JP2012046984A - Electronic key and individual setting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic key and an individual setting device, allowing flexible setting of the electronic key specification.SOLUTION: A motion sensor 21 is mounted in an electronic key 2 which is shaken a set number of times to set its specification. The specification of the electronic key 2 is set in accordance with the number of shaking. Upon wireless communication between the electronic key 2 and the vehicle 1, the vehicle 1 is notified of the specification information Sbs of the electronic key 2 so that an environment for the vehicle is set to be in accordance with the specification of the electronic key 2.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic key and an individual-specific setting device that perform ID verification by transmitting an identification signal to a communication target wirelessly.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, many vehicles are equipped with an electronic key system that performs ID verification by transmitting an ID code from an electronic key to the vehicle wirelessly. A general electronic key does not have a personal setting function for switching the specification (usage setting) of the electronic key according to the user, and is a common key for all users. Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic key that can specify a user of an electronic key based on biometric information and switch specifications of the electronic key according to the user. For this reason, according to the user of an electronic key, a vehicle interior environment can be switched for every user.

JP-T-2002-516937

  However, although the technique of Patent Document 1 provides an electronic key with a personal setting function, only those who have registered as a user can use the electronic key. Therefore, even if a person who is not registered for use with the electronic key tries to move the vehicle in an emergency, the vehicle cannot be operated. In addition, there is a demand for one user to register a plurality of specifications in the electronic key and to use the specifications properly according to the situation at that time.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic key and an individual setting device that can flexibly set the specification of the electronic key.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, in an electronic key that transmits an identification signal to a communication target wirelessly and performs ID verification, a motion sensor that detects an external force applied to the key body;
Specification setting means for setting the specification of the electronic key according to the external force applied to the key body based on the detection signal of the motion sensor, and setting of the specification is completed before using the key. The gist is that the electronic key is used after the specification setting is completed.

  According to this configuration, the motion sensor is mounted on the electronic key, the motion when the electronic key is shaken or rotated, for example, is detected by the motion sensor, and the specification of the electronic key is changed according to the motion. For this reason, since one electronic key can be used properly among a plurality of users, one electronic key can be used as a common key for a plurality of users. Therefore, since it is not necessary to prepare an individual electronic key for each user, management of the electronic key becomes easier.

  Further, since the specification of the electronic key of this example is changed by shaking or turning the electronic key, even if the electronic key is lent to a third party, the electronic key can be used as it is. Therefore, even when it is desired to lend the vehicle to a third party, no new registration work is imposed, so that there is no trouble in lending the vehicle. In addition, since one user can set a plurality of specifications for the electronic key, the convenience of the electronic key is improved.

The gist of the present invention is that the motion sensor detects inclination, vibration, acceleration, or angular velocity as the external force applied to the key body.
According to this configuration, for example, the tilt, vibration, acceleration, angular velocity, and the like are used as parameters for changing the operation function, so that the operation function of the operation means can be switched by a natural operation such as tilting or shaking the electronic key. Become.

The gist of the present invention is that it comprises notification means for notifying the key body of what the specification set by the specification setting means is.
According to this configuration, it is possible to notify the user of the specification being set in the electronic key by the notification means.

The gist of the present invention is that the specification setting means determines the setting when a specific operation mode is executed after an external force is applied to the electronic key and the specification is set.
According to this configuration, since the setting is not confirmed unless there is a user's intention to perform a specific operation mode, an erroneous setting is less likely to occur when setting the specification of the electronic key.

  In the present invention, when performing ID verification with the communication target, the communication target includes transmission means for transmitting to the communication target as specification information what the specification set by the specification setting unit is, and the communication target is the electronic target Based on the specification information received from the key, the gist is to read the personal setting information registered in itself and set its own environment based on the personal setting information.

  According to this configuration, when the electronic key communicates with the communication target, the electronic key notifies the communication target of the specification registered by itself by transmitting symbolic specification information to the communication target. Then, the communication target grasps the specification of the electronic key based on the specification information received from the electronic key, reads the personal setting information registered in itself, and changes the communication target environment according to the specification of the electronic key. Set. Therefore, it is not necessary to directly transmit the personal setting information from the electronic key to the communication target, so that the amount of signal data can be reduced. For this reason, the transmission load of the electronic key can be reduced.

  In the present invention, a motion sensor that detects an external force applied to the electronic key in an individual setting device used in an electronic key system that transmits an identification signal wirelessly from an electronic key to a communication target and performs ID verification of the electronic key. And specification setting means for setting the specification of the electronic key according to the external force applied to the electronic key based on the detection signal of the motion sensor, and before using the electronic key, The gist is that the specification is completed and the electronic key is used after the specification is completed.

  According to the present invention, the specification of the electronic key can be set flexibly.

The block diagram of the setting apparatus classified by individual of one Embodiment. A table in which the number of swings and specifications are associated. A table in which specifications and personal setting information are associated with each other. The operation | movement transition diagram when setting a specification by shaking an electronic key once. The operation transition diagram when setting a specification by shaking an electronic key twice.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electronic key and an individual setting device embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 is equipped with an electronic key system 3 that performs ID verification wirelessly with the electronic key 2. The electronic key 2 is a key for transmitting an ID code to the vehicle 1 by radio. The electronic key system 3 includes a key operation free system that executes ID collation using communication from the vehicle 1 side as a trigger, and a wireless key system that executes ID collation using communication from the electronic key 2 side as a trigger. Note that the vehicle 1 corresponds to a communication target.

  In this case, the vehicle 1 is provided with an ID verification device 4, a door lock device 5, and an engine starting device 6, which are connected via a bus 7 in the vehicle. The ID verification device 4 is provided with a verification ECU 8 as a control unit of the ID verification device 4. The ID code of the electronic key 2 is registered in the memory 9 of the verification ECU 8. The verification ECU 8 receives an out-of-vehicle transmitter 10 capable of transmitting LF (Low Frequency) band radio waves outside the vehicle, an in-vehicle transmitter 11 capable of transmitting LF radio waves into the car, and UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band radio waves. A possible vehicle tuner 12 is connected.

  The electronic key 2 is provided with a key control unit 13 that manages the operation of the electronic key 2. The ID code of the electronic key 2 is registered in the memory 14 of the key control unit 13. Connected to the key control unit 13 are an LF receiver 15 capable of receiving LF radio waves and a UHF transmitter 16 capable of transmitting UHF radio waves. A battery 17 is mounted on the electronic key 2 as a power source for the electronic key 2.

  When the electronic key 2 is located outside the vehicle, the outside transmitter 10 intermittently transmits a request signal Srq outside the vehicle as an ID reply request. When the electronic key 2 enters the communication area of the request signal Srq, the electronic key 2 is activated from the standby state and transmits the ID signal Sid to the vehicle 1. When ID verification, so-called vehicle exterior verification, is established between the electronic key 2 outside the vehicle and the vehicle 1, door lock locking / unlocking of the vehicle door by the door lock device 5 is permitted or executed.

  When the user's boarding is detected by, for example, a courtesy switch (not shown) of the vehicle 1, a request signal Srq is transmitted from the in-vehicle transmitter 11 instead of the out-of-vehicle transmitter 10. When ID verification, so-called in-vehicle verification, is established between the electronic key 2 in the vehicle and the vehicle 1, engine start operation by the engine switch 18 is permitted.

  In addition, the electronic key 2 is provided with an operation button (hereinafter referred to as a wireless operation button) 19 for wireless communication. The wireless operation button 19 includes, for example, a lock / unlock button that is operated when the door lock of the vehicle 1 is locked / unlocked. When the wireless operation button 19 is operated with the electronic key 2, a wireless signal Swl is transmitted from the electronic key 2. The wireless signal Swl includes an ID code and a function code of the wireless operation button 19. When the vehicle tuner 12 receives the wireless signal Swl, the verification ECU 8 executes ID verification (wireless verification). When the verification is established, the verification ECU 8 causes the door lock device 5 to perform door lock locking / unlocking. The ID signal Sid and the wireless signal Swl constitute an identification signal.

  The electronic key system 3 of this example is provided with an individual setting device 20 that sets the specifications of the electronic key 2 by shaking the electronic key 2. The individual setting device 20 sets the specification of the electronic key 2 to the specification corresponding to the number of times the electronic key 2 is swung. For example, in the case of one swing operation, the electronic key 2 is set to the specification A, and in the case of two swing operations, the electronic key 2 is set to the specification B.

  In this case, the electronic key 2 is provided with a motion sensor 21 that detects a movement applied to the key body 2a. As the motion sensor 21, for example, an inclination sensor, a vibration sensor, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a load sensor, or the like is used. The motion sensor 21 of this example detects the movement direction of the electronic key 2 in three dimensions in the XYZ directions, and outputs the movement direction and the movement amount to the key control unit 13 as detection signals.

  Registered in the memory 14 of the key control unit 13 is a table 22 in which the number of times of the electronic key 2 is associated with the specification. As shown in FIG. 2, the specifications of the table 22 are uniquely set according to the number of swings, such as specification A when the number of swings is 1 and specification B when the number of swings is 2. When the number of swings is completed, the specification returns to the first specification A. The table 22 constitutes specification setting means.

  The key control unit 13 is provided with a specification setting unit 23 that sets the specification of the electronic key 2 with reference to the table 22 based on the detection signal of the motion sensor 21. The specification setting unit 23 grasps the number of swings of the electronic key 2 based on the detection signal from the motion sensor 21 and refers to the table 22 based on the number of swings to determine the specification of the electronic key 2 and the swing of the electronic key 2. Set the specifications according to the number of times. In addition, after the specification is set by swinging the electronic key 2, the specification setting unit 23 confirms the setting when a button operation (in this case, any button) is performed on the electronic key 2. . As a result, the electronic key 2 becomes a key having a function corresponding to the number of swings. The specification setting unit 23 constitutes specification setting means.

  The electronic key 2 is provided with a notification unit 24 that notifies the user of the operation state when switching the specifications of the electronic key 2. The notification unit 24 uses, for example, an LED and is connected to the key control unit 13. The electronic key 2 is provided with a display 25 made of, for example, a liquid crystal screen. The key control unit 13 is provided with a notification control unit 26 that manages the operation of the notification unit 24 and the display 25. The notification control unit 26 turns on (flashes) the notification unit 24 every time the specification of the electronic key 2 is changed. Further, the notification control unit 26 displays the specification currently set in the electronic key 2 on the screen of the display 25. In addition, the notification part 24, the display 25, and the notification control part 26 comprise a notification means.

  The key control unit 13 is provided with a transmission execution unit 27 that notifies the vehicle 1 of the specification set for the electronic key 2 at the time of ID verification. When the transmission execution unit 27 transmits the ID signal Sid and the wireless signal Swl, the transmission execution unit 27 adds to the vehicle 1 specification information Sbs for notifying what is the specification already set in the electronic key 2. Send. The specification information Sbs is merely symbolic information. The transmission execution unit 27 corresponds to a transmission unit.

  In the memory 9 of the verification ECU 8, a table 28 in which the specifications of the electronic key 2 are associated with specific personal setting information K is registered. Here, the personal setting information K is unique information individually set by the user, such as a seat position, a handle position, and selected music. As shown in FIG. 3, in the table 28, each specification that can be selected by the electronic key 2 is associated with personal setting information K that is a specific setting content of each specification. For example, personal setting information Ka is registered in the specification A, and personal setting information Kb is registered in the specification B. The table 28 constitutes specification setting means.

  The verification ECU 8 is provided with a vehicle environment setting unit 29 that sets the in-vehicle environment based on the specification information Sbs notified from the electronic key 2. When the vehicle tuner 12 receives the specification information Sbs transmitted from the electronic key 2, the vehicle environment setting unit 29 refers to the table 28 and calculates the personal setting information K corresponding to the acquired specification information Sbs. Then, the vehicle environment setting unit 29 outputs a command to each ECU in the vehicle so that the vehicle environment takes a state corresponding to the personal setting information K. The vehicle environment setting unit 29 constitutes specification setting means.

Next, the operation of the individual setting device 20 of this example will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the case of this example, the specification of the electronic key 2 is that the specification A is in an initial state, and when the specification is changed from A to another, the specification automatically returns to A if a certain time elapses after the specification change. To do. Therefore, at first, the discussion proceeds on condition that the specification of the electronic key 2 is set to A. Note that the specification taken in the initial state is not necessarily A. For example, the number of times of use (usage frequency) of the specification is sequentially counted, and the most frequently used one is set as the initial state specification. Good.

  In order to change the specification of the electronic key 2 from A in the initial state to another specification, the electronic key 2 is shaken by the number corresponding to the specification to be set. For example, when it is desired to change the specification of the electronic key 2 from A to B, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, the electronic key 2 is shaken once. Note that the swing direction of the electronic key 2 may be right or left.

  At this time, the specification setting unit 23 grasps that the number of times the electronic key 2 is shaken at this time is one based on the detection signal from the motion sensor 21. Then, the specification setting unit 23 refers to the table 22 and reads the specification corresponding to the number of times of swinging, and sets the specification of the electronic key 2 to this specification. Here, since it is assumed that the electronic key 2 is shaken once, the specification of the electronic key 2 is changed to B.

  The notification control unit 26 turns on (flashes) the notification unit 24 when the specification of the electronic key 2 is switched during the swing operation of the electronic key 2. In addition, the notification control unit 26 notifies the display 25 of what the currently set specification is. At this time, on the display 25, for example, “Current specification is“ B ”. Is displayed. Therefore, it can be understood what the specification being set in the electronic key 2 is.

  It is assumed that, for example, the wireless operation button 19 is pressed after the specification of the electronic key 2 is switched to B. At this time, the transmission execution unit 27 adds the specification information Sbs for notifying that the specification of the electronic key 2 is B to the wireless signal Swl, and causes the UHF transmitter 16 to transmit the wireless signal Swl. The specification information Sbs is simply symbol information, and is constructed from, for example, several bits of data.

  When the vehicle 1 receives the wireless signal Swl by the vehicle tuner 12, the vehicle environment setting unit 29 reads the specification information Sbs contained in the wireless signal Swl and confirms that the specification of the electronic key 2 is B. When the vehicle environment setting unit 29 grasps the specification of the electronic key 2, the vehicle environment setting unit 29 reads the personal setting information Kb corresponding to the specification B with reference to the table 28. Then, the vehicle environment setting unit 29 outputs a command based on the read personal setting information Kb to other ECUs to set the seat position, handle position, music, etc. according to the specification B.

  When the specification of the electronic key 2 is changed from A to C, the electronic key 2 is continuously shaken twice as shown in FIG. At this time, the specification setting unit 23 switches the specification of the electronic key 2 to B when the electronic key 2 is shaken once, and switches the specification of the electronic key 2 to C when the electronic key 2 is shaken once more.

  Since the notification control unit 26 lights the notification unit 24 every time the specification of the electronic key 2 is switched, the notification unit 26 is switched between when the specification of the electronic key 2 is switched to B and when the specification of the electronic key 2 is switched to C, respectively. 24 is turned on. That is, in the process where the specification of the electronic key 2 is switched from A → B → C, it is lit twice in total. Further, when the specification of the electronic key 2 is switched to C, the notification control unit 26 displays a message on the display 25.

  For example, if the wireless operation button 19 is pressed after the specification of the electronic key 2 is switched to C, the transmission execution unit 27 sends the specification information Sbs for notifying that the specification of the electronic key 2 is C to the wireless signal Swl. In addition, the wireless signal Swl is transmitted from the UHF transmitter 16. When the vehicle environment setting unit 29 grasps the specification of the electronic key 2 from the specification information Sbs, the vehicle environment setting unit 29 reads the personal setting information Kc corresponding to the specification C with reference to the table 28. Then, the vehicle environment setting unit 29 outputs a command based on the read personal setting information Kc to other ECUs to set the seat position, handle position, music, etc. according to the specification C.

  Although the example in which the specification of the electronic key 2 is changed from A → B → C has been described here, the substantial operation is the same when the specification is changed to a subsequent state, and thus the description thereof is omitted. In addition, although the operation mode of wireless communication has been described here, since the smart communication has substantially the same operation, the description thereof is also omitted.

  As described above, in this example, the motion sensor 21 is mounted on the electronic key 2 and the specification of the electronic key 2 can be switched by shaking the electronic key 2 a set number of times. For this reason, specifications of a plurality of users are registered in one electronic key 2, and a specific one specification is selected by assigning the electronic key 2 a specific number of times, whereby the electronic key 2 is specified as a key unique to each user. It becomes possible to do. Accordingly, a single electronic key 2 can be used in common by a plurality of users, so that the number of electronic keys to be managed can be reduced.

  In addition, since the personal setting of the electronic key 2 is simply an operation of waving the electronic key 2, not only the authorized user but also others can use the electronic key 2 for example. Therefore, for example, when it is desired that a third party move the vehicle 1 in an emergency, it is possible to cope with this. Furthermore, since one user can register a plurality of specifications in the electronic key 2, the usability of the electronic key 2 is improved. From the above, in this example, the specification of the electronic key 2 can be switched flexibly.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When a motion sensor 21 is mounted on the electronic key 2 and the electronic key 2 is set for the set number of times, the specification of the electronic key 2 is set, and when the electronic key 2 performs wireless communication with the vehicle 1, the specification information of the electronic key 2 Sbs is notified to the vehicle 1 and the vehicle environment is set according to the specifications of the electronic key 2. Therefore, since the specification of the electronic key 2 is switched by shaking the electronic key 2 at hand, the specification of the electronic key 2 can be switched flexibly.

  (2) The specification of the electronic key 2 is switched at hand, and after the specification of the electronic key 2 is determined, the wireless operation button 19 of the electronic key 2 is pressed to perform wireless communication with the vehicle 1. Therefore, after confirming the specifications of the electronic key 2 at hand and then shifting to actual wireless communication, it is possible to prevent a situation in which communication is performed with a setting error.

(3) Since the specification being set can be displayed on the display 25 of the electronic key 2, the convenience of the electronic key 2 can be improved.
(4) When the specification is set by shaking the electronic key 2, the set function is confirmed by operating a button. Therefore, since the setting is confirmed only when there is a user's intention to operate the button, it is possible to prevent an erroneous setting from occurring when the function of the electronic key 2 is set.

  (5) When the electronic key 2 wirelessly communicates with the vehicle 1, the electronic key 2 sends the mere symbolic specification information Sbs to the vehicle 1, thereby notifying the vehicle 1 of the specification registered therein. The vehicle 1 reads the personal setting information K corresponding to the specification information Sbs with reference to the table 28 based on the specification information Sbs, and sets the vehicle environment based on the personal setting information K. Therefore, since it is not necessary to directly transmit the personal setting information K from the electronic key 2 to the vehicle 1, the amount of signal data can be reduced. For this reason, the transmission load of the electronic key 2 can be reduced.

Note that the embodiment is not limited to the configuration described so far, and may be modified as follows.
When the electronic key 2 is shaken a set number of times, the specification of the electronic key 2 may enter the power saving mode. The power saving mode is a mode in which, for example, the electronic key 2 enters a standby state (sleep state). When the electronic key 2 enters the power saving mode, the fact is displayed on the display 25 to notify the user. In order to return the electronic key 2 to the normal mode, it is necessary to vibrate the electronic key 2 many times so as not to reduce convenience.

  The wireless operation button 19 may be used for opening / closing a power slide door, opening / closing a tail gate, opening / closing a trunk, opening / closing a window glass, etc., in addition to door locking / unlocking / unlocking. Of course, other types may be adopted.

The personal setting information K is not limited to information on the seat position, handle position, and selected music. For example, the warm-up time of the engine starter, the set temperature of the air conditioning inside the vehicle, the wind direction, or the like may be used.
The tables 22 and 28 are not limited to fixed values, and may be rewritable.

  The setting confirmation after swinging the electronic key 2 is not limited to operating a button on the electronic key 2. For example, when the electronic key 2 is swung, the setting may be confirmed by maintaining the tilted state after the swing for a certain time.

The notification means is not limited to the display 25 or the notification unit 24, and any device may be adopted as long as the specification being set can be notified.
The notification unit 24 is not limited to an LED, and may be a buzzer or a speaker.

The specification of the electronic key 2 is not necessarily limited to returning to the initial state, and the specification being set may be held.
The motion sensor 21 is not limited to a three-dimensional sensor, and may detect a motion in two dimensions.

The motion sensor 21 is not limited to the type described in the embodiment, and any sensor may be used as long as the external force applied to the electronic key 2 can be detected.
The motion sensor 21 is not limited to sensors, and may be a mechanical switch, for example.

  The operation imposed on the user when changing the specifications of the electronic key 2 is not limited to shaking the electronic key 2. For example, any operation that applies a predetermined external force to the electronic key 2 such as turning or hitting the electronic key 2 may be used.

The personal setting information K may be directly transmitted from the electronic key 2 to the vehicle 1.
-The key operation free system is not limited to the forward path is LF and the return path is not UHF. For example, both the outbound and return routes may be UHF. The frequency used is not limited to LF or UHF, and other frequencies such as HF (High Frequency) may be used.

  A dedicated switch (operation means) for switching the electronic key 2 to the specification change mode may be provided, and the electronic key 2 may be set by operating the dedicated switch and then shaking the electronic key 2.

The wireless communication is not limited to a single direction in which radio waves are transmitted only from the electronic key 2 to the vehicle 1, and includes a bidirectional direction in which the electronic key 2 and the vehicle 1 exchange signals.
The operation button 19 is not limited to a momentary push button, and can be changed to other types.

The electronic key 2 of this example is not limited to being applied to the vehicle 1 but can be used for other devices.
Next, technical ideas that can be grasped from the above-described embodiment and other examples will be described below together with their effects.

  (A) In any one of claims 1 to 5, a power saving processing means for setting the key body to a power saving mode based on a detection signal of the motion sensor is provided. According to this configuration, it is possible to effectively use the power source of the electronic key.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle as communication object, 2 ... Electronic key, 2a ... Key body, 3 ... Electronic key system, 20 ... Individual setting apparatus, 21 ... Motion sensor, 22 ... Table which comprises specification setting means, 23 ... Specification setting Specification setting unit constituting means, 24... Notification part constituting notification means, 25... Display constituting notification means, 26... Notification control part constituting notification means, 27. Table constituting the specification setting means, 29 ... Vehicle environment setting section constituting the specification setting means, Sid ... ID signal constituting the identification signal, Swl ... Wireless signal constituting the identification signal, Sbs ... Specification information, K (Ka, Kb, Kc) ... personal setting information, A to C ... specifications.

Claims (6)

In an electronic key for wirelessly transmitting an identification signal to a communication target and performing ID verification,
A motion sensor that detects the external force applied to the key body,
Specification setting means for setting the specification of the electronic key based on the detection signal of the motion sensor according to the external force applied to the key body,
An electronic key characterized in that the specification is set before the key is used, and the electronic key is used after the specification is completed. The electronic key according to claim 1, wherein the motion sensor detects inclination, vibration, acceleration, or angular velocity as the external force applied to the key body. The electronic key according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the key body of what the specification set by the specification setting unit is. The specification setting means determines the setting when a specific operation mode is executed after an external force is applied to the electronic key and the specification is set. The electronic key as described in any one. A transmission unit that transmits to the communication target as specification information what the specification set by the specification setting unit is when performing ID verification with the communication target;
5. The communication target reads personal setting information registered in itself based on the specification information received from the electronic key, and sets its environment based on the personal setting information. The electronic key as described in any one of these. In an individual setting device used in an electronic key system that transmits an identification signal wirelessly from an electronic key to a communication target and performs ID verification of the electronic key,
A motion sensor for detecting an external force applied to the electronic key;
Specification setting means for setting the specification of the electronic key based on the detection signal of the motion sensor according to the external force applied to the electronic key,
The individual setting apparatus, wherein the specification is set before the electronic key is used, and the electronic key is used after the specification setting is completed.

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