JP2006291935A - Engine starting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an engine starting system starting an engine with high convenience while maintaining security. <P>SOLUTION: When a door locking switch 4 and a door unlocking switch 5 provided on the exterior of a vehicle are operated, authentication information on a communication portable unit 1 are acquired through an antenna 2 and a communication part 3. When the authentication result of the acquired authentication information is successful, a vehicle control device 10 controls the power supply state of a vehicle power supply part 11, and gives engine starting instructions to an engine control part 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an engine start system that enables an engine to be started from the outside of a vehicle.

  A device that opens and closes a vehicle door or starts an engine by communicating necessary information between a portable communication device carried by a user and the vehicle is known (for example, patents). Reference 1). In addition, a remote control system is also known that allows the engine to be started even from indoors far away from the vehicle for idling in winter (see, for example, Patent Document 2), and the engine can be started from the outside of the vehicle. The engine idling and the air conditioning inside the car can be performed while the trunk and doors of each seat are opened and closed before boarding.

  However, since all of the above conventional systems start the engine from a position away from the vehicle, the engine is started and the security is released when the user cannot monitor the vehicle. The burden on the person is inevitable.

JP 2003-254210 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-21868

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an engine start system that enables highly convenient engine start while maintaining security.

  An engine start system according to the present invention is capable of starting an engine from the outside of a vehicle, and is provided on an outer plate of the vehicle, an authentication information acquisition unit for acquiring user authentication information, and the engine An external engine start request operation unit for requesting an operation of starting the vehicle, an authentication process based on the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition unit, and a vehicle control device that controls the vehicle including at least the engine start control, and The vehicle control device detects the operation request from the external engine start request operation unit, and the authentication processing result based on the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition unit indicates that the authentication is successful. As a condition, the engine is instructed to start.

  According to the present invention, based on the operation request of the external engine start request operation unit provided on the outer plate of the vehicle and the user authentication result, the engine is externally started and the door is unlocked by one operation of the user. Therefore, it is possible to start the engine with high convenience while maintaining security.

  The engine start system according to the present invention includes a system in which the authentication information acquisition unit includes a communication antenna that performs communication with a communication portable device, and acquires the authentication information from the communication portable device. According to the present invention, since the authentication process is performed while the user has the portable communication device, the authentication process can be easily performed, and the convenience for the user is further improved.

  In the engine start system of the present invention, the communicable range of the communication portable device and the communication antenna outside the vehicle is a range in which the owner of the communication portable device can operate the external engine start request operation unit. including. According to the present invention, the authentication process is performed only in a state where the user can reliably monitor the vehicle, so that the security can be further reliably maintained.

  The engine start system of the present invention includes a system in which the authentication information acquisition unit acquires biometric information of a user as authentication information. According to the present invention, it is possible to avoid starting the engine by a person other than the principal.

  In the engine start system of the present invention, the external engine start request operation unit includes a first external start request switch and a second external start request switch, and the vehicle control device includes the first external start request switch and the first external start request switch. And determining that the operation request is made when the operation of both switches of the second external start request switch is detected. According to the present invention, since the engine is started only when the two switches are operated, erroneous start can be reduced.

  In the engine start system according to the present invention, the first external start request switch is a door lock switch for requesting operation of a door lock of the vehicle, and the second external start request switch is the door of the vehicle. This includes a door unlock switch for requesting an unlock operation. According to the present invention, since the door operation switch is used, a special switch for starting the engine is not required, and the configuration can be simplified.

  In the engine start system of the present invention, the vehicle control device has a shift lock control function for restricting movement of the shift change knob of the vehicle, and starts the engine based on an operation of the external engine start request operation unit. Including the shift lock of the vehicle. According to the present invention, even if the engine is started from the outside, the driving of the vehicle by a third party can be surely prevented.

  In the engine start system according to the present invention, the vehicle control device performs an authentication process based on information from the communication portable device when a foot brake is operated, and releases the shift lock of the vehicle when the authentication result is successful. including. According to the present invention, since the shift lock can be released by a normal driving operation, the burden on the user is reduced.

  The engine start system according to the present invention includes the vehicle control device that prompts the start of authentication by operating the foot brake again when the result of the authentication processing at the time of operating the foot brake is unsuccessful. According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably recognize the reason why the user cannot release the shift lock.

  In the engine start system of the present invention, the vehicle control device performs an authentication process based on information from the communication portable device when operating an engine start push switch for an engine start operation in a vehicle, and the authentication result is successful. Including the one that releases the shift lock of the vehicle. According to the present invention, since the shift lock can be released by a simple operation, the burden on the user is reduced.

  In the engine start system of the present invention, the vehicle control device prompts the start of authentication by operating the engine start push switch again when the result of the authentication process at the time of operating the engine start push switch is unsuccessful. Including. According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably recognize the reason why the user cannot release the shift lock.

  In the engine start system of the present invention, the vehicle includes a window opening / closing mechanism that automatically opens and closes a window, an in-vehicle temperature detection unit that detects an in-vehicle temperature, and an air conditioner that performs in-vehicle air conditioning. However, after the engine is started by the engine start control based on the operation of the external engine start request operation unit, the air conditioner is started and the window opening / closing mechanism is started according to the vehicle interior temperature detected by the vehicle interior temperature detection unit. Including one that performs temporary opening control of the window. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the air conditioning of a vehicle interior can be performed rapidly and efficiently from the exterior of a vehicle.

  The engine start system of the present invention includes an elapsed time measurement function in which the vehicle control device measures an elapsed time after engine start by engine start control based on an operation of the external engine start request operation unit, and the engine start The engine stop control is included when there is no foot brake operation, shift position change, or vehicle speed change after a certain period of time. According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically stop the engine after starting the engine from the outside when the use of the vehicle is stopped.

  In the engine start system of the present invention, the vehicle includes a door automatic lock mechanism that automatically locks the door. When the vehicle control device performs the engine stop control, the engine is stopped. Including those that lock the door by the automatic door lock mechanism after a certain period of time. According to the present invention, even when the use of the vehicle is stopped after starting the engine from the outside, the door is automatically locked, so that the security is further improved.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, since the door lock can be released and the engine can be started by a single operation of the user, the engine can be started with high convenience while maintaining security. A system can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle control system for explaining an engine start system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle control system of FIG. 1 includes a vehicle power supply unit 11, an engine control unit 12, an engine 13, a door lock switch 4, a door unlock switch 5, and an engine start push that are operated by a vehicle user. Switch 6, communication portable device 1 in which user authentication information is stored, antenna 2 used to acquire authentication information of communication portable device 1, communication unit 3, notification unit 7 that notifies the operating state of the vehicle control system, and the like. including.

  The communication portable device 1 is owned by the user when using the vehicle, and holds at least authentication information for authenticating the user. The authentication information is, for example, an ID code. The communication portable device 1 can transmit and receive information to and from the communication unit 3 via the antenna 2. When receiving a request for transmitting authentication information, the communication portable device 1 transmits the stored authentication information.

  The antenna 2 and the communication unit 3 transmit and receive information to and from the communication portable device 1. When there is a request from the vehicle control device 10, the antenna 2 and the communication unit 3 communicate with the communication portable device 1 to communicate with the communication portable device 1. Get authentication information held in. In the vehicle control system of FIG. 1, the communication unit 3 is configured as a separate element from the vehicle control device 10, but the communication unit 3 may be provided in the vehicle control device 10. In addition, the antenna 2 can perform communication by distinguishing between the case where the communication portable device 1 exists outside the vehicle and the case where the communication portable device 1 exists inside the vehicle. In order to distinguish between inside and outside of a vehicle, for example, a plurality of antennas arranged with different directivities and communicable ranges are used. The communicable range of the antenna 2 for communicating with the communication portable device 1 existing outside the vehicle is a range in which the owner of the communication portable device 1 can operate the door lock switch 4 and the door unlock switch 5. Although this communicable range may be further expanded, it is preferable that the user can reliably monitor the vehicle.

  In the vehicle control system of FIG. 1, information such as an ID code held in the communication portable device 1 is used as authentication information for authenticating the user. As the authentication information, the face, fingerprint, iris, vein, and the like are used. It is also possible to use biological information using the above. When using biometric information, a means for acquiring biometric information is provided in place of the antenna 2 and the communication unit 3. For example, when using a face or an iris, a camera for photographing the user is provided.

  The door lock switch 4 and the door unlock switch 5 are provided on the vehicle outer plate, and are operated when the user locks or unlocks the door outside the vehicle of the door. The door lock switch 4 is provided on the door knob surface, for example, and the door unlock switch 5 is provided on the back surface of the door knob, for example.

  The states of the door lock switch 4 and the door unlock switch 5 are input to the vehicle control device 10, and when the authentication using the authentication information of the communication portable device 1 is successful, the door is locked or unlocked by a control unit (not shown). The Further, the door lock switch 4 and the door unlock switch 5 also function as switches for requesting an operation to start the engine 13 from the outside of the vehicle when both switches are operated. The function as the external engine start request operation unit will be described later. In the vehicle control system shown in FIG. 1, the door lock switch 4 and the door unlock switch 5 are used as the external engine start request operation unit, but two dedicated switches may be used. A switch may be used.

  An engine start push switch (hereinafter simply referred to as “start switch”) 6 is a push switch that is operated to control the power supply state of the vehicle including starting and stopping of the engine 13. It is arrange | positioned in the position which can be easily operated in the state seated in the driver's seat.

  The notification unit 7 is for notifying the user of the state of the vehicle, and is a display device, a speaker, or the like.

  The vehicle power supply unit 11 supplies power to electrical components in each part of the vehicle, and transitions between four states of a power OFF state, an ACC state, an IG state, and an ST state based on the control of the vehicle control device 10. The power OFF state is a state where the electrical components are stopped and the engine is also stopped. The ACC state is a state where power is supplied only to auxiliary electrical components of the vehicle such as audio equipment, and the engine is stopped even in this state. The IG state is a state in which power is supplied to all electrical components of the vehicle, but the engine may be rotating or stopped. The ST state is a state in which the engine is started, and is a state in which the engine is cranked by driving a cell motor or the like.

  The engine control unit 12 controls the engine 13. When the vehicle power supply unit 11 is in the ST state and the engine control instruction is received from the vehicle control device, the engine control unit 12 starts the engine. The engine rotation detector 14 detects the rotation of the engine 13. In the vehicle control system of FIG. 1, the vehicle power supply unit 11 is connected to the engine control unit 12, but the vehicle power supply unit 11 is connected to a cell motor (not shown) for starting the engine via a circuit connection / release switch. The engine control unit 11 may control the circuit connection / release switch.

  The shift state detection unit 15 detects the shift position state of the vehicle. The foot brake state detection unit 16 detects whether the foot brake of the vehicle is operated (stepped on) or not operated (not stepped on). The vehicle speed detection unit 17 detects the speed of the vehicle and outputs a signal indicating whether or not at least the speed of the vehicle is zero.

  The vehicle control device 10 performs vehicle control including authentication processing based on authentication information acquired from the communication portable device 1 via the antenna 2 and the communication unit 3, vehicle power control, and engine 13 start control. . The engine start control includes start control when the door lock switch 4 and the door unlock switch 5 are operated. For example, the vehicle control unit 10 is mainly configured by a processor that executes a predetermined program, and includes a memory including a necessary program storage area, a parameter storage area, a flag data storage area, and a timer information storage area.

  The vehicle control device 10 performs start control of the engine 13 based on the operation of the start switch 6 and also performs start control based on the operations of the door lock switch 4 and the door unlock switch 5. Since the start control based on the operation of the start switch 6 is the same as the conventional one, the description thereof is omitted.

  When the door lock switch 4 and the door unlock switch 5 are operated in sequence, the vehicle control device 10 performs an authentication process based on the authentication information acquired from the communication portable device 1, and starts the engine 13 if the authentication is successful. . Thereafter, the user can open and close doors and trunks to take in and out the luggage. When the engine is started from the outside of the vehicle by this method, the engine can be stopped by operating the start switch 6 inside the vehicle. Alternatively, the door lock switch 4 may be operated. Further, if no operation is performed by the user after the engine is started from the outside, the engine can be automatically stopped after a predetermined time.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a schematic operation flow of engine start in the engine start system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The operation flow in FIG. 2 is for when the engine is requested from the outside of the vehicle, and when no operation is performed by the user, the operation is automatically stopped after a predetermined time.

  When the door lock switch 4 and the door unlock switch 5 are operated in order while the vehicle power supply 11 is in the power OFF state, it is determined whether or not an engine start condition other than authentication is established (step S101). The engine start condition here may be that the shift state is a parking position (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “shift P”) and the foot brake is not operated (hereinafter simply referred to as “brake OFF”). If the engine start condition is not satisfied, the processing is terminated as it is, and if it is satisfied, authentication information is acquired from the communication portable device 1 (step S102), and authentication based on the acquired authentication information is performed. Processing is performed (step S103) In the authentication processing, for example, an ID code as authentication information is compared with an ID code stored in advance in the vehicle (for example, a memory in the vehicle control device) to determine whether or not they match. If they match, it is determined that the authentication is successful, and if they do not match, it is determined that the authentication is unsuccessful (step S104). Also it is determined that the authentication unsuccessful If you can not.

  If the authentication is unsuccessful, the process is terminated as it is, and if the authentication is successful, the power state is changed to the ACC state (step S105). Next, a transition is made to the IG state (step S106), power is supplied to all electrical components of the vehicle, and a transition is made to the ST state (step S107) to start the engine.

  Then, the state is again shifted to the IG state (step S108), and an operation continuation timer (not shown) in the vehicle control device 10 is operated. The operation continuation timer is for measuring a time during which no user operation is performed after the engine is started from the outside, and may be a hardware timer or a software timer. If the engine has been successfully started in the ST state (when the engine has started well), the engine is shifted to the IG state after confirming the start, and if the cranking period continues for a certain time (for example, 5 seconds), the engine starts. Transition to the IG state as unsuccessful.

  In step S109, it is determined whether or not a vehicle use operation has been performed. The use operation here is determined based on whether or not there has been a foot brake operation, a shift position change, or a vehicle speed change. The operation of the foot brake is determined by a signal from the foot brake state detection unit 16, the change in the shift position is determined by a signal from the shift state detection unit 15, and the change in the vehicle speed is determined by a signal from the vehicle speed detection unit 17. Although it is possible to use the state of other devices and elements to determine whether or not there is a use operation, door opening and closing operations and trunk opening and closing operations are not included.

  If it is determined in step S109 that there is a use operation, the operation continuation timer is reset (step S112) and the process ends. If there is no use operation, it is determined in step S110 whether or not the operation continuation timer has expired. If not, the process returns to step S109. If the operation continuation timer has expired, it indicates that no operation by the user has been performed after the engine is started from the outside, so the power is turned off (step S111) and the engine is stopped. . In the general operation flow of engine start shown in FIG. 2, the determination of establishment of the start condition (step S101) is performed before the determination of successful authentication (step S104), but the determination of establishment of the start condition (step S101). May be performed after the determination of successful authentication (step S104). In addition, since the opening / closing operation of the door and the opening / closing operation of the trunk are not included in the usage operation that is the condition for resetting the start continuation timer, the power is turned off after a predetermined time even if the vehicle is left with a forgotten item after loading / unloading. The engine will stop, reducing the risk of theft.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle control system for explaining an engine start system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle control system of FIG. 3 is the same as the vehicle control system of FIG. 1 except that a shift lock control unit 21 controlled by the vehicle control device 10 is added, so the vehicle control system of FIG. The description of the function and operation of the element is omitted.

  The shift lock control unit 21 performs shift lock control that restricts movement of the shift change knob of the vehicle, and performs shift lock based on an instruction from the vehicle control device 10. The shift lock is performed to limit the driving operation of the vehicle by a third party when the engine is started from the outside. When the authentication is successful in step S104 of the flow shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle control device 10 shifts the power supply to the ACC state and outputs a shift lock instruction to the shift lock control unit.

  The shift lock is released when authentication information is acquired from the communication portable device 1 when the foot brake is operated or when the engine start push switch is operated, and authentication is successful. By adopting such a release method, driving of the vehicle by a third party can be surely prevented.

  When the shift lock is not released by the operation of the foot brake or the operation of the engine start push switch 6, that is, when the authentication is unsuccessful, the fact is notified to the notification unit 7, and the foot brake operation or Encourage operation of the engine start push switch. Therefore, the user can surely recognize that the shift lock is not released, and is not confused.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic flow of a shift lock releasing operation in the engine start system of the second embodiment. After the engine is started from the outside of the vehicle, it is determined in step S201 whether or not the foot brake is operated based on a signal from the foot brake state detection unit 16, and if there is no foot brake operation, the process proceeds to step S201. Return.

  When the foot brake is operated, authentication information is acquired from the communication portable device 1 (step S202), and an authentication process based on the acquired authentication information is performed (step S203). Then, the authentication result is determined in step S204, and if successful, the shift lock is released (step S205). If the authentication result is unsuccessful, the process ends as it is, and the shift lock state continues. When there is no foot brake operation in step S201, a step for determining whether or not the start switch 6 is operated is added. If the start switch 6 is operated, the process proceeds to step S202. If there is no operation, step S201 is performed. You may make it return to. If a step for determining whether or not the start switch 6 is operated is added, the shift lock can be released when either the foot brake operation or the start switch 6 is operated, and the operability is improved. Further, step S201 may be a step of determining whether or not the start switch 6 is operated, and the shift lock may be released when the start switch 6 is operated.

  Next, the transition of the power supply state of the vehicle power supply unit 11 will be described. FIG. 5 is a state transition diagram showing the main part of the state transition of the vehicle power supply state in the engine starting system of the second embodiment. FIG. 6 shows the meanings of words and symbols used in FIG. Indicates. FIG. 5 shows a state of a part related to engine start from the outside of the vehicle, and a part related to other operations is omitted. “Condition” in FIG. 5 indicates a condition for transition of the power supply state, and “addition processing” is processing performed together with the transition of the power supply state when the power supply state transition condition is satisfied. As described above, the power supply state is divided into a power supply OFF state and a power supply ON state, and there are three types of states in the power supply ON state: an ACC state, an IG state, and an ST state. In the power OFF state, the shift lock control related to engine start from the outside of the vehicle is in the shift lock release state, and both the external start flag and the external start history flag are in the reset state (= 0).

  Transition 1 is the first transition when the engine 13 is started by operating the door lock switch 4 and the door unlock switch 5, and transitions from the power-off state to the ACC state. At that time, the external start flag is set (= 1), shift lock is instructed, and the shift lock state is set. The external start flag is a flag indicating whether or not a state transition for starting the engine from the outside is automatically performed.

  Since the transition condition is (external start flag = 1), the transition 2 is automatically performed following the transition 1, and the power supply state becomes the IG state. Transition 3 is a transition from the IG state to the ST state. The transition condition is that the external start flag = 1, the shift position is parking, and the foot brake is not operated. Following the transition 2, the transition 3 is executed, and the engine is started in the ST state.

  Transition 4 is a transition that returns to the IG state again after the engine is started, and changes regardless of whether the engine has been successfully started. At this transition, the external start flag is reset and the external start history flag is set.

  Transition 5 is a transition when the start switch 6 is operated in the IG state, and transitions to the ACC state (transition 6) or the power-off state (transition 7) when the vehicle speed is zero. Transition to the ACC state occurs when the shift position is neutral, and transition to the power OFF state occurs when the shift position is parked and the PWB flag is reset (= 0). The PWB flag is set (= 1) when the foot switch is operated and the start switch 6 is operated, and when the predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) elapses after setting or the foot brake is not operated, It is reset when operated.

  Transitions 8, 9, and 10 are transitions from the power ON state to the power OFF state. As shown in the transition condition of transition 8, when the door lock switch is operated, the power is turned off. Therefore, after the engine start request from the outside, when the state does not transit to the IG state via the ST state (the external start flag = 1 remains), the power is turned off under a predetermined condition by operating the door lock switch. State.

  Transition 9 is a transition when the engine is automatically stopped after the engine is started, and the time-up of the transition condition indicates that the operation continuation timer described above has timed up. Transition 10 is a transition when the engine is stopped and the use of the vehicle is ended.

  Transition 11 is a transition to the ACC state by operating the foot brake when an external engine start request is made and the IG state is not changed through the ST state (the external start flag = 1 remains). It is.

  The state transition diagram of FIG. 5 shows the state transition of the vehicle power supply state in the engine starting system of the second embodiment, but the state transition of the vehicle power supply state in the engine starting system of the first embodiment is also shown. It is almost the same. In the first embodiment, a shift lock instruction is not performed in the transition 1 addition process.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle control system for explaining an engine start system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the vehicle control system of FIG. 7, an in-vehicle temperature sensor 31 is added, the output is input to the vehicle control device 10, and an air conditioning control unit 21 and a window opening / closing control unit 33 controlled by the vehicle control device 10 are added. Except for this, it is the same as the vehicle control system of FIG.

  The vehicle interior sensor 31 detects the temperature inside the vehicle and is used for vehicle air conditioning. The air-conditioning control unit 32 controls air-conditioning equipment (not shown), and controls the air-conditioning equipment based on the normal in-vehicle temperature and an instruction from the vehicle control device 10. The window opening / closing control unit 32 controls opening / closing of one or more windows of the vehicle, and is performed based on an instruction from the vehicle control device 10.

  Next, interior air conditioning when the engine is started based on the operation of the door lock switch 4 and the door unlock switch 5 will be described. When the engine starts normally, the vehicle control device 10 instructs the air conditioning control unit 32 to operate the air conditioning equipment according to the in-vehicle temperature. At that time, in the case of a vehicle interior temperature at which it can be determined that it is better to open the window and introduce outside air into the vehicle, the window opening / closing control unit 33 is instructed to temporarily open the window.

  The opening of the window is performed, for example, when the vehicle interior temperature is abnormally high. The opening time may also be controlled according to the vehicle interior temperature. When the vehicle includes an outside air temperature sensor that detects the outside air temperature, the window opening control may be performed based on the difference between the outside air temperature and the inside temperature.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle control system for explaining an engine start system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle control system of FIG. 8 is the same as the vehicle control system of FIG. 1 except that both elements added in the vehicle control system of FIG. 3 and the vehicle control system of FIG. 7 are added.

  The functions and operations of the shift lock control unit 21 added in the vehicle control system of FIG. 3 are as described in the second embodiment, and the in-vehicle temperature sensor 31 added in the vehicle control system of FIG. Since the air conditioning control unit and the window opening / closing control unit 33 are also as described in the third embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. The vehicle control system of FIG. 8 has all the functions described in the first to third embodiments.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle control system for explaining an engine start system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle control system of FIG. 9 is the same as the vehicle control system of FIG. 1 except that a door lock control unit 41 controlled by the vehicle control device 10 is added, so the vehicle control system of FIG. The description of the function and operation of the element is omitted.

  The door lock control unit 41 performs automatic door locking based on an instruction from the vehicle control device 10. The vehicle control device 10 automatically stops the engine after a predetermined time when no operation is performed by the user after the engine is started from the outside, and the door is also automatically locked at that time.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic operation flow of the door lock process in the engine start system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The door lock process in FIG. 10 is executed following step S111 in FIG. That is, when the operation continuation timer expires, the power supply is turned off, and then the door lock process is performed.

  In step S301, it is determined based on a signal from the engine rotation detection unit 14 whether the engine has stopped. When engine stop is detected, a door lock timer (not shown) is started (step S302). The door lock timer may be a hardware timer or a software timer. The set time of the door lock timer is, for example, 500 ms.

  In step S303, it is determined that the door lock timer is up, and when the time is up, a door lock instruction is issued to the door lock control unit 41 in step S304. Lock the door. The above door lock processing is executed by adding “door lock after 500 ms after engine stop” as an additional processing in transition 9 of the power state in FIG. Not only when the engine is automatically stopped after the lapse of a predetermined time after starting the engine from outside the vehicle (power state transition 9 in FIG. 5), but also when the engine is stopped from outside the vehicle (for example, power state transition 10 in FIG. 5 or In either transition 7 or transition 8), the automatic door lock may be performed after a certain period of time after the engine is stopped.

  Thus, when the engine started from the outside is automatically stopped, the door is automatically locked, so that the security is further improved. The engine start system of FIG. 9 is obtained by adding a door lock function to the engine start system of the first embodiment, but the same applies to the engine start systems of the second to fourth embodiments. The door lock function can be added.

  The present invention starts the engine from the outside based on the operation request of the external engine start request operation unit provided on the outer plate of the vehicle and the user authentication result, so that the engine is highly convenient while maintaining security. This is useful as an engine starting system that can perform starting.

The figure which shows schematic structure of the vehicle control system for demonstrating the engine starting system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the general | schematic operation | movement flow of the engine starting in the engine starting system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the vehicle control system for demonstrating the engine starting system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the schematic flow of the shift lock release operation | movement in the engine starting system of 2nd Embodiment. State transition diagram showing main parts of state transition of vehicle power supply state in engine start system of second embodiment The figure which shows the meaning of the words and symbols of the state transition diagram which shows the principal part of the state transition of the vehicle power supply state in the engine starting system of 2nd Embodiment The figure which shows schematic structure of the vehicle control system for demonstrating the engine starting system of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows schematic structure of the vehicle control system for demonstrating the engine starting system of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows schematic structure of the vehicle control system for demonstrating the engine starting system of the 5th Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows schematic operation | movement flow of the door lock process in the engine starting system of the 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication portable device 2 ... Antenna 3 ... Communication part 4 ... Door lock switch 5 ... Door unlock switch 6 ... Engine start push switch 7 ... Notification part 10 ... -Vehicle control device 11 ... Vehicle power supply unit 12 ... Engine control unit 13 ... Engine 14 ... Engine rotation detection unit 15 ... Shift state detection unit 16 ... Foot brake state detection unit 17 ..Vehicle speed detection unit 21 ... Shift lock control unit 31 ... In-vehicle temperature sensor 32 ... Air conditioning control unit 33 ... Window opening / closing control unit 41 ... Door lock control unit

Claims (14)

An engine starting system that enables starting an engine from outside the vehicle,
An authentication information acquisition unit for acquiring user authentication information;
An external engine start request operation unit provided on an outer plate of the vehicle for requesting an operation to start the engine;
An authentication process based on authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition unit, and a vehicle control device that controls the vehicle including at least start control of the engine,
The vehicle control device detects the operation request from the external engine start request operation unit, and on the condition that the result of the authentication process based on the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition unit is successful. An engine start system that gives an engine start instruction. The engine start system according to claim 1,
The authentication information acquisition unit is an engine start system that includes a communication antenna that performs communication with a communication portable device, and acquires the authentication information from the communication portable device. An engine starting system according to claim 2,
The communicable range outside the vehicle between the communication portable device and the communication antenna is an engine start system in which an owner of the communication portable device can operate the external engine start request operation unit. The engine start system according to claim 1,
The said authentication information acquisition part is an engine starting system which acquires a user's biometric information as authentication information. An engine starting system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The external engine start request operation unit includes a first external start request switch and a second external start request switch,
The vehicle control device is an engine start system that determines that the operation request has been made when detecting the operation of both the first external start request switch and the second external start request switch. The engine start system according to claim 5, wherein
The first external start request switch is a door lock switch for requesting operation of a door lock of the vehicle,
The engine start system, wherein the second external start request switch is a door unlock switch for requesting operation of the door unlock of the vehicle. The engine start system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The vehicle control device has a shift lock control function for restricting movement of a shift change knob of the vehicle, and the vehicle control device is configured to start the engine based on an operation of the external engine start request operation unit. Engine start system that performs the shift lock. The engine starting system according to claim 7,
The vehicle control device performs an authentication process based on information from the communication portable device when a foot brake is operated, and releases the shift lock of the vehicle when the authentication result is successful. An engine starting system according to claim 8,
The vehicle control device is an engine start system that prompts the start of authentication by operating the foot brake again when the result of the authentication process at the time of operating the foot brake is unsuccessful. An engine starting system according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
The vehicle control device performs authentication processing based on information from the communication portable device when operating an engine start push switch for engine start operation in a vehicle, and releases the shift lock of the vehicle when the authentication result is successful Engine starting system. The engine starting system according to claim 10, wherein
The vehicle control apparatus is an engine start system that prompts the start of authentication by operating the engine start push switch again when the result of the authentication process at the time of operating the engine start push switch is unsuccessful. The engine starting system according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The vehicle includes a window opening / closing mechanism that automatically opens and closes a window, an in-vehicle temperature detection unit that detects an in-vehicle temperature, and an air conditioner that performs in-vehicle air conditioning,
The vehicle control device is configured to start the air conditioner according to the in-vehicle temperature detected by the in-vehicle temperature detection unit after the engine is started by the engine start control based on the operation of the external engine start request operation unit. An engine starting system that performs temporary opening control of the window by a window opening / closing mechanism. The engine starting system according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The vehicle control device includes an elapsed time measurement function for measuring an elapsed time after engine start by the engine start control based on an operation of the external engine start request operation unit, and continues for a certain time after the engine start, An engine start system that performs stop control of the engine when there is no brake operation, shift position change, or vehicle speed change. An engine starting system according to claim 13,
The vehicle includes a door automatic lock mechanism for automatically locking the door,
The vehicle control device is an engine start system that locks a door by the automatic door lock mechanism after a predetermined time has elapsed since the engine was stopped when the engine stop control was performed.

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