JP2012057351A - Electronic key system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic key system which improves convenience while ensuring security.SOLUTION: A spare key 40 is brought into a use permission state when cabin collation is established upon approach of a normal key 10 to a vehicle interior, in other words, when a user takes a ride in the vehicle. Even if a driver allows a passenger to get off the vehicle, and to take away the normal key 10, the driver is capable of re-starting the engine and locking/unlocking a vehicle door using the spare key 40, resulting in improved convenience.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic key system.

  As a vehicular electronic key system, a so-called key operation free system is known in which a vehicle door can be locked and unlocked and an engine can be started without operating an electronic key. Specifically, the vehicle transmits a request signal for requesting a response from the electronic key inside and outside the vehicle. When receiving the request signal, the electronic key returns a response signal including its own ID code to the vehicle. The vehicle collates the ID code of the received response signal with the ID code stored in advance in the vehicle, and permits door locking / unlocking and engine starting when the collation is established.

  In this system, the vehicle door can be unlocked and the engine can be started even when the passenger, not the driver, carries the electronic key. Therefore, the driver forgets to leave the electronic key with the passenger and may continue traveling after the passenger gets off. In this case, although the running can be continued, after the engine is stopped once, the engine cannot be restarted because the electronic key is not at hand of the driver.

  In order to suppress such a situation, a configuration is known in which a warning is given through a buzzer or the like when it is recognized through the exchange of the request signal and the response signal that the electronic key has come out of the vehicle in the engine driving state ( For example, see Patent Document 1.) Thus, the driver or passenger can know that the electronic key has been taken out of the vehicle when the passenger carrying the electronic key gets off. Therefore, the situation where the engine cannot be restarted can be suppressed.

JP 2008-106579 A

  However, the driver and passengers may not be aware of the warning. This is inconvenient because the engine cannot be restarted as described above. However, it is not preferable in terms of security if the engine restart is permitted unconditionally.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic key system that improves convenience while ensuring security.

In the following, means for achieving the above object and its operational effects will be described.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic key system including a regular key for remotely controlling an in-vehicle device that controls each part of the vehicle via wireless communication with the vehicle, via wireless communication with the vehicle. A spare key that takes two states, a use-permitted state in which the vehicle-mounted device can be controlled and a use-prohibited state in which the use is prohibited. The gist is that when an operation is recognized, the normal use-prohibited state is changed to a use-permitted state.

  According to this configuration, the spare key is allowed to be used when an operation of a user carrying the regular key entering the vehicle is recognized. Thus, for example, even if the passenger accidentally takes the regular key out of the vehicle, the driver can control the in-vehicle device through the spare key. This improves convenience.

  Further, when the user carrying the regular key does not recognize the action of entering the vehicle, the use of the spare key is not permitted. Accordingly, unauthorized use of the spare key is suppressed, so that security is ensured.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic key system according to the first aspect, when the spare key is in a use-permitted state, the use is prohibited from the use-permitted state when the vehicle door is locked through the regular key. Its gist is to be in a state.

  According to this configuration, when the vehicle door is locked, the spare key is changed from the use permission state to the use prohibition state. Therefore, in the state where the vehicle door is locked, unauthorized unlocking of the vehicle door or the like through the spare key is suppressed. Thereby, security is improved.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic key system according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a prohibition switch for switching the state of the spare key from the use permission state to the use prohibition state. .

  According to this configuration, the unauthorized use of the spare key is restricted by switching from the use-permitted state to the use-prohibited state through operation of the prohibition switch. This restricts unauthorized use of the spare key and improves security.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the electronic key system according to the third aspect is characterized in that the vehicle travel is restricted when the use prohibition state is established through operation of the prohibition switch.

  According to this configuration, travel of the vehicle is restricted when the use permission state is changed to the use prohibition state through the operation of the prohibition switch. As a result, when a driver carrying the regular key leaves the vehicle in a travelable state, unauthorized removal of the vehicle by a third party is restricted. Furthermore, since the spare key is in a use-prohibited state at this time, the travel of the vehicle through the spare key is also restricted. Therefore, security is improved.

  According to the present invention, in the electronic key system, it is possible to improve convenience while ensuring security.

The block diagram of an electronic key system. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of a control program.

Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying an electronic key system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic key system 1 includes a regular key 10 that is an electronic key possessed by a user and an in-vehicle device 20 mounted on the vehicle 2. Mutual communication is automatically performed between the regular key 10 and the vehicle-mounted device 20, and when the mutual communication is established outside the vehicle and inside the vehicle, the vehicle door can be locked and unlocked and the engine can be started. In addition, the electronic key system 1 in this example includes a spare key 40 that can be used as an electronic key in the same manner as the regular key 10 for a certain period. The predetermined period is a period from when the communication in the vehicle is established until the vehicle door is locked through the regular key 10 by the user who gets off the vehicle. Details will be described below.

<Electronic key and spare key>
The regular key 10 has a wireless communication function and controls each part of the vehicle through mutual communication with the in-vehicle device 20. The regular key 10 includes an electronic key control unit 11 configured by a computer unit including a CPU and the like. The electronic key control unit 11 is electrically connected to an LF reception unit 12 that receives a radio signal in the LF (low frequency) band and a UHF transmission unit 13 that transmits a radio signal in the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band. Has been.

  When the LF receiver 12 receives a request signal that is an LF-band radio signal transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device 20 via the receiving antenna 12a, the LF receiver 12 demodulates the request signal into a pulse signal, and the demodulated signal is electronically keyed. Output to the control unit 11.

  The electronic key control unit 11 includes a non-volatile memory 11a, and a normal ID code unique to the normal key 10 is stored in the memory 11a. When the demodulated request signal is input from the LF receiver 12, the electronic key controller 11 reads the received data and outputs a response signal including the normal ID code registered in the memory 11 a to the UHF transmitter 13. . The UHF transmission unit 13 modulates the response signal and transmits the modulated response signal as a UHF band radio signal via the transmission antenna 13a.

  The spare key 40 is configured in the same manner as the regular key 10. However, the memory 11a of the reserve key 40 is different in that a reserve ID code unique to the reserve key 40 is stored. The spare key 40 is stored in a glove box provided on the dashboard of the vehicle 2. The glove box can be freely opened and closed, and the spare key 40 can be taken out by opening the glove box. In this example, the spare key 40 can perform wireless communication with the in-vehicle device 20 while being stored in the glove box.

<In-vehicle device>
The in-vehicle device 20 includes an in-vehicle control unit 21 configured by a computer unit including a CPU and the like. The in-vehicle control unit 21 includes an in-vehicle transmission unit 22 that transmits an LF band radio signal to the outside of the vehicle, an in-vehicle transmission unit 23 that transmits an LF band radio signal to the inside of the vehicle, and a UHF band radio signal transmitted from inside and outside the vehicle. An in-vehicle receiving unit 24 that receives a signal is electrically connected.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle controller 21 includes a door handle sensor 32, an engine switch 33, a door lock device 34, an engine device 35, a lock switch 36, a prohibition switch 37, and a vehicle speed sensor. 38 and the shift position sensor 39 are electrically connected.

  The door handle sensor 32 is provided on an outside door handle (not shown) and detects whether or not the user touches the door handle. The lock switch 36 is also provided on the door handle and is operated when the vehicle door is locked and unlocked.

  The vehicle speed sensor 38 detects the vehicle speed. The shift position sensor 39 detects the position of the shift lever (parking position, drive position, etc.). Each of the door handle sensor 32, the lock switch 36, the vehicle speed sensor 38, and the shift position sensor 39 outputs detection results to the in-vehicle control unit 21.

  For example, the outside transmission unit 22 is provided inside the door handle. When the request signal is input from the in-vehicle control unit 21, the vehicle exterior transmission unit 22 modulates the request signal into an LF band radio signal, and the modulated request signal is transmitted through the vehicle exterior transmission antenna 22a at a constant period. To be transmitted around the vehicle 2.

  The in-vehicle transmission unit 23 is provided in the vehicle, and when a request signal is input from the in-vehicle control unit 21, the request signal is modulated into an LF band radio signal, and the modulated request signal is generated in the vehicle at a constant cycle. It transmits in the vehicle via the transmission antenna 23a.

  When the vehicle-mounted receiving unit 24 receives a response signal transmitted from the regular key 10 or the spare key 40 via the receiving antenna 24a, the vehicle-mounted receiving unit 24 demodulates this signal into a pulse signal, and sends the demodulated response signal to the vehicle-mounted control unit 21. Output.

  The in-vehicle control unit 21 includes a nonvolatile memory 21 a, and the memory 21 a has the same normal ID code as the normal ID code set in the normal key 10 and the same spare ID code as the spare ID code set in the spare key 40. An ID code and a control program to be described later are stored.

  The in-vehicle control unit 21 outputs request signals to the outside transmission unit 22 and the in-vehicle transmission unit 23 at different timings at regular intervals. The in-vehicle control unit 21 receives the response signal transmitted from the regular key 10 or the spare key 40 in response to the request signal through the in-vehicle receiving unit 24.

  The in-vehicle controller 21 collates the ID code included in the response signal with the ID code stored in the memory 21a. The in-vehicle control unit 21 determines whether the response signal transmitted from the regular key 10 or the spare key 40 is the response signal to the request signal transmitted from either the in-vehicle transmission unit 22 or the in-vehicle transmission unit 23. Alternatively, it is determined which of in-vehicle verification has been established. The verification outside the vehicle means that the ID code is verified with the regular key 10 or the spare key 40 existing outside the vehicle via the outside transmission unit 22. In-vehicle verification means that ID code verification is performed with the regular key 10 or the spare key 40 existing in the vehicle via the in-vehicle transmission unit 23.

  Further, when the in-vehicle collation is established, the in-vehicle control unit 21 enters an engine start permission state and enters a use permission state in which the use of the spare key 40 is permitted from a use prohibition state in which the use of the spare key 40 is prohibited. When the engine switch 33 installed near the driver's seat is operated in the engine start permission state, the operation signal is output to the in-vehicle control unit 21. The vehicle-mounted control unit 21 starts the engine through the engine device 35 when detecting the operation signal in the engine start permission state.

  The in-vehicle control unit 21 is in a vehicle door unlockable state when the vehicle exterior verification is established in the locked state of the vehicle door. In this unlockable state, the vehicle-mounted control unit 21 unlocks the vehicle door via the door lock device 34 when detecting that the user has touched the door handle (not shown) through the door handle sensor 32. On the other hand, the vehicle-mounted control unit 21 locks the vehicle door via the door lock device 34 when detecting the operation of the lock switch 36 provided on the door handle when the outside verification is established in the unlocked state of the vehicle door. When the in-vehicle control unit 21 recognizes that the locking of the vehicle door by the regular key 10 is completed through the door lock device 34, the on-vehicle control unit 21 shifts from the use permission state to the use prohibition state.

  In the use permission state of the spare key 40, when the verification between the ID code included in the response signal and the regular ID code stored in the memory 21a is not established, the in-vehicle control unit 21 stores the ID code included in the response signal and the memory 21a. Collation with the stored spare ID code is performed. The in-vehicle control unit 21 operates in the same manner as when the in-vehicle verification or the out-of-vehicle verification is established when the verification of the spare ID code is established. Therefore, in the use permission state, the vehicle door can be locked and unlocked and the engine can be started through the spare key 40.

  In addition, in the use prohibition state of the spare key 40, the in-vehicle control unit 21 performs collation with the spare ID code when the collation between the ID code included in the response signal and the regular ID code stored in the memory 21a is not established. Instead, the process related to the received signal is terminated. That is, in the use-prohibited state, even if a response signal from the spare key 40 is received, the vehicle interior verification or the vehicle exterior verification is established, and consequently the vehicle door is unlocked and unlocked and the engine is started. Absent.

  According to the above configuration, the spare key 40 is allowed to be used when in-vehicle verification is established through the entry of the regular key 10 into the vehicle, that is, when the user gets on the vehicle. Therefore, even when the driver removes the passenger from the vehicle and takes the regular key 10, the driver can restart the engine or unlock the vehicle door through the spare key 40. It can be performed. This improves convenience.

  Further, when the vehicle door is locked, the use permission state is changed to the use prohibition state. Therefore, unauthorized use of the spare key 40 when the user is away from the locked vehicle is suppressed. Therefore, security can be ensured.

  The prohibition switch 37 is provided, for example, in the passenger compartment so that it can be operated by the user. When the in-vehicle control unit 21 recognizes that the prohibition switch 37 has been operated in the use-permitted state of the spare key 40 under the precondition that the in-vehicle or outside-vehicle verification is established with the regular key 10, the use permission is given. The use prohibition state is changed from the state, and the travel prohibition mode is switched from the off state to the on state. In addition, when the in-vehicle control unit 21 recognizes that the prohibit switch 37 has been operated in the use prohibition state based on the above preconditions, the vehicle prohibition mode is changed from the use prohibition state to the use permission state and the travel prohibition mode is changed from the on state to the off state. Switch. The above preconditions are defined in order to prevent a third party who does not carry the regular key 10 from illegally operating the prohibit switch 37 to switch from the use prohibition state to the use permission state and the travel prohibition mode from the on state to the off state. Has been.

  When the travel prohibition mode is in the on state, the vehicle-mounted control unit 21 recognizes that the vehicle speed is no longer zero through the vehicle speed sensor 38, or recognizes that the shift lever is no longer in the parking position through the shift position sensor 39. The engine is stopped through 35. As a result, the vehicle 2 cannot travel.

  Here, the user may temporarily leave the vehicle 2 while carrying the regular key 10 without stopping the engine. At this time, the vehicle door is in an unlocked state. Even in this case, the traveling prohibition mode is switched from the off state to the on state through the prohibition switch 37 before leaving the vehicle 2 to prevent the vehicle from being illegally taken away by a third party. In addition, when the travel prohibition mode is on, the spare key 40 is disabled. Therefore, when the engine is automatically stopped by trying to start running as described above, the engine cannot be restarted through the spare key 40.

  Next, a control program related to switching between the use permission state and the use prohibition state of the spare key 40 and the travel prohibition mode executed by the in-vehicle control unit 21 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that, at the start of the control program in the following description, the spare key 40 is in a use-prohibited state and the travel-prohibited mode is in an off state.

  First, the establishment of in-vehicle verification is awaited (NO in S101). When the in-vehicle verification is established (YES in S101), the spare key 40 is allowed to be used. Then, it is determined whether or not the prohibit switch 37 is operated (S103). When it is recognized that the prohibit switch 37 has not been operated (NO in S103), it is determined whether or not the vehicle door is locked through the regular key 10 (S104). When it is determined that the vehicle door is locked through the regular key 10 (YES in S104), the spare key 40 is disabled (S105). Then, the process of the control program ends. Further, when it is recognized that the vehicle door is not locked through the regular key 10 (NO in S104), it is determined whether or not the travel prohibition mode is on (S106). Even if the vehicle door is locked through the spare key 40, NO is determined in step S104, and the process proceeds to step S106. As a result, the vehicle door can be locked and unlocked through the spare key 40 while maintaining the use-permitted state. Here, when the vehicle door is locked after the vehicle ID is verified through the regular ID code, it is determined that the vehicle door is locked through the regular key 10, and the vehicle is verified after the vehicle ID is verified through the spare ID code. When the door is locked, it is determined that the vehicle door is locked through the spare key 40.

  In step S103, when it is recognized that the prohibit switch 37 has not been operated, the travel prohibit mode is kept in the off state. In this case (NO in S106), the process returns to step S103 again to determine whether or not the prohibit switch 37 is operated.

  If it is determined that the prohibit switch 37 has been operated (YES in S103), it is determined whether in-vehicle or outside-vehicle verification is established with the regular key 10 (S107). If it is determined that collation with the regular key 10 is not established (NO in S107), the operation of the prohibit switch 37 is invalidated because the user carrying the regular key 10 does not exist around the vehicle. The process proceeds to step S104.

  When it is determined that collation with the regular key 10 is established (YES in S107), the travel prohibition mode is switched from the off state to the on state, and the spare key 40 is switched from the use permission state to the use prohibition state. (S108). Then, similarly to the above, it is determined whether or not the vehicle door is locked through the regular key 10 (S104), and when it is determined that the vehicle door is not locked through the regular key 10 (NO in S104), the travel is prohibited. It is determined whether or not the mode is on (S106). When it is recognized that the vehicle door is locked through the regular key 10 (YES in S104), the control program is terminated in a state where the use prohibition state is maintained. When it is determined that the travel prohibition mode is on (YES in S106), it is determined whether or not the vehicle speed is zero through the vehicle speed sensor 38 (S109). When it is determined that the vehicle speed is zero (YES in S109), it is determined through the shift position sensor 39 whether or not the shift lever is in the parking position (S110). When it is determined that the vehicle speed is not zero (NO in S109) or the shift lever is not in the parking position (NO in S110), the engine is stopped through the engine device 35 because the vehicle 2 may start traveling illegally. (S111) In a state where the spare key 40 is maintained in the use prohibition state (S105), the control program is terminated.

  When the vehicle speed is zero (YES in S109) and it is determined that the shift lever is in the parking position (YES in S110), the process returns to step S103 to determine whether or not the prohibit switch 37 is operated. . Here, if it is determined again that the prohibit switch 37 has been operated (YES in S103), and if it is determined that collation with the regular key 10 has been established (YES in S107), the travel prohibit mode is set. The on-state is switched to the off-state, and the spare key 40 is switched from the use-prohibited state to the use-permitted state (S108).

As described above, according to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The spare key 40 is in a use-permitted state when in-vehicle verification is established through entry of the regular key 10 into the vehicle, that is, when the user gets on the vehicle. Therefore, even when the driver removes the passenger from the vehicle and takes the regular key 10, the driver can restart the engine or unlock the vehicle door through the spare key 40. It can be performed. This improves convenience.

  Further, when the user gets off and the vehicle door is locked, the spare key 40 is changed from the use permitted state to the use prohibited state. Therefore, the spare key 40 is prevented from being used illegally when the user is away from the locked vehicle. Therefore, security can be ensured.

  (2) Unauthorized use of the spare key 40 is restricted by switching the spare key 40 to the use prohibited state through the prohibit switch 37. Specifically, when the driver carrying the regular key 10 temporarily leaves the vehicle 2 in the engine driving state, the spare key 40 is switched to the use prohibiting state through the operation of the prohibiting switch 37. Thereby, the restart of the engine through the spare key 40 is regulated.

  (3) When the use is prohibited through the operation of the prohibit switch 37, the travel of the vehicle 2 is restricted. As a result, when a driver carrying the regular key 10 leaves the vehicle in the engine driving state, unauthorized removal of the vehicle 2 by a third party is restricted. Therefore, the security is further improved.

  (4) When it is determined that in-vehicle collation has been established with the regular key 10, it is recognized that the user carrying the regular key 10 has entered the vehicle. Thus, the spare key 40 is allowed to be used in a state where the user carrying the regular key 10 is surely present in the vehicle. Therefore, security can be improved.

  (5) In the use prohibited state of the spare key 40, the collation between the ID code included in the response signal and the spare ID code is omitted. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the processing load related to the verification by the in-vehicle control unit 21 in the use prohibited state.

In addition, the said embodiment can be implemented with the following forms which changed this suitably.
In the above embodiment, the vehicle 2 travels by driving the engine, but may be an electric vehicle or a hybrid car that travels by driving a motor based on electric power. In this case, the drive of the motor is stopped instead of stopping the engine in step S111.

  -In above-mentioned embodiment, although prohibition switch 37 was provided in the vehicle interior, the position where prohibition switch 37 is provided is not limited to this. For example, the regular key 10 may be provided. In this case, when the prohibit switch 37 is operated, a radio signal indicating that is transmitted from the regular key 10 to the in-vehicle device 20. When the in-vehicle device 20 receives the wireless signal, the in-vehicle device 20 proceeds to the process of step S107 as in the case where YES is determined in step S103 of FIG. Thereafter, on / off of the travel prohibition mode and the use permission state and the use prohibition state are switched in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the in-vehicle verification is established, the spare key 40 is in a use-permitted state because it is recognized that the user has entered the vehicle. However, if the user can recognize the action of entering the vehicle, the operation is not limited to in-vehicle verification. For example, when the vehicle door is unlocked, the spare key 40 may be allowed to be used. In addition, after the vehicle door is unlocked, the spare key 40 may be allowed to be used when the vehicle door is opened. Further, a seating sensor may be provided in the driver's seat, and when the sensor detects that the user is sitting in the driver's seat, the spare key 40 may be allowed to be used.

  In the above embodiment, the traveling of the vehicle 2 is prohibited in the on state of the travel prohibition mode, but this travel prohibition mode may be omitted. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent the engine from being illegally restarted by setting the reserve key 40 in a prohibited state through the operation of the prohibit switch 37. Further, the prohibition switch 37 can be omitted. In this case, steps S103 and S106 to S111 can be omitted in the flowchart of FIG. Therefore, the configuration of the electronic key system 1 and the processing of the control program can be simplified.

  In the above embodiment, when the spare key 40 is disabled, the spare ID code stored in the in-vehicle device 20 is checked against the spare or regular ID code included in the response signal from the spare key 40 or the regular key 10. By omitting, it is impossible to lock and unlock the vehicle door through the spare key 40 and to start the engine. However, the method is not limited to the above as long as the spare key 40 cannot be used in the use prohibited state. For example, when the in-vehicle device 20 changes from the use-permitted state to the use-prohibited state, the in-vehicle device 20 transmits a radio signal to that effect to the spare key 40.

  When the electronic key control unit 11 of the spare key 40 recognizes the radio signal received through the LF receiving unit 12, the electronic key control unit 11 is disabled. In this state, the spare key 40 does not transmit a response signal even if it receives a request signal. Accordingly, the use of the spare key 40 is disabled. Thereby, the power consumption concerning the response signal transmission of the reserve key 40 can be reduced. Similarly, when the in-vehicle device 20 changes from the use-prohibited state to the use-permitted state, the in-vehicle device 20 transmits a radio signal indicating that to the backup key 40. When the reserve key 40 recognizes the radio signal, the reserve key 40 enters a use-permitted state. In this state, as in the above embodiment, the spare key 40 transmits a response signal in response to the request signal. According to this configuration, the state related to the spare key 40 can be synchronized between the in-vehicle device 20 and the spare key 40 through a radio signal from the vehicle 2. In addition, when the switching of the state related to the backup key 40 is completed through the received wireless signal, the backup key 40 may transmit a completion signal indicating that to the in-vehicle device 20. Thereby, the vehicle equipment 20 can recognize that the switching of the state of the spare key 40 has been completed normally.

  In the above-described embodiment, a so-called key operation-free system that can perform locking / unlocking of the vehicle door and engine start without performing the switch operation of the regular key 10 and the spare key 40 is employed as the electronic key system 1. However, the electronic key system is not limited to the key operation free system. For example, a wireless key system that locks and unlocks the vehicle door through unidirectional communication from the regular key 10 to the vehicle 2 may be employed.

  In this case, the regular key (electronic key) is provided with a lock switch and an unlock switch. When the lock switch or unlock switch is operated, a request signal including an ID code is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 20 to request locking or unlocking. In the in-vehicle device 20, when collation of the ID code included in the request signal is established, the vehicle door is locked or unlocked. When this wireless key system is applied to the above-described embodiment, for example, it is as follows. The spare key includes a mechanical key and is stored in a predetermined position in the vehicle. When the spare key is in a use-prohibited state, the spare key is locked so that it cannot be removed at the storage position. In this disabled state, when the vehicle door is unlocked through the operation of the regular key unlock switch or the vehicle door is opened thereafter, the spare key is unlocked and unlocked. In other words, the reserved key unlocked state is the reserved key use permission state. In this state, after the spare key is taken out, the key is inserted into, for example, a door or a key cylinder in the vehicle interior and rotated, whereby the vehicle door can be locked and unlocked or the engine can be started. When the use of the spare key is finished, the spare key is returned to the original storage position again. When the vehicle door is locked, the spare key is again locked.

  In this wireless key system, a mechanical key is provided as a regular key in addition to the electronic key. When the engine is driven, the mechanical key is restricted from being pulled out from the key cylinder. As described above, it is not a problem for the passenger to carry out the regular key while the engine is driven. However, if the passenger accidentally takes out the regular key while the engine is stopped, the engine cannot be started and the vehicle door cannot be locked and unlocked. In this regard, by providing the spare key, the engine can be started and the vehicle door can be locked even if the passenger has taken out the regular key.

  In the above embodiment, when the travel prohibition mode is in the on state, the engine is stopped when it is recognized that the vehicle speed is no longer zero or when the shift lever is no longer in the parking position. It was. However, the conditions for stopping the engine are not limited to the above two conditions, and may be any one of the above two conditions. In this case, one of the determinations in steps S109 and S110 in FIG. 2 can be omitted. Further, for example, it may be a condition that the vehicle door on the driver's seat side is opened twice when the travel prohibition mode is on. When the user leaves the vehicle temporarily while the engine is driven, the driver opens the vehicle door to get off (first door opening) when the travel prohibition mode is turned on through the prohibition switch 37 in the passenger compartment. Close it. In this state, the next time the vehicle door is opened (second door opening), the engine is stopped. Therefore, even if the driver tries to get into the vehicle illegally in anticipation of the driver leaving the vehicle in the engine drive state, the engine is stopped when the vehicle door is opened, so the vehicle is taken away. Is prevented. Further, after the engine is stopped, the spare key 40 is disabled, so that the engine cannot be restarted through the spare key 40. In this configuration, even when the driver returns, the engine is stopped when the vehicle door is opened, but the driver can restart the engine while carrying the regular key 10.

  In the configuration employing the wireless key system, when the electronic key lock switch is operated while the engine is running, the travel prohibition mode is turned on and the vehicle door is opened once. The engine may be stopped as a condition. Usually, since the lock switch of the regular key 10 is operated from the outside of the vehicle, the driver's getting off is not counted as the first opening of the vehicle door. Thus, the engine is stopped based on the opening of the vehicle door only when the user operates the lock switch of the regular key while the engine is being driven. In this configuration, when the travel prohibition mode is turned on through the operation of the lock switch, the user may be notified through the buzzer of the electronic key.

  In the above embodiment, the glove box in which the spare key 40 is stored can be freely opened and closed. However, for example, a lock device that switches the state of the glove box between an unlocked state permitting opening and closing of the glove box and a locked state restricting the opening and closing may be provided. In this case, the user is requested to input a personal identification number, and when the input personal identification number is authenticated, the glove box is changed from the locked state to the unlocked state via the locking device. Further, the glove box is formed of an electromagnetic shielding material so that communication between the spare key 40 in the glove box and the vehicle is disabled. As a result, in-vehicle collation through the spare key 40 in the glove box, and consequently engine restart, is restricted. In this configuration, when the spare key 40 is used, the spare key 40 must be taken out from the glove box.

  In the above embodiment, when the spare key 40 is switched from the use-prohibited state to the use-permitted state, the user may be notified by sound or display. As a result, the user can be surely notified of the presence of the spare key 40.

  In addition, when it is recognized that the regular key 10 has been taken out of the vehicle in the use-permitted state through the establishment of the outside-vehicle verification, the user may be notified by sound or display. Further, the notification content is not limited to the fact that the regular key 10 is taken out of the vehicle. For example, a confirmation message as to whether to use the spare key 40 may be displayed on a meter or the like. Further, when the user does not indicate the intention within the specified time (for example, when the operation of taking out the spare key 40 from the glove box is not performed), it is determined that the spare key 40 is not recognized by the user. At this time, the spare key 40 may be disabled. As a result, the spare key 40 that is not recognized by the user is prevented from being left in the vehicle in a use-permitted state, thereby improving security. Further, in addition to or instead of the intention confirmation display, the intention confirmation display is performed during an operation (engine stop or door opening) that the user is supposed to leave in a state where the regular key 10 is taken out of the vehicle. May be.

  In the above embodiment, the use permission state and use prohibition state of the spare key 40 and the on / off state of the travel prohibition mode can be switched based on the operation of the prohibition switch 37. However, the above state and mode may be switched from the mobile phone through the center. In this case, the in-vehicle device 20 has a communication function with the mobile phone via the center. Accordingly, for example, even when the vehicle 2 is illegally taken out in the use-permitted state and the travel-prohibited mode off state, it can be switched to the use-prohibited state and the travel-prohibited mode on state through the mobile phone. Therefore, the security is further improved. In addition, when a legitimate user permits a third party to use his own vehicle 2 from a distance, the spare key 40 can be switched to a use-permitted state.

  In the embodiment described above, the spare key 40 can lock and unlock the vehicle door and start the engine in the same manner as the regular key 10, but the spare key 40 may be provided with a function restriction. For example, when the engine is started through the spare key 40, the travel distance and the vehicle speed are limited. Thereby, permanent use of the vehicle through the spare key 40 can be made difficult.

  In the above embodiment, when there is an operation of the prohibit switch 37 (YES in S103) and collation with the regular key 10 is not established (NO in S107), on / off of the travel prohibit mode and use permission state And it shifted to processing of Step S104, without switching a use prohibition state. However, when collation is not established with the regular key 10 (NO in S107), the travel prohibition mode may be switched between on and off as indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 2 (S120). At this time, the spare key 40 is maintained in a use-permitted state. As a result, in the use permission state of the spare key 40, it is possible to prevent a third party from taking away the vehicle when the user leaves the vehicle by operating the prohibition switch 37 while the engine is in an operating state. improves.

Next, the technical idea that can be grasped from the embodiment will be described together with the effects.
(A) In the electronic key system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the electronic key system includes a control device that is provided in the vehicle and that controls the in-vehicle device based on a radio signal from the regular key, When the control device recognizes that communication with the regular key in the vehicle has been established, the electronic key system recognizes that the user carrying the regular key has entered the vehicle.

  According to this configuration, when it is recognized that communication with the regular key in the vehicle has been established, it is recognized that the user carrying the regular key has entered the vehicle. Accordingly, the spare key is allowed to be used in a state where the user carrying the regular key is surely present in the vehicle. Therefore, security can be improved.

  (B) The electronic key system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein operation of the prohibition switch is valid only when communication between the regular key and the in-vehicle device is established.

  According to this configuration, the operation of the prohibit switch is valid only when communication between the regular key and the in-vehicle device is established. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the prohibition switch from being effectively operated by a third party who does not have a regular key.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic key system, 2 ... Vehicle, 10 ... Regular key, 20 ... Car-mounted machine, 37 ... Prohibition switch, 40 ... Spare key.

Claims (4)

In an electronic key system having a regular key for remotely controlling an in-vehicle device that controls each part of the vehicle via wireless communication with the vehicle,
A spare key that takes two states, a use-permitted state in which the vehicle-mounted device can be controlled via wireless communication with the vehicle and a use-prohibited state in which use is prohibited;
The spare key is an electronic key system that is changed from a normal use-prohibited state to a use-permitted state when an operation of entering the vehicle by a user carrying the regular key is recognized. The electronic key system according to claim 1.
The spare key is an electronic key system that is set from a use-permitted state to a use-prohibited state when the vehicle door is locked through the regular key in a use-permitted state. The electronic key system according to claim 1 or 2,
An electronic key system comprising a prohibition switch for switching the spare key state from the use permission state to the use prohibition state. The electronic key system according to claim 3.
An electronic key system in which travel of a vehicle is restricted when the use is prohibited through operation of the prohibit switch.

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