FR3095395A1 - HANDS-FREE CONTROL DEVICE FOR LOCKING OPENER (S) AND STARTING A VEHICLE, WITH DEACTIVATION FUNCTION - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable control device (DC) provides hands-free control of the remote locking / unlocking of a vehicle (V) comprising a locking leaf (PV1), a starting circuit, a first transmitter / receiver (ER1) exchanging by message wave channel, and a first electronic circuit (C1) controlling these starts and locking according to the presence or absence of a predefined identifier in a received response message. This device (DC) comprises a box (BD) comprising a second transmitter / receiver (ER2) capable of transmitting by waves the response message containing the predefined identifier in the event of receipt of an interrogation message sent by the first transmitter / receiver (ER1), and a second electronic circuit (C2) which, in the event of receipt of a first predefined command, resulting from a first predefined action of a user on at least one control unit (OCD ) of the box (BD), prohibits the second transmitter / receiver (ER2) from transmitting response messages by waves. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

HANDS-FREE CONTROL DEVICE FOR LOCKING OPENING(S) AND STARTING A VEHICLE, WITH DEACTIVATION FUNCTION

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to the hands-free control of starting and remote locking/unlocking of lockable opening(s) of vehicles, and more specifically the portable control devices which are associated with such vehicles.

State of the art

Certain vehicles, generally of the automotive type, comprise at least one lockable opening, a starting circuit, a first transmitter/receiver suitable for exchanging messages by wave, and a first electronic circuit controlling the starting and this locking according to the presence or absence of a predefined identifier in a response message received. These vehicles are associated with at least one portable control device (hands-free) comprising a box comprising a second transmitter/receiver capable of transmitting the aforementioned response message (containing the predefined identifier) by wave when it receives an interrogation message transmitted by the first transmitter/receiver.

When a user of the vehicle leaves the latter by closing the doors (without locking them), the first transmitter/receiver periodically transmits an interrogation message intended for the associated portable control device (or “plip”). As long as the latter is located at a distance from the vehicle which is less than a predefined threshold, its second transmitter/receiver can receive the interrogation messages transmitted and transmit by wave a response message containing the predefined identifier. As long as the first transmitter/receiver receives response messages containing the predefined identifier, the first electronic circuit does not trigger the locking of the lockable openings of the vehicle. On the other hand, if for a period greater than a threshold the first transmitter/receiver does not receive a response message containing the predefined identifier, the first electronic circuit triggers the locking of the lockable openings of the vehicle. This remote "hands-free" locking mode is described in particular in patent document FR-A1 3058970.

As those skilled in the art know, this hands-free remote locking mode has a major drawback in that it can allow malicious people to trigger remote unlocking or prevent remote locking. or start the vehicle. Indeed, by using at least one transmitter/receiver relay unit located between the vehicle and the associated portable control device (or plip), the latter continues to receive the interrogation messages from the vehicle and therefore responds to them by transmitting messages response containing the predefined identifier. These response messages are then relayed by the relay box(es) to the vehicle, which is then deceived and therefore does not lock its lockable openings, thus making it possible to enter it and take control of it ( and in particular to start it).

The aim of the invention is therefore in particular to improve the situation by rendering useless the use of relay box(es).

Presentation of the invention

It proposes in particular for this purpose a portable control device, for hands-free control of the remote locking/unlocking of a vehicle comprising at least one lockable opening, a starting circuit, a first transmitter/receiver capable of being exchanged by waves of the messages, and a first electronic circuit controlling this locking and the starting according to the presence or the absence of a predefined identifier in a response message received, and comprising a box comprising a second own transmitter/receiver in transmitting by wave this response message containing the predefined identifier in the event of reception of an interrogation message transmitted by the first transmitter/receiver.

This portable control device is characterized in that its housing comprises a second electronic circuit which, in the event of reception of a first predefined command, resulting from a first predefined action by a user on at least one control member of the case, prohibits the second transmitter/receiver from transmitting response messages over the air.

Thanks to this transmission ban, the hands-free function is deactivated at the level of the control device, which causes each lockable opening to be locked and prevents starting by the first electronic circuit which no longer receives the predefined identifier.

The portable control device according to the invention may comprise other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

- the second electronic circuit can be arranged in such a way as to authorize the second transmitter/receiver to transmit response messages again by way of waves in the event of reception of a second predefined command, resulting from a second predefined action of the user on at least one control member of the device;

- in a first embodiment, its housing may include a control device dedicated to the prohibition of transmission and capable of delivering the first predefined command for the second electronic circuit when it is the subject of the first action predefined by the user;

- the control device dedicated to the prohibition of transmission can be able to deliver the second predefined command for the second electronic circuit when it is the subject of the second action predefined by the user;

- the second predefined action may be identical to the first predefined action;

- as a variant, its housing may include another control device dedicated to the authorization of transmission and capable of delivering the second predefined command for the second electronic circuit when it is the subject of the second action predefined by the user ;

- in a second embodiment, its housing may comprise two control members dedicated to the control of at least one locking mechanism of the vehicle and capable of triggering the delivery of the first predefined command for the second electronic circuit when they the object of the first action predefined by the user;

- the two control devices dedicated to the control of at least one locking mechanism of the vehicle can be suitable for triggering the delivery of the second predefined command for the second electronic circuit when they are the subject of the second action predefined by the user;

- the first action predefined by the user may consist of simultaneous actuation of the two control devices dedicated to the control of at least one locking mechanism of the vehicle. In this case, the second predefined action can be identical to the first predefined action;

- its case may include a light source emitting visible photons before the user has performed the first predefined action and after the user has performed the second predefined action, and ceasing to emit visible photons as soon as the user has does the first predefined action and as long as the user has not done the second predefined action.

Brief description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examination of the detailed description below, and of the appended drawing, in which:

illustrates schematically and functionally, in a top view, an example of a motor vehicle comprising two side doors each equipped with a locking mechanism remotely controllable by a portable and hands-free control device according to the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The object of the invention is in particular to propose a portable DC control device, for the hands-free control of starting and remote locking/unlocking of at least one lockable opening PVj of a vehicle V.

In what follows, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the vehicle V is of the automobile type. This is for example a car, as illustrated in Figure 1. But the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates to any type of vehicle comprising at least one lockable door (that is to say equipped with a locking mechanism). Consequently, the invention relates to any type of vehicle (land, sea (or river) or air).

Furthermore, it is considered in the following, by way of non-limiting example, that the lockable openings PVj of the vehicle V are side doors (or doors), but it could also be a trunk door or a tailgate.

There is schematically shown in Figure 1 an example of a motor vehicle V (here a car) comprising on its two opposite lateral sides two openings (here side doors) PVj (j = 1 or 2) each equipped with a locking mechanism MV remotely controllable by means of a portable and hands-free DC control device according to the invention.

This vehicle V also includes a starting circuit (not shown and remotely controllable), a first transmitter/receiver ER1 and a first electronic circuit C1. The first transmitter/receiver ER1 is suitable for exchanging messages over the airwaves. The first electronic circuit C1 controls at least the starting and the locking of at least one lockable opening PVj according to the presence or the absence of a predefined identifier in a response message received by the first transmitter/receiver ER1.

In the example illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1, the vehicle V comprises two lockable doors PV1 (left) and PV2 (right), the locking/unlocking of which can be controlled remotely in hands-free mode. But the number of lockable sashes PVj with remote controllable locking/unlocking in hands-free mode can take any value greater than or equal to one (1). Thus, the vehicle V could comprise a rear end fitted with a door of the rear trunk or rear hatch opening type.

As illustrated, a control device (or “plip”) DC, according to the invention, comprises a box BD comprising a second transmitter/receiver ER2, a second electronic circuit C2, and at least one control member OCk or OCD.

The BD box comprises, for example, two shells secured together, for example by screwing or clipping. These shells can be plastic or metal. This BD box may optionally be extra flat (such as an electronic card for example), the important thing being that it includes at least one OCk or OCD control device, optionally of the sensitive or tactile type.

The second transmitter/receiver ER2 is capable of transmitting over the air a response message containing the predefined identifier (expected by the first electronic circuit C1) in the event of reception of an interrogation message transmitted by the first transmitter/ ER1 receptor. This second transmitter/receiver ER2 has therefore been previously paired with the first transmitter/receiver ER1 and with the first electronic circuit C1, in order to be able to exchange interrogation and response messages.

As indicated in the introductory part, when a user of the vehicle V leaves the latter (V) by closing the doors (without locking them) and carrying the control device DC on him, the first transmitter/receiver ER1 transmits periodically , at the request of the first electronic circuit C1, an interrogation message intended for this control device DC. As long as the latter (DC) is located at a distance from the vehicle V below a predefined threshold, its second transmitter/receiver ER2 can receive the interrogation messages transmitted and transmit in response by wave a response message containing the predefined identifier (during pairing). As long as the first transmitter/receiver ER2 receives response messages containing the predefined identifier, the first electronic circuit EC1 does not trigger the locking of the lockable openings PVj of the vehicle V. On the other hand, if for a period greater than a threshold the first transmitter/receiver ER1 does not receive a response message containing the predefined identifier, the first electronic circuit C1 prevents the starting of the vehicle V and triggers the locking of the lockable opening elements PVj of the vehicle V, by causing the passage of the locking mechanism MV ( electronic) from its unlocked state to its locked state. This is called hands-free remote locking, since there is no intervention from the user carrying the DC control device.

The second electronic circuit C2 is arranged, in the event of reception of a first predefined command, resulting from a first predefined action of a user on at least one control member OCD, OCk of the box BD, so as to prohibit the second transmitter/receiver ER2 to transmit response messages over the air.

This prohibition of transmission very advantageously makes it possible to deactivate the hands-free function at the level of the control device DC, and thus to prevent starting and to cause placement in the locked state of each locking mechanism MV equipping a lockable opening. PVj by the first electronic circuit EC1 since it no longer receives the predefined identifier. Consequently, any ill-intentioned attempt to relay interrogation messages by means of at least one relay box is now futile, since once the hands-free function has been deactivated, the second transmitter/receiver ER2 can no longer respond to messages polls received whether they were relayed or not.

Preferably, the second electronic circuit C2 is also arranged in such a way as to authorize the second transmitter/receiver ER2 to transmit response messages again by wave in the event of reception of a second predefined command, resulting from a second predefined user action on at least one control member OCD or OCk of the control device DC. As will be seen below, this (these) OCD or OCk control device(s) that are the subject of the second predefined action can be identical to or different from the one(s) the object of the first predefined action.

Thus, the user can at any time reactivate the hands-free function which he has previously deactivated by his first predefined action, so that his control device DC can once again exchange with the first electronic circuit C1 via the first transmitter/receiver. ER1, for example with a view to hands-free unlocking of the lockable opening elements PVj when it approaches sufficiently close to the vehicle V.

Several embodiments can be envisaged to provide the deactivation function and the possible reactivation function. Three of these embodiments are described below.

In a first embodiment illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1, the box BD comprises an OCD control unit which is dedicated to the prohibition of transmission (and therefore to the deactivation function). This control unit OCD is arranged so as to deliver the first predefined command for the second electronic circuit C2 when it is the subject of the first predefined action by the user. For example, this OCD control device can be a button which, when lightly pressed (or pushed) by a user's finger, generates the first predefined command. But this button could also be a tactile or sensitive key.

It will be noted that the first predefined command can be analog or digital.

For example, and as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1, the control unit OCD, which is dedicated to the prohibition of transmission, can also be arranged in such a way as to deliver the second predefined command for the second electronic circuit C2 when it is the subject of the second action predefined by the user. In this case, the same dedicated OCD control device is used both for deactivating and reactivating the hands-free function.

It will be noted that the second predefined action can, for example, be identical to the first predefined action. Thus, it can be in both cases a pressure exerted for a duration at least equal to a threshold. The first pressure (while the hands-free function is activated) is considered by the second electronic circuit C2 as a first predefined action which triggers deactivation, and the second pressure (while the hands-free function is deactivated) is considered by the second electronic circuit C2 as a second predefined action which triggers the reactivation.

In a second embodiment, not illustrated and constituting a variant of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the box BD comprises, in addition to the control member dedicated to transmission inhibition, another command dedicated to the transmission authorization and arranged so as to deliver the second predefined command for the second electronic circuit C2 when it is the subject of the second predefined action by the user. This other control device can be of the same type as the one (OCD) which is dedicated to transmission prohibition. Thus, it can be, for example, a button which when lightly pressed (or pushed) by a user's finger generates the second predefined command. But this button could also be a tactile or sensitive key. It should be noted that this other control device could be of a type different from that (OCD) which is dedicated to the prohibition of transmission.

It will also be noted that in general the second predefined command can be analog or digital.

In a third embodiment, not illustrated, the box BD comprises two control members OC1 and OC2 which are dedicated to the control of at least one locking mechanism MV of the vehicle V and which are arranged so as to trigger the delivery of the first predefined command for the second electronic circuit C2 when they are the subject of the first predefined action by the user. For example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figure 1, the first control member OC1 can be dedicated to the central locking of all the lockable openings PVj of the vehicle V, and the second control member OC2 can be dedicated to the central unlocking of all the lockable openings PVj of the vehicle V. In this case, when the user acts on the first control device OC1 this causes the second transmitter/receiver ER2 to send a message requesting that the first electronic circuit C1 (for example ) triggers the central locking of all the lockable openings PVj of the vehicle V. Similarly, when the user acts on the second control device OC2 this causes the second transmitter/receiver ER2 to send a message requesting that the first electronic circuit C1 (for example) triggers the central unlocking of all the lockable opening elements PVj of the vehicle V.

For example, the two control devices OC1 and OC2, dedicated to the control of at least one locking mechanism MV of the vehicle V, can also be suitable for triggering the delivery of the second predefined command for the second electronic circuit C2 when they are the subject of the second action predefined by the user.

By way of non-limiting example, the first action predefined by the user can consist of a simultaneous actuation of the two control members OC1 and OC2 (dedicated to the control of at least one locking mechanism MV of the vehicle V), and the second predefined action may be identical to this first predefined action.

These two control devices OC1 and OC2 can, for example, be buttons which, when lightly pressed (or pushed) by a user's finger, each generate a first predefined command, and in this case, upon receipt of the first two predefined commands, the second electronic circuit C2 either prohibits the second transmitter/receiver ER2 from transmitting if the hands-free function is activated, or authorizes the second transmitter/receiver ER2 to transmit if the hands-free function is deactivated.

But other first actions can be envisaged, such as for example a brief action on the first control member OC1 followed by a brief action on the second control member OC2, or vice versa. Similarly, other second actions can be envisaged, such as for example a brief action on the first control member OC1 followed by a brief action on the second control member OC2, or vice versa.

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1, that the box BD may comprise a light source SL arranged so as to emit visible photons before the user has performed the first predefined action and after the user has performed the second predefined action, and ceasing to emit visible photons as soon as the user has performed the first predefined action and as long as the user has not performed the second predefined action. This last option is intended to draw the user's attention to the hands-free mode deactivation function.

The emission of photons can optionally be intermittent in order to attract the user's attention even more.

For example, the light source SL can comprise at least one light-emitting diode (or LED). Moreover, the photons emitted can be of any color, and in particular red, orange or green.

Also for example, and as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1, the light source SL can be housed in the control member (here OCD) which must be the subject of the first predefined action. Thus, the user immediately sees the button (or key) that he must press to deactivate the hands-free mode. But the SL light source could be installed right next to the button (or key) that needs to be pressed to deactivate the hands-free mode.

Claims (10)

Portable control device (DC) for the hands-free control of the remote locking / unlocking of a vehicle (V) comprising at least one lockable leaf (PVj), a starting circuit, a first own transmitter / receiver (ER1) exchanging messages via waves, and a first electronic circuit (C1) controlling said starting and locking according to the presence or absence of a predefined identifier in a response message received, said device (DC) comprising a box (BD) comprising a second transmitter / receiver (ER2) capable of transmitting by means of waves said response message containing said predefined identifier in the event of receipt of an interrogation message sent by said first transmitter / receiver ( ER1), characterized in that said box (BD) comprises a second electronic circuit (C2) which, in the event of receipt of a first predefined command, resulting from a first predefined action of a user on at least one control unit. command e (OCD, OCk) of said box (BD), prohibits said second transmitter / receiver (ER2) from transmitting response messages by wave. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said second electronic circuit (C2) is arranged so as to authorize the said second transmitter / receiver (ER2) to again transmit by wave response messages in the event of reception of a second predefined command, resulting from a second predefined action of said user on at least one control member (OCD, OCk) of said device (DC). Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said box (BD) comprises a control member (OCD) dedicated to said transmission prohibition and suitable for delivering said first predefined command for said second electronic circuit (C2) when it is the subject of said first action predefined by said user. Device according to the combination of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said control member (OCD) dedicated to said transmission prohibition is suitable for delivering said second predefined command for said second electronic circuit (C2) when it does the subject of said second action predefined by said user. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the said second predefined action is identical to the said first predefined action. Device according to the combination of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said box (BD) comprises another control member dedicated to said transmission authorization and capable of delivering said second predefined command for said second electronic circuit (C2) when it is the subject of said second predefined action by said user. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said housing (BD) comprises two control members (OC1-OC2) dedicated to the control of at least one locking mechanism (MV) of said vehicle (V) and specific to triggering the delivery of said first predefined command for said second electronic circuit (C2) when they are the subject of said first predefined action by said user. Device according to the combination of claims 2 and 7, characterized in that said two control members (OC1-OC2) dedicated to controlling at least one locking mechanism (MV) of said vehicle (V) are suitable for triggering delivery. of said second predefined command for said second electronic circuit (C2) when they are the subject of said second predefined action by said user. Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the said first action predefined by the said user consists of a simultaneous actuation of the said two control members (OC1-OC2) dedicated to the control of at least one locking mechanism (MV) of the said vehicle ( V), and in that said second predefined action is identical to said first predefined action. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said box (BD) comprises a light source (SL) emitting visible photons before said user has taken said first predefined action and after said user has taken said second predefined action, and ceasing to emit visible photons as soon as said user has performed said first predefined action and as long as said user has not performed said second predefined action.