JP2012046985A - Electronic key - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic key which secures transmission of a signal from the electronic key based on an intention of a user more reliably.SOLUTION: An electronic key 2 is provided with a motion sensor 20 that detects an external force (for example, gradient) applied to the electronic key 2. The electronic key 2 is further provided with a second operation button 19 as a button for wireless communication for an on-board device with high importance. The wireless communication which triggers the operation of the second operation button 19 is executed upon establishment of conditions where the electronic key 2 has the gradient formed in the specific direction, and the second operation button 19 is long pressed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic key for performing ID verification by transmitting an ID code to a communication target wirelessly.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, many vehicles are equipped with a wireless key system (see Patent Document 1 or the like) that operates the vehicle by remote operation of an electronic key. The electronic key is provided with operation buttons such as a lock button and an unlock button for wireless communication, and when the operation button is operated, a wireless signal is transmitted from the electronic key to the vehicle. The wireless signal includes an ID code and a function code corresponding to the operation button. When the vehicle receives this wireless signal, it performs ID verification. If ID verification is established, the vehicle performs an operation according to the function code included in the same signal.

JP 2008-088737 A

  By the way, for example, when an electronic key is put in a pocket of clothes, it is assumed that a button operation is executed against the user's intention. If the button that is operated at this time is a locking button or an unlocking button, it is still good, but if it is a button such as a power slide door or a power back door, the door will move against the user's intention, Some measures have been demanded to ensure the safety of users.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic key that can more reliably make signal transmission from the electronic key based on the user's intention.

  In order to solve the above problem, in the present invention, in an electronic key that transmits an identification signal including a function code corresponding to the operation means to an object to be communicated when an operation means provided on the key body is operated, A motion sensor for detecting an external force applied to the key body; and an enabling means for making the operation of the operation means effective only when the key body is directed in a specific direction based on a detection signal of the motion sensor. This is the summary.

  According to this configuration, the attitude of the key body is detected by the motion sensor, and only when the key body faces a specific direction, the operation of the operation means is validated. For this reason, unless the electronic key is intentionally tilted in a specific direction, an identification signal is not transmitted even if the operating means is operated, and therefore, signal transmission is unlikely to occur where the user does not intend. Therefore, if the electronic key is not directed in a specific direction, the device to be communicated cannot be remotely operated with the electronic key, so that it is difficult to cause a situation in which the device operates against the user's intention.

The gist of the present invention is that the operation means is arranged on a surface of the key body facing the user when the user handles the key body.
According to this configuration, since the operating unit is easily operated, the operating unit can be operated with an easy posture.

The gist of the present invention is that it includes other operation means that is less important than the operation means and can transmit a function code different from that of the operation means during operation.
According to this configuration, it is possible to operate a plurality of devices with one electronic key. In addition, when a device to be remotely operated is highly important, if this device can be operated by the operating means, it is difficult to cause a malfunction of the highly important device, which is very effective.

The gist of the present invention is that it comprises notification means for notifying whether or not the operation of the operation means is enabled.
According to this configuration, it is possible to notify the user whether the operation means is valid or invalid.

  In the present invention, the enabling means validates the operation of the operation means on the condition that the key body is tilted in a specific direction and the operation means is operated in a specific format. And

  According to this configuration, if the key body is tilted in a specific direction and the operation means is not operated in a specific manner, the operation means will not be effective, and therefore it is possible to make it more difficult to erroneously transmit an identification signal. .

  In the present invention, there is provided transmission intensity switching means for transmitting the identification signal transmitted by operating the operating means at a higher transmission intensity than the identification signal transmitted by operating the other operating means. Is the gist.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to remotely operate the device operated by the operation means from a farther position, so that convenience is improved.

  According to the present invention, signal transmission from the electronic key can be more reliably based on the user's intention.

The block diagram of the electronic key system in one Embodiment. The top view which shows the external appearance of an electronic key. The mode figure when operating a 1st operation button with an electronic key. The mode figure when operating a 2nd operation button with an electronic key. The perspective view of the electronic key of another example.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electronic key 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 (not shown) of the verification ECU 8. The verification ECU 8 receives an out-of-vehicle transmitter 9 capable of transmitting LF (Low Frequency) band radio waves outside the vehicle, an in-vehicle transmitter 10 capable of transmitting LF radio waves into the car, and UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band radio waves. A possible vehicle tuner 11 is connected.

  The electronic key 2 is provided with a key control unit 12 that manages the operation of the electronic key 2. The ID code of the electronic key 2 is registered in the memory (not shown) of the key control unit 12. Connected to the key control unit 12 are an LF receiver 13 capable of receiving LF radio waves and a UHF transmitter 14 capable of transmitting UHF radio waves. The UHF transmitter 14 has almost no antenna directivity, and can transmit radio waves at 360 degrees around the electronic key 2. A battery 15 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 vehicle outside transmitter 9 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 a courtesy switch (not shown) of the vehicle 1, for example, a request signal Srq is transmitted from the in-vehicle transmitter 10 instead of the out-of-vehicle transmitter 9. 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 16 is permitted.

  The electronic key 2 is provided with a first operation button 17 for a wireless key system. When, for example, a lock button or an unlock button is operated as the first operation button 17, a wireless signal Swl is transmitted from the electronic key 2 by UHF radio waves. This wireless signal Swl includes an ID code and a function code of the first operation button 17. When the vehicle tuner 11 receives the wireless signal Swl, the verification ECU 8 executes ID verification (wireless verification). When the verification is established, the verification ECU 8 uses the function code included in the same wireless signal Swl to lock the door lock device 5. Execute locking / unlocking. The first operation button 17 corresponds to other operation means, and the wireless signal Swl corresponds to the identification signal.

  In the case of this example, the electronic key 2 is provided with a second operation button 19 for wireless key communication capable of radio wave transmission only when the key body 18 is directed in a specific direction. The second operation button 19 is an operation button for operating an in-vehicle device that is more important than the first operation button 17. That is, the first operation button 17 is a low importance button, and the second operation button 19 is a high importance button. For example, the second operation button 19 is used as a button for a power slide door, a power back door, a trunk, an engine starter, or the like. The second operation button 19 corresponds to an operation unit.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the key body 18 has, for example, a substantially flat cubic shape. And the 1st operation button 17 and the 2nd operation button 19 are arrange | positioned among the 6 surfaces of the key main body 18 on the surface 18a which faces a user side. That is, the first operation button 17 and the second operation button 19 are arranged on the surface 18a facing the front side when the user holds the electronic key 2. The first operation button 17 and the second operation button 19 are arranged in the key body 18 in the key length direction (Z-axis direction in FIG. 2). The surface 18a corresponds to the surface facing the user side.

  The electronic key 2 is provided with a motion sensor 20 that detects the posture (tilt) of the electronic key 2. As the motion sensor 20, 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 20 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 12 as detection signals. The motion sensor 20 may be one that can detect, for example, vibration, acceleration, angular velocity, etc. in addition to the inclination.

  The key control unit 12 is provided with a button valid unit 21 that validates the operation of the second operation button 19 only when the electronic key 2 is directed in a specific direction. The button valid unit 21 grasps the posture of the electronic key 2 based on the detection signal from the motion sensor 20, makes the second operation button 19 effective only when the electronic key 2 faces a specific direction, The radio wave transmission based on the operation of the button 19 is permitted. The button valid unit 21 corresponds to the validation means.

  The validity of the second operation button 19 may be added to the condition that, for example, the second operation button 19 is long pressed in addition to tilting the electronic key 2 in a specific direction. Thus, when the button valid unit 21 confirms that the electronic key 2 is directed in a specific direction and that the second operation button 19 has been pressed for a long time, the button valid unit 21 permits transmission of the wireless signal Swl. For this reason, when this operation is performed with the electronic key 2, the wireless signal Swl is transmitted from the electronic key 2.

  The electronic key 2 is provided with a notification unit 22 that notifies the user whether the second operation button 19 is valid. For the notification unit 22, for example, an LED is used. As shown in FIG. 2, the notification unit 22 includes, for example, a button illumination unit 22 a that illuminates the second operation button 19 made of a light transmitting material from the back surface, and an indicator 22 b that is disposed at a corner of the front surface 18 a of the key body 18. Etc. The electronic key 2 is provided with a display 23 made of, for example, a liquid crystal screen. The key control unit 12 is provided with a notification control unit 24 that manages the operation of the notification unit 22 and the display 23. When the notification control unit 24 confirms that the second operation button 19 is enabled, the notification control unit 24 turns on the notification unit 22 and displays a message to that effect on the display 23. The notification unit 22, the display 23, and the notification control unit 24 constitute notification means.

Next, the operation mode of the electronic key 2 of this example is demonstrated according to FIG.3 and FIG.4.
First, for example, when the door lock of the vehicle 1 is locked and unlocked, the first operation button 17 of the electronic key 2 is pressed. In the case of this example, radio wave transmission is effective for the first operation button 17 regardless of the posture of the electronic key 2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the wireless signal Swl1 is transmitted from the electronic key 2 regardless of the orientation of the electronic key 2. This wireless signal Swl1 includes an ID code and a function code for locking and unlocking the door. When the wireless signal Swl1 reaches the vehicle 1, the door lock is unlocked.

  On the other hand, when operating a highly important vehicle-mounted device such as a power slide door or a power back door, the electronic key 2 is tilted in a specific direction, and the second operation button 19 of the electronic key 2 is long pressed. In the case of this example, as shown in FIG. 4, the second operation button 19 is long pressed while being tilted so that the surface 18a of the electronic key 2 faces the user side. That is, the user presses the second operation button 19 for a certain period of time while tilting the electronic key 2 in a direction in which the user can confirm the switch surface of the electronic key 2.

  Upon confirming that the posture of the electronic key 2 is directed in a specific direction and that the second operation button 19 has been pressed for a long time, the button valid unit 21 permits radio wave transmission by the operation of the second operation button 19. That is, the operation of the second operation button 19 becomes valid.

  At this time, the button illumination unit 22a illuminates the second operation button 19 from the back surface, and the indicator 22b is lit. Further, a message such as “Power slide door is valid” is displayed on the display 23. Therefore, these notifications notify the user that the second operation button 19 is valid. The notification that the button is valid is not limited to using the display 23, but may be notified only by an LED (button illumination unit 22a, indicator 22b), for example.

  When the second operation button 19 is operated in this state, the electronic key 2 transmits a wireless signal Swl2 according to the operation of the second operation button 19. This wireless signal Swl2 includes an ID code and a function code for on-vehicle equipment having a high degree of importance. When this wireless signal Swl2 reaches the vehicle 1, an on-vehicle device having high importance, such as a power slide door or a power back door, operates.

  As described above, in this example, the motion sensor 20 is mounted on the electronic key 2 so that the posture of the electronic key 2 can be detected, and when the second operation button 19 is long pressed while the electronic key 2 is tilted in a specific direction, Wireless communication triggered by the operation of the second operation button 19 is permitted. Therefore, if the user does not consciously operate the electronic key 2, wireless communication triggered by the operation of the second operation button 19 is not executed, and it is difficult for radio transmission unintended by the user to occur. For this reason, it becomes possible to make it difficult to produce the situation where an important vehicle equipment operates without a user's intention.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The posture of the electronic key 2 is detected by the motion sensor 20, and the operation of the second operation button 19 is performed only when the second operation button 19 is pressed and held while the electronic key 2 is directed in a specific direction. Valid. Therefore, the user cannot remotely operate the vehicle 1 with the second operation button 19 of the electronic key 2 unless the user consciously operates the electronic key 2 such as the direction of the electronic key 2 and the button operation time. Accordingly, it is possible to make it difficult for a situation where the in-vehicle device operates against the user's intention.

  (2) Of the six surfaces of the key body 18, the second operation button 19 is arranged on the surface facing the user (surface 18a). Therefore, since the second operation button 19 takes a position where it can be easily operated, the user can operate the second operation button 19 with an easy and natural appearance.

  (3) Since both the first operation button 17 and the second operation button 19 are provided on the electronic key 2, a plurality of in-vehicle devices can be operated with one electronic key 2. The first operation button 17 does not have a condition for radio wave transmission, enables radio wave transmission regardless of the direction of the electronic key 2, and the second operation button 19 for handling a highly important vehicle-mounted device has the electronic key 2. Is added as a condition for radio wave transmission. Therefore, the first operation button 17 positioned frequently used can give priority to convenience, and the second operation button 19 having high importance can give priority to prevention of erroneous transmission of radio waves.

  (4) Since the notification unit 22 and the display 23 for notifying whether or not the operation of the second operation button 19 is valid are provided, it is possible to sequentially tell the user whether the second operation button 19 is valid or invalid. it can.

  (5) In addition to directing the electronic key 2 in a specific direction, the long operation of the second operation button 19 was added to the condition as a condition for enabling radio wave transmission of the second operation button 19. Therefore, since the second operation button 19 is not effective unless these two conditions are met, it is possible to further reduce the occurrence of radio transmission not intended by the user in radio transmission using the second operation button 19 as a trigger.

Note that the embodiment is not limited to the configuration described so far, and may be modified as follows.
A transmission intensity switching unit 31 (see FIG. 1) is provided in the key control unit 12 so that the transmission intensity when radio waves are transmitted from the electronic key 2 by operating the second operation button 19 is higher than that of the first operation button 17. You may set it high. In this case, the power slide door, the power back door, and the like often take a usage mode in which they are remotely operated from a position far away from the vehicle 1. The transmission strength switching unit 31 corresponds to transmission strength switching means.

  The first operation button 17 and the second operation button 19 are not limited to being arranged on the same surface in the key body 18. As shown in FIG. 5, the first operation button 17 and the second operation button 19 may be arranged on opposite surfaces. In this case, it is possible to make it difficult to make a mistake in button operation.

  When the second operation button 19 is an engine starter button, the communication establishment may be notified to the user by the notification unit 22 or the display 23. In this case, the electronic key 2 needs to obtain a communication establishment notification from the vehicle 1.

  The wireless communication triggered by the operation of the second operation button 19 is not limited to both pointing the electronic key 2 in a specific direction and long pressing the second operation button 19. In short, only the electronic key 2 may be tilted in a specific direction.

-A specific form is not limited to the long press of the 2nd operation button 19, For example, it is good also as pressing the 2nd operation button 19 a specific number of times.
A plurality of second operation buttons 19 may be provided, and the usable second operation buttons 19 may be switched according to the posture of the electronic key 2.

  The electronic key system 3 is not limited to communication in which the forward path is LF and the return path is UHF. For example, both the forward path and the return path may be UHF. Further, the frequency used in the electronic key system 3 is not limited to LF and UHF, and other frequencies such as HF (High Frequency) may be used.

The motion sensor 20 is not limited to a three-dimensional sensor, and may detect a motion in two dimensions.
The motion sensor 20 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 20 is not limited to sensors, and may be a mechanical switch, for example.
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.

-Notification part 22 is not limited to LED, and may use a buzzer or a speaker.
The wireless function (device) of the electronic key 2 is not limited to a door lock, a power slide door, a power back door, etc. For example, a vehicle door window glass opening / closing, tailgate opening / closing, trunk opening / closing, etc. may be adopted.

The first operation button 17 and the second operation button 19 are not limited to momentary push buttons, but can be changed to other types.
The direction of the electronic key 2 when the operation of the second operation button 19 is valid is not limited to the direction in which the surface 18a of the key body 18 is directed to the user side. For example, the tilt direction of the electronic key 2 may be right or left.

The arrangement position of the second operation button 19 is not limited to the front surface 18a of the key body 18, and may be changed to the back surface, the side surface, or the like.
The electronic key 2 does not need to include both the first operation button 17 and the second operation button 19, and only the second operation button 19 needs to be provided.

The notification means is not limited to the notification unit 22 and the display 23, and other devices can be applied.
The message displayed on the display 23 can be appropriately changed as long as the content can be conveyed to the user.

  The condition for enabling the operation of the second operation button 19 is not limited to the two conditions of tilting the electronic key 2 in a specific direction and long-pressing the second operation button 19, and may be three or more conditions. .

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 6, the operation means and the other operation are provided with another operation means having a lower importance than the operation means and capable of transmitting a function code different from the operation means at the time of operation. The means are arranged on different surfaces of the key body. According to this configuration, it is possible to make it difficult to make an operation error between the operation means and the other operation means.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle as communication object, 2 ... Electronic key, 17 ... 1st operation button as other operation means, 18 ... Key body, 18a ... Surface as a surface which faces a user side, 19 ... 2nd operation as operation means Buttons, 20 ... motion sensors, 21 ... a button valid unit as an enabling unit, 22 ... a notification unit constituting a notification unit, 23 ... a display constituting a notification unit, 24 ... a communication control unit constituting a notification unit, Swl ( Swl1, Swl2) Wireless signals as identification signals.

Claims (6)

When an operation means provided on the key body is operated, in an electronic key that transmits an identification signal including a function code corresponding to the operation means to a communication target,
A motion sensor for detecting an external force applied to the key body;
An electronic key comprising: an enabling means that validates the operation of the operating means only when the key body is directed in a specific direction based on a detection signal of the motion sensor. 2. The electronic key according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is arranged on a surface of the key body facing the user when the user handles the key body. 3. The electronic key according to claim 1, further comprising another operation unit that is less important than the operation unit and capable of transmitting a function code different from the operation unit during operation. The electronic key according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying whether or not the operation of the operation means is enabled. The enabling means enables the operation of the operation means to be effective on the condition that the key body is tilted in a specific direction and the operation means is operated in a specific format. The electronic key as described in any one of 1-4. Transmission strength switching means is provided for transmitting the identification signal transmitted by operating the operating means at a higher transmission intensity than the identification signal transmitted by operating the other operating means. The electronic key as described in any one of Claims 3-5.

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