JP5237909B2 - Electronic key - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic key.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic key that performs various controls such as door locking / unlocking through wireless communication with a vehicle to be controlled and a house is known. The electronic key is provided with various switches such as a lock switch and an unlock switch for locking and unlocking the door. The user can perform various types of control of the control target as described above by operating each switch of the electronic key even at a position away from the control target (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In recent years, in this type of electronic key, not only switch operation but also operation of the electronic key can be performed based on other user operations, and there is a technology that enables various controls on the control target side. Specifically, for example, an impact detection sensor such as an acceleration sensor is provided on the electronic key, and various controls on the vehicle side can be performed through a predetermined tapping or swinging operation on the electronic key of the user.

JP-A-7-54525

  By the way, the electronic key described in Patent Document 1 is stored in a user's bag, a pocket of clothes, or the like. For this reason, there is a possibility that the electronic key switch operation is performed unintentionally with the user's walking or the like, and the door is unlocked. In addition, an electronic key that can be operated by a user's action is likely to be operated unintentionally as described above. For example, in an electronic key operated by the hitting operation or the like, there is a possibility that an impact accompanying a user's walking motion is erroneously detected as a hitting operation or the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic key in which erroneous operations are suppressed.

Hereinafter, means for achieving the above-described object and its operation and effects will be described.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic key that is carried by a user and transmits a request signal to the control target side to request control including its own identification code in response to the user's operation. When entering the communication area formed around the control target and the operation detection means for detecting the user's operation mode, the mutual communication is automatically started between the control target and the communication is started. The communication between the control object and the control object is established at a timing at which the distance between the control object and the control object becomes a distance suitable for the predetermined operation of the electronic key. A communication means for enabling information exchange between the user, a transmission means for notifying the user of the operation of the electronic key at a timing when the user is enabled, and a detection by the operation detection means. The operation content is determined based on the result, and the request signal including the request for the control according to the operation content is made effective to the user operation within a predetermined time from the notification by the transmission means to the control target side. The gist of the invention is that it includes a control device for transmission.

  According to this configuration, the user is notified via the transmission means at a timing at which the distance between the electronic key and the controlled object is a distance suitable for the operation of the predetermined electronic key, and a certain period of time has elapsed since the notification. Only the operation of the electronic key is valid. In other words, the operation before the timing at which the distance suitable for the operation of the electronic key is likely to be an operation not intended by the user, and the operation before the same timing is invalidated. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress an erroneous operation of the electronic key without the user's intention to operate while making the operation intended by the user effective. Note that when the communication between the electronic key and the control device is established, the timing becomes the distance suitable for the operation of the electronic key.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic key according to the first aspect of the present invention, the electronic key includes a signal strength detection unit that detects a signal strength of a radio signal transmitted and received between the communication unit and the control target. Based on the signal strength value of the wireless signal detected by the signal strength detection means, the distance between the electronic key and the control target is determined, and a determination is made that the distance is less than or equal to the distance suitable for the operation of the electronic key. In this case, the gist is to make notification by the transmission means and to validate the operation of the electronic key by the user.

  According to this configuration, the position of the user carrying the electronic key can be determined through the detection result of the signal strength detection means. Specifically, the control device validates the user's operation when determining that the distance is less than or equal to the distance suitable for the operation of the electronic key. When it is determined that the distance suitable for the operation of the electronic key is exceeded, the user's operation is invalidated even if communication between the communication means and the control target is established. Here, an operation at a position exceeding the distance suitable for the operation of the electronic key is highly likely to be an erroneous operation. Accordingly, erroneous operations can be suppressed by invalidating operations at positions exceeding the distance suitable for the operation of the electronic keys.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic key according to the first or second aspect, the operation detecting means is an acceleration detecting means for detecting an impact caused by a tapping operation on the electronic key, and the control device includes: The request signal including determining whether or not the electronic key is hit as the user's operation and the number of hit operations based on the detection result of the acceleration detection means, and requesting control according to the number of hit operations. Is transmitted to the control target side.

  According to the configuration, the electronic key can be operated by hitting the electronic key. Thereby, the user can perform a hitting operation in a state where the electronic key is stored in a pocket, a bag or the like, for example, which is highly convenient. By the way, an impact is applied to the electronic key in accordance with an operation such as walking of the user who carries the electronic key. Thus, even in a situation where there is a high possibility that an impact similar to a tapping operation will be applied to the electronic key, communication between the communication means and the controlled object is not established, that is, before the timing at which the distance suitable for the operation of the electronic key is reached. In some cases, the hit operation on the electronic key is invalidated because the user has no intention to operate. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation of the electronic key that the user does not intend to operate.

  According to the present invention, erroneous operation of the electronic key can be suppressed.

The block diagram of the electronic key system in 1st Embodiment. The graph which showed transition of the detected acceleration in 1st Embodiment, and the judgment reference | standard of hit operation in the acceleration. The top view which showed the vehicle in 1st Embodiment, and its communication area. The graph which showed transition of RSSI at the time of unlocking in a 2nd embodiment. The graph which showed transition of RSSI at the time of locking in a 2nd embodiment.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which an electronic key according to the present invention is embodied in an electronic key system will be described. In this embodiment, a mobile phone is used as an electronic key. That is, the mobile phone has a function as an electronic key that enables locking and unlocking of the vehicle door in addition to a function such as a normal telephone call.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the electronic key system 1 mounted on the vehicle of the present embodiment, between the mobile phone 2 possessed by the user of the vehicle and the in-vehicle device 3 mounted on the vehicle corresponding to the control target. Communication with is possible. Communication between the mobile phone 2 and the in-vehicle device 3 here includes wireless communication in which a request signal for requesting locking / unlocking of the vehicle door is transmitted from the mobile phone 2 to the in-vehicle device 3 in one direction, and the mobile phone 2. In addition, there is Bluetooth (R) communication in which an information signal in which information is added to a 2.4 GHz band radio signal is transmitted and received bidirectionally between the in-vehicle devices 3. Bluetooth communication is a communication standard that enables information included in an information signal to be exchanged between information devices separated by several meters to several tens of meters. Bluetooth communication is installed in electronic devices in various fields because it can be used without special permission.

<Mobile phone>
The mobile phone 2 is carried, for example, in a state of being stored in a user's clothes pocket, bag, or the like. The user can easily perform an operation related to locking and unlocking of the vehicle door by tapping the mobile phone 2 a predetermined number of times through clothes, a bag, or the like from outside at a predetermined timing described later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile phone 2 includes a microcomputer 23, a transmission circuit 24, a transmission antenna 25, an acceleration sensor 21, a slave communication unit 26, and a vibration element 27. The mobile phone 2 incorporates a battery (not shown) and supplies operating power to each unit. The mobile phone 2 is provided with various configurations in addition to the above-described configuration in order to exhibit a call function that is an original function of the mobile phone, but here it is necessary for an operation related to locking and unlocking of the vehicle door. Only a simple configuration is illustrated, and other configurations are omitted.

  The acceleration sensor 21 outputs a voltage corresponding to an impact (acceleration) applied when the mobile phone 2 is hit to the microcomputer 23 as a detection result. The acceleration sensor 21 includes a mechanical type, an optical type, a semiconductor type, etc., but any type can be used as long as it can be built in the mobile phone 2 and can detect an impact (acceleration) on the mobile phone 2. Good.

  The microcomputer 23 includes a non-volatile memory 23a, and the memory 23a includes various numerical values such as a threshold value for determining whether or not the detection result of the acceleration sensor 21 is due to a hitting operation related to locking and unlocking of the vehicle door. And an ID code set for each vehicle is stored.

  The microcomputer 23 determines the presence / absence of the hitting operation and the number of times based on the detection result of the acceleration sensor 21 shown in FIG. The microcomputer 23 determines whether or not the hitting operation is performed through a comparison between the detected acceleration and the threshold value A. In addition, the microcomputer 23 determines whether or not the hitting operation is performed in consideration of the acceleration detection time that is equal to or greater than the threshold value A. This is because it is assumed that a large acceleration is detected instantaneously in the hitting operation. That is, as indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2, when the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 21 is equal to or greater than the threshold value A and the detection period is less than the set time T1, it is determined that the hitting operation is performed. The Here, an acceleration that is momentarily large is detected in the tapping operation as compared with vibrations and the like accompanying walking illustrated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The threshold value A is set by simulation so as to be equal to or higher than the acceleration (voltage) generated by the vibration or the like accompanying walking and less than the acceleration (voltage) generated by the hitting operation. The microcomputer 23 determines that an operation for requesting unlocking of the vehicle door has been performed by the user when the acceleration equal to or greater than the threshold value A is measured three times at the predetermined time T10. In addition, when the acceleration equal to or greater than the threshold value A is measured twice at a certain time T10, the microcomputer 23 determines that an operation for requesting locking of the vehicle door has been performed by the user. Thus, by increasing the number of hitting operations related to unlocking the vehicle door as compared with the number of hitting operations related to locking, the number of hitting operations related to unlocking the vehicle door without the intention of the user (three times in this example). ) Is difficult to reach. Thereby, it is suppressed that a vehicle door is unlocked by operation without a user's operation intention, and the security of a vehicle improves.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the slave communication unit 26 performs Bluetooth communication with a master communication unit 35 provided in the in-vehicle device 3 described later. The microcomputer 23 supplies a standby power to the slave communication unit 26 at all times so that the wireless signal from the master communication unit 35 can be always received. Thereby, when the wireless signal transmitted by the master communication unit 35 is received, the slave communication unit 26 automatically starts communication with the master communication unit 35. Details of the communication mode between the slave communication unit 26 and the master communication unit 35 will be described later.

  The microcomputer 23 starts measuring a predetermined time T10 (see FIG. 2) from the time when communication is established between the communication units 26 and 35 through a timer (not shown). At the time of communication establishment, the microcomputer 23 supplies power to the acceleration sensor 21 so that a tapping operation on the mobile phone 2 can be detected, and the vibration element 27 notifies the user that communication has been established. The mobile phone 2 is vibrated for several seconds via

  The microcomputer 23 determines whether or not there is a tapping operation for requesting unlocking of the vehicle door based on the detection result of the acceleration sensor 21 within a predetermined time T10 from the time of establishment of communication. Here, after a lapse of a certain time from the start of communication, it is assumed that the user operates the electronic key. In other words, a communication start position (a size of a communication area 41 described later) between the communication units 26 and 35 is set so that communication is completed at a time when the user is expected to operate the electronic key.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the microcomputer 23 requests unlocking of the vehicle door when the hit operation for three times to the mobile phone 2 is detected within a certain time T10 from the establishment of communication as described above. It is determined that there was an operation. In this case, the microcomputer 23 outputs an unlock request signal including an operation code (unlock request operation code) for requesting the vehicle to unlock the vehicle door and an ID code stored in the memory 23a. Generate. Then, the microcomputer 23 outputs this unlock request signal to the transmission circuit 24.

  Further, the microcomputer 23 determines that there has been an operation for requesting locking of the vehicle door when two hitting operations on the mobile phone 2 are detected as described above. In this case, a lock request signal including an operation code for requesting the vehicle to lock the door (lock request operation code) and an ID code stored in the memory 23a is generated. Then, the microcomputer 23 outputs this locking request signal to the transmission circuit 24.

  The transmission circuit 24 modulates the unlock request signal and the lock request signal input from the microcomputer 23 into a radio wave of a predetermined frequency band, and transmits the modulated signal to the vehicle side via the transmission antenna 25. In the present embodiment, the predetermined frequency band is an RF (Radio Frequency) band.

  Further, the microcomputer 23 stops the supply of power to the acceleration sensor 21 regardless of the presence or absence of an effective tapping operation when a certain time T10 has elapsed since the establishment of communication. That is, the tapping operation after a certain time T10 has passed since the establishment of communication becomes invalid. In this way, by limiting the operation time of the acceleration sensor 21 to the fixed time T10 from the establishment of communication, it is possible to reduce the power consumed by the acceleration sensor 21 and to limit the operable period of the mobile phone 2, so that an erroneous operation is performed. Can reduce the possibility of

<In-vehicle device>
As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle device 3 includes a receiving antenna 31, a receiving circuit 32, an in-vehicle control unit 33, and a master communication unit 35. The on-vehicle controller 33 is electrically connected to a door lock device 40 that automatically locks and unlocks the vehicle door when the vehicle door is closed.

  The receiving antenna 31 is a medium for receiving an unlock request signal and a lock request signal transmitted wirelessly from the mobile phone 2. The receiving circuit 32 demodulates the unlock request signal and the lock request signal received by the receiving antenna 31 to generate a received signal and outputs the received signal to the in-vehicle control unit 33. When the unlock request signal is received, the received signal output from the receiving circuit 32 to the in-vehicle controller 33 includes an unlock request operation code and an ID code. Further, when the lock request signal is received, the received signal output from the receiving circuit 32 to the in-vehicle control unit 33 includes the lock request operation code and the ID code.

  The in-vehicle control unit 33 includes a nonvolatile memory 33a, and the memory 33a stores the same ID code as the ID code stored in the mobile phone 2 corresponding to the vehicle.

  When the received signal input from the receiving circuit 32 includes an ID code that matches the ID code stored in the memory 33 a and the unlocking operation code, the vehicle-mounted control unit 33 uses the legitimate mobile phone 2 to Recognize that there was a request for unlocking the door. When recognizing in this way, the in-vehicle control unit 33 unlocks the vehicle door through the door lock device 40.

  Further, when the received signal input from the receiving circuit 32 includes the ID code that matches the ID code stored in the memory 33a and the lock request operation code, the in-vehicle control unit 33 uses the legitimate mobile phone 2. Recognize that there was a request for locking the vehicle door. When recognized in this way, the vehicle-mounted control unit 33 locks the vehicle door through the door lock device 40.

  The master communication unit 35 performs Bluetooth communication with the slave communication unit 26 as described above. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the master communication unit 35 transmits a radio signal (2.4 GHz band) around the vehicle. Then, a communication area 41 called a piconet having a radius of about 10 m is formed around the master communication unit 35 (in-vehicle device 3).

Next, a mode of unlocking the vehicle door by the mobile phone 2 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, when a user carrying the mobile phone 2 enters the communication area 41, communication is started between the communication units 26 and 35. A communication establishment time of about 5 seconds is required from the time when this communication is started until the communication is established. After the communication is established, various information can be exchanged by transmitting / receiving an information signal appropriately added with a radio signal between the master communication unit 35 and the slave communication unit 26.

  When communication is established, the microcomputer 23 vibrates the mobile phone 2 through the vibration element 27 for several seconds. Thereby, the user can perceive that the communication has been established, and can recognize that the vehicle door can be unlocked through the tapping operation of the mobile phone 2 for a certain time T10 thereafter.

  As described above, a communication establishment time of about 5 seconds is required from the start of communication to establishment of communication, and the user approaches the vehicle during that time. Here, for example, when the user is walking at a speed of 5 km / h, the travel speed is about 1 m per second. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the user is walking linearly toward the vehicle at a speed of 5 km / h, the communication start point is about 10 m from the vehicle (master communication unit 35) that is the outermost side of the communication area 41. It is assumed that the user is located at a point 5 m away from the vehicle 5 seconds after the start of communication. That is, under the above walking conditions, when the user is located at a point 5 m away from the vehicle, a time that is assumed that the user operates the electronic key for a certain time T10 is started. Note that the time when the user is located at a point 5 m away from the vehicle and communication is established at the same time corresponds to a timing that is suitable for the unlocking operation of the vehicle door by the mobile phone 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the above general walking condition, an area formed with a radius of 5 m from the vehicle is an unlocking operable area 42 suitable for the unlocking operation of the mobile phone 2.

  Here, the unlocking operable area 42 where the operation related to the unlocking of the mobile phone 2 is enabled is set as follows, for example. That is, in general, from the viewpoint of convenience, it is preferable that the unlocking operation of the vehicle door is possible at a position away from the vehicle by a certain distance. However, if the unlocking of the vehicle door from an excessively distant position is permitted, the security of the vehicle becomes a problem this time. An appropriate distance from the user's vehicle is set to a radius of about 5 m from the vehicle in this example in consideration of the balance between convenience and security.

  As described above, the cellular phone 2 validates the tapping operation on the cellular phone 2 in the unlocking operable area 42. That is, by invalidating the operation of the mobile phone 2 from a position excessively away from the vehicle, the vehicle door is prevented from being unintentionally unlocked, and the security of the vehicle can be ensured. In addition, by enabling the operation of the mobile phone 2 from a position that is reasonably away from the vehicle, the vehicle door can be unlocked before the opening operation of the vehicle door, and convenience can be ensured. Although the unlocking operable area 42 is slightly changed according to walking conditions such as walking speed, the operation related to unlocking outside the unlocking operable area 42 and within the communication area 41 is invalidated. Misoperations are suppressed and convenience is ensured.

  As described above, the microcomputer 23 stops the power supply to the acceleration sensor 21 when the predetermined time T10 has elapsed since the communication was established. That is, the time during which the cellular phone 2 can be tapped is limited to a certain time T10 from the time when communication with the vehicle is established. The fixed time T10 is set so that it elapses before the user opens the vehicle door, that is, when the user reaches the vehicle. Specifically, in the above general walking condition, the time required to reach the vehicle from a point (communication establishment point) 5 m away from the vehicle is about 5 seconds. For this reason, in this example, the fixed time T10 is set to about 5 seconds. That is, when the microcomputer 23 recognizes that the mobile phone 2 has been tapped three times within a certain time T10 from the establishment of communication, the microcomputer 23 transmits an unlock request signal to the vehicle side. Thereby, the vehicle door is unlocked. In this way, by limiting the time during which the mobile phone 2 can be operated to a certain time T10 with reference to the establishment of communication, only the operation during the period in which the tapping operation on the mobile phone 2 is expected is made effective. Can do. Here, the period during which the operation is expected is a period from the position 5 m away from the vehicle (communication establishment position) until the vehicle is reached. Accordingly, a necessary operation related to the unlocking of the vehicle door of the mobile phone 2 at a distance from the vehicle suitable for the operation of the mobile phone 2 can be performed, and a period when the unlocking operation is low, that is, before communication is established and By invalidating the operation of the mobile phone 2 after the elapse of the predetermined time T10 from the time of establishment, erroneous operation of the mobile phone 2 can be suppressed.

  Further, the vehicle engine can be started or stopped by inserting and operating a mechanical key (not shown) provided separately from the mobile phone 2 into a key hole (not shown) provided near the driver's seat of the vehicle.

Next, an aspect of locking the vehicle door by the mobile phone 2 will be described.
Communication is established between the master communication unit 35 and the slave communication unit 26 when the user gets off. When the vehicle door is closed after the engine is stopped and the vehicle door is opened after the engine stops, the in-vehicle device 3 transmits a radio signal to that effect to the mobile phone 2 side via the master communication unit 35. To do. When the microcomputer 23 receives this wireless signal through the slave communication unit 26, the microcomputer 23 supplies power to the acceleration sensor 21 to activate the acceleration sensor 21. When the microcomputer 23 recognizes that the mobile phone 2 has been tapped twice in a certain time after the acceleration sensor 21 is activated, it transmits a locking request signal to the vehicle side. Thereby, the vehicle door is locked.

As described above, according to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Only the operation of the mobile phone 2 after the timing when the distance between the mobile phone 2 and the vehicle becomes a predetermined distance suitable for the operation of the mobile phone 2 is valid. That is, the operation before the timing at which the distance suitable for the operation of the mobile phone 2 is likely to be an operation not intended by the user is high, and the operation before the timing is invalidated. Thereby, the operation which the user intends can be made effective, and the erroneous operation of the mobile phone 2 without the user's intention to operate can be suppressed. In addition, when communication between the mobile phone 2 (slave communication unit 26) and the vehicle (master communication unit 35) is established, the timing becomes a distance suitable for the operation of the mobile phone 2.

  (2) The mobile phone 2 can be operated by tapping the mobile phone 2. Thereby, the user can perform a hitting operation with the mobile phone 2 stored in a pocket, a bag, or the like, for example, which is highly convenient. By the way, an impact is applied to the mobile phone 2 in accordance with an operation such as walking of a user who carries the mobile phone 2. Thus, even in a situation where there is a high possibility that an impact similar to the tapping operation will be applied to the mobile phone 2, communication between the mobile phone and the vehicle is not established, that is, before the timing when the distance is suitable for the operation of the mobile phone 2. In such a case, the hit operation on the mobile phone 2 is invalidated because the user has no intention to operate. Thereby, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation of the mobile phone 2 without the user's intention to operate.

  (3) When communication between the mobile phone 2 and the vehicle is established, that is, when the operation of the mobile phone 2 is made effective, the fact that the subsequent operation becomes effective through the vibration of the vibration element 27 and eventually the mobile phone 2. Communicated to the user. Thereby, the user can easily know when the operation of the mobile phone 2 can be performed, and an erroneous operation of the mobile phone 2 by the user during a period in which the operation of the mobile phone 2 before the establishment of communication is invalidated. Is suppressed.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The electronic key system 1 of this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it determines whether or not the tapping operation of the mobile phone 2 is approved based on the distance between the user and the vehicle. Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the first embodiment. The electronic key of this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the electronic key of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  As indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 1, the mobile phone 2 is provided with an RSSI detection circuit 29. Then, the RSSI detection circuit 29 detects the received signal strength RSSI (Receive Signal Strength Indication) of the radio signal (2.4 GHz band) transmitted from the master communication unit 35 to the slave communication unit 26 after the communication is established. The detection result is output to the microcomputer 23. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the RSSI detected by the RSSI detection circuit 29 increases as the mobile phone 2 approaches the vehicle-mounted device 3. Therefore, the microcomputer 23 can determine the distance between the in-vehicle device 3 (vehicle) and the mobile phone 2 (user) based on the RSSI value.

  The memory 23 a of the microcomputer 23 stores a threshold value B that is a criterion for determining the distance between the in-vehicle device 3 and the mobile phone 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the threshold value B is determined by measuring RSSI when the distance between the mobile phone 2 and the in-vehicle device 3 is 5 m by simulation or the like.

First, the approval / disapproval of the tapping operation of the mobile phone 2 when unlocking the vehicle door will be described.
After establishing communication between the slave communication unit 26 and the master communication unit 35, the microcomputer 23 validates the tapping operation related to unlocking the vehicle door for a certain time T11 from when the RSSI becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value B. . At this time, the microcomputer 23 vibrates the mobile phone 2 via the vibration element 27 to notify the user that the operation has become effective. Thereby, the user can easily know the timing when the hitting operation is effective. In the present embodiment, the mobile phone 2 and the in-vehicle device 3 at the time of establishing communication between the slave communication unit 26 and the master communication unit 35 are formed by increasing the communication area 41 or shortening the communication establishment time. The distance between them is 5 m or more. Thereby, when RSSI becomes the threshold value B, that is, when the distance between the mobile phone 2 and the in-vehicle device 3 becomes 5 m, communication is established.

  The microcomputer 23 transmits an unlock request signal via the transmission circuit 24 when three hitting operations to the mobile phone 2 are detected within a certain time T11 based on the detection result of the acceleration sensor 21. Thereby, the vehicle door can be unlocked. Here, like the first embodiment, the fixed time T11 is set to a time (about 5 seconds) that is assumed to be reached by a user 5 m away from the vehicle. Here, the range within a radius of 5 m from the vehicle is the unlocking operable area 42 as in the first embodiment. As described in the first embodiment, the unlocking operable area 42 is set in consideration of the balance between convenience and security. Note that the unlocking operable area 42 in the present embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that it is constant.

  On the other hand, even after communication is established between the slave communication unit 26 and the master communication unit 35, the microcomputer 23 invalidates the tapping operation related to unlocking the vehicle door when the RSSI is less than the threshold value B. . For example, even if the user stops at the outermost side of the communication area 41 after the user enters the communication area 41 (see FIG. 3) and starts communication, the slave is started when about 5 seconds have elapsed since the start of communication. Communication is established by the communication unit 26 and the master communication unit 35. As described above, when the user is located in the unlocking operable area 42 at the time of establishing the communication, the RSSI is less than the threshold value B, so that the tapping operation is invalidated. Thereby, the unlocking operation from the position outside the unlocking operable area 42 is prevented, and the security of the vehicle is ensured.

  Further, even if the user's tapping operation is validated because the RSSI becomes equal to or higher than the threshold value B after the communication is established, if the RSSI becomes less than the threshold value B again, The hit operation is invalid. This is a transition of RSSI seen when the user once approaches the vehicle and enters the unlocking operable area 42 and then exits from the unlocking operable area 42. Thus, by invalidating the beating operation when the RSSI is less than the threshold value B again, an inadvertent unlocking operation of the vehicle door from the outside of the unlocking operable area 42 is prevented, Security is improved. Note that the microcomputer 23 may notify the user that the tapping operation by the user is invalid by vibrating the mobile phone 2 in a mode different from the vibration at the time when the operation is enabled, via the vibrating element 27. .

Next, the approval / disapproval of the tapping operation of the mobile phone 2 when the vehicle door is locked will be described.
The vehicle door is locked when the user gets off the vehicle and leaves the vehicle. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the RSSI detected by the RSSI detection circuit 29 gradually decreases. Here, the tapping operation related to locking is validated at a certain time T12 from when the RSSI becomes equal to or less than the threshold value C. When the RSSI is equal to or less than the threshold value C, the microcomputer 23 notifies the user that the tapping operation is effective by vibrating the mobile phone 2 via the vibration element 27. Thereby, the user can easily know the timing when the hitting operation is effective.

  As the threshold C, the RSSI when the distance between the mobile phone 2 and the in-vehicle device 3 becomes 1 m, for example, by simulation or the like is set as the threshold C. That is, the microcomputer 23 sends a locking request signal via the transmission circuit 24 when two hitting operations are detected within a predetermined time T12 from when the user is located 1 m away from the vehicle (on-vehicle device 3). Send. Thereby, a vehicle door can be locked. As described above, even when the vehicle door is locked, the erroneous tapping operation can be prevented by limiting the time during which the tapping operation of the mobile phone 2 is effective to the predetermined time T12. Even if the user's tapping operation is validated because the RSSI is equal to or less than the threshold C, if the RSSI exceeds the threshold C again, the tapping operation of the user is invalid again. It is said.

As mentioned above, according to embodiment described, in addition to the effect of (1)-(3) of 1st Embodiment, there can exist the following effects.
(4) Through the detection result of the RSSI detection circuit 29, the position of the user carrying the mobile phone 2 can be determined. That is, when the microcomputer 23 determines that the distance is less than or equal to the distance suitable for the operation of the mobile phone 2, the user's operation is validated. Even if communication between the mobile phone 2 and the vehicle is established, the user's operation is invalidated. Here, there is a high possibility that an operation exceeding the distance suitable for the operation of the mobile phone 2, that is, an operation at a position outside the unlocking operable area 42 is an erroneous operation. Therefore, erroneous operation can be suppressed by invalidating the operation at a position exceeding the distance suitable for the operation of the mobile phone 2.

In addition, the said embodiment can be implemented with the following forms which changed this suitably.
In the first and second embodiments, bidirectional communication is performed between the mobile phone 2 and the in-vehicle device 3 (more precisely, between the slave communication unit 26 and the master communication unit 35) using Bluetooth communication. . However, the communication standard is not limited to Bluetooth communication and may be a communication standard such as Zigbee communication as long as bidirectional communication is possible between the mobile phone 2 and the in-vehicle device 3. Moreover, even if it is not the communication using the various communication standards mentioned above, it is only necessary that the two-way communication between the mobile phone 2 and the in-vehicle device 3 is possible with a radio signal.

  In the first and second embodiments, the mobile phone 2 is provided with the vibration element 27, and the mobile phone 2 is vibrated via the vibration element 27, thereby allowing the user to communicate between the mobile phone 2 and the in-vehicle device 3. Can be established. However, as long as it is possible for the user to recognize that communication has been established, the means is not limited to vibration. That is, the user may be informed that the communication has been established via voice when the communication is established, via a speaker that outputs sound provided in the mobile phone 2. Thus, by notifying through the voice, it is possible to notify the user that the communication has been established, especially when the mobile phone 2 is stored in the back. Further, the user may be notified that communication has been established by both vibration and voice means.

  In the first and second embodiments, the mobile phone 2 is tapped while being stored in a pocket or the like, but can be operated by being taken out from the pocket or the like. In this case, for example, when the mobile phone 2 is placed on one palm, the mobile phone 2 is hit with the other hand, or the hand is hit against one's thigh while holding the mobile phone 2. The acceleration at which the microcomputer 23 can determine that there has been a tapping operation is detected.

  In the first and second embodiments, the microcomputer 23 performs a tapping operation when the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 21 is equal to or greater than the threshold A and the detection time is less than the set time T1. It was judged that there was. However, this set time T1 may be omitted. In this case, since it is determined that the hit operation is performed when the detected acceleration becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value A, it is possible to quickly determine the hit operation, and thus it is possible to lock and unlock the vehicle door more quickly. It becomes.

  In the first and second embodiments, the vehicle door can be locked and unlocked by hitting the mobile phone 2. However, the control content by the hitting operation is not limited to locking and unlocking of the vehicle door, for example, control for starting and stopping the engine, window opening and closing control, lamp lighting and extinguishing control, air conditioner on and off control, etc. Also good.

  The microcomputer 23 determines which one of the various control contents described above has been selected based on the number of times of hitting operation. Then, a signal for requesting execution of the selected control is output to the vehicle side via the transmission circuit 24 and the transmission antenna 25. For example, the microcomputer 23 sends a signal to the vehicle via the transmission circuit 24 and the transmission antenna 25 that requests engine start when the operation is performed 4 times and that the window is opened when the operation is performed 5 times. Output to the side. When the engine can be started by a tapping operation, the in-vehicle device 3 determines whether the user exists in the vehicle based on the vehicle situation such as locking / unlocking and opening / closing of the vehicle door, and exists in the vehicle. Only start the engine. Even in this case, an erroneous tapping operation from a position excessively away from the vehicle is invalidated.

  In the first and second embodiments, the operation time of the acceleration sensor 21 is limited to a certain time after the communication is established or the mobile phone 2 reaches a predetermined distance from the vehicle. It is not limited to success or failure, etc., and may be always operating. In this case, when a hit operation is performed on the mobile phone 2 during a time when the hit operation is invalidated, the microcomputer 23 informs the user that the hit operation is invalid, for example, through vibration by the vibration element 27. Can let you know. The vibration at this time is set by changing the vibration mode so that the user can identify the vibration at the time of establishment of communication. As a result, the user can perceive that the tapping operation has become invalid.

-In 1st and 2nd embodiment, although the mobile telephone 2 was utilized as an electronic key, you may comprise as a dedicated electronic key which controls the vehicle-mounted apparatus 3, such as locking and unlocking of a vehicle door.
-In 1st and 2nd embodiment, the operation which concerns on locking / unlocking of a vehicle door was possible by tapping the mobile telephone 2. FIG. However, the operation mode is not limited to this. For example, the operation related to the locking / unlocking of the vehicle door may be enabled through the switch operation of the mobile phone 2, or the operation related to the locking / unlocking of the vehicle door can be performed by the voice of the user through the microphone that detects the sound provided in the mobile phone 2. It is good. Even in these configurations, there is a possibility that the switch may be unintentionally pushed by the user's operation in the state where the cellular phone 2 is stored in the pocket in the case of the switch operation, and the user does not intend in the case of the operation by voice. There is a possibility that an operation related to locking and unlocking of the vehicle door is recognized by utterance or the like. Even for such a problem, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation by limiting the timing and position at which the user's operation is valid.

  In the first and second embodiments, the microcomputer 23 stops supplying power to the acceleration sensor 21 when the fixed time T10 has elapsed from the establishment of communication, and the mobile phone 2 is engaged in unlocking the vehicle door. Was disabled. However, it is possible to make it possible to operate the mobile phone 2 once the operation related to unlocking is disabled. For example, in the first embodiment, the user goes out of the communication area 41 once when a certain time T10 has elapsed since the establishment of communication without performing an operation related to unlocking the vehicle door. Then, when the user again enters the communication area 41 and approaches the vehicle, communication is established between the mobile phone 2 and the in-vehicle device 3, and an operation related to unlocking is enabled.

  -In the first embodiment, when the communication is established, in the second embodiment, after the communication is established, the cellular phone 2 is tapped for a time exceeding a certain time T10 to T12 after reaching the predetermined distance from the vehicle. However, the unlock request signal or the lock request signal is not transmitted. However, the unlock request signal or the lock request signal may also be transmitted when the hit operation is performed in the time exceeding the predetermined time T10 to T12. In this case, the in-vehicle device 3 does not respond to the unlock request signal or the lock request signal received during the time exceeding the predetermined time T10 to T12, and does not unlock the vehicle door. Even in this case, the user's tapping operation during the time exceeding the predetermined time T10 to T12 can be invalidated, and erroneous operation can be suppressed. Further, the microcomputer 23 may transmit the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 21 as an acceleration information signal to the vehicle side via the transmission circuit 24 and the transmission antenna 25 without determining anything. In this case, the in-vehicle controller 33 determines the presence / absence of the hitting operation and the number of hitting operations based on the acceleration information received via the receiving antenna 31 and the receiving circuit 32. The processing related to locking / unlocking is executed based on the above.

  In the first and second embodiments, the microcomputer 23 determines that the vehicle door is locked by two hitting operations and the unlocking of the vehicle door is requested by three hitting operations. However, the number of hitting operations is not limited to this. For example, it may be determined that locking of the vehicle door is requested by five hitting operations and unlocking of the vehicle door is requested by six hitting operations.

  -In 1st and 2nd embodiment, although the mobile telephone 2 was hit-operated in order to control the vehicle which is a control object, the control object of the mobile telephone 2 is not limited to a vehicle, For example, a house You may apply to the key system for. In this case, the electronic door can be operated to lock and unlock the door for the house, turn on and off the entrance light, and the like. Also in this configuration, by limiting the timing and position at which the operation by the user is valid, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation while ensuring the simplicity of operation of the mobile phone 2.

  In the first and second embodiments, in order to transmit and receive the unlock request signal and the lock request signal, the mobile phone 2 is provided with the transmission circuit 24 and the transmission antenna 25, and the in-vehicle device 3 has the reception circuit 32 and the reception antenna. 31 was provided. However, if both request signals can be transmitted from the slave communication unit 26 to the master communication unit 35, the transmission circuit 24, the transmission antenna 25, the reception circuit 32, and the reception antenna 31 can be omitted. In this configuration, for example, when the vehicle door is unlocked, if the tapping operation is performed three times at a predetermined time T10 from when the communication is established between the slave communication unit 26 and the master communication unit 35, the unlock request is made. A signal is transmitted from the slave communication unit 26 to the master communication unit 35. As a result, the vehicle door can be unlocked. According to this configuration, the transmission circuit 24, the reception circuit 32, and the like can be omitted, so that the electronic key system can be configured more easily.

  -In 2nd Embodiment, although the RSSI detection circuit 29 was provided in the mobile telephone 2, you may provide the RSSI detection circuit 29 in the vehicle-mounted apparatus 3. FIG. Even in this case, the distance between the mobile phone 2 and the in-vehicle device 3 can be determined based on the RSSI of the radio signal transmitted from the RSSI detection circuit 29 to the master communication unit 35, and exists in an appropriate position in the in-vehicle device 3. Only the unlock request signal or the lock request signal from the mobile phone 2 is validated, and the vehicle door is unlocked.

  In the second embodiment, the hitting operation when approaching within a radius of 5 m of the vehicle, which is the unlocking operable area 42, is effective. However, if convenience and security are taken into consideration, the unlocking operable area 42 is not limited to a radius of 5 m.

  In the second embodiment, the microcomputer 23 validates the tapping operation related to unlocking the vehicle door for a certain time T11 when the RSSI becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value B after the communication is established. However, the microcomputer 23 performs a tapping operation related to unlocking the vehicle door from the time when the RSSI becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value B to the time when the RSSI detected when the user carrying the mobile phone 2 reaches the vehicle. May be valid. In this case, the tapping operation related to the unlocking of the vehicle door is possible even when a certain time T11 elapses while stopping and performing other actions in the unlocking operable area 42 after the communication is established. It is.

  The above processing can also be applied to operations related to locking. Specifically, the microcomputer 23 detects the vehicle door from the time when the RSSI becomes equal to or less than the threshold value C to the time when the RSSI is detected when the operation related to the locking of the vehicle door is out of the assumed range. The tapping operation related to locking is made effective.

Next, the technical idea that can be grasped from the embodiment will be described together with the effects.
(A) In the electronic key according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the control device determines a time during which the operation is valid when the user reaches the vehicle from the establishment of communication between the communication unit and the control target. An electronic key for a certain period of time.

  According to this configuration, since the time during which the operation of the electronic key is effective is limited to a certain time from when the communication between the communication means and the control target is established until the user is assumed to reach the vehicle, erroneous operations are further suppressed. .

(B) The electronic key according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a mobile phone is used as the electronic key.
According to this configuration, the mobile phone is used as an electronic key. Here, in order to perform various functions, the mobile phone is preliminarily provided with a communication unit, a control device, an acceleration detection unit, and the like. Therefore, it can be used as an electronic key without adding a new configuration to an existing mobile phone.

  (C) Included in the request signal from the electronic key carried by the user who transmits to the control target side a request signal for requesting control including its own identification code in response to the user's operation, and the electronic key And a control target-side control device that executes control of the control target when verification of the identification code is established, and an operation detection unit that detects a user operation mode on the electronic key provided in the electronic key; The electronic key and the control object are provided respectively, and when the electronic key enters a communication area formed around the control object, mutual communication is automatically performed between the control object and the electronic key. A distance that is suitable for operation of the electronic key, the distance between the electronic key and the control target being determined in advance after a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of communication; Communication means that enables communication between the electronic key and the control object by establishing communication between the control object and the electronic key at a timing, and a detection result of the operation detection means An electronic key-side control device that determines an operation content based on the request and transmits the request signal including a request for control according to the operation content to the control target side, and the control target-side control device includes: When communication with the electronic key side control target is established via the communication means, the received request signal is validated to control the control target according to the operation content, and the electronic key side is controlled via the communication means. An electronic key system that invalidates a received request signal when communication with a controlled object is not established.

  According to this configuration, only the operation of the electronic key after the timing at which the distance between the electronic key and the control target is a distance suitable for the operation of the predetermined electronic key is valid. Therefore, it is highly likely that the user's operation on the electronic key at a time before the timing at which the distance is suitable for the operation of the electronic key is likely to be an operation without the user's intention to operate, and the operation is invalidated. Thereby, the erroneous operation of the electronic key without the user's operation intention is suppressed.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic key system, 2 ... Mobile phone, 3 ... In-vehicle apparatus, 21 ... Acceleration sensor (operation detection means, acceleration detection means), 23 ... Microcomputer (control apparatus), 26 ... Slave communication part (communication means), 27 ... Vibration element (transmission means), 29... RSSI detection circuit (signal intensity detection means), 33...

Claims (3)

In an electronic key that is carried by a user and transmits a request signal to the control target side to request control including its own identification code in accordance with the user's operation,
Operation detecting means for detecting a user operation mode on the electronic key;
When entering a communication area formed around the controlled object, mutual communication with the controlled object is automatically started, and after a certain period of time has elapsed from the start of communication, Communication that enables transmission / reception of information to / from the control object by establishing communication with the control object at a timing at which the distance between the control objects is a predetermined distance suitable for the operation of the electronic key Means,
A transmission means for notifying the user of the operation of the electronic key by the user at a timing when the operation is valid;
The request signal including determining the operation content based on the detection result of the operation detection unit, enabling the user operation within a predetermined time from the notification by the transmission unit, and requesting the control according to the operation content An electronic key comprising: a control device that transmits a message to the control target side. The electronic key according to claim 1, wherein
Comprising signal strength detection means for detecting signal strength of a radio signal transmitted and received between the communication means and the control target;
The control device determines the distance between the electronic key and the control target based on the value of the signal strength of the radio signal detected by the signal strength detection means, and is less than the distance suitable for the operation of the electronic key. An electronic key that performs notification by the transmission means and validates the operation of the electronic key by a user when the determination is made. The electronic key according to claim 1 or 2,
The operation detecting means is an acceleration detecting means for detecting an impact associated with a hit operation on the electronic key,
The control device determines the presence / absence of the hit operation on the electronic key as the user's operation and the number of hit operations based on the detection result of the acceleration detecting means, and requests control according to the number of hit operations. An electronic key for transmitting the request signal including the control signal to the control target side.

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