JP2008190148A - Keyless entry system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a keyless entry system, registering a register operation pattern having high reliability as an authentication code. <P>SOLUTION: This keyless entry system 1 includes: an operation pattern detecting means 70 for detecting a pattern of a series of insert and remove operation and a turning operation of a mechanical key in unlocking a door lock; an authentication means 60 for determining whether or not the operation pattern detected by the operation pattern detecting means 70 corresponds to a previously registered register operation pattern; and a body ECU 40 for restraining the operation of a security system of a vehicle when the detected operation pattern is determined to correspond to the registered operation pattern by the authentication means 60. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a keyless entry system that appropriately suppresses the operation of a vehicle security system.

Conventionally, after detecting the open state of the shutter of the door key cylinder, a series of rotation detection signals obtained by combining the rotation detection signals of the door key rotation switch as data elements in a time series are registered codes as data element strings. There is known a vehicle antitheft device that cancels the activation state of the security system when they match (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this vehicle antitheft device, the registration code is operated, for example, by turning the door key cylinder in the A direction on the lock side, B times on the unlock side, C times on the lock side, and D times on the unlock side. By doing so, the number of times of four digits “ABCD” is set to a desired value. The registration code can be updated.
Japanese Patent No. 2871413

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, a registration code related to only a series of twisting operation patterns of a mechanical key is used as an authentication code. However, a registration code pattern is only obtained from a series of twisting operation patterns. Since there is a limit to increasing (variations), there is a problem that reliability as an authentication code is insufficient.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a keyless entry system capable of registering a registration operation pattern with high reliability as an authentication code.

In order to achieve the above object, a keyless entry system according to the first invention comprises an operation pattern detection means for detecting a pattern of a series of insertion / removal operations and twisting operations of a mechanical key at the time of unlocking a door lock,
Authentication means for determining whether the operation pattern detected by the operation pattern detection means corresponds to a registered operation pattern registered in advance;
And a security release unit that suppresses the operation of the security system of the vehicle when the authentication unit determines that the detected operation pattern corresponds to the registered operation pattern.

A second invention is a keyless entry system according to the first invention.
It is characterized by comprising registration means for registering an operation pattern detected by the operation pattern detection means during the registration mode as the registration operation pattern.

A third invention is the keyless entry system according to the first invention,
The keyless entry system according to claim 1, wherein the registration mode is activated when an instruction is received from a user. Thereby, since the user can update a registration operation pattern arbitrarily, the confidentiality of a registration operation pattern can be improved.

A fourth invention is the keyless entry system according to the first invention,
The portion related to the insertion / removal operation in the pattern of the series of insertion / removal operations and twisting operations includes the number of insertion / removal operations with respect to the insertion hole of the mechanical key, the insertion time, the time interval between successive different operations, the insertion speed, the extraction speed, and , Defined by at least one parameter of the insertion depth. This makes it possible to set a registration operation pattern with high security.

A fifth invention is the keyless entry system according to the first invention,
Of the series of insertion / removal operation and twisting operation patterns, the portion related to the twisting operation includes the twisting direction of the mechanical key, the number of changes in the twisting direction, the twisting speed, the twisting angle, and between different consecutive operations. Defined by at least one parameter of the time interval and the holding time at a predetermined twisting angle. This makes it possible to set a registration operation pattern with high security.

  According to the present invention, a keyless entry system capable of registering a registration operation pattern with high reliability as an authentication code can be obtained.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  First, prior to the description of the keyless entry system 1 according to the present invention, a configuration in the vicinity of a door outside handle of a vehicle door will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration in the vicinity of a door outside handle of a vehicle door.

  A key cylinder (key interlocking door lock switch) 80 is set near the door outside handle of the door. As usual, the key cylinder 80 is mechanically connected to a door lock mechanism via a link or cable. For the key cylinder 80, the key plate of the mechanical key can be inserted / removed and twisted as usual. When a mechanical key is inserted into the key cylinder 80 and twisted in the door unlocking direction to the door unlocking position, the door is mechanically unlocked via the door locking mechanism. Further, when a mechanical key is inserted into the key cylinder 80 and twisted to the door lock position in the door lock direction, the door is mechanically locked via the door lock mechanism.

  The key cylinder 80 includes a shutter (not shown) that can open and close an entrance of a hole into which a key plate of a mechanical key is inserted. The key cylinder 80 is provided with a shutter switch 72 (see FIG. 2) that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the open / close state of the shutter. The key cylinder 80 is provided with a door key rotation switch 74 (see FIG. 2) that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the rotational position of the key cylinder 80 by a twisting operation. In this example, the door key rotation switch 74 outputs an unlock signal when the rotation position of the key cylinder 80 is at the door unlock position, and the lock signal when the rotation position of the key cylinder 80 is at the door lock position. Is output. However, the door key rotation switch 74 may be a sensor or switch that detects the rotation position (twisting angle) of the key cylinder 80 with higher resolution.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main configuration related to an embodiment of the keyless entry system 1 according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the keyless entry system 1 includes a portable electronic key 10 carried by a user and an in-vehicle system 20 mounted on the vehicle.

The electronic key 10 includes a transmitter / receiver (transponder) 12 that performs two-way communication with a vehicle-mounted system 20 by a weak radio wave outside the vehicle. A transceiver antenna 13 is connected to the transceiver 12. The transceiver 12 is connected to a memory 14 that stores a given valid encryption code (ID code).
The electronic key 10 may be a mechanical key built-in key including a mechanical key capable of locking and unlocking a vehicle door by a user operation. Alternatively, the electronic key 10 may be a key independent of the mechanical key.

  The in-vehicle system 20 includes an out-of-vehicle communication transmitter / receiver 22 that performs two-way communication with the electronic key 10 by a weak radio wave outside the vehicle. The transceiver 22 is disposed at an appropriate position of the vehicle (for example, a position corresponding to each door and trunk of the vehicle). A transceiver antenna 25 is connected to the transceiver 22.

  The in-vehicle system 20 includes a smart ECU 30. Like the other ECUs, the smart ECU 30 is configured as a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like that are connected to each other via a bus (not shown). A body ECU 40 and a door lock system 60 are connected to the in-vehicle system 20.

  The body ECU 40 includes an authentication means 60, an alarm means 50, an electronically controllable door lock actuator 52 for unlocking and locking the door lock, a courtesy switch 76 for outputting an electric signal corresponding to the open / closed state of the door, And the touch sensor 78 (refer also FIG. 1) provided in the door outside handle of a door is connected.

  The alarm means 50 is a device that can receive an alarm command (drive signal) from the body ECU 40 and output an alarm by sound or light (including video) such as a horn, a light, and a hazard lamp to the outside of the vehicle. The alarm means 50 may be a device with a communication function that transmits information indicating “door opened” to an authorized user's mobile phone or an external center as an alarm.

  When the security mode is in the ON state, the body ECU 40 issues an alarm command to output an alarm to the alarm means 50 when it detects the opening of the door based on the output signal from the courtesy switch 76. The body ECU 40 does not output such an alarm command to the alarm means 50 when the security mode is in the off state. The on / off state of the security mode is switched based on an authentication result by an authentication unit 60 described later and an authentication result by the smart ECU 30.

  The smart ECU 30 includes a memory 31 that stores a given valid encryption code (ID code). The memory 31 stores a valid encryption code that matches the encryption code stored in the memory 14 on the electronic key 10 side. For example, the encryption code stored in the memory 31 and the encryption code stored in the memory 14 on the electronic key 10 side may be the same code.

  The smart ECU 30 requests the transmitter / receiver 22 to periodically transmit a request signal under a predetermined situation. In response, the transceiver 22 periodically transmits a request signal toward a predetermined area outside the vehicle. The request signal is transmitted using, for example, 134.2 kHz as a use band, and is given a strength such that the communication distance with the electronic key 10 is about several meters. When the electronic key 10 exists in a predetermined area outside the vehicle, the request signal is received by the transmitter / receiver 12 of the electronic key 10 via the transmission / reception antenna 13. The transceiver 12 of the electronic key 10 transmits a response signal via the transmission / reception antenna 13 in response to the request signal. In the response signal, the encryption code stored in the memory 14 is incorporated. Upon receiving the response signal from the electronic key 10, the transceiver 22 performs predetermined processing such as amplification and demodulation on the response signal received from the electronic key 10, and then supplies the demodulated response signal to the smart ECU 30. To do. The smart ECU 30 compares the encryption code included in the received response signal with the encryption code stored in the memory 31, and if they match, the authentication result (key authentication) that the user is a legitimate user. Is output to the body ECU 40. The body ECU 40 receives the key authentication from the smart ECU 30 and turns off the security mode. Further, the body ECU 40 receives the key authentication from the smart ECU 30 and shifts to a standby state for unlocking the door lock. In this standby state, the body ECU 40 detects an operation on the door outside handle based on an output signal from the touch sensor 78 (see also FIG. 1), and simultaneously unlocks the door lock by driving the door lock actuator 52.

  If the electronic key 10 has a function of transmitting a wireless signal by a user's button operation, the same processing as the authentication for the response signal described above may be executed for this wireless signal. . That is, when the encryption code included in the wireless signal is a normal encryption code, the smart ECU 30 may output an authentication result (key authentication) indicating that the user is a normal user to the body ECU 40. Also in this case, the body ECU 40 receives the key authentication from the smart ECU 30, turns off the security mode, and unlocks the door lock by driving the door lock actuator 52.

  Connected to the authenticating means 60 is an operation pattern detecting means 70 for detecting a pattern of a mechanical key insertion / removal operation and twisting operation when unlocking the door lock, and a rewritable memory 61 for storing a registered operation pattern. Is done.

  A shutter switch 72 and a door key rotation switch 74 are connected to the operation pattern detection means 70. Based on the output signals from the shutter switch 72 and the door key rotation switch 74, the operation pattern detecting means 70 is a series of mechanical key insertion / removal operations and twisting operations (hereinafter referred to as “operation”) with respect to the key cylinder 80 (see FIG. 1). "Pattern"). The operation pattern detected by the operation pattern detection unit 70 is supplied to the authentication unit 60.

  A predetermined operation pattern that can be detected by the operation pattern detection means 70 is stored in the memory 61 as a registered operation pattern. The registration operation pattern can be registered and updated by the registration means 62. The registration unit 62 may write an operation pattern manually created or input by a user or an operator of an authorized dealer into the memory 61 as a registered operation pattern, or may be detected by the operation pattern detection unit 70 during the registration mode. The operation pattern to be performed may be written in the memory 61 as a registered operation pattern. In the latter case, the registration mode can be arbitrarily activated by the user. For example, the registration mode may be activated by the user operating a registration mode switch provided at a predetermined location of the vehicle. Alternatively, the registration mode may be formed only while the user is touching the touch switch 78.

  The authentication unit 60 compares the operation pattern detected by the operation pattern detection unit 70 with the registered operation pattern stored in the memory 61, and if they match, the authentication result that the user is an authorized user ( Key operation authentication) is output to the body ECU 40. The body ECU 40 receives the key operation authentication from the smart ECU 30 and turns off the security mode.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a registration operation pattern. In FIG. 3, the registration operation pattern is represented based on the state of output signals from the shutter switch 72 and the door key rotation switch 74.

  In the registration operation pattern shown in FIG. 3, the opening / closing operation of the shutter switch 72, that is, the insertion / removal operation of the mechanical key is performed a total of three times, and at the first insertion, the mechanical key is twisted to the lock position and then twisted to the unlock position. It indicates that the mechanical key is twisted to the locked position when inserted for the second time, and the mechanical key is twisted to the unlocked position for the third insertion. In the case of such a registration operation pattern, the authentication unit 60 may determine whether the generation status of output signals from the shutter switch 72 and the door key rotation switch 74 corresponds to the registration operation pattern.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the registration operation pattern is set only by the mechanical key twisting operation mode by setting the registration operation pattern by combining the mechanical key twisting operation mode and the key insertion / removal operation mode. Compared to the case, the variation of the registered operation pattern can be increased, and the reliability of the registered operation pattern as an authentication code can be improved. Moreover, since the registration operation pattern is defined by a simple operation mode of the mechanical key with respect to the key cylinder 80, the user is not forced to perform a difficult operation.

  Here, the registration operation pattern may include a time factor in order to improve security. Examples of temporal elements related to the insertion / removal operation include a mechanical key insertion time, a time interval between successive insertion operations, and the like. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the key insertion time at the first insertion is the time from time t0 when the shutter switch 72 open signal is output to time t5 when the shutter switch 72 close signal is output. May be measured. The evaluation for the insertion time may be realized by determining whether the insertion time is short or slow with respect to the predetermined threshold. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the time interval between successive insertion operations may be measured as the time from the first insertion operation end time t5 to the second insertion operation start time t6. The evaluation of the time interval between consecutive insertion operations may be realized by determining whether the time interval is long or short with respect to the predetermined threshold value.

  In addition, examples of temporal factors related to the twisting operation include a twisting speed and a holding time at a predetermined twisting angle. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the twisting speed may be measured as the time from the time point t2 at which the lock signal is not output to the time point t3 at which the unlock signal is output. The evaluation of the twisting speed may be realized by determining whether the twisting speed is early or late with respect to the predetermined threshold. The holding time at a predetermined twisting angle is, for example, the time during which the rotation position of the key cylinder 80 is held at the door lock position. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the time during which the lock signal is output (t1). ~ T2) may be measured. In addition, the holding time at a predetermined twisting angle is, for example, the time during which the rotation position of the key cylinder 80 is held at the door unlock position. In the example shown in FIG. 3, an unlock signal is output. It may be measured as the time (t3 to t4). The evaluation of the holding time at a predetermined twisting angle may be realized by determining whether the holding time is shorter or slower than a predetermined threshold.

  Moreover, as another time element, you may include the time interval between operation between insertion / extraction operation and twisting operation. For example, the time interval between operations between the insertion operation and the twisting operation may be measured as, for example, the time from the insertion operation time t0 to the twisting operation time t1 in the example illustrated in FIG. Evaluation of the time interval between operations between the insertion / extraction operation and the twisting operation may be realized by determining whether the time interval is longer or shorter than a predetermined threshold.

  Further, the registration operation pattern may be one in which a half-insertion or half-extraction operation of a mechanical key or a half-twisting operation is taken into account.

  The half-insertion or half-extraction operation of the mechanical key may be detected using a sensor or switch that detects the insertion depth of the mechanical key. For example, the intermediate shutter may be simply set at a position near half the depth of the key cylinder 80, and the opening / closing of the intermediate shutter may be detected by a similar shutter switch. When such a sensor or switch is set, a registered operation pattern that takes into account the insertion speed and extraction speed may be used. For example, the insertion speed may be evaluated based on the time from when the shutter (entrance side shutter) is opened until the intermediate shutter is opened, or after the intermediate shutter is closed, the shutter (entrance side shutter). The removal speed may be evaluated based on the time until is closed. The evaluation of the insertion speed and the extraction speed may be realized by determining whether the insertion speed or the extraction speed is faster or slower than a predetermined threshold.

  The half-twisting operation may be detected using a sensor or switch that detects the rotation angle of the key cylinder 80 with high resolution. For example, simply, when the rotation position of the key cylinder 80 is at an intermediate position between the neutral position and the door unlock position, an unlock-side intermediate position signal is output, and the rotation position of the key cylinder 80 is changed between the neutral position and the door. A sensor or switch that outputs a lock-side intermediate position signal when it is at an intermediate position between the lock positions may be set. When such a sensor or switch is set, a registered operation pattern that takes into account the twisting speed may be used. For example, the twisting speed in the unlocking direction may be evaluated based on the time from when the unlock side intermediate position signal is output to the time when the unlock signal is output, or the lock side intermediate position signal is output. The twisting speed in the locking direction may be evaluated by the time from the time point to the time point when the lock signal is output. The evaluation of the twisting speed may be realized by determining whether the twisting speed is fast or slow with respect to a predetermined threshold value.

  When various parameters are taken into consideration in this way, variations in the registered operation pattern can be further increased, and the reliability of the registered operation pattern as an authentication code can be further increased. As an example, insertion operation (low speed), half twisting operation to unlock side (low speed), removal operation (high speed), insertion operation (high speed), twisting operation to door lock position (high speed) It is also possible to increase the number of registered operation pattern variations by combining relatively simple operations such as half-punch operation (low speed), insertion operation, and twisting operation to the door unlock position (high speed). .

  Next, main operations realized in the keyless entry system 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step 100, a door unlocking operation by the electronic key 10 is performed by the user. At this stage, the security mode is on.

  In step 110, the smart ECU 30 authenticates the encryption code included in the response signal sent from the electronic key 10. As a result, when key authentication is obtained, the security mode is turned off, and the door lock is unlocked (unlocked) simultaneously with the operation of the door outside handle by the user. When the door lock is unlocked in this way (YES in step 110), the process is terminated. If the door lock is not unlocked (NO determination at step 110), the security mode is maintained in the on state, and the process proceeds to step 120.

  In step 120, a door unlock operation using a mechanical key is performed by the user.

  In step 130, when it is detected based on the output signal of the shutter switch 72 that the mechanical key has been inserted into the key cylinder 80 in the door unlock operation process in step 120, the keyless entry system 1 enters the authentication mode. Transition. In the authentication mode, based on output signals from the shutter switch 72 and the door key rotation switch 74, the operation pattern when the door is unlocked by the user using the mechanical key is detected and stored by the operation pattern detection means 70.

  In step 140, the door is opened by the user.

  In step 150, the body ECU 40 detects the opening of the door based on the output signal from the courtesy switch 76.

  In step 160, the authentication unit 60 reads the registered operation pattern from the memory 61 and compares the operation pattern detected in step 130 with the registered operation pattern.

  In step 170, the authentication means 60 notifies the body ECU 40 of the comparison result in step 160 described above.

  In step 180, when the comparison result from the authentication means 60 indicates that the registered operation pattern matches the detected operation pattern, the body ECU 40 turns off the security mode and ends the process. In this case, no alarm is output via the alarm means 50. As a result, even if the authorized user has to open the door using the mechanical key due to, for example, the battery of the electronic key 10 being out of battery or communication failure, the door using the mechanical key according to the registered operation pattern that has been grasped. If the unlocking operation is performed, the user can get into the vehicle without sounding the alarm. On the other hand, if the comparison result from the authentication unit 60 represents a mismatch between the registered operation pattern and the detected operation pattern, the process proceeds to step 190.

  In step 190, the body ECU 40 maintains the security mode ON state, sounds an alarm via the alarm means 50, and alerts the surroundings. Here, since an unauthorized intruder does not know the registered operation pattern, an operation pattern corresponding to the registered operation pattern is not detected when the door is opened by an unauthorized means. Accordingly, the alarm output of this step 190 is surely executed for an unauthorized intruder, and it is possible to call the unauthorized intruder and give up the execution of the theft. It becomes.

  According to the keyless entry system 1 according to the present embodiment described above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

  As described above, the reliability of the authentication code is greatly increased by using the registration operation pattern regarding the series of insertion / removal operations and twisting operations of the mechanical key with respect to the key cylinder 80 as the authentication code for turning off the security mode. Can do.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Can be added.

  For example, in the embodiment described above, the functions of the authentication unit 60, the registration unit 62, the operation pattern detection unit 70, and the memory 61 may be incorporated in the body ECU 40 or the smart ECU 30.

  In the above-described embodiment, the registration operation pattern is set by adding a user operation pattern to the touch sensor 78 and the lock switch 90 (see FIG. 1) provided on the door in addition to the above-described mechanical key operation pattern. May be. Also in this case, the reliability of the registration operation pattern as an authentication code can be greatly increased.

It is a figure showing the composition near the door outside handle of the door of a vehicle. It is a figure which shows the main structures relevant to one Example of the keyless entry system 1 by this invention. It is explanatory drawing of an example of a registration operation pattern. 3 is a flowchart showing main operations realized in the keyless entry system 1.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Keyless entry system 10 Electronic key 12 Transmitter / receiver 13 Transmit / receive antenna 14 Memory 20 In-vehicle system 22 Transmitter / receiver 30 Smart ECU
31 memory 40 body ECU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 Alarm means 52 Door lock actuator 60 Authentication means 61 Memory 62 Registration means 70 Operation pattern detection means 72 Shutter switch 74 Door key rotation switch 76 Courtesy switch 78 Touch sensor 80 Key cylinder 90 Lock switch

Claims (5)

An operation pattern detecting means for detecting a pattern of a series of insertion / removal operations and twisting operations of a mechanical key at the time of unlocking the door lock;
Authentication means for determining whether the operation pattern detected by the operation pattern detection means corresponds to a registered operation pattern registered in advance;
A keyless entry system comprising: a security release unit that suppresses an operation of a security system of a vehicle when the authentication unit determines that the detected operation pattern corresponds to the registered operation pattern.   The keyless entry system according to claim 1, further comprising: a registration unit that registers an operation pattern detected by the operation pattern detection unit during the registration mode as the registration operation pattern.   The keyless entry system according to claim 1, wherein the registration mode is activated when an instruction is received from a user.   The portion related to the insertion / removal operation in the pattern of the series of insertion / removal operations and twisting operations includes the number of insertion / removal operations with respect to the insertion hole of the mechanical key, the insertion time, the time interval between successive different operations, the insertion speed, the extraction speed, and The keyless entry system according to claim 1, defined by at least one parameter of the insertion depth.   Of the series of insertion / removal operation and twisting operation patterns, the portion related to the twisting operation includes the twisting direction of the mechanical key, the number of changes in the twisting direction, the twisting speed, the twisting angle, and between different consecutive operations. 2. The keyless entry system according to claim 1, defined by at least one of a time interval and a holding time at a predetermined twisting angle.

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