JP2002047839A - Control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid sudden and extreme decline of convenience caused by battery exhaustion of a portable apparatus in a communication type control device (such as a smart entry system for a vehicle) comprising a body apparatus (an on-vehicle apparatus) and the portable apparatus. SOLUTION: When a built-in battery 14 of a portable apparatus 10 is exhausted close to the operating limit voltage, a high-degree control function (an automatic locking/unlocking function) based on bidirectional communication between the body apparatus 20 and the portable apparatus 10 is invalidated and shifted to a function limiting mode where only a general remote operating function (a keyless function) based on unidirectional communication can be used, and a user is informed by a display part 16 on the portable apparatus 10 side and a display part 23 on the body apparatus 20 side to the effect that the built-in battery 14 is exhausted close to the operating limit voltage.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control for realizing control of a device, a device or a system mounted on a vehicle by a wireless communication between a portable device and a main device without requiring a troublesome operation of a user. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a system including such a control device, for example, there is a keyless entry system for a vehicle which has been widely used in recent years. It has a portable device that can be carried by the user and a main device (in this case, an in-vehicle device) installed on the side to be controlled (in this case, the vehicle side). A collation check is performed, and a predetermined operation (unlocking operation or locking operation) of a predetermined control target (in this case, a locking device for a vehicle door) is controlled by the control of the main unit, on condition that the collation result is a match. Is realized. An initial and general type of such a system is that a specific operation signal including an authentication code (for example, a vehicle door) is transmitted from the portable device when a user operates a specific button or the like provided on the portable device. The unlock command is wirelessly transmitted, and the main unit that has received the command confirms that the authentication code included in the received signal corresponds to the authentication code set in advance in the main unit (ie, A configuration for performing a predetermined output for controlling a predetermined control target (for example, a control signal output for unlocking a vehicle door), that is, a portable device (in this case, a transmitter) Is a one-way communication type in which only one-way communication is performed from the device to a main unit (in this case, a receiver). However, in such a one-way communication type, the portable device needs to be driven only by a built-in battery such as a built-in battery, and cannot always output a signal including an authentication code due to a problem of consumption of the battery. For this reason, as described above, there is a problem that it is necessary to transmit a signal in response to a certain operation of the user (that is, the user must always perform some conscious operation). Therefore, there is a limit in improving the convenience of the user.

[0003] In recent years, bidirectional communication including power transmission has been performed between the portable device and the main unit in some cases, so that the power consumption of the portable device has been suppressed and the necessary verification has been performed. A more advanced device for realizing the target operation has been proposed and is being put into practical use. For example, as a keyless entry system for a vehicle, a portable device that has entered a communicable range receives power transmission from the main unit in a non-contact manner and starts this power transmission as a start signal, and the power required after startup is basically A two-way communication type that transmits an answer signal including an authentication code to a main unit while being covered by a built-in battery is being studied. Alternatively, when the portable device repeatedly receives the signal intermittently using the built-in battery as a power source and receives a request signal (a non-electromagnetic wave for power transmission) from the main device when the portable device enters a communicable range, the authentication code is issued. A two-way communication type that transmits an answer signal including the above to the main unit has also been studied.

In such a two-way communication system, the portable device receives an electromagnetic wave (an electromagnetic wave as the start signal or an electromagnetic wave as the request signal) transmitted from the main unit as a trigger. Since the answer signal including the authentication code can be automatically transmitted from the portable device to the main device, the predetermined operation of the control target can be realized without any operation by the user in some cases. be able to. For example, in a vehicle entry system, when a user carrying a portable device simply approaches a door of a specific vehicle equipped with a corresponding main unit, the two-way communication is established and the door lock is locked. An unlocking command is automatically output to the device, and a function of automatically unlocking the vehicle door (hereinafter, referred to as an automatic unlocking function) becomes possible. In addition, simply starting the vehicle engine or the like by the user carrying the appropriate portable device is permitted to start the vehicle engine or the like, and the keyless operation of the vehicle engine or the like can be started by simple button operation. A system (so-called immobilizer system) is also possible. In addition, as described above, a more convenient entry system that realizes unlocking or locking operation of a vehicle door basically without requiring a user's conscious operation is a development type of a general keyless entry system. , Called a smart entry system (or a hands-free entry system), the market needs are increasing as a means to increase the commercial value of vehicles. In addition, from the viewpoint of improving convenience for users,
It is considered that a control device that realizes such a smart entry system is often applied to a vehicle or the like as having a function such as the above-described immobilizer system.

[0005] By the way, in the control device of such an advanced system for performing two-way communication, conventionally, the configuration of notifying the consumption of the built-in battery of the portable device in advance has not been provided. Further, all the functions of the portable device are effective up to the operating limit voltage of the portable device. That is, in the control device of the smart entry system as described above, for example, a general keyless operation in which a user can remotely operate a button or the like provided on a portable device to lock or unlock a vehicle door. In many cases, a function as an entry system (hereinafter, referred to as a keyless function) is also left as it is, and a user can usually selectively use any of the functions (an automatic locking / unlocking function or a keyless function). In the conventional portable device, the function of realizing the keyless function (the operation of wirelessly transmitting a specific operation signal according to the operation of the user) until the internal battery is exhausted and the output voltage falls below the operation limit voltage. Both the signal transmission function) and the function of realizing the automatic locking / unlocking function (the automatic response function of receiving the activation signal or the request signal and automatically transmitting the answer signal wirelessly) were effective.

[0006]

For this reason, the above-mentioned system has conventionally had the following problems.
That is, the exhaustion of the internal battery of the portable device is easily overlooked, and the exhaustion of the internal battery suddenly disables all functions of the portable device at an unexpected time. Could suffer unforeseen disadvantages. That is, even if the output of the built-in battery is close to the operation limit voltage, the user is not notified at all, so that usually, the user cannot start the built-in battery until all functions of the portable device suddenly stop working. You will know the exhaustion. For this reason, for example, in a vehicle entry system, all the functions of the system (automatic locking / unlocking function and keyless function) are suddenly disabled and the convenience of the user is impaired. If you normally go out without bringing a normal key for manually operating the door lock device or a spare battery for portable equipment,
When the vehicle door is completely unlocked and the battery is exhausted in the locked state, it is necessary to call for help. In addition,
The portable device of the above-mentioned general (initial) keyless entry system by one-way communication is integrated with a normal key for manually operating a lock device of a vehicle door or operating a key cylinder of an ignition switch. In many cases, even if the function as a portable device (wireless transmitter) stops, it can still be used as a normal key, and even if the convenience of the user is somewhat impaired, It is unlikely that a vehicle door unlocking operation, a vehicle engine starting operation, or the like will not be possible at all. However, in the control device of the smart entry system as described above, the normal key and the portable device are often completely separate, and in particular, a configuration in which the starting operation of the vehicle engine or the like can be performed without a key (that is, an immobilizer system). In such a case, the user may often not carry a normal key (and in the future, there may be a system that does not use a normal key at all). If all functions of the portable device are suddenly stopped in such a case, various operations including locking and unlocking of the vehicle door are suddenly completely impossible, and the user suffers an unexpected disadvantage. Accordingly, the present invention is to provide a control device capable of performing advanced control by two-way communication as described above, in which the above-described disadvantages caused by consumption of a built-in battery of a portable device are eliminated. It is an object.

[0007]

The control device according to the first invention of the present application is a portable device which can be carried by a user and uses a built-in battery as a power source, and performs bidirectional wireless communication between the portable device and the portable device. The portable unit comprises an operation signal transmission function of wirelessly transmitting an operation signal in response to a user operation, and an automatic transmission of an answer signal by receiving an activation signal or a request signal. An automatic response function, wherein the main unit receives the operation signal and executes a control process for realizing a predetermined operation of the control target, and automatically transmits the start signal or the request signal. Automatic control function for automatically executing a control process for realizing a predetermined operation of a control target based on whether or not the answer signal with respect to the activation signal or the request signal has been received. System In the device, a battery voltage detecting means for detecting an output voltage of the built-in battery, and when the battery voltage detecting means detects that the output voltage has dropped below a set value higher than an operation limit voltage of the portable device. ,
Control means for stopping the automatic response function is provided in the portable device.

According to the present invention, when the internal battery of the portable device is depleted and its output voltage falls below a set value higher than the operation limit voltage of the portable device, the control means controls the automatic response function of the portable device (ie, the automatic response function of the portable device). For example, the function of the portable device for realizing advanced control such as automatic locking / unlocking control of the vehicle door is stopped. That is, when the built-in battery of the portable device is exhausted to near the operating limit of the portable device, the advanced control function by the two-way communication between the main device and the portable device (the control device of the present invention realized by the automatic response function and the automatic control function). The function, for example, the above-mentioned automatic locking and unlocking function) is invalidated, and a general remote control function by one-way communication (the function of the present control device realized by the above-mentioned operation signal transmitting function and the remote control function, for example, the above-mentioned keyless function) Only the other functions including can be used. For this reason, the user needs to check that the built-in battery has been exhausted to near the operating limit before all functions of the portable device (and consequently all functions of the control device) are stopped due to the consumption of the built-in battery. The battery must be replaced.)
Can be known by the fact that the advanced control function does not work, and the sudden and extreme decrease in convenience and the unexpected disadvantage as described above are not incurred.

Here, when the output voltage of the built-in battery of the portable device falls below the set value, the automatic response function stopped by the control means includes a start signal or a request signal (or a request signal) containing specific information. Only a specific automatic response function to the activation signal or the request signal transmitted in a specific situation) may be provided. That is, for example, when the control device is a keyless entry system of a vehicle and a control device of an engine start system not using keys (so-called immobilizer system) (for example, a control function of both a lock control of a vehicle door and a start permission control of a vehicle engine is performed. Only the automatic response function for the entry system (for example, the function of returning an answer signal to a request signal transmitted when a hand or a finger approaches the door knob of the vehicle) is stopped. , An auto-responder for immobilizer systems (eg,
The function of returning an answer signal to a request signal transmitted by triggering a user's sitting operation on the driver's seat of the vehicle, or the like, may not be stopped. Also, "portable device"
May use a built-in battery as a part of the power supply, for example, a configuration in which the power at startup is covered by power transmission from the main unit, or without receiving any power supply from the outside, all A configuration that covers

The "start signal" transmitted from the main unit by the automatic control function is a signal for starting at least a portable unit in a so-called sleep state in which a main power supply is turned off. (For example, a low-frequency electromagnetic wave of about 130 kHz). The “request signal” transmitted from the main unit by the automatic control function is a response (ie,
This is a signal for requesting the transmission of an answer signal) and is usually composed of a communication electromagnetic wave (for example, a high-frequency electromagnetic wave of about 300 MHz). However, in the present invention, one signal that functions as the “start signal” and “request signal” is transmitted from the main unit by the automatic control function,
In response to this signal, the portable device in the sleep state is activated, and the operation of the automatic response function may be such that the portable device immediately returns an answer signal after the activation. Also,
After the signal corresponding to only the “start signal” is transmitted from the main unit, a signal corresponding to the “request signal” is separately transmitted from the main unit at a timing after the portable device is activated, and after the portable device is activated. An answer signal may be transmitted only after receiving the “request signal”. In addition, for example, a configuration is adopted in which the portable device constantly performs a receiving operation intermittently (a configuration that does not enter a sleep state), and a signal corresponding to only the above “request signal” is transmitted from the main device, and this “request signal” is transmitted. There may be a mode in which the portable device that has received the response signal transmits the answer signal.

Here, the "answer signal" is a signal for notifying the main unit that at least a predetermined portable unit is within the communicable range. Confirmation that the mobile device is a portable device). However, the present invention may be configured such that the answer signal does not include such a unique code. That is, the present invention can be widely applied to devices other than the lock device of the vehicle, and in the case of a controlled object that does not require much security, it may not be necessary to check the collation.
Also, the “request signal” may or may not include an authentication code for a collation confirmation (confirmation of a predetermined main unit) performed on the portable device side ( That is, as a condition for transmitting the answer signal on the portable device side, a configuration in which the authentication code included in the request signal is collated and confirmed may or may not be performed. The timing at which the “start signal” or “request” signal is transmitted from the main unit as an operation of the automatic control function is, for example, basically configured to be always periodically performed (a trigger for transmission is unnecessary. Configuration) or
The transmission may be performed only when a certain trigger (transmission condition) is satisfied. As an example of the trigger here, for example, in the case of an entry system of a vehicle, the approach or contact of the user's hand or finger with a door knob or the like of the vehicle may be detected. In the case of an immobilizer system for a vehicle, for example, it may be detected that the user has been seated in the driver's seat.

The "main unit" is mounted, attached, or connected to an object including a control target. Here, the “thing containing the control target” may be the control target itself, and more specifically, may be, for example, a vehicle such as a vehicle, a machine, a device, a building, or a facility. The vehicles referred to here include, for example, automobiles (eg, four-wheeled automobiles) and small airplanes. Also, the “control target” includes, for example,
There may be a lock device for a vehicle door, a drive source such as an engine or a motor in the vehicle, a drive mechanism such as a transmission, an air conditioner, an audio system, a navigation system, and lighting. Further, “wireless communication” means communication using electromagnetic waves (including power transmission). In addition, the electromagnetic wave here includes not only radio waves in a narrow sense but also infrared rays and the like.
Further, `` automatically executes a control process for realizing a predetermined operation of the control target based on whether or not the answer signal has been received '' includes, for example, a main unit that has received the answer signal, After verifying the authentication code included in the answer signal as necessary, a control signal for locking or unlocking the vehicle door or a control signal for permitting the vehicle to start the engine is automatically output. There can be such an embodiment. Further, for example, when an answer signal including a predetermined authentication code cannot be continuously received after the vehicle door is closed (that is, it is estimated that the user who carried the portable device got off the vehicle and separated therefrom). sometimes,
There may be a control process for automatically locking the lock device of the vehicle door in the unlocked state. The “control processing”
The main contents are executed by appropriately selecting the main unit from a large number of set control contents in accordance with the situation (contents of the above-mentioned trigger that has been established, the operation state of the control target, or the reception state of the answer signal, etc.). It is good also as a structure which performs. Also, as a special example of the above “control processing”, as a transmission antenna on the main unit side, an in-vehicle communication antenna for wirelessly transmitting only to a portable device in the vehicle is provided, for example,
If an answer signal from the portable device is received in response to the transmission of the activation signal or the request signal by the in-vehicle communication antenna, it is determined that the portable device is in the vehicle, and the portable device is misplaced or closed. There may be a mode in which the locking control of the vehicle door is not performed for prevention.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, when the battery voltage detecting means detects that the output voltage has dropped below the set value, the control means stops the automatic response function and In this configuration, the mode shifts to a function restriction mode in which only the operation signal transmission function can be executed. With such a configuration, during a period from the time when the output voltage falls below the set value to a time when the output voltage falls below the operation limit voltage, the portable device is used as a response to the start signal or the request signal transmitted from the main unit. The automatic transmission of the answer signal from the side is not performed at all, and only the operation in which the operation signal is transmitted from the portable device in response to the operation of the user (the operation of the operation signal transmission function) is executed. Therefore, every time the activation signal or the request signal is transmitted from the main unit, the operation of automatically transmitting the answer signal by the portable device is completely stopped, and the power consumption of the portable device is significantly reduced. Therefore, the life of the built-in battery until the internal battery is completely exhausted and all functions of the portable device are disabled is extended. Moreover, the operation signal transmission function of the portable device is only effective until the built-in battery is completely exhausted and falls below the operation limit voltage. Manual remote operation (for example, operation using a general keyless function) by a function (the remote control function) is possible, and the convenience for the user is not significantly impaired.

Next, a control device according to a second invention of the present application is a portable device which can be carried by a user and has a built-in battery as a power source, and a main body capable of two-way wireless communication with the portable device. The portable device has an automatic response function of receiving an activation signal or a request signal and automatically transmitting an answer signal wirelessly, and the main unit automatically transmits the activation signal or the request signal. It has an automatic control function of performing wireless transmission and automatically executing a control process for realizing a predetermined operation of a control target based on whether or not the answer signal has been received in response to the activation signal or the request signal. In the control device, a battery voltage detecting means for detecting an output voltage of the built-in battery, a notifying means for notifying a user, and the output voltage falls below a set value higher than an operation limit voltage of the portable device. It, when detected by the battery voltage detecting means, and control means for said actuating the alarm means to perform the notification of the output voltage drop, but on the said mobile device.

According to the present invention, when the internal battery of the portable device is depleted and its output voltage falls below a set value higher than the operation limit voltage of the portable device, the notifying device is operated by the control device to use the portable device. The notification of the output voltage drop to the user is executed. That is, when the built-in battery of the portable device is exhausted to near the operation limit of the portable device, the user is notified of the fact by the notification means provided in the portable device. For this reason, the user needs to check that the built-in battery has been exhausted to near the operating limit before all functions of the portable device (and consequently all functions of the control device) are stopped due to the consumption of the built-in battery. It is necessary to replace the built-in battery).
You do not suffer the unexpected disadvantages mentioned above. Here, the "notification means" can be constituted by a visual means such as a lamp (for example, an LED) provided on the operation surface of the portable device, or by a buzzer or speaker that emits a warning sound. It may be constituted by auditory means. Further, the “notifying unit” may be configured to be able to notify various contents including matters other than the consumption of the built-in battery by operating in various modes. For example, if the lamp that constitutes the "notification means" simply lights up, it notifies that the portable device is transmitting and receiving signals, and if the lamp blinks in a specific pattern, the internal battery is exhausted. It may be configured to notify the user that he / she is doing. Further, the “control means” can be realized by a control circuit including a microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer) built in the portable device, for example.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the control means detects that the output voltage has dropped below a set value higher than an operation limit voltage of the portable device by the battery voltage detection means. Then, when the user operates the portable device, the notifying unit is operated to execute the notification of the output voltage drop. With such a configuration, the operation of the notifying unit is limitedly and effectively performed, and it is possible to suppress the consumption of the built-in battery due to the inadvertent operation of the notifying unit. That is, when the battery voltage detecting means detects that the output voltage has dropped below a set value higher than the operation limit voltage of the portable device, the notification by the notifying means is executed unconditionally. In such a case, for example, even when the portable device is left unattended or stored in a pocket or the like of the user (a state where the portable device is out of the range of the user's vision or the like), the notification is executed meaninglessly and unnecessary. The built-in battery of the portable device will be further consumed. However, if the notification is executed for the first time when the user operates the portable device, such unnecessary consumption of the built-in battery can be avoided, and the notification can be accurately performed. As a specific example of “user's operation on the portable device”, when an operation unit such as a push button for the above-described one-way communication control function is provided in the portable device, There may be user operation. Further, for example, a sensor for detecting that the user holds the portable device is provided, and when the sensor outputs a detection signal, the above-described notification is performed assuming that “the user has operated the portable device”. There may be a mode of doing so.

Further, the control device according to the third invention of the present application is a portable device which can be carried by a user and has a built-in battery as a power source, and a main device capable of two-way wireless communication with the portable device. The portable device has an automatic response function of receiving an activation signal or a request signal and automatically transmitting an answer signal wirelessly, and the main unit automatically transmits the activation signal or the request signal wirelessly. A control having an automatic control function of transmitting and automatically executing a control process for realizing a predetermined operation of a control target based on whether or not the answer signal has been received in response to the activation signal or the request signal In the device, the battery voltage detecting means for detecting the output voltage of the built-in battery, and the battery voltage detecting means detecting that the output voltage has fallen below a set value higher than the operation limit voltage of the portable device. Once detected, either automatically wirelessly transmits a signal including information of the output voltage drop, or,
A control unit that executes a process of including the output voltage drop information in a signal to be wirelessly transmitted thereafter is provided in the portable device, and when the main unit receives a signal including the output voltage drop information, Informing means for informing the user of the output voltage drop is provided in the main unit or an object including the control target.

According to the present invention, when the internal battery of the portable device is depleted and its output voltage falls below a set value higher than the operation limit voltage of the portable device, the control means outputs a signal including information on the output voltage decrease. Is wirelessly transmitted from the portable device. Then, when this signal is received by the main unit, the notification means provided on the main unit or the object notifies the user of the output voltage drop. That is, when the built-in battery of the portable device is exhausted to near the operating limit of the portable device, the information is transmitted from the portable device to the main unit,
The user is notified by the notification means provided on the main unit. For this reason, the user needs to check that the built-in battery has been exhausted to near the operating limit before all functions of the portable device (and consequently all functions of the control device) are stopped due to the consumption of the built-in battery. The battery must be replaced.)
It is also possible to avoid sudden and extreme reduction in convenience and the unexpected disadvantage as described above. In this case, the notification means for notifying the user is provided on the main unit side (for example, an instrument panel of a vehicle).
Therefore, it is highly reliable that the user receives the notification operation. This is because the notification means provided on the portable device side, for example, when the portable device is stored in the pocket of the user or the like, performs the notification operation (particularly, the visual notification operation using a lamp). May not be noticed for a long time, but if the notification means is provided on the main unit side, it is possible to provide the notification means so that the user can reliably receive the notification operation (for example, on the instrument panel of the vehicle). If a lamp is provided as the notification means, it is unlikely that the user will overlook the notification operation for a long period of time), so that the user can be reliably notified of the consumption of the built-in battery.

Further, as described above, the control object in the control device of each invention of the present application includes a lock device for locking or unlocking a vehicle door, and the control process includes at least the lock device. A control signal output for implementing a locking operation or an unlocking operation of the lock device may be included. In this case, in the advanced locking and unlocking system of the vehicle (that is, the so-called smart entry system), the above-mentioned effects of the present invention (the sudden and extreme decrease in convenience due to the consumption of the battery and the unexpected disadvantage of the user). Avoidance).

[0020]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a control device of a smart entry system of a vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1A, the device includes a portable device 10 and a main device 20 mounted on a vehicle. The portable device 10 has a communication frequency (for example, about 300 MHz).
An antenna 11 and a transmission / reception circuit 12 for transmitting and receiving signals by a microcomputer, a control circuit 13 (control means) including a microcomputer for controlling the entire portable device and performing necessary information processing, and a power supply for the control circuit 13 and the transmission / reception circuit 12 Internal battery 14 to supply
A low voltage detection circuit 15 (battery voltage detection means) that detects an output voltage of the internal battery 14 and turns on an output signal when the output voltage falls below a preset value;
For example, a display unit 16 (notifying unit) configured by an LED provided on the operation surface of the portable device 10 and notifying the user of some information, and an illustration (not shown) provided on the operation surface of the portable device 10 are omitted. An operation switch (in this case, a lock switch 17 and an unlock switch 18) that is operated by operating an operation unit (for example, a unit including a plurality of push buttons) is provided.

Here, the detailed configuration of the antenna 11, the transmission / reception circuit 12, and the like is not particularly limited because the present invention is not particularly limited, and at least various known configurations can be adopted. In brief, the transmission / reception circuit 12 includes a circuit (a modulation circuit, a demodulation circuit, a transmission circuit, or the like) for transmitting / receiving a signal at a predetermined communication frequency via the antenna 11 (for example, a coil antenna). Further, the control circuit 13 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an input / output circuit. In this case, the control circuit 13 includes a portable device-side storage unit that stores at least an authentication code (also referred to as an ID code or a key code). Here, the portable device-side storage means is a nonvolatile memory (for example, E ² PROM) in which data can be written and erased. Also, the low voltage detection circuit 1
5 can be composed of, for example, a commercially available reset IC. However, in this case, the output terminal of the low-voltage detection circuit 15 is connected to an input port (not a reset terminal) of the CPU constituting the control circuit 13. In this case, the rated output voltage of the built-in battery 14 is, for example, 3 V, whereas the set value V1 at which the output of the low-voltage detection circuit 15 is turned on is, for example, 2.1 V, and the voltage at which the CPU is reset. The value V2 (that is, the operation limit voltage of the portable device 10) is, for example, 2.0 V.

The control circuit 13 has a function of executing the following processing operation by setting an operation program of the microcomputer. That is, when a request signal transmitted from the main unit 20 is received, a function of automatically transmitting wirelessly an answer signal including an authentication code registered in the portable device side storage means by the transmission / reception circuit 12 and the antenna 11 (automatic response) Function). When the locking switch 17 or the unlocking switch 18 is operated, a function of wirelessly transmitting a locking command signal including an authentication code or an unlocking command signal including an authentication code in response to the operation (operation signal transmission Function). It should be noted that when these locking command signals or unlocking command signals (operation signals) are transmitted and received by the main unit 20, a collation is confirmed by a control function (remote control function) of the main unit 20, which will be described later. The operation of locking or unlocking the door of the vehicle 1 is executed. That is, the control device of the present embodiment including the portable device 10 and the main device 20 has the same function (keyless function) as the control device of the general keyless entry system (one-way communication type described above). ) Is also realized.

The low voltage detection circuit 15 (battery voltage detection means) detects that the output voltage of the built-in battery 14 has fallen below the set value V1 higher than the operation limit voltage V2. Is turned on, the control circuit 13 stops the automatic response function and shifts to a function restriction mode in which only the operation signal transmission function can be executed. Further, when the output of the low-voltage detection circuit 15 is turned on, the control circuit 13 specifies, for example, an LED constituting the display unit 16 when a user operates the above-described operation unit of the portable device 10. It has a function of flashing in a pattern to execute notification of a drop in output voltage of the internal battery 14 (notification on the portable device side). Further, when the output of the low-voltage detection circuit 15 is turned on, the control circuit 13 includes information on a decrease in the output voltage of the internal battery 14 in an operation signal (the lock command signal or the unlock command signal) wirelessly transmitted thereafter. It also has a function of executing a process for causing The information of the output voltage drop (information on whether or not the output voltage of the internal battery 14 is equal to or less than the set value V1) is provided with a bit indicating this information in, for example, a data frame of an authentication code included in the locking command signal or the like. This can be included in the radio signal as binary information.

On the other hand, the main unit 20 includes a control unit 21 and an antenna 22 as shown in FIG. Here, in this case, the antenna 22 actually includes a plurality of antennas installed at a plurality of locations of the vehicle. For example, both left and right outside the vehicle compartment (for example, inside each door mirror)
And coil antennas respectively provided on the front seat side and the rear seat side in the vehicle cabin, so that communication outside the vehicle cabin and communication inside the vehicle cabin are separately performed, for example. FIG.
In (a), reference numeral 23 denotes a display unit serving as a notification unit on the main unit side, and reference numeral 24 denotes a door lock actuator. Here, the display unit 23 is, for example, an LED provided on an instrument panel or the like of the vehicle. Further, the door lock actuator 24 is a drive source (a motor or the like) that operates the locking device of the vehicle door in a locked state or an unlocked state according to the control of the control unit 21.

Then, the control unit 21
A control circuit (not shown) including a microcomputer including a PU, a ROM, and a RAM; a transmission / reception circuit (not shown) for transmitting / receiving a signal at a communication frequency via the antenna 22;
A power supply circuit (not shown) is provided. The control unit 21 has, for example, a structure in which a circuit board on which each circuit is formed is housed in a case, and is installed at a position near the feet of a driver sitting in a driver seat.

Here, the detailed configuration of the transmission / reception circuit and the like of the control unit 21 is not particularly limited because the present invention is not particularly limited and at least various known configurations can be adopted. Explaining the outline of the main elements, the transmission / reception circuit includes a circuit (modulation circuit, demodulation circuit, etc.) for transmitting / receiving a signal of a predetermined communication frequency via the antenna 22. The control circuit is a CPU, ROM, R
A microcomputer including an AM and an input / output circuit, and a main unit storage unit are provided. The main unit storage means is a writable and erasable non-volatile memory (for example, E ² PROM) for storing an authentication code. The power supply circuit has a circuit for performing necessary voltage conversion, voltage stabilization processing, and the like using a battery mounted on the vehicle as an input power supply, and a power consumption element (control circuit, Basically, power is always supplied to the transmission / reception circuit.

In the case of this embodiment, the control circuit of the control unit 21 includes a door knob sensor (not shown).
And a signal from a door opening / closing sensor (not shown). The doorknob sensor is a doorknob (not shown) of the vehicle.
And a proximity sensor for detecting the body (for example, a hand or a finger) of a user approaching the door knob or the vicinity thereof to operate the door knob. The door open / close sensor is a sensor that detects the open / close state of a vehicle door (for example, in the case of a two-door vehicle, a driver's seat or a passenger's seat door). The door knob sensor is, for example, a sensor for forming a trigger (condition for starting transmission of a request signal for an automatic unlocking operation) for controlling an unlocking operation of a door, as described later. Further, as will be described later, the door opening / closing sensor in the present apparatus is, for example, a sensor for forming a trigger (condition for starting transmission of a request signal for automatic locking operation) for controlling automatic door locking operation. It is. In addition, a control signal is output from a control circuit of the control unit 21 to a door lock actuator 24 that drives a locking device of the vehicle door, so that the vehicle door can be locked or unlocked under the control of this control circuit. I have.

The control circuit of the control unit 21 has a function of executing the following processing operation by setting an operation program of the microcomputer. That is, first, as described in the description of the portable device 10, the switch (for example, the locking switch 1) provided in the portable device 10 is used.
7 or the operation of the unlock switch 18), the portable device 1
When an operation signal (for example, a lock command signal including an authentication code) transmitted from 0 is received, an authentication code is collated and confirmed, and an operation corresponding to a command included in the operation signal (for example, the door of the vehicle 1 is operated). It has a function (remote control function) of executing a control signal output for realizing a locking operation.
Further, if the received operation signal includes the information indicating the output voltage drop described above, for example, L
It has a function of blinking the ED in a specific pattern to execute notification of a decrease in the output voltage of the internal battery 14 (notification on the main unit side). In addition, the control circuit of the control unit 21 has a portable device detection function of performing portable device detection (portable device search) when a predetermined trigger is formed, and further, if necessary, checks and verifies the authentication code. And then
It has a function of executing a predetermined control process according to the trigger (automatic control function) (a specific example will be described later). here,
The specific processing content of the portable device detection is, for example, as follows. That is, a series of transmission operations of transmitting an electromagnetic wave serving as a request signal from the antennas 22 (each antenna disposed outside the vehicle compartment and inside the vehicle compartment) is performed, and whether the answer signal is received by any of the antennas 22 is determined. Depending on whether or not the portable device 1 is within the communication range of all antennas,
It is determined whether or not 0 exists (that is, if the answer signal is received, it is determined that the portable device 10 exists in any communicable range). At this time, antenna 2
2 is provided inside and outside the vehicle, it is determined whether or not the portable device 10 is inside the vehicle by determining from which antenna the request signal is transmitted and the answer signal is returned. (That is, for example, if an answer signal is received as a response to the transmission of the request signal from the vehicle interior antenna, it is determined that the portable device 10 is present in the vehicle.) The specific processing content of the authentication code collation confirmation is, for example, as follows. That is, the portable device 1
When the answer signal is received from 0, it is determined whether or not the authentication code included in the answer signal corresponds to the authentication code registered in advance in the main unit side storage means, and if this determination result is positive, It is determined that the collation has been confirmed.

The control functions of the main unit 20 include:
In addition to the functions described above, for example, the following functions may be provided. That is, once the predetermined trigger is formed, even if the trigger has not been continuously generated, the main unit 20 periodically executes a series of request signal transmission operations to receive the answer signal. Alternatively, the above-described collation confirmation based on the answer signal is performed, and based on the success or failure of the reception of the answer signal (or the success or failure of the collation confirmation), whether the predetermined portable device 10 is within the communicable range with respect to the antenna 22 is determined. Is periodically determined and monitored. For example, a function of terminating such a monitoring process when it is determined that all the antennas 22 are out of the communicable range (hereinafter referred to as a continuous portable device detection function) is provided. It may be provided. With such a configuration, the portable device 10 (or the driver who normally carries the portable device 10) exists in the vehicle compartment, exists outside the vehicle compartment, or exists on the right side of the vehicle. It can be continuously determined (or at least estimated) by the continuous portable device detection function as to whether the mobile device is present or present on the left side. Thus, for example, when the driver in the vehicle gets out of the vehicle, closes the door, moves away from the vehicle, and leaves the communicable range of the antenna 22 (outside the vehicle compartment), such a series of operations is performed. Is determined by the above continuous portable device detection function,
If the door is not locked, an operation of outputting a control signal to the door lock actuator 24 and automatically locking the door (that is, one mode of the locking operation of the smart entry system) becomes possible.

Next, a specific operation example of the control device (a specific operation example of the automatic locking / unlocking function) will be described together with the control processing contents of the portable device 10 and the main device 20 for that purpose. First, the processing of the main unit 20 (more precisely, the control unit 21
It is determined whether or not a predetermined trigger (that is, a start condition) is satisfied by the processing of the control circuit. That is, for example, after it is determined from the output signal of the door opening / closing sensor that the door of the vehicle (any door or, for example, the door of the driver's seat may be opened), it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed. If it is determined that the door has been closed and it is determined that the door (or, for example, any one of all other doors) is not locked,
Assuming that the predetermined trigger has been established, the process proceeds to the next processing operation.
If the predetermined trigger has not been established, no other substantial operation is performed. Note that the content of the trigger in this case is not limited to the above mode. For example, as described above, when the continuous portable device detection function of periodically detecting the location of the portable device 10 is provided, the portable device 10 is moved from the inside of the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle by the continuous portable device detection function. Is determined (that is, it is estimated that a driver such as a driver has left the vehicle) and, for example, a predetermined door (or any door) on the side where the portable device 10 has moved has been closed. May be used as the content of the trigger. Alternatively, when it is determined from the output of the door opening / closing sensor that the door has been closed from the open state while the door knob sensor is outputting the detection signal (that is, while the occupant such as the driver puts his hand on the door knob). It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the trigger is established when it is estimated that the door is closed).

Next, after it is determined that the above-mentioned trigger has been established, the above-described portable device detection function is executed (that is, the portable device detection function is executed).
The main unit 20 transmits a request signal, and it is determined for which transmission operation the answer signal as a response from the portable unit 10 has been received). If it is determined that the portable device 10 is inside the vehicle as a result of the portable device detection, a warning notifying an abnormality is issued under the control of the main unit 20 (control unit 21). In this case, the portable device 10
Is warned in a manner (for example, output of a buzzer sound) that can be well communicated to the occupant who gets off the vehicle because there is a possibility that the vehicle may be closed (forgetting the vehicle in the passenger compartment).
If it is determined that the portable device is in the communicable range outside the vehicle as a result of the portable device detection, it is estimated that the vehicle is in a normal get-off operation, and thus the door in the unlocked state (any door may be used). The main unit 20 (control unit 21) executes a control output for automatically locking, for example, only the door of the driver's seat. According to the operation of the above-described control device, for example, the driver carrying the predetermined portable device 10 in which the appropriate authentication code is registered opens the door and gets off the vehicle, and then simply closes the door. Locking is performed, and an automatic locking operation as a so-called smart entry system is realized. Further, the portable device 10 is prevented from being left behind.

The automatic locking operation by the control device is as follows.
It is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, as mentioned above,
When it is determined by the above-described continuous portable device detection function that the portable device 10 has moved from the inside of the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle and further separated out of the communicable range of the antenna 22 disposed outside the vehicle compartment (ie, the driver). It is estimated that the occupant exits the vehicle and leaves a predetermined distance from the vehicle), the main unit 20 reconfirms that there is no portable device 10 in the vehicle as necessary, and then closes, for example. When any of the doors is not locked, an automatic locking operation can be realized by performing a control output for locking the door. By the way, in this case, the automatic locking is not executed unless the occupant carrying the portable device gets off the vehicle and moves further away from the vehicle by a predetermined distance, so even if the occupant temporarily gets off near the vehicle and closes the door, There is a feature that there is no trouble of automatically locking each time.

As a specific example of the automatic unlocking operation by the present control device (an example of an automatic unlocking function as a smart entry system), there is the following one. For example, there may be a mode in which the output of a detection signal by the door knob sensor (in a state where the corresponding door is locked) is used as a trigger to detect the portable device and verify the authentication code, and then to automatically unlock. . That is, when a detection signal is output by the door knob sensor in a state where the door is locked, it is estimated that the driver or the occupant put his hand on the door knob to open (or unlock) the door. Therefore, the main unit 20 (control unit 21)
Is determined, the main unit 20 executes the above-described portable device detection function. If the portable device 10 is detected within the communicable range, the above-described collation determination process is further performed. Then, when it is confirmed that the portable device 10 is registered with an appropriate authentication code, the main device 20 executes a control output for unlocking the door. According to this configuration, the user who carries the portable device 10 (driver or occupant) performs a natural operation of opening the door by putting a hand on the door knob of the vehicle, and the door is automatically unlocked. That is, an automatic unlocking operation of a so-called smart entry system is realized.

Next, the operation of the control device when the built-in battery 14 of the portable device 10 is exhausted will be described with reference to FIG. First, until the output voltage of the internal battery 14 becomes equal to or less than the set value V1 (that is, the low-voltage detection circuit 1
5 is off), all the functions of the portable device 10 are effective. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1B, the same function (keyless function) as the control device of the general keyless entry system is also used. Such a function as a control device of the smart entry system (automatic locking / unlocking function) can also be used, and extremely high convenience is maintained. When the output voltage of the internal battery 14 becomes equal to or less than the set value V1 (that is, when the output of the low voltage detection circuit 15 switches from off to on), the control circuit 13 of the portable device 10 stops the automatic response function. 1B to shift to a function restriction mode in which only the operation signal transmission function can be executed.
As a result, only the function (automatic locking / unlocking function) as a control device of the smart entry system as described above becomes unavailable as a result. At this time, until the output voltage of the built-in battery 14 falls below the operation limit voltage V2, the same function (keyless function) as that of a general keyless entry system control device is effective. After that, when the user performs an operation on the above-described operation unit of the portable device 10, for example, the LED constituting the display unit 16 blinks in a specific pattern by the above-described control function of the control circuit 13, and the built-in battery The notification of the output voltage drop (notification on the portable device side) of 14 is performed, and the operation signal transmitted in response to the operation of the operation unit includes information indicating the output voltage drop, and The output voltage drop information (that is, the output voltage has dropped below the set value V1) is transmitted to the main unit 20.
Transmitted to the side. The main unit 2 that has received this information
On the 0 side, the control function of the control unit 21 causes the LED constituting the display unit 23 to blink, for example, in a specific pattern, and performs notification of a decrease in the output voltage of the internal battery 14 (information on the main unit). .

Therefore, the control device of the present embodiment described above has the following practically excellent effects.
That is, when the built-in battery 14 is exhausted to near the operation limit of the portable device 10 (that is, when the output of the low-voltage detection circuit 15 is turned on), an advanced control function by bidirectional communication between the main device 20 and the portable device 10 ( The automatic locking / unlocking function described above is invalidated, and only the general remote control function (the keyless function described above) through one-way communication can be used, and the built-in battery 14 is depleted (replace the built-in battery). The user is notified of the state to be performed) by the display unit 16 of the portable device 10 and the display unit 23 of the main device 20.
Therefore, the user needs to check that the built-in battery 14 is depleted (the built-in battery is depleted) before all functions of the portable device 10 (and consequently all functions of the control device) are stopped due to the depletion of the built-in battery 14. State to be replaced) can be surely known, and the above-mentioned unexpected disadvantage is not incurred. In particular, in this embodiment, when the built-in battery 14 is exhausted to near the operating limit of the portable device 10, the fact is transmitted from the portable device 10 to the main unit 20 by wireless communication, and the notification means provided on the main unit 20 side notifies the information. A certain display unit 23 also notifies the user. For this reason, the certainty that the user receives the notification operation is particularly high. That is, if the notification operation is performed only by the display unit 16 provided on the portable device 10 side, for example, in a state where the portable device 10 is stored in a user's pocket or the like, the notification operation (visual display by the display unit 16) is performed. Although the user may not notice the information notification operation for a long period of time, the user can reliably receive the notification operation using the display unit 23 provided on the main unit 20 (for example, an instrument panel of the vehicle). Therefore, since the user is unlikely to overlook the notification operation for a long time, it is possible to reliably notify the user of the consumption of the internal battery 14 to the user.

The time from when the output voltage drops below the set value V1 to when it falls below the operation limit voltage V2 is
As a response to the request signal transmitted from the main unit 20, all of the automatic transmission of the answer signal from the portable device 10 are not performed, and the operation signal is transmitted according to the operation of the user.
Only the operation (operation of the operation signal transmission function) transmitted from is performed. Therefore, every time the request signal is transmitted from the main unit 20, the operation of the portable device 10 automatically transmitting the answer signal is completely stopped, and the frequency of the transmission operation with large power consumption is extremely reduced. The power consumption of the portable device 10 is significantly reduced. Therefore, the life until the built-in battery 14 is completely exhausted and all functions of the portable device 10 are disabled becomes longer. Moreover, the operation signal transmission function of the portable device 10 is effective until the internal battery 14 is completely consumed and falls below the operation limit voltage V2. Manual remote operation (that is, operation by a general keyless function) by a function (the remote control function) is possible, and the convenience for the user is not significantly impaired.

Further, in the control device of the present embodiment, even if the output voltage drops below the set value V1, the notification by the display unit 16 on the portable device 10 side is not always performed unconditionally.
Then, when the user operates the portable device 10, the display unit 16 notifies that the built-in battery 14 is exhausted. For this reason, the notification operation by the display unit 16 is performed in a limited and effective manner, and it is possible to suppress the consumption of the built-in battery 14 due to the unnecessary operation of the display unit 16. That is, when the output of the low-voltage detection circuit 15 is turned on, the notification by the display unit 16 is executed unconditionally. For example, the portable device 10 is left alone or stored in the user's pocket or the like. In a state in which the notification is performed (a state in which the user is out of the visual range or the like), the notification is executed in a meaningless manner, and the built-in battery 14 is further unnecessarily consumed. However, the portable device 10
If the notification is executed for the first time when the user performs an operation on, such unnecessary consumption of the built-in battery 14 can be avoided, and the notification is accurately performed.

(Other Embodiments) The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but may have various modifications and aspects. For example, in the above embodiment, specific examples were given only for control of locking or unlocking of the vehicle door, but the present invention is not limited to these, and it is possible to have various control targets and control contents in order to solve the problem. This is as described in the section of the means. Further, a control device capable of controlling a plurality of types (for example, a control function as a smart entry system,
Which also has a control function as an immobilizer system). Further, in the above embodiment, a configuration in which power transmission from the main unit to the portable device is not performed is illustrated, but a configuration in which such power transmission is performed may be employed. In addition, transmission of a request signal or the like from the main unit is not limited to a configuration that is executed on condition that some trigger is established. For example, there may be a configuration that is executed intermittently without a trigger. .

In the above embodiment, when the built-in battery 14 is consumed below the set value V1, the advanced control function is stopped by two-way communication (that is, the function is limited), and a notification operation (notification of the built-in battery exhaustion) is made. (Notification operation on the portable device side and the main unit side) are both executed.
A configuration in which only function restriction is performed (a configuration in which notification is not performed) may be performed, or a configuration in which only a notification operation informing of internal battery exhaustion is performed (configuration in which function restriction is not performed) may be performed. The notification operation for notifying the internal battery exhaustion may be performed only on the portable device side, or may be performed only on the main device side. Further, the portable device 10 is further provided with a plurality of switches,
Corresponding to this, various remote operations (manual operations) may be possible. For example, a switch for remotely controlling the opening and closing of a trunk, an engine room, a fuel supply port, and the like, and a panic switch for sounding a horn of a vehicle when attacked by a thug, etc., may be appropriately provided. Needless to say.

[0040]

According to the control device of each invention of the present application, when the internal battery of the portable device is exhausted and its output voltage falls below a set value higher than the operation limit voltage of the portable device, the control means controls the portable device. The automatic response function of the mobile device (that is, the function of the portable device for realizing advanced control such as automatic locking / unlocking control of the vehicle door) is stopped or a notification operation (portable device or The notification operation on the main unit side) is executed. For this reason, the user needs to check that the built-in battery has been exhausted to near the operating limit before all functions of the portable device (and consequently all functions of the control device) are stopped due to the consumption of the built-in battery. It is possible to know that the built-in battery is in a state to be replaced), and it is possible to prevent the sudden and extreme decrease in convenience and the unexpected disadvantage as described above.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration and the like of a control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 portable device 13 control circuit (control means) 15 low voltage detection circuit (battery voltage detection means) 16 display unit (notification unit) 20 main unit 21 control unit 23 display unit (notification unit)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) E05B 65/20 E05B 65/20 H04B 1/40 H04B 1/40 F term (Reference) 2E250 AA21 BB08 BB12 BB36 CC00 CC23 DD06 FF23 FF24 FF27 FF36 HH01 JJ03 KK03 LL01 RR11 SS01 SS02 SS05 SS09 SS12 TT04 UU02 VV00 5K011 DA29 HA03 HA05 JA01 KA12 KA14 LA08

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A portable device which is portable by a user and has a built-in battery as a power source, and a main device capable of two-way wireless communication with the portable device, wherein the portable device is An operation signal transmission function of wirelessly transmitting an operation signal in accordance with an operation; and an automatic response function of receiving an activation signal or a request signal and automatically transmitting an answer signal automatically and wirelessly. And a remote control function for executing a control process for realizing a predetermined operation of the control object, automatically transmitting the activation signal or the request signal wirelessly, and responding to the activation signal or the request signal by the answer. A control device for automatically executing a control process for realizing a predetermined operation of the control target based on whether or not a signal has been received; Battery voltage detection means, and control means for stopping the automatic response function when the battery voltage detection means detects that the output voltage has dropped below a set value higher than the operation limit voltage of the portable device. A control device provided in the portable device. 2. The control means stops the automatic response function when the battery voltage detection means detects that the output voltage has dropped below a set value higher than an operation limit voltage of the portable device. 2. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control apparatus shifts to a function restriction mode in which only the operation signal transmission function can be executed. 3. A portable device which can be carried by a user and has a built-in battery as a power source, and a main device which performs two-way wireless communication with the portable device, wherein the portable device transmits an activation signal or a request signal. Has an automatic response function of automatically receiving and transmitting an answer signal wirelessly, wherein the main unit automatically wirelessly transmits the start signal or the request signal, and the answer to the start signal or the request signal is provided. A control device having an automatic control function for automatically executing a control process for realizing a predetermined operation of a control target based on whether a signal has been received, a battery voltage for detecting an output voltage of the internal battery Detecting means, notifying means for notifying a user, and that the battery voltage detecting means detects that the output voltage has dropped below a set value higher than an operation limit voltage of the portable device. Then, control means for operating the notifying means to execute the notification of the output voltage drop is provided in the portable device. 4. When the battery voltage detecting unit detects that the output voltage has dropped below a set value higher than an operation limit voltage of the portable device, the control unit may use the portable device thereafter. When there is a person's operation,
The control device according to claim 3, wherein the notification unit is operated to perform the notification of the output voltage drop. 5. A portable device which can be carried by a user and has a built-in battery as a power source, and a main device capable of performing two-way wireless communication with the portable device. It has an automatic response function of receiving a request signal and automatically transmitting an answer signal wirelessly, and the main unit automatically wirelessly transmits the activation signal or the request signal, and responds to the activation signal or the request signal. A control device having an automatic control function for automatically executing a control process for realizing a predetermined operation of a control target based on whether or not the answer signal has been received, wherein an output voltage of the internal battery is detected. Battery voltage detecting means, and when the battery voltage detecting means detects that the output voltage has fallen below a set value higher than the operation limit voltage of the portable device, information on the output voltage drop is detected. A control unit for automatically transmitting a signal including the wireless signal or a process for including the information of the output voltage drop in a signal to be wirelessly transmitted thereafter is provided in the portable device. A control unit that, when a signal including the information of the output voltage drop is received, a notifying unit for notifying a user of the output voltage drop is provided in the main unit or the object including the control target. . 6. The control object includes a lock device for locking or unlocking a vehicle door, and the control processing includes outputting a control signal for realizing at least a lock operation or an unlock operation of the lock device. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein
The control device according to any one of the above.