JP2008062671A - Wheel condition detection unit searching system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily search a vehicle or a wheel by effectively utilizing unit discrimination information transmitted from a wheel condition detection unit for detecting the wheel condition. <P>SOLUTION: In the TPMS unit searching system 200A, a TPMS receiver 22 receives unit ID for discriminating a TPMS valve unit 16 from the TPMS valve unit 16 provided on the vehicle and detecting the wheel condition. An ID registration part 106 registers unit ID of the TPMS valve unit 16 other than the TPMS valve unit 16 provided on the wheel of the vehicle as the searching unit ID. An ID determination part 108 determines whether or not the received unit ID is registered as the searching unit ID. A display control part 104 and a display 24 for TPMS display the matter when the received unit ID is registered as the searching unit ID. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wheel state detection unit search system, and more particularly to a wheel state detection unit search system for searching for a wheel state detection unit that detects a wheel state.

  In recent years, in order to realize safer vehicle driving, tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS: Tire Pressure Monitoring System) has been developed to transmit information such as tire pressure and temperature wirelessly to the vehicle body to inform the driver. It has been. A wheel state detection unit for detecting a wheel state such as tire air pressure is usually provided on a vehicle wheel provided with the tire pressure monitoring system, and the wheel state detection unit displays information related to the detected wheel state. Send to the car body receiver.

As a technique for using such a tire pressure monitoring system for searching for theft of a vehicle, for example, in Patent Document 1, when it is determined that the own vehicle is a stolen vehicle, data such as a vehicle ID and a driver ID is used as a theft signal. There has been proposed a vehicle search support device that transmits to the surroundings via a side antenna and an air pressure sensor unit.
JP-A-2005-199808

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, for example, the stolen vehicle itself must determine that it is a stolen vehicle. For this reason, an IC card input / output device or the like must be provided in the vehicle, and it is difficult to reduce the cost for searching for stolen vehicles. Patent Document 1 does not disclose any wheel search technique when a wheel is stolen.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object thereof is to simply search for a vehicle or a wheel by effectively using unit identification information transmitted from a wheel state detection unit that detects a wheel state. It is in.

  In order to solve the above problems, a wheel state detection unit search system according to an aspect of the present invention is provided in a vehicle and receives unit identification information for identifying the wheel state detection unit from a wheel state detection unit that detects a wheel state. Search unit registration for registering unit identification information of a wheel state detection unit other than a wheel state detection unit provided on a wheel of the vehicle as a search unit identification information. A search unit determining unit that determines whether or not the received unit identification information is registered as search unit identification information, and when the received unit identification information is registered as search unit identification information And informing means for informing that effect. According to this aspect, it is possible to search for a wheel state detection unit to be searched using the identification information transmitted from the wheel state detection unit, and to search for a stolen vehicle or wheel, for example. It becomes possible.

  Another aspect of the present invention is also a wheel state detection unit search system. The wheel state detection unit search system is provided in a vehicle, and is provided in a receiving means for receiving unit identification information for identifying the wheel state detection unit from a wheel state detection unit for detecting a wheel state, and provided in a wheel of the vehicle. A search unit registration unit for registering unit identification information of a wheel state detection unit other than the wheel state detection unit as a search unit identification information, and the received unit identification information is a search unit. A search unit determination unit that determines whether or not the information is registered as identification information; and a unit that is provided in the vehicle and the received unit identification information is registered as search unit identification information. Informing means for informing the effect.

  When notifying that the received unit identification information is registered as the search unit identification information, the wheel or the vehicle to which the transmission state wheel state detection unit is attached is near the notified passenger. According to this aspect, since it is possible to notify the crew member who is near the stolen vehicle or wheel, it is possible to quickly find the stolen vehicle or wheel.

  The wheel state detection unit search system may further include an input device that is provided in the vehicle and can be input by a user, and a storage unit that is provided in the vehicle and stores information. The search unit registration unit may register unit identification information by storing unit identification information input using the input device in the storage unit.

  The wheel state detection unit search system may further include a receiving unit that is provided in the vehicle and receives information via a network, and a storage unit that is provided in the vehicle and stores information. The search unit registration unit may register unit identification information by storing the received unit identification information in the storage unit.

  Yet another aspect of the present invention is also a wheel state detection unit search system. The wheel state detection unit search system is provided in the vehicle, receives unit identification information for identifying the wheel state detection unit from the wheel state detection unit that detects the wheel state, and is provided in the vehicle and receives the reception. Transmitting unit for transmitting the unit identification information to the information management server connected to the network via the network, and wheels other than the wheel state detection unit provided in the wheel of the vehicle provided in the information management server A search unit registration unit that registers unit identification information of a wheel state detection unit that is a state detection unit as a search target as search unit identification information, and is provided in the information management server and is received from the vehicle. The unit identification information registered as the search unit identification information A search unit determination unit, provided in the information management server, when the received unit identification information is registered as the search unit identification information comprises a notification means for notifying to that effect, the.

  According to this aspect, for example, even when there are many stolen vehicles or wheels, the search status of the wheel state detection unit attached to the stolen vehicle or wheels can be easily managed using the information management server. it can.

  The wheel state detection unit search system is provided in the vehicle, and registers the unit identification information of the wheel state detection unit provided on the wheel of the vehicle as own vehicle unit identification information; A host vehicle unit determination unit that is provided and determines whether or not the received unit identification information is registered as host vehicle unit identification information. The transmission unit may transmit the received unit identification information to the information management server via a network when it is determined that the received unit identification information is not registered as own vehicle unit identification information. Good. According to this aspect, the received unit identification information can also be used to determine whether or not the wheel state detection unit is attached to the host vehicle.

  The wheel state detection unit search system may further include position detection means that is provided in the vehicle and detects the position of the vehicle. The transmission unit transmits the vehicle position at the time of reception detected at the time of reception of the unit identification information to the information management server in association with the received unit identification information, and the notification unit is provided in the information management server. When the received unit identification information is registered as search unit identification information, the vehicle position at the time of reception may be notified together with that fact.

  According to this aspect, the user of the information management server can confirm the position of the vehicle that has received the search unit identification information. The location of the stolen vehicle or wheel should be roughly determined from the location of the vehicle that received the search unit identification information because there is likely to be a stolen vehicle or wheel near the vehicle that received the search unit identification information. Is possible. The user of the information management server can take a response such as contacting the police or the victim of the theft by receiving such notification, so that the stolen vehicle or wheel can be quickly found.

  The wheel state detection unit search system may further include an input device provided in the information management server and capable of being input by a user, and a storage unit provided in the information management server and storing information. . The search unit registration unit may register unit identification information by storing unit identification information input using the input device in the storage unit.

  The wheel state detection unit search system further includes a receiving unit that is provided in the information management server and receives information via a network, and a storage unit that is provided in the information management server and stores information. May be. The search unit registration unit may register unit identification information by storing the received unit identification information in the storage unit.

  Yet another aspect of the present invention is also a wheel state detection unit search system. The wheel state detection unit search system is provided in the vehicle, receives unit identification information for identifying the wheel state detection unit from the wheel state detection unit that detects the wheel state, and is provided in the vehicle. A search unit registration unit for registering unit identification information of a wheel state detection unit other than the wheel state detection unit provided on the wheel of the vehicle as a search unit identification information. A search unit determination unit that determines whether or not the received unit identification information transmitted from the vehicle is registered as search unit identification information; and the unit identification information provided in the vehicle Transmitter that transmits to the information management server connected to the network via the network , It provided in the information management server, and a notifying unit that unit identification information said received was sent to inform the user that is registered as a search unit identification information from the vehicle.

  According to this aspect, since it is possible to transmit to the information management server what is determined to be registered as the search unit identification information, it is possible to send information other than that registered as the own vehicle unit identification information to the information management server. Compared to the case of transmission, the unit identification information transmitted to the information management server can be reduced. For this reason, it becomes possible to reduce the burden in communication control.

  The wheel state detection unit search system may also be provided in the vehicle, and further include position detection means for detecting the position of the vehicle. The transmission unit transmits the vehicle position at the time of reception detected at the time of reception of the unit identification information to the information management server in association with the received unit identification information, and the notification unit is transmitted from the vehicle. You may alert | report the vehicle position at the time of the said reception with the effect that the said received unit identification information is registered as search unit identification information.

  The wheel state detection unit search system may further include an input device that is provided in the vehicle and can be input by a user, and a storage unit that is provided in the vehicle and stores information. The search unit registration unit may register unit identification information by storing unit identification information input using the input device in the storage unit.

  The wheel state detection unit search system may further include a receiving unit that is provided in the vehicle and receives information via a network, and a storage unit that is provided in the vehicle and stores information. . The search unit registration unit may register unit identification information by storing the received unit identification information in the storage unit.

  According to the wheel state detection unit search system of the present invention, a vehicle or a wheel can be easily searched by effectively using unit identification information transmitted from a wheel state detection unit that detects a wheel state.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a system-equipped vehicle 10A equipped with a TPMS unit search system 200A according to the first embodiment. The system-equipped vehicle 10 </ b> A includes a vehicle body 30 and wheels 12 assembled to the vehicle body 30.

  Each wheel 12 has a tire (not shown) and a wheel (not shown). In the system-equipped vehicle 10A according to the first embodiment, a so-called run-flat tire is adopted as a tire provided on the wheel 12, and specifically, a side-reinforcement type that enables run-flat traveling when the air pressure decreases. Run-flat tires are used. However, it goes without saying that general tires other than run-flat tires may be employed.

  A vehicle TPMS valve unit 16 </ b> A is attached to each of the wheels 12. Each of the host vehicle TPMS valve units 16A is integrated with a tire pressure adjusting valve, and is fixed to a wheel rim of the wheel. Each of the own vehicle TPMS valve units 16 </ b> A transmits the wheel state information related to the detected wheel state to the vehicle body 30 by radio as will be described later.

  The TPMS receiver 22 is provided in the vehicle body 30 and functions as a receiving unit that receives wheel state information transmitted wirelessly from the host vehicle TPMS valve unit 16A. The TPMS receiver 22 is connected to a TPMS electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as “TPMS-ECU”) 100 also provided in the vehicle body 30, and wheel state information received by the TPMS receiver 22 is transmitted to the TPMS-ECU 100. Is output.

  In the first embodiment, a TPMS valve unit other than the host vehicle TPMS valve unit 16A attached to the system-equipped vehicle 10A has the same configuration as the host vehicle TPMS valve unit 16A except for a unit ID described later. The TPMS valve unit will be described as the non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B. Further, the host vehicle TPMS valve unit 16A and the non-host vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B are collectively referred to as “TPMS valve unit 16” as necessary.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the TPMS valve unit 16. The TPMS valve unit 16 includes an air pressure sensor 40, a temperature sensor 42, a processing device 32, and a TPMS transmitter 14.

  The air pressure sensor 40 detects the air pressure in the tire chamber (hereinafter referred to as “tire pressure”) as a wheel state. The temperature sensor 42 detects the temperature in the tire chamber as a wheel state. Therefore, the TPMS valve unit 16 functions as a wheel state detection unit that detects a wheel state. The air pressure sensor 40 and the temperature sensor 42 are connected to the processing device 32, and the detection results by the air pressure sensor 40 and the temperature sensor 42 are output to the processing device 32.

  The processing device 32 includes a microprocessor and includes an information processing unit 34 and a storage unit 38. The storage unit 38 stores a unit ID used as unit identification information for identifying the TPMS valve unit 16. Whether the received wheel state information is transmitted from the TPMS valve unit 16 of the wheel of the host vehicle and which wheel TPMS valve unit 16 of the wheels assembled to the host vehicle is transmitted. For identification purposes, the unit IDs are all different.

  The information processing unit 34 acquires tire air pressure information and tire air chamber temperature information using detection results of the air pressure sensor 40 and the temperature sensor 42 at predetermined time intervals such as every 10 seconds. The information processing unit 34 generates unit data including the acquired tire air pressure information and tire air chamber temperature information.

  The structure of the unit data 50 is shown in FIG. The information processing unit 34 generates wheel state information 54 by combining the acquired tire air pressure information 56 and tire air chamber temperature information 58. The information processing unit 34 acquires the unit ID 52 from the storage unit 38. The information processing unit 34 generates a series of unit data 50 by combining the unit ID 52 and the wheel state information 54. Therefore, the unit data 50 is composed of the unit ID 52 and the wheel state information 54, and the wheel state information 54 is composed of the tire air pressure information 56 and the tire air chamber temperature information 58.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the TPMS transmitter 14 transmits the unit data 50 generated by the information processing unit 34 of the processing device 32 to the vehicle body 30 at predetermined time intervals. However, in consideration of battery power saving, the transmission time interval of the unit data 50 by the TPMS transmitter 14 is longer than the detection time interval by the air pressure sensor 40 and the temperature sensor 42. Unit data 50 is transmitted to the vehicle body 30 every few minutes. Therefore, until the transmission by the TPMS transmitter 14 is performed, the storage unit 38 of the processing device 32 stores tire air pressure information 56, tire air chamber temperature information 58, and detection timing information 60 for several detections. These are included in the wheel state information 54.

  The TPMS transmitter 14 transmits the unit data 50 to the outside with an output that can be received by the TPMS receiver 22 provided in the vehicle body 30. However, in practice, a TPMS receiver of another vehicle located several tens to hundreds of meters away can receive the unit data 50 transmitted from the TPMS transmitter 14.

  The TPMS valve unit 16 also has a battery (not shown) that supplies electric power to these components constituting the TPMS valve unit 16. The TPMS valve unit 16 can detect the tire air pressure and the temperature in the tire compartment and transmit the wheel state information without receiving the supply of electric power from the vehicle body 30 by using the electric power of the battery.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the other vehicle 10B may be a stolen vehicle, or the wheel 12 assembled to the other vehicle 10B may be stolen. On the other hand, since the non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B has a built-in battery, after removing the non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B from the wheel 12, or removing the battery from the non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B, after theft Also, the TPMS valve unit 16 continuously transmits the unit data 50 to the outside. For example, even if the other vehicle 10B is not equipped with the TPMS unit search system, if only the wheel 12 is stolen and assembled to the vehicle body of the other vehicle 10B, the TPMS valve unit 16 similarly continues the unit data 50. And send it to the outside. Even when the vehicle or wheel is stolen and stored or sold with the wheel removed from the vehicle body, the TPMS valve unit 16 continues to transmit the unit data 50 to the outside.

  Therefore, the TPMS unit search system 200A searches for the TPMS valve unit attached to the stolen vehicle or the stolen wheel by using the unit ID 52 included in the unit data 50 transmitted from the non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B. To do. Hereinafter, the configuration for searching the TPMS valve unit and the procedure thereof will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the TPMS unit search system 200A according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, a TPMS-ECU 100 includes a CPU that executes various arithmetic processes, a ROM that stores various control programs, hardware such as a RAM that is used as a work area for data storage and program execution, and software cooperation. The functional blocks realized by are drawn. Therefore, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by a combination of hardware and software.

  The TPMS unit search system 200A according to the first embodiment includes a TPMS valve unit 16, a TPMS receiver 22, a TPMS-ECU 100, an input device 110, a storage unit 112, and a TPMS display 24. Among these, the TPMS valve unit 16 is attached to the wheel 12, and other components are provided in the vehicle body 30.

  The TPMS-ECU 100 includes a wheel state determination unit 102, a display control unit 104, an ID registration unit 106, and an ID determination unit 108. The wheel state determination unit 102 uses the tire pressure information 56 and the tire chamber temperature information 58 included in the unit data 50 input from the TPMS receiver 22 to determine whether the tire pressure is higher than a predetermined threshold pressure. In addition, it is determined whether the temperature in the tire chamber is higher than a predetermined threshold temperature.

  The display control unit 104 generates display data to be displayed on the TPMS display 24. For example, the display control unit 104 generates display data for displaying the tire pressure and the tire chamber temperature on the TPMS display 24 using the tire pressure information 56 and the tire chamber temperature information 58.

  The display 24 for TPMS is disposed at a location that can be visually recognized by the driver, such as an instrument panel in the vehicle interior of the vehicle body 30. The TPMS display 24 is connected to the TPMS-ECU 100 and displays information on the screen using display data generated by the display control unit 104 and output from the TPMS-ECU 100.

  Further, when it is determined that the tire air pressure is higher than the predetermined threshold pressure, or when it is determined that the tire chamber temperature is higher than the predetermined threshold temperature, the display control unit 104 displays a warning on the TPMS display 24. The display data for the TPMS is generated, and the TPMS display 24 displays a warning using the generated display data. Therefore, the display control unit 104 and the TPMS display 24 function as warning notification means when an abnormality occurs in the wheel 12.

  It should be noted that a warning light or the like may be used instead of the TPMS display 24 as a warning notification means when an abnormality occurs in the wheel 12, and a warning sound or warning message may be output from a speaker. It is. In this case, the display control unit 104 turns on the warning light when it is determined that the tire air pressure is higher than the predetermined threshold pressure, or when the tire air chamber temperature is higher than the predetermined threshold temperature, or the speaker A warning sound or warning message is output from the vehicle to notify the driver that an abnormality has occurred in the wheel 12.

  The input device 110 includes a touch panel, and is provided integrally with the TPMS display 24 or another display in the first embodiment. The user can input information by pressing the touch panel toward a keyboard or numeric keypad image displayed on the TPMS display 24.

  The storage unit 112 is provided in the vehicle body 30 similarly to the TPMS-ECU 100, and retains the stored contents even when the supply of power is stopped. For example, an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), a flash memory, a hard disk, or the like It is configured by any one of a storage device and the like.

  The user can input the unit ID of the non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16 </ b> B provided on the stolen vehicle or wheel using the input device 110. The ID registration unit 106 registers the input unit ID as a search unit ID by storing the unit ID input using the input device 110 in the storage unit 112. Therefore, the ID registration unit 106 functions as a search unit registration unit that registers the unit ID of the TPMS valve unit 16 as a search unit ID.

  Further, the user can input the unit ID of the host vehicle TPMS valve unit 16A provided in the system-equipped vehicle 10A using the input device 110. The ID registration unit 106 registers the input unit ID as the own vehicle unit ID by storing the unit ID input using the input device 110 in the storage unit 112. Accordingly, the ID registration unit 106 also functions as a host vehicle unit registration unit that registers the unit ID 52 of the host vehicle TPMS valve unit 16A provided on the wheel 12 of the system-equipped vehicle 10A as the host vehicle unit ID.

  The ID determination unit 108 functions as a search unit determination unit that determines whether or not the received unit ID 52 is registered as the search unit ID, and whether or not the received unit ID 52 is registered as the own vehicle unit ID. It also functions as an own vehicle unit determination unit that determines whether or not.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the TPMS unit search system 200A according to the first embodiment. The processing in this flowchart is started when the ignition switch is turned on and the supply of power to the TPMS receiver 22 and the TPMS-ECU 100 is started, and then repeated every predetermined time.

  The user can input the unit ID using the input device 110 from when the accessory power switch or the ignition switch is turned on until it is turned off, and the ID registration unit 106 inputs the information every time. The obtained unit ID is registered as a search unit ID. For example, the user of the system-equipped vehicle 10A inputs the unit ID of the non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B provided on the previously stolen vehicle or wheel using the input device 110, and thereby searches the unit ID for the search unit ID. Can be registered as In addition, when a person who searches for a stolen vehicle or a stolen wheel such as a police is a user of the system-equipped vehicle 10A, the user is a non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B provided on the vehicle or wheel reported as being stolen. These unit IDs can be registered as search unit IDs by inputting the unit IDs using the input device 110. By registering a plurality of unit IDs as search unit IDs, a search unit ID database is constructed in the storage unit 112. The unit ID of the host vehicle TPMS valve unit 16A is normally registered by an assembly operator of the wheel 12 when the wheel 12 is assembled to the vehicle body 30.

  The ID determination unit 108 determines whether the unit data 50 has been received (S11). When it is determined that the unit data 50 has not been received (N in S11), the processing of this flowchart ends. When it is determined that the unit data 50 has been received (Y in S11), the ID determination unit 108 determines whether or not the unit ID 52 included in the received unit data 50 is registered as the own vehicle unit ID. (S12).

  When it is determined that the vehicle unit ID is registered (Y in S12), the ID determination unit 108 determines that the TPMS valve unit 16 that has transmitted the unit data 50 is the vehicle TPMS valve unit 16A, and determines the wheel state. The unit 102 executes a wheel state determination process (S13).

  In the wheel state determination process, first, the wheel state determination unit 102 uses the unit ID 52 included in the received unit data 50 to identify each mounting position of the host vehicle TPMS valve unit 16A that transmitted the unit data 50. . The wheel state determination unit 102 stores the identified mounting position and the unit ID 52 in the storage unit 112 in association with each other. Next, the wheel state determination unit 102 calculates the tire air pressure and the tire air chamber temperature at each wheel using the tire air pressure information 56 and the tire air chamber temperature information 58 included in the received unit data 50. The display control unit 104 displays the tire air pressure and the tire air chamber temperature at each wheel using the identified mounting position of the host vehicle TPMS valve unit 16A and the calculated tire air pressure and the tire air chamber temperature. Display data is generated, and the display 24 for TPMS displays the tire air pressure and the tire chamber temperature at each wheel using the generated display data.

  Further, the wheel state determination unit 102 uses the tire air pressure information 56 and the tire air chamber temperature information 58 included in the received unit data 50, or the tire air pressure has decreased to a pressure lower than a predetermined value, or It is determined whether the tire chamber temperature has risen to a temperature higher than a predetermined value. When it is determined that the tire air pressure has decreased to a pressure lower than a predetermined value, or the tire chamber temperature has increased to a temperature higher than a predetermined value, the wheel state determination unit 102 has an abnormality in which wheel. To identify. The display control unit 104 generates display data for displaying a warning message indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the specified wheel, and the TPMS display 24 displays the warning message using the generated display data.

  When it is determined that the unit ID 52 included in the received unit data 50 is not registered as the own vehicle unit ID (N in S12), the ID determining unit 108 includes the unit ID 52 included in the received unit data 50. Is registered as a search unit ID (S14). If it is determined that the search unit ID is not registered (N in S14), the vehicle or wheel provided with the non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B that has transmitted the unit data 50 cannot be stolen. Then, the processing in this flowchart is terminated.

  When it is determined that the unit ID 52 included in the received unit data 50 is registered as the search unit ID (Y in S14), the vehicle provided with the non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B that has transmitted the unit data 50 Alternatively, it can be determined that the wheel has been stolen. Therefore, the display control unit 104 generates display data for displaying that there is a non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B having a search unit ID nearby, that is, that a stolen vehicle or wheel is nearby. The display 24 displays the fact using the generated display data (S15). Accordingly, the display control unit 104 and the TPMS display 24 also function as notification means for notifying that when the received unit ID 52 is registered as the search unit ID. In addition, the display for displaying that may be other display instead of the display 24 for TPMS.

  When the unit data 50 including the unit ID 52 registered as the search unit ID is received, the position of the transmission source vehicle or wheel is limited to the transmission possible area of the TPMS transmitter 14. For this reason, the occupant of the host vehicle TPMS valve unit 16A can quickly find the stolen vehicle or the stolen wheel by searching for the vicinity of the system-equipped vehicle 10A informed in this way.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a TPMS unit search system 200B according to the second embodiment. The TPMS unit search system 200B includes a system-equipped vehicle 210A and a center server 126 as an information management server. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the location similar to 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The system-equipped vehicle 210A is configured by the vehicle body 30 and the wheels 12 assembled to the vehicle body 30, and the vehicle TPMS valve unit 16A is attached to the wheels 12 of the system-equipped vehicle 210A as in the first embodiment. It is the same. In addition to the system-equipped vehicle 210A, there may be another vehicle 210B having wheels to which the non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B having the same configuration as that of the own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16A except that the unit ID is different. Is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  The system-equipped vehicle 210A measures the position of the host vehicle using a signal transmitted from the GPS satellite 120 as will be described later. The system-equipped vehicle 210A can communicate with the base station 122 by a mobile phone as will be described later. The base station 122 is connected to the Internet 124 as a network, and the center server 126 is also connected to the Internet 124.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram relating to components provided in the system-equipped vehicle 210A in the TPMS unit search system 200B according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 7, the TPMS-ECU 100, the navigation ECU 150, and the integrated ECU 130 include a CPU that executes various arithmetic processes, a ROM that stores various control programs, a RAM that is used as a work area for data storage and program execution, and the like. Functional blocks realized by the cooperation of hardware and software are depicted. Therefore, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by a combination of hardware and software.

  System-equipped vehicle 210A includes host vehicle TPMS valve unit 16A, TPMS-ECU 100, TPMS receiver 22, input device 110, TPMS display 24, storage unit 112, navigation ECU 150, GPS receiver 27, wheel speed sensor 28, and yaw rate sensor. 29, an integrated ECU 130, a mobile phone 138, and the like. Of these, only the host vehicle TPMS valve unit 16 </ b> A is provided on the wheel, and all other components are provided on the vehicle body 30.

  The navigation ECU 150 is connected to the GPS receiver 27, the wheel speed sensor 28, the yaw rate sensor 29, the navigation display 26, and the storage unit 156.

  The GPS receiver 27 receives a signal transmitted from the GPS satellite 120 and outputs the signal to the navigation ECU 150. A wheel speed sensor 28 is provided around each wheel 12. The wheel speed sensor 28 detects the rotation of the wheel 12 by detecting a pulser provided on the drive shaft that rotates together with the wheel 12 with a pickup coil. The vehicle body 30 is provided with a yaw rate sensor 29. The yaw rate sensor 29 detects the yaw rate of the traveling system-equipped vehicle 210A. The wheel speed sensor 28 and the yaw rate sensor 29 are connected to the navigation ECU 150, and the detection result of the wheel speed sensor 28 is output to the navigation ECU 150. The storage unit 156 includes a hard disk and stores map data. Note that a data reading device that reads data from a recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) or a CD (Compact Disc) on which map data is recorded may be used as the storage unit 156 instead of the hard disk.

  The navigation ECU 150 includes a position / direction measuring unit 152 and a display control unit 154. The position / direction measuring unit 152 measures the position and traveling direction of the system-equipped vehicle 210A using the signals received from the GPS receiver 27 and the detection results of the wheel speed sensor 28 and the yaw rate sensor 29. Since the method of measuring the position and traveling direction of the system-equipped vehicle 210A is well known, the description thereof is omitted.

  The display control unit 154 generates display data to be displayed on the navigation display 26. For example, the display control unit 154 sets a predetermined position such as the approximate center of the screen based on the measured position and traveling direction of the system-equipped vehicle 210A as the measured position of the system-equipped vehicle 210A, and the traveling direction of the system-equipped vehicle 210A. Display data for displaying the map information created by processing the map data stored in the storage unit 156 so as to be in a predetermined direction such as above the screen.

  The navigation display 26 is disposed at a location that can be visually recognized by the driver, such as an instrument panel in the vehicle interior of the vehicle body 30. The navigation display 26 displays information such as map information using display data generated by the display control unit 154.

  The integrated ECU 130 is connected to the TPMS-ECU 100 and the navigation ECU 150 via the in-vehicle LAN or by wireless communication. The integrated ECU 130 is connected to a mobile phone 138 provided in the vehicle body 30.

  The integrated ECU 130 includes an information processing unit 132, a transmission unit 134, and a reception unit 136. The information processing unit 132 performs predetermined processing on information to be transmitted and received, such as generating information to be transmitted to an external device connected to the Internet 124. The transmission unit 134 transmits the information generated by the information processing unit 132 to an external device connected to the Internet 124 via the base station 122 and the Internet 124 using the mobile phone 138. The receiving unit 136 receives information from an external device connected to the Internet 124 via the Internet 124, the base station 122, and the mobile phone 138. Since a technique for transmitting and receiving information via the Internet using a mobile phone is known, a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram relating to components provided in the center server 126 in the TPMS unit search system 200B according to the second embodiment. Note that FIG. 8 is realized by cooperation of hardware such as a CPU that executes various arithmetic processes, a ROM that stores various control programs, a RAM that is used as a work area for data storage and program execution, and software. Functional blocks are drawn. Therefore, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by a combination of hardware and software.

  The center server 126 includes a server main body 170, a display 186, and an input device 184 such as a mouse and a keyboard. The server main body 170 includes a reception unit 172, a transmission unit 174, an ID registration unit 176, a storage unit 178, an ID determination unit 180, and a display control unit 182.

  The receiving unit 172 receives information from the Internet 124, and the transmitting unit 174 transmits information to the Internet 124. The storage unit 178 stores information.

  The user can input the unit ID of the non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B provided on the stolen vehicle or wheel using the input device 184. The ID registration unit 176 registers the input unit ID as the search unit ID by storing the unit ID input using the input device 184 in the storage unit 178. Accordingly, the ID registration unit 176 functions as a search unit registration unit that registers the unit ID of the non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B as the search unit ID.

  The ID determination unit 180 functions as a search unit determination unit that determines whether or not the unit ID 52 received from the TPMS valve unit 16 is registered as a search unit ID. The display control unit 182 generates display data to be displayed on the display 186, and the display 186 displays information using the display data generated by the display control unit 182.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the TPMS unit search system 200B according to the second embodiment. The processing in the system-equipped vehicle 210A shown in this flowchart is started when the ignition switch is turned on and the supply of power to the TPMS receiver 22 and the TPMS-ECU 100 is started, and then repeated every predetermined time.

  The user using the center server 126 can input the unit ID of the non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B provided on the stolen vehicle or wheel using the input device 184, and the ID registration unit 176 The entered unit ID is registered as a search unit ID by storing the entered unit ID in the storage unit 178 (S25). By repeating the process in which the ID registration unit 176 registers the input unit ID as a search unit ID, a search unit ID database is constructed in the storage unit 178.

  The ID determination unit 108 determines whether or not the unit data 50 is received every predetermined time while the ignition switch is turned on (S21). When it is determined that the unit data 50 has not been received (N in S21), the process of this flowchart ends.

  The unit ID of the host vehicle TPMS valve unit 16A is already registered in the system-equipped vehicle 210A when the wheel 12 is assembled to the vehicle body 30. Therefore, when it is determined that the unit data 50 has been received (Y in S21), the ID determination unit 108 determines whether or not the unit ID 52 included in the received unit data 50 is registered as the own vehicle unit ID. Determine (S22).

  When it is determined that the unit ID 52 included in the received unit data 50 is registered as the own vehicle unit ID (Y in S22), the TPMS valve unit 16 that has transmitted the unit data 50 is the own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16A. Can be determined. Therefore, the wheel state determination unit 102 executes a wheel state determination process (S23). The wheel state determination process is the same as the wheel state determination process in S13 of FIG.

  When it is determined that the unit ID 52 included in the received unit data 50 is not registered as the own vehicle unit ID (N in S22), the information processing unit 132 first receives the information from the navigation ECU 150 from the position / direction measuring unit 152. The vehicle position information indicating the position of the system-equipped vehicle 210A obtained by measurement and the vehicle traveling direction information indicating the traveling direction of the system-equipped vehicle 210A are acquired.

  The integrated ECU 130 has a timer (not shown) for measuring time, and the information processing unit 132 acquires reception time information indicating the time when the unit data 50 is received. The ROM of the integrated ECU 130 stores a vehicle ID for identifying the system-equipped vehicle 210A, and the information processing unit 132 acquires this vehicle ID.

  In addition to the acquired vehicle position information, vehicle traveling direction information, reception time information, and vehicle ID, the information processing unit 132 combines the unit ID 52 included in the received unit data 50 to generate unit search information. The transmission unit 134 transmits the unit search information generated to the center server 126 via the base station 122 and the Internet 124 using the mobile phone 138 (S24).

  When the unit search information is received by the reception unit 172 (S26), the ID determination unit 180 determines whether or not the unit ID 52 included in the received unit search information is registered as the search unit ID (S27). . If it is determined that the vehicle is not registered as a search unit ID (N in S27), the vehicle or wheel provided with the non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B that transmitted the unit data 50 cannot be stolen. Then, the processing in this flowchart is terminated.

  When it is determined that the unit ID 52 included in the received unit search information is registered as the search unit ID (Y in S27), the vehicle provided with the non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B that has transmitted the unit data 50, or It can be determined that the wheel has been stolen. For this reason, the display control unit 182 uses the received unit search information to receive the position of the system-equipped vehicle 210 </ b> A that has received the unit data 50, the reception time of the unit data 50, and the system that has received the unit data 50. The mounted vehicle 210A is specified. The display control unit 182 displays display data for displaying the unit ID 52 determined to be registered as the search unit ID together with the identified vehicle position at the time of reception, the reception time, and the received system-equipped vehicle 210A. Generate. The display 186 displays the unit ID 52 determined to be registered as the search unit ID together with the vehicle position at the time of reception, the reception time, and the received system-equipped vehicle 210A using the generated display data (S28). . Note that the reception time in this case may not be the exact reception time, for example, the determination time by the ID determination unit 180, or the transmission time of the unit search information.

  The system-equipped vehicle 210A that has received the unit ID 52 determined to be registered as the search unit ID is a vehicle or wheel provided with the non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B that has transmitted such a unit ID 52, that is, stolen. It will be in the vicinity of the vehicle or wheel registered as a thing. Thus, by notifying the user of the center server 126 of the vehicle position at the time of receiving the unit ID, the reception time, etc., the user of the center server 126 can roughly specify the position of the stolen vehicle or the stolen wheel. It becomes. For this reason, it is possible to facilitate the search for the stolen vehicle or the stolen wheel.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the TPMS unit search system 200C according to the third embodiment. The processing in the system-equipped vehicle 210A shown in this flowchart is started when the ignition switch is turned on and the supply of power to the TPMS receiver 22 and the TPMS-ECU 100 is started, and then repeated every predetermined time. The configuration of the TPMS unit search system 200C is the same as the configuration of the TPMS unit search system 200B according to the second embodiment unless otherwise specified.

  The user using the center server 126 can input the unit ID of the non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B provided on the stolen vehicle or wheel using the input device 184, and the ID registration unit 176 The unit ID thus registered is registered as a search unit ID (S48).

  When the input unit ID is registered as the search unit ID, the transmission unit 174 transmits the unit ID registered as the search unit ID to the system-equipped vehicle 210A via the Internet 124, the base station 122, and the mobile phone 138. Transmit (S49).

  When the unit ID registered as the search unit ID is received by the receiving unit 136 (S41), the integrated ECU 130 transmits the received unit ID 52 to the TPMS-ECU 100. The ID registration unit 106 of the TPMS-ECU 100 registers the received unit ID 52 as a search unit ID by storing the received unit ID 52 in the storage unit 112 (S42).

  Thus, every time the unit ID 52 is registered as the search unit ID, the center server 126 transmits the unit ID to the system-equipped vehicle 210A, and the system-equipped vehicle 210A also uses the unit ID 52 received from the center server 126 as the search unit ID. Register as By repeating such processing, search unit ID databases are constructed in the storage unit 178 of the center server 126 and the storage unit 112 of the system-equipped vehicle 210A, respectively.

  The processing from S43 to S45 is the same as the processing from S21 to S23 in FIG. When it is determined that the unit ID 52 included in the received unit data 50 is not registered as the own vehicle unit ID (N in S44), the ID determination unit 108 includes the unit ID 52 included in the received unit data 50. Is registered as a search unit ID (S46).

  When it is determined that the unit ID 52 included in the received unit data 50 is not registered as the search unit ID (N in S46), the vehicle provided with the non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B that has transmitted the unit data 50, or Since the wheel cannot be stolen, the processing in this flowchart ends.

  When it is determined that the unit ID 52 included in the received unit data 50 is registered as the search unit ID (Y in S46), the vehicle provided with the non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B that has transmitted the unit data 50 Alternatively, it can be determined that the wheel has been stolen. Therefore, the transmission unit 134 transmits unit search information to the center server 126 via the base station 122 and the Internet 124 using the mobile phone 138 (S47). The unit search information in this case is the same as that in the second embodiment.

  The receiving unit 136 receives unit search information (S50). Using the received unit search information, the unit ID 52 determined to be registered as the search unit ID is displayed together with the vehicle position at the time of reception, the reception time, and the received system-equipped vehicle 210A (S51) This is the same as S28 in FIG.

  In this embodiment, the system-equipped vehicle 210 </ b> A transmits the unit ID 52 to the center server 126 via the Internet 124 only when it is determined that the received unit ID 52 is registered as a search unit ID. For this reason, compared with the case where unit ID 52 is transmitted when it is determined that received unit ID 52 is not registered as the own vehicle unit ID, the opportunity to transmit unit ID 52 to center server 126 can be reduced. For this reason, the transmission burden of unit ID52 by the transmission part 134 can be reduced, and the increase in the communication cost transmitted using the mobile telephone 138 can also be suppressed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and an appropriate combination of the elements of each embodiment is also effective as an embodiment of the present invention. Various modifications such as design changes can be added to each embodiment based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and embodiments to which such modifications are added can also be included in the scope of the present invention. Here are some examples.

  In a modified example, the system-equipped vehicle 10A according to the first embodiment is also an external device such as a center server via a base station and the Internet using a mobile phone, like the system-equipped vehicle 210A according to the second embodiment. It is possible to send and receive information to and from each other. The ID registration unit 106 registers the unit ID received from the external device via the Internet or the like as a search unit ID by storing it in the storage unit 112.

  For example, when a person who searches for a stolen vehicle or wheel, such as the police, searches for these using the system-equipped vehicle 10A, the non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit 16B provided on the vehicle or wheel reported to have been stolen. By inputting the unit ID to the external device, a large number of unit IDs can be easily registered in the system-equipped vehicle 10A as the search unit ID. Moreover, such unit ID can also be easily transmitted to the plurality of system-equipped vehicles 10A. Therefore, the possibility that a stolen vehicle or wheel is found can be increased.

  In another modification, in S25 of FIG. 9 and S48 of FIG. 10, the receiving unit 172 is a stolen vehicle or a non-own vehicle provided on a wheel input by a user at a client terminal connected to the Internet 124. The unit ID of the TPMS valve unit 16B is received from the client terminal via the Internet 124, and the ID registration unit 176 registers the received unit ID as a search unit ID.

  According to this, for example, a user whose vehicle or wheel is stolen accesses a Web server for registering a unit ID, and inputs a unit ID provided on the vehicle or wheel stolen by a client terminal used by the user. By doing so, the unit ID can be registered in the center server 126 as the search unit ID. For this reason, the operation | work which registers unit ID as search unit ID can be made simple.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a system-equipped vehicle equipped with a TPMS unit search system according to a first embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of a TPMS valve unit. It is a figure which shows the structure of unit data. It is a functional block diagram of the TPMS unit search system concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the TPMS unit search system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the TPMS unit search system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram regarding the component provided in a system mounting vehicle among the TPMS unit search systems which concern on 2nd Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram regarding the component provided in a center server among the TPMS unit search systems which concern on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the TPMS unit search system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the TPMS unit search system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  10A system-equipped vehicle, 10B other vehicle, 12 wheels, 14 TPMS transmitter, 16A own vehicle TPMS valve unit, 16B non-own vehicle TPMS valve unit, 22 TPMS receiver, 100 TPMS-ECU, 106 ID registration unit, 108 ID determination Part, 124 Internet, 126 center server, 130 integrated ECU, 150 navigation ECU, 200A to 200C TPMS unit search system, 210A system-equipped vehicle, 210B other vehicle.

Claims (13)

Receiving means for receiving unit identification information for identifying the wheel state detection unit from a wheel state detection unit which is provided in the vehicle and detects the wheel state;
A search unit registration unit for registering unit identification information of a wheel state detection unit other than a wheel state detection unit provided on a wheel of the vehicle as a search unit identification information.
A search unit determination unit that determines whether or not the received unit identification information is registered as search unit identification information;
In the case where the received unit identification information is registered as search unit identification information, an informing means for informing that effect,
A wheel state detection unit search system comprising: Receiving means for receiving unit identification information for identifying the wheel state detection unit from a wheel state detection unit which is provided in the vehicle and detects the wheel state;
A search unit registration unit for registering unit identification information of a wheel state detection unit other than a wheel state detection unit provided on a wheel of the vehicle as a search unit identification information.
A search unit determination unit that determines whether or not the received unit identification information is registered as search unit identification information;
Informing means provided in the vehicle and informing the vehicle occupant when the received unit identification information is registered as search unit identification information;
A wheel state detection unit search system comprising: An input device provided in the vehicle and capable of being input by a user;
A storage unit that is provided in the vehicle and stores information;
The wheel state detection unit according to claim 2, wherein the search unit registration unit registers unit identification information by storing unit identification information input using the input device in the storage unit. Search system. A receiver provided in the vehicle for receiving information via a network;
A storage unit that is provided in the vehicle and stores information;
The wheel state detection unit search system according to claim 2, wherein the search unit registration unit registers unit identification information by storing the received unit identification information in the storage unit. Receiving means for receiving unit identification information for identifying the wheel state detection unit from a wheel state detection unit which is provided in the vehicle and detects the wheel state;
A transmission unit provided in the vehicle and configured to transmit the received unit identification information to an information management server connected to the network via a network;
Unit identification information of a wheel state detection unit which is provided in the information management server and which is a wheel state detection unit other than a wheel state detection unit provided on a wheel of the vehicle and is a search target is registered as search unit identification information. Search unit registration department,
A search unit determination unit that is provided in the information management server and determines whether or not the received unit identification information transmitted from the vehicle is registered as search unit identification information;
Provided in the information management server, when the received unit identification information is registered as search unit identification information, informing means to notify that,
A wheel state detection unit search system comprising: A host vehicle unit registration unit that is provided in the vehicle and registers unit identification information of a wheel state detection unit provided on a wheel of the vehicle as host vehicle unit identification information;
A host vehicle unit determination unit that is provided in the vehicle and that determines whether the received unit identification information is registered as host vehicle unit identification information;
The transmission unit transmits the received unit identification information to the information management server via a network when it is determined that the received unit identification information is not registered as own vehicle unit identification information. The wheel state detection unit search system according to claim 5, wherein Further provided with a position detecting means provided on the vehicle for detecting the position of the vehicle;
The transmission unit transmits the vehicle position at the time of reception detected at the time of reception of the unit identification information to the information management server in association with the received unit identification information.
The said notification means is provided in the said information management server, and when the received unit identification information is registered as search unit identification information, it notifies the said vehicle position at the time of reception with that. Item 7. The wheel state detection unit search system according to Item 5 or 6. An input device provided in the information management server and capable of being input by a user;
A storage unit that is provided in the information management server and stores information;
The said search unit registration part registers unit identification information by storing the unit identification information input using the said input device in the said memory | storage part, It is any one of Claim 5 to 7 characterized by the above-mentioned. Wheel condition detection unit search system. A receiving unit provided in the information management server for receiving information via a network;
A storage unit that is provided in the information management server and stores information;
The wheel search unit according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the search unit registration unit registers unit identification information by storing the received unit identification information in the storage unit. Search system. Receiving means for receiving unit identification information for identifying the wheel state detection unit from a wheel state detection unit which is provided in the vehicle and detects the wheel state;
A search unit provided in the vehicle, which is a wheel state detection unit other than a wheel state detection unit provided on a wheel of the vehicle and registers unit identification information of the wheel state detection unit to be searched as search unit identification information A registration department;
A search unit determination unit that is provided in the vehicle and determines whether or not the received unit identification information transmitted from the vehicle is registered as search unit identification information;
A transmission unit provided in the vehicle and configured to transmit the received unit identification information to an information management server connected to the network via a network;
Informing means provided in the information management server and informing that the received unit identification information transmitted from the vehicle is registered as search unit identification information;
A wheel state detection unit search system comprising: Further provided with a position detecting means provided on the vehicle for detecting the position of the vehicle;
The transmission unit transmits the vehicle position at the time of reception detected at the time of reception of the unit identification information to the information management server in association with the received unit identification information.
The said notification means notifies the said vehicle position at the time of said reception with the effect that the said received unit identification information transmitted from the said vehicle is registered as search unit identification information. Wheel condition detection unit search system. An input device provided in the vehicle and capable of being input by a user;
A storage unit that is provided in the vehicle and stores information;
The wheel state according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the search unit registration unit registers unit identification information by storing unit identification information input using the input device in the storage unit. Detection unit search system. A receiver provided in the vehicle for receiving information via a network;
A storage unit that is provided in the vehicle and stores information;
The wheel state detection unit search system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the search unit registration unit registers unit identification information by storing the received unit identification information in the storage unit.

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