JP4306446B2 - Vehicle anti-theft system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle antitheft system.

  Conventionally, a system in which a stolen vehicle cannot be driven by communication between the vehicle and a management center is known. As an example, a system in which a management center communicates with a stolen vehicle and a wheel lock device mounted on the stolen vehicle locks the wheel is conceivable. Further, a system that forcibly terminates the operation of the engine control device mounted on the stolen vehicle and prohibits the activation of the device is also conceivable.

  However, in the above-described system, the vehicle can be driven when the management center cannot communicate with the stolen vehicle, for example, when the antenna of the vehicle is destroyed or the communication device mounted on the vehicle is removed. It becomes impossible to lose.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle theft prevention system capable of preventing the vehicle from being driven even when the management center cannot communicate with the vehicle. .

In order to achieve the above object, in the vehicle antitheft system according to claim 1, upon receipt of a confirmation signal transmitted from the vehicle, a communication center that returns a response signal to the vehicle, and a periodic to the communication center When transmitting a confirmation signal and receiving a response signal for the confirmation signal returned from the communication center, and when the response signal becomes unreceivable, the drive control device for controlling the driving of the vehicle Permits a vehicle equipped with an authentication unit for instructing prohibition of driving of a vehicle , a release unit for instructing the drive control device to cancel the prohibition of driving of the vehicle, and a release unit for issuing a cancellation instruction. A permission unit and a position detection unit that detects a setting position of the permission unit, and the permission unit is installed at a predetermined position based on a detection result of the position detection unit. Only it performs authorization operations, releasing means, when permitted by the permitting means, and performs cancellation instruction.

Thus, in the vehicle antitheft system of the present invention, the authentication means mounted on the vehicle periodically transmits a confirmation signal toward the communication center and receives a response signal returned from the return communication center. When the response signal cannot be received, the authentication unit instructs the drive control device that controls driving of the vehicle to prohibit driving of the vehicle. This makes it impossible to drive the vehicle even when the communication center becomes unable to communicate with the vehicle, for example, when the antenna of the vehicle is destroyed or a communication device mounted on the vehicle is removed. Is possible. As a result, a deterrent effect against theft of the vehicle can also be expected.
In addition, a permission unit is provided for permitting the release unit to issue a release instruction, and the release unit is configured to issue a release instruction when permitted by the permission unit. Even in this case, the prohibition of driving of the vehicle cannot be canceled only by the cancellation means, which is preferable for crime prevention.
Furthermore, since the permission means performs the permission operation only when it is installed at a predetermined position, for example, if the permission means installed at a dealer or a maintenance shop is stolen, the permission means will not operate. It is more preferable for crime prevention.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the authentication means determines that the response signal is not received when the response signal is not received even if the confirmation signal is transmitted beyond the predetermined number of drive prohibitions. It is desirable. This prevents the vehicle from being unable to drive when the communication center temporarily becomes unable to communicate with the vehicle, for example, when the vehicle enters a tunnel. In addition, if the response signal is not received even if the confirmation signal is transmitted exceeding the predetermined number of drive prohibitions, it is assumed that the communication center can no longer communicate with the vehicle and the vehicle is reliably driven. It becomes possible to make it impossible.

  As described in claim 3, even if the authentication means transmits a confirmation signal exceeding a predetermined number of warnings, if the response signal is not received, a warning is given to the effect that driving of the vehicle is prohibited. It is desirable to provide warning means for the vehicle. As a result, even when the vehicle and the communication center cannot communicate, for example, when the vehicle is parked in an underground parking lot, the user cannot communicate with the communication center due to a warning from the warning means. Then, it can be detected that driving of the vehicle is prohibited.

  As described in claim 4, it is desirable that the warning means has a display screen, and the warning content is displayed on the display screen for warning. Thereby, the user can perceive that the vehicle and the communication center cannot communicate with each other just by looking at the display screen, and that the driving of the vehicle is prohibited as it is.

  As described in claim 5, if the communication center fails to receive the confirmation signal from the vehicle even after the predetermined time has elapsed after transmitting the response signal to the vehicle, the communication center is directed to the predetermined communication device. Therefore, it is desirable to transmit a warning message indicating that driving of the vehicle is prohibited. Thereby, the user can perceive that the vehicle and the communication center cannot communicate from the warning message transmitted to the predetermined communication device.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the authentication means stop transmitting the confirmation signal when the power means for driving the vehicle is stopped. Thereby, when the vehicle is not used, the confirmation signal is not transmitted from the vehicle, and the power consumption can be reduced. Of course, when the vehicle is used in a state where communication with the communication center cannot be performed, the vehicle can be disabled.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the vehicle is provided with speed detecting means for detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle, and the authenticating means receives the confirmation signal when the traveling speed detected by the speed detecting means is larger than the predetermined traveling speed. Transmission may also be performed. As a result, the confirmation signal is transmitted only when the vehicle is traveling at a traveling speed greater than the predetermined traveling speed, so that the power consumption can be further reduced. Of course, if the vehicle continues to travel at a traveling speed greater than a predetermined traveling speed in a state where communication with the communication center cannot be performed, the vehicle can be disabled.

As described in claim 8 , it is desirable that the release means is provided on a key of the vehicle. Thereby, the user of a vehicle can cancel | release the drive prohibition of the said vehicle easily using the cancellation | release means provided in the key of the vehicle.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a vehicle antitheft system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle anti-theft system of this embodiment is composed of a vehicle 1 and a management center 2 and prohibits driving of the vehicle when the vehicle 1 cannot communicate with the management center 2 for a predetermined time or more. .

  First, the portable device 31 possessed by the user of the vehicle 1 and the update device 32 that stores the update signal in the portable device will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the portable device 31 is, for example, a portable keyless switch. When a transmission button (not shown) is pressed, an ID code for identifying a user (hereinafter referred to as an identification ID code) is a vehicle. 1 is transmitted wirelessly. Furthermore, the portable device 31 has an internal memory (not shown), and stores update data acquired from the update device 32 described later. When update data is stored in the internal memory when the transmission button is pressed, the portable device 31 sends an update signal generated based on the update data to the vehicle 1 in addition to the identification ID code. And wirelessly transmit. Note that the update data stored in the internal memory is erased when a predetermined time elapses. Infrared communication may be used for the transmission of the identification ID code and the update signal.

  The update device 32 wirelessly transmits update data to the portable device 31 and stores it in the internal memory of the portable device. The update device 32 has a position detector (not shown) such as a GPS, and is installed in a dealer or a maintenance factory, and is configured to operate only in the dealer or the maintenance factory. This is to prevent the device from operating when the update device 32 is taken from a dealer or maintenance shop due to theft.

  Next, each device mounted on the vehicle 1 will be described.

  The engine control device 11 controls the operation of an injector (not shown) and an igniter mounted on the vehicle 1 and controls the engine by adjusting the fuel injection amount to the engine (not shown) of the vehicle 1 and the ignition interval of the engine. .

  The keyless tuner 12 is a small wireless communication device, and receives an identification ID code and an update signal transmitted from the portable device 31. Regarding reception of the identification ID code and the update signal, infrared communication may be used as described above.

  The immobilizer 13 performs user authentication of the vehicle 1 and activates the engine control device 11 when the user authentication is successful. Specifically, when the keyless tuner 12 receives the identification ID code, the immobilizer 13 performs user authentication by determining whether or not the received identification ID code matches a predetermined ID code. When the received ID code for identification matches a predetermined ID code, that is, when the user authentication is successful, the immobilizer 13 activates the engine control device 11 to start engine control. When the received ID code for identification does not match the predetermined ID code, that is, when user authentication fails, the immobilizer 13 does not activate the engine control device 11.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the immobilizer 13 is provided with a start prohibition flag (not shown). The activation prohibition flag is a flag that is set when the activation of the engine control device 11 is prohibited, and is reset when the activation of the engine control device 11 is permitted. The immobilizer 13 performs the above-described user authentication only when the activation prohibition flag is reset. When the activation prohibition flag is set, the above-described user authentication is not performed.

  The display 14 is a small liquid crystal display, for example, and displays a drive prohibition screen indicating that driving of the vehicle 1 is prohibited and a warning screen indicating that driving of the vehicle 1 will be prohibited soon. It may be notified by voice that the driving of the vehicle 1 is prohibited or that the driving of the vehicle 1 will be prohibited soon. In addition, when a device having a display screen such as a car navigation device is mounted on the vehicle 1, a drive prohibition screen or a warning screen may be displayed using the display screen.

  The security ECU 15 includes an internal timer and an internal counter (not shown), and sets and resets a start prohibition flag included in the immobilizer 13. Specifically, the security ECU 15 outputs a confirmation signal including vehicle identification information for identifying the vehicle 1 to the communication module 16 described later at a predetermined time, and transmits the confirmation signal to the management center 2. Thereafter, the security ECU 15 starts an internal timer, and resets the internal counter when the communication module 16 receives a response signal returned from the management center 2 within a predetermined time. If the response signal cannot be received within a predetermined time, the internal counter is incremented by one. When the communication module 16 cannot receive a response signal for a long time and the value of the internal counter reaches a predetermined warning value, the security ECU 15 displays a warning screen on the display 14. Further, when the value of the internal counter reaches a predetermined drive prohibition value, the security ECU 15 stops outputting the confirmation signal, sets the start prohibition flag of the immobilizer 13, and forcibly terminates the operation of the engine control device 11. . In that case, a drive prohibition screen is also displayed on the display 14.

  Further, when the keyless tuner 12 receives the update signal and the identification ID code, the security ECU 15 determines whether or not the received identification ID code matches a predetermined ID code. The start prohibition flag of 13 is reset. If they do not match, the activation prohibition flag is not reset.

  The communication module 16 is an in-vehicle wireless communication device having an antenna (not shown), and transmits a confirmation signal output from the security ECU 15 to the management center 2. In addition, a response signal transmitted from the management center 2 toward the vehicle 1 is received and output to the security ECU 15. For the transmission / reception of the confirmation signal and the response signal, a mobile phone possessed by the user may be used.

  Each device described above is connected to a battery of the vehicle 1 (not shown), and always operates even when the engine of the vehicle 1 is stopped.

  Next, each device constituting the management center 2 will be described.

  The communication module 21 is a large wireless communication device having a parabolic antenna, and receives a confirmation signal transmitted from each vehicle traveling in the city. A response signal is sent back to each vehicle traveling in the city.

  The storage device 22 is, for example, a hard disk and stores, for each vehicle traveling in the city, the time when the confirmation signal transmitted from the vehicle is received and the telephone number of the mobile phone possessed by the user of the vehicle. . These data may be stored in a DVD-RAM or the like.

  The center ECU 23 is configured by a known computer, identifies a vehicle that is a transmission source of the confirmation signal received by the communication module 21, and outputs a response signal returned to the vehicle to the communication module 21. Specifically, the center ECU 23 extracts the vehicle identification information included in the confirmation signal received by the communication module 21, and identifies the vehicle that has transmitted the confirmation signal from the extracted vehicle identification information. Then, the current time is acquired from a timing device (not shown), and is stored in the storage device 22 as the time when the confirmation signal is received from the identified vehicle. Further, a response signal for the identified vehicle is output to the communication module 21 and returned to the vehicle.

  Further, the center ECU 23 checks the time stored in the storage device 22 when the confirmation signal is received from each vehicle traveling in the city, and searches for a vehicle that has passed a predetermined time since the last reception of the confirmation signal. And the telephone number of the mobile phone possessed by the user of the searched vehicle is read from the storage device 22, and a warning message is transmitted to the mobile phone having the telephone number using the public line connection device 24. The warning message may be transmitted to an e-mail address possessed by the user of each vehicle.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart relating to a process in which the vehicle antitheft system of this embodiment prohibits driving of the vehicle 1. The processing of this flowchart is executed every predetermined time when the activation prohibition flag of the immobilizer 13 is reset.

  In step 201, the security ECU 15 outputs a confirmation signal to the communication module 16 and transmits it to the management center 2. In step 202, an internal timer of the security ECU 15 is started.

  In step 203, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the elapsed time indicated by the internal timer. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 204. If the predetermined time has not yet elapsed, the above determination is repeated until the predetermined time has elapsed.

  In step 204, the internal timer is reset. In step 205, it is determined whether or not the communication module 16 has received a response signal. If the response signal can be received, the process proceeds to step 206, the internal counter of the security ECU 15 is reset, and the process ends. If the response signal cannot be received, the process proceeds to step 207.

  In step 207, the internal counter value is incremented by one. In step 208, it is determined whether or not the value of the internal counter exceeds the drive prohibition value. By determining whether the value of the internal counter has exceeded the driving prohibition value, for example, when the vehicle enters a tunnel, it is determined whether the vehicle and the management center are only temporarily unable to communicate. It can be done. When the value of the internal counter exceeds the drive prohibition value, the process proceeds to step 209. If the drive prohibition value has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to step 212.

  In step 209, the start prohibition flag of the immobilizer 13 is set. In step 210, a drive prohibition screen is displayed on the display 14. In step 211, the operation of the engine control device 11 is forcibly terminated and the process is terminated.

  In step 212, it is determined whether or not the value of the internal counter has exceeded a warning value. When the value of the internal counter exceeds the warning value, the process proceeds to step 213, a warning screen is displayed on the display 14, and the process is terminated. Thereby, the user can perceive that the vehicle 1 and the management center 2 cannot communicate with each other at a glance. If the value of the internal counter has not yet exceeded the warning value, the process is terminated as it is.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart relating to processing in which the vehicle anti-theft system of this embodiment cancels the drive prohibition of the vehicle 1. The processing of this flowchart is executed every predetermined time when the start prohibition flag of the immobilizer 13 is set.

  In step 301, the security ECU 15 determines whether or not the keyless tuner 12 has received an update signal. If an update signal has been received, the process proceeds to step 302. If no update signal has been received, the process ends.

  In step 302, the keyless tuner 12 acquires the identification ID code received together with the update signal, and determines whether or not the acquired identification ID code matches a predetermined ID code. If they match, the process proceeds to step 303. If they do not match, the process ends.

  In step 303, the start prohibition flag of the immobilizer 13 is reset. In step 304, the internal counter of the security ECU 15 is reset and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart regarding processing for storing update data in the portable device 31 in the vehicle antitheft system of the present embodiment. The processing of this flowchart is executed when the portable device 31 is brought close to the update device 32 and an operation start button (not shown) provided in the update device 32 is pressed.

  In step 401, the update device 32 acquires the installation position of the device from a position detector provided therein. In step 402, it is determined whether or not the installation position acquired in step 401 is a predetermined installation position. If it is the predetermined installation position, the process proceeds to step 403. If it is not the predetermined installation position, the process ends.

  In step 403, the update data is wirelessly transmitted to the portable device 31 and stored. Thus, unless update data is stored in the portable device 31, even if the portable device 31 is stolen, the drive prohibition of the vehicle 1 cannot be released, which is preferable for crime prevention. Further, the user can easily cancel the prohibition of driving of the vehicle 1 by the portable device 31.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart relating to a process in which the management center 2 transmits a warning message to the mobile phone possessed by the user of each vehicle traveling in the city in the vehicle antitheft system of the present embodiment. The process of this flowchart is executed by the management center 2 every predetermined time.

  In step 501, the center ECU 23 acquires the current time from the timing device. In step 502, from the time when the confirmation signal is received from each vehicle traveling in the city stored in the storage device 22, the vehicle is searched for a predetermined time after the confirmation signal is finally received.

  In step 503, the telephone number of the mobile phone possessed by the user of the vehicle searched in step 502 is read from the storage device 22. In step 504, a warning message is transmitted to the mobile phone having the telephone number read in step 503 using the public line connection device 24. Thereby, even when the user is away from the vehicle 1, it can be detected from the warning message transmitted to the mobile phone that the vehicle 1 and the management center 2 cannot communicate.

  Thus, in the vehicle antitheft system of this embodiment, the vehicle 1 transmits a confirmation signal to the management center 2 every predetermined time, and receives a response signal returned from the management center 2 as a response to the confirmation signal. . When the vehicle 1 cannot receive a response signal for a long time and the value of the internal counter of the security ECU 15 reaches a predetermined drive prohibition value, the security ECU 15 forcibly terminates the operation of the engine control device 11 and immobilizer. 13 is set to prohibit the start of the engine control device 11. As a result, even when the antenna mounted on the stolen vehicle is destroyed or the communication device is removed and the management center becomes unable to communicate with the vehicle, the vehicle cannot be driven. As a result, a deterrent effect against theft of the vehicle can also be expected.

  Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described. In the vehicle antitheft system according to this modification, when the traveling speed of the vehicle 1 is higher than a predetermined traveling speed, various processes relating to transmission of a confirmation signal from the vehicle to the management center 2 and prohibition of driving of the vehicle are performed. However, this is different from the above-described embodiment.

  The security ECU 15 of the present modification obtains the traveling speed of the vehicle 1 from the vehicle speed calculator (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 1 every predetermined time. When the acquired traveling speed is higher than the predetermined traveling speed, the security ECU 15 outputs a confirmation signal to the communication module 16 to be transmitted to the management center 2 and performs processing related to prohibiting driving of the vehicle. When the traveling speed of the vehicle 1 is smaller than the predetermined traveling speed, the security ECU 15 does not output a confirmation signal to the communication module 16 and does not perform various processes related to prohibiting driving of the vehicle.

  Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart relating to a process in which the vehicle theft prevention system of the present modification prohibits driving of the vehicle 1. The process of this flowchart includes a step of determining whether or not the traveling speed of the vehicle is higher than a predetermined traveling speed in the process of the flowchart of FIG. In other words, the processes other than step 601 are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step 601, the security ECU 15 acquires the traveling speed of the vehicle 1 from the vehicle speed calculator, and determines whether or not the traveling speed is higher than a predetermined traveling speed. When the acquired traveling speed is higher than the predetermined traveling speed, the process proceeds to step 602, and a confirmation signal is output. If it is lower than the predetermined traveling speed, the confirmation signal is not output and the process is terminated.

  As described above, in the vehicle theft prevention system according to the present modification, when the traveling speed of the vehicle 1 is higher than the predetermined traveling speed, the transmission of the confirmation signal from the vehicle to the management center 2 and the processing related to the prohibition of driving of the vehicle. I do. Thereby, power consumption can be reduced compared to the case of the above-described embodiment. Of course, if the vehicle continues to travel at a traveling speed higher than a predetermined traveling speed in a state where communication with the management center cannot be performed, the vehicle can be disabled.

  In the embodiment and the modification described above, the security ECU 15 forcibly terminates the operation of the engine control device 11 and prohibits the driving of the vehicle 1 by preventing the device from being activated. However, the vehicle may not be driven by locking the wheels. Further, instead of restricting the output of the engine and prohibiting the driving of the vehicle, it is possible to make the running of the vehicle remarkably difficult.

  Further, in the above-described modification, when the traveling speed of the vehicle 1 is higher than the predetermined traveling speed, a confirmation signal is transmitted from the vehicle 1 to the management center 2 and various processes related to prohibiting driving of the vehicle 1 are performed. However, if the vehicle engine is operating, the above-described processing may be performed. As a result, the power consumption can be reduced compared to the case of the above-described embodiment, and the vehicle cannot be driven when the engine of the vehicle is operated for a long time without being able to communicate with the management center. Is possible.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a vehicle antitheft system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart regarding the process which the vehicle antitheft system of this embodiment prohibits a drive of a vehicle. It is a flowchart regarding the process which the vehicle antitheft system of this embodiment cancels | releases drive prohibition of a vehicle. In the vehicle antitheft system of this embodiment, it is a flowchart regarding the process which memorize | stores update data in a portable device. In the vehicle anti-theft system of this embodiment, it is a flowchart regarding the process which a management center transmits a warning message toward the mobile phone which the user of each vehicle traveling in the city has. It is a flowchart regarding the process which the vehicle antitheft system of this modification prohibits the drive of a vehicle.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle 11 ... Engine control apparatus 12 ... Keyless tuner 13 ... Immobilizer 14 ... Display 15 ... Security ECU
16 ... Communication module 2 ... Management center 21 ... Communication module 22 ... Storage device 23 ... Center ECU
24 ... Public line connection device 31 ... Mobile device 32 ... Update device

Claims (8)

When receiving a confirmation signal transmitted from the vehicle, a communication center that returns a response signal to the vehicle;
A periodic confirmation signal is transmitted to the communication center, and a response signal is received from the communication center. When the response signal cannot be received, the vehicle is driven. A vehicle equipped with authentication means for instructing drive control equipment to be controlled to prohibit driving of the vehicle ;
Release means for instructing the drive control device to release drive prohibition of the vehicle;
Permission means for permitting the release means to perform the release instruction;
A position detection means for detecting the installation position of the permission means,
The permission means performs the permission operation only when the permission means is installed at a predetermined position from the detection result of the position detection means,
The vehicle theft prevention system according to claim 1, wherein the release means gives the release instruction when it is permitted by the permission means . The authentication means determines that the response signal is not received when the response signal is not received even if the confirmation signal is transmitted beyond a predetermined number of drive prohibitions. The vehicle antitheft system according to claim 1. Warning means for warning the content that driving of the vehicle is prohibited when the response signal is not received even if the authentication means transmits the confirmation signal exceeding a predetermined number of warnings. The vehicle antitheft system according to claim 2, wherein the system is provided in a vehicle. 4. The vehicle antitheft system according to claim 3, wherein the warning means has a display screen and displays the warning content on the display screen to give a warning. If the communication center fails to receive a confirmation signal from the vehicle even after a predetermined time has elapsed after transmitting a response signal to the vehicle, the communication center drives the vehicle toward a predetermined communication device. The vehicle antitheft system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a warning message is sent to the effect that is prohibited. 6. The vehicle theft prevention according to claim 1, wherein the authentication unit stops transmission of the confirmation signal when a power unit that drives the vehicle is stopped. system. The vehicle is provided with speed detection means for detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle,
The said authentication means transmits the said confirmation signal when the travel speed detected by the said speed detection means is larger than predetermined | prescribed travel speed, The confirmation signal is characterized by the above-mentioned. Vehicle anti-theft system. The vehicle theft prevention system according to claim 1, wherein the release means is provided on a key of the vehicle.

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