative to control the internal storage unit  31   c  to have the internal storage unit  31   c  delete the ID of the second card or the limited card therefrom only under the condition that the certification unit  31   a  certifies the first card as being the authorized device. Further, the registering unit  31   d  is operative to control the internal storage unit  31   c  to have the internal storage unit  31   c  delete the ID of the first card therefrom only under the condition that the internal storage unit  31   c  has not stored therein the ID of the second card or the limited card and the certification unit  31   a  certifies the first card as being the authorized device.  
      Next, the operation of the certification system  10  will be described hereinlater.  
      The description hereinlater will be directed to the operation performed by the certification system  10  in the case that the first card is to be registered, for example, after a vehicle is sold to a customer.  
      It is hereinlater assumed that the internal storage unit  31   c  of the certification apparatus  30  stores therein only the ID of the master card  21  before the first card is registered, and the certification apparatus  30  comprises a central processing unit, hereinlater referred to simply as “CPU”, not shown, for controlling the whole processes in the certification apparatus  30 .  
      The IC card is inserted into the IC cardholder by a user (step S 41 ) and the first switch  33   a  is held down by the user to assume an on-state uninterruptedly for three seconds (step S 42 ) as will be clearly seen from  FIG. 2 . The communicating unit  31   b  is operated to transmit an ID request signal to the IC card (step S 43 ), and, in return, receive the ID transmitted from the IC card inserted in the IC cardholder (step S 44 ). The communicating unit  31   b  forming part of the certification apparatus  30  is operated to obtain, for example, the ID of the master card  21  transmitted from the master card  21  in step S 44  in the case that the master card  21  is inserted by the dealer into the IC cardholder in step S 41 .  
      The certification unit  31   a  forming part of the certification apparatus  30  is operated to judge whether or not the communicating unit  31   b  has obtained the ID (step S 45 ). When it is judged by the certification unit  31   a  that the communicating unit  31   b  has not obtained the ID in step S 45 , the control unit  31  is operated to have the red LED  32   b  illuminate for three seconds to indicate an error message, and this process is terminated (step S 46 ).  
      When, on the other hand, it is judged by the certification unit  31   a  that the communicating unit  31   b  has obtained the ID in step S 45 , the certification unit  31   a  is operated to judge whether or not the IC card inserted in the IC cardholder is the master card  21  on the basis of the ID obtained by the communicating unit  31   b  and the ID stored in the internal storage unit  31   c  (step S 47 ). When it is judged by the certification unit  31   a  that the IC card inserted in the IC cardholder is not the master card  21  in step S 47 , the control unit  31  is operated to have the red LED  32   b  illuminate for one second to indicate an error message, and this process is terminated (step S 48 ).  
      When, on the other hand, it is judged by the certification unit  31   a  that the IC card inserted in the IC cardholder is the master card  21  in step S 47 , the certification unit  31   a  is operated to judge whether or not the ID of the first card is stored in the internal storage unit  31   c  (step S 49 ). When it is judged that the ID of the first card is stored in the internal storage unit  31   c  in step S 49 , the control unit  31  is operated to have the red LED  32   b  illuminate for one second to indicate an error message, and this process is terminated (step S 50 ).  
      When it is judged that the ID of the first card is not stored in the internal storage unit  31   c  in step S 49 , the certification unit  31   a  is operated to certify that the master card  12  is the authorized device (step S 51 ), and the control unit  31  is operated to have the blue LED  32   a  illuminate for one second (step S 52 ).  
      The master card  21  is then ejected by the user from the IC cardholder (step S 53 ) and the IC card is inserted by the user into the IC cardholder within ten seconds (S 54 ). The communicating unit  31   b  is operated to transmit an ID request signal to the IC card (step S 55 ), and, in return, receive the ID transmitted from the IC card inserted in the IC cardholder (step S 56 ).  
      When, on the other hand, the IC card is not inserted into the IC cardholder within ten seconds after the master card  21  is ejected from the IC cardholder in step S 53 , the control unit  31  is operated to have the red LED  32   b  illuminate for three seconds to indicate an error message, and this process is terminated.  
      When the ID is transmitted from the IC card inserted in the IC cardholder in step S 56 , the certification unit  31   a  forming part of the certification apparatus  30  is operated to judge whether or not the communicating unit  31   b  has obtained the ID (step S 57 ). When it is judged by the certification unit  31   a  that the communicating unit  31   b  has not obtained the ID in step S 57 , the control unit  31  is operated to have the red LED  32   b  illuminate for three seconds to indicate an error message, and this process is terminated (step S 58 ).  
      When, on the other hand, it is judged by the certification unit  31   a  that the communicating unit  31   b  has obtained the ID in step S 57 , the certification unit  31   a  is operated to judge whether or not the ID obtained by the communicating unit  31   b  is conformable to a predetermined format (S 59 ). When it is judged by the certification unit  31   a  that the ID obtained by the communicating unit  31   b  is not conformable to the predetermined format, the control unit  31  is operated to have the red LED  32   b  illuminate for three seconds to indicate an error message, and this process is terminated (step S 60 ).  
      When, on the other hand, it is judged by the certification unit  31   a  that the ID obtained by the communicating unit  31   b  is conformable to the predetermined format, the certification apparatus  30  waits for an operation of the first switch  33   a  and the second switch  33   b.    
      When the first switch  33   a  and the second switch  33   b  are operated by a user (step S 61 ), the registering unit  31   d  is operated to judge whether or not the first switch  33   a  is turned on under the state that the second switch  33   b  is turned on (step S 62 ).  
      When it is judged by the registering unit  31   d  that the first switch  33   a  is not turned on under the state that the second switch  33   b  is turned on in step S 62 , the control unit  31  is operated to have the red LED  32   b  and the blue LED  32   a  alternately illuminate at one-second intervals for six seconds to indicate an error message, and this process is terminated (step S 63 ). When, on the other hand, it is judged by the registering unit  31   d  that the first switch  33   a  is turned on under the state that the second switch  33   b  is turned on in step S 62 , the registering unit  31   d  is operated to control the internal storage unit  31   c  to have the internal storage unit  31   c  store therein the ID of the IC card obtained by the communicating unit  31   b  as being the ID of the first card (step S 64 ). The master card  21  thus becomes disabled resulting from the fact that the certification unit  31   a  does not certify the master card  21  as being the authorized device under the condition that the internal storage unit  31   c  stores therein the ID of the IC card as being the ID of the first card.  
      This means that, in the certification apparatus  30 , for example, the IC card  22  of the vehicle owner can be registered as the first card when the IC card  22  is inserted into the IC cardholder in step S 54 . Additional IC card cannot be redundantly registered as the first card once the IC card  22  is registered as the first card, resulting from the fact that it is judged in step S 49  whether or not the ID of the first card is stored in the internal storage unit  31   c.    
      The information transmitting unit  31   e  forming part of the certification apparatus  30  is operative to transmit the ID of the first card to be stored in the internal storage unit  31   c  to the exterior thereof, viz., the Land Transportation Office when the ID is stored in the internal storage unit  31   c . This leads to the fact that the certification apparatus  30  can improve the operational efficiency of the Land Transportation Office in terms of registering vehicles.  
      As described earlier, in the certification apparatus  30 , in steps S 49  and S 51 , the certification unit  31   a  is operated to certify whether or not the master card  21  is the authorized device on the basis of the ID of the master card  21  obtained by the communicating unit  31   b  in step S 44  and the ID of the master card  21  stored in the internal storage unit  31   c  prior to step S 41 . In addition, the certification unit  31   a  is operated to certify that the master card  21  is not the authorized device under the condition that the ID of the first card is stored in the internal storage unit  31   c . Accordingly, steps S 49  and S 51  constitute a certification step forming part of a certification method performed by the certification system  10 .  
      Further, in the certification apparatus  30 , in steps S 44  and S 56 , the communicating unit  31   b  is operated to obtain the ID transmitted from the IC card inserted in the IC cardholder. Accordingly, steps S 44  and S 56  constitute an obtaining step forming part of the certification method performed by the certification system  10 .  
      Still further, in the certification apparatus  30 , the registering unit  31   d  is operated to control the internal storage unit  31   c  to have the internal storage unit  31   c  store therein the ID of the IC card in step S 64  obtained by the communicating unit  31   b  as being the ID of the first card in step S 56  only under the condition that the certification unit  31   a  certifies the master card  21  as being the authorized device in step S 51 . Accordingly, step S 64  constitutes a storage step and a storage control step forming part of the certification method performed by the certification system  10 .  
      The description hereinlater will be directed to the operation of the certification system  10  in the case that the second card is to be registered, for example, after a family member or a working staff is authorized by the vehicle owner to use vehicle-mounted components.  
      It is hereinlater assumed that the internal storage unit  31   c  of the certification apparatus  30  stores therein the ID of, for example, the IC card  22  as being the ID of the first card before the second card is registered, and the certification apparatus  30  comprises a central processing unit, hereinlater referred to simply as “CPU”, not shown, for controlling the whole processes in the certification apparatus  30 .  
      The IC card is inserted into the IC cardholder by a user (step S 71 ) and the first switch  33   a  is held down by the user to assume an on-state uninterruptedly for three seconds (step S 72 ) as will be clearly seen from  FIG. 3 . The communicating unit  31   b  is operated to transmit an ID request signal to the IC card (step S 73 ), and, in return, receive the ID transmitted from the IC card inserted in the IC cardholder (step S 74 ). The communicating unit  31   b  forming part of the certification apparatus  30  is operated to obtain, for example, the ID of the IC card  22  transmitted from the IC card  22  in step S 74  in the case that the IC card  22  is inserted by the vehicle owner into the IC cardholder in step S 71 .  
      The certification unit  31   a  forming part of the certification apparatus  30  is operated to judge whether or not the communicating unit  31   b  has obtained the ID (step S 75 ). When it is judged by the certification unit  31   a  that the communicating unit  31   b  has not obtained the ID in step S 75 , the control unit  31  is operated to have the red LED  32   b  illuminate for three seconds to indicate an error message, and this process is terminated (step S 76 ).  
      When, on the other hand, it is judged by the certification unit  31   a  that the communicating unit  31   b  has obtained the ID in step S 75 , the certification unit  31   a  is operated to judge whether or not the IC card inserted in the IC cardholder is the first card , i.e., the IC card  22  on the basis of the ID obtained by the communicating unit  31   b  and the ID stored in the internal storage unit  31   c  (step S 77 ). When it is judged by the certification unit  31   a  that the IC card inserted in the IC cardholder is not the IC card  22  in step S 77 , the control unit  31  is operated to have the red LED  32   b  illuminate for one second to indicate an error message, and this process is terminated (step S 78 ).  
      When, on the other hand, it is judged by the certification unit  31   a  that the IC card inserted in the IC cardholder is the IC card  22  in step S 77 , the certification unit  31   a  is operated to certify the IC card  22  as being the authorized device (step S 81 ), and the control unit  31  is operated to have the blue LED  32   a  illuminate for one second (step S 82 ).  
      The IC card  22  is then ejected by the user from the IC cardholder (step S 83 ) and the IC card is inserted by the user into the IC cardholder within ten seconds (S 84 ). The communicating unit  31   b  is operated to transmit an ID request signal to the IC card (step S 85 ), and, in return, receive the ID transmitted from the IC card inserted in the IC cardholder (step S 86 ).  
      When, on the other hand, the IC card is not inserted into the IC cardholder within ten seconds after the IC card  22  is ejected from the IC cardholder in step S 83 , the control unit  31  is operated to have the red LED  32   b  illuminate for three seconds to indicate an error message, and this process is terminated.  
      When the ID is transmitted from the IC card inserted in the IC cardholder in step S 86 , the certification unit  31   a  forming part of the certification apparatus  30  is operated to judge whether or not the communicating unit  31   b  has obtained the ID (step S 87 ). When it is judged by the certification unit  31   a  that the communicating unit  31   b  has not obtained the ID in step S 87 , the control unit  31  is operated to have the red LED  32   b  illuminate for three seconds to indicate an error message, and this process is terminated (step S 88 ).  
      When, on the other hand, it is judged by the certification unit  31   a  that the communicating unit  31   b  has obtained the ID in step S 87 , the certification unit  31   a  is operated to judge whether or not the ID obtained by the communicating unit  31   b  is conformable to a predetermined format (S 89 ). When it is judged by the certification unit  31   a  that the ID obtained by the communicating unit  31   b  is not conformable to the predetermined format, the control unit  31  is operated to have the red LED  32   b  illuminate for three seconds to indicate an error message, and this process is terminated (step S 90 ).  
      When, on the other hand, it is judged by the certification unit  31   a  that the ID obtained by the communicating unit  31   b  is conformable to the predetermined format, the certification apparatus  30  waits for an operation of the first switch  33   a  and the second switch  33   b.    
      When the first switch  33   a  and the second switch  33   b  are operated by a user (step S 91 ), the registering unit  31   d  is operated to judge whether or not the first switch  33   a  is turned on under the state that the second switch  33   b  is turned on (step S 92 ).  
      When it is judged by the registering unit  31   d  that the first switch  33   a  is not turned on under the state that the second switch  33   b  is turned on in step S 92 , the control unit  31  is operated to have the red LED  32   b  and the blue LED  32   a  alternately illuminate at one-second intervals for six seconds to indicate an error message, and this process is terminated (step S 93 ). When, on the other hand, it is judged by the registering unit  31   d  that the first switch  33   a  is turned on under the state that the second switch  33   b  is turned on in step S 92 , the registering unit  31   d  is operated to control the internal storage unit  31   c  to have the internal storage unit  31   c  store therein the ID of the IC card obtained by the communicating unit  31   b  as being the ID of the second card (step S 94 ).  
      This means that, in the certification apparatus  30 , for example, the IC card  23  of the person authorized by the vehicle owner can be registered as the second card when the IC card  23  is inserted into the IC cardholder in step S 84 . In addition, more than one IC card can be registered as the second card after the processes shown in  FIG. 3  are repeated by the user.  
      As described earlier, in the certification apparatus  30 , in step S 81 , the certification unit  31   a  is operated to certify whether or not the IC card is the authorized device on the basis of the ID of the IC card obtained by the communicating unit  31   b  as being the first card in step S 74  and the ID of the first card stored in the internal storage unit  31   c  in step S 64  (see  FIG. 2 ). Accordingly, step  81  constitutes a certification step forming part of a certification method performed by the certification system  10 .  
      Further, in the certification apparatus  30 , in steps S 74  and S 86 , the communicating unit  31   b  is operated to obtain the ID transmitted from the IC card inserted in the IC cardholder. Accordingly, steps S 74  and S 86  constitute an obtaining step forming part of the certification method performed by the certification system  10 .  
      Still further, in the certification apparatus  30 , the registering unit  31   d  is operated to control the internal storage unit  31   c  to have the internal storage unit  31   c  store therein the ID of the IC card  23  in step S 94  obtained by the communicating unit  31   b  in step S 86  under the condition that the certification unit  31   a  certifies the IC card  22  as being the first card in step S 81 . Accordingly, step S 94  constitutes a storage step and a storage control step forming part of the certification method performed by the certification system  10 .  
      In the certification apparatus  30 , the IC card can be registered as the limited card after processes similar to those shown in  FIG. 3  are carried out by the user. In addition, more than one IC card can be registered as the limited card after the processes similar to those shown in  FIG. 3  are repeated by the user.  
      The description hereinlater will be directed to the operation of the certification system  10  in the case that the second card and the limited card are to be unregistered.  
      It is hereinlater assumed that the internal storage unit  31   c  of the certification apparatus  30  stores therein the ID of, for example, the IC card  22  as being the ID of the first card before the second card and the limited card are unregistered, and the certification apparatus  30  comprises a central processing unit, hereinlater referred to simply as “CPU”, not shown, for controlling the whole processes in the certification apparatus  30 .  
      The IC card is inserted into the IC cardholder by a user (step S 101 ) and the second switch  33   b  is held down by the user to assume an on-state uninterruptedly for three seconds (step S 102 ) as will be clearly seen from  FIG. 4 . The communicating unit  31   b  is operated to transmit an ID request signal to the IC card (step S 103 ), and, in return, receive the ID transmitted from the IC card inserted in the IC cardholder (step S 104 ). The communicating unit  31   b  forming part of the certification apparatus  30  is operated to obtain the ID of, for example, the IC card  22  transmitted from the IC card  22  in step S 104  in the case that the IC card  22  is inserted by the vehicle owner into the IC cardholder in step S 101 .  
      The certification unit  31   a  forming part of the certification apparatus  30  is operated to judge whether or not the communicating unit  31   b  has obtained the ID (step S 105 ). When it is judged by the certification unit  31   a  that the communicating unit  31   b  has not obtained the ID in step S 105 , the control unit  31  is operated to have the red LED  32   b  illuminate for three seconds to indicate an error message, and this process is terminated (step S 106 ).  
      When, on the other hand, it is judged by the certification unit  31   a  that the communicating unit  31   b  has obtained the ID in step S 105 , the certification unit  31   a  is operated to judge whether or not the IC card inserted in the IC cardholder is the first card , i.e., the IC card  22  on the basis of the ID obtained by the communicating unit  31   b  and the ID stored in the internal storage unit  31   c  (step S 107 ). When it is judged by the certification unit  31   a  that the IC card inserted in the IC cardholder is not the IC card  22  in step S 107 , the control unit  31  is operated to have the red LED  32   b  illuminate for one second to indicate an error message, and this process is terminated (step S 108 ).  
      When, on the other hand, it is judged by the certification unit  31   a  that the IC card inserted in the IC cardholder is the IC card  22  in step S 107 , the certification unit  31   a  is operated to certify the IC card  22  as being the authorized device (step S  111 ), and the control unit  31  is operated to have the blue LED  32   a  illuminate for one second (step S 112 ). The certification apparatus  30  waits for an operation of the first switch  33   a  and the second switch  33   b.    
      When the first switch  33   a  and the second switch  33   b  are operated by a user (step S 121 ), the registering unit  31   d  is operated to judge whether or not the second switch  33   b  is turned on under the state that the first switch  33   a  is turned on (step S 122 ).  
      When it is judged by the registering unit  31   d  that the second switch  33   b  is not turned on under the state that the first switch  33   a  is turned on in step S 122 , the control unit  31  is operated to have the red LED  32   b  and the blue LED  32   a  alternately illuminate at one-second intervals for six seconds to indicate an error message, and this process is terminated (step S 123 ). Likewise, when the IC card  22  is forcibly ejected by, for example, the user, while the certification apparatus  30  is waiting for the operation of the first and second switches after step S 121 , the control unit  31  is operated to have the red LED  32   b  and the blue LED  32   a  alternately illuminate at one-second intervals for six seconds to indicate an error message, and this process is terminated.  
      When, on the other hand, it is judged by the registering unit  31   d  that the second switch  33   b  is turned on under the state that the first switch  33   a  is turned on in step S 122 , the registering unit  31   d  is operated to delete all of the IDs of the second card and the limited card therefrom (step S 124 ).  
      Thus, all of the second card and the limited card are unregistered from the certification system  10 .  
      The description hereinlater will be directed to the operation of the certification system  10  in the case that the first card is to be unregistered, for example, after the vehicle owner is changed.  
      It is hereinlater assumed that the internal storage unit  31   c  of the certification apparatus  30  stores therein the ID of, for example, the IC card  22  as being the ID of the first card before the first card is unregistered, and the certification apparatus  30  comprises a central processing unit, hereinlater referred to simply as “CPU”, not shown, for controlling the whole processes in the certification apparatus  30 . Further, it is hereinlater assumed that neither the second card nor the limited card is registered with the certification apparatus  30  resulting from the fact that the first card can be unregistered from the certification apparatus  30  only under the state that neither the second card nor the limited card is registered.  
      The certification apparatus  30  is operated to control the internal storage unit  31   c  to have the internal storage unit  31   c  delete the ID of the first card, i.e., the IC card  22 , therefrom after processes similar to those shown in  FIG. 4  are carried out by the user under the condition that neither the second card nor the limited card is registered.  
      After the ID of the IC card  22  is deleted from the internal storage unit  31   c , no first card is enabled in the authorization system  1 , and thus the master card  21  becomes the authorized device again. This means that when the ID of the first card, i.e., the IC card  22  is deleted from the internal storage unit  31   c , the ID of the master card  21  is restored in the internal storage unit  31   c , and thus the master card  21  becomes enabled again. The ID of the master card  21  is stored in a storage unit, not shown, other then the internal storage unit  31   c  after the registering unit  31   d  controls the internal storage unit  31   c  to have the internal storage unit  31   c  delete the ID of the master card  21  therefrom so that the ID of the master card  21  can be later restored in the internal storage unit  31   c . The certification system  10  can register the IC card other than the IC card  22  as the first card, after the processes shown in  FIG. 2  are carried out by the user while the master card  21  is enabled.  
      The information transmitting unit  31   e  forming part of the certification apparatus  30  is operative to transmit the ID of the first card to be deleted from the internal storage unit  31   c  to the exterior thereof, viz., the Land Transportation Office when the ID of the first card is deleted from the internal storage unit  31   c . This leads to the fact that the certification apparatus  30  can improve the operational efficiency of the Land Transportation Office in terms of registering vehicles.  
      Form the foregoing description, it is to be understood that the certification system  10  thus constructed can prevent the other IC card from being registered as an additional first card using the master card  21  without the knowledge of the owner of the first card resulting from the fact that the master card  21  cannot be certified as being the authorized device while at least one IC card is certified as being the first card. Further, the certification system  10  can prevent the other IC card from being registered as an additional second card without the knowledge of the owner of the first card resulting from the fact that the other IC card cannot be certified as being the second card or the limited card unless the IC card is in advance certified as being the first card. This leads to the fact that the certification system  10  can enhance the security in using the vehicle.  
      Still further, the certification system  10  can provide different level of security depending on the user of the vehicle, resulting from the fact that vehicle-mounted components which the first card is authorized to use include one or more vehicle-mounted components other than the vehicle-mounted components which the limited card is authorized to use. The certification system  10  thus constructed can improve convenience in using the vehicle. As described in the above, in the certification system  10 , the first card as well as the limited card may be authorized to, for example, unlock the door lock and start the engine while, on the other hand, only the first card is authorized to unlock the glove box lock and the trunk lock, and the limited card is not authorized to unlock the glove box lock and the trunk lock. The certification system  10  thus constructed makes it possible for the vehicle owner to have, for example, an employee at a hotel or a restaurant, use the limited card to move the vehicle while the glove box and the trunk are securely locked.  
      Yet further, the certification system  10  can prevent the IC card certified as the second card or the limited card from being unregistered without the knowledge of the owner of the first card resulting from the fact that the second card or the limited card cannot be unregistered unless the IC card is in advance certified as being the first card. This leads to the fact that the certification system  10  can enhance the security in using the vehicle.  
      Further the more, the certification system  10  can prevent the IC card certified as the first card from being unregistered without the knowledge of the owner of the first card resulting from the fact that the first card cannot be unregistered unless the IC card is in advance certified as being the first card. This leads to the fact that the certification system  10  can enhance the security in using the vehicle. In addition, the certification system  10  can prevent the second card or the limited card from remaining enabled without the knowledge of the owner of the first card resulting from the fact that the first card cannot be unregistered unless the second card or the limited card is in advance unregistered. This leads to the fact that the certification system  10  can enhance the security in using the vehicle.  
      In the certification system  10 , the IC card  22  may be constituted by a driving license. The certification system  10  can improve convenience in using the vehicle in the case that the IC card is constituted by a driving license in comparison with the case that the IC card  22  is provided separately from the driving license, resulting from the fact that the vehicle owner does not need to have additional IC card other then the driving license. Likewise, in the certification system  10 , the IC card  23  may be constituted by a driving license.  
      Although it has been described in the above that any one of the IC card  22  and the IC card  23  forming part of the certification system  10  may be registered as the first card or the second card as well as the limited card, it is needless to mention that the IC card to be registered only as the limited card may be provided separately from the IC card to be registered as the first card or the second card.  
      As will be seen from the foregoing description, it is to be understood that the certification system according to the present invention has an effect of enhancing the security and available for a system using an IC card.  
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
      The present invention provides a certification system which can enhance the security in using, for example, a vehicle in comparison with the conventional certification system.