JP2012171458A - Notification apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a notification apparatus that notifies a user of a transmission error in a smart key system.SOLUTION: The notification apparatus carries out key authentication on a multi-channel (multiple frequencies) by using an LF transmitting part 40, an LF receiving part 30, an RF transmitting part 31, and an RF receiving part 41 between a vehicle 2 and a key 3. When the authentication successively fails a predetermined number of times, the notification apparatus notifies the user of the transmission error by character display on a display part 80, light emission from a light output part 81, buzzer or sound output from a sound output part 82, or the like.

Description

  The present invention relates to a notification device.

  Smart key systems for vehicles (smart entry systems, smart start systems) are in widespread use. In the current smart key system, for example, when a user performs an operation such as a door handle contact or pressing of an engine start switch, a request signal (polling signal) is transmitted, and the ID returned from the smart key is compared with the master ID. At that point, the door is unlocked and the engine is started.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 below, in the smart key system, a means for determining whether or not the occupant intends to continue driving is equipped, and the portable device is separated from the vehicle, and driving continues for those who do not have the portable device. A system is disclosed that permits the restart of the internal combustion engine when there is an intention to prevent theft of the vehicle more reliably.

JP 2007-153190 A

  In the smart key system, key authentication (verification) may not succeed due to communication failure such as radio wave interference in wireless communication between the vehicle and the smart key. For this purpose, there is a technique for performing authentication processing in multiple channels (multiple frequency bands). An example is shown in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 5 (a), an LF (Low Frequency) signal is transmitted from the vehicle side at one frequency (LF1), and this signal reaches the smart key, and the RF (Radio Frequency) signal (frequency RF1) is transmitted from the smart key. ) Has been replied. If the smart key ID included in the RF signal is authenticated as a legitimate ID, door unlocking and engine start are permitted. In this example, there is no communication failure, authentication is successful at the first frequency, and LF signal transmission at the second frequency is not necessary.

  In the example of FIG. 5B, the LF signal is transmitted at the first frequency (LF1) from the vehicle side, but the reply RF signal (frequency RF1) is mixed with noise due to communication failure, and authentication is not possible. failed. Therefore, try authentication on another channel. That is, the vehicle transmits an LF signal at another frequency (LF2), and the smart key also returns an RF signal at another frequency (RF2). In the case of FIG. 5B, noise was not mixed in the second RF signal (frequency RF2), and the authentication was successful.

  The multi-channel authentication process of FIG. 5 succeeds in the second authentication try, but depending on the degree of communication failure, the authentication may not succeed no matter how many times it is tried. In that case, the user may not be able to grasp why the authentication is not successful and may be dissatisfied. Or there is a possibility that it is mistaken for a system malfunction. If information that communication is poor is communicated to the user, in addition to avoiding dissatisfaction and misidentification of the cause of the failure, the user notices that there is something that emits radio waves in the vicinity, and that There is also the possibility of removal. Therefore, a system for notifying the user of communication failure is desirable, but there is no such proposal in the prior art.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a notification device that notifies a user of a communication failure in a smart key system.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a notification device according to the present invention is equipped with a vehicle and wirelessly transmits a command signal for requesting a reply of an identification signal at one of a plurality of predetermined frequencies. And an authentication means for determining whether or not the wireless signal received by the receiving means provided in the vehicle is an authentication signal that is an identification signal returned by an authorized portable device of the vehicle that has received the command signal. When the authentication unit does not determine that the authentication is successful, the transmission unit is configured to transmit a command signal for requesting a reply of an identification signal at a frequency different from the one of a plurality of predetermined frequencies. A command means for instructing, a determination means for determining a communication failure when the determination by the authentication means is not successful for a predetermined number of times, and a communication failure if the determination means is determined to be a communication failure And informing means for informing that there, characterized by comprising a.

  Thus, in the notification device according to the present invention, when the identification signal is transmitted from the portable device to the vehicle at one frequency but the authentication is not successful, the identification signal is retransmitted at another frequency and the authentication is tried. In a multi-channel system, if authentication fails continuously for a predetermined number of times, the user is notified of a communication failure. Therefore, without knowing why the authentication is not successful as in the past, the user can try and repeatedly do not feel dissatisfied or misunderstand that it is a system failure such as a key, etc. If there is a cause of emitting radio waves, it is possible to deal with it by removing it on the user side. Therefore, it is possible to construct a smart key system that can avoid user dissatisfaction and misidentification and promote appropriate responses.

  The transmission of the command signal by the transmission means is transmission toward the outside of the vehicle with the door of the vehicle locked, and the notification by the notification means may be notification toward the outside of the vehicle. Good.

  According to the present invention, in a so-called smart entry system in which a command signal is transmitted to the outside of a vehicle with the vehicle door locked, authentication is performed with multi-channel, and if the authentication fails continuously for a predetermined number of times, the user is notified. To indicate that there is a communication failure. Therefore, it is possible to construct a smart entry system that can grasp the situation that the user has a communication failure and can cope with it by removing it if there is a cause of radio waves in the vicinity.

  The transmission of the command signal by the transmission means is transmission toward the inside of the vehicle when the driving unit of the vehicle is not driven, and the notification by the notification means is notification toward the inside of the vehicle. It is good.

  According to the present invention, in a so-called smart start system in which a command signal is transmitted toward the vehicle interior in a state where the vehicle drive unit is not driven, authentication is performed with multi-channel, and authentication fails continuously a predetermined number of times. Then, it notifies the user that the communication is poor. Therefore, it is possible to construct a smart start system that can grasp the situation that the user has a communication failure and can cope with it by removing it on the user side if there is a cause for emitting radio waves in the vicinity.

  Further, a storage unit that stores the failure information of the vehicle may be provided, and a storage control unit that stores, in the storage unit, a communication failure when it is determined that the determination unit has a communication failure.

  According to the present invention, the fact that the authentication of the portable device has failed due to poor communication is recorded in the storage unit that stores vehicle failure information. For example, if such records are accumulated from a large number of vehicles, Possibility that can be used to analyze whether there is a problem on the system side is opened. Therefore, it is possible to construct a system for accumulating a record of authentication failure of the portable device due to communication failure for later analysis.

  Moreover, it is good also as providing the change means which changes the said predetermined number of times used in the said determination means.

  According to the present invention, in a multi-channel smart key system, a predetermined number of times can be changed in a system that notifies a user of a communication failure if authentication fails continuously a predetermined number of times. Therefore, the predetermined number of times is appropriately reduced according to demands and circumstances, such as decreasing the predetermined number from the viewpoint that it is better to notify the user as much as possible, or increasing the predetermined number from the viewpoint of avoiding frequent notifications. Can be set.

The block diagram in one Example of the alerting | reporting system of this invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the case of a smart entry system according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the case of the smart start system according to the first embodiment. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in Embodiment 2. The figure which shows the example of LF signal transmitted from a vehicle to a key in the multichannel smart key system, and RF signal returned from the key.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a device configuration of a vehicle notification system 1 (system) according to the present invention. A system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a smart control unit (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) 4 provided in a vehicle 2 and a smart key 3 (key, electronic key, portable device) that can be carried by a user. The vehicle 2 is not limited as long as it is an automobile, and may be, for example, a gasoline engine car, a diesel engine car, an electric car, or a hybrid car.

  The smart ECU 4 (collation ECU) includes an LF transmitter 40 and an RF receiver 41. The LF transmitter 40 may be an out-of-vehicle LF transmitter or an in-vehicle LF transmitter. In the case of the LF transmission unit outside the vehicle compartment, for example, it is installed at a portion of the door handle of the vehicle 2 and transmits a request signal (or polling signal) outside the vehicle compartment of the vehicle 2 by electromagnetic waves in the LF (long wave) band.

  In the case of the vehicle interior LF transmission unit, it is installed in the vehicle interior and transmits a request signal (or polling signal) to the vehicle interior of the vehicle 2 by electromagnetic waves in the LF (long wave) band. The RF receiver 41 is installed, for example, in the vehicle interior and receives RF signals transmitted from outside the vehicle interior.

  The LF transmission unit 40 includes a frequency switching unit 42. The frequency switching unit 42 switches the frequency of the request signal transmitted from the LF transmission unit 40 among a plurality of (for example, two, LF1, LF2 in the example described later) frequencies specified in advance within the LF band. The RF receiver 41 includes an RSSI detector 43. The RSSI detection unit 43 detects an RSSI (Received Signal Stability Indicator, radio wave intensity, electric field intensity) of the RF signal received by the RF reception unit 41.

  The smart ECU 4 has a normal computer structure, and includes a CPU that controls various operations and information processing, a RAM that is a temporary storage unit as a work area of the CPU, and a nonvolatile memory 44 that stores various information. It is assumed that a master ID 45 described later is stored in the memory 44.

  The vehicle 2 further includes a door 5, an engine start switch 6, and a diagnosis ECU 7. The door 5 of the vehicle 2 is equipped with a lock mechanism 50 and a touch sensor 51. The door is locked or unlocked by the lock mechanism 50. The touch sensor 51 is a sensor that is mounted on the door handle of the vehicle 2 and detects that the user has gripped the door handle.

  The door 5 refers to a plurality of doors (driver's side door, passenger side door, rear seat right side, left side door, etc.) equipped on the vehicle 2, and each of the doors is equipped with a lock mechanism 50 and a touch sensor 51. If it is done.

  The engine start switch 6 is a switch for starting the engine in the smart start system, and is a switch for starting the engine when the user presses down and the vehicle interior verification is successful. The engine start switch 6 is provided, for example, near the driver's seat in the passenger compartment.

  The diagnosis ECU 7 is an ECU that performs a self-diagnosis (diagnostic, abbreviated as diagnosis) function of each part of the vehicle 2. The diagnostic ECU 7 includes a rewritable memory 70 in which information (diagnostic information) related to a failure of each part of the vehicle is stored. In the present embodiment, a predetermined number of consecutive failures of authentication of the smart key 3 is stored in the memory 7 as information with a possibility of failure.

  The diagnostic ECU 7 includes a communication unit 71 having a wireless communication function. The communication unit 71 transmits the diagnosis information of the vehicle 2 to the center 9 via the existing communication network 10 (for example, a mobile phone network). In this way, the center 9 acquires diagnostic information from a plurality of vehicles and accumulates it in the database 90.

  The vehicle 2 includes a display unit 80, a light output unit 81, and a sound output unit 82 as a notification unit that is a main part of the present invention. These notification units notify the user of information that authentication of the smart key 3 has failed due to poor communication (such as radio wave interference).

  The display unit 80 notifies the information by character display. The display unit 80 may be a variety of display units (for example, a liquid crystal display unit) installed in the vehicle interior when displaying to a user in the vehicle interior. Moreover, when displaying toward the user outside a vehicle interior, what is necessary is just to set it as the form which equips the dashboard of the vehicle 2, for example, with a projector, and projects character information toward a windshield.

  The light output unit 81 notifies the above information by light output (light emission). The light output unit 81 may be a lamp or the like equipped in the vehicle interior when informing the user in the vehicle interior. Moreover, what is necessary is just to alert | report by blinking, for example as a hazard lamp, when alerting | reporting toward the user outside a vehicle interior.

  The sound output unit 82 notifies the above information by sound (voice) output. When notifying the user in the vehicle interior, the sound output unit 82 may use a chime or a buzzer as a chime or speaker installed in the vehicle interior, or a voice informing the above information from the speaker. Moreover, what is necessary is just to set it as the horn etc. of the vehicle 2, for example, when reporting to the user outside a vehicle interior.

  Further, the vehicle 2 includes a GPS unit 83 and an input unit 84. The GPS unit 83 receives a signal from a GPS satellite and calculates the position (latitude, longitude) of the vehicle 2 using a known technique, and stores information such as the vehicle speed and steering angle, and stored map information. The position is corrected by matching. In the present embodiment, the position information of the vehicle 2 calculated by the GPS unit 83 is sent to the center 9 together with the authentication failure information.

  The input unit 84 is provided, for example, in the passenger compartment, and receives input from a passenger (or a factory or dealer worker) by various buttons. In the present embodiment, a setting input of how many times the authentication fails is notified by the notification unit is accepted. Each of the above units is connected by in-vehicle communication (for example, CAN communication) and can exchange information.

  Next, the key 3 is an electronic key that can be carried by the user and is associated with the smart key system. The key 3 includes an LF receiver 30, an RF transmitter 31, a controller 32, and a memory 33. The memory 33 stores an identification signal 34 (ID code, ID) unique to the key 3. The RF transmission unit 31 includes a frequency switching unit 35.

  The LF receiver 30 receives the request signal (polling signal) transmitted from the LF transmitter 40. Upon receiving the request signal (polling signal) from the LF receiver 30, the RF transmitter 31 transmits the ID code 34 unique to the key 3 as an RF signal. The control unit 32 has the same structure as a normal computer, and includes a CPU for various information processing, a RAM of a temporary storage unit as a work area of the CPU, and the like.

  The control unit 32 controls each equipment of the key 3 such as the LF reception unit 30, the RF transmission unit 31, and the memory 33. The frequency switching unit 35 switches the frequency of the RF signal transmitted from the RF transmission unit 31 among a plurality of (for example, two, RF1 and RF2 in the example described later) frequencies specified in advance.

  Further, the key 3 includes a notification unit 36. The notification unit 36 is equipped for the purpose of notifying a user who has a key of a communication failure. The notification unit 36 may be, for example, a display unit that displays characters and icons, a light output unit (for example, LED) that notifies by light emission, and a sound output unit (for example, buzzer, chime) that notifies by sound. In the first embodiment, the notification unit 36 may not be equipped.

  This system includes a so-called smart entry system as an unlocking method for a vehicle door. In this method, when the touch sensor 51 detects an operation for unlocking the door that is gripped by the user, the LF wave commanding a reply of the identification signal (ID34) from the outside LF transmitter 40 to the key 3 is used. A request signal is transmitted.

  When the key 3 receives the request signal, it returns an RF wave signal including ID 34 from the RF transmission unit 31. The smart ECU 4 collates the signal received by the RF receiving unit 41 with the master ID 44. If the collation is successful, the smart ECU 4 unlocks the door 5 of the vehicle or sets the unlocking permitted state.

  In addition, this system includes a smart start system as a system for starting the drive unit (engine, motor) of the vehicle 2. In this method, when an operation of depressing the engine start switch 6 by the user is detected, a request signal by an LF wave that commands a reply of the identification signal (ID34) is transmitted from the LF transmitter 40 to the vehicle interior.

  When the key 3 receives the request signal, it returns an RF wave signal including ID 34 from the RF transmission unit 31. The smart ECU 4 collates the signal received by the RF receiver 41 with the master ID 44, and if the collation is successful, the drive unit (engine, motor) of the vehicle 2 is started. The smart entry system and the smart start system may be configured to always send a polling signal.

  In the first embodiment based on the above configuration, the system 1 executes a notification process at the time of authentication failure in the smart entry system or the smart start system of the vehicle 2. The processing procedure in the case of the smart entry system is shown in FIG. The processing procedure of FIG. 2 (and FIG. 3 to be described later) may be programmed in advance and stored in, for example, the memory 44 and called by the smart ECU 4 and automatically executed. In FIG. 2, the process on the left side is a process on the smart ECU 4 side, and the process on the right side is a process on the key 3 side carried by the owner of the vehicle 2.

  In the process of FIG. 2, first, in S10, the smart ECU 4 determines whether or not the touch sensor 51 has detected that the user has touched the door handle. When the touch sensor 51 detects contact (S10: YES), the process proceeds to S20, and when contact is not detected (S10: NO), S10 is repeated to enter a waiting state. After proceeding to S20, the smart ECU 4 transmits an LF signal (request signal) from the LF transmitter 40.

  In this embodiment, the authentication process in smart entry is performed by multi-channel (multiple frequencies). FIG. 2 shows the case of two frequencies. That is, LF1 and LF2 are set in advance as the frequency of the LF signal transmitted from the LF transmitter 40. Similarly, RF1 and RF2 are set in advance as the frequency of the RF signal transmitted from the RF transmitter 31.

  If authentication is not successful at one frequency, it is determined that there is a communication failure (radio interference) at that frequency, and retry is performed at the other frequency. The frequency of the LF signal transmitted in S20 is set to, for example, LF1 by the frequency switching unit 42. Here, for example, LF1 may be a frequency when the previous authentication is successful.

  The key 3 receives the LF signal (frequency LF1) transmitted in S20 by the LF receiver 30 in S200. Thus, since the request signal for ID transmission is received from the smart ECU 4 side, the key 3 transmits an RF signal (identification signal) including the ID 34 unique to the key 3 from the RF transmission unit 31 in S210. Here, the frequency of the RF signal is set to, for example, RF1 by the frequency switching unit 35.

  Subsequently, in S30, the smart ECU 4 determines whether or not an RF signal (frequency RF1) has been received. Specifically, the determination of reception of the RF signal may be performed when the radio wave intensity detected by the RSSI detection unit 43 exceeds the level indicating radio wave reception. When the RF signal is received (S30: YES), the process proceeds to S40, and when the RF signal is not received (S30: NO), the process proceeds to S50.

  After proceeding to S50, the smart ECU 4 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the LF signal at S20. Here, the predetermined time is a waiting time set for receiving the RF signal. If the predetermined time has already elapsed (S50: YES), the process proceeds to S60. If the predetermined time has not yet elapsed (S50: NO), the process returns to S30 and waits for reception of the RF signal.

  If it progresses to S40, an authentication (collation) process will be performed. Specifically, if the ID 34 in the received RF signal matches the master ID 45, it is determined that authentication is successful, and if it does not match, it is determined that authentication fails. If the authentication is successful, the transmission source of the RF signal is the authorized key 3 of the vehicle 2, and it is determined that the authorized owner of the vehicle 2 has touched the door 5 of the vehicle 2 in S10. If the authentication is successful (S40: YES), the process proceeds to S110. If the authentication is unsuccessful (S40: NO), the process proceeds to S60.

  After proceeding to S110, the lock mechanism 50 of the door 5 of the vehicle 2 is unlocked. If it progresses to S60, since the authentication process by frequency LF1 and RF1 was not successful (including RF signal non-reception), it will transfer to the authentication by another frequency LF2 and RF2.

  That is, after proceeding to S60, the smart ECU 4 transmits an LF signal (request signal) from the LF transmitter 40 at another frequency LF2. The key 3 receives the LF signal (frequency LF2) transmitted in S60 by the LF receiver 30 in S220. Thus, since the request signal for ID transmission is received again from the smart ECU 4 side, the key 3 transmits an RF signal (identification signal) including the ID 34 unique to the key 3 from the RF transmission unit 31 in S230. Here, the frequency of the RF signal is set to another frequency RF2 by the frequency switching unit 35.

  Subsequently, in S70, the smart ECU 4 determines whether or not an RF signal (frequency RF2) has been received as in S30. When the RF signal is received (S70: YES), the process proceeds to S80, and when the RF signal is not received (S70: NO), the process proceeds to S90.

  After proceeding to S90, the smart ECU 4 determines whether or not a predetermined time (waiting time) has elapsed since the transmission of the LF signal at S60. If the predetermined time has already elapsed (S90: YES), the process proceeds to S100. If the predetermined time has not yet elapsed (S90: NO), the process returns to S70 and waits for reception of the RF signal.

  If it progresses to S80, an authentication (collation) process will be performed similarly to S40. If the authentication is successful (S80: YES), the process proceeds to S110. If the authentication is unsuccessful (S80: NO), the process proceeds to S100. After proceeding to S110 as described above, the door 5 of the vehicle 2 is unlocked. On the other hand, when the process proceeds to S100, it is a case where the continuous authentication is not successful twice. Therefore, in S100, a process of notifying the user that the communication is bad (radio wave interference) is executed.

  In S100, the notification process is executed using at least one of the display unit 80, the light output unit 81, and the sound output unit 82. Among these, the display unit 80 notifies the information that the key authentication is not successful due to communication failure toward the outside of the vehicle by text display. Specifically, for example, character information such as “the key cannot be authenticated due to poor communication” is projected onto the windshield by a projector equipped on the dashboard of the vehicle 2.

  Further, the light output unit 81 notifies the outside of the vehicle that the key authentication is not successful due to communication failure, for example, by blinking of a hazard lamp. The sound output unit 82 notifies the outside of the vehicle that the key authentication is not successful due to poor communication, for example, by a horn of the vehicle 2.

  Through the above notification process, the user can recognize the reason why the door is not unlocked. (It is assumed that the user recognizes that a predetermined notification indicates a communication failure by a manual or the like.) Therefore, the user can grasp the situation, and if there is something that emits radio waves nearby, remove it. Measures such as can be taken. Therefore, the user's dissatisfaction caused by trying many times without knowing the reason can be avoided.

  Subsequently, in S120, the smart ECU 4 transmits information that the authentication process has not been successful to the diagnosis ECU 7 using in-vehicle communication. The diagnosis ECU 7 stores the received information in the memory 70. Then, the diagnosis ECU 7 wirelessly transmits the same information (including the diagnosis information of the vehicle 2) to the center 9 using the communication unit 71.

  At the time of transmission, the location, date, etc. where key authentication failed (continuous number of times) are also transmitted. Information on the location where the key authentication has failed may be acquired from the GPS unit 83. Information on the date and time when the key authentication has failed may be obtained by providing the smart ECU 4 with a timekeeping function, for example.

  Diagnostic information is transmitted to the center 9 from a plurality of (usually a large number of) vehicles and stored in the database 90. In this embodiment, the center 9 stores information related to communication failures and system failures in the smart key system. Perform (further analysis may be performed). Specific examples of the accumulation (analysis) are as follows, for example.

  If the location of the key authentication failure is limited to a region (for example, in an urban area) by integrating the information on the key authentication failure from a large number of vehicles, it is a key authentication failure due to regional communication failure. It is determined that the system is not defective. Conversely, if the location of the key authentication failure is not limited to a region, it is determined that there is a possibility of a malfunction of this system. Further, when the date and time of key authentication failure is limited to a specific temperature condition, for example, it is determined that there is a possibility that a malfunction may occur due to the temperature condition or the like. The above is the processing procedure of FIG.

  In the process of FIG. 2, when a predetermined waiting time has elapsed (S50: YES, S90: YES), communication failure (for example, the LF signal did not reach the key due to communication failure and the RF signal was not returned). However, in the case of S50: YES and S90: YES, it may be determined that the user does not have a key failure and the key 3 is out of hand or the key 3 is out of battery, and the process of FIG.

  Next, FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 2 shows a communication failure notification procedure in smart entry (door unlocking using a smart key), whereas FIG. 3 shows a communication failure notification processing in smart start (engine start using a smart key). It is a procedure. Among the processes in FIG. 3, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 perform the same processes as in FIG. Hereinafter, parts different from FIG. 2 will be described.

  In the process of FIG. 3, S10 of FIG. 2 is replaced with S15. In S15, the smart ECU 4 determines whether or not the user has turned on the engine start switch 6. When the on operation for the engine start switch 6 is performed (S15: YES), the process proceeds to S20, and when the on operation for the engine start switch 61 is not performed (S15: NO), S10 is repeated to wait for the on operation. In FIG. 3, S110 in FIG. 2 is replaced with S115. In S115, the smart ECU 4 commands the engine (motor) start.

  The LF signal transmission at S20 and S60 in FIG. Moreover, what is necessary is just to let the alerting | reporting process by S100 in FIG. Specifically, the display unit 80 displays character information such as “a key cannot be authenticated due to poor communication” as various display units (for example, a liquid crystal display unit) installed in the passenger compartment.

  The light output unit 81 notifies the above information by light output (light emission). The light output unit 81 is a lamp equipped in the vehicle interior and notifies the vehicle interior that the key authentication is not successful due to communication failure due to light emission. The sound output unit 82 is a speaker installed in the vehicle interior, and notifies the vehicle interior with sounds such as chimes and buzzers, and voices indicating that key authentication is not successful due to poor communication. The above is the first embodiment.

  2 and 3 are processing procedures based on the user touching the vehicle door or pressing the engine start switch. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and the polling signal is constantly transmitted repeatedly. Form may be sufficient. In this case, S10 and S15 are deleted, and the process of FIG. 2 may be repeatedly executed while the vehicle door is locked. Further, the process of FIG. 3 may be repeatedly executed in an ignition-off state after the door is unlocked.

  Next, Example 2 will be described. In the second embodiment, communication failure notification processing is performed on the key 3 side. In the second embodiment, the key 3 is equipped with a notification unit 36. Other than that, it may be the same as the equipment configuration of the first embodiment. The processing procedure in the second embodiment is shown in FIG. Among the processes in FIG. 4, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 perform the same processes as in FIG. Hereinafter, parts different from FIG. 2 will be described.

  In the process of FIG. 4, the process of S100 in FIG. 2 is replaced with S105. In S <b> 105, the smart ECU 4 transmits a signal (notification command signal) for instructing the key side to notify that there is a communication failure from the LF transmission unit 40. This process assumes a situation where the LF signal is transmitted to the key. Therefore, for example, when a predetermined waiting time has elapsed (S50: YES, S90: YES), the process of S105 may not be performed.

  The key 3 receives the notification command signal transmitted in S105 in S240. And the key 3 performs an alerting | reporting process by S250. Specifically, character display for reporting a communication failure on the display unit, notification by light emission, notification by sound output (buzzer, chime, voice, etc.) may be used.

  4 is a processing procedure in which S100 in FIG. 2 is deleted and the processes in S105, S240, and S250 are added. However, even if S100 in FIG. 3 is deleted and the processes in S105, S240, and S250 are added. Good. In this case, a communication failure notification process is executed on the key side in the smart start system. The above is the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the notification function may not be provided on the vehicle side. Conversely, notification may be made on both the vehicle side and the key side.

  The key 3 may be an embodiment in which software for realizing a smart key function is installed in a portable information terminal such as a smartphone. In this case, the notification process using the key 3 may be a notification process using a liquid crystal display or a speaker included in the portable information terminal.

  The above embodiments may be appropriately changed within the scope of the spirit described in the claims. In the above embodiment, the case where the frequency of the LF signal or the RF signal is two is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of frequencies may be set arbitrarily such as three or four.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the notification process for the user is performed when authentication fails twice in succession, but the present invention is not limited to two times, and may be set arbitrarily such as three times or four times. Further, the user, factory, or dealer worker may be able to change the setting by the input unit 84 to notify how many times authentication failure has occurred. In this case, the predetermined number of times is appropriately reduced according to demands and circumstances, such as decreasing the predetermined number from the viewpoint that it is better to notify the user as much as possible, or increasing the predetermined number from the viewpoint of avoiding frequent notifications. Can be set.

1 Notification system (notification device)
2 Vehicle 3 Smart key (mobile device)
4 Smart ECU

Claims (5)

A transmission means mounted on the vehicle for wirelessly transmitting a command signal for requesting a reply of an identification signal at one of a plurality of predetermined frequencies;
Authentication means for determining whether or not the wireless signal received by the receiving means provided in the vehicle is an authentication success that is an identification signal returned by an authorized portable device of the vehicle that has received the command signal;
If the authentication unit does not determine that the authentication is successful, the transmission unit is instructed to transmit a command signal for requesting a reply of an identification signal at a frequency different from the one of a plurality of predetermined frequencies. Command means;
A determination means for determining a communication failure when the determination by the authentication means is not successful for a predetermined number of consecutive times;
If the determination means determines that there is a communication failure, a notification means for notifying that there is a communication failure;
A notification apparatus comprising: The transmission of the command signal by the transmission means is transmission toward the outside of the vehicle in a state where the door of the vehicle is locked,
The notification device according to claim 1, wherein the notification by the notification means is notification directed to the outside of the vehicle. The transmission of the command signal by the transmission means is a transmission toward the inside of the vehicle in a state where the driving unit of the vehicle is not driven,
The notification device according to claim 1, wherein the notification by the notification means is notification directed to the inside of the vehicle. A storage unit for storing failure information of the vehicle;
Storage control means for storing in the storage unit that communication failure is detected when the determination means determines that communication is defective;
The notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:   The notification device according to claim 1, further comprising a changing unit that changes the predetermined number of times used in the determination unit.

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