JP2007146396A - Vehicle controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle controller which can positively carry out remote control of a vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: The vehicle controller carries out remote control of the vehicle, based on positional information of a smart key 11, detected by a main body microcomputer 13, when it is detected that the smart key 11 located outside a cabin, is moved from an outside cabin area in which a search signal can be received, to an outside vehicle area in which the search signal cannot be received, or it is detected that the location of the smart key 11 in the cabin-outside area indicates a predetermined change. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle control device, for example, to a technique for remotely controlling a vehicle in which authentication by radio waves is executed in accordance with the relative position between the vehicle and a portable device.
In the present invention, the “drive source” includes an engine and a drive motor.

  A technique for detecting whether the position of the portable device is the interior of the vehicle or outside the vehicle and controlling the door lock has been put to practical use (see Patent Document 1). In a conventional door lock control device, for example, an antenna for a vehicle exterior and an antenna for a vehicle interior are provided, and it is determined whether or not there is a portable device within the detection area of these antennas.

JP 2002-77972 A

  In the conventional technology, when the radio wave is interrupted due to battery exhaustion, radio wave interference, or shielding (referred to as battery exhaustion) in the passenger compartment, the mobile device is moved to the vehicle until it cannot transmit or receive radio waves. It cannot be distinguished from the case of being separated. When the portable device is in the vehicle interior and the radio wave is interrupted due to battery exhaustion or the like, it is erroneously determined that the portable device is outside the vehicle compartment, and the door is undesirably locked. Therefore, the door cannot be locked automatically.

  When the radio wave is interrupted due to the battery running out, etc. while the drive source such as the vehicle drive motor is starting, it is determined whether it is due to the battery running out or the portable machine is away from the vehicle. I can't. Even if the portable device is actually separated from the vehicle, the drive source may not be stopped, which is inferior in security.

  The objective of this invention is providing the vehicle control apparatus which can perform remote control of a vehicle reliably.

The present invention (1) is a vehicle control for performing mutual communication between a main body control unit provided in a vehicle and a portable device configured to be portable, and remotely controlling the vehicle according to the relative position of the portable device. In the device
In the main body control unit,
Search signal transmission means for transmitting a search signal for detecting the portable device;
Detecting means for detecting a relative position of the portable device within an allowable range for the portable device to receive the search signal based on a response signal returned by the portable device in response to the search signal;
Based on the position information of the portable device detected by the detection means, the portable device has moved from outside the vehicle compartment outside the vehicle compartment where the search signal is received to the vehicle outside region where the search signal cannot be received. When this is detected, or when it is detected that the position of the portable device in the vehicle exterior area shows a predetermined change, the vehicle control device is configured to remotely control the vehicle.

  Also, the present invention (2) is characterized in that the detection means is configured to be able to detect position information of the portable device in the vehicle interior.

  In the present invention (3), when the main body control unit shifts from the detection state in which the position information of the portable device in the vehicle interior is detected by the detection means to the non-detection state in which the position information of the portable device is not detectable The remote control of is prohibited.

  According to the present invention (4), the main body control unit performs a remote control to stop the driving source of the vehicle or lock the vehicle based on the position information of the portable device detected by the detecting means. Features.

Further, the present invention (5) is a vehicle that performs mutual communication between a main body control unit provided in a vehicle and a portable device configured to be portable, and remotely controls the vehicle according to the relative position of the portable device. In the control device,
In the main body control unit,
Search signal transmission means for transmitting a search signal for detecting the portable device;
Detecting means for detecting a relative position of the portable device within an allowable range for the portable device to receive the search signal based on a response signal returned by the portable device in response to the search signal;
Based on the position information of the portable device detected by the detection means, when it is detected that the portable device has moved from the vehicle exterior area where the search signal cannot be received to the vehicle exterior area, or the vehicle exterior area In the vehicle control device, the vehicle is remotely controlled when it is detected that the position of the portable device shows a predetermined change.

  Further, in the present invention (6), the main body control unit controls the electrical components of the vehicle by matching the position information of the mobile device to be moved with the position information relative to the vehicle set in advance. It is characterized by that.

  Further, in the present invention (7), the main body control unit matches the position information of the portable device moving in the vehicle exterior area with the position information relative to the vehicle set in advance. It is characterized by performing remote control to lock or stop the drive source.

  Further, the present invention (8) further includes switching means capable of switching between a control state in which the drive source of the vehicle is stopped or a remote control for locking the vehicle and a non-control state in which the control is prohibited. Features.

  Further, the present invention (9) is characterized in that the main body control unit lowers the output of the transmission signal transmitted from the vehicle side when the electric field strength data transmitted from the portable device side exceeds a predetermined value.

  According to the present invention (10), the main body control unit performs remote control for unlocking the vehicle and authenticating the release of the immobilizer provided on the vehicle based on the position information of the portable device detected by the detection unit. It is characterized by performing.

  According to the present invention (1), when it is detected that the portable device has moved from the vehicle exterior region to the vehicle exterior region based on the position information of the portable device detected by the detection means, or the portable device in the vehicle exterior region. When the vehicle position is detected to show a predetermined change, the vehicle is remotely controlled. In other words, if the position information of the portable device as described above cannot be recognized, remote control (for example, locking) is not performed. Therefore, even if the user forgets to leave the portable device in the vehicle interior and moves to the outside area, the vehicle Can be prevented from being undesirably remotely controlled. Thus, the remote control of the vehicle can be reliably performed.

  According to the present invention (2), since the position information of the portable device in the vehicle interior can also be detected, the main body control unit also considers the position information of the portable device moving from the vehicle interior to the vehicle exterior area. In addition, remote control of the vehicle can be executed. Therefore, the certainty of the remote control of the vehicle can be improved.

  Further, according to the present invention (3), since the remote control of the vehicle is prohibited when shifting from the detection state in which the position information of the portable device in the vehicle interior is detected to the non-detection state, the portable device is in the vehicle interior. Even when the radio wave between the vehicle and the portable device is interrupted due to the battery running out of the portable device, it can be surely prevented from being undesirably locked.

  According to the present invention (4), since the remote control for stopping the driving source of the vehicle or locking the vehicle is executed based on the position information of the portable device, the security can be improved. .

According to the invention (5), when it is detected that the portable device has moved from the vehicle exterior region to the vehicle exterior region based on the position information of the portable device detected by the detection means, or in the vehicle exterior region. When it is detected that the position of the machine shows a predetermined change, the vehicle is remotely controlled (for example, control for unlocking). Even when the user or the like is holding his / her baggage, the user can get into the vehicle smoothly and quickly based on the position information of the portable device without performing a key operation with his / her fingers. Thus, remote control of the vehicle can be performed reliably. According to the present invention (6), the position information of the moving portable device matches the position information relative to the vehicle set in advance. Since the electrical component can be controlled, the operability for controlling the electrical component can be simplified. It is also possible to omit the switching means for driving the electrical components.

  According to the present invention (7), the position information of the portable device moving in the vehicle exterior area matches the position information relative to the vehicle set in advance, so that the vehicle is locked or driven. Since remote control to stop the power source can be executed, the operability for locking can be simplified rather than operating the keys with fingers. Or it can prevent forgetting to stop a drive source.

  Further, according to the present invention (8), the user or the like can switch between a control state in which the drive source of the vehicle is stopped or locked and a non-control state in which the control is prohibited by a switching unit as necessary.

  According to the present invention (9), when the electric field intensity data transmitted from the portable device side exceeds a predetermined value, the output of the transmission signal transmitted from the vehicle side is lowered, so that the burden on the vehicle battery is reduced. be able to.

  According to the present invention (10), since the vehicle is unlocked and the immobilizer release is authenticated based on the position information of the portable device, the immobilizer is released again after the user or the like gets into the vehicle. In comparison, the start of the drive source can be accelerated, and the convenience for the user and the like can be improved.

The vehicle control device according to the present embodiment is suitably applied to a so-called smart entry system for vehicles. The following description also includes a description of the vehicle control method. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a vehicle control device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the relationship between the transmission antennas 3 to 7 for the vehicle 2 and the vehicle interior area 8, the vehicle exterior area 9, and the vehicle exterior area 10. The concept of each area will be described later. The vehicle control device 1 is a device that performs remote control of the vehicle 2 by performing authentication by radio waves according to the relative position between the vehicle 2 and the smart key 11. The vehicle control device 1 includes a main body control unit 12 provided in the vehicle 2 and a smart key 11 as a portable portable device. The main body control unit 12 and the smart key 11 communicate with each other, Remote control is performed according to the relative position of the smart key 11. The main body control unit 12 is for controlling the vehicle 2, and includes a main body microcomputer 13 (referred to as a main body microcomputer 13), an LF (Long Frequency) transmission unit 14, and an RF (Radio).
Frequency) receiving unit 15, door lock / unlock output driver 16 and other output driver 17. The LF transmitter 14, the RF receiver 15, the door lock / unlock output driver 16 and the other output driver 17 may be separate units. Further, an LF transmitter may be built in each antenna. Further, the antenna of the RF receiving unit may be an external antenna.

  The main body microcomputer 13 includes a central processing unit (abbreviated as CPU), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a bus, an input / output interface, and a timer. A CPU, a ROM, and a RAM are electrically connected to the input / output interface via a bus. The input / output interface includes an LF transmitter 14, an RF receiver 15, a door lock / unlock output driver 16 that drives and controls a door lock motor 18, and another output driver 17 that drives and controls specific electrical components. Electrically connected. The electrical components include a security indicator 19, a vehicle horn 20, a flasher 21, a buzzer 22, and a power window (not shown).

  The LF transmission unit 14 is electrically connected to the LF transmission antenna 24 for transmitting a search signal for smart key detection to an LF reception antenna 38 (described later) of the smart key 11. The RF receiving unit 15 is electrically connected to an RF receiving antenna 26 for capturing a response signal transmitted from an RF transmitting antenna 40 (described later) of the smart key 11. The LF transmission antenna 24 includes a driver seat (D seat) antenna 3, a passenger seat (P seat) antenna 4, a rear right seat (RR seat) antenna 5, a rear left seat (RL seat) antenna 6, and a back door. And an antenna 7.

  An ignition (IG) switch 27, an ACC (accessory) switch 41, and an IG key detection switch 28 are electrically connected to the input / output interface. There are two input / output interfaces: a D seat door switch 29, a P seat door switch 30, and a rear seat door switch 31 (for an RR seat door and an RL seat door, but only one is shown for a rear seat in FIG. The back door switch 32 is electrically connected to each other. The input / output interface includes a D-seat lock position switch 33, a P-seat and rear-seat lock position switch 34 (provided for each door, but only one is shown in FIG. 1), and a back door lock position switch 35. Are electrically connected. The input / output interface is electrically connected so that a shift position (denoted as shift P) can be discriminated, and is electrically connected so that it can be discriminated whether the parking brake is on or off. Further, for example, a tachometer is electrically connected to the input / output interface in order to detect the engine speed. A multiplex communication signal such as CAN is connected. Further, an engine system 37 is electrically connected to the input / output interface via an immobilizer system 36 (denoted as an immobilizer system in the figure).

  The IG key detection switch 28 detects whether or not an ignition key is inserted into an ignition key cylinder (not shown). Each door switch 29-32 is called a door courtesy switch, and detects the open / closed state of whether each door is in an open state or a closed state. Each lock position switch 33-35 detects the lock state whether the lock mechanism of each door is in a locked state or an unlocked state.

  The smart key 11 includes a portable microcomputer (referred to as a portable microcomputer), an LF receiving unit 23, an LF receiving antenna 38, an electric field strength measuring unit 39 as electric field strength measuring means, an RF transmitting unit 25, and an RF transmitting antenna 40. . The portable microcomputer has a CPU, ROM, RAM, bus, input / output interface, and timer. A CPU, ROM, and RAM are electrically connected to the input / output interface via a bus, respectively, and the smart key-specific smart entry identification information (smart entry identification code) and immobilizer identification information are connected to the ROM. (Immobilizer identification code) is stored. An electric field strength measuring unit 39 is electrically connected to the input / output interface via the LF receiving unit 23. An RF receiver 25 is electrically connected to the input / output interface.

The LF reception antenna 38 is configured to be able to capture a search signal having a radio frequency of 125 kHz or more and 140 kHz or less, for example. However, it is not necessarily limited to this radio frequency. The LF reception antenna 38 includes X, Y, and Z antennas, and these X, Y, and Z antennas are antennas that respectively extend a predetermined short distance in the X, Y, and Z directions that are orthogonal to each other. The antennas have different directivities. The electric field intensity P of the search signal captured by the LF receiving antenna 38 is captured by the square of the electric field intensity Px of the search signal captured by the X antenna, the square of the electric field intensity Py of the search signal captured by the Y antenna, and the Z antenna. The square root of the value obtained by adding the square of the electric field strength Pz of the search signal is calculated. That is, the following relational expression (1) is established.
P = √ (Px ² + Py ² + Pz ² ) (1)

  Search signals transmitted from the vehicle 2 side are transmitted from the antennas 3 to 7 constituting the LF transmission antenna 24, respectively. The portable microcomputer controls the electric field strength measuring unit 39 to measure the electric field strength of the search signal captured by the LF receiving antenna 38. Each field strength information (corresponding to field strength data) corresponding to each search signal captured by the LF receiving antenna 38 is given from the field strength measuring unit 39 to the portable microcomputer. The portable microcomputer gives the RF transmitter 25 a response signal including an antenna code, electric field strength information, identification information, and the like. The antenna code is synonymous with information indicating an antenna that transmits a search signal. The identification information is identification information for smart entry when responding to a normal search signal, and includes identification information for both smart entry and immobilizer when responding to a search signal for immobilizer verification described later. It is. The portable microcomputer controls the RF transmitter 25 to transmit the response signal. For example, a radio frequency of 433 MHz is applied to the response signal. However, it is not necessarily limited to this radio frequency.

  FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the propagation distance r of the radio wave and the electric field strength E when the radio wave is transmitted with a certain transmission power. As shown in FIG. 3, the radio wave attenuates in inverse proportion to the square of the propagation distance r. Using this relationship, the distance between the antenna that transmitted the search signal and the smart key 11 can be calculated from the electric field strength of the search signal received by the smart key 11. That is, the main body control unit 12 receives the response signal transmitted from the smart key 11, and if the smart entry identification information included in the response signal matches the identification information stored in the main body control unit 12, the main smart control unit 12. Based on the antenna code and electric field strength information included in the response signal, the distance between the antennas 3 to 7 and the smart key 11, that is, the relative position of the smart key 11 with respect to the vehicle 2 is determined. Information can be calculated. A program for calculating the relative position information is stored in the ROM of the main body microcomputer 13.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram schematically illustrating a positional relationship between the LF reception antenna 38 and the antennas 3 to 7 on the vehicle side. In principle, if the distance between the LF receiving antenna 38 and the three antennas constituting the LF transmitting antenna 24 is determined, the relative position of the LF receiving antenna 38 with respect to the LF transmitting antenna 24 is determined. A method for determining the relative position of the LF receiving antenna 38 based on the distances between the D seat antenna 3, the P seat antenna 4, and the RL seat antenna 6 and the LF receiving antenna 38 will be described.

  The distance between the LF reception antenna 38 and the D seat antenna 3 determined based on the electric field strength information is described as r1, the distance between the LF reception antenna 38 and the P seat antenna 4 is described as r2, and LF reception is performed. The distance between the antenna 38 and the RL seat antenna 6 is described as r3. First, a first circle R1 having a radius r1 centered on the D-seat antenna 3 is assumed. The LF receiving antenna 38 is located at one point on the circumference of the first circle R1. Next, a second circle R2 having a radius r2 centered on the P seat antenna 4 is assumed. Since the LF receiving antenna 38 is located at one point on the circumference of the first circle R1 and on the circumference of the second circle R2, two intersections S1 of the first circle R1 and the second circle R2 , S2. Next, a third circle R3 having a radius r3 centered on the RL seat antenna 6 is assumed. Since the LF receiving antenna 38 is located at one point on the circumference of the first circle R1, the circumference of the second circle R2, and the circumference of the third circle R3, the intersection S1 of the three circles. Located on the top. As described above, the relative position of the LF reception antenna 38 to the LF transmission antenna 24 can be calculated based on the distance between the LF reception antenna 38 and the three antennas constituting the LF transmission antenna 24.

  In principle, the relative position information of the smart key 11 with respect to the vehicle 2 can be calculated by the above-described method. However, the vehicle control device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a map stored in the storage unit of the main body microcomputer 13. Based on the stored position correspondence information, the relative position information of the smart key 11 is calculated.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram schematically illustrating a coordinate system set in the vehicle 2. In the vehicle 2, a mesh-like coordinate system including a plurality of rows parallel to the vehicle width direction L 1 of the vehicle 2 and a plurality of columns parallel to the traveling direction L 2 of the vehicle 2 is set. The main body microcomputer 13 which is a detection means can calculate the relative position information of the smart key 11 in the coordinate system set in the vehicle 2. In this coordinate system, a rectangular area formed by n rows and X columns is defined as Xn. n represents a natural number and X represents an alphabet. In FIG. 4, the region indicated by the symbol “x” is described as C8.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing position correspondence information that relates the electric field strength information of each antenna 3 to 7 and the relative position information of the smart key 11, and FIG. 5 (1) shows a certain transmission output. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a map storing position correspondence information of the smart key 11 corresponding to the electric field strength information of the search signal transmitted from the D seat antenna 3 and the P seat antenna 4, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a map in which position correspondence information of smart key 11 corresponding to electric field strength information of a search signal transmitted from P seat antenna 4 and RL seat antenna 6 is stored.

  The position correspondence information is stored in the ROM of the main body microcomputer 13, and the main body control unit 12 can calculate the relative position information of the smart key 11 based on the position correspondence information. The position correspondence information is set in the vehicle 2 and electric field strength information obtained by selectively using two antennas (3 to 7) used when calculating the relative position information. Information related to the area in the coordinate system. When the distance between the two antennas selectively used among the three antennas (3 to 7) and the smart key 11 is determined, the position of the smart key 11 is the intersection of the two circles as described above. It is possible to narrow down to one of two positions. When this relationship is used, for example, the field strength information corresponding to the search signal transmitted from the D seat antenna 3, that is, the position information of the smart key 11 is between bc and the search signal transmitted from the P seat antenna 4. If the field strength information corresponding to, that is, the position information of the smart key 11 is between a and b, it can be seen that the smart key 11 is located in either (F3) or (F7) in FIG. The position correspondence information is information that associates such electric field strength information with the relative position information of the smart key 11.

  Electric field strength information corresponding to the search signal transmitted from the D seat antenna 3, that is, the position information of the smart key 11 is between b and c, and electric field strength information corresponding to the search signal transmitted from the P seat antenna 4 is smart. Relative of the smart key 11 when the key position information is between a and b and the field strength information corresponding to the search signal transmitted from the RL seat antenna 6, that is, the position information of the smart key 11 is between b and c. A method for calculating the position information will be described.

  As described above, according to the electric field strength information obtained using the D seat and P seat antennas 3 and 4, as shown in FIG. 5 (1), the smart key 11 is shown in (F3) or (F7) in FIG. It is located in either one. Next, according to the electric field strength information obtained by using the P seat and RL seat antennas 4 and 6, as shown in FIG. 5 (2), the smart key 11 is either (F3) or (K3) in FIG. Located on either side. Therefore, it can be seen that the smart key 11 is located at (F3) overlapping both. Note that these maps are provided in the number corresponding to the combination of selecting two of all the antennas 3 to 7. In this embodiment, since there are five antennas 3 to 7, ten maps are prepared in advance.

  FIG. 6 is a timing chart of search signals transmitted from the antennas 3 to 7 constituting the LF transmission antenna 24. When the main body microcomputer 13 performs processing for calculating the relative position information of the smart key 11 with respect to the vehicle 2, first, the LF transmission unit 14 is controlled, and a search signal is transmitted via the antennas 3 to 7 constituting the LF transmission antenna 24. Send sequentially. The main body microcomputer 13 performs processing for calculating relative position information periodically at a predetermined time interval. The time interval is measured by a timer of the main body microcomputer 13, for example. When this process is started, the main body microcomputer 13 controls the LF transmission unit 14 to transmit the search signals sequentially through the antennas 3 to 7 of the LF transmission antenna 24 so as not to overlap in time.

  First, the main body microcomputer 13 controls the LF transmitter 14 to transmit a search signal including the D seat antenna code and the smart entry identification code via the D seat antenna 3 from time t1 to time t2. . Next, the main body microcomputer 13 controls the LF transmitter 14 to transmit a search signal including the P seat antenna code and the smart entry identification code via the P seat antenna 4 from time t3 to time t4. Let Next, the main body microcomputer 13 controls the LF transmission unit 14 to transmit a search signal including the RR seat antenna code and the smart entry identification code via the RR seat antenna 5 from time t5 to time t6. Let Next, the main body microcomputer 13 controls the LF transmitter 14 to transmit a search signal including the RL seat antenna code and the smart entry identification code via the RL seat antenna 6 from time t7 to time t8. Let Next, the main body microcomputer 13 controls the LF transmitter 14 to transmit a search signal including the backdoor antenna code and the smart entry identification code via the backdoor antenna 7 from time t9 to time t10. .

  Each time the LF reception antenna 38 of the smart key 11 captures the search signal from each of the transmission antennas 3 to 7, the portable microcomputer controls the electric field strength measuring unit 39 to measure the electric field strength of the received search signal. Thereafter, the portable microcomputer transmits the electric field strength information of the search signal as a response signal via the RF transmission antenna 40. That is, the response signal includes each antenna code (indicated by “D”, “P”, “RR”... In FIG. 6) that transmitted the search signal, and the X, Y, and Z directions corresponding to the antenna. Field strength information of the LF transmitting antennas 3 to 7 is included as a pair of the field strength information (indicated by “Ex1”, “Ey1”, “Ez1”..., Etc. in FIG. 6).

  When the main body microcomputer 13 receives the response signal from the smart key 11, the main body microcomputer 13 calculates the electric field strength by using the equation (1). The measurement of the electric field intensity using the formula (1) may be performed by a portable microcomputer. In this case, the field intensity information transmitted by the smart key 11 is not the three pieces of information of X, Y, and Z, but only one calculated by the equation (1). Further, the response signals may be returned every time each search signal is received, instead of returning the response signals all at once for all the search signals from the transmitting antennas 3 to 7.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the antennas 3 to 7 of the LF transmitting antenna 24 and the electric field strength E. FIG. 7A shows the electric field strength saturated from the upper limit strength Eu and the lower limit strength E _LOW . FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a state in which the electric field intensity E is adjusted to be equal to or higher than the lower limit intensity E _{LOW and} lower than the upper limit intensity Eu. If the electric field strength measured by the electric field strength measuring unit 39 is too strong, the measured value is saturated and the accurate electric field strength cannot be measured. In FIG. 7 (1), a saturated region A indicated by diagonal lines is a region where the measured value is saturated because the electric field strength is too strong. In order to prevent the saturation of the measured value, the main body microcomputer 13 controls the LF transmitter 14 so that the electric field strength of the search signal that is too strong is lowered. That is, the transmission output of the search signal transmitted from the RR seat antenna 5 is lowered. Specifically, the voltage applied to the RR seat antenna 5 is lowered in order to reduce the current flowing through the RR seat antenna 5. The predetermined upper limit strength is set to a value lower than the electric field strength at which the measured value is saturated (for example, a value obtained by multiplying the MAX value of the dynamic range by “0.9”).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration for adjusting the electric field strength of the search signal transmitted from each of the antennas 3 to 7 constituting the LF transmission antenna 24. The LF transmitter 14 further includes an antenna drive circuit 14a. The antenna drive circuit 14a applies a voltage to the LF transmission antenna 24, causes an alternating current to flow through the LF transmission antenna 24, and causes the LF transmission antenna 24 to transmit a search signal. The voltage applied from the antenna drive circuit 14a to the LF transmission antenna 24 is determined by the voltage applied to the antenna drive circuit 14a. The voltage applied to the antenna drive circuit 14a can be selected from a plurality of voltage values, and the main body microcomputer 13 applies the voltage to the LF transmission antenna 24 by switching the voltage applied to the antenna drive circuit 14a. Switch the voltage. As a result, the main body microcomputer 13 can adjust the electric field strength of the search signal transmitted from the LF transmission antenna 24. FIG. 8 shows a state in which a voltage of 9 V is applied to the antenna drive circuit 14a.

When the electric field intensity E of the search signal received by the smart key 11 is weaker than the predetermined lower limit intensity E _LOW , the main body microcomputer 13 controls the LF transmitter 14 so that the electric field intensity of the weak search signal is increased. In FIG. 7 (1), since the electric field strength of the search signal transmitted from the RL seat antenna 6 is smaller than the lower limit strength E _LOW , the transmission output of the search signal transmitted from the RL seat antenna 6 is increased. Specifically, in order to increase the current flowing through the RL seat antenna 6, the voltage applied to the RL seat antenna 6 is increased. The predetermined lower limit intensity is set to a value higher than the lower limit electric field intensity at which the electric field intensity measurement unit 39 can measure the electric field intensity (for example, a value obtained by multiplying the MAX value of the dynamic range by “0.1”). .

  The main body microcomputer 13 determines the electric field strength of the search signal captured by the LF receiving antenna 38 from the electric field strength information obtained after adjusting the electric field strength of the search signal transmitted from each of the antennas 3 to 7 constituting the LF transmitting antenna 24. Relative position information is calculated based on the strongest field strength information from No. 1 to No. 3. For example, in FIG. 7B, the search signal transmitted from the RR seat antenna 5 and captured by the LF receiving antenna 38 has the strongest electric field strength, and the search signal transmitted from the D seat antenna 3 and captured by the LF receiving antenna 38. Of the search signal transmitted from the backdoor antenna 7 and captured by the LF receiving antenna 38 is the third strongest. In this case, the relative position information is calculated based on the electric field strength information of the three search signals transmitted from the D seat antenna 3, the RR seat antenna 5, and the back door antenna 7 and captured by the LF receiving antenna 33.

  Whether the calculation formula for calculating the distance between the LF transmission antenna 24 and the LF reception antenna 38 is changed when the electric field strength of the search signal transmitted from each of the antennas 3 to 7 constituting the LF transmission antenna 24 is changed Alternatively, it is necessary to correct the electric field strength information without correcting the calculation formula and apply the corrected electric field strength information to the calculation formula. In the vehicle control apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when the main body microcomputer 13 changes the electric field strength of the search signal transmitted from the LF transmission antenna 24, the electric field strength coefficient corresponding to the voltage applied to the antenna drive circuit 14a is changed. To correct the electric field strength information. For example, when the voltage applied to the antenna drive circuit 14a is lowered from 10V to 9V in order to reduce the electric field strength, the electric field strength information received by the smart key 11 is smaller than the original value. Correction is performed by integrating 1. Conversely, when the applied voltage is increased from 9V to 10V, correction is performed by integrating 0.9 as a correction coefficient. The main body microcomputer 13 calculates the relative position information by associating the corrected electric field strength information with the position correspondence information.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the vehicle interior area 8 is an area in the vehicle interior where the relative position information of the smart key 11 with respect to the vehicle 2 can be calculated. The vehicle interior area 9 is an area in which the smart key 11 is within an allowable range for receiving a search signal transmitted from each of the antennas 3 to 7 on the vehicle 2 side. The vehicle exterior area 10 is a vehicle exterior area (indicated by hatching in FIG. 2) in which the search signal cannot be received from any LF transmission antenna 24. In FIG. 2, a communicable area in which the search signal transmitted from the D-seat antenna 3 can be received by the smart key 11 in the vehicle interior area 9 is denoted as 3R. The communicable area 3R has a circle with a radius (for example, 3 m) centered on the D-seat antenna 3. However, it is not necessary to make all the communicable areas 3R, 4R, 5R, 6R, and 7R of the antennas 3 to 7 have the same radius.

  When the smart key 11 is in the area 10 outside the vehicle, the response signal is not output from the smart key 11 because it does not reach the smart key 11 even if the search signals are output from the antennas 3 to 7. In that case, the main body microcomputer 13 determines that the smart key 11 is in the area outside the vehicle.

  When the smart key 11 enters the communicable area 3R, the smart key 11 receives a search signal transmitted from each of the antennas 3 to 7, and returns a response signal to the received search signal. The main body microcomputer 13 obtains the relative position information of the smart key 11 as described above based on the electric field strength information included in the response signal (actually, it is recognized as a position in the coordinate system shown in FIG. 5). Depending on the position of the smart key 11, there is an antenna in which the search signal does not reach the smart key 11 and the response signal is not returned. Even in this case, the main body microcomputer 13 determines the position of the smart key 11 based on the returned response signal. Measure. Thereafter, when the position of the smart key 11 gradually approaches the vehicle 2 and enters the area near the D seat door, the main body microcomputer 13 controls to unlock the D seat door. Conversely, when the door is unlocked and the smart key 11 is located in the outdoor area 9, and then the smart key 11 is separated from the vehicle 2 and enters the vehicle outside area 10, the main body microcomputer 13 Control to lock the door.

  The main body microcomputer 13 may be controlled to lock or unlock when the smart key 11 indicates a stored position change in the vehicle interior area 9. That is, the main body microcomputer 13 matches the position information of the moving smart key 11 with the relative position information with respect to the vehicle 2 set in advance in the vehicle interior area 9, whereby the vehicle 2 or the electrical component of the vehicle 2. Is controlled remotely. In the present embodiment, the remote control of the vehicle 2 includes door lock control, door opening or closing control when an electric slide door is provided, or vehicle 2 drive source stop control. A power window, a back door, or the like is applied as the electrical component. For example, an electric mirror or the like may be applied as the electrical component.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the relative positional information with respect to the vehicle 2 stored in advance in the ROM of the main body microcomputer 13 is composed of positional changes of (K14), (G14), and (I14) sequentially. When the information is information, if the user or the like moves the smart key 11 sequentially to (K14), (G14), (I14) in the vehicle interior area 9, that is, if a predetermined position change is indicated, the stored position information When the position information of the smart key 11 matches, it is determined that there is an intention to unlock the door, and the main body microcomputer 11 performs remote control for unlocking the back door, for example. By matching the position information, all doors including the D-seat door, the P-seat door, the RR-seat door, and the back door may be unlocked, or all the doors may be locked and the security set to a warning state. Also good. By matching the position information, the power window can be remotely controlled from the open state to the closed state, or from the closed state to the open state.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing in steps the method for remotely controlling the vehicle 2. This process is started under the condition that power is supplied to the main body microcomputer 13. First, in step a1, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the parking brake of the vehicle 2 is on and the shift range is in the parking state, that is, whether or not the vehicle 2 is in a parking state. When the determination is “NO”, the process returns to step a1. If it is determined that the parking brake is on and the vehicle is in parking, the main microcomputer 13 determines that the key is inserted into the key cylinder based on the IG key detection switch 28, the IG switch 27, and the ACC switch 41. It is determined whether or not both the ACC and IG are on (hereinafter referred to as “with key”). This process is to determine whether or not the drive source is in operation, and it is determined that the drive source is in operation when the key is present, ACC and IG are on. Of course, it may be determined by inputting information as to whether or not the drive source is operating directly from the engine system 37 of FIG. 1 or a drive source remote control device (not shown). It is also possible to monitor the engine speed or the motor speed to determine whether the drive source is in operation. The state of the drive source may be obtained by a multiplexed communication signal such as CAN.

  In step a2, if “YES” is determined, the process proceeds to step a3, and the main body microcomputer 13 sets the engine flag (referred to as an EG flag) to “1” to indicate that the drive source is operating. When the determination is “NO”, the process proceeds to step a4, and the main body microcomputer 13 sets the EG flag to “0” to indicate that the drive source is stopped.

  After steps a3 and a4, the main microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the smart key 11 is in the vehicle interior based on the method for calculating the relative position information of the smart key 11 described above. When the determination is “NO”, the process returns to step a1. If it is determined that the vehicle is in the passenger compartment, the process proceeds to step a6. Here, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the D-seat door or the like has been opened from the closed state based on detection signals from the door switches 29 to 32, respectively. If the determination is “NO”, the process returns to step a1. If it is determined that it has been opened, the process proceeds to step a7.

  In step a <b> 7, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the door or the like has been closed from the open state based on the detection signals from the door switches 29 to 32. If “no” is determined, the process proceeds to step a8, and the main body microcomputer 13 sets the door flag (referred to as a DF flag) to “1” to indicate that the door is open. If it is determined that the door is closed, the process proceeds to step a9, and the main body microcomputer 13 sets the DF flag to “0” to indicate that the door is closed. That is, after the processing of steps a7 to a9, when the DF flag is “1”, it indicates that the door is open, and when it is “0”, the door is changed from closed to open and then closed. It shows that. After steps a8 and a9, the main microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the smart key 11 has moved from the vehicle interior to the vehicle exterior based on the relative position information of the smart key 11 calculated as described above. to decide. If it is determined as “No”, the process proceeds to step a11.

  In step a11, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not there is a response signal from the smart key 11. In the case of “No”, it can be determined that the communication from the smart key 11 is interrupted while the smart key 11 is located in the vehicle interior. This means that the smart key 11 has run out of battery or has failed. Accordingly, in this case, the process proceeds to step a13, and the main body microcomputer 13 outputs, for example, a buzzer (a warning “beep” indicating that the smart key 11 is out of battery or out of order) via the other output driver 17. Thereafter, the process returns to step a1. If it is determined in step a11 that there is a response signal, the process proceeds to step a14, and the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the DF flag is “0”. “0”, that is, when it is determined that the door has been opened and closed, it indicates that the driver has got off the vehicle with the smart key 11 placed in the passenger compartment, or that there is a possibility. Therefore, in this case, the process proceeds to step a15, and the main body microcomputer 13 outputs, for example, a buzzer (a warning “Peep, Peep” indicating that the smart key 11 is confined in the vehicle interior) via the other output driver 17. Thereafter, the process returns to step a1. If “NO” is determined in step a14, the process returns to step a7.

  In step a12, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the window close control is set to permit. This setting method will be described later. If it is determined as “NO”, the process proceeds to step a18. If it is set, that is, it is determined that there is a setting, the process proceeds to step a16, and the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the smart key 11 has moved in advance. If it is determined as “NO”, the process proceeds to step a18. When it is determined that the movement has been set in advance, the process proceeds to step a17, and the main body microcomputer 13 drives and controls the power window to the closed state via the other output driver 17.

  Next, the process proceeds to step a18, and the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether the RR seat door or the RL seat door when the rear seat door switch 31 is set as an electric slide door is open. If it is determined that both the RR seat door and the RL seat door (sometimes referred to as a slide door) are closed, the process proceeds to step a20. If it is determined that one of the doors is open, the process proceeds to step a19, and the main body microcomputer 13 indicates that the RR seat door or the RL seat door is open, and therefore a slide door flag (referred to as an SD flag). Is set to “1”.

  In step a18, the main body microcomputer 13 proceeds to step a20 when the sliding door is closed or there is no setting of the sliding door to be stored in the ROM in advance. Here, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the control for automatically closing the sliding door is set to be permitted. If permission is not set, the process proceeds to step a24. If permission is set, the process proceeds to step a21, and the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether the smart key 11 has been moved. If it is determined that the smart key 11 has moved, the process proceeds to step a22, and the main body microcomputer 13 performs control to close the slide door. If it is determined in step a21 that the smart key 11 has not been moved, the process proceeds to step a24. After step a22, the main microcomputer 13 sets the SD flag to “0” to indicate that the slide door is closed.

  In step a24, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the smart key 11 has moved from the vehicle interior area 9 to the vehicle exterior area 10. When the determination is “NO”, the process returns to step a12. All the search signals from the transmitting antennas 3 to 7 are detected after the main microcomputer 13 recognizes that the position information of the smart key 11 is gradually separated from the vehicle 2 in a state where the smart key 11 exists in the vehicle exterior area 9. If the smart key 11 is moved to the outside area 10, it is determined that the smart key 11 has moved to the outside area 10.

  When the main microcomputer 13 determines that it has moved, the main microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the EG flag is “0”, that is, whether or not the drive source is stopped. If “No”, that is, it is determined that the drive source is in operation, the process proceeds to step a26, and the main body microcomputer 13 stops the drive source such as the drive motor of the vehicle 2 and turns off IG and ACC. Next (step a25: YES), the process proceeds to step a27, and the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the automatic lock control prohibition mode is set. The setting of this mode will be described later. If it is determined as “NO”, the process proceeds to step a28, and if it is determined that the automatic lock control prohibit mode is set, the process returns to step a1.

  In step a28, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the SD flag is “1”. Here, if the slide door is opened, the D seat door is opened, or another door is opened by each door switch 29 to 32 (step a28: YES), the process proceeds to step a29 and the main microcomputer 13 Causes the buzzer 22 to output a half-door warning indicating that the door is not fully closed via the other output driver 17. Thereafter, the process returns to step a1. If it is determined in step a28 that the SD flag is not “1”, that is, the sliding door is closed, the process proceeds to step a30.

  In step a30, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the DF flag is “0”. If “No”, that is, it is determined that the door is not opened or closed, the process proceeds to step a29. If it is determined in step a30 that the DF flag is “0”, that is, the door has been opened or closed, the process proceeds to step a31. Here, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not all other doors are closed. If it is determined that any one of the doors is open (step a31: NO), the process proceeds to step a29.

  When it is determined in step a31 that the other doors are closed, the process proceeds to step a32, and the main body microcomputer 13 locks all the doors (denoted as door lock control) and sets the security to a warning state (security It is expressed as control). The door lock control and the security control may also be controlled when the smart key 11 indicates a predetermined position change in the vehicle exterior area 9 as in the window close control in step a17.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing, in stages, another method for remotely controlling the vehicle 2. This process is started under the condition that power is supplied to the main body microcomputer 13. First, in step b1, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the parking brake of the vehicle 2 is on and the shift range is in the parking state, that is, whether or not the vehicle 2 is in a parking state. If “No”, that is, it is determined that the vehicle is not parked, the process returns to step b1. If it is determined that the parking brake is on and parking is entered, the process proceeds to step b2, and the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the smart key 11 has entered the vehicle interior area 9 from the vehicle exterior area 10.

  As a judgment, when the main body microcomputer 13 cannot receive a response signal to the search signal for any of the antennas 3 to 7 in a state where the search signal is output from the vehicle 2 side at a predetermined time interval, the smart key 11 is outside the vehicle. It is determined that it is located in area 10. Next, when any of the antennas 3 to 7 receives a response signal when the smart key 11 enters the vehicle exterior area 9, the main body microcomputer 13 determines that the smart key 11 has entered the vehicle interior area 9 from the vehicle exterior area 10. To do. If it is determined that the vehicle is located in the outside area 10, the process returns to step b1. If it is determined that the vehicle has entered the outside area 9, the process proceeds to step b <b> 3, and the main body microcomputer 13 moves the smart key 11 from the outside area 9 to the vicinity of the door based on the position information of the smart key 11 calculated as described above. It is determined whether or not it has moved. If the determination is “NO”, the process returns to step b1.

  When it is determined that the movement has been performed, the process proceeds to step b4, and the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the smart key 11 has been moved in advance. If the position information “match” (step b4: YES) is determined, the process proceeds to step b5, and if “mismatch” is determined, the process proceeds to step b8. In step b5, the main body microcomputer 13 unlocks the door and controls the security to the released state. Note that the preset movement in step b4 refers to, for example, that the smart key 11 changes its position in the order of M5 → M7 → M5 in FIG. 4 (b), and is set for the purpose display for releasing the door. Is. This position change includes that the smart key 11 stays for a predetermined time in a specific place such as in front of the door (for example, M6 in FIG. 4B). Further, step b4 may be deleted, and the door unlocking or security release may be performed when the smart key 11 in step b3 has moved to the vicinity of the door.

  Next, in step b6, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the control for automatically opening the sliding door is set to be permitted. If permission is not set, the process proceeds to step b8. If permission is set, the process proceeds to step b7. In step b7, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether the smart key 11 has been moved. If it is determined that the smart key 11 has moved, the process proceeds to step b16, and the main body microcomputer 13 performs control to open the slide door. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step b8. If it is determined in step b7 that the smart key 11 has not been moved, the process proceeds to step b8.

  In step b8, the main body microcomputer 13 transmits an immobilizer authentication confirmation code from the LF transmission antenna 24 on the vehicle 2 side. Next, proceeding to step b9, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not an immobilizer authentication code has been received from the smart key 11. If it is determined as “No”, the process proceeds to Step b11. If it is determined that it has been received, the main microcomputer 13 cancels the immobilizer authentication (to be described later). Next, the process proceeds to step b11.

  In step b11, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the window open control is permitted. If the determination is “NO”, the process proceeds to step b14. When it is determined that there is a transition to step b12, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the smart key 11 has moved in advance. If the determination is “NO”, the process proceeds to step b14. When it is determined that the movement has been set in advance, the process proceeds to step b13, and the main body microcomputer 13 drives and controls the power window to the open state via the other output driver 17. In step b14, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether the smart key 11 is in the vehicle interior area 8 or the vehicle interior area 9. When the determination is “NO”, the process proceeds to step b15, and the main body microcomputer 13 cancels the deauthorization of the immobilizer. If it is determined that “Yes”, the process returns to Step b1.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing for executing immobilizer collation. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating conditions for executing immobilizer verification. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a condition for canceling the immobilizer verification. When the smart key 11 approaches the D seat target area from a distance of the vehicle 2, the main body microcomputer 13 performs immobilizer verification when the D seat door is unlocked and the D seat door is open. To do. Alternatively, the main body microcomputer 13 checks the immobilizer when the smart key 11 approaches the P seat target area from a distance of the vehicle 2 and the P seat door is unlocked and the P seat door is open. Execute.

  Whether the P seat door or the D seat door is open or closed is determined by the main body microcomputer 13 based on an electrical signal given to the main body microcomputer 13 from the courtesy switch. The main body microcomputer 13 first transmits an immobilizer identification code request signal to the smart key 11 when checking the immobilizer. When the smart key 11 receives the immobilizer identification code request signal, the portable microcomputer transmits the immobilizer identification code unique to the smart key 11 and the smart entry identification code stored in the storage unit via the RF transmission antenna 40. To send. If the main body microcomputer 13 determines that the information is from the regular smart key 11 based on the smart entry identification code received by the main body control unit 12, the main body microcomputer 13 gives the immobilizer identification code to the immobilizer system 36, and the immobilizer The verification of the identification code is executed. When the immobilizer identification code matches the immobilizer identification code stored in the immobilizer system 36, the immobilizer system 36 gives the engine system 37 permission to start. When the immobilizer identification code does not match the immobilizer identification code stored in the immobilizer system 36, the immobilizer system 36 gives an electric signal indicating that the immobilizer system 36 does not match to the main body microcomputer 13.

  In addition, once the immobilizer verification is performed, when the user carrying the smart key 11 leaves the vehicle 2 based on the calculated relative position information of the smart key 11, the main body microcomputer 13 cancels the immobilizer verification. .

  The process of executing immobilizer verification is repeatedly performed while power is supplied to the main body microcomputer 13. In step d1, the main body microcomputer 13 checks the value of the IF flag stored in the storage unit and indicating whether or not the immobilizer has been collated. Move to d2. That is, when the value of the IF flag is “0”, the immobilizer is not collated, and when the value of the IF flag is “1”, the immobilizer is collated, that is, for the immobilizer. The identification code matches.

  In step d2, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the smart key 11 is located in the D seat target area based on the relative position information. If the smart key 11 is located in the D seat target area, the main microcomputer 13 proceeds to step d3. Move. In step d3, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the D seat door is unlocked. In this process, when the D-seat door is unlocked, an unlock flag is set, and it is sufficient to determine whether or not the D-seat door is unlocked by the unlock flag. If the D-seat door is unlocked, the process proceeds to step d4, and if it is not unlocked, the process proceeds to step d2. In step d4, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the D seat door is open based on the courtesy switch. If the D seat door is open, the process proceeds to step d5, and if the D seat door is closed, the process proceeds to step d2.

  In step d5, the main body microcomputer 13 collates the immobilizer described above, and proceeds to step d6. In step d6, the main body microcomputer 13 proceeds to step d7 if the received immobilizer identification code matches the immobilizer identification code stored in the immobilizer system 8, and if the immobilizer identification code does not match, Move on to step d2. In step d7, the main body microcomputer 13 substitutes the number “1” indicating that the immobilizer has been collated into the IF flag, and proceeds to step d8. In step d8, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the engine system 37 has been started. If it is determined that the engine system 37 has been started, this process is terminated.

  If the value of the IF flag is 1 in step d1, the main body microcomputer 13 determines that the immobilizer collation has been executed, and proceeds to step d8. If the main body microcomputer 13 determines in step d2 that the smart key 11 is not located in the D seat target area, the process proceeds to step d9. In step d9, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the smart key 11 is located in the P seat target area based on the relative position information. If the smart key 11 is located in the P seat target area, the process proceeds to step d10, and if the smart key 11 is not located in the P seat target area, the process proceeds to step d2. In step d10, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the P seat door is unlocked based on the unlock flag indicating whether or not the door is unlocked. If the P-seat door is unlocked, the process proceeds to step d11, and if it is not unlocked, the process proceeds to step d2. In step d11, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the P seat door is open based on the P seat door switch 30 among the courtesy switches. If the P seat door is open, the process proceeds to step d5, and if the P seat door is closed, the process proceeds to step d2.

  In step d8, if the engine system 37 has not been started, the process proceeds to step d12. In step d12, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the smart key 11 has moved out of a predetermined area based on a plurality of pieces of relative position information. The predetermined area is an area including, for example, a vehicle interior area 8, a D seat target area, a P seat target area, an RR seat target area, and an RL seat target area. That is, if the main body microcomputer 13 determines that the smart key 11 has left the vehicle 2 through any of the D seat target area, the P seat target area, the RR seat target area, and the RL seat target area, the process proceeds to step d13. In step d13, the main body microcomputer 13 cancels the immobilizer verification, and proceeds to step d14. In step d14, the main body microcomputer 13 substitutes the number “0” indicating that the immobilizer is not collated in the IF flag, and proceeds to step d1. In step d12, if the smart key 11 has not moved outside the predetermined area, the process proceeds to step d1.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing in which the main body microcomputer 13 calculates relative position information of the smart key 11 with respect to the vehicle 2. The process for calculating the relative position information is started when an interrupt process for starting the process for calculating the relative position information by the timer of the main body microcomputer 13 occurs, for example. First, in step c1, the main body microcomputer 13 controls the LF transmission unit 14 to sequentially transmit five search signals via the LF transmission antenna 24 as shown in FIG.

  Thereby, the portable microcomputer controls the LF receiving unit 23 to receive the search signal captured by the LF receiving antenna 38 and controls the electric field intensity measuring unit 39 to control the electric field of the search signal captured by the LF receiving antenna 38. The intensity is measured, and the RF transmitter 25 is controlled to transmit the electric field strength information shown in FIG. 7 as a response signal via the RF transmission antenna 40.

  Next, in step c2, the main body microcomputer 13 controls the RF receiver 15 to receive the response signal emitted from the RF transmitting antenna 40 and captured by the RF receiving antenna 26, and receives the electric field strength information, step c3 Move on. In step ca <b> 3, the main body microcomputer 13 is transmitted from one of the antennas 3 to 7 constituting the LF transmission antenna 24, and the electric field strength of the search signal captured by the LF reception antenna 38 is higher than the upper limit strength Eu. If so, then go to Step c4. If it is determined that the upper limit strength Eu or less, the process proceeds to step c5. In step c4, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the voltage applied to the antenna drive circuit 14a for driving the antenna that has transmitted the search signal stronger than the predetermined upper limit strength Eu is the lowest. The process proceeds to step c5, and if it is determined that it is not the minimum, the process proceeds to step c6. In step c6, the main body microcomputer 13 switches the voltage applied to the antenna drive circuit 14a to weaken the electric field strength of the search signal transmitted from the antenna that has transmitted the search signal stronger than the predetermined upper limit strength Eu by one step, Move to step c7. In step c7, the main body microcomputer 13 changes the field strength coefficient corresponding to the antenna whose field strength transmitted from the antenna is weakened in step c6, moves to step c1, and transmits the search signal again.

  In step c5, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not all the electric field strength information of each of the antennas 3 to 7 constituting the LF transmitting antenna 24 in step c3 has been compared with whether it is stronger than a predetermined upper limit strength Eu. If it is determined that the field intensity information of all antennas has been compared with the upper limit intensity, the process proceeds to step c8. If there is field intensity information of the antenna that has not yet been compared with the predetermined upper limit intensity, the process proceeds to step c3.

In step c8, the main body microcomputer 13 transmits a signal transmitted from one of the antennas 3 to 7 constituting the LF transmitting antenna 24, and the search signal electric field strength captured by the LF receiving antenna 38 has a predetermined lower limit strength E _LOW. If it is weaker, the process moves to step c9. If it is determined that the intensity is not more than the lower limit intensity, the process proceeds to step c10. In step c9, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not the voltage applied to the antenna drive circuit 14a for driving the antenna that has transmitted the search signal weaker than the predetermined lower limit strength E _LOW is the highest, Moves to step c10, and if it is determined that it is not the highest, moves to step c11. In step c11, the main body microcomputer 13 switches the voltage applied to the antenna drive circuit 14a to increase the electric field strength of the search signal transmitted from the antenna that has transmitted the search signal weaker than the predetermined lower limit strength by one step. Move to c12. In step c12, the main body microcomputer 13 changes the electric field strength coefficient corresponding to the antenna whose electric field strength transmitted from the antenna is increased in step c11, moves to step c1, and transmits the search signal again.

  In step c10, the main body microcomputer 13 determines whether or not all the electric field intensity information of each of the antennas 3 to 7 constituting the LF transmitting antenna 24 in step c8 is compared with whether it is weaker than a predetermined lower limit intensity, If it is determined that the field intensity information of all antennas has been compared with the lower limit intensity, the process proceeds to step c13. If there is an antenna whose electric field intensity information has not been compared with the lower limit intensity, the process proceeds to step c8. In step c13, the main body microcomputer 13 obtains the relative position information of the smart key 11 relative to the vehicle 2 based on the electric field intensity information from No. 1 to No. 3 where the electric field intensity of the search signal captured by the LF receiving antenna 38 is the strongest. The calculation is completed.

  An example of the window close setting in step a12 in FIG. 9, the automatic lock control prohibit mode setting in step a27, the door close setting in step a20, the door open setting in step b6 in FIG. 10, and the window open setting in b11 will be described. Transition from normal operation mode to setting mode. The setting mode is entered by performing various operations on various switches. For example, when the IG is turned on 5 times and the door is opened and closed 5 times within a predetermined time, the normal operation mode is shifted to the setting mode.

  When entering the setting mode, an item whose setting is to be changed is selected with a predetermined switch. The items include window closing permission setting, window opening permission setting, door closing permission setting, door opening permission setting, and automatic lock control prohibition mode setting. For example, the item is selected by the number of times of operation of the IG switch. For example, in the setting mode, IG on 1 time: window close permission setting, IG on 2 times: window open permission setting, IG on 3 times: door close permission setting, IG on 4 times: door open permission setting, IG on 5 times : Set automatic lock control prohibit mode.

  When an item is selected, the setting of the selected item is changed by operating a predetermined switch. Assume that the default value is set to prohibit all items. For example, when the window close permission setting is selected, the setting is changed to “permitted” if the IG is turned on once. If IG is turned on twice, it is set to “prohibited”. The same applies to other items.

  According to the vehicle control apparatus 1 described above, when the main body microcomputer 13 determines that the smart key 11 has moved from the vehicle interior area 9 to the vehicle exterior area 10, the door lock control or the like is executed. In other words, when it cannot be determined that the smart key 11 has moved from the vehicle interior area 9 to the vehicle exterior area 10, the door is not locked. Therefore, even if the user or the like forgets to place the smart key 11 in the passenger compartment and moves to the outside area 10, the vehicle 2 can be prevented from being undesirably remotely controlled. Thus, the remote control of the vehicle 2 can be performed reliably.

  When the main body microcomputer 13 shifts from the detection state in which the position information of the smart key 11 in the vehicle interior is detected to the non-detection state, remote control of the vehicle 2 is prohibited. Therefore, even when the smart key 11 is in the passenger compartment and the radio signal between the vehicle 2 and the smart key 11 is cut off due to the battery running out of the smart key 11 or the like, it is surely locked undesirably. Can be prevented. Even when the user or the like forgets to place the smart key 11 in the passenger compartment and moves to the vehicle outside area 10, the radio wave between the vehicle 2 and the smart key 11 is interrupted due to the battery of the smart key 11 running out. It can be surely prevented from being locked.

  Based on the position information of the smart key 11, the main body microcomputer 13 stops the drive source of the vehicle 2 and executes remote control for locking the vehicle 2, so that the security can be improved. Even when the drive source is quiet and the user or the like cannot recognize that the drive source is being driven, the drive source can be reliably stopped based on the position information of the smart key 11. . The main body microcomputer 13 can control the electrical components such as the power window by matching the position information of the moving smart key 11 with the position information relative to the vehicle 2 set in advance. The operability for controlling the parts can be simplified. It is also possible to omit the switching means for driving the electrical components. Accordingly, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Since the position information of the moving smart key 11 matches the position information relative to the vehicle 2 set in advance, the remote control for locking the vehicle 2 can be executed, so that the lock is performed rather than the key operation with fingers. Therefore, the operability can be simplified. When there is a third party in the vicinity of the vehicle 2, the user or the like stops the drive source and locks the drive source as necessary, such as when continuously taking in and out the luggage from the vehicle 2, and the control Can be switched over to a non-control state that inhibits. The LF receiving antenna 38 of the smart key 11 can capture electric field strengths in the X, Y, and Z directions parallel to three axes orthogonal to each other. Therefore, the search signal can be reliably captured regardless of the position where the smart key 11 is carried.

It is a block diagram showing the electric constitution of the vehicle control apparatus 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a relationship among transmission antennas 3 to 7 for the vehicle 2 and a vehicle interior area 8, a vehicle exterior area 9, and a vehicle exterior area 10. It is a graph showing the relationship between the radio wave propagation distance r and the electric field strength E when a radio wave is transmitted with a certain transmission power. 4A is a diagram schematically illustrating the positional relationship between the LF receiving antenna 38 and each of the antennas 3 to 7 on the vehicle side, and FIG. 4B illustrates a coordinate system set for the vehicle 2. It is a figure showing typically. FIG. 5A is a diagram schematically showing position correspondence information that relates the electric field strength information of each antenna 3 to 7 and the relative position information of the smart key 11, and FIG. 5A shows a D-seat antenna 3 with a certain transmission output. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a map storing position correspondence information of the smart key 11 corresponding to the electric field strength information of the search signal transmitted from the P seat antenna 4 and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a map in which position correspondence information of a smart key 11 corresponding to electric field strength information of a search signal transmitted from 4 and an RL seat antenna 6 is stored. 7 is a timing chart of search signals transmitted from antennas 3 to 7 constituting the LF transmission antenna 24. It is a figure showing the relationship between each antenna 3-7 of LF transmitting antenna 24, and electric field strength E, and Fig.7 (1) is electric field strength saturated from upper limit strength Eu, and electric field strength weaker than lower limit strength _ELOW. FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the electric field intensity E is adjusted to be equal to or higher than the lower limit intensity E _{LOW and} lower than the upper limit intensity Eu. It is a figure which shows the structure for adjusting the electric field strength of the search signal transmitted from each antenna 3-7 which comprises LF transmission antenna 24. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for remotely controlling a vehicle 2 in stages. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for remotely controlling a vehicle 2 in stages. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for remotely controlling a vehicle 2 in stages. 7 is a flowchart showing another method for remotely controlling the vehicle 2 in stages. It is a flowchart showing the procedure of the process which performs the collation of an immobilizer. It is a figure showing the conditions which perform the collation of an immobilizer. It is a figure showing the conditions which cancel | release the collation of an immobilizer. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing in which main body microcomputer 13 calculates relative position information of smart key 11 with respect to vehicle 2.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle control apparatus 11 Smart key 12 Main body control part 13 Main body microcomputer 14 LF transmission part 15 RF reception part

Claims (10)

In a vehicle control device that performs mutual communication between a main body control unit provided in a vehicle and a portable device configured to be portable, and remotely controls the vehicle according to a relative position of the portable device,
In the main body control unit,
Search signal transmission means for transmitting a search signal for detecting the portable device;
Detecting means for detecting a relative position of the portable device within an allowable range for the portable device to receive the search signal based on a response signal returned by the portable device in response to the search signal;
Based on the position information of the portable device detected by the detection means, the portable device has moved from outside the vehicle compartment outside the vehicle compartment where the search signal is received to the vehicle outside region where the search signal cannot be received. When the vehicle is detected, or when it is detected that the position of the portable device in the vehicle exterior area shows a predetermined change, the vehicle control device controls the vehicle remotely.   The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is configured to be able to detect position information of a portable device in a vehicle interior.   The main body control unit prohibits remote control of the vehicle when the detection unit shifts from a detection state in which the position information of the portable device in the vehicle interior is detected to a non-detection state in which the position information of the portable device cannot be detected. The vehicle control device according to claim 2, characterized in that:   The said main body control part performs the remote control which stops the drive source of the said vehicle, or locks a vehicle based on the positional information on the portable machine detected by a detection means. The vehicle control device according to any one of the above. In a vehicle control device that performs mutual communication between a main body control unit provided in a vehicle and a portable device configured to be portable, and remotely controls the vehicle according to a relative position of the portable device,
In the main body control unit,
Search signal transmission means for transmitting a search signal for detecting the portable device;
Detecting means for detecting a relative position of the portable device within an allowable range for the portable device to receive the search signal based on a response signal returned by the portable device in response to the search signal;
Based on the position information of the portable device detected by the detection means, when it is detected that the portable device has moved from the vehicle exterior area where the search signal cannot be received to the vehicle exterior area, or the vehicle exterior area A vehicle control device for remotely controlling the vehicle when detecting that the position of the portable device shows a predetermined change.   2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the main body control unit controls the electrical components of the vehicle when the position information of the mobile device to be moved matches the preset position information relative to the vehicle. The vehicle control apparatus as described in any one of -5.   The main body control unit locks the vehicle or sets the drive source when the position information of the portable device moving in the vehicle exterior area matches the position information relative to the vehicle set in advance. 7. The vehicle control device according to claim 4, wherein remote control for stopping is performed.   5. The switching device according to claim 4, further comprising a switching means capable of switching between a control state in which a remote control for stopping the vehicle drive source or locking the vehicle and a non-control state in which the control is prohibited. Vehicle control device.   The said main body control part reduces the output of the transmission signal transmitted from the said vehicle side, when the electric field strength data transmitted from the portable device side exceeds the predetermined value. Vehicle control device as described in one.   The said main body control part performs the remote control which authenticates cancellation | release of the immobilizer provided in the said vehicle while unlocking the said vehicle based on the positional information on the portable machine detected by the detection means. 5. The vehicle control device according to 5.

Images