JP2008074292A - Immobilizer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an immobilizer system attaining cost reduction and enhancing design freedom of an arrangement position 54 where a transponder 53b is arranged in starting of an engine. <P>SOLUTION: When the engine is started, by arranging the transponder 53b at a predetermined arrangement position 54 by an occupant, certification of a discrimination code is performed by communication between an immobilization antenna 72 and the transponder 53b to start the engine. The immobilizer system is provided with a determination means 6 for outputting a drive electric wave to the immobilization antenna 72 and determining the response state from the transponder 53b relative to the drive electric wave to determine whether or not the transponder 53b exists at the predetermined arrangement position 54 when a door opening signal is received from a door opening switch 24 in the state that an ignition is in the off state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an immobilizer system.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 includes a portable device carried by an occupant and an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle. The in-vehicle device receives an identification code transmitted from the portable device and performs authentication thereof. A so-called keyless system is disclosed that permits a vehicle door to be locked / unlocked and an ignition to be turned on / off when it is determined that is a legitimate portable device.

In such a keyless system, an emergency key including, for example, a mechanical key is provided in consideration of a case where communication between the portable device and the in-vehicle device becomes impossible due to a battery exhaustion of the portable device. In the system of Patent Document 1, a key slot into which the emergency key is inserted is provided, and the ignition key can be turned on / off by inserting and operating the emergency key. That is, the emergency key has a built-in transponder, and an immobilizer coil is installed in the vicinity of the key slot, and the transponder transmits an identification code by an electromotive force generated by receiving a driving radio wave from the immobilizer coil. Immobilizer coil receives it. As in the keyless system, when the identification code is authenticated and it is determined that the emergency key is valid, the ignition can be turned on / off.
JP 2002-194937 A

  By the way, in the system described above, in order to prevent the emergency key from being forgotten to be removed from the key slot or to lock the emergency key in the passenger compartment, the key slot has a key insertion switch for detecting the insertion of the emergency key. Is provided. In the system, the emergency key insertion state is determined by the key insertion switch, and when the door is opened or the door is locked, an alarm is given to the passenger according to the signal of the key insertion switch. Yes.

  Here, the key insertion switch is often constituted by a contact-type mechanical switch, and the switch itself has a certain size. In addition, when the emergency key is inserted into the key slot, the accuracy of the key slot is also required so that the contact-type key insertion switch comes into contact with certainty (so that no play or the like occurs). As a result, there is an inconvenience that the cost increases and the arrangement position of the key slot is restricted.

  Such an inconvenience is not limited to the keyless system described above, but can also be applied to an immobilizer system having a key with a built-in transponder.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an immobilizer system that achieves cost reduction and increases the degree of freedom in designing the position where the transponder is disposed when the engine is started. There is to do.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the immobilizer system is identified by an ignition switch that is operated by an occupant to perform an ignition operation, and a key that is carried by the occupant and is generated by an electromotive force generated by receiving a driving radio wave. A transponder that transmits a code, and an identification that is installed in the vicinity of a predetermined position where the occupant positions the key when starting the engine, and that outputs the driving radio wave to the transponder and is transmitted from the transponder The immobilizer antenna that receives the code and the identification code received by the immobilizer antenna are used to determine whether or not the key is authentic, and at the time of the determination, the operation of the ignition switch is enabled to Starting means for starting the engine and vehicle A door opening switch for detecting opening / closing of the door, and when receiving a door opening signal from the door opening switch with the ignition turned off, the immobilizer antenna outputs the driving radio wave and the driving radio wave Determination means for determining a response state from the transponder and determining whether or not the key exists at the arrangement position. The “key” here is not limited to a mechanical key, but includes at least those used by the occupant when starting the engine.

  According to this configuration, when the key is arranged at a predetermined arrangement position, the transponder receives the driving radio wave output from the immobilizer antenna and transmits the authentication code. The authentication code is received by the immobilizer antenna.

  The starting means determines whether or not the transponder is normal by authenticating the identification code received by the immobilizer antenna, and validates the operation of the ignition switch at the time of normality determination. As a result, the occupant operates the ignition switch to start the engine.

  When the door opening signal is received from the door opening switch while the ignition switch is off, the determination means outputs the driving radio wave to the immobilizer antenna and determines the response state from the transponder for the driving radio wave. When there is a response from the transponder, it is determined that the key exists at a predetermined arrangement position. When there is no response from the transponder, it is determined that the key does not exist at the arrangement position.

  Thus, in order to determine whether or not a key is present at a predetermined arrangement position using communication between a transponder that normally transmits and receives an authentication code and an immobilizer antenna, for example, described in the patent document This eliminates the need for a key insertion switch composed of a contact type mechanical switch or the like. Also, if there is a contact type key insertion switch, the accuracy of the key slot is required so that the switch can be securely contacted by inserting the key, but this accuracy is also eliminated by eliminating the need for the key insertion switch. It becomes unnecessary. As a result, cost can be reduced.

  In addition, when there is a mechanical key insertion switch, the position where the switch is disposed is limited. However, in the above configuration where there is no key insertion switch, such a restriction is eliminated, and the position of the key arrangement is reduced. Design flexibility increases.

  The immobilizer system may further include a notification unit that issues a warning to the occupant when the determination unit determines that the key is present at the arrangement position.

  When the notification means issues a warning to the occupant, the occupant can recognize that the key is arranged at a predetermined arrangement position, and forgetting to take the key is prevented.

  The notification means may be a buzzer. Thereby, the one aspect | mode of an alerting | reporting means is specified and a reliable warning can be performed with respect to a passenger | crew by a buzzer.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the immobilizer system includes an ignition switch that is operated by an occupant to perform an ignition operation, and a key that is carried by the occupant, and an electromotive force that is generated by receiving a driving radio wave. A transponder that transmits an identification code; and when the engine is started, the occupant is installed in the vicinity of a predetermined arrangement position where the key is arranged, and outputs the driving radio wave to the transponder and is transmitted from the transponder The immobilizer antenna that receives the identification code and the identification code received by the immobilizer antenna are used to determine whether or not the key is authentic, and at the time of the determination, the operation of the ignition switch is enabled. A starting means for starting the engine; A door lock switch for detecting the lock / unlock of the door, and when receiving a lock signal from the door lock switch with the ignition off, the immobilizer antenna outputs the drive radio wave and Determination means for determining a response state from the transponder and determining whether or not the key exists at the arrangement position.

  According to this configuration, when the door lock signal is received from the door lock switch while the ignition switch is off, the determination unit outputs the driving radio wave to the immobilizer antenna and determines the response state from the transponder for the driving radio wave. . When there is a response from the transponder, it is determined that the key exists at a predetermined arrangement position. When there is no response from the transponder, it is determined that the key does not exist at the arrangement position.

  In this way, the key insertion switch is not required because it is determined whether or not the key exists at a predetermined position by using communication between the transponder that transmits and receives the authentication code and the immobilizer antenna in the normal state. Thus, the cost can be reduced and the degree of freedom in designing the key arrangement position can be increased.

  The immobilizer system may further include a release unit that unlocks the door when the determination unit determines that the key is present at the arrangement position.

  When the release means unlocks the door, it is possible to prevent the key from being locked in the vehicle compartment.

  The immobilizer system receives the identification code transmitted from a portable device carried by the occupant with an in-vehicle device, authenticates the identification code, and unlocks at least the vehicle door according to the authentication result. And a keyless system that allows ignition to be turned on, and the key may be an emergency key that is used when communication between the portable device and the vehicle-mounted device is disabled in the keyless system. . Thereby, one mode of a system to which the present invention is applicable is specified.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since it is determined whether or not the key exists at a predetermined arrangement position using the communication between the transponder that transmits and receives the authentication code and the immobilizer antenna, A key insertion switch and the like can be omitted, and the cost can be reduced and the degree of freedom in designing the key arrangement position can be increased.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following description of the preferred embodiment is merely illustrative in nature, and is not intended to limit the present invention, its application, or its use.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an immobilizer system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and this system includes a so-called keyless system.

  In this system, reference numeral 1 denotes a keyless control unit that controls the entire keyless system. The keyless control unit 1 has an antenna 21, a receiver 22, a request switch 23, a door open switch 24, and a door lock link switch 25. Are connected to each other, and a signal from each device is input or output to each device.

  The antenna 21 is an antenna that outputs LF radio waves to the portable device 5 described later, and only one antenna is shown in FIG. It is arranged at a plurality of predetermined positions so as to be formed.

  The receiver 22 receives the UHF band radio wave transmitted from the portable device 5 that has received the LF radio wave, and outputs it to the keyless control unit 1.

  The request switch 23 is a switch that is attached to the door of the vehicle and is operated by a passenger carrying the portable device 5 to lock / unlock the door.

  The door opening switch 24 is a switch for detecting opening / closing of a vehicle door (door on the driver's seat), and the door lock link switch 25 is a switch for detecting locking / unlocking of the door (door on the driver's seat). It is.

  The keyless control unit 1 is also connected with a warning buzzer 31 and a door lock actuator 32, and these devices 31 and 32 operate in response to a control signal from the keyless control unit 1.

  The warning buzzer 31 is a buzzer for giving a warning to an occupant, and operates when it is determined that the emergency key 53 is forgotten, as will be described later. The door lock actuator 32 is an actuator for locking / unlocking each door. As will be described later, the door lock actuator 32 is operated when the door is locked / unlocked in a keyless system, and the emergency key 53 is closed. When determined, it operates to unlock the door.

  The keyless control unit 1, the antenna 21, the receiver 22, the request switch 23, the door opening switch 24, the door lock link switch 25, the warning buzzer 31 and the door lock actuator 32 constitute an in-vehicle device 4.

  The portable device 5 is carried by an occupant, and is driven by a battery (not shown) in the portable device main body 51, receives LF radio waves from the antenna 21, and is connected to the receiver 22. A transceiver 52 for transmitting a UHF band signal is incorporated. The portable device 5 stores an authentication code, and the transceiver 52 transmits the authentication code to the in-vehicle device.

  The portable device 5 is also detachably attached to the portable device main body 51 in case communication with the in-vehicle device 4 by the transceiver 52 becomes impossible due to, for example, the battery running out. The emergency key 53 is provided.

  The emergency key 53 is inserted into a key slot (not shown) attached to the door of the vehicle, and performs communication between a mechanical key 53a for locking / unlocking the door and an immobilizer coil 72 described later. A transponder 53b. When the emergency key 53 is detached from the portable device main body 51, it is disposed at a predetermined arrangement position 54 (for example, in a key slot provided in a steering shaft, an instrument panel, etc.) 54 (one point in FIG. 1). (See chain line).

  Also connected to the keyless control unit 1 is an engine control unit 6 for controlling the start of an engine (not shown) and the like so as to be able to send and receive signals.

  The engine control unit 6 is connected to an ignition switch 71 that is operated by an occupant to perform an ignition operation, such as a push-type switch, and an immobilizer coil 72 that is installed in the vicinity of the position where the emergency key 53 is disposed. Thus, signals from these devices 71 and 72 are input, respectively.

  The immobilizer coil 72 generates an electromotive force in the transponder 53b and outputs an authentication code from the transponder 53b by outputting a driving radio wave in a state where the emergency key 53 is disposed at a predetermined arrangement position 54. Then, the authentication code is output to the engine control unit 6.

  An ignition starter 81 is also connected to the engine control unit 6. The engine control unit 6 receives the authentication code from the keyless control unit 1 or the authentication code from the immobilizer coil 72, authenticates the authentication code, and outputs a drive signal to the ignition starter 81 when authenticated. Then, the engine is started.

  An operation in the immobilizer system including the keyless system having the above-described configuration will be described. First, when an occupant carrying the portable device 5 operates the request switch 23, the LF radio wave from the antenna 21 is received and an authentication code stored in the transceiver 52 of the portable device 5 is transmitted. The authentication code is received by the receiver 22 and output to the keyless control unit 1 and the engine control unit 6.

  The engine control unit 6 determines whether or not the portable device 5 is authorized by authenticating the authentication code. As a result, when it is normal, the keyless control unit 1 outputs an unlock command / lock command to the door lock actuator 32 in accordance with the door lock / unlock state detected by the door lock link switch 25. The door is unlocked / locked.

  Next, when an occupant carrying the portable device 5 operates the ignition switch 71, the LF radio wave from the antenna 21 is received and the authentication code stored in the transceiver 52 of the portable device 5 is transmitted. The authentication code is received by the receiver 22 and output to the keyless control unit 1 and the engine control unit 6.

  The engine control unit 6 determines whether or not the portable device 5 is authorized by authenticating the authentication code. As a result, when it is normal, the engine is started by outputting a start command to the ignition starter 81.

  On the other hand, when the door is locked / unlocked when communication between the portable device 5 and the vehicle-mounted device 4 is impossible, the occupant removes the emergency key 53 from the portable device 5 and presses the mechanical key 53a. Insert the door key slot to lock / unlock the door.

  When the engine is started when communication between the portable device 5 and the vehicle-mounted device 4 is impossible, the occupant places the emergency key 53 removed from the portable device 5 at the arrangement position 54 in the vehicle interior. In this state, the ignition switch 71 is operated. As a result, a driving radio wave is output from the immobilizer coil 72, whereby an electromotive force is generated in the transponder 53b, and an authentication code is output from the transponder 53b. The authentication code is input to the engine control unit 6 via the immobilizer coil 72, and the engine control unit 6 determines whether or not the portable device 5 is authorized by authenticating the authentication code. As a result, when it is normal, the engine is started by outputting a start command to the ignition starter 81.

  Thus, the emergency key is used to lock / unlock the door and turn on the ignition.

  Next, control in the immobilizer system will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The flow shown in FIG. 2 is a flow showing control for preventing the emergency key 53 from being forgotten, and starts when the ignition is turned off from on. First, in step SA1, based on the detection signal from the door opening switch 24, it is determined whether or not the driver side door has been opened. When the door opening is detected YES, the process proceeds to step SA2, while when it is not detected NO, the process returns.

  In step SA2, the immobilizing coil 72 is caused to output driving radio waves (challenge transmission), and it is determined whether or not there is a response from the transponder 53b for the challenge transmission. If there is a response, the authentication code is authenticated, and it is also determined whether or not the emergency key 53 is authentic. When the response from the normal transponder 53b is YES, the process proceeds to step SA3. On the other hand, when the response from the normal transponder 53b is NO, the process returns.

  In step SA3, the warning buzzer 31 is activated, thereby alerting the occupant that the emergency key 53 remains in the arrangement position 54.

  Thus, when the emergency key 53 is placed at the arrangement position 54 and the door is opened, a warning is given to the occupant, thereby preventing the emergency key 53 from being forgotten.

  The flow shown in FIG. 3 is a flow for preventing the emergency key 53 from being trapped, and starts when the ignition is turned off from on. First, in step SB1, based on the detection signal of the door lock link switch 25, it is determined whether or not the door on the driver's seat side is locked. When YES is detected that the lock is detected, the process proceeds to step SB2, while when NO is detected, the process returns.

  In step SB2, the immobilizer coil 72 is caused to execute driving radio wave output (challenge transmission), and it is determined whether or not there is a response from the transponder 53b for the challenge transmission. If there is a response, the authentication code is authenticated, and it is also determined whether or not the emergency key 53 is authentic. When the response from the normal transponder 53b is YES, the process proceeds to step SB3, while when the response from the normal transponder 53b is not, the process returns.

  In step SB3, the door lock actuator 32 is driven to unlock the door, thereby unlocking the door.

  Thus, when the emergency key 53 is placed at the arrangement position 54 and the door is locked, the lock of the emergency key 53 is prevented by releasing the lock.

  As described above, according to the immobilizer system of this configuration, whether or not the emergency key 53 exists at a predetermined arrangement position using communication between the transponder 53b that transmits and receives the authentication code and the immobilizer coil 72. Therefore, a key insertion switch composed of, for example, a contact-type mechanical switch or the like for determining whether or not to forget to remove the key is not necessary. Also, if there is a contact type key insertion switch, the accuracy of the key slot is required so that the switch can be securely contacted by inserting the key. It becomes unnecessary. As a result, cost can be reduced.

  Further, when there is a mechanical key insertion switch, the position where the switch is disposed is limited. However, in this configuration where there is no key insertion switch, such a restriction is eliminated, and the arrangement position of the emergency key 53 is eliminated. Design freedom increases.

  In the above embodiment, the immobilizer system includes a keyless system, but the present invention can also be applied to an immobilizer system that does not include a keyless system. In this case, instead of the emergency key 53, a transponder 53b is built in with respect to a normal key.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the mechanical key 53a is attached to the emergency key 53, the mechanical key 53a is not essential in this invention.

  As described above, the present invention eliminates the need for a key insertion switch such as a contact-type mechanical switch for determining whether or not to forget to remove a key, and is useful as an immobilizer system for a vehicle.

It is a block diagram of the immobilizer system which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which concerns on the control for preventing forgetting to take an emergency key. It is a flowchart concerning the control for preventing the emergency key from being trapped.

Explanation of symbols

1 Keyless control unit (notification means, release means)
24 Door open switch 25 Door lock link switch (door lock switch)
31 Warning buzzer (notification means)
32 Door lock actuator (release means)
4 In-vehicle device 5 Portable device 53 Emergency key 53b Transponder 6 Engine control unit (starting means, judging means)
71 Ignition switch 72 Immobilizer coil (immobilizer antenna)
81 Ignition starter (starting means)

Claims (6)

An ignition switch operated by an occupant to operate the ignition,
A transponder that is embedded in the key carried by the occupant and transmits an identification code by an electromotive force generated by receiving a driving radio wave;
An immobilizer antenna installed in the vicinity of a predetermined arrangement position where the occupant arranges the key when starting the engine, outputs the driving radio wave to the transponder, and receives an identification code transmitted from the transponder; ,
And determining whether or not the key is authentic by authenticating the identification code received by the immobilizer antenna, and at the time of normality, starting means for enabling the operation of the ignition switch and starting the engine;
A door opening switch for detecting opening / closing of a vehicle door;
When the door open signal is received from the door open switch with the ignition turned off, the drive radio wave is output to the immobilizer antenna and the response state from the transponder to the drive radio wave is determined. An immobilizer system comprising: determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle exists at the arrangement position. The system of claim 1, wherein
An immobilizer system further comprising a notifying unit that issues a warning to the occupant when the determining unit determines that the key is present at the arrangement position. The system of claim 2, wherein
The notification means is an immobilizer system that is a buzzer. An ignition switch operated by an occupant to operate the ignition,
A transponder that is embedded in the key carried by the occupant and transmits an identification code by an electromotive force generated by receiving a driving radio wave;
An immobilizer antenna installed in the vicinity of a predetermined arrangement position where the occupant arranges the key when starting the engine, outputs the driving radio wave to the transponder, and receives an identification code transmitted from the transponder; ,
And determining whether or not the key is authentic by authenticating the identification code received by the immobilizer antenna, and at the time of normality, starting means for enabling the operation of the ignition switch and starting the engine;
A door lock switch for detecting the lock / unlock of the vehicle door;
When receiving a lock signal from the door lock switch with the ignition turned off, the immobilizer antenna outputs the driving radio wave and determines the response state from the transponder to the driving radio wave, and the key is An immobilizer system comprising: determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle exists at the arrangement position. The system of claim 4, wherein
An immobilizer system further comprising release means for unlocking the door when the determination means determines that the key is present at the arrangement position. The immobilizer system according to claim 1 or 4,
The identification code transmitted from the portable device carried by the occupant is received by the in-vehicle device, the identification code is authenticated, and at least the vehicle door is unlocked and the ignition is turned on according to the authentication result. A keyless system to allow,
The key is an immobilizer system that is an emergency key that is used when communication between the portable device and the vehicle-mounted device is disabled in the keyless system.

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