JP2002053010A - Remote control device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control device for a vehicle capable of eliminating the inconvenience of operating a portable machine. SOLUTION: The portable machine 12 has a switch 21 for locking and unlocking a door lock. The portable machine 12 alternately transmits and receives a locking signal including ID code and an unlocking signal including ID code. A receiving device 13 unlocks the door lock under a condition of the agreement of the ID codes in receiving the unlocking signal, and brings an engine to a startable condition. Further the receiving device 13 brings the engine in the startable condition under the condition of the agreement of the ID codes in receiving the locking signal when the engine is not started even after the passage of the former engine startable time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a remote control device for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a remote control device for a vehicle having a smart ignition function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, automobiles have been required not only to improve their basic performance and safety but also to improve their operability. For example, a remote control device for a vehicle that remotely controls various devices provided in a vehicle is a typical example of a mechanism that can improve operability.

[0003] As a specific example of a vehicle remote control device, a vehicle remote control device having both functions of a smart entry device and a function of a smart ignition device has been proposed.

The smart entry device automatically unlocks (unlocks) a door lock when a vehicle owner (driver) approaches the vehicle, and unlocks the door lock when the driver leaves the vehicle. This device locks automatically. The smart ignition device enables the engine to be started only by operating a switch or the like without using a current mechanical key. That is, the engine is brought into a start standby state.

[0005] Such a remote control device for a vehicle includes a portable device carried by the driver and a transmitting / receiving device mounted in the vehicle. The transmitting / receiving device is provided with a transmitting antenna. The transmitting antenna is located in a predetermined area around the vehicle.
Request signal and the second
Is transmitted. When the portable device receives these request signals, a transmission signal is automatically returned from the portable device.

When the transmitting / receiving device receives the transmission signal, the ID code included in the transmission signal is compared with a predetermined ID code set in advance. If the ID codes match, and the transmission signal is a response to the first request signal, the vehicular remote control device functions as a smart entry device. If the transmission signal is a response to the second request signal, the vehicle remote control device functions as a smart ignition device.

However, there is an area (null point) in the vehicle cabin where a transmission signal from the portable device cannot be received by the transmission / reception device. As a result, when the portable device is located at the null point, the engine cannot be started even though the portable device is in the vehicle compartment. Therefore, in order to eliminate such a null point, it was necessary to add a transmitting antenna in the vehicle interior.
Therefore, the remote control device for a vehicle has a problem that the system configuration becomes complicated as a whole.

[0008] In order to solve this problem, there has been proposed a remote control device for a vehicle having both the function of a keyless entry device and the function of a smart ignition device. This vehicle remote control device includes a portable device and a receiving device. The portable device has a switch for locking and unlocking the door lock. As a specific example of this portable device, one that locks and unlocks a door lock with one switch has been proposed. In this case, when the switch is operated, the portable device is
A lock signal including a code and an unlock signal including an ID code are alternately transmitted. The receiving device compares the ID code included in the unlock signal and the lock signal with a preset ID code, and operates the door lock on condition that the ID codes match. . Specifically, when the receiving device receives the unlock signal while the door lock is locked, the door lock is unlocked. When the receiving device receives a locking signal while the door lock is unlocked, the door lock is locked. That is, the vehicle remote control device functions as a keyless entry device.
When the lock signal is transmitted, the portable device immediately terminates the transmission of the lock signal in order to prevent battery consumption. On the other hand, when the unlocking signal is transmitted, the portable device continuously transmits the unlocking signal. In this case, the receiving device is configured to be able to start the engine until the engine startable time elapses, on condition that the ID codes match again. That is, the vehicle remote control device functions as a smart ignition device.

[0009]

When the engine is to be started after the lapse of the engine startable time, the owner has to operate the switch again to transmit a locking signal from the portable device. However, since the transmission time of the lock signal is extremely short, the owner must operate the switch to transmit the lock signal and then operate the switch again to transmit the unlock signal. Therefore, since the owner had to operate the switch twice, he / she sometimes felt troublesome in operating the portable device.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device for a vehicle that can eliminate the troublesomeness of operating a portable device.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 has one switch for locking and unlocking a door lock, and when the switch is operated. A portable device that alternately transmits a lock signal including an ID code and an unlock signal including the ID code, and compares the ID code with a preset ID code when the unlock signal is received. After unlocking the door lock on condition that the ID codes match each other,
A remote control device for a vehicle, comprising: a receiving device that compares the D codes with each other and sets the engine to a startable state when the ID codes match with each other. Regardless, when the locking signal is received when the engine has not been started, the ID codes are compared with each other, and if the ID codes match, the engine is brought into a state in which the engine can be restarted.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the receiving device holds a state in which the engine can be started for a predetermined time after the ID codes match. The gist is that it was done.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or the second aspect of the present invention, when the detecting means provided in the vehicle detects the open state of the door, the owner of the portable device can determine whether the door is open. When the door is opened again after the door is closed, the receiving device deletes a history of whether or not the engine has been brought into a startable state. .

The "action" of the present invention will be described below. According to the first aspect of the invention, when the engine is to be started after the lapse of the engine startable time, the locking signal is transmitted from the portable device. When the receiving device receives the lock signal, the ID codes are compared with each other, and
When the D codes match, the engine is ready to start. Therefore, the owner only needs to operate the switch once. Therefore, the trouble caused by operating the portable device can be eliminated.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the state in which the engine can be started is held for a predetermined time after the ID codes match. Therefore, even when the transmission time of the locking signal is short, the engine can be reliably started.

According to the third aspect of the invention, if the owner closes the door and then opens the door again in a state where the door is opened, the engine can be started. The history of whether or not the state has been reached is deleted by the receiving device. As a result, it is necessary to operate the switch of the portable device again to make the engine startable. Therefore, the antitheft property of the vehicle can be improved.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a vehicle remote control embodying the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle remote control device 1
1 is a portable device 12 carried by the owner (driver) of the vehicle.
And a receiving device 13 mounted on the vehicle. The portable device 12 is provided as an accessory to an ignition key carried by the driver. This portable device 12
Is composed of one switch 21, a microcomputer (microcomputer) 23, and a transmission circuit 24.

The switch 21 is for locking and unlocking the door lock. This switch 21 is connected to the microcomputer 23
Are electrically connected to When the switch 21 is operated, the microcomputer 23 transmits a locking signal or an unlocking signal for a predetermined time. The unlock signal is transmitted for a longer time than the lock signal. The output levels of the lock signal and the unlock signal are always constant.
The lock signal and the unlock signal are transmitted alternately each time the switch 21 is operated.

As shown in FIG. 2, the locking signal includes a header for prompting the operation of the receiving device 13, a predetermined ID code set in advance, and a locking code for locking the door. The locking signal is transmitted in the order of a header, a locking code, and an ID code. The length A1 of the ID code is set longer than the length A2 of the lock code. The unlocking signal includes a header for prompting the operation of the receiving device 13, a predetermined ID code, and an unlocking code for unlocking the door. The ID code included in the unlock signal is the same as the ID code included in the lock signal, and the unlock code is different from the lock code. The unlock signal is a header, unlock code, I
The transmission is performed in the order of the D code. The length A1 of the ID code is set longer than the length A2 of the unlock code. As shown in FIG. 2, the unlock signal is repeatedly transmitted within a predetermined time. This unlocking signal is intermittently transmitted from the portable device 12 every time T3. In the present embodiment, the length of the time T3 is set to about 15 seconds. The predetermined time during which the lock signal is transmitted is the lock signal output time T1, and the predetermined time during which the unlock signal is transmitted is the unlock signal output time T2. In this embodiment, the lock signal output time T1 is about 100 ms.
And the unlock signal output time T2 is set to about 1 minute.

The transmission circuit 24 is a circuit for modulating the locking signal and the unlocking signal into radio waves of a predetermined frequency and transmitting the radio waves to the outside. In the present embodiment, the frequencies of the lock signal and the unlock signal are set to 300 MHz. That is, when the switch 21 is operated, the portable device 12 transmits a locking signal and an unlocking signal to the receiving device 13. Note that a transmission antenna 25 is connected to the transmission circuit 24.

On the other hand, the receiving device 13 includes a receiving circuit 31 and a microcomputer (microcomputer) 32. A receiving antenna 33 is connected to the receiving circuit 31. The microcomputer 32 is connected to a door lock drive unit 14 as a door locking / unlocking unit, a start switch 16, a door courtesy switch 17 as a detecting unit, and a timer hold unit 18. Timer hold unit 1
8 is connected to an engine starter 15. The start switch 16 is a switch provided near the driver's seat in the vehicle compartment. Door courtesy switch 17
Is a switch provided on the door of the vehicle for detecting the open / closed state of the door. The reception circuit 31 receives the lock signal and the unlock signal output from the portable device 12 via the reception antenna 33, and demodulates the lock signal and the unlock signal into a pulse signal to generate a reception signal. Has become. At the same time, the reception signal is output to the microcomputer 32.

The microcomputer 32 has a C (not shown).
It is a CPU unit composed of PU, ROM, and RAM.
The RAM stores a history of whether or not the engine has become ready to start. The microcomputer 32 stores a predetermined ID code set in advance. The microcomputer 32 includes an ID code collating unit (not shown) as ID code collating means, an engine start permitting unit as engine start permitting means, and a history confirming unit as history confirming means. The ID code collating unit compares the ID code included in the locking signal and the unlocking signal with an ID code preset in the microcomputer 32. The engine start permitting unit outputs a permit signal to the engine starting device 15 on condition that the ID codes match, and puts the engine in a start standby state. When the ID codes match, the history checking unit checks whether the engine has ever been able to start. In the present embodiment, in practice, the CPU in the microcomputer 32 plays a role of an ID code collating unit, an engine start permitting unit, and a history checking unit.

When the received signal is input to the microcomputer 32, the ID code collating unit is included in the predetermined ID code preset in the microcomputer 32 and the received signal (the lock signal and the unlock signal from the portable device 12). Compare with ID code. When the ID codes match, the door lock driving device 14 is driven first. Specifically, when the switch 21 is operated, the door lock is automatically locked or unlocked by driving the door lock driving device 14. That is, the vehicle remote control device 11 functions as a so-called keyless entry device.

When the locking operation and the unlocking operation of the door lock are performed, the ID code collating section compares the ID codes again. The ID code used here is the same as the ID code used for the keyless entry device. When the ID codes match, the engine start permission unit outputs a permission signal to the engine start device 15 to put the engine into a start standby state. This permission signal is output for a predetermined time after the ID codes match. When the start switch 16 is operated in this state, a starter relay (not shown) is turned on, a starter motor (not shown) is driven, and the engine is started. That is,
The vehicle remote control device 11 also functions as a smart ignition device.

When the history confirming section confirms the history that the engine can be started, the engine start permitting section puts the engine into a start standby state when receiving a lock signal. I do. In this case, since the lock signal output time T1 is short (100 ms), the timer hold unit 18 holds the engine standby state for a predetermined time. In the present embodiment, the predetermined time is set to 15 seconds. The predetermined time is set to be substantially the same as the time T3. This engine start standby state is held by the timer holding unit 18 every time the ID codes match.

Next, the operation of the vehicle remote control device 11 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, in step S1, a lock signal and an unlock signal are transmitted alternately each time the switch 21 provided on the portable device 12 is operated. If the switch operation is an operation for locking the door lock, a lock signal including a lock code and an ID code is transmitted from the microcomputer 23 to the receiving device 13 in step S2.
This locking signal is transmitted for a predetermined time after the switch 21 is operated. Here, the predetermined time is the lock signal output time T1 shown in FIG. In step S13, the receiving circuit 31 receives the locking signal by the CPU provided in the microcomputer 32 constituting the receiving device 13. Then, in step S11, the microcomputer 32
Determines whether the lock signal includes an unlock code. When it is determined that the unlock signal does not include the unlock code, the microcomputer 32 performs the process of step S11 again.

If the switch operation is to unlock the door lock, the unlock code and the ID are determined in step S2.
The unlock signal including the code is transmitted from the microcomputer 23 to the receiving device 13.
Sent to. The unlock signal is transmitted for a predetermined time after the switch 21 is operated. Here, the predetermined time is the unlock signal output time T2 shown in FIGS. In step S13, the receiving circuit 31 receives the unlock signal by the CPU provided in the microcomputer 32. Then, in step S11, the microcomputer 32 determines whether or not the unlock signal is included in the unlock signal. When it is determined that the unlock signal contains the unlock code, the microcomputer 32 proceeds to the process of step S14.

Then, in step S14, the ID code collating unit compares the ID code contained in the unlock signal with the microcomputer 32.
Is compared with a predetermined ID code set in advance. If it is determined that the ID codes match, the microcomputer 32 proceeds to the processing in step S15. In addition, ID
If it is determined that the codes do not match, the microcomputer 32 ends the processing here.

In step S15, the microcomputer 32
Drives the door lock driving device 14 on condition that the ID codes match, thereby unlocking the door and opening the door. In step S16, the microcomputer 32 determines whether or not the door courtesy switch 17 has detected the open state of the door. When the open state of the door is detected, the microcomputer 32 proceeds to step S.
The processing shifts to step S17. If the open state of the door is not detected in step S16, the microcomputer 32 proceeds to the processing in step S23. In step S23,
The microcomputer 32 determines whether or not a predetermined unlocking time T6 has elapsed. In the present embodiment, the unlocking time T6 is set to 30 seconds after the unlocked state of the door is detected in step S15. Here, the unlock time T6
Is not elapsed, the microcomputer 32 performs the process of step S16 again. That is, these steps S
Steps S16 and S23 are repeatedly performed for a predetermined time until the door courtesy switch 17 detects the open state of the door. Step S2
If it is determined in 3 that the unlocking time T6 has elapsed,
The microcomputer 32 locks the door by moving to the process of step S24 and driving the door lock driving device 14. Thereafter, the microcomputer 32 once ends the processing here.

In step S17, the receiving circuit 31
Receives the unlock signal transmitted from the portable device 12 again. Then, the microcomputer 32 determines whether or not the unlock signal has been received. If the microcomputer 32 determines that the unlock signal has been received, the microcomputer 32 proceeds to the process of step S12. When the microcomputer 32 determines that the unlock signal has not been received, the microcomputer 32 performs the process of step S17 again. That is, the process of step S17 is repeatedly performed until the microcomputer 32 receives the unlock signal. In step S12, the microcomputer 32 determines whether or not the unlock code is included in the unlock signal. When it is determined that the unlock code is not included in the unlocking signal, the microcomputer 32 proceeds to the process of step S19. Step S1
In step 9, the ID code collating unit again determines whether the ID codes match, and determines whether the ID codes match. If it is determined that the ID codes match, the microcomputer 32 proceeds to step S2.
Shift to the processing of 0. If it is determined that the ID codes do not match, the microcomputer 32 returns to step S1
7 is performed.

Then, in step S20, these IDs
The engine start permitting unit outputs an engine start permit signal to the engine starting device 15 on condition that the codes match. As a result, the engine is in a start standby state for a predetermined time, and the microcomputer 32 proceeds to the process of step S21. Here, the predetermined time is an engine startable time. In step S21, it is determined whether or not the engine has been started when the engine can be started. When the engine is started in step S21, the microcomputer 32 ends the processing here.

If the engine has not been started in step S21 despite the possible engine start time, the history that the engine was ready to be started is stored in the RAM. This history is erased when the door courtesy switch 17 detects that the owner of the portable device 12 closes the door and then opens the door again. At the same time, portable device 1
When the owner of the portable device 2 operates the switch 21 again, the portable device 1
2 transmits a locking signal to the receiving device 13. Then, the microcomputer 32 performs the process of step S17 again.

In step S17, the receiving circuit 31
Receives the lock signal transmitted from the portable device 12. Then, the microcomputer 32 determines whether or not the lock signal has been received. When the microcomputer 32 determines that the locking signal has been received, the microcomputer 32 proceeds to the process of step S12. If the microcomputer 32 determines that the lock signal has not been received, the microcomputer 32 returns to step S17.
Is performed. That is, this step S
Step 17 is repeatedly performed until the microcomputer 32 receives the lock signal. Step S1
In 2, the microcomputer 32 determines whether or not the locking signal includes a locking code. When it is determined that the locking signal includes the locking code, the microcomputer 32 proceeds to the process of step S18. In step S18,
A history checking unit determines whether or not a history indicating that the engine was ready to start last time is stored in the RAM. If it is determined that the engine was ready to start last time, the microcomputer 32 proceeds to step S19. If the engine was not ready to start last time, the microcomputer 32 performs the process of step S17 again.

In step S19, the ID code collating section compares whether the ID codes match, and determines whether or not the ID codes match. If it is determined that the ID codes match, the microcomputer 32 proceeds to the process in step S20. Note that I
If it is determined that the D codes do not match, the microcomputer 32 performs the processing of step S17 again.

Then, in step S20, these IDs
On condition that the codes match, the engine start permitting unit outputs an engine start permit signal to the engine starting device 15 to put the engine in a start standby state. In this case, since the lock signal output time T1 is short (100 ms), the standby state of the engine is held by the timer hold unit 18. Then, the microcomputer 32 proceeds to the process of step S21. Step S
At 21, it is determined whether or not the engine has been started when the engine can be started. When the engine is started in step S21, the microcomputer 32 ends the processing here.

According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) When the engine is to be started after the lapse of the engine startable time, a lock signal is transmitted from the portable device 12. When the receiving device 13 receives the locking signal,
The ID codes are compared by the ID code matching unit. When the ID codes match with each other, the engine can be started by the engine start permitting unit. Therefore, the owner only needs to operate the switch 21 once. Therefore, the trouble caused by operating the portable device 12 can be eliminated.

(2) The state in which the engine can be started is:
It is held for a predetermined time after the ID codes match. Therefore, even when the lock signal output time T1 is short (100 ms), the engine can be reliably started.

(3) In the state where the door is opened, if the owner closes the door and then opens the door again, is the engine ready to be started? The history of the determination is deleted by the receiving device 13. As a result, it is necessary to operate the switch 21 of the portable device 12 again to make the engine startable. Therefore, the antitheft property of the vehicle can be improved.

The present embodiment may be modified as follows. In the above-described embodiment, the history of whether or not the engine has been brought into a state in which it can be started is, after the door open state is detected, after the owner of the portable device 12 closes the door,
It was erased when the door was opened again. However, in this case, the history of whether or not the engine has become ready to start may not be deleted.

In the above-described embodiment, the timer hold unit 18 holds the state in which the engine can be started for a predetermined time (15 seconds) after the ID codes match. However, the predetermined time may be set longer than 15 seconds. With this configuration, the battery life of the portable device 12 can be extended. Also, the predetermined time is set to 15
It may be set shorter than seconds.

In the above embodiment, the output levels of the lock signal and the unlock signal are always constant. However, in the lock signal and the unlock signal, the output level of the ID code may be lower than the output level of the header, the lock code, and the unlock code. With this configuration, the portable device 12
Power consumption is reduced. Therefore, the battery life of the portable device 12 can be more reliably prolonged.

In the above embodiment, the ID code included in the lock signal and the ID code included in the unlock signal were the same. However, the ID code included in the lock signal and the ID code included in the unlock signal may be different. With this configuration, the anti-theft property of the vehicle can be improved.

In the above embodiment, the ID code for the keyless entry device and the I code for the smart ignition are used.
The D code may be different from the D code. With this configuration, the anti-theft property of the vehicle can be further improved.

The conditions for enabling the engine to be started may be more complicated than in the above embodiment. For example,
At least one of turning on the brake switch, turning on the parking brake, and setting the shift position to the stop range may be added as a condition. With this configuration, the safety of the vehicle can be improved. It should be noted that the brake switch and the like can be grasped as detecting means for detecting that the owner is in the vehicle interior.

The conditions under which the engine can be started include:
Brake switch ON, parking brake O
At least one of the N state, the shift position in the stop range, and the like may be detected.

In the above embodiment, the open state and the closed state of the door are detected by the door courtesy switch 17. Instead, a load sensor as a detecting means may be provided in the driver's seat, and the engine may be started when the load sensor is turned on and the ID codes match. The invention is not limited thereto, and a switch such as a wiper switch or a radio as a detection unit may be used so that the engine can be started when the ID codes match. In this way, the engine can be started when the owner of the portable device 12 is in the vehicle compartment.

Next, in addition to the technical idea described in the claims, the technical idea grasped by the above-described embodiment will be described below. (1) ID code matching means for comparing an ID code included in a locking signal and an unlocking signal transmitted from a portable device with an ID code set in advance in a receiving device, and that the ID codes match each other. Door locking / unlocking means for locking / unlocking the door lock as a condition, and after the door lock is unlocked, the engine can be started again on condition that the ID codes match each other, Engine start permitting means for setting the engine to a startable state when the ID signals match when the locking signal is received when the engine has not been started even after the engine startable time has elapsed, A remote control device for a vehicle, comprising: history checking means for checking a history of whether or not the engine has become ready to start. .

(2) 1 for locking and unlocking the door lock
When one of the switches is operated, a lock signal including an ID code and an unlock signal including the ID code are alternately transmitted from the portable device, and the receiving device receives the unlock code and the ID code when receiving the unlock signal. After comparing the ID code with a preset ID code and unlocking the door on condition that the ID codes match, the engine is started again when the ID codes match with each other again. A method of controlling a remote control device for a vehicle to be in a possible state, wherein the receiving device receives the locking signal when the engine has not been started even after a lapse of a previous engine startable time. A method of controlling a remote control device for a vehicle, wherein ID codes are compared with each other, and when the ID codes match with each other, the engine is set in a startable state. .

[0050]

As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to eliminate troublesomeness caused by operating the portable device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the engine can be reliably started even when the lock signal transmission time is short. According to the third aspect of the invention, the anti-theft property of the vehicle can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle remote control device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a time chart showing a locking signal and an unlocking signal in chronological order.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation mode of the vehicle remote control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 remote control device for vehicle 12 portable device 13 receiving device 17 door courtesy switch as detecting means
21 ... Switch.

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) E05B 65/12 E05B 65/12 A 65/20 65/20 F term (reference) 2E250 AA21 BB08 BB36 BB66 CC17 DD06 EE04 FF24 FF36 HH01 JJ03 KK03 LL00 LL01 SS01 SS02 SS04 SS06 SS09 TT03

Claims (3)

[Claims] A switch for locking and unlocking a door lock is provided, and when the switch is operated, a lock signal including an ID code and an unlock signal including the ID code are alternately transmitted. When the portable device and the unlock signal are received, the ID code is compared with a preset ID code, and the door lock is unlocked on condition that the ID codes match with each other. A remote control device for a vehicle, comprising: a receiving device that compares ID codes with each other, and sets the engine to a startable state when the ID codes match with each other. Regardless, when the locking signal is received when the engine has not been started, the ID codes are compared with each other. The vehicle can be restarted. 2. The vehicle remote control according to claim 1, wherein the receiving device holds a state in which the engine can be started for a predetermined time after the ID codes match. Operating device. 3. When the owner of the portable device closes the door and then opens the door again in a state where the detecting means provided in the vehicle detects the open state of the door, The remote control device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the receiving device deletes a history of whether or not the engine has become ready to start.