JP2011019103A - Transmission device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive transmission device of which reliable operation is available, the transmission device being mainly used for operations such as lock/unlock and opening/closing of a door of an automobile.SOLUTION: The inexpensive and easy-to-use transmission device is provided because communication with a receiver 12 of a vehicle is performed even when, for example, the transmission device 10 is put in a pocket of clothes, etc., and antennas of the receiver 12 are also reduced by detecting a magnetic field of a human body by a coil 1 and for output of a predetermined signal by a control means 5 according to the detected magnetic field.

Description

  The present invention relates to a transmission apparatus mainly used for operations such as locking / unlocking and opening / closing of a door of an automobile.

  In recent years, a driver approaching a vehicle directly operates the doors of the vehicle by using mechanical keys, and communicates between a transmitter carried by the driver and a receiver provided on the vehicle. Various communication systems are widely used that perform locking and unlocking, opening and closing, and the like.

  As one of such a conventional transmission device and a communication system using the same, there is one that performs communication between a transmission device carried by radio waves and a vehicle reception device. Radio signals such as confirmation codes for confirming the driver are transmitted from a plurality of antennas of the apparatus.

  Then, when the driver approaches the vehicle to some extent and the portable transmission device receives this confirmation code, a radio signal such as an authentication code unique to each transmission device is transmitted from the transmission device, and this is received by the vehicle reception device. When it is received and the driver is confirmed by the authentication code, for example, the door is unlocked.

  That is, in such a communication system using radio waves, a confirmation code for confirming the driver is transmitted from the vehicle receiver, and if the driver is in the vicinity of the vehicle, authentication is performed from the portable transmitter. By returning the code, the door is automatically locked and unlocked without being directly operated by a mechanical key.

  However, in this case, it is necessary for the vehicle receiver to determine whether the driver is outside the vehicle or in the passenger compartment, and if the driver is outside the vehicle, either the front, back, left, or right of the vehicle Even when the driver is in the direction of, it is necessary to be able to receive the confirmation code of the radio signal and receive the authentication code from the transmitting device.

  For this reason, the receiving apparatus needs a plurality of antennas. For example, the front and rear doors on the driver's seat, the rear door, and the front and rear in the passenger compartment have about five antennas. Was provided.

  In addition, there is a device in which a minute current is passed through the human body and communication between the transmitting device and the receiving device is performed via the human body. In this case, an electrode is provided at a place touched by a driver such as a vehicle door. The electrode is connected to the receiver, and the transmitter that the driver carries is also provided with an electrode that can be contacted by the driver.

  In the above configuration, for example, when the driver touches the electrode with his left hand and holds the transmission device, a minute current flows from the transmission device to the driver's human body through the electrode, and an electric field is induced in the human body to transmit the signal. An authentication code or the like is transmitted from the apparatus to the human body.

  In this state, when the driver touches the electrode provided on the vehicle with, for example, the right hand, the authentication code is transmitted from the transmission device to the vehicle electrode via the human body, and the reception device receives the authentication code. When the driver is confirmed, the door is unlocked, for example.

  That is, in such a communication system, the transmitter carried by the driver and the receiver of the vehicle induce an electric field in the human body when the driver touches each electrode, and communicate via the human body. The door is locked and unlocked without being directly operated by a mechanical key.

  However, in this case, if the portable transmission device is in a driver's clothes pocket or the like and the electrodes of the transmission device are separated from the skin of the human body, an electric field cannot be induced in the human body and communication is possible. Since it becomes impossible, it is necessary to perform the operation while touching the electrode of the transmitting apparatus with one hand as described above or with the electrode in contact with an arm or the like.

  As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.

JP 2008-50892 A

  However, in the above-described conventional transmission device, those that communicate using radio waves require a plurality of antennas in the vehicle reception device, which makes the communication system expensive and causes a current to flow through the human body. In the case of communication via the human body, it is necessary to keep the electrodes of the transmission device in contact with the skin of the human body, which makes it difficult to use and easily causes erroneous operations.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a transmission apparatus that is inexpensive and can be reliably operated.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the transmitter is configured such that the magnetic field of the human body is detected by the coil, and the control means outputs a predetermined signal in accordance with the detected magnetic field. When the coil detects the magnetic field generated in the human body and the control means outputs a signal such as an authentication code, the transmitter can communicate with the vehicle receiver even when the transmitter is in a clothing pocket or the like. Since the number of antennas of the receiving device can be reduced, an inexpensive and easy-to-use transmission device can be obtained.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the coil receives a radio signal in addition to the magnetic field of the human body, and the transmitting device does not require an antenna for receiving the radio signal. At the same time, even when the transmission device is placed, for example, in the passenger seat, the communication with the vehicle reception device can be performed, so that an inexpensive and reliable communication can be performed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that it is possible to realize a transmission apparatus that is inexpensive and can be reliably operated.

1 is a block circuit diagram of a transmission device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Top view of the communication system Waveform diagram Partial perspective view

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram of a transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 is a coil made of a conductive metal wire, 2 is a conversion means such as a voltage-current converter, and 3 is a comparison of an operational amplifier or the like. The coil 1 is connected to the conversion means 2 and the conversion means 2 is connected to the comparison means 3, and a predetermined reference voltage V 0, for example, a voltage of 2.5 mV is applied to the comparison means 3.

  4 is a switching means such as an electronic switch, 5 is a control means such as a microcomputer, the comparison means 3 is connected to the switching means 4 and the control means 5, and the common terminal 4A of the switching means 4 is connected to the control means 5. Individual terminals 4B are connected between the conversion means 2 and the comparison means 3, respectively.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes transmission means formed from an antenna 6A or the like. The transmission means 6 is connected to the control means 5, and the individual terminal 4C of the switching means 4 is connected to the battery 7.

  Further, the coil 1, the conversion means 2, the comparison means 3, the switching means 4, the control means 5, the transmission means 6 and the like are mounted on a wiring board (not shown) on which a plurality of wiring patterns are formed, These are substantially box-shaped and covered with a case (not shown) made of an insulating resin to constitute the transmission device 10.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of a communication system using such a transmission apparatus 10. In FIG. 2, 11 is an automobile, 12 is a reception apparatus formed from electronic parts such as a microcomputer, and the reception apparatus 12 is an automobile. 11, and two antennas 13 </ b> A and 13 </ b> B are attached to the front and rear of the interior of the vehicle 11.

  The antennas 13 </ b> A and 13 </ b> B are connected to the receiving device 12, and the switch 14 </ b> A and the electrode 14 </ b> B are integrally provided on the knob 14 of the door of the automobile 11, and the switch 14 </ b> A and electrode 14 </ b> B are connected to the receiving device 12. Has been.

  Further, reference numeral 15 denotes driving means formed of a motor, a solenoid or the like. The driving means 15 is connected to the receiving device 12, and the transmitting device 10 is carried by the driver 16 in a chest pocket of clothes, for example. Thus, a communication system is configured.

  In the above configuration, when the driver 16 carrying the transmission device 10 approaches the automobile 11 and touches the knob 14, the switch 14 </ b> A is turned on and the receiving device 12 is activated, and the electrode 16 </ b> B is placed in the hand of the driver 16. A minute current of about 3 mA flows, and a magnetic field H having a strength of about 31 mA / m is generated on the surface of the human body.

  The magnetic field H generated on the surface of the human body is detected by the coil 1 of the transmitter 10 carried by the driver 16, and a current corresponding to the magnetic field H, for example, a current of 35 μA or more flows through the coil 1. The receiving device 12 transmits an activation code L1 of a pulse waveform and an authentication code L2 for confirming the driver as shown in the waveform diagram of FIG. 3 through the electrode 14B.

  Further, the current flowing in the coil 1 by the activation code L1 is converted into a predetermined voltage by the conversion means 2 and inputted to the comparison means 3, and this voltage value is a reference voltage V0, for example, a voltage of 2.5 mV or more. In this case, the switching means 4 is switched to the common terminal 4A and the individual terminal 4C, and the power is supplied from the battery 7 to the control means 5.

  Further, the control means 5 which is supplied with power and activated confirms the authentication code L2 sent thereafter, and if this is unique to the individual transmission apparatus 10, authentication is performed from the antenna 6A of the transmission means 6. The code L2 and a predetermined operation code, for example, an operation code for unlocking, are transmitted as radio signals.

  And when this is received by the vehicle receiver 12 and the driver is confirmed by the authentication code L2, a predetermined drive signal corresponding to the received operation code is output, and the drive means 15 is driven, for example, The door is unlocked.

  Even when the door is locked, the communication between the receiving device 12 and the transmitting device 10 is performed via the human body in the same manner as described above, and the door is locked after the driver is confirmed by the authentication code L2.

  That is, the transmitter 1 is provided with the coil 1, and the coil 1 detects the magnetic field H generated on the human body surface of the driver 16, and the control means 5 transmits a radio signal of a predetermined operation code in response to this. Thus, the door can be locked and unlocked without being directly operated by a mechanical key.

  That is, since the coil 1 detects the magnetic field H generated on the human body surface, communication between the transmission device 10 and the reception device 12 is performed, so that the location where the transmission device 10 is separated from the human skin, for example, a pocket of clothes, etc. Even when it is in, it is configured to be able to communicate with the receiving device 12 of the vehicle via a human body.

  When the driver 16 gets on the automobile 11 and operates an ignition switch (not shown) or the like to start the engine, the two antennas 13A and 13B installed in the passenger compartment of the receiving device 12 are provided. Then, the activation code L1 and the authentication code L2 are transmitted as radio signals.

  Then, the coil 1 of the transmission device 10 receives this, and current flows through the coil 1 due to this electromagnetic wave. Thereafter, the control means 5 is activated by the activation code L1, and the control means 5 is also authenticated by the authentication code. L2 is confirmed, and an authentication code L2 and a predetermined operation code, for example, an operation code for starting the engine are transmitted as a radio wave signal from the transmission means 6.

  Furthermore, when this is received by the vehicle receiving device 12 and the driver is confirmed by the authentication code L2, a predetermined drive signal corresponding to the received operation code is output, for example, the engine is started.

  That is, when the receiving device 12 communicates with the transmitting device 10 using radio signals, and it is confirmed that the driver 16 is in the passenger compartment, the engine is started by operating the ignition switch or the like. It has become.

  That is, when the door 1 is unlocked, the coil 1 of the transmitting device 10 detects the magnetic field H generated in the human body of the driver 16 by the current supplied from the receiving device 12 as described above. When a radio signal is transmitted from, the radio signal is also received.

  Therefore, even when the driver 16 entering the passenger compartment separates the transmission device 10 from the body and places the transmission device 10 on, for example, a passenger seat or a dashboard, the communication between the reception device 12 and the transmission device 10 becomes possible. The engine can be started by operating an ignition switch or the like.

  When the driver 16 is outside the vehicle and unlocks the door, the communication between the receiving device 12 and the transmitting device 10 is performed via the human body, and the driver 16 is in the vehicle interior as described above. In order to confirm whether or not the vehicle is in communication, since communication is performed by radio signals, the antenna provided in the automobile 11 is only the two antennas 13A and 13B as described above, and the communication system can be formed at a low cost. ing.

  Furthermore, as shown in the partial perspective view of FIG. 4, if the coil 1 of the transmission device 10 is formed of three-axis coils 1A, 1B, and 1C arranged in the XYZ directions orthogonal to each other, the transmission device 10 is provided in the vehicle interior. Can be communicated more reliably with the receiving device 12 regardless of the orientation of the transmitting device 10 or when the transmitting device 10 is carried in any direction when unlocking the door outside the vehicle. It becomes.

  As described above, the control means 5 is activated by the activation code L1 and is normally not supplied with power from the battery 7, but can always receive the magnetic field H generated in the human body and the radio signal from the receiving device 12. Thus, it is necessary to always supply power from the battery 7 to the comparison means 3.

  Therefore, although the battery 7 is consumed even when the power supply to the comparison means 3 is not used, the comparison means 3 can be performed by performing communication with the reception device 12 using a radio signal at a frequency of around 125 kHz. Since the standby current flowing through the battery 7 can be about 5 μA, it is possible to save power of the battery 7.

  In the above description, when the transmission device 10 receives the activation code L1 and the authentication code L2, it is received via the human body, and when transmitting the authentication code L2 and the operation code, the transmitter 10 transmits radio waves. Although the configuration for transmitting as a signal has been described, the present invention can also be implemented as a configuration in which both reception and transmission of these codes are performed via a human body.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the magnetic field of the human body is detected by the coil 1, and the control unit 5 outputs a predetermined signal in response thereto, so that, for example, the transmission device 10 enters a clothing pocket or the like. Even in such a case, communication with the receiving device 12 of the vehicle can be performed and the number of antennas of the receiving device 12 can be reduced, so that an inexpensive and easy-to-use transmission device can be obtained.

  Since the coil 1 receives a radio signal in addition to the magnetic field of the human body, the transmitter 10 does not need an antenna for receiving the radio signal, and the transmitter 10 is placed in a passenger seat, for example. Even in such a case, since communication with the receiving device 12 of the vehicle can be performed, it is possible to perform reliable communication at low cost.

  In addition, in the above description, although the structure which performs locking / unlocking of a door by communication via the human body of the transmitter 10 and the receiver 12 was demonstrated, in addition to this, when the driver | operator 16 exists in the place away from the vehicle Alternatively, the coil 1 may receive a radio wave signal transmitted from the receiving device 12 to perform communication between the transmitting device 10 and the receiving device 12.

  In other words, the coil 1 detects the magnetic field of the human body and also receives a radio signal, so that the door can be moved away from the vehicle as in the case of the conventional smart entry system without any significant change in the configuration. The operation of locking and unlocking can be performed.

  Moreover, although the above description demonstrated the structure which mainly operates locking / unlocking of the door of a vehicle by communication via the human body of the transmitter 10 and the receiver 12, other than this, for example, a residence or a garage The present invention can be implemented in various configurations such as locking / unlocking operation and door opening / closing operation.

  The transmission device according to the present invention is inexpensive and can be reliably operated, and is mainly useful for operations such as locking / unlocking and opening / closing of automobile doors.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A, 1B, 1C Coil 2 Conversion means 3 Comparison means 4 Switching means 4A Common terminal 4B, 4C Individual terminal 5 Control means 6 Transmission means 6A Antenna 7 Battery 10 Transmission apparatus 11 Car 12 Reception apparatus 13A, 13B Antenna 14 Knob 14A Switch 14B Electrode 15 Driving means 16 Driver

Claims (2)

A transmission apparatus comprising a coil and a control means and a transmission means connected to the control means, wherein the coil detects a magnetic field of a human body, and the control means outputs a predetermined signal in response thereto. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the coil receives a radio signal.

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