JP2015063876A - Authentication device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of components in an in-vehicle authentication device 20 which is arranged in a vehicle 10 and executes electronic authentication with a mobile unit 40 of a user, to execute a predetermined electronic operation.SOLUTION: An in-vehicle authentication device 20 includes a transmitting/receiving unit 24 which transmits/receives an ultrasonic signal. A mobile unit 40 includes a transmitting/receiving unit 42 which transmits/receives the ultrasonic signal. The in-vehicle authentication device 20 transmits the ultrasonic signal by use of the transmitting/receiving unit 24. The mobile unit 40 receives the ultrasonic signal, and transmits an ultrasonic signal in response thereto. The in-vehicle authentication device 20 receives the ultrasonic signal transmitted from the mobile unit 40, performs electronic authentication in response thereto, and performs permission processing for locking or unlocking a door of a vehicle 10. The transmitting/receiving unit 24 receives a reflection wave of the output ultrasonic signal. When a determination is made that a user brings his or her hand closer to the door, the door is locked or unlocked.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular authentication apparatus that performs electronic authentication with a portable device that is provided in a vehicle and carried by a user.

  For example, as can be seen in Patent Document 1, a transmission device for an in-vehicle telephone device that restricts a driver from making a call using a mobile phone in a traveling vehicle has been proposed. This device restricts calls made by the driver using the mobile phone while the vehicle is running by communicating with the mobile phone held by the driver. In this case, there is a description that ultrasonic waves may be used as a communication method between the transmitting device for the in-vehicle telephone device and the mobile phone (paragraph “0126”).

  On the other hand, as seen in, for example, Patent Document 2, a vehicle authentication device (electronic key) that authenticates a user (actually a portable device) through communication with a portable device owned by a user of the vehicle, such as a driver. System) has been proposed and put into practical use. In particular, this document describes that a door is unlocked by operating a lock switch and performing authentication.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-200961 JP 2013-14935 A

  By the way, in the electronic key system described in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to provide two devices, a device for communicating with the portable device and a lock switch in order to unlock the door, and after electronic authentication is performed. There is a problem that the number of parts increases when performing an electronic operation according to the user's intention. On the other hand, the inventors have considered using ultrasonic waves for communication between the portable device and the vehicle authentication device. However, even in this case, the above problem exists.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to execute a predetermined electronic operation by performing electronic authentication with a portable device carried by a user. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular authentication device that can be reduced.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
Technical thought In a vehicular authentication apparatus that is provided in a vehicle and performs electronic authentication with a portable device carried by a user, an output unit that outputs a sound wave signal, and a sound wave signal output by the output unit is received by the portable device. Thus, based on the sound signal received by the transmission signal receiving unit and the transmission signal receiving unit that receives the sound wave signal transmitted from the portable device, a process for permitting the predetermined process for the in-vehicle electronic device It is determined that the execution condition is satisfied by the establishment determination unit that determines whether or not the execution condition is satisfied, the reflected wave reception unit that receives the reflected wave of the sound wave signal output from the output unit, and the establishment determination unit. An execution unit that executes the predetermined processing based on the reflected wave received by the reflected wave receiving unit, and the processing by the transmission signal receiving unit and the reflected wave receiving unit The management, vehicle authentication device characterized in that it is performed in a time division.

  In the above apparatus, the sound wave signal output from the output unit is received by the portable device, and the sound wave signal is transmitted from the portable device accordingly. This sound wave signal is received by the transmission signal receiving unit, and based on this, the establishment determining unit determines whether or not an execution condition of a process permitting a predetermined process is established. On the other hand, when the sound wave signal output from the output unit is reflected by an object near the output unit, the reflected wave is received by the reflected wave receiving unit. For this reason, when it is determined that there is an object to be reflected based on the reflected wave, the execution of the predetermined process can be regarded as a user's intention. Then, by executing the processing by the transmission signal receiving unit for the processing that permits the predetermined processing and the processing of the reflected wave receiving unit for detecting the intention by time division, the sound wave signal of the output unit Can be used for both the process for permitting the predetermined process and the detection of the intention, so that the number of parts can be reduced.

  Technical thought The vehicular authentication device according to the technical idea 1, wherein the output unit reduces the intensity of a sound wave signal to be output when the process by the reflected wave receiving unit is performed than when the process by the transmission signal receiving unit is performed. .

  The process for permitting the predetermined process is preferably executed when the portable device is farther from the output unit than when detecting the intention. This is because a predetermined process is promptly executed when the intention is detected. For this reason, when processing of the transmission signal receiving unit is performed, it is necessary to increase the intensity of the sound wave signal output from the output unit to some extent. However, when processing by the reflected wave receiving unit is performed, it is not always necessary to output a sound wave signal having the same intensity as that when the transmission signal receiving unit is processed. In this regard, in the above apparatus, the energy consumption can be reduced while ensuring the necessary intensity of the sound wave signal by reducing the intensity of the sound wave signal when the process by the reflected wave receiving unit is performed.

  2. Technical thought 3. The vehicle authentication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the execution unit executes at least one of a door lock process and a release process of the vehicle door as the predetermined process.

  The door can be locked and released by electronic authentication, and after executing the processing to allow them, the user's intention to lock or release the door is confirmed. desirable. For this reason, the process is particularly suitable as the predetermined process that is executed after the user's intention is confirmed after being permitted.

  Technical thought4. A presence determination unit that determines whether or not the portable device is present in a vehicle interior of the vehicle, and the execution unit executes a door unlocking process of the vehicle as the predetermined process; When it is determined that the portable device does not exist in the vehicle interior of the vehicle and the door of the vehicle is locked, it is determined that the execution condition is satisfied, so that the processing by the reflected wave receiving unit is performed. The vehicle authentication device according to the technical idea 3 to be executed.

  When the execution condition of the door unlocking process is satisfied, the portable device is approaching the vehicle to some extent, and thereafter, the probability that the user will display the intention of unlocking is high. In view of this point, the above apparatus executes the process by the reflected wave receiving unit when the execution condition of the door unlocking process is satisfied. As a result, it is possible to detect the intention when the probability that the intention display of the unlocking process is performed by the user is high, and therefore, when the intention display is actually performed, this can be detected early. It can respond quickly to the user's intention.

  Technical thought 5. The execution unit is configured to execute a door unlocking process of the vehicle as the predetermined process, and includes a presence determination unit that determines whether or not the portable device exists in a vehicle interior of the vehicle, The output unit sets the intensity of the sound wave signal as a first intensity when the process by the transmission signal receiver is performed, and sets the intensity of the sound wave signal as the first intensity when the process by the reflected wave receiver is performed. A second strength lower than the strength, and when it is determined that the portable device does not exist in the vehicle interior of the vehicle and the door of the vehicle is locked, the processing by the transmission signal receiving unit 5. The vehicle authentication device according to the technical idea 3 or 4, wherein the processing by the reflected wave receiving unit is periodically switched.

  The process for permitting the predetermined process (unlock process) is preferably executed when the portable device is farther from the output unit than when the intention is detected. This is because the unlocking process is quickly executed when the intention is detected. For this reason, when processing of the transmission signal receiving unit is performed, it is necessary to increase the intensity of the sound wave signal output from the output unit to some extent. However, when processing by the reflected wave receiving unit is performed, it is not always necessary to output a sound wave signal having the same intensity as that when the transmission signal receiving unit is processed. In this regard, by reducing the intensity of the sound wave signal when processing by the reflected wave receiving unit is performed, it is possible to reduce the energy consumption while ensuring the intensity of the necessary sound wave signal.

  By the way, in a situation where it is determined that there is no portable device in the passenger compartment and the door of the vehicle is locked, it should be determined that the execution condition of the process for permitting the unlocking process should be established. It is desirable that the transmission signal receiving unit be processed. However, when the first intensity sound wave signal is continuously output from the output unit under the above circumstances, the energy consumption may increase. On the other hand, when a sound wave signal of the first intensity is intermittently output, if the portable device approaches in a period in which the first intensity sound wave signal is not output, there is a possibility that execution of processing according to the user's intention is delayed. In view of this point, the above apparatus outputs a sound wave signal having a second intensity during a period in which a sound wave signal having a first intensity is not output. Thus, when the reflected wave receiving unit is processed by outputting a sound wave signal of the second intensity when the portable device approaches, the intention detection can be performed prior to the process of permitting the unlocking process. it can. For this reason, after that, the process for permitting the predetermined process is executed, so that the predetermined process can be executed without newly detecting the intention, and as a result, the user's intention can be responded as quickly as possible. .

  Technical thought The execution unit is configured to execute a door unlocking process of the vehicle as the predetermined process, and includes a presence determination unit that determines whether or not the portable device exists in a vehicle interior of the vehicle, When it is determined that the portable device does not exist in the vehicle interior of the vehicle and the execution determination unit does not determine that the execution condition is satisfied, processing by the reflected wave reception unit The authentication apparatus for vehicles as described in the technical idea 2 which performs this.

  A situation in which it is determined that there is no portable device in the passenger compartment of the vehicle and the execution determination unit does not determine that the execution condition is satisfied is that the user approaches the vehicle to use the vehicle for the vehicle authentication device. It is a situation waiting for. However, the waiting time can sometimes be very long. Nevertheless, when processing by the transmission signal receiving unit is performed during the standby time, energy consumed by outputting the sound wave signal from the output unit may be excessively increased. On the other hand, if the output of the sound wave signal is continuously stopped from the output unit when the duration of the above situation is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, it is not possible to deal with when the user approaches. In this regard, when the above situation continues, intention detection can be performed by executing processing by the reflected wave receiving unit. As a result, when intention detection is performed, the process can be shifted to a process for determining whether or not an execution condition of a process for permitting a predetermined process is satisfied. It becomes possible to respond to the intention as much as possible.

  Technical thought The execution unit executes a lock process of the door of the vehicle as the predetermined process, and the output unit is unlocked of the door of the vehicle when the in-vehicle main unit is not operating. The vehicular authentication device according to the technical idea 2 for executing processing by the reflected wave receiving unit when in a state.

  If the vehicle door is not locked when the in-vehicle main unit is not operating, the user can either start the in-vehicle main unit and run the vehicle, or leave the vehicle and desire to lock the door. It is highly possible. Here, in the former case, it is not necessary to determine whether or not the execution condition of the process for permitting the door lock as the predetermined process is satisfied. On the other hand, in the latter case, it is necessary to determine whether or not the execution condition is satisfied. In such a situation, the above apparatus executes processing by the reflected wave receiving unit. As a result, it is possible to avoid processing by the transmission signal receiving unit in a situation where it is not always necessary to determine whether or not the execution condition is satisfied, and thus energy consumption can be reduced. In addition, since the intention can be detected, it is possible to quickly shift to the determination process of whether or not the execution condition is satisfied based on the intention detection result.

1 is a system configuration diagram according to a first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of electronic authentication processing in the embodiment. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows the electronic authentication method in the embodiment. (A), (b) is a figure which shows the detection method of the reflected wave concerning the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process at the time of the mode B concerning the embodiment. (A)-(d) is a time chart which shows the example of a switching of the mode A and the mode B concerning the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of unused flag processing according to the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process at the time of the mode A concerning the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the mode switching process concerning the embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a system configuration according to the present embodiment.
The illustrated vehicle 10 includes a vehicle authentication device 20. The vehicle authentication device 20 includes a control unit 22, a transmission / reception unit 24, and a transmission / reception unit 26. Here, the control part 22 is equipped with the function to perform the calculation for electronic authentication. This can be realized, for example, by including a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory and executing a program stored in the memory. However, it is not limited to software processing by the CPU, but may be dedicated hardware means such as an ASIC for performing calculations for electronic authentication. On the other hand, the transmission / reception units 24 and 26 are hardware means that includes a piezoelectric element and the like and has a function of transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal. Here, the ultrasonic signal is a sound wave signal having a higher frequency than the audible frequency band (20 Hz or more and less than 20 kHz). As shown in the plan view of the vehicle 10 at the upper left in FIG. 1, the transmission / reception unit 24 is provided toward the outside of the vehicle compartment on both the left and right sides of the vehicle 10, and the transmission / reception unit 26 is provided in the vehicle interior. .

  The vehicle authentication device 20 is communicably connected to an engine ECU 30 that operates various actuators of an engine as an in-vehicle main machine, and a door lock system 32 that performs automatic control of door locking and unlocking.

  The vehicular authentication device 20 can communicate with the portable device 40 using an ultrasonic signal. The portable device 40 has a function for authenticating whether or not the user who owns the portable device 40 is a valid user of the vehicle 10. That is, the portable device 40 stores information held by a legitimate user, an identification signal including this information is transmitted from the portable device 40, and the vehicle authentication device 20 authenticates that the identification signal is valid. As a result, it is considered that the user possessing this is authenticated that the user is a valid user of the vehicle 10.

  In the present embodiment, the portable device 40 is not a dedicated device for authentication, but a device having other uses. In particular, in this embodiment, what has a telephone function, such as a smart phone, is assumed. Specifically, the portable device 40 includes a transmission / reception unit 42, a telephone line communication unit 44, a central processing unit (CPU) 46, a nonvolatile memory 48, and a RAM 50, which are connected via an input / output port 52. So that they can communicate with each other. Here, the transmission / reception unit 42 has a function of transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal. Specifically, the transmission / reception unit 42 may include a speaker as a device that transmits an ultrasonic signal and a microphone as a device that receives the ultrasonic signal as separate members. The telephone line communication unit 44 has a function for performing communication via a mobile telephone line. The CPU 46 is a hardware means having a function of executing various programs provided in the nonvolatile memory 48. The nonvolatile memory 48 is a rewritable memory that holds data regardless of whether power is supplied. In particular, in the present embodiment, an authentication program 48 a is stored in the nonvolatile memory 48. The authentication program 48 a is an application program that defines processing executed on the portable device 40 side when electronic authentication is performed by communication between the portable device 40 and the vehicle authentication device 20.

In FIG. 2, the procedure of the process performed by the control part 22 of the authentication apparatus 20 for vehicles is shown. This process is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle, for example.
In this series of processes, the control unit 22 first determines whether or not the conditions for executing the authentication process when the portable device 40 is outside the passenger compartment are satisfied (S10). This execution condition includes a condition that the portable device 40 is not in the passenger compartment. Whether or not this condition is satisfied limits the intensity of the ultrasonic signal transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 26 provided in the passenger compartment, and whether or not the portable device 40 can receive this and send it back to the transmission / reception unit 26. It can be judged by. The execution condition further includes a condition that it is confirmed that the portable device 40 exists within a predetermined range from the vehicle 10 by returning the portable device 40 to the ultrasonic signal output from the transmission / reception unit 24. include. The execution conditions preferably include, for example, a condition that the engine is not started, a condition that the traveling speed of the vehicle 10 is zero, and the like.

  When it is determined that the execution condition is satisfied (S10: YES), the control unit 22 uses the transmission / reception unit 24 to output an ultrasonic signal having the output intensity P as the first intensity P1 (S12). As shown in FIG. 3A, the ultrasonic signal is data in which a synchronization code, an ID code, a challenge code, and a distance measurement code are connected in time series. Here, the synchronization code is a preamble. The ID code is for identifying the vehicle 10. The challenge code is a signal that requests the portable device 40 to transmit identification information for identifying the portable device 40, and is used to generate an identification signal that includes the identification information. The distance measurement code is a code used for measuring the distance between the transmission / reception unit 24 and the portable device 40.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, the portable device 40 transmits signals as an ultrasonic signal in the order of a distance measurement code and a response code. Here, the distance measurement code is a code obtained by logically inverting each bit of the distance measurement code transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 24 of the vehicular authentication device 20. On the other hand, the response code is generated by logically synthesizing a code (encryption key) having identification information for identifying the portable device 40 into the challenge code, as shown in FIG. This response code includes information for identifying the portable device 40, and serves as an input signal when the vehicular authentication apparatus 20 performs authentication to the effect that the portable device 40 is valid.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the process of step S12 is completed, the control unit 22 receives a distance measurement code and a response code transmitted from the portable device 40 (S14). Next, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the response code is valid (S16). If the control unit 22 determines that the response code is valid (S16: YES), the control unit 22 calculates the distance between the transmission / reception unit 24 and the portable device 40 (S18). This can be calculated based on the time difference T from the transmission timing of the distance measurement code by the transmission / reception unit 24 to the reception timing of the distance measurement code by the transmission / reception unit 24. Specifically, using the propagation speed Vs of the ultrasonic signal and the processing time Δ in the portable device 40 from the reception of the distance measurement code to the transmission on the portable device 40 side, “L = Vs · (T−Δ)” / 2 ". Note that the propagation velocity Vs may be a fixed value, but is preferably variable according to the temperature.

  Here, the processing time Δ is preferably a fixed value. For this reason, in this embodiment, in order to suppress the variation of the processing time Δ, first, the portable device 40 transmits the distance measurement code prior to the generation of the response code. This is because if the distance measurement code is transmitted after waiting for the generation of the response code having a large calculation load for the CPU 46, the time required for the response code generation process varies, and as a result, the processing time Δ until the distance measurement code is transmitted. This is because there is a possibility of fluctuation. Secondly, in order to minimize the calculation load of the process for generating the distance measurement code in the portable device 40, it is generated by the bit inversion process of the received distance measurement code. By performing the bit inversion process, the calculation load of the process for generating the ranging code is sufficiently smaller than the calculation load of the response code generation process.

  Subsequently, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the distance L is equal to or less than the threshold value S (S20). This process is for determining whether or not the portable device 40 is in the passenger compartment based on the measurement result of the distance L. If the control unit 22 determines that the threshold value S is equal to or less than the threshold value S (S20: YES), the authentication O.D. K. A history is set (S22). This process is a process for permitting a door lock process or a lock release process.

In addition, when the process of step S22 is completed or when the negative determination is made in steps S10, S16, and S20, the control unit 22 temporarily ends this series of processes.
As described above, authentication O.D. K. When the history is set, the door locking process and the unlocking process are executed according to the user's intention. For example, when the portable device 40 does not exist in the vehicle interior and the door is locked, the authentication O.D. K. When the history is set, when it is determined that the user intends to unlock the door by bringing his / her hand close to the door of the vehicle 10, a door unlocking process is executed. Here, in the present embodiment, the transmission / reception unit 24 is used as hardware means (hardware means for intention detection) that detects that a hand is brought close to the door. This can be realized by receiving a reflected wave of the ultrasonic signal transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 24.

FIG. 4 shows a method for detecting a user's intention.
As shown in FIG. 4A, when an ultrasonic signal (transmission signal) is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 24 and the transmitted ultrasonic signal is reflected by a human finger, a reflected wave (reception signal) is transmitted / received. 24. FIG. 4B shows a transition example between the transmission signal and the reception signal. Here, the time difference Tt of the reception timing of the reception signal with respect to the transmission timing of the transmission signal has a correlation with the distance Lt between the transmission / reception unit 24 and the reflective object (here, a finger). Therefore, the distance Lt is calculated based on the time difference, and based on the distance Lt, it is determined whether or not the user is approaching the door.

  Here, because the transmission / reception unit 24 is shared by the authentication process shown in FIG. 2 and the intention detection process using the technique shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, these pair of processes are executed in a time-sharing manner. . In the present embodiment, the mode for executing the authentication process is mode A, and the mode for executing the intention detection process is mode B. Note that mode A includes a period during which processing for transmitting an ultrasonic signal for confirming that the portable device 40 exists within a predetermined range from the transmission / reception unit 24 is performed as a pre-stage of the processing shown in FIG. Shall be. Incidentally, as described above, the execution condition of step S <b> 10 includes a condition that the portable device 40 exists within a predetermined range from the vehicle 10.

FIG. 5 shows a processing procedure in mode B. This process is repeatedly executed by the control unit 22 at a predetermined cycle, for example.
In this series of processes, the control unit 22 first determines whether or not the mode B is set (S30). If the control unit 22 determines that the mode B is selected (S30: YES), the control unit 22 outputs an ultrasonic signal whose output intensity P is the second intensity P2. Here, the second intensity P2 is set to a value smaller than the first intensity P1. This is because intention detection detects whether or not an object is present in a relatively close range from the transmission / reception unit 24, and therefore, the propagation distance of the ultrasonic signal is shorter than that required in the authentication process. It is.

  Next, the control unit 22 determines whether or not a reflected wave is detected (S34). When determining that the reflected wave has been detected (S34: YES), the control unit 22 calculates a time difference Tt of the reflected wave reception timing with respect to the output timing of the ultrasonic signal in step S32. Next, the control unit 22 calculates a distance Lt between the transmission / reception unit 24 and the object reflecting the ultrasonic wave based on the time difference Tt. This can be performed by the expression “Lt = Vs · Tt / 2” using the propagation speed Vs of the ultrasonic signal.

  Next, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the distance Lt is less than or equal to the threshold value Ltth (S40). This process is for determining whether or not the user has approached the hand. The threshold value Ltth is set to a value (for example, several centimeters) that can accurately determine that the user has approached the hand. If the control unit 22 determines that the value is equal to or less than the threshold value Ltth (S40: YES), the control unit 22 sets an intention detection history that is a flag indicating that the user's intention to lock or unlock the door is detected ( S42).

Note that when the process of step S42 is completed or when a negative determination is made in steps S30, S34, and S40, the control unit 22 temporarily ends this series of processes.
Next, allocation between mode A and mode B will be described. FIG. 6 shows a transition example of mode A and mode B.

  FIG. 6A shows the transition between mode A and mode B when it is determined that the portable device 40 does not exist in the vehicle interior and the door is locked. In this case, mode A and mode B are periodically repeated. This process is a setting made to achieve both a quick unlocking process according to the user's intention and a reduction in energy consumption. That is, in this case, in order to quickly perform the unlocking process, it is desirable that the process shown in FIG. 2 is executed because the distance between the portable device 40 and the transmission / reception unit 24 becomes the threshold value S. However, when the mode A is continued, the energy consumption amount may increase because the output intensity P of the ultrasonic signal output from the transmission / reception unit 24 is large. On the other hand, when the ultrasonic signal from the transmission / reception unit 24 is intermittently output, the authentication O.D. K. When the history is set late and the user touches the door, authentication O.D. K. There is a possibility that the history is not set.

  Therefore, by repeating mode A and mode B periodically, it is possible to execute intention detection while reducing energy consumption in mode B. As a result, the authentication O.D. K. If the history is not set, the processing of FIG. K. When the history is set, the lock release processing can be executed without performing intention detection again.

In this embodiment, the authentication time Ta, which is the duration of mode A, is made shorter than the first detection time Tb1, which is the duration of mode B.
FIG. 6B shows an authentication O.D. K. Indicates the case where history is set. In this case, authentication O.D. K. When the history is set, the mode is shifted to the mode B, and the mode B is continued for the second detection time Tb2. Here, the second detection time Tb2 is the authentication O.D. when the user intends to unlock. K. After the history is set, it is set to the upper limit value of the time required for the user to bring his hand close to the door. In the present embodiment, the second detection time Tb2 is set to a value larger than the first detection time Tb1.

  FIG. 6C shows a case where the door is unlocked. In this case, mode B is set. This is a setting for enabling the transition to the authentication process shown in FIG. 2 while reducing the energy consumption. That is, for example, when the user brings his / her hand close to the door from the outside of the passenger compartment in order to indicate the intention to lock the door, the mode shifts to mode A to perform the processing of FIG.

  FIG. 6D shows a setting after the process of FIG. 6A is continued for a long time. In this case, mode B is set. This is a setting for enabling the transition to the authentication process shown in FIG. 2 while reducing the energy consumption. That is, the state illustrated in FIG. 6A is a state in which the user is waiting for the vehicle authentication device 20 to approach the vehicle 10 in order to use the vehicle 10. However, this state does not know how long it will last and can sometimes be very long. In this case, the energy consumption of the vehicle 10 may become excessively large.

FIG. 7 shows a processing procedure used for executing the processing of FIG. This process is repeatedly executed by the control unit 22 at a predetermined cycle, for example.
In this series of processing, the control unit 22 performs authentication O.D. K. It is determined whether or not the history is set, the portable device 40 does not exist in the passenger compartment, and the door is locked (S50). When the control unit 22 makes a positive determination in step S50, the authentication O.D. K. The first counter T1 that counts the duration of the state in which no history is set is incremented (S52). Next, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the first counter T1 is equal to or greater than the continuation threshold value T1th (S54). Here, the continuation threshold T1th is set to a time when the importance of reducing the energy consumption is assumed to be greater than the importance of responding quickly to the user's intention. This may be, for example, a time exceeding 1 day, specifically, 30 hours, 2 days, or 1 week. If the control unit 22 determines that the threshold value is equal to or greater than the continuation threshold T1th (S54: YES), the authentication O.D. K. Is set to "1" and the first counter T1 is initialized (S56).

  On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in step S50, the control unit 22 initializes an unused flag F (S57). In addition, when the processes of steps S56 and S57 are completed or when a negative determination is made in step S54, the control unit 22 temporarily ends this series of processes.

FIG. 8 shows a procedure of processing for shifting from mode A to mode B. This process is repeatedly executed by the control unit 22 at a predetermined cycle, for example.
In this series of processing, the control unit 22 first determines whether or not the mode A is set (S60). When the control unit 22 determines that the mode A is set (S60: YES), the authentication O.D. K. It is determined whether or not a history has been set (S62). The control unit 22 then authenticates the O.D. K. When it is determined that the history has been set (S62: YES), the mode is shifted to mode B (S64). This process corresponds to the process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, the control unit 22 performs authentication O.D. K. When it is determined that the history is not set (S62: NO), the second counter T2 that counts the duration of the mode A is incremented (S66). Subsequently, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the second counter T2 is equal to or longer than the authentication time Ta (S68). Then, when the control unit 22 determines that the time is equal to or longer than the authentication time Ta (S68: YES), the control unit 22 shifts to the mode B (S70).

  When the processes of steps S64 and S70 are completed or when a negative determination is made in step S68, the control unit 22 initializes the second counter T2 (S72). When the initialization process is completed or when a negative determination is made in step S60, the control unit 22 temporarily ends this series of processes.

  FIG. 9 shows the procedure of the mode switching process. This process is repeatedly executed by the control unit 22 at a predetermined cycle, for example. In the following, this process will be described along a series of flows in which the user gets off the vehicle 10 and then gets off and uses the vehicle 10 again.

“When the vehicle 10 is finished driving”
First, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the engine has been stopped in the mode C in which the output of the ultrasonic signal by the transmission / reception unit 24 is stopped (S80). Mode C shifts from mode B on condition that the engine is started, and is a mode in which the output of the ultrasonic signal from the transmission / reception unit 24 is stopped. This process is for determining whether or not the condition for shifting to mode C is no longer satisfied. When the control unit 22 determines that the engine has stopped in mode C (S80: YES), the control unit 22 shifts to mode B (S82), and once ends this series of processing.

  When executing this series of processes next time, the control unit 22 is in the mode B, so after making a negative determination in step S80, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the mode B is set (S84). If the control unit 22 determines that the mode B is set (S84: YES), the control unit 22 increments the third counter T3 that measures the duration of the mode B (S86). Next, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the intention detection history is set (S88). Here, when the user stops the engine, gets off the vehicle 10 and brings his hand close to the door, the intention detection history is set by the processing of FIG. And thereby, the control part 22 judges that the intention detection log | history is set (S88: YES), and authentication O.D. K. It is determined whether a history is set (S90).

  Here, when getting off the vehicle 10, the authentication O.D. K. The history is not set. For this reason, the control unit 22 authenticates the authentication O.D. K. It is determined that the history has not been set (S90: NO), the process proceeds to mode A, the third counter T3 is initialized (S96), and this series of processes is temporarily terminated. Thereby, the control unit 22 executes the process of FIG. K. The history will be set.

  When the control unit 22 next executes this series of processing, the authentication O.D. K. It is determined that the history is set (S90: YES), and it is determined whether the door is locked (S91). When determining that the door is not locked (S91: NO), the control unit 22 locks the door, initializes the third counter, and shifts to the mode A (S93). Here, the door lock process is actually a process of outputting a lock command signal from the control unit 22 to the door lock system 32. Note that the reason for shifting to mode A in step S93 is to achieve the state shown in FIG. However, actually, prior to the transition to mode A, it is desirable to provide a dead time during which a process for inputting an ultrasonic signal received by the transmission / reception unit 24 is not performed for a predetermined time. This is to avoid a situation in which the intention to unlock is erroneously detected in response to the user confirming that the door is locked. Subsequently, the control unit 22 performs the intention detection history and authentication O.D. K. The history is erased (S94), and this series of processes is temporarily terminated.

“When the user uses the vehicle 10 again”
In this case, the authentication O.D. K. When the history is set, the process proceeds to mode B by the process of S64 in FIG. Therefore, the control unit 22 makes a negative determination in step S80 and makes a positive determination in step S84. Here, until the intention detection history is set in the process of FIG. 5, the control unit 22 determines that the intention detection history is not set after the process of step S86 (S88: NO), and the door. It is determined whether the portable device 40 does not exist in the vehicle compartment when locked (S98). Then, when an affirmative determination is made in step S98, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the unused flag F is “1” (S100). Then, the control unit 22 determines that the unused flag F is not “1” (S100: NO). K. It is determined whether a history is set (S102). The control unit 22 then authenticates the O.D. K. It is determined that the history is set (S102), and it is determined whether the third counter T3 is equal to or longer than the second detection time Tb2 (S106). This corresponds to the state shown in FIG.

  When the control unit 22 determines that the second detection time Tb2 is not reached (S106: NO), the series of processes is temporarily terminated. On the other hand, when determining that the time is equal to or longer than the second detection time Tb2, the control unit 22 shifts to mode A, initializes the third counter T3, and performs authentication O.D. K. The history is deleted (S108). That is, in this situation, since the intention was not detected during the second detection time Tb2, it is considered that the user did not have the intention to unlock the door and the portable device 40 happened to approach the vehicle 10 by chance. . Therefore, in order to perform the process shown in FIG. K. Clear history.

  On the other hand, when the user detects his / her intention by bringing his hand close to the door, the intention detection history is set by the processing of FIG. Then, the control unit 22 makes an affirmative determination in the processes of steps S88 and S90, and determines whether or not it is locked (S91). Then, the control unit 22 determines that it is locked (S91: YES), and executes a process of releasing the lock (S92). The unlocking process is actually a process of outputting an execution command signal from the control unit 22 to the door lock system 32. The control unit 22 then transmits the intention detection history and the authentication O.D. K. The history is erased (S94), and this series of processes is temporarily terminated.

  After that, when the user opens the door and gets into the vehicle 10, since the mode B is set and the intention detection history is not set, the control unit 22 makes an affirmative determination in step S84 and in step S90. A negative determination is made, and then it is determined whether the door is locked and the vehicle interior is not detected (S98). Then, the control unit 22 makes a negative determination in step S98 (S98: NO), and determines whether or not the engine has been started (S110). This process is for determining whether or not the condition for shifting to the mode C in which the output of the ultrasonic signal from the transmission / reception unit 24 is stopped is established. When determining that the engine has been started (S110: YES), the control unit 22 shifts to mode C and initializes the third counter T3 (S112), and once ends this series of processing. On the other hand, when determining that the engine has not been started (S110: NO), the control unit 22 temporarily ends this series of processes.

"When the user is away from the vehicle 10"
In this case, although the mode A is initially set in the process of step S93, the mode B is set by the process of step S70 of FIG. 8 when the authentication time Ta has elapsed. Thereafter, the control unit 22 makes an affirmative determination in step S84. However, in this case, since the intention detection history is not set and the door is locked and the portable device 40 does not exist in the vehicle interior, the control unit 22 makes an affirmative determination in step S98, and then uses the unused flag F. Is determined to be “1”. Then, when the unused flag F is “1” (S100: YES), the series of processes is temporarily ended, so that the mode B is continued until the intention detection history is set (S88ES). This situation is the situation shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines that the unused flag F is not “1” (S100: NO), the authentication O.D. K. It is determined whether a history is set (S102). The control unit 22 then authenticates the O.D. K. It is determined that the history is not set (S102: NO), and it is determined whether the third counter T3 is equal to or longer than the first detection time Tb1 (S104). This process is for realizing the setting shown in FIG. Then, if a negative determination is made in step S104, the control unit 22 once ends the series of processes, whereas if an affirmative determination is made, the control unit 22 shifts to mode A and initializes the third counter (S108). In this case, the authentication O.D. K. Since no history is set, it is not necessary to delete it in step S108.

According to the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The portable device 40 receives the ultrasonic signal output from the transmission / reception unit 24, and the transmission / reception unit 24 receives the ultrasonic signal transmitted from the portable device 40 accordingly, thereby locking or releasing the door. It was determined whether or not an execution condition for the permission process is satisfied (FIG. 2). Further, the reflected wave of the ultrasonic signal output from the transmission / reception unit 24 is received by the transmission / reception unit 24, thereby detecting the intention of the user to lock or release the door (FIG. 5). As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not the execution condition for the permission process is satisfied and to detect the intention using the same hardware (transmission / reception unit 24). Can be reduced.

  (2) Compared with the output of an ultrasonic signal for determination of intention (mode B) as compared with the output of an ultrasonic signal for determination of whether or not the execution condition of the permission process is satisfied (mode A) The output intensity P of the ultrasonic signal was reduced (S12 in FIG. 2 and S32 in FIG. 5). Thereby, energy consumption can be reduced, ensuring the intensity | strength of a required ultrasonic signal.

  (3) In mode A, authentication O.D. K. When the history is set, the mode is changed to the mode B (S64 in FIG. 8). As a result, when it is determined that the response code of the portable device 40 is appropriate when the user is approaching the vehicle 10, it is possible to quickly detect the intention, and the user moves his hand to the door. When approaching, the door can be unlocked quickly.

  (4) As shown in FIG. 6A, when the portable device 40 does not exist in the vehicle interior and the door is locked, the mode A and the mode B were periodically repeated. This makes it possible to respond to the user's intention while reducing energy consumption.

  (5) In the mode A in FIG. K. When the intention is detected in the mode B before the history is set (S90: NO in FIG. 9), the mode shifts to the mode A, and then the authentication O.D. K. By setting the history, the door is unlocked without detecting the intention again (S90, S92 in FIG. 9). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6A, it is possible to respond to the user's intention as quickly as possible while intermittently executing the mode A.

  (6) As shown in FIG. 6D, in the state where the door of the vehicle 10 is locked, the authentication O.D. K. When the state where the history is not set continues (unused flag F = 1), the mode B is continued. Thereby, energy consumption can be reduced.

  (7) As shown in FIG. 6C, the mode B was continued when the engine was stopped and the door was unlocked. In this case, when intention detection is performed, the mode A can be entered (S96). Therefore, it is possible to quickly shift to the mode A (execution of the process of FIG. 2) while reducing the energy consumption.

<Correspondence between technical idea and embodiment>
Hereinafter, a representative correspondence relationship between the technical idea described in the above “Means for Solving the Problems” and the embodiment will be described. In addition, each of the invention concerning Claims 1-7 of a claim respond | corresponds to each of the following technical thoughts 1-7, respectively.

Technical idea 1: Output unit: Transmission / reception unit 24 and S12, S32, Transmission signal reception unit ... Transmission / reception unit 24 and S14, Establishment determination unit ... S16, S20, Reflected wave reception unit ... Reception unit 24 and S34, Execution unit ... S92 , S93, execution by time division ... FIG.
Technical idea 2: See S12 in FIG. 2 and S32 in FIG.

Technical idea 3: Refer to S92 and S93 in FIG. 9 Technical idea 4: Existence determining unit S10. 6 (b) and S64 in FIG. 8 Technical idea 5: See FIG. 6 (a) Technical idea 6: Existence determining unit S50. 6 (d), FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 Reference S100 Technical Idea 7: FIG. 6 (c) <Other Embodiments>
The above embodiment may be modified as follows.

・ About the output section
The mode B is not limited to the output of an ultrasonic signal having a constant output intensity P (second intensity P2). For example, when the portable device 40 is not detected in the passenger compartment, the authentication O.D. K. When the state where the error is not continued continues (FIG. 6D), instead of continuing the output of the ultrasonic wave of the second intensity P2, it may be intermittently output.

  Note that it is not essential that the output intensity P of the ultrasonic signal be different between mode A and mode B. Even if they are the same, it is effective to use the same transmission / reception unit 24 for both authentication processing and intention detection.

・ About the transmission signal receiver
The period during which the processing of the transmission signal receiving unit is executed (authentication time Ta) is not limited to a fixed value. For example, in the state where there is no detection of the passenger compartment and the door is locked (FIG. 6A), the authentication O.D. K. If the intention is detected before the time becomes, the mode A period may be extended. This is a setting in view of the high probability that the user is willing to unlock the door in this case. Also, for example, authentication O.D. K. After that, when the mode is shifted to the mode A because the intention cannot be detected within the second detection time Tb2 (see FIG. 6B), the period of the mode A may be extended. This is a setting in view of the fact that it is considered that there is a high probability that the user has an intention to unlock the door because the authentication has been once performed.

・ About the reflected wave receiver
The execution period of mode B is not limited to that exemplified in the above embodiment. For example, the period of mode B in a state where the vehicle interior is not detected and the door is locked (FIG. 6A) may be changed according to the time of day or the day of the week. That is, for example, when the user uses the vehicle 10 for commuting on weekdays, there is a need for authentication processing at specific times in the morning and evening. It may be shortened.

  In addition, it is not restricted to what was illustrated in the said embodiment. For example, the mode B period may not be provided in a state where the vehicle interior is not detected and the door is locked (FIG. 6A). That is, for example, mode A may be continued, or mode A may be provided intermittently, for example.

  In the above embodiment (FIG. 5), not only the reflected wave is received but also the distance Lt to the reflected wave source (reflective source) is equal to or less than the threshold value Ltth. Not limited to. By appropriately setting the value of the second intensity P2 and adjusting the sensitivity of the transmission / reception unit 24, the distance between the intention display indicator (such as a user's hand) and the transmission / reception unit 24 is equal to or less than the threshold value Ltth. Only in some cases, it is considered possible to receive reflected waves. Therefore, in this case, it is possible to simplify the control by omitting the process of determining whether or not the distance Lt is equal to or less than the threshold value Ltth.

・ About the establishment decision section
A signal transmitted from the portable device 40 and used as an input for authentication processing is not limited to a response code generated by a logical operation of a challenge code and an encryption key. For example, the vehicle authentication device 20 transmits a signal requesting the portable device 40 to transmit identification information for identifying the portable device 40 so that the portable device 40 transmits an identification signal including the identification information. In this case, the identification signal may be the input signal.

The condition that the distance L is smaller than the threshold value S may not be included in the execution condition of the predetermined process permission process.
・ About "predetermined processing and execution unit that are permitted"
The present invention is not limited to the door lock process and the release process permission process. For example, the transmission signal reception unit and the reflection signal reception unit may be configured to include the transmission / reception unit 26, and the predetermined process may be an activation process of an in-vehicle main unit such as an engine or an electric motor. In addition, for example, in the case where the in-vehicle main machine is an electric motor connected to an inverter, as a process for closing a switch (main relay) that opens and closes between a pair of input terminals of the inverter and a battery, Good. In this case, when the process is actually executed by intention detection, the reflected wave may be received by the transmission / reception unit 26 as described in the above embodiment.

・ About mobile devices
It is not limited to a general-purpose multifunctional mobile terminal equipped with various functions, such as a smartphone, in addition to the use of the vehicle. For example, a dedicated device specialized in electronic authentication of a vehicle user may be used. In this case, variations in functions for performing ultrasonic communication such as sensitivity to ultrasonic signals can be suppressed to individual differences. At this time, the processing in the portable device is not limited to being realized by causing the computer to execute the authentication program, and at least a part thereof may be realized by dedicated hardware means.

・ "Vehicle authentication device layout"
In the above embodiment, the part that executes the door lock process and the release process permission process, and the part that executes the door lock process and the release process (actually, the part that issues an execution command to the door lock system 32). Although provided in the vehicle authentication device 20 different from the door lock system 32, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, both the vehicle authentication device 20 and the door lock system 32 can communicate with the transmission / reception unit 24, and a part that executes from the intention detection process to the door lock process and the release process is mounted in the door lock system 32. May be.

・ About sound wave signal
Not only ultrasonic waves but also sound wave signals in an audible frequency band may be used. In this case, since the diffraction phenomenon becomes remarkable as compared with the ultrasonic signal, it is easy to communicate with the portable device 40 by bypassing the obstacle around the transmission / reception unit 24.

・ About “Existence Judgment Department”
The present invention is not limited to the one using the transmission / reception unit 26 that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves. For example, it may be a known technique using radio waves.

・ "Other"
In FIG. K. The unused flag F is set by continuing the logical AND of the condition that the history is not set, the condition that there is no user in the passenger compartment, and the condition that the door is locked. Although “1” is set, this is not restrictive. For example, the condition that the door is locked may be removed from the logical product. Thereby, when a user leaves the vehicle 10 for a long time without forgetting to lock the door, energy consumption can be reduced.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Vehicle, 12 ... Door, 14 ... Window, 20 ... Vehicle authentication apparatus, 22 ... Control part, 24, 26 ... Transmission / reception part, 30 ... Engine ECU, 32 ... Door lock system, 40 ... Portable machine, 42 ... Transmission / reception Reference numeral 44: Telephone line communication unit 46: CPU 48: Non-volatile memory 48a: Authentication program 50: RAM 52: Input / output port

Claims (7)

In a vehicular authentication device that performs electronic authentication with a portable device that is provided in a vehicle and carried by a user,
An output unit for outputting a sound wave signal;
A transmission signal receiving unit that receives a sound wave signal transmitted from the portable device by receiving the sound wave signal output by the output unit by the portable device;
Based on the sound wave signal received by the transmission signal receiving unit, for a predetermined process for the in-vehicle electronic device, an establishment determination unit that determines whether or not an execution condition of a process that permits the process is established;
A reflected wave receiving unit that receives a reflected wave of the sound wave signal output from the output unit;
An execution unit that executes the predetermined process based on the reflected wave received by the reflected wave receiving unit when the execution determining unit determines that the execution condition is satisfied;
The vehicle authentication apparatus, wherein the process by the transmission signal receiver and the process by the reflected wave receiver are executed in a time-sharing manner.   2. The vehicular authentication device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit lowers the intensity of the sound wave signal to be output when the process by the reflected wave receiving unit is performed than when the process by the transmission signal receiving unit is performed.   The vehicle authentication device according to claim 1, wherein the execution unit executes at least one of a door lock process and a release process of the vehicle door as the predetermined process. A presence determination unit for determining whether or not the portable device is present in a vehicle interior of the vehicle;
The execution unit executes a unlocking process of the door of the vehicle as the predetermined process,
When it is determined that the portable device does not exist in the vehicle interior of the vehicle and the door of the vehicle is locked, it is determined that the execution condition is satisfied, so that the processing by the reflected wave receiving unit is performed. The vehicle authentication device according to claim 3 to be executed. The execution unit executes a unlocking process of the door of the vehicle as the predetermined process,
A presence determination unit for determining whether or not the portable device is present in a vehicle interior of the vehicle;
The output unit sets the intensity of the sound wave signal as a first intensity when the process by the transmission signal receiver is performed, and sets the intensity of the sound wave signal as the first intensity when the process by the reflected wave receiver is performed. A second strength lower than the strength, and when it is determined that the portable device does not exist in the vehicle interior of the vehicle and the door of the vehicle is locked, the processing by the transmission signal receiving unit The vehicle authentication device according to claim 3, wherein the processing by the reflected wave receiving unit is periodically switched. The execution unit executes a unlocking process of the door of the vehicle as the predetermined process,
A presence determination unit for determining whether or not the portable device is present in a vehicle interior of the vehicle;
When it is determined that the portable device does not exist in the vehicle interior of the vehicle and the execution determination unit does not determine that the execution condition is satisfied, processing by the reflected wave reception unit The vehicle authentication device according to claim 2, wherein: The execution unit executes a lock process of the door of the vehicle as the predetermined process,
3. The vehicular authentication device according to claim 2, wherein the output unit performs processing by the reflected wave receiving unit when the vehicle door is unlocked and the vehicle door is unlocked.