JP2012047012A - Electronic key - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic key capable of minimizing the number of operations and switching operation functions of operation means through a simple operation.SOLUTION: An electronic key 2 is provided with a motion sensor 17 that detects an external force (for example, gradient) applied to the electronic key 2. The gradient of the electronic key 2 is detected by the motion sensor 17 so that an operation function of a common operation button 16 for wireless communication, which is provided for the electronic key 2 is set to the function in accordance with the gradient of the electronic key 2. The operation function of the common operation button 16 may be switched by simply changing the gradient of the electronic key 2. This makes it possible to switch the operation function of the common operation button 16 without providing an additional button dedicated to switching between the operation functions.

Description

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

  Conventionally, many vehicles are equipped with a wireless key system for operating the vehicle by remote control 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.

  By the way, this type of operation button for wireless communication is premised on one function being assigned to one operation button. In the case of such a function of one operation button, if the function of wireless communication is increased in the electronic key, the operation button must be mounted for the function increment. In this case, the wiring of the electronic key and the placement of the operation buttons themselves on the board become difficult, which causes the electronic key to increase in size and eventually leads to a problem that a function cannot be added to the electronic key.

  In addition, it is also possible to assign a plurality of functions to one operation button by operating one operation button a plurality of times or pressing and holding it. However, if one operation button has a large number of functions, the operation mode becomes too complicated, which leads to a problem that impairs the convenience of the operation and does not lead to a fundamental solution.

  By the way, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a plurality of operation functions are assigned to one operation button. The technique of Patent Document 1 switches the function of an operation switch (actuation switch) provided in an electronic key (operation device) using a mode switch. That is, the mode of the operation switch is switched according to the number of times the mode switch is pressed. For example, when the mode switch is pressed once, the operation switch is set to the mode 1 function, and when the mode switch is pressed twice, the operation switch Is set to the mode 2 function.

JP 2006-27576 A

  However, since the technique of Patent Document 1 needs to provide a mode switch separately in addition to the operation buttons, even if a plurality of functions are assigned to one operation button, the number of buttons increases as a result. In addition, when switching the function of the operation button, the mode switch must be manually operated, so that there is a problem that the switching operation itself is troublesome.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic key that can suppress the number of operations and can switch an operation function of an operation means with a simple operation.

  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, The gist is provided with a motion sensor that detects an external force applied to the key body, and a function setting unit that sets an operation function assigned to the operation unit based on a detection signal of the motion sensor.

  According to this configuration, the external force applied to the electronic key is detected by the motion sensor, and the operation function of the electronic key operating means is set to a function corresponding to the external force applied to the electronic key. Therefore, there is no need to provide a dedicated operation means for function switching in the electronic key, so that even if one operation means is compatible with a plurality of functions, the number of operation means provided in the electronic key can be reduced. Further, since the operation function of the operation means is changed by simply switching the external force applied to the electronic key, the operation function of the operation means can be switched without complicated and troublesome operations.

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 which function is assigned to the operation means.
According to this configuration, since the notification unit can know which operation function is currently assigned to the operation unit, it is possible to ensure convenience.

The gist of the present invention is that the function setting means changes a device that can be operated by the operation means by assigning a function assigned to the operation means to that of another device.
According to this configuration, one operation unit can be used as an operation unit for a plurality of operation devices.

  The gist of the present invention is that the function setting means makes it possible to perform another operation of the device by the operation means by assigning the function assigned to the operation means to another operation in the same device.

According to this configuration, it is possible to switch the operation mode of one device with one operation means.
The gist of the present invention is that the function setting means validates the operation of the operation means on the condition that an external force is applied to the key body when the operation means is operated.

  According to this configuration, since the operation permission of the operation means is not only the operation of the operation means but also an external force is applied to the electronic key, if these two conditions are not met, the electronic key can communicate with The identification signal is not transmitted to the device and the device does not operate. Therefore, since the situation where the device operates in a place not intended by the operator is reduced, it is possible to ensure safety.

  According to the present invention, the number of operations can be reduced, and the operation function of the operation means can be switched with a simple operation.

The block diagram of the electronic key system in one Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of an electronic key. (A) is an operation diagram when the electronic key is tilted to the right, and (b) is an operation diagram when the electronic key is tilted to the left. The screen transition figure of the display of an electronic key. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the electronic key in another example. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the electronic key in another example. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the electronic key in 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. In the memory 13 of the key control unit 12, the ID code of the electronic key 2 is registered. Connected to the key control unit 12 are an LF receiver 14 capable of receiving LF radio waves and a UHF transmitter 15 capable of transmitting UHF radio waves. A battery 2 a 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, the engine start operation by the engine switch 6a is permitted.

  When the operation button 16 provided on the electronic key 2 is operated, the wireless signal Swl is transmitted from the electronic key 2 by UHF radio waves. For example, the door can be locked and unlocked by operating the operation button 16. This wireless signal Swl includes an ID code and a function code of the operation button 16. 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 wireless key system of this example is provided with a wireless function changing system that changes the function of the operation button 16 in accordance with an external force applied to the electronic key 2. The wireless function changing system of this example changes the function of the operation button 16 according to the tilt direction of the electronic key 2. That is, by changing the direction in which the electronic key 2 is tilted, the in-vehicle device that can be operated with the operation button 16 can be changed.

  The operation button 16 in this example is a momentary push button, and is used as a common button, that is, a common operation button 16 in a plurality of wireless functions. The common operation button 16 of this example is also used as a button for operating, for example, a power slide door, a power back door, etc. in addition to door lock locking / unlocking. The common operation button 16 corresponds to an operation unit.

  In this case, the electronic key 2 is provided with a motion sensor 17 that detects the inclination of the electronic key 2. As the motion sensor 17, 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 17 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 17 may be capable of detecting, for example, vibration, acceleration, angular velocity, etc. in addition to the inclination.

  The key control unit 12 is provided with a button function setting unit 18 that sets an operation function of the common operation button 16 based on a detection signal from the motion sensor 17. The button function setting unit 18 appropriately sets the operation function of the common operation button 16 to a function corresponding to the inclination of the electronic key 2. In the case of this example, in-vehicle devices that can be operated with the common operation button 16 are switched according to the tilt angle of the electronic key 2. The button function setting unit 18 corresponds to function setting means.

  The electronic key 2 is provided with a notification unit 19 that notifies the user which function the common operation button 16 is set to. For example, LEDs are used as the notification unit 19, and a plurality of notification units 19 are arranged on the surface of the case 20 according to the tilting direction of the electronic key 2. The electronic key 2 is provided with a display 21 made of, for example, a liquid crystal screen. The key control unit 12 is provided with a notification control unit 22 that manages the operation of the notification unit 19 and the display 21. The notification control unit 22 lights (flashes) the notification unit 19 corresponding to the tilt direction of the electronic key 2, that is, the notification unit 19 of the operation function set by the button function setting unit 18. In addition, the notification control unit 22 displays the operation function set by the button function setting unit 18 on the display 21. In addition, the notification part 19, the display 21, and the notification control part 22 comprise a notification means, and the case 20 corresponds to a case main body.

  The key control unit 12 is provided with a usage history registration unit 23 that registers the usage history of the common operation buttons 16 in the memory 13. The usage history registration unit 23 registers in the memory 13 which operation function the common operation button 16 has been used for and how many times and which operation function has been used. The usage history registration unit 23 corresponds to history registration means.

Next, the operation of the wireless function changing system of this example will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3A, when the electronic key 2 is tilted to the right, the motion sensor 17 detects that the electronic key 2 is tilted to the right. Therefore, the button function setting unit 18 assigns the operation function A to the common operation button 16 based on the detection signal of the motion sensor 17 at this time. At this time, the button function setting unit 18 lights up the notification unit 19a located at the top with the electronic key 2 to notify the operator that the operation function A is assigned to the common operation button 16.

  When the common operation button 16 is pressed while the electronic key 2 is tilted to the right, the first wireless signal Swl1 including the ID code and the function code A is transmitted from the UHF transmitter 15 of the electronic key 2. . When the first wireless signal Swl1 is received by the vehicle tuner 11, the verification ECU 8 performs ID verification using the ID code in the first wireless signal Swl1, and if the ID verification is established, the verification ECU 8 uses the function code A included in the same signal. The vehicle 1 is operated.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, when the electronic key 2 is tilted to the left, the button function setting unit 18 uses the common operation button 16 based on the detection signal of the motion sensor 17 that detects the tilt direction. The operation function B is assigned to. At this time, the button function setting unit 18 lights up the notification unit 19b located at the top of the electronic key 2 to notify the operator that the operation function B is assigned to the common operation button 16.

  When the common operation button 16 is pressed with the electronic key 2 tilted to the left, the second wireless signal Swl2 including the ID code and the function code B is transmitted from the UHF transmitter 15 of the electronic key 2. When the second wireless signal Swl2 is received by the vehicle tuner 11, the verification ECU 8 performs ID verification using the ID code in the second wireless signal Swl2, and if the ID verification is established, the verification ECU 8 uses the function code B included in the same signal. The vehicle 1 is operated.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the electronic key 2 is tilted, the screen of the display 21 is sequentially switched every time the operation function of the common operation button 16 changes according to the tilt direction (tilt angle) of the electronic key 2. Change. For example, in a state where the electronic key 2 is kept horizontal, for example, a battery information screen 21a is displayed on the display 21 as an initial screen. When the common operation button 16 is operated in this state, a battery remaining amount display screen 21b is displayed on the display 21.

  When the electronic key 2 is tilted to the right from the horizontal state, the screen of the display 21 is sequentially switched as the tilt angle is increased. In this example, when the electronic key 2 is tilted to the right from the horizontal state, the battery information screen 21a → the air conditioner screen 21c → the audio screen 21d are displayed in order. On the other hand, when the electronic key 2 is tilted to the left from the horizontal state, the battery information screen 21a → the door lock screen 21e → the power slide door screen 21f is displayed in order as the tilt angle increases. Further, when the tilt of the electronic key 2 is increased, the screen is switched quickly, and when the tilt of the electronic key 2 is decreased, the screen is switched slowly.

  At this time, the operation function of the common operation button 16 is set to a function corresponding to the screen displayed on the display 21 at that time. Therefore, when the common operation button 16 is operated in this state, the wireless signal Swl including the function code corresponding to the operation function set at this time is transmitted from the electronic key 2 to the vehicle 1, and according to this function code. An operation is performed on the vehicle 1. When the transmission of the wireless signal Swl is completed with the electronic key 2, an OK screen 21g indicating the completion of the signal transmission is displayed on the display 21 of the electronic key 2.

  As described above, in this example, the wireless communication button of the electronic key 2 is used as the common operation button 16 corresponding to a plurality of functions, and the operation function of the common operation button 16 is switched according to the direction in which the electronic key 2 is tilted. Therefore, if the electronic key 2 is tilted, the operation function of the common operation button 16 is automatically changed, so that it is not necessary to provide a dedicated button for switching the function of the common operation button 16. Therefore, the number of operations provided on the electronic key 2 can be reduced, and the size of the electronic key 2 can be reduced.

  In this example, since the operation function of the common operation button 16 is changed by changing the inclination of the electronic key 2, the common operation button 16 is simply changed by changing the inclination of the electronic key 2. The function can be switched. For this reason, when switching the operation function of the common operation button 16, it is not necessary to impose a complicated and troublesome operation on the user. Therefore, the electronic key 2 can be made convenient in operation.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The inclination of the electronic key 2 is detected by the motion sensor 17 and the operation function of the common operation button 16 is set to a function corresponding to the inclination of the electronic key 2. For this reason, since the operation function of the common operation button 16 is switched simply by changing the tilt of the electronic key 2, the operation function of the common operation button 16 can be switched without providing a dedicated button for changing the operation function. Become. Therefore, even if the common operation button 16 has a plurality of functions, the number of operations provided on the electronic key 2 can be reduced. Further, since the operation function of the common operation button 16 can be changed simply by tilting the electronic key 2, the operation function of the common operation button 16 can be switched without complicated and troublesome operations.

  (2) Since the operation function of the common operation button 16 is changed by the tilt of the electronic key 2, the operation function of the common operation button 16 can be switched by a natural operation of tilting the electronic key 2 to a predetermined angle.

  (3) Since the notification unit 19 notifies which function is assigned to the common operation button 16, the operation function being assigned to the common operation button 16 can be known at a glance, which is convenient.

(4) Since the common operation button 16 can be switched as an operation button for another device, one common operation button 16 can be used as an operation button for a plurality of devices.
(5) Since the usage history of the common operation button 16 is registered in the memory 13 of the electronic key 2, how many times the common operation button 16 is used by which operation function, and which operation function is used when. Can be confirmed. Therefore, the user's usage tendency of the common operation buttons 16 can be grasped.

Note that the embodiment is not limited to the configuration described so far, and may be modified as follows.
As shown in FIG. 5, the wireless communication buttons provided on the electronic key 2 are not limited to the common operation buttons 16, and operation buttons 41 assigned only one function to one button may be arranged in parallel. Good. Examples of the operation button 41 having one button and one function include a locking button 41a that is operated when the vehicle door is locked, and an unlocking button 41b that is operated when the vehicle door is unlocked. As described above, if a dedicated button is individually provided for a highly important function, an erroneous operation of the highly important function is unlikely to occur, so that high safety can be ensured. The operation button 41 (41a, 41b) corresponds to the second operation means.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the case 20 of the electronic key 2 may be box-shaped, and the notification unit 19 may be disposed on the front surface 20a, the side surface 20b, the upper surface 20c, or the like of the case 20. This makes it possible to turn on (blink) the notification unit 19 on the surface facing the operator when the electronic key 2 is tilted, so that it is easy to confirm which notification unit 19 is lit.

  The common operation button 16 is not limited to switching the in-vehicle device that can be operated with the common operation button 16 according to the tilt angle of the electronic key 2. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the operation in one in-vehicle device (for example, the door lock device 5) may be switched according to the inclination of the electronic key 2. In the example of FIG. 7, the door lock can be locked when the electronic key 2 is tilted to the left, and the door lock can be unlocked when the electronic key 2 is tilted to the right.

  The operation of the power slide door may be stopped or reversed when the common operation button 16 is operated again while operating the in-vehicle device (for example, a power slide door) with the common operation button 16. In this case, since it becomes possible to protect a user from a power slide door, a user's safety can be ensured.

  The transmission of the wireless signal Swl is not limited to only the operation of the common operation button 16 as a condition. For example, both the operation of the common operation button 16 and the application of vibration to the electronic key 2 may be used as conditions. In this case, since the radio wave transmission is executed only when the two conditions are met, the radio wave transmission not intended by the operator is unlikely to occur.

  For example, when the vehicle 1 is a welfare vehicle or a truck, the movable unit may move in the direction in which the electronic key 2 is shaken by pressing the common operation button 16 in accordance with the movement of the electronic key 2.

-A panic function may be provided in the wireless function. In the panic function, for example, when the electronic key 2 is shaken while pressing the common operation button 16, the vehicle 1 enters a panic state.
When the usage history of the common operation button 16 is registered in the memory 13, for example, the operation function with the highest number of uses is assigned in advance as the first operation function of the common operation button 16 when the electronic key 2 is not tilted. May be. In this case, convenience for the user can be ensured.

The switching function of the operation function (screen) is not limited to tilting the electronic key 2, and for example, the electronic key 2 may be shaken.
The initial screen of the display 21 is not limited to the battery information screen 21a, and anything may be displayed.

The motion sensor 17 is not limited to a three-dimensional sensor, and may be a sensor that detects motion in two dimensions.
The motion sensor 17 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 17 is not limited to sensors, and may be a mechanical switch, for example.
The number of common operation buttons 16 is not limited to one, and a plurality of common operation buttons 16 may be provided.
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 notification part 19 is not limited to LED, A buzzer and a speaker may be used.
The common operation button 16 and the operation button 41 are not limited to momentary push buttons, but can be changed to other types.

The common operation button 16 and the operation button 41 are not limited to being arranged on the same surface of the case 20 and may be arranged at different positions.
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.

A function may be adopted in which the power back door starts to open when the electronic key 2 is tilted to one side, and the power back door closes when the electronic key 2 is tilted to the other side.
-Each embodiment described above can combine each characteristic part suitably.

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 1-6, it has separately the 2nd operation means to which only one operation function is allocated separately from the said operation means. According to this configuration, if the second operation means is a highly important operation means, only one operation function can be assigned to the operation means, so that an operation error is unlikely to occur. Therefore, if an operation means with high importance is provided as the second operation means in addition to the operation means having a plurality of operation functions in the electronic key, it becomes possible to make it difficult for erroneous operation to occur in the operation means with high importance. .

  (B) In any one of claims 1 to 6 and the technical idea (A), the function setting unit confirms that the operation unit is re-operated during operation of the device by the operation of the operation unit. The function of the operation means is to stop or reverse the operation of the device. According to this configuration, when the device takes an unintended operation during the operation of the device by the operation of the operation unit, the operation of the device is stopped or reversed by operating the operation unit again. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the safety of the device user.

  (C) In any one of claims 1 to 6 and the technical ideas (a) and (b), the function setting means sets an operation function of the operation means in accordance with an inclination direction of the key body. According to this configuration, the operation function of the operation means can be switched by a simple operation of simply changing the tilt of the electronic key.

  (2) In any one of claims 1 to 6 and the technical ideas (a) to (c), there is provided a history registration means for registering a use history of the operation means in a memory in a key. According to this configuration, it is possible to recognize from the usage history, how many times the operation means has been used by which operation function, and which operation function has been used. It becomes possible to confirm.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Electronic key, 13 ... Memory, 16 ... Common operation button as operation means, 17 ... Motion sensor, 18 ... Button function setting part as function setting means, 19 ... Notification part which comprises notification means, 20 ... Key body 21: Display constituting the notification means, 22: Notification control section constituting the notification means, 23 ... Usage history registration section as the history registration means, 41 (41a, 41b) ... Operation as the second operation means Button, A, B ... Function code.

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: function setting means for setting an operation function assigned to the operation means based on a detection signal of the motion sensor. 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. 3. The electronic key according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying which function is assigned to the operation means. The said function setting means changes the apparatus which can be operated by the said operation means by setting the function allocated to the said operation means to the thing of another apparatus, It is any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Electronic key as described. 5. The function setting unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the function is assigned to the operation unit by another operation of the same device, so that the operation unit can perform another operation of the device. Electronic key according to any one of the above. 6. The function setting unit according to claim 1, wherein the function setting unit validates the operation of the operation unit on condition that an external force is applied to the key body when the operation unit is operated. The electronic key as described in any one of them.

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