JP2008190252A - Smart entry abnormality determining system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately determine whether or not a cause of an incident that a smart entry system does not operate normally is a sporadic one influenced by a noise. <P>SOLUTION: A smart entry abnormality determining system 1 comprises a key-side transceiver 12 transmitting a data frame structured to include a header part having a header code and a data part having a decryption code, a vehicle-side receiver 24 receiving the data frame transmitted from the key-side transceiver 12, a door locking system 60 unlocking a vehicle door when the decryption code of the data frame received by the vehicle-side receiver 24 corresponds to the decryption code related to an authorized user, and an abnormality determining part 34 determining it as a single isolated communication abnormality caused by the noise that only a part of the data frame received by the vehicle-side receiver 24 is destroyed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a smart entry abnormality determination system that appropriately determines abnormality of a smart entry system.

  Conventionally, when a wireless signal transmitted by a user operating a switch of a portable device (key) is received and the ID code included in the wireless signal is valid, locking or unlocking the door lock of the vehicle A keyless entry system for performing the above is known.

  In recent years, two-way communication is performed by weak radio waves between a transmission / reception device mounted on a vehicle and a portable device, and an approach to a legitimate user's vehicle is detected by confirming the ID code of the portable device, A smart entry system that releases the door lock of the vehicle simultaneously with the detection of the operation of the door outer handle has been proposed. In this smart entry system, communication is performed even when the user sits in the driver's seat after opening and closing the door, and the immobilizer function is released and the steering lock is released by checking the valid ID code of the portable device. The Thereafter, the user can manually operate a dial switch or the like to turn on the ignition switch and start the engine without inserting the portable device (key) into the ignition cylinder. Furthermore, in this smart entry system, communication is also performed when the user turns off the ignition switch and leaves the vehicle after opening and closing the door, and by detecting the separation of the portable device having a valid ID code, Set to locked state. As described above, in the smart entry system, if the user has a portable device, various operations by the portable device are unnecessary, and convenience is achieved.

With regard to this type of smart entry system, in order to avoid the influence of noise on the communication performed in the smart entry system, a technology for limiting the operation of noise generating sources such as inverters when communicating in the smart entry system is known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-197649 A

  By the way, since various radio waves are flying in the surrounding environment of the vehicle, the radio waves of other systems are likely to be mixed as noise for the smart entry system. The maximum output of weak radio waves used for communication in the smart entry system is limited by the domestic radio law. For this reason, it is difficult to ensure a large transmission power that is not affected by noise, and a data frame transmitted on a weak radio wave is very susceptible to noise. If the data frame is affected by noise, the header portion of the data frame may be destroyed, and the smart entry system may not operate normally. In such a case, even if the reason why the smart entry system does not operate normally is a one-time effect due to the influence of noise, if the user cannot be informed about this, There is a risk that it will be mistaken for failure.

  Therefore, the present invention can accurately determine whether or not the cause when the smart entry system does not operate normally is a single occurrence due to the influence of noise, and the cause is a single occurrence due to the influence of noise. In such a case, it is an object of the present invention to provide a smart entry abnormality determination system that allows a user to know that fact.

In order to achieve the above object, a smart entry abnormality determination system according to a first invention is provided in a portable key and transmits a data frame having a structure including a header portion and a data portion in which an encryption code is incorporated. Side transmission means,
Vehicle-side receiving means provided on the vehicle side for receiving a data frame sent from the key-side transmitting means;
Door lock control means for unlocking the door of the vehicle when the encryption code of the data frame provided on the vehicle side corresponds to the encryption code related to the authorized user, received by the vehicle-side receiving means;
And an abnormality determining unit that determines that a single communication abnormality is caused by noise when only a part of the data frame received by the vehicle-side receiving unit is destroyed.

The second invention is the smart entry abnormality determination system according to the first invention,
The abnormality determining means determines that it is an unknown failure cause when both the header part and the data part of the data frame received by the vehicle side receiving means are destroyed,
When the abnormality determining means determines that it is an unknown cause of failure, it further comprises notification means for notifying the user of that fact.

A third invention is the smart entry abnormality determination system according to the first invention,
The abnormality determination means determines that the communication frame is a single communication abnormality due to noise when the header code of the data frame received by the vehicle side reception means is destroyed and the encryption code is not destroyed. It is characterized by.

4th invention is the smart entry abnormality determination system which concerns on 1st invention,
In the data portion, a plurality of the same encryption codes are incorporated,
The abnormality determination unit is configured to generate a single occurrence of noise when a header code of the data frame received by the vehicle side reception unit is not destroyed and a part of the plurality of encryption codes is destroyed. It is characterized in that the determination that there is a general communication abnormality is reserved.

5th invention is the smart entry abnormality determination system which concerns on 1st invention,
A retry requesting unit for requesting the key side transmission unit to retransmit the data frame when the abnormality determination unit determines that it is a single communication abnormality due to noise;
The abnormality determination means, when only a part of at least one data frame among the data frames sent from the key side transmission means a plurality of times including when requested by the retry request means is destroyed, It is determined that it is a single communication abnormality due to noise.

A sixth invention is the smart entry abnormality determination system according to the first invention,
When the abnormality determination means determines that the communication abnormality is a single occurrence due to noise, the abnormality determination means further includes notification means for notifying the user of that fact.

A seventh invention is the smart entry abnormality determination system according to the sixth invention,
The notification means performs the notification when door unlocking by a mechanical key is detected.

The eighth invention is the smart entry abnormality determination system according to the sixth or seventh invention,
The notification means performs the notification in an aspect that can be perceived by hearing or vision through an information output means arranged in a vehicle or an information output means provided on the key side.

A ninth invention is the smart entry abnormality determination system according to any one of the sixth to eighth inventions,
The notification means performs the notification through an external information center that is installed outside a vehicle and can communicate with a user who has the portable key.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a smart entry abnormality determination system capable of accurately determining whether or not the cause when the smart entry system does not operate normally is a single occurrence due to the influence of noise.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of an embodiment of a smart entry abnormality determination system 1 according to the present invention. The smart entry abnormality determination system 1 of the present embodiment is incorporated in a smart entry system, and the smart entry system includes a portable key 10 carried by a user and an in-vehicle device 20 mounted on a vehicle.

  The key 10 includes a transceiver (transponder) 12 that performs two-way communication with a vehicle-mounted device 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). Note that the key 10 may be a key with a built-in mechanical key including a mechanical key that can lock and unlock the door of the vehicle by a user operation.

  The in-vehicle device 20 includes a transmitter 22 and a receiver 24 for vehicle communication that perform two-way communication with the key 10 by a weak radio wave outside the vehicle. The transmitter 22 and the receiver 24 are disposed at appropriate positions of the vehicle (for example, positions corresponding to the doors and the trunk of the vehicle). A transmitter antenna 23 and a receiver antenna 25 are connected to the transmitter 22 and the receiver 24, respectively.

  The vehicle-mounted device 20 includes a control ECU 30. The control ECU 30 is configured as a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like connected to each other via a bus (not shown). The ROM stores various programs and data to be processed by the CPU when realizing various functional units described below.

  The control 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 key 10 side. For example, the encryption code stored in the memory 31 and the encryption code stored in the memory 14 on the key 10 side may be the same code.

  Connected to the control ECU 30 are a transmitter 22 and a receiver 24, an information output means 50, and a door lock system 60. The information output means 50 and the door lock system 60 are typically mounted on a vehicle, but the information output means 50 may be provided on the key 10 side.

  The information output means 50 may be, for example, a device that outputs sound via a speaker or the like, a device that outputs an image (image) such as a display or a display in a meter, or light such as an indicator. An output device may be used. In the case of a device that outputs light, the information output unit 50 may be any device that can transmit various types of information to the user depending on the intensity, color, blinking mode, and the like of light.

  The door lock system 60 is an ECU (not shown) that controls the unlocking and locking of the door lock based on the ID authentication result obtained from the control ECU 30, and an electronically controllable that realizes the unlocking and locking of the door lock. A door lock actuator (not shown).

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the control ECU 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the control ECU 30 includes a request control unit 32, an abnormality determination unit 34, and a notification control unit 38 as functional units that realize the main functions. The functions of these units will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing realized by the vehicle-mounted device 20 (mainly the control ECU 30).

  In step 100, the request control unit 32 of the control ECU 30 requests the transmitter 22 to transmit a request signal. In response to this, the transmitter 22 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 given a strength that the communication distance with the key 10 is about several meters. When the key 10 exists in a predetermined area outside the vehicle, the request signal is received by the transmitter / receiver 12 of the key 10 via the transmission / reception antenna 13. The transceiver 12 of the key 10 transmits a response signal via the transmission / reception antenna 13 in response to the request signal. The response signal is composed of a data frame as shown in FIG. 4, for example. In this example, the data frame includes a header portion that represents the head of the data frame and a data portion that represents the content of the data. A predetermined header code is incorporated in the header portion. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality (four in this example) of the same encryption code is incorporated in the data portion in order to ensure redundancy. This response signal is transmitted with a predetermined transmission power using, for example, 312 to 434 kHz as a use band.

  In step 110, the receiver 24 of the vehicle-mounted device 20 receives the response signal from the key 10. The receiver 24 performs predetermined processing such as amplification and demodulation on the response signal received from the key 10, and then supplies the demodulated response signal to the abnormality determination unit 34 of the control ECU 30.

  In step 120, the abnormality determination unit 34 of the control ECU 30 compares the encryption code included in the received response signal with the encryption code stored in the memory 31.

  In step 130, the abnormality determination unit 34 of the control ECU 30 determines whether or not the response signal sent from the current key 10 has been normally received based on the comparison result in step 120 described above. Here, normal reception of a response signal means reception of a response signal in which the header code of the header part is normal and the encryption code of the data part is normal. The normal encryption code is a code having a predetermined consistency with the encryption code stored in the memory 31. Typically, the normal encryption code is the same encryption code as the encryption code stored in the memory 31. When a plurality of encryption codes are incorporated as described above, if a predetermined number (1 in this example) or more of encryption codes are normal, it may be considered that the encryption code of the data portion is normal. If the reception is normal, the process proceeds to step 140; otherwise, the abnormality determination unit 34 determines that the communication is abnormal and proceeds to step 150.

  In step 140, the abnormality determination unit 34 of the control ECU 30 outputs an authentication result (key authentication) indicating that the user is an authorized user to the door lock system 60. Upon receiving the key authentication output from the abnormality determination unit 34, the door lock system 60 detects the operation of the door outer handle by a sensor (for example, a contact detection sensor) provided on the door outer handle, and simultaneously detects the door lock actuator. The door lock is unlocked by driving.

  In step 150, the abnormality determination unit 34 of the control ECU 30 determines whether or not a predetermined number of retries has been performed. If the specified number of retries has been performed, the process proceeds to step 160. If the specified number of retries has not been performed, the process returns to step 100 and the retry is executed. When returning to step 100, the request control unit 32 of the control ECU 30 requests the transmitter 22 again to transmit a request signal. In response to this, the transmitter 22 transmits the request signal again to a predetermined area outside the vehicle. When the key 10 still exists in a predetermined area outside the vehicle, the transceiver 12 of the key 10 transmits the response signal again via the transmission / reception antenna 13 in response to the request signal. Thus, when the abnormality determination part 34 outputs abnormality determination continuously, the request | requirement control part 32 of control ECU30 performs a retry request | requirement continuously predetermined times (until YES determination of step 150). It continues to request again to transmit a request signal to the transmitter 22.

  In step 160, the abnormality determination unit 34 of the control ECU 30 has received a response signal including a normal encryption code at least once, from the reception of the first response signal to the reception of the response signal by a specified number of retries. It is determined whether or not. If a response signal including a normal encryption code is received at least once, the process proceeds to step 170. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step 180.

  In step 170, the abnormality determination unit 34 of the control ECU 30 determines that the communication abnormality that has occurred this time is a single communication abnormality due to noise. In response to this determination, the notification control unit 38 notifies the user via the information output means 50 that “the abnormality that has occurred this time is a single communication abnormality due to noise”. As a result, the user can hold the key 10 and operate the door outer handle of the vehicle, but the abnormality that the door lock does not unlock is caused by a permanent failure of the smart entry system itself. Therefore, it can be understood that the cause is temporary noise caused by the surrounding environment. The information output means 50 may notify the user that “the abnormality that has occurred this time is a single communication abnormality due to noise” by means of a voice message or a text message on the video, or blink the indicator. Or may be lit in a predetermined color to notify the user that “the abnormality that occurred this time is a single communication abnormality due to noise”. In the latter case, the meaning of how the indicator is lit is well known to the user in advance by a user manual or the like.

  In step 180, the abnormality determination unit 34 of the control ECU 30 determines that the communication abnormality that has occurred this time is an unknown abnormality (that is, determines that it is an unknown cause of failure). In this case as well, in response to this determination, the notification control unit 38 notifies the user through the information output means 50 that “the abnormality that has occurred this time is an abnormality whose cause is unknown”. At this time, the notification control unit 38 may notify the user of supplementary content that instructs the dealer or the like to repair the abnormality. Thus, the user can permanently remove the malfunction of the smart entry system itself against the abnormality that the door lock does not unlock even though the key 10 is held and the door outer handle of the vehicle is operated. It can be understood that this is a normal abnormality. The information output means 50 may notify the user that “the abnormality that has occurred this time is an abnormality whose cause is unknown” or the like by a voice message or a text message on a video, The user may be informed that “the abnormality that has occurred this time is an abnormality whose cause is unknown” or the like. In the latter case, the indicator lighting method when informing that “the abnormality that has occurred this time is an abnormality whose cause is unknown” indicates that the above-mentioned “the abnormality that has occurred this time is a single communication abnormality due to noise”. It is set differently from the way of lighting. Similarly, how to turn on the indicator when notifying that “the abnormality that has occurred this time is an abnormality whose cause is unknown” is well known to the user in advance by a user manual or the like.

  When the information output means 50 is present in the vehicle, the notification in steps 170 and 180 is executed after the user unlocks the door manually using the mechanical key and opens the door. May be. Further, when the information output means 50 exists on the key 10 side (for example, when the information output means 50 is a display set to the key 10 or a mobile phone possessed by the user), the notification in the above steps 170 and 180 is performed. It may be executed when the user is outside the vehicle (that is, before the door is opened using the mechanical key). In this case, the notification content may be transmitted to the key 10 side via wireless communication between the vehicle-mounted device 20 and the key 10. Alternatively, the notification content may be transmitted to the key 10 side via the external information center 90 that can communicate with the key 10 and the vehicle-mounted device 20. That is, the notification content is transmitted to the key 10 side through wireless communication between the vehicle-mounted device 20 and the external information center 90 (see FIG. 1) and wireless communication between the external information center 90 and the key 10. May be.

  By the way, as a cause of occurrence of a communication abnormality in a situation where no permanent abnormality including a permanent failure of the smart entry system itself has occurred, typically, the reception intensity of the response signal from the key 10 is low ( The response signal from the key 10 may not be correctly received due to the influence of noise.

  FIG. 5A shows an example of the state of the response signal (data frame) when the reception strength of the response signal from the key 10 is low. FIGS. 5B and 5C show the response signal from the key 10. An example of the state of a response signal (data frame) when the response signal is affected by noise is shown. In FIG. 5 (A) to FIG. 5 (C), an abnormal code portion is indicated by a mark “×”.

  When the reception strength of the response signal from the key 10 is low, as shown in FIG. 5A, the data frame is totally destroyed, and many abnormal codes are likely to be contained as a whole. However, as in the example shown in FIG. 5A, the header code is not destroyed (ie, the header code is normal), and the fourth encryption code is not destroyed (ie, the fourth encryption code). If the code is normal), it is determined in step 130 in FIG. 4 that a normal response signal has been received, and key authentication is obtained. That is, in this case, the determination that “the abnormality that has occurred this time is a single communication abnormality due to noise” by the abnormality determination unit 34 is reserved. Unlike the example shown in FIG. 5A, when the header code is not destroyed (that is, the header code is normal) and the reception strength is low, all of the encryption code is destroyed. The determination by the abnormality determination unit 34 that “the abnormality that occurred this time is a single communication abnormality due to noise” is reserved. In this case, the abnormality determination unit 34 may determine that the communication is abnormal due to low reception strength. In this case, the user may be informed that “the abnormality that occurred this time is a communication abnormality due to low reception intensity”.

  If the response signal from the key 10 is affected by noise, the response signal is caused by a large frequency difference between the carrier frequency of the response signal (eg, 320 MHz) and a typical noise frequency (several tens of MHz). As shown in FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C, only a part of the data frame (only a part of the code) tends to be destroyed. That is, only the code portion corresponding to the noise frequency tends to be destroyed. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5B, only the header code is destroyed and the other codes are not destroyed (that is, the encryption code is normal). In the example shown in FIG. 5C, the header code is not destroyed, and only the second encryption code is destroyed. In the example shown in FIG. 5C, the header code is not destroyed, and other encryption codes other than the second encryption code are not destroyed. It is determined that the response signal has been received, and key authentication is obtained.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5B, since the header code is broken (that is, the header code is not normal), it is determined in step 130 of FIG. 4 that the normal response signal is not received, and key authentication is obtained. (Ie, the door lock will not be unlocked). When noise constantly exists around the current user position (that is, the position of the key 10), only the header code is destroyed even in the data frame after the retry by the process of step 150 in FIG. There is. Since such a communication abnormality is not a permanent abnormality including a permanent failure of the smart entry system itself, repair at a dealer or the like is unnecessary, and can be eliminated if the surrounding environment changes.

  In the present embodiment, paying attention to the tendency of the destruction mode of the data frame that occurs when affected by such noise, the abnormality determination unit 34, as described above, destroys only a part of the data frame. In this case, it is determined that “the abnormality that has occurred this time is a single communication abnormality due to noise”. As a result, it is possible to accurately determine a single communication abnormality that occurs when affected by noise.

  Also, in this embodiment, by notifying the user that the abnormality that occurred this time is a single communication abnormality due to noise, the user may be mistaken for a failure of the smart entry system. Can be prevented appropriately. That is, as described above, when a response signal is received in which the header code is destroyed but the encryption code is not destroyed (normal) as in the example shown in FIG. In step 170 through an affirmative determination in step 160, the user is notified that “the abnormality that has occurred this time is a single communication abnormality due to noise”. As a result, the user can understand that the current abnormality is temporary, and the user can be prevented from spending unnecessary effort.

  In the present embodiment, the “retry request unit” in the appended claims is mainly realized by the request control unit 32, and the “notification unit” in the claims is mainly implemented by the notification control unit 38. And the information output means 50.

  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 above-described embodiment, when the first response signal is not received normally, a retry is requested in the hope of eliminating a communication abnormality due to a subsequent environmental change. . In the case of this configuration, when only a part of the data frame is destroyed in the data frame related to the first response signal, it is determined that the abnormality that has occurred this time is a single communication abnormality due to noise, This may be notified to the user.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the security system such as an alarm is activated when the door is opened by the mechanical key, the notification that “the abnormality that occurred this time is a single communication abnormality due to noise” The security system may not be operated. For example, in the case of a security system that sounds an alarm when the door is opened by a mechanical key, the user does not sound even though the door is opened by the mechanical key because the smart entry system did not work. It can be understood that the abnormality of this smart entry system is caused by temporary noise.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the user presses an unlock button provided on the key 10 and a wireless signal including the same encryption code is transmitted to the vehicle side, as in the above-described response signal, The tendency of the wireless signal cord to break may also be considered.

It is a figure which shows the main structures of one Example of the smart entry abnormality determination system 1 by this invention. 3 is a functional block diagram of a control ECU 30. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of main processing realized by a control ECU 30. It is a figure which shows the structure of the data frame which comprises a response signal. It is a figure which shows typically the state of the data frame which received the influence of noise etc.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Smart entry abnormality determination system 10 Key 12 Transmitter / receiver 13 Transmit / receive antenna 14 Memory 20 On-board unit 22 Transmitter 23 Transmitting antenna 24 Receiver 25 Receiving antenna 30 Control ECU
31 Memory 32 Request Control Unit 34 Abnormality Determination Unit 36 Authentication Unit 38 Notification Control Unit 50 Information Output Unit 60 Door Lock System 90 External Information Center

Claims (9)

A key-side transmission means for transmitting a data frame having a structure including a header part in which a header code is incorporated and a data part in which an encryption code is incorporated, provided in a portable key;
Vehicle-side receiving means provided on the vehicle side for receiving a data frame sent from the key-side transmitting means;
Door lock control means for unlocking the door of the vehicle when the encryption code of the data frame provided on the vehicle side corresponds to the encryption code related to the authorized user, received by the vehicle-side receiving means;
Smart entry, comprising: an abnormality determination unit that determines that it is a single communication abnormality due to noise when only a part of the data frame received by the vehicle-side reception unit is destroyed. Abnormality judgment system. The abnormality determining means determines that it is an unknown failure cause when both the header part and the data part of the data frame received by the vehicle side receiving means are destroyed,
The smart entry abnormality determination system according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying the user when the abnormality determination means determines that the cause is an unknown failure.   The abnormality determination means determines that the communication frame is a single communication abnormality due to noise when the header code of the data frame received by the vehicle-side reception means is destroyed and the encryption code is not destroyed, The smart entry abnormality determination system according to claim 1. In the data portion, a plurality of the same encryption codes are incorporated,
The abnormality determination unit is configured to perform a single occurrence of noise when a header code of the data frame received by the vehicle side reception unit is not destroyed and a part of the plurality of encryption codes is destroyed. The smart entry abnormality determination system according to claim 1, wherein the determination that the communication abnormality is a typical communication abnormality is reserved. A retry requesting unit for requesting the key side transmission unit to transmit the data frame again when the abnormality determination unit determines that it is a single communication abnormality due to noise;
The abnormality determination means, when only a part of at least one data frame is destroyed among the data frames sent from the key side transmission means a plurality of times including when requested by the retry request means. The smart entry abnormality determination system according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality is determined as a single communication abnormality due to noise.   The smart entry abnormality determination system according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying a user to that effect when the abnormality determination means determines that it is a single communication abnormality due to noise.   The smart entry abnormality determination system according to claim 6, wherein the notification unit performs the notification when door unlocking by a mechanical key is detected.   The said alerting | reporting means performs the said alerting | reporting in the aspect which can be perceived by auditory sense or visually through the information output means arrange | positioned in the vehicle, or the information output means provided in the key side. Smart entry abnormality judgment system.   The said alerting | reporting means performs the said alerting | reporting via the external information center which can be communicated between the users who are installed outside the vehicle and possess the said portable key. Smart entry abnormality judgment system.

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