JP2009013697A - Smart keyless entry system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a smart keyless entry system suppressed in the cause of radio interference. <P>SOLUTION: This smart keyless entry system comprises an on-vehicle machine 100 mounted on a vehicle and a portable device 200 held by the occupant. One of the on-vehicle machine 100 and the portable device 200 comprises transmission means 102a-102e for transmitting signals to the other and receiving means 104, 202 for receiving signals from the other. The on-vehicle machine 100 controls on-vehicle control devices 50, 52, 54 by receiving signals from the portable device 200. The portable device 200 comprises a position confirmation means 210 for confirming the present position of the portable device 200 relative to the receiving means 104 of the on-vehicle machine 100 and a transmission output control means 210 for controlling the transmission output of the transmission means 208 of the portable device 200 according to the present position confirmed by the position confirmation means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a smart keyless entry system that locks / unlocks a door of a vehicle or allows an engine to start without using a key, and belongs to the technical field of vehicle security.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a control system that locks or unlocks a door of a vehicle based on a signal from a portable device carried by an occupant, or permits an engine to start (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this system, it is possible to perform the same operation as a conventional key only by carrying the portable device without performing a manual operation like a conventional key. This system is therefore called a smart keyless entry system.

  The smart keyless entry system is composed of an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle and a portable device carried by an occupant, and by performing wireless communication between them, the in-vehicle device locks or unlocks the door of the vehicle, Or control which permits starting of an engine is performed. For example, when an occupant carrying a portable device gets on, the engine is permitted to start.

  In such a smart keyless system, the in-vehicle device transmits a request signal to the portable device to confirm whether the portable device is for the in-vehicle device, and then receives the request signal. Transmits an ID signal indicating the ID of the portable device to the in-vehicle device, and the in-vehicle device receives the ID signal and authenticates the ID of the portable device. When the ID authentication is established, the in-vehicle device executes control based on the portable device to which this ID is assigned. In other words, the in-vehicle device does not execute control based on the portable device in which ID authentication is not established.

JP 2006-104664 A

  In-vehicle devices do not execute control based on other portable devices (portable devices in which ID authentication is not established) by such ID authentication, but wireless communication between portable devices and in-vehicle devices in a certain smart keyless entry system. However, wireless communication between the portable device and the vehicle-mounted device in other systems may be interrupted. This occurs due to radio wave interference, for example, when vehicles equipped with a smart keyless entry system come close to each other.

  Therefore, the present invention can suppress the interference of wireless communication between the portable device and the vehicle-mounted device of the smart keyless entry system mounted on another vehicle, in other words, suppress the cause of radio wave interference. It is an object of the present invention to provide a smart keyless entry system that can be used.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application includes an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle and a portable device carried by a passenger, and each of the in-vehicle device and the portable device transmits a signal to the other. A smart keyless entry system for receiving a signal from the portable device and controlling a vehicle-mounted control device, wherein the portable device is a smart keyless entry system. , Position confirmation means for confirming the position of the portable device relative to the receiving means of the vehicle-mounted device, and transmission output control means for controlling the transmission output of the transmission means of the portable device based on the existence position confirmed by the position confirmation means It is characterized by having.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the smart keyless entry system according to the first aspect, the position confirmation unit confirms whether the portable device is present inside or outside the vehicle cabin. The transmission output control means, when the position confirmation means confirms that the portable device exists inside the passenger compartment, the transmission confirmation of the transmission means of the portable device, and the position confirmation means It is characterized by being lower than when it is confirmed that it exists outside the passenger compartment.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 3 is the smart keyless entry system according to claim 2, wherein the portable device has an operation switch for operating outside the vehicle, and the position confirmation means includes the operation switch. When is operated, it is determined that the portable device exists outside the passenger compartment.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 4 is the smart keyless entry system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transmission unit of the in-vehicle device includes a plurality of transmission antennas, Based on signals from a plurality of transmission antennas, the portable device confirms that the portable device is within the transmission range of any of the plurality of transmission antennas, and the transmission output control means is configured such that the position confirmation means is the presence of the portable device. The transmission output of the transmission means of the portable device is lowered as the transmission range of the antenna that has been confirmed is closer to the reception means of the in-vehicle device.

  In addition, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the smart keyless entry system according to the fourth aspect, the transmitting antenna and the receiving means of the portable device perform LF band magnetic field communication, and the transmitting means of the portable device. And the receiver of the in-vehicle device perform UHF band radio wave communication.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the transmission output from the transmission unit of the portable device to the reception unit of the in-vehicle device is controlled based on the location of the portable device with respect to the reception unit of the in-vehicle device. For example, when the portable device is close to the receiving device of the in-vehicle device, the transmission output of the transmitting device of the portable device is set to a low output, thereby executing wireless communication between the receiving device of the in-vehicle device and the transmitting device of the portable device However, interference with wireless communication between the portable device and the in-vehicle device of another smart keyless entry system is suppressed. That is, even though the receiving means of the in-vehicle device can receive even with a low transmission output, radio wave interference caused by the transmission means of the portable device transmitting with a high transmission output is suppressed. Further, since the transmission output is lowered and communication is performed between the transmission unit of the portable device and the reception unit of the in-vehicle device, the built-in battery of the portable device can be used for a long time.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, when the portable device is inside the vehicle compartment, the transmission output of the transmission means of the portable device is made lower than when the portable device is outside the vehicle compartment. This is because the interior of the vehicle interior is closer to the receiving means of the in-vehicle device than the exterior of the vehicle interior, and the receiving means of the in-vehicle device is closer to the interior than the outside even if the transmission output of the transmitting means of the portable device is low. This is because it can be received. As a result, the occurrence of radio wave interference is suppressed.

  Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the operation switch of the portable device for operation by an occupant outside the vehicle is operated, the portable device is clearly present outside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. It can be determined that the portable device exists outside the passenger compartment.

  Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 4, the portable device confirms that the portable device exists within the transmission range of one of the plurality of transmission antennas based on signals from the plurality of transmission antennas provided in the transmission unit of the in-vehicle device. Is done. In this case, the transmission output of the transmission unit of the portable device is lowered as it is within the transmission range of the transmission antenna closer to the reception unit of the in-vehicle device. Thereby, while performing wireless communication between the receiving means of the in-vehicle device and the transmitting means of the portable device, it is possible to suppress interference with the wireless communication between the portable device of the other smart keyless entry system and the in-vehicle device. The That is, even though the receiving means of the in-vehicle device can receive even with a low transmission output, radio wave interference caused by the transmission means of the portable device transmitting with a high transmission output is suppressed.

  In addition, according to the invention described in claim 5, the transmitting antenna and the receiving means of the portable device perform magnetic field communication in the LF band. As a result, the transmission range of the transmission antenna becomes a small range, that is, communication between the transmission antenna and the receiving unit of the portable device becomes short-range communication, and is suppressed from causing radio wave interference. On the other hand, the transmitting unit and the receiving unit of the portable device perform UHF band radio wave communication. Thereby, the transmission means of the portable device can be reduced in size, and as a result, the portable device can be made portable.

  FIG. 1 shows a vehicle equipped with a smart keyless entry system according to an embodiment of the present invention and a portable device of the system. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the smart keyless entry system.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the smart keyless entry system includes an in-vehicle device 100 mounted on the vehicle 10 shown in FIG. 1 and a portable device 200 carried by a passenger.

  The in-vehicle device 100 includes a plurality of LF transmission antennas 102a to 102e for transmitting signals to the portable device 200, a UHF receiver 104 for receiving signals from the portable device 200, and a plurality of LF transmission antennas 102a to 102e. And a control device 106 that controls a control device mounted on the vehicle 10 based on a signal received by the UHF receiver 104.

Each of the plurality of LF transmission antennas 102a to 102e is disposed at a predetermined position of the vehicle 10 as shown in FIG. The LF transmitting antenna 102a is located in the front door 14 on the passenger seat 12, the door 102b is located in the rear door 16, 102c is located in the door 18 on the driver's seat, 102d is located in front of the passenger seat 12, and 102e is located in the passenger compartment. It is disposed under the central rear seat 20.

  Each of the plurality of LF transmitting antennas 102a to 102e is controlled by the control device 106 to form an LF band magnetic field corresponding to a signal output around the antenna main body, and as shown in FIG. By detecting a magnetic field in the LF band formed in the magnetic field detection circuit and receiving a signal (magnetic field signal), short-range communication (magnetic field communication) from the antenna to the portable device is performed. Since the communication uses the magnetic field of the LF band, the transmission range (communication possible range) of the LF transmission antennas 102a to 102e is small as shown in FIG. The LF transmission antenna 102a has a transmission range A1 on the outside of the passenger door 14; 102b has a transmission range A2 on the outside of the rear door 16; 102c has a transmission range A3 on the outside of the driver side door 18; Is the transmission range A4, and 102e is the transmission range A5 on the rear side of the passenger compartment. Because of such short-range communication, for example, wireless communication between the portable device of the smart keyless entry system mounted on another vehicle and the in-vehicle device is difficult to be disturbed, that is, it is difficult to cause radio wave interference.

  The UHF receiver 104 is disposed on the front side of the driver's seat as shown in FIGS. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the UHF receiver 104 receives a UHF band radio signal from a UHF transmission antenna of the portable device 200 to be described later, and sends a signal corresponding to the received radio signal to the control device 106. It is configured to output to.

  The control device 106 is configured to control in-vehicle control devices such as a door lock actuator 50, an engine control unit (ECU) 52, and an alarm device 54 mounted on the vehicle 10 based on a signal from the UHF receiver 104. Has been. The door lock actuator 50 is provided in each of the passenger seat side door 14, the rear door 16, the driver seat side door 18, and the rear seat door, and locks or unlocks these doors. The ECU 52 is for controlling the engine, and the control device 106 is configured to allow the ECU 52 to start the engine. The engine is started when the control device 106 permits the ECU 52 to start the engine and then an ignition knob switch (not shown) is turned on by the occupant. Further, the alarm device 54 warns when the portable device 200 is taken out of the vehicle interior during driving. Details of the control executed by the control device 106 for these control devices will be described later.

  On the other hand, the portable device 200 has a card size that is portable as shown in FIG. 1, and receives a signal from any of the plurality of LF transmission antennas 102a to 102e of the in-vehicle device 100 as shown in FIG. A magnetic field detection circuit 202 for receiving, a lock switch 204 a for locking a door by an occupant outside the vehicle, an unlock switch 204 b for unlocking the door, and the UHF receiver 104 of the in-vehicle device 100 via the UHF transmission antenna 206. A UHF transmission circuit 208 that transmits a radio wave in the UHF band and a control device 210 that controls the UHF transmission circuit 208 to transmit various signals.

  When the portable device 200 exists in the transmission range of any of the plurality of LF transmission antennas 102a to 102e of the in-vehicle device 100 and the LF transmission antenna in the transmission range outputs a magnetic field signal, the magnetic field detection circuit 202 outputs the magnetic field. It is configured to receive a signal. Further, the control unit 210 is configured to output a signal corresponding to the received magnetic field signal.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lock switch 204 a and the unlock switch 204 b are button-like operation switches that the occupant presses, and are provided in the portable device 100. When the occupant performs an operation of pressing, the lock switch 204a and the unlock switch 204b are configured to output a signal indicating that the operation has been performed to the control device 210.

  The UHF transmission circuit 208 is configured to be able to transmit various signals via the UHF transmission antenna 206 under the control of the control device 210 and having different transmission outputs. Note that the transmission from the in-vehicle device 100 to the portable device 200 is a magnetic field signal, whereas the reason for using a radio signal in the UHF band for the transmission from the portable device 200 to the in-vehicle device 100 is the UHF built in the portable device 200. This is because the transmission antenna 206 can be reduced in size, that is, the portable device 200 can be reduced in a card shape.

  The control device 210 is configured to control the UHF transmission circuit 208 based on signals from the magnetic field detection circuit 202, the lock switch 204a, and the unlock switch 204b. Details of the control will be described later.

  From here, the details of each component of the smart keyless entry system will be described while explaining the operation of the smart keyless entry system, that is, the operations of the in-vehicle device 100 and the portable device 200.

  First, when an occupant carrying the portable device 200 operates the lock switch 204a or the unlock switch 204b to unlock the door to get on the vehicle 10 or to get off and lock the door (that is, outside the vehicle compartment) The control device 210 of the portable device 200 causes the UHF transmission circuit 208 to transmit a signal with the maximum output. The reason why the signal is transmitted at the maximum output is that the occupant carrying the portable device 200 is outside the vehicle compartment where the distance to the UHF receiver 104 is undecided, and the signal generated by the operation of the occupant is reliably transmitted to the UHF receiver. This is because the data is received by 104.

  When the UHF receiver 104 of the in-vehicle device 100 receives the lock signal for locking the door or the unlock signal for unlocking, the control device 106 of the in-vehicle device 100 receives the request signal from the plurality of LF transmission antennas 102a to 102e. Send through each. At this time, the control device 106 forms magnetic fields having different strengths and changes in the LF transmission antennas 102a to 102e, and transmits different request signals corresponding to the respective antennas. For example, the LF transmission antenna 102a transmits the request signal A, 102b transmits the signal B, and 102e omits the signal E. The reason why the request signals are transmitted from the plurality of LF transmitting antennas is that the in-vehicle device 100 cannot specify the location of the portable device 200 only by receiving the lock signal or the unlock signal by the UHF receiver 104.

  At this time, when the portable device 200 exists in any one of the transmission ranges of the LF transmission antennas 102a to 102e, the magnetic field detection circuit 202 of the portable device 200 receives a request signal from the antenna in the transmission range where the portable device 200 exists. . When receiving the request signal, based on the request signal, the control device 210 of the portable device 200 identifies the LF transmission antenna that has transmitted the received request signal. More specifically, the control device 210 holds the correspondence between each LF transmission antenna 102a to 102e and the different request signal transmitted by each antenna as information, and from the held information and the received request signal Identifies the antenna that transmitted the received request signal. For example, if the received signal is the above-described request signal A, the LF transmission antenna that has transmitted this signal is identified as 102a.

  When the LF transmission antenna that has transmitted the received request signal is identified, the control device 210 of the portable device 200 confirms that the portable device 200 exists at a position within the transmission range of the identified LF transmission antenna. It functions as the described position confirmation means.) For example, referring to FIG. 3, when the received request signal is identified as being transmitted from the LF transmission antenna 102c, the portable device 200 is confirmed to exist within the transmission range A3 of the antenna 102c.

  Then, the portable device 200 transmits the ID signal (signal indicating the ID of the portable device 200) by controlling the transmission output of the UHF transmission circuit 208 based on the transmission range of the antenna in which the confirmed portable device 200 exists.

  A specific example will be described with reference to FIG. 3. When the portable device 200 is in the transmission range A3 of the LF transmission antenna 102 c close to the UHF receiver 104 of the in-vehicle device 100, the antenna 102 b far from the UHF receiver 104 is used. Compared with the case where the portable device 200 exists in the transmission range A2, the control device 210 controls the UHF transmission circuit 208 to a lower transmission output. This is because if the portable device 200 is close to the UHF receiver 104, the UHF receiver 104 can receive a signal even if the transmission output of the UHF transmission circuit 208 is low. As a result, the UHF receiver 104 and the portable device 200 are close to each other. Therefore, even if the transmission output of the UHF transmission circuit 208 is low, the UHF receiver 104 can receive the signal, but the UHF transmission is performed with a high transmission output. For example, interference of wireless communication between the portable device and the vehicle-mounted device of another smart keyless entry system, which is caused by the transmission of the circuit 208, can be suppressed, that is, the cause of radio wave interference can be suppressed. it can.

  When the UHF receiver 104 receives the ID signal, the control device 106 of the in-vehicle device 100 performs ID authentication based on the received ID signal. When the ID authentication is established, the control device 106 controls the lock actuator 50 to unlock or lock the vehicle door.

  On the other hand, when the ID authentication is not established, or when the UHF receiver 104 cannot receive the ID signal within a predetermined time after transmitting the request signal, the control device 106 performs control to lock or unlock the door. Do not execute (time out).

  Next, when the occupant gets on the vehicle 10 (for example, when the door opening / closing sensor detects that the door is opened and closed again after the door is unlocked by the portable device 200), the control device of the in-vehicle device 100 106 confirms that the portable device 200 exists in the vehicle interior in order to allow the ECU 52 to start the engine. That is, it is confirmed whether or not an occupant carrying the portable device 200 is on board.

  Specifically, the control device 106 of the in-vehicle device 100 transmits a request signal for confirming that the portable device 200 exists in the passenger compartment from the transmission antennas 102d and 102e for the passenger compartment, and receives the request signal. The portable device 200 transmits an ID signal, and the in-vehicle device 100 confirms that the portable device 200 exists in the vehicle interior when ID authentication is established based on the received ID signal.

  At this time, the fact that the request signal from the LF transmitting antennas 102d and 102e for the passenger compartment for confirming that the portable device 200 is present in the passenger compartment can be substantially determined that the portable device 200 is present in the passenger compartment. Therefore, the control device 210 of the portable device 200 transmits the transmission output of the UHF transmission circuit 208 when the portable device 200 exists outside the vehicle compartment (for example, when the door is locked or unlocked as described above, the transmission antenna outside the vehicle compartment). Therefore, the UHF receiver 104 in front of the driver's seat can receive the signal even when the output is lower than that of the transmission range in the transmission range. Thereby, even if the portable device 200 is in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 10 and the UHF receiver 104 can sufficiently receive the signal even if the transmission output of the UHF transmission circuit 208 is low, the transmission is higher than necessary. For example, it is possible to suppress interference in wireless communication between the portable device of the other smart keyless entry system and the vehicle-mounted device, which occurs when the UHF transmission circuit 208 transmits a signal at the output, that is, it causes radio wave interference. This can be suppressed.

  The UHF transmission circuit includes a case where the portable device 200 exists in the transmission range A4 of the vehicle interior LF transmission antenna 102d and a case where the mobile device 200 exists in the transmission range A5 of the vehicle interior LF transmission antenna 102e. The transmission output of 208 can also be changed. In this case, if the presence of the portable device 200 is confirmed within the transmission range A4 close to the UHF receiver 104, the transmission of the UHF transmission circuit 208 is performed compared to the case where the presence of the portable device 200 is confirmed within the transmission range A5. Try to lower the output.

  When it is confirmed that the portable device 200 exists in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 10, the control device 106 of the in-vehicle device 100 permits the ECU 52 to start the engine. In this state, when an occupant turns on an ignition switch (not shown), the ECU 52 starts the engine.

  In addition, confirmation that the portable device 200 is present in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 10 is performed after it is confirmed that the portable device 200 exists once in the vehicle interior until the door is opened (the door is opened and the portable device 200 is carried). Until the occupant gets off). This is because, for example, there is a possibility that the vehicle 10 stops and the glass window of the door is opened despite the driving, and the portable device 200 is taken out of the passenger compartment together with the luggage through the window glass. . If the portable device 200 is taken out of the passenger compartment, the engine may not be restarted when returning from the stopped state.

  In order to deal with this, until it is confirmed that the portable device 200 exists in the vehicle interior and the door is opened, the control device 106 of the in-vehicle device 100 periodically confirms that the portable device 200 exists in the vehicle interior. If it is not confirmed, the alarm device 54 is controlled to give an alarm.

  Based on the above, a control flow of the control device 210 of the portable device 200, that is, a flow in which the control device 210 determines a transmission output of the UHF transmission circuit 208 will be described with reference to an example of a flow shown in FIG. The UHF transmission circuit 208 of the portable device 200 described here has four outputs that decrease in order of maximum output, large output (largest output next to maximum output), small output (largest output next to large output), and minimum output. A signal can be transmitted by value.

  First, the control device 210 of the portable device 200 confirms whether or not the lock switch 204a or the unlock switch 204b is operated in S500. If the operation is confirmed, the process proceeds to S510. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S530.

  In S510, since the control device 210 of the portable device 200 confirms the operation of the lock switch 204a or the unlock switch 204b in S500, it is assumed that the portable device 200 exists outside the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10, and the in-vehicle device is reliably connected. It decides to transmit the lock signal or the unlock signal at the maximum output for receiving by the 100 UHF receivers 104. In the next S520, the control device 210 causes the UHF transmission circuit 208 to transmit a lock signal or an unlock signal with the maximum output.

  In S530, the control device 210 of the portable device 200 detects whether the magnetic field detection circuit 202 detects a magnetic field formed in any of the plurality of LF transmission antennas 102a to 102e of the in-vehicle device 100, that is, from any antenna. Check whether a magnetic field signal (request signal) is received. If reception of the magnetic field signal is confirmed, the process proceeds to S540. If not, proceed to return.

  In S540, based on the magnetic field signal received by the magnetic field detection circuit 202, the control device 210 of the portable device 200 confirms that the portable device 200 exists within the transmission range of the LF transmission antenna that has transmitted this signal.

  In S550, the control device 210 of the portable device 200 determines whether the presence position of the portable device 200 confirmed in S540 is in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 10. Explaining using FIG. 3 as an example, it is determined whether or not the portable device 200 exists within the transmission ranges A4 and A5 of the LF transmission antennas 102d and 102e. When it exists in the vehicle interior, the process proceeds to S560. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S580.

  In S560, since the control device 210 of the portable device 200 has confirmed that the portable device 200 is present in the vehicle interior in S550, the control device 210 determines to execute UHF transmission of the ID signal in response to the request signal with the minimum output. In the next S570, the control device 210 causes the UHF transmission circuit 208 to transmit the ID signal with the minimum output.

  In S580, the control device 210 of the portable device 200 confirms in which position the portable device 200 confirmed to exist outside the vehicle cabin in S550 is located outside the vehicle cabin. Explaining using FIG. 3 as an example, it is confirmed in which of the transmission ranges A1 to A3 of the LF transmitting antennas 102a to 102c the portable device 200 exists. Here, it is determined whether or not the portable device 200 exists in the transmission range A1 or A3 close to the UHF receiver 104. When it exists in transmission range A1 or A3, it progresses to S590. If not (i.e., exists in A2), the process proceeds to S610.

  In S590, the control device 210 of the portable device 200 confirms that the portable device 200 exists in the vicinity of the UHF receiver 104 outside the passenger compartment in S580, and therefore performs UHF transmission of the ID signal in response to the request signal with a small output. Decide what to do. In the next S600, the control device 210 causes the UHF transmission circuit 208 to transmit the ID signal with a small output. After sending, proceed to return.

  On the other hand, in S610, the control device 210 of the portable device 200 confirms that the portable device 200 is located far away from the UHF receiver 104 outside the passenger compartment in S580, and therefore outputs a large UHF transmission of an ID signal that answers the request signal. Decide to run in. In the next S620, the control device 210 causes the UHF transmission circuit 208 to transmit the ID signal with high output. After sending, proceed to return.

  According to the present embodiment, the transmission output from the UHF transmission circuit 208 of the portable device 200 to the UHF receiver 104 of the in-vehicle device 100 is controlled based on the location of the portable device 200 with respect to the UHF receiver 104 of the in-vehicle device 100. The Thereby, although the UHF receiver 104 of the in-vehicle device 100 can receive even with a low transmission output, the radio wave interference caused by the transmission of the UHF transmission circuit 208 of the portable device 200 with a high transmission output is suppressed. As a result, interference with wireless communication between the portable device and the vehicle-mounted device of another smart keyless entry system is suppressed. Further, since the transmission output is lowered and communication is performed between the UHF transmission circuit 208 of the portable device 200 and the UHF receiver 104 of the in-vehicle device 200, the built-in battery of the portable device 200 can be used for a long time. .

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above-described embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, the above-described embodiment is a smart keyless entry system in which the in-vehicle device includes a plurality of LF transmission antennas as transmission means, and the location of the portable device is specified in the transmission range of one of the antennas. It is possible to check the location of the portable device even with the LF transmission antenna.

  In this case, one LF transmission antenna is installed in the center of the vehicle cabin, and the control device of the vehicle-mounted device transmits a high output signal and a low output signal (request signal) from the antenna alternately, for example. When the portable device is in the vehicle interior, the magnetic field detection circuit of the portable device receives both high output and low output signals, so the control device of the portable device must confirm that the portable device is in the vehicle interior. Can do. On the other hand, when the magnetic field detection circuit of the portable device receives only a high output signal, the control device of the portable device can confirm that the portable device exists outside the passenger compartment. Then, the control device of the portable device transmits an ID signal that answers the request signal at a low output when the portable device is confirmed to be present in the passenger compartment, and outputs an ID signal when the portable device is present outside the passenger compartment. Send with high power. Thereby, even if it is one LF transmission antenna, it can suppress causing a radio wave interference similarly to embodiment provided with the above-mentioned several LF transmission antenna.

  In the case of the above-described embodiment, the magnetic field signal transmitted from each of the plurality of LF antennas is a different smart keyless entry system so that the portable device that has received this signal can identify the location of the portable device. The method for identifying the location where the portable device is present (the transmission range of the existing antenna) based on signals from each of the plurality of transmission antennas is not limited to this.

  For example, timer reset signals are simultaneously transmitted from a plurality of LF transmission antennas, and then the same request signal is transmitted from each antenna in a predetermined order with a predetermined interval. When receiving the timer reset signal, the portable device starts counting from zero, and specifies the antenna that has transmitted the received request signal from the time when the request signal is received. For example, a timer reset signal is transmitted simultaneously from a plurality of LF transmission antennas, and thereafter, the same request signal is transmitted from each antenna at intervals of 0.1 seconds. When the portable device starts counting from zero and receives a request signal 0.4 seconds later, it can be confirmed that the portable device is within the transmission range of the antenna that transmitted the fourth request signal. In this case, the control device of the portable device needs to include a timer for timing.

  Note that transmitting request signals from a plurality of LF transmission antennas in a predetermined order instead of simultaneously is also applicable to the above-described embodiment.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of LF transmission antennas (antennas 102a to 102c for vehicle interior) are arranged so that their transmission ranges do not overlap. Depending on the position of a passenger to be carried, if signals are transmitted simultaneously from a plurality of antennas, the portable device may simultaneously receive signals from the plurality of antennas. As a countermeasure, the order of transmitting signals from each of the plurality of LF transmission antennas is determined in advance, and when the portable device receives signals from the plurality of antennas, for example, based on the signal received first, What is necessary is just to confirm an existing position.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the specified location of the portable device is a transmission range (area) of any of a plurality of LF transmission antennas, but the detailed location (point) of the portable device within the transmission range. Can also be specified.

  Since the LF transmitting antenna forms a magnetic field around the antenna body, the distance from the portable device to the antenna can be determined by detecting the strength level of the magnetic field. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the portable device exists within the transmission range A2 of the LF transmission antenna 102b, the magnetic field detection circuit as described above detects the magnetic field level around the LF transmission antenna 102b at a position within the range. By doing so, the detailed position in A2 of a portable machine is known. If the detected magnetic field level is high, the portable device is present near the LF transmitting antenna 102b, that is, near the receiver 104 in the transmission range A2. On the other hand, if the magnetic field level is low, the portable device is located far from the LF transmitting antenna 102b, that is, located far from the receiver 104 in the transmission range A2. The closer the portable device is to the receiver 104 in the transmission range A2, the lower the transmission output of the signal transmitted to the receiver 104 is. This further suppresses the cause of radio wave interference.

  Furthermore, in the case of the smart keyless entry system of the above-described embodiment, the transmission means (UHF transmission circuit) of the portable device and the reception means (UHF receiver) of the in-vehicle device are UHF band radio wave communication, Although the transmission means (LF transmission antenna) and the reception means (magnetic field detection circuit) of the portable device are LF band magnetic field communication, the present invention is not limited to this. However, it is not preferable to select a communication method capable of two-way communication at a long distance in order to suppress the cause of radio wave interference and malfunction. For example, the more the transmission unit of the in-vehicle device can transmit at a long distance, the more likely it is to cause radio wave interference. Moreover, the transmission means of the in-vehicle device can transmit the request signal so far that the receiving device of the long-distance portable device receives the request signal, and the transmission means of the portable device receives the ID signal to the receiving means of the long-distance on-vehicle device. For example, even if the person carrying the portable device does not intend to get on the vehicle, the user may accidentally press the unlock switch on the portable device, thereby unlocking the vehicle door. Locked malfunction may occur.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the transmission output of the signal transmitted from the portable device of the smart keyless entry system to the in-vehicle device is controlled based on the location of the portable device with respect to the receiving means of the in-vehicle device. Is suppressed from causing radio wave interference. Therefore, it may be suitably used in the field of the vehicle manufacturing industry equipped with the smart keyless entry system.

It is a figure showing a vehicle carrying a smart keyless entry system according to an embodiment of the present invention and a portable device of the system. It is a figure which shows the structure of the smart keyless entry system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the transmission range of several LF transmission antenna with which the vehicle equipment of a smart keyless entry system is provided. It is a figure which shows the control flow of an example of the control apparatus of a portable device.

Explanation of symbols

50 On-board control equipment (lock actuator)
52 On-board control equipment (ECU)
54 In-vehicle control equipment (alarm)
100 vehicle-mounted device 102a-102e transmission means (LF transmission antenna)
104 Receiving means (UHF receiver)
200 portable device 202 receiving means (magnetic field detection circuit)
208 Transmission means (UHF transmission circuit)
210 Position confirmation means, transmission output control means (control device)

Claims (5)

An in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle and a portable device carried by an occupant, each of the in-vehicle device and the portable device includes a transmitting means for transmitting a signal to the other and a receiving means for receiving a signal from the other, The machine is a smart keyless entry system that receives a signal from the portable device and controls an in-vehicle control device,
The portable device is
Position confirmation means for confirming the presence position of the portable device with respect to the receiving means of the in-vehicle device;
A smart keyless entry system, comprising: a transmission output control unit that controls a transmission output of the transmission unit of the portable device based on an existing position confirmed by the position confirmation unit. The smart keyless entry system according to claim 1,
The position confirmation means confirms whether the portable device is present inside or outside the vehicle cabin,
The transmission output control means, when the position confirmation means confirms that the portable device is present inside the passenger compartment, transmits the transmission output from the transmission means of the portable device. A smart keyless entry system that is lower than when it is confirmed to exist outside the room. The smart keyless entry system according to claim 2,
The portable device has an operation switch for operating outside the vehicle,
The smart keyless entry system, wherein the position confirmation means determines that the portable device exists outside a passenger compartment when the operation switch is operated. In the smart keyless entry system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The transmission unit of the in-vehicle device includes a plurality of transmission antennas,
The position confirmation means confirms that the portable device exists within a transmission range of any of the plurality of transmission antennas based on signals from the plurality of transmission antennas,
The transmission output control means lowers the transmission output of the transmission means of the portable device as the transmission range of the antenna whose position confirmation means confirms the presence of the portable device is closer to the reception means of the in-vehicle device. Smart keyless entry system. The smart keyless entry system according to claim 4,
The transmitting antenna and the receiving means of the portable device perform LF magnetic field communication,
A smart keyless entry system characterized in that the transmitting means of the portable device and the receiver of the in-vehicle device perform UHF band radio wave communication.

Images