Patent Description:
There is disclosed a technique in which, in a digital key system that can start a vehicle by carrying out authentication with a portable device that is within the vehicle cabin at the time an engine switch is operated, it is confirmed that a digital key exists within the vehicle, and the vehicle is started. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (<CIT> discloses a technique in which, on the basis of the absence/presence of a signal transmitted from a portable device that responds to an output signal from an in-cabin sensing means provided in the vehicle, it is sensed whether or not the portable device is within the vehicle cabin. If it is sensed that the portable device is within the vehicle cabin, operation of predetermined control equipment is permitted. <CIT> and <CIT> disclose further prior art.

However, there the problem that, if there is trouble with the communicating means such as the antenna or the like that is for confirming that a digital key exists within the vehicle, it cannot be confirmed whether or not the digital key exists within the vehicle, and it is not possible to start the vehicle using the digital key.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle, a judging method, and a non-transitory, computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program is recorded which make it possible to start a vehicle using a digital key even in a case in which it cannot be confirmed whether or not the digital key exists within the vehicle.

A first aspect of the disclosure is a vehicle which includes a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to determine whether or not a communication interface is malfunctioning, the communication interface being configured to perform communication for confirming that a device, which stores a digital key for activation, is inside a vehicle cabin, and in a case in which it is determined that the communication interface is malfunctioning, perform processing that enables activation based on a result of authentication of the device, characterized in that the authentication of the device comprises biometric authentication.

In accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, even in a case in which it cannot be confirmed whether or not a digital key exists within the vehicle, starting of the vehicle by using the digital key is possible by using the results of authentication carried out at the device holding the digital key.

A second aspect of the disclosure is a vehicle of the first aspect, wherein the processor is configured to, in a case in which it is determined that the communication interface is malfunctioning, perform processing that enables activation only during a predetermined time based on the result of the authentication of the device.

In accordance with the second aspect of the present disclosure, in a case in which it cannot be confirmed whether or not a digital key exists within the vehicle, starting of the vehicle by using the digital key becomes possible after improving the security to a higher level than in a case in which it can be confirmed whether or not a digital key exists within the vehicle.

A third aspect of the disclosure is a vehicle of the second aspect, wherein the processor is configured to change the predetermined time in accordance with an authentication method used in the authentication of the device.

In accordance with the third aspect of the present disclosure, security corresponding to the authentication method can be provided by making starting possible only during a time that corresponds to the authentication method.

In accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, starting of the vehicle by using a digital key is possible upon ensuring that the party, who issued the start request from the device holding the digital key, is the user of the device.

A fifth aspect of the disclosure is a vehicle of the first aspect, wherein the processor is configured to, in a case in which it is determined that the communication interface is not malfunctioning, perform processing that enables activation without using a result of authentication of the device.

In accordance with the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in a case in which it can be confirmed whether or not the digital key exists within the vehicle, starting of the vehicle is possible while skipping authentication at the device that holds the digital key.

A sixth aspect of the disclosure is a vehicle of the first aspect, wherein the processor is configured to determine that the communication interface is malfunctioning in a case in which periodic communication with the communication interface is interrupted.

In accordance with the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, by detecting interruption of periodic communication, authentication at the device that holds the digital key for starting can be requested.

A seventh aspect of the disclosure is a judging method which includes determining, by a processor, whether or not a communication interface is malfunctioning, the communication interface being configured to perform communication for confirming that a device, which stores a digital key for activation, is inside a vehicle cabin; and in a case in which it is determined that the communication interface is malfunctioning, enabling, by the processor, activation based on a result of authentication of the device, characterized in that the authentication of the device comprises biometric authentication.

In accordance with the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, even in a case in which it cannot be confirmed whether or not a digital key exists within the vehicle, starting of the vehicle by using the digital key is possible by using the results of authentication carried out at the device that stores the digital key.

An eighth aspect of the disclosure is a non-transitory recording medium storing a program that is executable by a computer to perform processing. The processing includes determining whether or not a communication interface is malfunctioning, the communication interface being configured to perform communication for confirming that a device, which stores a digital key for activation, is inside a vehicle cabin, and in a case in which it is determined that the communication interface is malfunctioning, enabling activation based on a result of authentication of the device, characterized in that the authentication of the device comprises biometric authentication.

In accordance with the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, even in a case in which it cannot be confirmed whether or not a digital key exists within the vehicle, starting of the vehicle by using the digital key is possible by using the results of authentication carried out at the device that stores the digital key.

In accordance with the present disclosure, there can be provided a vehicle, a judging method, and a non-transitory, computer-readable recording medium which, by using results of authentication carried out at a device that functions as a digital key, make it possible to start a vehicle by using the digital key even in a case in which it cannot be confirmed whether or not the digital key exists within the vehicle.

Examples of embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. Note that structural elements and portions that are the same or equivalent are denoted by the same reference numerals in the respective drawings. Further, there are cases in which the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation, and they may differ from actual proportions.

<FIG> is a drawing illustrating an example of the schematic structure of a vehicle control system relating to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A vehicle control system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is structured to include an information processing device (holder) <NUM> and a vehicle <NUM>.

The information processing device <NUM> is a mobile terminal such as a smart phone or the like for example, and is a device that can function as a digital key for unlocking the doors of the vehicle <NUM> and starting the engine. The information processing device <NUM> can be used as a digital key of the vehicle <NUM> due to an application for functioning as a digital key being downloaded and installed. In the present embodiment, the information processing device <NUM> being able to be used as a digital key of the vehicle means a state in which the information processing device <NUM> is in a state of holding key information of the vehicle <NUM>.

The vehicle <NUM> relating to the present embodiment carries out near field communication with the information processing device <NUM> that functions as a digital key of the vehicle <NUM>, and executes processings relating to the digital key. In the present embodiment, the information processing device <NUM> and the vehicle <NUM> carry out wireless communication that is based on BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy) standards that serve as near field communication standards. As a processing relating to a digital key, the vehicle <NUM> executes processing that starts the engine on the basis of an engine start request from the information processing device <NUM> that operates as a digital key of the vehicle <NUM>.

When the vehicle <NUM> receives an engine start request from the information processing device <NUM>, the vehicle <NUM> judges whether or not the information processing device <NUM> exists within the cabin of the vehicle <NUM>. The reason for judging whether or not the information processing device <NUM> exists within the cabin of the vehicle <NUM> is in order to prevent starting of the engine in a state in which the information processing device <NUM> is outside of the vehicle cabin. The vehicle <NUM> judges whether or not the information processing device <NUM> is within the cabin of the vehicle <NUM> by referring to the strength of the radio waves that are emitted from the information processing device <NUM> and received by an antenna provided within the vehicle cabin.

However, if there is only one antenna that is provided within the vehicle cabin, and the strength of the radio waves cannot be referenced for a reason such as there is trouble with that antenna or the like, the vehicle <NUM> cannot judge whether or not the information processing device <NUM> exists within the vehicle cabin, and, even if the information processing device <NUM> does exist within the cabin of the vehicle <NUM>, starting of the engine in accordance with an engine start request from the information processing device <NUM> cannot be carried out. If plural antennas for judging whether or not the information processing device <NUM> exists within the vehicle cabin are provided, even though judgment can be carried out by using another antenna if there is trouble with one antenna, this leads to an increase in costs.

Thus, in a case in which the vehicle <NUM> relating to the present embodiment cannot refer to the strength of the radio waves emitted by the information processing device <NUM> for a reason such as there is trouble with an antenna provided within the vehicle cabin or the like, the vehicle <NUM> requests that user authentication be carried out at the information processing device <NUM>. After user authentication at the information processing device <NUM> is completed, the vehicle <NUM> relating to the present embodiment newly receives an engine start request from the information processing device <NUM>, and starts the engine in accordance with the engine start request.

Due to the vehicle <NUM> relating to the present embodiment using the results of authentication carried out at a device that functions as a digital key, starting by using the digital key is possible even in cases in which is cannot be confirmed whether or not the digital key exists within the vehicle cabin.

<FIG> is a block drawing illustrating an example of hardware structures of the information processing device <NUM>.

As illustrating in <FIG>, the information processing device <NUM> has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) <NUM>, a ROM (Read Only Memory) <NUM>, a RAM (Random Access Memory) <NUM>, a storage <NUM>, an input portion <NUM>, a display portion <NUM> and a communication interface (I/F) <NUM>. These respective structures are connected so as to be able to communicate with one another via a bus <NUM>.

The CPU <NUM> that is an example of a hardware processor is a central computing processing unit, and executes various programs and controls the respective sections. Namely, the CPU <NUM> reads-out a computer program from the ROM <NUM> or the storage <NUM>, and executes the program by using the RAM <NUM>, which is an example of the memory, as a workspace. The CPU <NUM> caries out control of the above-described respective structures, and various computing processings, in accordance with computer programs that are recorded in the ROM <NUM> or the storage <NUM>. In the present embodiment, a computer program for functioning as a digital key of the vehicle <NUM> is stored in the ROM <NUM> or the storage <NUM>.

The ROM <NUM> stores various programs and various data. The RAM <NUM> temporarily stores programs and data as a workspace. The storage <NUM> is structured by a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a flash memory or the like that is an example of a non-transitory recording medium, and stores various programs, including the operating system, and various data.

The input portion <NUM> includes a pointing device such as a mouse or the like, and a keyboard, and is used in order to carry out various types of input.

The display portion <NUM> is a liquid crystal display for example, and displays various information. The display portion <NUM> may function as the input portion <NUM> by employing a touch panel form therefor.

The communication interface <NUM> is an interface for communicating with other equipment such as the vehicle <NUM> and the like, and uses standards such as, for example, Ethernet®, FDDI, Wi-Fi®, BLE or the like.

<FIG> is a drawing illustrating a hardware structure example of the vehicle <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the vehicle <NUM> relating to the present embodiment is structured to include an ECU <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> is structured so as to further include door locks <NUM>, an ignition switch (SW) <NUM>, a monitor <NUM>, a speaker <NUM>, and antennas 29A, 29B.

The ECU <NUM> is structured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 21B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 21C, a wireless communication I/F (Inter Face) 21E, an input/output I/F 21F, and an antenna <NUM>. The CPU 21A, the ROM 21B, the RAM 21C, the wireless communication I/F 21E and the input/output I/F 21F are connected so as to be able to communicate with one another through an internal bus <NUM>.

The CPU 21A that is an example of a hardware processor is a central computing processing unit, and executes various programs and controls the respective sections. Namely, the CPU 21A reads-out a program from the ROM 21B that is an example of a non-transitory recording medium, and executes the program by using the RAM 21C, which is an example of the memory, as a workspace.

The ROM 21B stores various programs and various data. A computer program for controlling the ECU <NUM> is stored in the ROM 21B of the present embodiment.

The RAM 21C temporarily stores programs and data as a workspace.

The wireless communication I/F 21E is a wireless communication module for communicating with the information processing device <NUM>. BLE communication standards are used at the wireless communication module. The wireless communication I/F 21E is connected to the antenna <NUM>.

The input/output I/F 21F is an interface for communicating with the door locks <NUM>, the ignition switch SW <NUM>, the monitor <NUM>, the speaker <NUM> and the antennas 29A, 29B that are installed in the vehicle <NUM>.

The antenna <NUM> is an antenna that transmits and receives wireless communication packets in accordance with BLE, to and from the information processing device <NUM>.

The door locks <NUM> are locks of the doors of the vehicle <NUM>. In addition to the door locks <NUM> being locked and unlocked by users riding in the vehicle <NUM>, the locking and unlocking is controlled by the CPU 21A.

The ignition SW <NUM> is a switch that starts the engine of the vehicle <NUM>. In addition to the ignition SW <NUM> being turned on and off by a user riding in the vehicle <NUM>, the turning on and off of the ignition SW <NUM> is controlled by the CPU 21A.

The monitor <NUM> is provided at the instrument panel, the meter panel or the like, and is a liquid crystal monitor for displaying images relating to the destination, the traveling route, and warning information. A touch panel, which also functions as a switch for the inputting of operations by fingers of vehicle occupants, may be provided at the monitor <NUM>.

The speaker <NUM> is provided at the instrument panel, the center console, the front pillar, the dashboard or the like, and is a device that outputs sound.

The antenna 29A is an example of the communication section of the present disclosure, and is an antenna for measuring the radio wave strength of the BLE packet emitted by the information processing device <NUM>. The antenna <NUM> of the ECU <NUM> is used in wireless communication with the information processing device <NUM>, whereas the antennas 29A, 29B are used in order to measure the radio wave strength of the BLE packet emitted from the information processing device <NUM>. The one antenna 29A is provided within the cabin of the vehicle <NUM>. The CPU 21A judges whether or not the information processing device <NUM> is within the cabin of the vehicle <NUM>, by using the strength of the radio waves received by the antenna 29A. Further, a plurality of the antennas 29B are provided in the vehicle <NUM>. The CPU 21A computes the distance between the information processing device <NUM> and the vehicle <NUM> by using the intensities of the radio waves received by the antennas 29B. The antennas 29B can be provided, for example, at the front portion, a left side surface portion, and a right side surface portion of the vehicle <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the one ECU <NUM> is the structure that controls the respective devices of the vehicle <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this example. For example, the ECU that controls the door locks <NUM> and the ECU that controls the ignition SW <NUM> may be separate ECUs.

The functional structures realized by the vehicle <NUM> are described next.

<FIG> is a block drawing illustrating an example of the functional structures of the vehicle <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the vehicle <NUM> has, as the functional structures thereof, a judging section <NUM> and a starting processing section <NUM>. These respective functional structures are realized by the CPU 21A reading-out a computer program that is stored in the ROM 21B, and executing the computer program.

The judging section <NUM> judges whether or not there is trouble with the antenna 29A that carries out communication for confirming that the information processing device <NUM>, which holds the key for starting, is within the vehicle cabin. In further detail, the judging section <NUM> communicates periodically with the antenna 29A. Further, the judging section <NUM> judges that there is trouble with the antenna 29A due to replies from the antenna 29A being interrupted. Note that, it cannot be discriminated that there has been an error merely by interruption of a single time, and therefore, the judging section <NUM> may judge that there is trouble with the antenna 29A due to interruption of a predetermined number of times.

The starting processing section <NUM> carries out control that starts the engine of the vehicle <NUM> by controlling the ignition SW <NUM>. In the present embodiment, whether or not to control the ignition SW <NUM> is determined in accordance with the results of judgment of the judging section <NUM>. If the judging section <NUM> judges that there is trouble with the antenna 29A, the starting processing section <NUM> carries out processing that makes starting possible on the basis of the results of authentication that is carried out at the information processing device <NUM>. Examples of the authentication carried out at the information processing device <NUM> are passcode authentication, pattern authentication, fingerprint authentication, face authentication, and other forms of biometric authentication. Because the invention uses biometric authentication as the authentication at the information processing device <NUM>, starting of the vehicle <NUM> by using the digital key become possible upon ensuring that that party who issued the start request from the information processing device <NUM> that has the digital key is the user of the information processing device <NUM>. Note that, in a case in which the judging section <NUM> does not judge that there is trouble with the antenna 29A, the starting processing section <NUM> carries out processing that makes starting possible, without using results of authentication carried out at the information processing device <NUM>.

In a case in which the judging section <NUM> judges that there is trouble with the antenna 29A, the starting processing section <NUM> may, on the basis of the results of authentication carried out at the information processing device <NUM>, carry out processing that makes starting possible only within a predetermined time. The predetermined time is made to be around <NUM> seconds for example. Further, in a case in which the starting processing section <NUM> makes starting possible only within a predetermined time on the basis of the results of authentication at the information processing device <NUM>, the starting processing section <NUM> may change the aforementioned predetermined time in accordance with the method of authentication that is used. For example, the starting processing section <NUM> may change the predetermined time in accordance with the strength of the authentication method. In detail, for example, the starting processing section <NUM> may make the time in a case in which biometric authentication is used as the authentication method (in accordance with the invention) longer than the time in a case in which passcode authentication or pattern authentication is used as the authentication method. Due to the starting processing section <NUM> making starting possible only during the time that has been set in accordance with the authentication method, security corresponding to the authentication method that is carried out at the information processing device <NUM> can be provided.

The user may select the authentication method that is used in the authenticating at the information processing device <NUM>. Or, the starting processing section <NUM> may designate the authentication method that is used in the authenticating at the information processing device <NUM>. Or, the authentication method may be the same as or different than the authentication method that is used in order to unlock the information processing device <NUM>.

Due to the vehicle <NUM> having these structures, by using the results of authentication that is carried out at the information processing device <NUM> that functions as a digital key, starting by using the digital key is possible even in cases in which it cannot be confirmed whether or not the digital key exists within the vehicle.

Operations of the information processing device <NUM> and the vehicle <NUM> are described next.

<FIG> is a sequence drawing illustrating an example of the flow of engine starting processing of the vehicle <NUM> that is executed by the information processing device <NUM> and the vehicle <NUM>. Information processing is carried out due to the CPU <NUM> reading-out a computer program from the ROM <NUM> or the storage <NUM>, and expanding and executing the computer program in the RAM <NUM>, or due to the CPU 21A reading-out a computer program stored in the ROM 21B, and expanding and executing the computer program in the RAM 21C. The sequence drawing illustrated in <FIG> illustrates the flow of engine starting processing of the vehicle <NUM> that is executed by the information processing device <NUM> and the vehicle <NUM> at the time when the vehicle <NUM> receives a start request from the information processing device <NUM> that functions as a digital key. In the sequence drawing illustrated in <FIG>, the communication between the information processing device <NUM> and the vehicle <NUM> is wireless communication by BLE.

First, the engine switch of the vehicle <NUM> is operated by a user who is within the cabin of the vehicle, and an engine start instruction is given. In accordance with the engine start instruction, in step S101, communication by BLE is carried out between the information processing device <NUM> of the user and the vehicle <NUM>.

In step S102, the vehicle <NUM> that has received the engine start instruction from the user judges whether or not there is trouble with the antenna 29A. In detail, the vehicle <NUM> judges that there is trouble with the antenna 29A due to replies from the antenna 29A to the ECU <NUM> being interrupted a predetermined number of times.

If, as a result of the judgment of step S102, it is judged that there is trouble with the antenna 29A (step S102: Yes), next, in step S103, the vehicle <NUM> transitions to an emergency start mode. The emergency start mode is a mode in which the vehicle <NUM> is started without using the strength of the radio waves received by the antenna 29A.

When the vehicle <NUM> transitions to the emergency start mode, next, in step S104, the vehicle <NUM> judges whether or not the strength of the radio waves received by the antennas 29B is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. If, as a result of the judgment of step S104, the strength of the radio waves received by the antennas 29B is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (step S104: Yes), next, in step <NUM>, the vehicle <NUM> instructs requesting of emergency starting at the information processing device <NUM>. The requesting of emergency starting at the information processing device <NUM> is carried out by requesting user authentication at the information processing device <NUM>. On the other hand, if, as a result of the judgment of step S104, the strength of the radio waves received by the antennas 29B is not greater than or equal to a predetermined value (step S104: No), next, the vehicle <NUM> considers that the information processing device <NUM> does not exist in a vicinity of the vehicle <NUM>, and ends the series of processings.

In step S106, the information processing device <NUM>, which receives an instruction from the vehicle <NUM> to request emergency starting, requests user authentication by a predetermined authentication method. <FIG> is a drawing illustrating an example of a user interface that the information processing device <NUM> displays on the display portion <NUM>. Illustrated in <FIG> is an example of a user interface that the information processing device <NUM> displays on the display portion <NUM> in a state in which the user is carrying out user authentication at the information processing device <NUM>.

Following step S106, in step S107, the information processing device <NUM> judges whether or not user authentication has succeeded. If, as a result of the judgment of step S107, it is judged that the user authentication has not been successful (step S107: No), the information processing device <NUM> ends the series of processings. If it is judged that the user authentication has not been successful, the information processing device <NUM> may display, on the display portion <NUM>, a message to the effect that the user authentication was not successful. On the other hand, if, as a result of the judgment of step S107, it is judged that the user authentication was successful (step S107: Yes), next, in step S108, the information processing device <NUM> transmits information expressing that the user authentication has succeeded to the vehicle <NUM>.

In next step S109, the vehicle <NUM>, which receives information to the effect that the user authentication has been successful from the information processing device <NUM>, confirms that that the user authentication was successful at the information processing device <NUM>. When it is confirmed that the user authentication was successful at the information processing device <NUM>, next, in step S110, for a predetermined time, the vehicle <NUM> permits starting of the engine. This predetermined time is made to be, for example, around <NUM> seconds. Further, the vehicle <NUM> may change the aforementioned predetermined time in accordance with the authentication method that is used at the information processing device <NUM>. For example, the vehicle <NUM> may make the time, in a case in which biometric authentication is used as the authentication method at the information processing device <NUM> (in accordance with the invention), longer than the time in a case in which passcode authentication or pattern authentication is used as the authentication method at the information processing device <NUM>.

At the vehicle <NUM>, when starting of the engine is permitted for a predetermined time, and the engine switch of the vehicle <NUM> is operated by a user who is within the cabin of the vehicle, an engine start instruction is given again. In step S111, communication in accordance with BLE is carried out between the information processing device <NUM> of the user and the vehicle <NUM>, in accordance with the engine start instruction. In step S112, the vehicle <NUM> judges whether or not an engine start instruction from the user has been given within the aforementioned predetermined time. In a case in which it is judged that an engine start instruction has been given within the aforementioned predetermined time (step S112: Yes), next, in step S113, the vehicle <NUM> starts the engine on the basis of the start instruction. On the other hand, in a case in which it is judged that an engine start instruction has not been given within the aforementioned predetermined time (step S112: No), next, the vehicle <NUM> ends the series of processings without starting the engine.

In a case in which it is judged that an engine start instruction has not been given within the aforementioned predetermined time, the vehicle <NUM> may transmit, to the information processing device <NUM>, information to the effect that the engine could not be started. Further, in a case in which the engine of the vehicle <NUM> cannot be started, the information processing device <NUM> may ask the user for user authentication again. <FIG> is a drawing illustrating an example of a user interface that the information processing device <NUM> displays on the display portion <NUM>. Illustrated in <FIG> is an example of a user interface that is displayed on the display portion <NUM> in order to ask the user for user authentication again, in a case in which the engine of the vehicle <NUM> cannot be started. If the user selects button <NUM>, the information processing device <NUM> executes user authentication processing again. If the user selects button <NUM>, the information processing device <NUM> does not request user authentication.

Note that, if, as a result of the judgment of step S102, it is judged that there is no trouble with the antenna 29A (step S102: No), next, in step S114, the vehicle <NUM> judges whether or not the information processing device <NUM> is within an engine start area. The engine start area is, for example, the cabin of the vehicle <NUM>.

If, as a result of the judgment of step S114, it is judged that the information processing device <NUM> is within the engine start area (step S114: Yes), in step S113, the vehicle <NUM> starts the engine on the basis of the start instruction. On the other hand, if, as a result of the judgment of step S114, it is judged that the information processing device <NUM> is not within the engine start area (step S114: No), the vehicle <NUM> ends the series of processings without starting the engine.

Due to the vehicle <NUM> executing the series of processings, even in a case in which it cannot be judged whether or not the information processing device <NUM> is within the engine start area due to a reason such as there is trouble with the antenna 29A or the like, the engine can be started on the basis of the results of user authentication carried out at the information processing device <NUM>.

The above embodiment describes a case in which the vehicle <NUM> is a vehicle in which the engine is operated and driven by using gasoline for power. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this example. The vehicle <NUM> may be an electric vehicle such as an HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), an FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle), a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), or the like.

Note that any of various types of processors other than a CPU may execute the starting processing that is executed due to the CPU reading software (a program) in the above-described respective embodiments. Examples of processors in this case include PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices) whose circuit structure can be changed after production such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) and the like, and dedicated electrical circuits that are processors having circuit structures that are designed for the sole purpose of executing specific processings such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) and the like, and the like. Further, the information processing may be executed by one of these various types of processors, or may be executed by a combination of two or more of the same type or different types of processors (e.g., plural FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA, or the like). Further, the hardware structures of these various types of processors are, more specifically, electrical circuits that combine circuit elements such as semiconductor elements and the like.

Claim 1:
A vehicle (<NUM>), comprising:
a memory (21C); and
a processor (21A) coupled to the memory (21C), the processor (21A) being configured to:
determine whether or not a communication interface (21E) is malfunctioning, the communication interface being configured to perform communication for confirming that a device (<NUM>), which stores a digital key for activation, is inside a vehicle cabin, and
in a case in which it is determined that the communication interface (21E) is malfunctioning, request the device (<NUM>) to perform user authentication by a predetermined authentication method, perform processing that enables activation based on receiving information from the device (<NUM>) to the effect that the user authentication has been successful wherein the predetermined authentication method of the device (<NUM>) comprises biometric authentication.