JP2017172145A - Electronic key system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic key system that makes it possible to improve convenience.SOLUTION: A wearable apparatus 4 capable of transmitting an operation command for commanding to operate a vehicle 2 is registered in a portable apparatus 3. The portable apparatus 3 relays an operation command received from the registered wearable apparatus 4 to transmit the operation command to the vehicle 2. The portable apparatus 3 can perform Bluetooth (R) communication with the wearable apparatus 4 and can perform two-way communication using a radio wave in a LF-band and a radio wave in a UHF band with the vehicle 2. Registration of the wearable apparatus 4 in the portable apparatus 3 is performed using a smart phone 5; authentication for connecting with the portable apparatus 3 is based on password input.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic key system that enables operation of a controlled object through electronic key authentication.

  In Patent Document 1, a polling signal is transmitted from a vehicle to form a communication area. When an electronic key exists in this area, a response signal including a unique key code is transmitted from the electronic key, and the vehicle, the electronic key, An electronic key system is disclosed in which wireless communication is established between the two and the vehicle can be operated through authentication of the electronic key by the communication.

JP 2007-170162 A

  The electronic key can be used only by one vehicle in which the key code is registered. In other words, once a key code is registered, it can be used only on that vehicle. In addition, a dedicated tool is required for registering the key code, which is inconvenient because it can be registered only at the store.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic key system capable of improving convenience.

  An electronic key system that solves the above problem is an electronic key system in which an operation of a control target is enabled after authentication of the electronic key, and a communication terminal capable of transmitting an operation command instructing the operation of the control target is connected to the electronic key. The gist of the registered electronic key is that the operation command received from the registered communication terminal is relayed and transmitted to the control target.

  According to this configuration, by instructing the operation of the control target from the communication terminal registered in the electronic key, the instruction from the communication terminal is sent to the control target via the electronic key. The user himself / herself can register the communication terminal in the electronic key, and does not need to go to a vehicle store which is an example of a control target. Therefore, convenience can be improved.

  In the electronic key system, one electronic key may be prepared for one control target, and one communication terminal may be registered in each of a plurality of electronic keys.

  According to this configuration, taking the vehicle as an example, the electronic key can be used by only one vehicle in which a unique key code is registered, thereby ensuring security. As for the communication terminal, it is convenient to operate a plurality of vehicles with one communication terminal. Therefore, both convenience and security can be achieved.

In the electronic key system, the electronic key may include an interface capable of communicating with the communication terminal.
According to this configuration, a standard interface such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be mounted on the electronic key in order to add functions by the communication terminal. That is, it is not necessary to change the control target, and it is only necessary to change only the electronic key that is easier and cheaper to change than the control target. Therefore, the burden accompanying the addition of functions can be reduced.

In the electronic key system, the electronic key may transmit a unique key code together with an operation command to the control target.
According to this configuration, it is possible to operate the control target in response to an instruction from the operation command on the condition that the authentication of the electronic key is established by the matching of the key code. Therefore, it is possible to add a convenient function by the communication terminal while ensuring security.

  In the electronic key system, the control object transmits a polling signal to form a communication area, and when the electronic key receives the polling signal, the electronic key transmits a response signal including the key code to the control object. On the assumption that the operation command is received, the response signal to which the operation command is added may be transmitted to the control target.

  According to this configuration, since the response signal to which the operation command is added is transmitted from the electronic key on the assumption that the electronic key exists in the communication area based on the polling signal, a stable response signal is received by the control target. . Therefore, the instruction from the communication terminal can be reliably reflected in the operation of the control target.

  According to the present invention, convenience can be improved.

The block diagram which shows the structure of an electronic key system. The sequence chart which shows operation | movement in the case of pre-registering a wearable apparatus with a portable device. The sequence chart which shows operation | movement in the case of additionally registering a wearable apparatus to a portable device. The sequence chart which shows operation | movement when instruct | indicating key system operation from a wearable apparatus.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electronic key system will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic key system 1 is a so-called smart key system (registered trademark), which performs bidirectional wireless communication between the vehicle 2 and the portable device 3, and the portable device 3 ( The vehicle 2 (control target) can be operated through authentication of the electronic key.

  The vehicle 2 includes an LF antenna 22 capable of transmitting LF band radio waves and an RF tuner 23 capable of receiving RF radio waves (UHF band radio waves as an example), in addition to a verification ECU 21 that controls security of the vehicle. Yes.

  The verification ECU 21 transmits a polling signal from the LF antenna 22 to form a communication area in order to monitor the approach of the portable device 3 to the vehicle 2. When the portable device 3 exists in this area, a response signal including a key code unique to the portable device 3 is transmitted from the portable device 3 in response to a call by a polling signal.

  When the response signal is received by the RF tuner 23, the verification ECU 21 analyzes the response signal. In the verification ECU 21, the key code of the portable device 3 is registered. The verification ECU 21 performs verification with the registered key code when analyzing the response signal. The verification ECU 21 permits the door to be unlocked on the condition that the authentication of the portable device 3 is established when the key code matches and matches. At this time, the door is opened by operating the door handle.

  The portable device 3 includes an LF reception circuit 32 that can receive LF band radio waves and an RF transmission circuit 33 that can transmit RF radio waves, in addition to the microcomputer 31 that controls the overall control of the own key. When the polling signal is received by the LF reception circuit 32, the microcomputer 31 transmits a response signal including a key code unique to the portable device 3 from the RF transmission circuit 33.

  In the portable device 3 of this example, a wearable device 4 (communication terminal) capable of transmitting an operation command instructing an operation of the vehicle 2 is registered. In order to instruct operation of the vehicle 2 from the wearable device 4, switch operation, gesture, voice, and the like are used. The wearable device 4 can recognize a user's intention transmission operation by a switch operation or the like. The wearable device 4 is associated with a predetermined communication operation and vehicle operation. When the wearable device 4 recognizes a predetermined intention transmission operation, the wearable device 4 transmits vehicle operation identification information (function ID) corresponding to the operation to the portable device 3 as an operation command.

  The portable device 3 includes a short-range communication transceiver 34 (interface) capable of Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication with the wearable device 4. When the microcomputer 31 receives an operation command from the wearable device 4 through the short-range communication transceiver 34, the microcomputer 31 transmits a response signal to which the operation command is added from the RF transmission circuit 33 when transmitting a response signal to the polling signal. That is, the portable device 3 relays the operation command received from the registered wearable device 4 and transmits it to the vehicle 2. At this time, the verification ECU 21 operates the vehicle 2 in response to an instruction from the operation command. For example, the door is unlocked in response to the unlock instruction.

  In general, in Bluetooth, one of the master and the slave is set in a discoverable state, and a discovery operation is performed from the other. When both devices are close to each other, a list of surrounding devices in a discoverable state is presented, and a desired connection partner is designated from the list. Pairing is completed when the same authentication key is input to both devices and the authentication key is exchanged. Between the devices that have been paired once, the connection is established automatically or semi-automatically from the next, and it becomes unnecessary to input the authentication key.

Registration of the wearable device 4 to the portable device 3 is performed using the smartphone 5 that has been paired with the portable device 3 and has been authenticated, and the connection authentication to the portable device 3 is performed by inputting a password.
Next, the operation of the electronic key system 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the user himself / herself registers the wearable device 4 in the portable device 3 in advance so that the wearable device 4 can instruct the operation of the vehicle 2. Unlike the dedicated tool for key code registration owned by the dealer of the vehicle 2 (the connection tool for the vehicle 2), the tool 6 for the wearable device registration owned by the user (the connection tool for the portable device 3). ) Is used. That is, when the tool 6 is connected to the portable device 3 (whether wired or wireless) and the tool 6 is operated, a registration mode shift request and a tool ID are transmitted from the tool 6 to the portable device 3.

  In step S1, the portable device 3 collates the tool ID, and when the collation matches, the portable device 3 shifts to the wearable device ID pre-registration mode in step S2. In step S3, the portable device 3 performs a Bluetooth pairing process with the wearable device 4 to be pre-registered, and connects the Bluetooth device with the wearable device 4 in step S4. When the wearable device 4 is operated, a wearable device pre-registration request, a password, and a wearable device ID are transmitted from the wearable device 4 to the portable device 3.

  The portable device 3 stores the password in step S5, stores the wearable device ID in step S6, and notifies the wearable device 4 of the completion of registration when the storage of both is completed. Thereby, the prior registration of the wearable device 4 to the portable device 3 is completed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when additionally registering the wearable device 4 with the portable device 3, pairing with the portable device 3 is completed and the authenticated smartphone 5 is used. That is, when the smartphone 5 is operated, the smartphone 5 connects Bluetooth to the portable device 3 in step S7. When the smartphone 5 is operated, a transmission request for the wearable device ID that has been pre-registered is transmitted from the smartphone 5 to the portable device 3. Then, in response to the request, the wearable device ID that has been pre-registered is transmitted from the portable device 3 to the smartphone 5.

  In step S8, the smartphone 5 stores the pre-registered wearable device ID, and in step S9, displays a list of wearable device IDs that are candidates for additional registration. In step S10, the ID of wearable device 4 that the user desires to additionally register is selected from the list. When the smartphone 5 is operated, the wearable device registration request, the password, and the wearable device ID are transmitted from the smartphone 5 to the portable device 3.

  In step S11, the portable device 3 performs password verification, and when the passwords match, in step S12, Bluetooth is connected to the wearable device 4 to be additionally registered. When the portable device 3 is operated, a transmission request for the wearable device ID is transmitted from the portable device 3 to the wearable device 4. Then, in response to the request, the wearable device ID is transmitted from the wearable device 4 to the portable device 3.

  In step S13, the portable device 3 collates the wearable device ID. If the collation matches, the portable device 3 connects the wearable device 4 in step S14, and notifies the smartphone 5 of the completion of the connection when the connection is completed. In step S <b> 15, the smartphone 5 sends a registration completion notification for the wearable device 4 to the user. Thereby, registration of the wearable device 4 to the portable device 3 is completed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when instructing an operation of the vehicle 2 (an unlocking operation as an example of a key system operation) from the wearable device 4 registered in the portable device 3, in step S <b> 16, a predetermined communication is performed. The operation is input to the wearable device 4. In this case, the wearable device 4 transmits an operation command instructing an unlock operation to the portable device 3 by Bluetooth.

  In step S <b> 17, the portable device 3 relays the operation command and transmits it to the vehicle 2. In this example, when transmitting a response signal to the polling signal from the vehicle 2, a response signal to which an operation command is added is transmitted to the vehicle 2. As a result, the vehicle 2 analyzes the response signal, and unlocks the door in response to the instruction by the operation command in step S18 on the condition that the authentication of the portable device 3 is established.

  Note that the portable device 3 may transmit the RF radio wave including the operation command and the key code from the RF transmission circuit 33 without receiving the polling signal when receiving the operation command from the wearable device 4. That is, the portable device 3 is allowed to accept a wireless key that does not have the bidirectional wireless communication function in addition to the smart key (registered trademark) that can perform bidirectional wireless communication with the vehicle 2. .

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) By instructing the operation of the vehicle 2 from the wearable device 4 registered in the portable device 3, the instruction by the wearable device 4 is sent to the vehicle 2 via the portable device 3. The user himself / herself can register the wearable device 4 in the portable device 3, and does not need to go to the store of the vehicle 2. Therefore, convenience can be improved.

  (2) One portable device 3 is prepared for one vehicle 2 and the user himself / herself can register one wearable device 4 in each of the plurality of portable devices 3. According to this configuration, the portable device 3 can be used with only one vehicle in which a unique key code is registered, thereby ensuring security. The wearable device 4 is convenient because one wearable device 4 can operate a plurality of vehicles 2. Therefore, both convenience and security can be achieved.

  (3) In order to add a function by the wearable device 4, a standard interface (short-range communication transceiver 34) such as Bluetooth may be mounted on the portable device 3. That is, it is not necessary to change the vehicle 2, and only the portable device 3 that is easier and cheaper to change than the vehicle 2 may be changed. Therefore, the burden accompanying the addition of functions can be reduced.

  (4) The portable device 3 transmits a unique key code to the vehicle 2 together with the operation command. According to this configuration, it is possible to operate the vehicle 2 upon receiving an instruction from the operation command on condition that the authentication of the portable device 3 is established by the matching of the key code. Therefore, it is possible to add a convenient function by the wearable device 4 while ensuring security.

  (5) Since the response signal to which the operation command is added is transmitted from the portable device 3 on the assumption that the portable device 3 exists in the communication area by the polling signal from the vehicle 2, a stable response signal is transmitted from the vehicle 2. Received. Therefore, the instruction from the wearable device 4 can be reliably reflected in the operation of the vehicle 2.

In addition, the said embodiment can also be changed and actualized as follows.
-In relation to the operation command from the wearable device 4, the function ID indicates door unlock, door lock, trunk open operation, panic function with alarm, What shows the function of a power slide door, the thing which shows the function of a power back door, etc. are prepared, and each function ID may be linked | related with individual intention transmission operation | movement.

  The wearable device 4 may be a bracelet type attached to the wrist, a ring type attached to a finger, an eyeglass type, or the like. A so-called smart watch, smart ring, smart glass, or the like may be used.

  The portable device 3 may include a near field communication transceiver 34 capable of near field communication such as NFC (near field communication) as an interface instead of Bluetooth.

The controlled object is not limited to the vehicle 2. The present invention may be applied to an electronic key system that enables operation of building doors, lighting, electrical appliances and the like through authentication of the portable device 3.
The communication terminal is not limited to the wearable device 4. Any terminal that can communicate with the portable device 3 such as Bluetooth may be used.

In registering the wearable device 4 to the portable device 3, the configuration is not limited to using the smartphone 5. Registration may be performed using other mobile devices.
-It is not limited to the structure which uses the radio wave of LF band and the radio wave of UHF band for two-way communication with the vehicle 2 and the portable device 3.

  -It is not limited to the structure which uses the electromagnetic wave of a UHF band for the one-way communication which makes the portable device 3 the transmission side.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic key system, 2 ... Vehicle (control object), 3 ... Portable machine (electronic key), 4 ... Wearable apparatus (communication terminal), 5 ... Smartphone, 6 ... Tool, 21 ... Verification ECU, 22 ... LF antenna, 23 ... RF tuner, 31 ... microcomputer, 32 ... LF receiver circuit, 33 ... RF transmitter circuit, 34 ... short-range communication transceiver (interface).

Claims (5)

In the electronic key system that enables the operation of the controlled object through the authentication of the electronic key,
A communication terminal capable of transmitting an operation command instructing the operation to be controlled is registered in the electronic key,
The electronic key system relays an operation command received from a registered communication terminal and transmits it to the control target. The electronic key system according to claim 1, wherein one electronic key is prepared for one control target, and one communication terminal can be registered in each of a plurality of electronic keys. The electronic key system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic key includes an interface capable of communicating with the communication terminal. The electronic key system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electronic key transmits a unique key code to the control target together with an operation command. The control object transmits a polling signal to form a communication area,
When the electronic key receives the operation command, the response signal including the key code is transmitted to the control target when the polling signal is received. The electronic key system according to claim 4, wherein a signal is transmitted to the control target.

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