JP2007186851A - Electronic key system for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic key system for a vehicle capable of detecting the replacement of a mechanical key. <P>SOLUTION: In this electronic key system 1 for a vehicle, an on-vehicle device 3 mounted on the vehicle authenticates a mobile device 2 carried by the user of the vehicle and unlocks the vehicle. The mobile device 2 comprises the mechanical key 21 detachably stored therein and a recognition means 28 recognizing the mechanical key 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle electronic key system that locks and unlocks a door of a vehicle.

 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic key system that can be locked or unlocked without touching a vehicle door has been adopted for an object having a door such as an automobile. In an electronic key system, when a user of a vehicle carries a portable device that is an electronic key and approaches the vehicle, the portable device transmits ID information according to a request radio wave transmitted from the in-vehicle device. If the ID information received from the portable device matches the ID information registered in advance in the memory of the in-vehicle device, the in-vehicle device performs a predetermined operation such as permitting unlocking of the door.

  In the electronic key system, a normal mechanical key is detachably stored in a storage portion provided in the main body of the portable device in preparation for a malfunction of the portable device. Therefore, for example, when the battery of the portable device runs out and cannot respond to the request radio wave, the user can take out the mechanical key and unlock the door or start the engine.

  By the way, since there is no need to use the mechanical key if there is no problem with the portable device, the mechanical key is rarely used. For this reason, even if the mechanical key is replaced, the owner may not be aware of this and may have a portable device.

Therefore, a portable device that can detect whether or not a mechanical key is inserted in the portable device has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the portable device described in Patent Document 1, a detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a mechanical key is provided in the storage unit of the portable device. When the mechanical key is not stored, a warning signal is transmitted to the vehicle, The indicator can be lit to inform the user.
JP 2004-190323 A

  However, since the key detection switch of the portable device described in Patent Document 1 is a contact movable micro switch, the mechanical key is inserted when any mechanical key is inserted even if it is not a regular mechanical key. Will be detected. That is, the movable contact detection sensor has a problem that it cannot cope with the replacement of the mechanical key.

  Although it is conceivable to configure the portable device so that the mechanical key cannot be easily separated from the portable device, there are many inconveniences from the viewpoints of cost and design.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular electronic key system that can detect replacement of a mechanical key.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a vehicle electronic key system in which an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle authenticates a portable device carried by a user of the vehicle and unlocks the vehicle. It has a stored mechanical key and an authentication means for authenticating the mechanical key.

  According to the present invention, replacement of a mechanical key can be detected by the portable device authenticating the mechanical key. The authentication means is, for example, a transponder transmission / reception circuit and a microcomputer 22.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the mechanical key includes a storage unit that stores unique ID information, and a transmission unit (transponder chip 26) that transmits the ID information to the portable device in response to a request from the authentication unit. The authentication means includes request transmission means (transponder transmission / reception circuit 28) that requests the mechanical key to transmit ID information, and reception means (transponder transmission / reception circuit) that receives the ID information transmitted from the mechanical key. The mechanical key is authenticated based on whether or not the received ID information matches the ID information stored in the portable device in advance.

  According to the present invention, since the mechanical key transmits unique ID information, the portable device can authenticate the mechanical key based on whether or not the transmitted ID information is correct.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the portable device includes a notification unit that notifies the user that the mechanical key is not inserted when the mechanical key is not authenticated by the authentication unit.

  According to the present invention, when the mechanical key is not authenticated, the user can be notified.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, when the mechanical key is not authenticated by the authentication unit, the portable device transmits a no mechanical key signal indicating that the mechanical key is not stored to the vehicle. The on-vehicle device has a circuit 23 and a microcomputer 22), and receives a mechanical keyless signal to limit the function of a predetermined on-vehicle device.

  According to the present invention, when the mechanical key is not authenticated, the in-vehicle device restricts the function of the predetermined in-vehicle device, so that the user can lend the portable device from which the mechanical key is separated to another person with peace of mind.

  The electronic key system for vehicles which can detect substitution of a mechanical key can be provided.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The vehicle electronic key system includes a portable device carried by a vehicle user and a transmission / reception device provided in the vehicle. In the vehicle electronic key system, when the vehicle periodically transmits a request radio wave to a predetermined area of the vehicle, the portable device transmits an ID code in response to the request radio wave. The vehicle transmission / reception device collates the transmitted ID with the stored ID and locks and unlocks the door based on the collation result.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of an electronic key system 1 for a vehicle. The in-vehicle device 3 includes a microcomputer 34, a coil antenna 33a, an antenna 32a, and a coil antenna 31a.

  The coil antenna 33a transmits a request radio wave to a predetermined area outside the vehicle. The antenna 32a receives the ID code radio wave transmitted by the portable device 2 in response to the request radio wave. The coil antenna 31a generates an electromagnetic field for electromagnetic induction type wireless communication in a predetermined area in the vehicle interior, and receives a transponder radio wave transmitted from the portable device 2 according to the electromagnetic field. In addition, the predetermined area | region in the vehicle interior in which the coil antenna 31a generates an electromagnetic field is an area | region with a radius of about 60-70 cm centering on the start button turned on, for example when starting an engine.

  The in-vehicle device 3 includes a transmission circuit 33, a reception circuit 32, and a transponder transmission / reception circuit 31. The transmission circuit 33 generates a request radio wave including the request signal by modulating a carrier wave with the request signal output from the microcomputer 34, and transmits the request radio wave to the coil antenna 33a. The receiving circuit 32 demodulates the ID code radio wave received by the antenna 32a and causes the microcomputer 34 to input the ID code contained in the radio wave.

  The transponder transmission / reception circuit 31 generates an electromagnetic field having a frequency commanded from the microcomputer 34 in the coil antenna 31a, demodulates the transponder radio wave received by the coil antenna 31a, and converts the ID code contained in the radio wave into the microcomputer. 34 to input.

  The portable device 2 includes a microcomputer 22, an antenna 25 a, a reception circuit 25, a coil antenna 23 a, a transmission circuit 23, and a battery 24.

  The antenna 25 a receives a request radio wave from the in-vehicle device 3. The receiving circuit 25 demodulates the request radio wave received by the antenna 25a and inputs the request signal contained in the radio wave to the microcomputer 22. The coil antenna 23a transmits an ID code radio wave. The transmission circuit 23 generates an ID code radio wave including the ID code by modulating a carrier wave with the ID code output from the microcomputer 22, and transmits the ID code radio wave to the coil antenna 23a. The battery 24 supplies power for operation to the microcomputer 22, the reception circuit 25 and the transmission circuit 23.

  The ID code output from the microcomputer 22 to the transmission circuit 23 is unique to the portable device 2, and the door lock / unlock authentication ID code for authenticating whether or not the in-vehicle device 3 locks / unlocks the door. It is. The ID code is stored in advance in a nonvolatile memory 22a in the microcomputer 22.

  In addition, the portable device 2 includes a transponder chip 26 that generates electric power from an electromagnetic field when receiving an electromagnetic field of a predetermined frequency generated by the coil antenna 31a of the in-vehicle device 3, and operates by the electric power. Yes. When the transponder chip 26 operates in response to an electromagnetic field having a frequency generated by the in-vehicle device 3 toward the outside of the vehicle, the transponder chip 26 transmits a transponder radio wave including an ID code stored in advance in a nonvolatile memory in the transponder chip 26.

  In addition, the portable device 2 generates an electromagnetic field for electromagnetic induction radio communication with a frequency commanded by the microcomputer 22 in the coil antenna 28a, and demodulates the transponder radio wave received by the coil antenna 28a to generate the radio wave. A transponder transmission / reception circuit 28 for inputting the included ID code to the microcomputer 22 is provided.

  The portable device 2 has an indicator 19 and operation buttons 18 (may be plural), and each is connected to the microcomputer 22. When the operation button 18 is operated, the microcomputer 22 performs predetermined operation contents, for example, lighting / flashing of the indicator 19, communication with the in-vehicle device 3, and display of the remaining battery level.

  The microcomputer 22 executes the program stored in the memory 22a to control the transmission circuit 23 so as to transmit an ID code (an ID code for door locking / unlocking authentication) when a request radio wave is received from the in-vehicle device 3, When a transponder radio wave is received from the transponder chip 21a, it is determined whether or not the ID code (mechanical key authentication ID code) matches that stored in the memory 22a. Further, the microcomputer 22 executes a program stored in the memory 22a to switch the mode with the mechanical key or the mode without the mechanical key, turn on the indicator 19, and the like.

  When the operation button 18 is operated, the microcomputer 22 causes an ID code radio wave to be transmitted from the transmission circuit 23 and causes the indicator 19 to blink. This is a function for indicating that the portable device 2 has not run out of battery and that the ID code radio wave is transmitted from the portable device 2.

  The portable device 2 includes a separable mechanical key 21 stored in a key storage unit 29, and includes a switch mechanism 27 that turns on when the mechanical key 21 is stored. As the switch mechanism 27, for example, a contact movable micro switch is used, and the tip of the mechanical key 21 presses the micro switch to detect the mechanical key 21. The switch mechanism 27 is disposed in the inner back portion of the key storage portion 29 so as to contact the tip portion of the mechanical key 21 stored in the key storage portion 29.

  An ON signal is input to the microcomputer 22 when the mechanical key 21 is stored in the key storage unit 29, and an OFF signal is input to the microcomputer 22 when the key is extracted. When the ON signal is input to the microcomputer 22, the OFF signal is input to the mechanical key presence mode. If there is a failure, the mode switches to the no mechanical key mode.

  Further, the mechanical key 21 is provided with a transponder chip 21a that generates electric power from an electromagnetic field when receiving an electromagnetic field of a predetermined frequency generated by the coil antenna 28a of the portable device 2, and operates by the electric power. Yes. When the transponder chip 21a operates in response to a predetermined electromagnetic field generated by the portable device 2, the transponder chip 21a transmits a transponder radio wave including an ID code stored in advance in a nonvolatile memory in the transponder chip 21a. The coil antenna 28a generates an electromagnetic field in a region having a radius of about 10 to 20 cm with the transponder chip 21a of the mechanical key 21 as the center.

  Since the frequency of the electromagnetic wave generated by the coil antenna 31a is different from the frequency of the electromagnetic wave generated by the coil antenna 28a, the transponder chip 26 responds to the electromagnetic field generated by the transponder transmission / reception circuit 31, and the transponder chip 21a is generated by the transponder transmission / reception circuit 28. Responds to electromagnetic fields.

  Each ID code transmitted by the two transponder chips 26 and 21a as a transponder radio wave is unique to the portable device 2, but they are different from each other. The ID code transmitted by the transponder chip 26 is an engine start authentication ID code for authenticating whether or not the engine is to be started. The ID code transmitted by the transponder chip 21a is the mechanical key 21 and the key storage unit 29. This is a mechanical key authentication ID code for allowing the portable device 2 to recognize that the mechanical key 21 is a regular mechanical key when inserted into the mobile phone 2.

  FIG. 2 shows the mechanical key 21 separated from the portable device 2. In the portable device 2, for example, a key storage portion 29 and the circuit board described above are disposed inside a resin cover. The key storage unit 29 stores the mechanical key 21 in a detachable manner. In a normal state, the mechanical key 21 is inserted and stored in the key storage unit 29.

  The mechanical key 21 is inserted into a key cylinder provided on the door of the vehicle when the battery 24 runs out of power and cannot transmit the ID code radio wave from the coil antenna 23a of the portable device 2. In addition to being used for unlocking or locking the door, it is also used for unlocking or locking the glove box in the trunk or the passenger compartment.

In FIG. 2, only a circuit for authenticating the mechanical key 21 is shown. Further, the authentication of the mechanical key 21 is performed in a state where the mechanical key 21 is stored in the key storage unit 29, and radio waves transmitted and received between the transponder chip 21a and the transponder transmission / reception circuit 28 are described.
[Authentication of portable device 2 by in-vehicle device 3]
When the regular mechanical key 21 is housed in the portable device 2, the operation performed by the portable device 2 and the in-vehicle device 3 before the vehicle door is unlocked from the locked state in the vehicle electronic key system 1. The contents will be described.

  The microcomputer 34 transmits a request radio wave from the coil antenna 33a of the in-vehicle device 3 to a predetermined area outside the vehicle at regular intervals. The predetermined area has a radius of about 1 to 2 m from each door or trunk of the vehicle, for example.

  When the portable device 2 enters a predetermined area, the portable device 2 receives a request radio wave from the in-vehicle device 3 by the antenna 25 a and inputs a request signal from the receiving circuit 25 to the microcomputer 22. When the request signal is input, the microcomputer 22 of the portable device 2 outputs an ID code (ID code for door lock / unlock authentication) from the memory 22a to the transmission circuit 23, and coils the ID code radio wave including the ID code. It transmits from the antenna 23a.

  The antenna 22 a of the in-vehicle device 3 receives the ID code radio wave transmitted from the portable device 2, and the ID code contained in the ID code radio wave is input from the receiving circuit 32 to the microcomputer 34 in the in-vehicle device 3. The microcomputer 34 determines whether or not the ID code received from the portable device 2 and the door lock / unlock authentication ID code stored in the memory 35 match. An unlock permission signal is output to a control device (not shown).

  Thus, for example, when a person touches a touch sensor provided near the door knob of the vehicle within a certain time after the unlock permission signal is output, the door lock control device drives the door lock actuator of the door. Will be unlocked.

  In this way, when the regular mechanical key 21 is stored in the key storage unit 29, the door can be unlocked if the driver carries the portable device 2 and touches the touch sensor of the door knob.

[When starting the engine]
When the user gets on the vehicle, the transponder transmission / reception circuit 31 causes the coil antenna 31a to generate an electromagnetic field having a frequency commanded from the microcomputer 34. The transponder chip 26 of the portable device 2 carried by the user generates electric power from the electromagnetic field, and uses the electric power to store an ID code (for engine start authentication) stored in advance in a non-volatile memory in the transponder chip 26. A transponder radio wave including an ID code is transmitted.

  The transponder transmission / reception circuit 31 demodulates the transponder radio wave received by the coil antenna 31a and causes the microcomputer 34 to input the ID code included in the radio wave. The microcomputer determines whether or not the engine start authentication ID code stored in advance in the memory 35 matches the ID code transmitted from the portable device 2, and outputs an engine start permission signal to the engine ECU. The engine may be started as it is, or when the user operates the engine start button, the engine ECU starts the engine.

[Authentication of mechanical key 21 by portable device 2]
Next, an authentication procedure for authenticating the mechanical key 21 based on whether or not the regular mechanical key 21 is stored in the portable device 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The case where the regular mechanical key 21 is not stored in the portable device 2 means that some mechanical key is stored in the key storage unit 29 but is not the regular mechanical key 21 (the state in which the mechanical key is replaced. A mechanical key other than a regular mechanical key is called an illegal mechanical key.) And a state in which the mechanical key 21 is separated.

  First, when the mechanical key 21 is separated from the portable device 2 (Yes in S1), the switch mechanism 27 inputs an off signal to the microcomputer 22 (S2). Thereby, the microcomputer 22 shifts the portable device 2 to the mechanical keyless mode.

  In the mechanical keyless mode, when the unauthorized mechanical key or mechanical key 21 is stored in the key storage unit 29, the microcomputer 22 inputs an ON signal to the microcomputer 22 (Yes in S3), and the microcomputer 22 The authentication work for the key 21 is started. If an illegal mechanical key or mechanical key 21 is not stored, the microcomputer 22 remains in the no mechanical key mode.

  The microcomputer 22 to which the ON signal is input causes the coil antenna 28a to generate an electromagnetic field having a predetermined frequency (S4). The transponder chip 21a of the mechanical key 21 generates electric power from the electromagnetic field, operates with the electric power, and uses an ID code (mechanical key authentication ID code) stored in advance in a non-volatile memory in the transponder chip 21a. The included transponder radio wave is transmitted (S5).

  Since the coil antenna 28a receives the transponder radio wave transmitted from the transponder chip 21a (S6), the transponder transmission / reception circuit 28 demodulates the transponder radio wave and inputs the ID code contained in the transponder radio wave to the microcomputer 22.

  The microcomputer 22 determines whether or not the mechanical key authentication ID code stored in advance in the memory 22a matches the ID code received from the mechanical key 21 (S7). If the two codes match (Yes in S7), the mode shifts to the mechanical key presence mode (S8). If the two codes do not match or the transponder radio wave cannot be received (No in S7), the mode without the mechanical key remains.

[No mechanical key mode]
A control example of the portable device 2 by the microcomputer 22 in the mechanical keyless mode will be described.
A. In the mode without mechanical key, the microcomputer 22 lights the indicator 19 differently from the mode with mechanical key. For example, the following control is performed.
If the indicator 19 in the mechanical key present mode is not lit, the indicator 19 is lit in the mechanical key absent mode.
If the indicator 19 in the mode with the mechanical key is lit in a predetermined color, the indicator 19 is lit in another color in the mode without the mechanical key.
If the indicator 19 in the mechanical key presence mode does not light or lights in a predetermined color, the indicator 19 blinks in the predetermined color in the mechanical key absence mode.

  B. When the operation button 18 is operated in the mechanical key presence mode, the indicator 19 blinks. However, the microcomputer 22 does not blink the indicator 19 in the mechanical key absence mode.

  C. In the no mechanical key mode, a buzzer is heard from the portable device 2 or a predetermined display is provided to indicate that the mechanical key 21 is not stored.

  Thus, if control like AC is performed, a user can recognize that the mechanical key 21 is not inserted in the portable device 2. FIG. Even if the mechanical key is replaced when the portable device 2 is lent and returned, it can be immediately recognized that the regular mechanical key 21 is not inserted by the display of the indicator 19, sound, or display.

  In particular, in a usage form of a vehicle such as a rental car or a driving agent, a person other than the owner of the vehicle will carry the portable device 2 once, and the mechanical key may be replaced when the portable device 2 is returned. In the vehicle electronic key system 1 according to the present embodiment, the user can immediately recognize the replacement of the mechanical key 21. Since the person who replaced the mechanical key 21 may come to steal the vehicle at a later date, the vehicle electronic key system 1 of the present embodiment can also prevent the vehicle from being stolen.

  D. In the mechanical keyless mode, the automatic authentication of the portable device 2 by the in-vehicle device 3 as described above is disabled. That is, in the mechanical keyless mode, even if the user carries the portable device 2 and approaches the vehicle, the ID code radio wave is not transmitted from the coil antenna 23a, so that even if the user touches the touch sensor provided near the door knob. Not unlocked. Thereby, the user can recognize that there is some abnormality in the portable device 2.

  When unlocking is not possible, the user tries to unlock by inserting the mechanical key 21 into the key cylinder, so that the user can notice that the mechanical key 21 has been replaced (or there is no mechanical key 21). In this case, if the user operates the operation button 18 by a predetermined method, the ID code radio wave is transmitted, whereby the door is unlocked and the user can enter the vehicle.

  When entering the vehicle, the transponder chip 26 of the portable device 2 responds to the electromagnetic field generated by the coil antenna 31a by the transponder transmission / reception circuit 31 of the in-vehicle device 31 and transmits the ID code radio wave. The

  E. In the mechanical keyless mode, the portable device 2 transmits a mechanical keyless radio wave to the vehicle 5 in response to the request radio wave from the in-vehicle device 3, and the vehicle window device 3 performs predetermined control when the portable device 2 is in the mechanical keyless mode. To various in-vehicle devices.

  The transmission circuit 23 modulates the carrier wave with the mechanical keyless signal, generates a mechanical keyless radio wave including the mechanical keyless signal, and transmits it to the vehicle from the coil antenna 23a. The receiving circuit 32 of the in-vehicle device 3 causes the microcomputer 34 to input a mechanical keyless signal from the demodulated mechanical keyless radio wave. When the microcomputer 34 recognizes that the portable device 2 is in the mechanical keyless mode, for example, the microcomputer 34 prohibits the vehicle from unlocking the trunk and the glove box.

  Conventionally, when performing valet parking at a hotel or the like, the user takes out the mechanical key 21 from the portable device 2, turns on the “trunk open cancel switch” in the glove box (makes the trunk not open), After locking with the key 21, the portable device 2 in which the mechanical key 21 is not stored has been handed over to a hotel man or the like. Since the glove box is locked by the mechanical key 21, the glove box and the trunk are not unlocked by a hotel man or the like during valet parking.

  However, it is troublesome for the user to perform a series of operations. Therefore, in the vehicle electronic key system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the portable device 2 is in the mechanical keyless mode, the vehicle prohibits the unlocking of the trunk and the glove box. This eliminates the need for the user to perform troublesome work during valet parking. Here, the unlocking of the glove box and the trunk is prohibited as an example of the in-vehicle device, but it is also possible to prohibit the unlocking of other accessory cases and the display of personal information on the display device.

  As described above, the vehicle electronic key system 1 according to the present embodiment can detect the replacement of the mechanical key 21. Moreover, when the regular mechanical key 21 is not accommodated or when the illegal mechanical key 21 is accommodated, the mode without the mechanical key is set, and the function of the in-vehicle device can be limited.

It is a block diagram of the electronic key system for vehicles. It is a figure which shows the mechanical key isolate | separated from the portable device. It is a flowchart figure of the authentication procedure which authenticates a mechanical key based on whether the regular mechanical key is accommodated in the portable machine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic key system for vehicles 2 Portable machine 3 In-vehicle apparatus 18 Operation button 19 Indicator 21 Mechanical key 22, 34 Microcomputer
23, 33 Transmission circuit 25, 32 Reception circuit 28, 31 Transponder transmission / reception circuit 21a, 26 Transponder chip 27 Switch mechanism
29 Key compartment

Claims (4)

In a vehicle electronic key system in which an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle authenticates a portable device carried by a user of the vehicle and unlocks the vehicle,
The portable device includes a mechanical key stored in a removable manner,
An authentication means for authenticating the mechanical key;
An electronic key system for a vehicle. The mechanical key includes a storage unit storing unique ID information;
Transmission means for transmitting the ID information to the portable device in response to a request from the authentication means,
The authentication means includes a request transmission means for requesting the mechanical key to transmit the ID information;
Receiving means for receiving the ID information transmitted from the mechanical key,
Authenticating the mechanical key based on whether or not the received ID information matches the ID information stored in the portable device in advance;
The vehicle electronic key system according to claim 1. The portable device has notification means for notifying the user that the mechanical key is not inserted when the mechanical key is not authenticated by the authentication means.
The vehicle electronic key system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The portable device has a mechanical key-less signal transmission means for transmitting a mechanical key-less signal indicating that the mechanical key is not stored to the vehicle when the mechanical key is not authenticated by the authentication means,
The in-vehicle device receives the signal without the mechanical key and restricts the function of the predetermined in-vehicle device.
The vehicle electronic key system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

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