JP2015174482A - Communication area adjustment device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication area adjusting device that can secure the ability to establish communication between an electronic key and a vehicle even when there has been a change in the position of on-vehicle equipment or whether it is installed or not.SOLUTION: A comparison ECU 4 has stored in a memory 9 a setting parameter 23 (a map 23a) used when adjusting a communication area of a vehicle transmission antenna 10 (an in-vehicle transmission antenna 10b). The map 23a includes settings of a relationship between a position of a seat 19 and an output of the in-vehicle transmission antenna 10b. An area adjustment unit 22 refers to the map 23a on the basis of a detection value Sst inputted from a seat position detector 21, thereby setting a communication area of the in-vehicle transmission antenna 10b to a proper area corresponding to a seat position.

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication area adjustment device that adjusts a communication area between a vehicle and an electronic key.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic key system for operating a vehicle by wirelessly collating an ID with an electronic key is well known (see Patent Document 1, etc.). In this type of electronic key system, a request signal is transmitted from, for example, an LF (Low Frequency) band radio wave from a transmission antenna mounted on a vehicle. When receiving the request signal, the electronic key transmits a key ID signal written in the electronic key to the vehicle using, for example, a radio wave in a UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band. When the vehicle verification ECU receives the key ID signal transmitted from the electronic key at the vehicle reception antenna, the vehicle verification ECU performs ID verification based on the key ID signal. Permits or executes engine start.

JP 2005-262915 A

  Incidentally, the vehicle is provided with a movable member such as a seat. However, when the seat position is moved, the area of the transmission antenna of the vehicle is switched before and after the seat is moved. This has led to a problem that the communication area of the vehicle changes depending on the position of the seat, which has been a hindrance in securing the feasibility of communication.

  The objective of this invention is providing the communication area adjustment apparatus which can ensure the establishment of communication between an electronic key and a vehicle, even if the arrangement position of an in-vehicle apparatus and the presence or absence of attachment change.

  The communication area adjustment device that solves the above-described problem is configured such that when an electronic key is located in a communication area formed by a transmission antenna provided in a vehicle, ID verification communication between the vehicle and the electronic key is executed and the communication area is adjusted. When adjusting the communication area according to the arrangement position or mounting presence / absence of the on-vehicle device in the configuration used when the information is collected, an information collection unit that collects information necessary for the adjustment, and the transmission antenna based on the information And an area adjustment unit for adjusting the communication area.

  According to this configuration, information necessary for adjusting the area of the transmission antenna is collected, and the communication area of the transmission antenna is adjusted based on the information. For this reason, for example, even if the arrangement position of the in-vehicle device is switched or the presence or absence of the in-vehicle device is changed, an optimal communication area corresponding to the time is formed. Therefore, even if the arrangement position of the in-vehicle device and the presence / absence of attachment change, it is possible to ensure the establishment of communication between the vehicle and the electronic key.

  In the communication area adjusting device, the communication area is preferably an in-vehicle communication area formed by an in-vehicle transmission antenna in the vehicle. According to this configuration, even if there is a position change or presence / absence change in the in-vehicle device, the in-vehicle communication area can be appropriately adjusted to the optimal communication area. Therefore, when the electronic key located in the vehicle communicates with the vehicle, this communication can be easily established.

  The communication area adjustment device includes a seat position detection unit that detects a position of a movable seat as the in-vehicle device, and the area adjustment unit is configured to detect the transmission antenna based on a detection value of the sheet position detection unit. It is preferable to adjust the communication area to an area corresponding to the seat position. According to this configuration, the in-vehicle device to be monitored is a movable seat, and a communication area corresponding to the seat position is set. Therefore, even if the sheet position is changed, an optimum communication area corresponding to the changed sheet position can be formed.

  In the communication area adjustment apparatus, it is preferable that the area adjustment unit adjusts the communication area of the transmission antenna by switching output intensity or directivity of the transmission antenna. According to this configuration, the communication area of the transmission antenna can be switched with a simple configuration of switching the output intensity or directivity of the transmission antenna.

  In the communication area adjustment device, the communication area adjustment device includes a setting parameter that is stored in a memory of the vehicle and that can specify an output setting value of the transmission antenna that is necessary according to each seat position, and the area adjustment unit includes: It is preferable that the output setting value necessary for area adjustment is calculated from the setting parameter based on the detection value of the sheet position detection unit, and the communication area of the transmitting antenna is adjusted based on the output setting value. According to this configuration, when adjusting the area of the transmission antenna, it is possible to execute the adjustment by a simple process of referring to the setting parameter.

  According to the present invention, the establishment of communication between the electronic key and the vehicle can be ensured even if the arrangement position of the in-vehicle device or the presence or absence of attachment changes.

The block diagram of the communication area adjustment apparatus of one Embodiment. (A) is a schematic diagram of an in-vehicle communication area, (b) is a schematic diagram of an in-vehicle communication area. (A)-(c) is a schematic diagram which shows the flow of area adjustment of a transmission antenna. The map figure which is an example of a setting parameter. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the method of the area adjustment of another example. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the method of the area adjustment of another example. The block diagram of the electronic key system of another example.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a communication area adjusting device will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 includes an electronic key system 3 that performs ID verification wirelessly with the electronic key 2. The electronic key system 3 is preferably a key operation free system that authenticates the electronic key 2 by, for example, two-way communication with a narrow area wireless (communication distance: several meters).

  The vehicle 1 includes a verification ECU (Electric control unit) 4 that performs ID verification of the electronic key 2, a body ECU 5 that manages the power source of the in-vehicle electrical components, and an engine ECU 6 that controls the engine 7. These ECUs are preferably connected through a communication line 8 provided in the vehicle 1. The communication line 8 is preferably a CAN (Controller Area Network) or a LIN (Local Interconnect Network), for example. The ID of the electronic key 2 registered in the vehicle 1, that is, the electronic key ID is written and stored in the memory 9 of the verification ECU 4.

  The vehicle 1 includes a transmission antenna (vehicle transmission antenna) 10 that can transmit an ID collation radio wave in the vehicle 1 and a vehicle reception antenna 11 that can receive an ID collation radio wave in the vehicle 1. These are electrically connected to the verification ECU 4. The vehicle transmission antenna 10 preferably includes an outside transmission antenna 10a capable of transmitting radio waves outside the vehicle and an in-vehicle transmission antenna 10b capable of transmitting radio waves inside the vehicle. The vehicle transmission antenna 10 may be capable of transmitting LF radio waves, for example. The vehicle receiving antenna 11 is preferably capable of receiving UHF radio waves, for example.

  The vehicle 1 includes an engine switch 12 that is operated when the vehicle power source is switched. The engine switch 12 is composed of a momentary switch, for example, and outputs an operation signal to the verification ECU 4. The vehicle power source is switched to, for example, IG off, ACC on, IG on, or engine start in accordance with the operation of the engine switch 12. The body ECU 5 controls the operation of the door lock mechanism 13, which is a mechanical part that switches between locking and unlocking the vehicle door.

  The electronic key 2 includes a key control unit 14 that controls the operation of the electronic key 2, a key reception antenna 15 that can receive radio waves with the electronic key 2, and a key transmission antenna 16 that can transmit radio waves with the electronic key 2. . An electronic key ID is written and stored in the memory 17 of the key control unit 14 as a unique ID of the electronic key 2. The key receiving antenna 15 is preferably capable of receiving LF radio waves, for example. The key transmission antenna 16 is preferably capable of transmitting UHF radio waves, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (a), when the outside transmitting antenna 10a forms the LF radio wave communication area E (outside car communication area Ea) outside the car, if the electronic key 2 enters this communication area, the outside car smart communication is executed. Is done. Specifically, when the electronic key 2 receives the wake signal transmitted from the outside transmitting antenna 10a, the electronic key 2 is activated to return an ACK, and in the subsequent communication process, vehicle code verification, challenge response authentication, electronic key Various verifications of ID verification are executed. The vehicle code collation is a collation in which a vehicle code, which is a unique ID of the vehicle 1 (collation ECU 4), is transmitted to the electronic key 2 so that the electronic key 2 confirms the vehicle code. In the challenge response authentication, a challenge code whose code changes every time it is transmitted is transmitted from the vehicle 1 to the electronic key 2 and passed through the encryption key of the electronic key 2, and this response code is returned to the vehicle 1. This is verification for confirming the validity of the response code of the electronic key 2 based on the calculated response code. The electronic key ID collation is a collation in which the vehicle 1 confirms the validity of the electronic key ID registered in the electronic key 2. When the verification ECU 4 confirms that all of these verifications are established, the verification ECU 4 determines that smart verification outside the vehicle is established, and permits or executes the locking / unlocking of the vehicle door by the body ECU 5.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (b), when the electronic key 2 enters the communication area E (in-vehicle communication area Eb) of the in-vehicle transmitting antenna 10b, the in-vehicle transmitting antenna 10a is replaced with the in-vehicle transmitting antenna 10b, and the same as the smart verification outside the vehicle. In-car smart matching is performed. When the verification ECU 4 confirms that in-vehicle smart verification is established with the electronic key 2 located in the vehicle, the verification ECU 4 permits switching of the vehicle power source (engine start operation) by operating the engine switch 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic key system 3 includes a communication area adjustment function (communication area adjustment device 18) that can adjust the communication area E of the vehicle transmission antenna 10. The communication area adjustment device 18 changes the communicable area for ID verification between the vehicle 1 and the electronic key 2 by adjusting the communication area E of the vehicle transmission antenna 10. The communication area adjusting device 18 preferably adjusts the in-vehicle communication area Eb of the in-vehicle transmission antenna 10b according to the arrangement position of the movable seat 19 provided in the vehicle 1. The seat 19 is preferably an electric seat, for example. For example, the seat 19 may be a driver seat 19a or a passenger seat 19b.

  The communication area adjustment device 18 includes an information collection unit 20 that collects information necessary for the adjustment when adjusting the communication area E according to the arrangement position or attachment position of the in-vehicle device (for example, the seat 19). The information collecting unit 20 is preferably provided in the verification ECU 4, for example. The information input by the information collection unit 20 is preferably a detection value Sst output from the sheet position detection unit 21 capable of detecting the position of the sheet 19, for example. The sheet position detection unit 21 may detect the position of the sheet 19 step by step at predetermined intervals, or may detect the position of the sheet 19 continuously with a fine resolution. The sheet position detection unit 21 may use either a sensor or a switch.

  The communication area adjustment device 18 includes an area adjustment unit 22 that adjusts a communication area E (an in-vehicle communication area Eb) of a transmission antenna (an in-vehicle transmission antenna 10b) based on information acquired by the information collecting unit 20. . The area adjustment unit 22 is preferably provided in the verification ECU 4, for example. The area adjustment unit 22 preferably adjusts the in-vehicle communication area Eb formed by the in-vehicle transmission antenna 10b, for example, according to the arrangement position of the seat 19. The area adjustment unit 22 preferably adjusts the in-vehicle communication area Eb by switching the output intensity or directivity of the in-vehicle transmission antenna 10b.

  It is preferable that the communication area adjustment device 18 includes a setting parameter 23 that can specify the output setting value P of the communication area E that is required according to each sheet position. The setting parameter 23 is preferably written in the memory 9 of the verification ECU 4, for example. The setting parameter 23 is preferably a map 23a in which the current sheet position is associated with the output setting value P to be used at each sheet position.

Next, the operation of the communication area adjustment device 18 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
As shown in FIG. 3A, a plurality of in-vehicle transmission antennas 10 b are mounted on the vehicle 1. When two in-vehicle transmission antennas 10b-1 and 10b-2 are mounted as in this example, one in-vehicle transmission antenna 10b-1 is disposed at the vehicle body front center position, and the other in-vehicle transmission antenna 10b-2. Is preferably arranged at the vehicle body rear center position. The in-vehicle transmission antennas 10b-1 and 10b-2 may perform radio wave transmission alternately. The in-vehicle communication areas Eb-1 and Eb-2 of the in-vehicle transmission antennas 10b-1 and 10b-2 are optimally set when, for example, both the driver seat 19a and the passenger seat 19b are at the reference position.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, for example, it is assumed that the driver seat 19a is lowered from the reference position and the passenger seat 19b is moved forward from the reference position. At this time, the in-vehicle communication areas Eb-1 and Eb-2 that are optimally set when the driver's seat 19a and the passenger seat 19b are at the reference position are affected by the changed seat position, and the areas fluctuate. Resulting in. That is, an area where ID verification communication is not established occurs in the vehicle.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3C, the area adjustment unit 22 performs in-vehicle communication areas Eb-1, Eb-2 of the in-vehicle transmission antennas 10b-1, 10b-2 according to the changed seat position. Adjust. Specifically, the information collecting unit 20 inputs the detection value Sst output from the sheet position detection unit 21. The area adjustment unit 22 refers to the setting parameter 23 stored in the memory 9 based on the detection value Sst of the seat position detection unit 21, and the in-vehicle communication areas Eb-1 of the in-vehicle transmission antennas 10b-1 and 10b-2. , Eb-2.

  FIG. 4 shows a map 23 a as the setting parameter 23. The map 23a is for determining how to set the output set value P of the in-vehicle transmission antenna 10b at which seat position. The output set value P is preferably a set parameter of a resonance circuit (resistance, capacitor, coil, etc.) of the in-vehicle transmission antenna 10b, for example. The area adjustment unit 22 refers to the map 23a based on the detection value Sst of the seat position detection unit 21 to determine the output set value P required at this time, and the in-vehicle communication area Eb based on the output set value P. Set.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The electronic key system 3 includes a communication area adjustment function for adjusting the communication area E of the vehicle transmission antenna 10 according to the seat position. For this reason, even if the arrangement position of the sheet 19 is switched, the optimum communication area E corresponding to the sheet position at that time is formed. Therefore, even if the arrangement position of the seat 19 changes, the establishment of communication between the vehicle 1 and the electronic key 2 can be ensured.

  (2) The communication area E to be adjusted according to the seat position is an in-vehicle communication area Eb (Eb-1, Eb-2) formed by the in-vehicle transmission antenna 10b. Therefore, even if there is a change in the seat position, the in-vehicle communication area Eb can be appropriately adjusted to an optimal communication area. Therefore, when the electronic key 2 located in the vehicle and the vehicle 1 perform communication for in-vehicle collation, this communication can be easily established.

  (3) The vehicle-mounted device to be monitored is a movable seat 19 and a communication area E corresponding to the seat position is set. Therefore, even if the sheet position is changed, the optimum communication area E corresponding to the changed sheet position can be formed.

  (4) The area adjustment of the in-vehicle transmission antenna 10b is realized by switching the output intensity or directivity of the in-vehicle transmission antenna 10b. Therefore, the in-vehicle communication area Eb can be switched with a simple configuration in which the output intensity or directivity of the in-vehicle transmission antenna 10b is switched.

  (5) The verification ECU 4 includes a setting parameter 23 (map 23a) that summarizes how to set the output of the transmission antenna 10 with respect to the seat position. The area adjustment unit 22 adjusts the communication area E of the in-vehicle transmission antenna 10b according to the output setting value P calculated from the setting parameter 23 when adjusting the area of the in-vehicle transmission antenna 10b. Therefore, in the area adjustment of the in-vehicle transmission antenna 10b, the adjustment can be performed by a simple process of referring to the setting parameter 23.

Note that the embodiment is not limited to the configuration described so far, and may be modified as follows.
The area adjustment of the transmission antenna 10 is not limited to the method of switching the output intensity of the transmission antenna 10, but can be changed to other methods such as changing the directivity of the antenna.

  -Adjustment of the communication area which can perform in-vehicle smart communication is not limited to implement | achieving by changing the output (output intensity, directivity, etc.) of the transmission antenna 10. FIG. For example, you may implement | achieve by changing the threshold value of the received signal strength (RSSI: Received Signal Strength Indicator) of the vehicle receiving antenna 11. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the area of the transmission antenna 10 may be adjusted for each electronic key ID using the electronic key ID of the electronic key 2. That is, instead of switching the communication area E of the transmission antenna 10 according to the seat position, the communication area E may be switched according to the electronic key ID.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the past detection value (position data) Sst of the sheet position detection unit 21 is accumulated, and when the detection value is switched from Sst to Sst ′, the communication area E is adjusted. Also good. This assumes, for example, that the user (owner) of the vehicle 1 changes, and sets the communication area E according to the new user. Further, based on the same concept, for example, a collation result (electronic key ID for which ID collation is established) may be accumulated, and adjustment of the communication area E may be performed when the collation result is switched.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the electronic key system 3 determines the position of the electronic key 2 by confirming the combination of responses of the electronic key 2 to radio waves transmitted from the vehicle transmitting antennas 10 of the vehicle 1. The one that takes Specifically, for example, transmission antennas 10c and 10d are arranged on the left and right of the vehicle 1, respectively. These transmission antennas 10c and 10d are preferably arranged in pillars (B pillars), for example. If there is a response from the electronic key 2 only to the radio wave of the right transmitting antenna 10c, it is determined that the electronic key 2 is located outside the driver's seat side vehicle, and the electronic key 2 responds only to the radio wave of the left transmitting antenna 10d. If there is a response, it is determined that the electronic key 2 is located outside the passenger seat side vehicle, and if there is a response from the electronic key 2 to both radio waves of the transmission antennas 10c and 10d, it is determined that the electronic key 2 is located indoors. . When the transmission antennas 10c and 10d are arranged in the pillar, for example, the radio waves of the transmission antennas 10c and 10d are easily affected by the metal fittings of the seat belt, but a communication area that takes this metal fitting into consideration is formed. Effective in terms.

The electronic key 2 is not limited to a key-dedicated terminal, and can be changed to various terminals such as a high-function mobile phone, a tablet terminal, and an IC card.
-There may be one sheet 19 to be monitored. Further, the seat of the rear seat may be included in the monitoring target.

  -The area adjustment of the vehicle transmission antenna 10 is not limited to the system which performs adjustment according to the position of vehicle equipment. For example, the communication area E of the vehicle transmission antenna 10 may be adjusted according to whether or not an in-vehicle device (for example, a car navigation device) is attached.

The map 23a is not limited to a method in which the output setting value P is determined for each sheet position within a certain range, and may be a map in which, for example, one sheet position value and the output setting value P are uniquely related.
The setting parameter 23 is not limited to the map 23a, and can be changed to another method such as a calculation formula.

The in-vehicle device is not limited to the seat 19 and can be changed to another device such as a tilt telescopic device.
The transmission antenna for area adjustment may be the vehicle outside transmission antenna 10a.

The information necessary for area adjustment is not limited to the detection value Sst of the sheet position detection unit 21, and various information can be adopted depending on the monitoring target.
-You may implement | achieve area adjustment by changing the threshold value of reception of the vehicle receiving antenna 11, for example.

  The area adjustment is not limited to being executed on the vehicle 1 side, and may be executed on the electronic key 2 side, for example. In this case, for example, it can be realized by changing the reception threshold value of the electronic key 2.

  The electronic key system 3 can be changed to various systems other than the key operation free system. Various frequencies can be used for communication.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle, 2 ... Electronic key, 10 ... Transmission antenna (vehicle transmission antenna), 10a ... Outside transmission antenna, 10b ... In-vehicle transmission antenna, 18 ... Communication area adjustment apparatus, 19 (19a, 19b) ... By an example of vehicle equipment A certain sheet, 20 ... an information collection unit, 21 ... a sheet position detection unit, 22 ... an area adjustment unit, 23 ... a setting parameter, 23a ... a map, E ... a communication area, Ea ... a communication area outside the vehicle, Eb (Eb-1, Eb- 2) ... in-vehicle communication area, Sst ... detection value as an example of information necessary for area adjustment, P ... output set value.

Claims (5)

When the electronic key is located in a communication area formed by a transmission antenna provided in the vehicle, communication for ID verification of the vehicle and the electronic key is executed, and in the communication area adjustment device used when adjusting the communication area,
An information collection unit that collects information necessary for the adjustment in adjusting the communication area according to the placement position of the in-vehicle device or the presence or absence of attachment;
A communication area adjustment apparatus comprising: an area adjustment unit that adjusts a communication area of the transmission antenna based on the information. The communication area adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the communication area is an in-vehicle communication area formed by an in-vehicle transmission antenna in the vehicle. A seat position detection unit that detects the position of a movable seat as the in-vehicle device,
The communication area according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the area adjustment unit adjusts the communication area of the transmission antenna to an area corresponding to a sheet position based on a detection value of the sheet position detection unit. Adjustment device. The communication area according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the area adjustment unit adjusts a communication area of the transmission antenna by switching output intensity or directivity of the transmission antenna. Adjustment device. A setting parameter that is stored in the memory of the vehicle and that can specify an output setting value of the transmission antenna that is required according to each seat position;
The area adjustment unit calculates the output setting value necessary for area adjustment from the setting parameter based on the detection value of the sheet position detection unit, and adjusts the communication area of the transmission antenna by the output setting value. The communication area adjustment apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that