JP2013139693A - Electronic key, vehicle, electronic key system, and electronic key system control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic key, a vehicle, an electronic key system, and an electronic key system control method, all for enabling confirmation of various kinds of information such as vehicle information even at a long distance with low power consumption.SOLUTION: An electronic key system 100 includes a vehicle 200, and an electronic key 300. The electronic key 300 can control the vehicle 200. The electronic key 300 includes a receiving part 320 for receiving given vehicle information from the vehicle 200, and a display part 340 for displaying information corresponding to the vehicle information received by the receiving part 320. The receiving part 320 can receive the vehicle information via signals of frequency bands different depending on a distance from the vehicle 200.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic key, a vehicle, an electronic key system, a control method for the electronic key system, and the like.

  Conventionally, an electronic key system of an electric vehicle (EV) or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV) performs communication between the vehicle and the electronic key in the same manner as a normal gasoline vehicle. For this communication, a radio signal in an LF (Low Frequency) band of 300 kilohertz or less and a radio signal in an RF (Radio Frequency) band of a 300 megahertz band or a 430 megahertz band are used. Therefore, an LF transmission unit that performs transmission processing of radio signals in the LF band and an RF reception unit that performs reception processing of radio signals in the RF band are provided on the vehicle side. On the other hand, on the electronic key side, a notification unit such as a simple LED (Light Emitting Diode) so as to be portable by the user, an LF reception unit that performs reception processing of an LF band radio signal, and an RF band radio An RF transmitter that performs signal transmission processing is provided.

  By the way, the charge level of a battery such as EV and the fuel level of a fuel tank of a gasoline vehicle are displayed in a cluster in the vehicle, a charging facility or a fueling facility. The user can check the charge level of the battery and the fuel level of the fuel tank by looking at the display of the interior of the vehicle or the charging facility.

  Therefore, it is considered that by providing the display unit on the electronic key side in the electronic key system, the user can check various information such as the vehicle while being away from the vehicle. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which the fuel level of a fuel tank is displayed on the electronic key side. Regarding the display technique for an electronic key, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for switching the display according to the remaining state of a battery that is a drive source of the electronic key.

JP 2010-168836 A JP 2010-122528 A

  In the case of a gasoline vehicle, the user confirms the fuel level of the fuel tank displayed on the cluster or the like in the vehicle and stores the amount, or displayed on the electronic key side as described in Patent Document 1. Check the fuel level. For gasoline vehicles, there is no change in the fuel level of the fuel tank during parking, and it is sufficient to check the fuel level when the vehicle gets on and off.

  However, in the case of EV or PHV, charging is performed after parking at home or the like, and the charge level of the battery changes during parking. Therefore, it is necessary to check the charge level every predetermined time. Therefore, when communication is possible only near the vehicle, or when the position of the charge level display unit is fixed, such as in a vehicle or a charging facility, the user can check the charge level up to the position of the display unit. I need to go and check. In addition, since it takes time to charge the battery, when charging at a charging facility other than home, especially when trying to charge up to the specified charge level, beside the vehicle and charge level Must be confirmed one by one.

  In this regard, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 displays the fuel level of a fuel tank of a gasoline vehicle, and receives the fuel level while constantly confirming the connection by, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark). Therefore, since the communication distance is as short as several tens of meters, there is a problem that communication is possible only near the vehicle and power consumption is large. When the power consumption is high, the electronic key cannot be operated when necessary, and the usability becomes very bad. Further, with the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, various information such as a vehicle cannot be confirmed in a state where the user is away from the vehicle.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problems. According to some aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic key, a vehicle, an electronic key system, a control method for the electronic key system, and the like that can check various information on the vehicle or the like even in a distant place with low power consumption. Can do.

  (1) According to a first aspect of the present invention, an electronic key that controls a vehicle has a receiving unit that receives given vehicle information from the vehicle, and information corresponding to the vehicle information received by the receiving unit. A display unit for displaying, and the receiving unit receives signals in different frequency bands according to the distance from the vehicle.

  In this aspect, the electronic key receives vehicle information from the vehicle using signals in different frequency bands depending on the distance from the vehicle. And the electronic key can display the information corresponding to the received vehicle information on a display part. Thereby, for example, the state of the vehicle can be displayed on the display unit even at a farther position without impairing the function of confirming the position of the electronic key in the electronic key system using the original low frequency band signal. In addition, wasteful power consumption can be reduced by changing the frequency band according to the distance.

  (2) In the electronic key according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, when the distance between the vehicle and the electronic key is a first distance, the receiving unit has a first frequency band. A signal in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band when a distance between the first receiving unit that receives the signal and the vehicle and the electronic key is a second distance that is longer than the first distance. And a second receiving unit for receiving.

  According to this aspect, since the vehicle information is received by the signal of the higher frequency band as the distance between the vehicle and the electronic key is longer, the vehicle information can be received even at a farther position. . In addition, vehicle information can be received at a distant position without impairing the function of confirming the position of the electronic key in the electronic key system using the original low frequency band signal.

  (3) An electronic key according to a second aspect of the present invention includes, in the second aspect, an information display switch for displaying information on the display unit, and the information display switch displays information on the display unit. When instructed to do so, the vehicle information acquisition request is made to the vehicle, and when there is no response from the vehicle, the operation of the second receiving unit is stopped.

  According to this aspect, since vehicle information is acquired by being triggered by an information display switch provided on the electronic key, vehicle information can be received at a farther position while reducing power consumption. The vehicle information can be displayed.

  (4) When the electronic key which concerns on the 4th aspect of this invention receives the signal which contains identification information from the said vehicle in the said 2nd aspect or the 3rd aspect from the said vehicle, it will be in the said vehicle. It includes a transmitter that responds.

  According to this aspect, in addition to the above effects, a function as an electronic key in a so-called electronic key system can be provided.

  (5) The electronic key according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the electronic key according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, wherein the reception interval of the vehicle information is set according to the distance between the vehicle and the electronic key. Make it different.

  According to this aspect, since the reception interval of the vehicle information is made different according to the distance between the vehicle and the electronic key, the vehicle information is received at a farther position while reducing wasteful power consumption, The vehicle information can be displayed.

  (6) The electronic key according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the electronic key according to the fifth aspect, wherein the vehicle information is received every first period when the distance between the vehicle and the electronic key is a third distance. When the distance between the vehicle and the electronic key is a fourth distance that is longer than the third distance, the vehicle information is received every second period that is longer than the first period.

  According to this aspect, the longer the distance between the vehicle and the electronic key, the longer the vehicle information reception interval. Therefore, the vehicle information is received at a farther position while reducing wasteful power consumption. Can be displayed.

  (7) According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, an electronic key that controls a vehicle including a battery periodically receives vehicle information including charge information corresponding to a charge level of the battery from the vehicle. And a display unit for displaying information corresponding to the vehicle information received by the receiving unit.

  According to this aspect, unlike a gasoline vehicle, the charge level that changes with time can be confirmed even at a farther position. As a result, it is not necessary to stand by the vehicle while charging the battery that requires time, and an electronic key that is very convenient to use can be provided.

  (8) The electronic key according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the electronic key according to any one of the first aspect to the seventh aspect, wherein the vehicle information includes charge information corresponding to a charge level of a battery mounted on the vehicle. Including.

  According to this aspect, unlike a gasoline vehicle, the charge level that changes with time can be confirmed even at a farther position. As a result, it is not necessary to stand by the vehicle while charging the battery that requires time, and an electronic key that is very convenient to use can be provided.

  (9) According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a vehicle controlled based on an electronic key is in accordance with a distance between the vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle information corresponding to the state of the vehicle and the electronic key. And a transmitter that transmits the vehicle information to the electronic key using signals in different frequency bands.

  In this aspect, the vehicle acquires vehicle information corresponding to the state of the vehicle, and transmits the vehicle information to the electronic key using a signal in a different frequency band according to the distance from the electronic key. Thereby, for example, the state of the vehicle can be notified to the electronic key even at a farther position without impairing the function of confirming the position of the electronic key in the electronic key system using the original low frequency band signal. Moreover, by making the frequency band different depending on the distance, it is possible to reduce wasteful power consumption particularly on the electronic key side.

  (10) In the vehicle according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect, the transmitter is configured to transmit a signal in the first frequency band when the distance between the vehicle and the electronic key is the first distance. When a distance between the first transmission unit that transmits the vehicle and the electronic key is a second distance that is longer than the first distance, a signal in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band is transmitted. A second transmission unit for transmission.

  According to this aspect, since the vehicle information is transmitted by the signal of the higher frequency band as the distance between the vehicle and the electronic key is longer, the position confirmation of the electronic key in the electronic key system by the original signal of the lower frequency band is performed. There is no loss of functionality. In addition, the vehicle information can be transmitted to the electronic key at a far position without impairing the function of confirming the position of the electronic key in the electronic key system using the original low frequency band signal.

  (11) In the ninth aspect or the tenth aspect, the vehicle according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention includes a battery, and the vehicle information includes charge information corresponding to a charge level of the battery.

  According to this aspect, unlike a gasoline vehicle, a charge level that changes with time can be notified to an electronic key at a farther position. As a result, it is not necessary to stand by the vehicle while charging the battery, which takes time, and it is possible to contribute to the provision of an electronic key system that is very easy to use.

  (12) In a twelfth aspect of the present invention, an electronic key system includes the electronic key of any one of the first to eighth aspects and the vehicle of any of the ninth to eleventh aspects. Including.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an electronic key system to which an electronic key that can check various information on a vehicle or the like can be applied even at a distant place with low power consumption.

  (13) According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for an electronic key system including a vehicle and an electronic key having a display unit and controlling the vehicle, wherein the vehicle corresponds to a state of the vehicle. Vehicle information communication step for transmitting information to the electronic key; and an information display step for displaying information corresponding to the vehicle information transmitted by the electronic key in the vehicle information communication step on the display unit, In the vehicle information communication step, vehicle information corresponding to the state of the vehicle is transmitted to the electronic key using a signal in a different frequency band depending on the distance between the vehicle and the electronic key.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an electronic key system to which an electronic key that can check various information on a vehicle or the like can be applied even at a distant place with low power consumption.

  (14) According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the thirteenth aspect, the electronic key system control method varies the reception interval of the vehicle information according to the distance between the vehicle and the electronic key.

  According to this aspect, since the reception interval of the vehicle information is made different according to the distance between the vehicle and the electronic key, the vehicle information is received at a farther position while reducing wasteful power consumption, An electronic key system capable of displaying the vehicle information can be provided.

The figure which shows the structural example of the electronic key system in this embodiment. The block diagram of the structural example of the vehicle of FIG. 1, and an electronic key. The figure which shows an example of the external appearance schematic of the electronic key of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the operation | movement sequence of the electronic key system in this embodiment. FIG. 5A schematically shows the position of the electronic key relative to the vehicle when the vehicle is viewed from above. FIG. 5B is an operation explanatory diagram at each position of FIG. The flowchart of the operation example of the electronic key in this embodiment. The flowchart of the operation example of the electronic key in this embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a display of the electronic key in step S3 of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display of the electronic key in step S10 of FIG. The figure which shows the example of a display of the electronic key in step S15 of FIG. The figure which shows the 1st operation | movement timing example of the electronic key system in this embodiment. The figure which shows the 2nd example of operation timing of the electronic key system in this embodiment. The figure which shows the 3rd example of operation timing of the electronic key system in this embodiment. The block diagram of the structural example of the electronic key system in the 1st modification of this embodiment. The block diagram of the structural example of the electronic key system in the 2nd modification of this embodiment. The block diagram of the structural example of the electronic key system in the 3rd modification of this embodiment. The flowchart of the operation example of the electronic key which comprises the electronic key system in the 4th modification of this embodiment. The flowchart of the operation example of the electronic key which comprises the electronic key system in the 4th modification of this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below do not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. In addition, all of the configurations described below are not necessarily indispensable configuration requirements for solving the problems of the present invention.

[Electronic key system]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an electronic key system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the electronic key system in the present embodiment is not limited to that shown in FIG.

  The electronic key system 100 includes a vehicle 200 (main body in a broad sense) such as an electric vehicle (EV) or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV), and an electronic key as a portable communication device. 300 (terminal in a broad sense). In the electronic key system 100, as a communication system, wireless communication is performed between the vehicle 200 and the electronic key 300, and the electronic key 300 can be controlled to lock and release the door of the vehicle 200. ing.

  Specifically, the vehicle 200 periodically transmits a wireless signal 202 on which data to be transmitted to the electronic key 300 is superimposed, and waits for a response from the electronic key 300. When electronic key 300 receives radio signal 202 from vehicle 200, electronic key 300 responds to vehicle 200 with radio signal 204. Thereafter, a signal is exchanged between the vehicle 200 and the electronic key 300, and when the electronic key 300 is authenticated, predetermined control such as locking and releasing of the door of the vehicle 200, starting and stopping of the engine is permitted. It is like that.

  In the present embodiment, the vehicle 200 acquires vehicle information corresponding to the state of the vehicle, and uses the radio signal in a different frequency band according to the distance from the electronic key 300 to transmit the vehicle information to the electronic key 300. Can be sent. On the other hand, the electronic key 300 includes a display unit, receives radio signals in different frequency bands depending on the distance from the vehicle 200, and displays information corresponding to the vehicle information when the vehicle information of the vehicle 200 is received. Can be displayed. Here, the vehicle information includes charging information corresponding to a charging level (charge amount, remaining amount) of a battery serving as a power source of the electric motor included in the vehicle 200.

  Thus, without impairing the function of confirming the position of the electronic key in the electronic key system using the original low frequency band radio signal, the user can display the state of the electronic key at hand even at a farther position. The state of the vehicle 200 can be grasped by looking at For example, it is not necessary to check the charging level of the battery of the vehicle 200 to the vehicle 200 and the charging facility each time, and it is possible to provide an easy-to-use electronic key system.

  FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a configuration example of the vehicle 200 and the electronic key 300 of FIG. In FIG. 2, the same parts as those in FIG.

  The vehicle 200 includes a wireless communication unit 210, a charging port 240, an AC / DC rectification unit 242, a power management unit 244, a battery 246, and a control unit 250. The charging port 240 is configured such that a charging connector of a charging cable connected to a charging facility (not shown) can be inserted. The AC / DC rectification unit 242 rectifies the AC power input through the charging port 240 into a DC power. The power management unit 244 controls the charging of the battery 246 using the DC power source rectified by the AC / DC rectifying unit 242, and manages the charging level of the battery 246. The battery 246 serves as a power source for the electric motor of the vehicle 200 (not shown).

  The wireless communication unit 210 transmits and receives radio signals in the LF (Low Frequency) band and transmits and receives radio signals in the RF (Radio Frequency) band with the electronic key 300. The wireless communication unit 210 includes antenna coils 212 and 214, an antenna 216, a switching unit 218, a transmission unit 220, and an RF reception unit 230. The transmission unit 220 includes an LF transmission unit 222 (first transmission unit) connected to the antenna coil 212, an LF transmission unit 224 connected to the antenna coil 214, and an RF transmission unit 226 (second transmission unit). It has. The connection destination of the antenna 216 is switched to the RF transmission unit 226 or the RF reception unit 230 by the switching unit 218.

  The LF transmitters 222 and 224 perform transmission processing of radio signals in the LF band, and transmit the radio signals to the electronic key 300 via the antenna coils 212 and 214. Since the distance in which communication using a radio signal in the LF band is possible is short, the installation location of the LF transmission unit 222 (for example, near the driver's seat) and the installation location of the LF transmission unit 224 (for example, near the door) are different. Thereby, it is easy to grasp the position of the electronic key 300 by the response from the electronic key 300 to the radio signal in the LF band. The RF transmission unit 226 performs transmission processing of a radio signal in the RF band, and transmits the radio signal to the electronic key 300 via the antenna 216. The RF receiving unit 230 performs processing for receiving a radio signal in the RF band from the electronic key 300 received via the antenna 216.

  The control unit 250 includes a timer unit 252 and a vehicle information acquisition unit 254, and controls each unit constituting the vehicle 200. The timer unit 252 measures the transmission interval of LF transmission performed by the transmission unit 220 for the electronic key 300. The vehicle information acquisition unit 254 acquires vehicle information of the vehicle 200. This vehicle information may include the state (operation state) of each part constituting the vehicle 200 in addition to the above charging information. The controller 250 may include, for example, a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) and a memory (not shown). At this time, the control unit 250 can realize the functions of the above-described units when the CPU that has read the program stored in the memory executes a process corresponding to the program.

  In the vehicle 200 having such a configuration, the vehicle information acquisition unit 254 acquires vehicle information corresponding to the state of the vehicle. Then, the transmission unit 220 transmits the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 254 to the electronic key 300 using signals in different frequency bands depending on the distance from the electronic key 300. Specifically, in the transmission unit 220, the LF transmission unit 222 transmits a radio signal in the LF band (first frequency band) when the distance between the vehicle 200 and the electronic key 300 is the first distance. In addition, in the transmission unit 220, when the RF transmission unit 226 has a second distance that is longer than the first distance, the RF band (second frequency band) having a higher frequency than the LF band. ) Radio signal.

  The electronic key 300 includes a wireless communication unit 310, a display unit 340, an information display switch 342, and a control unit 350. The display unit 340 is made of, for example, EPD (Electrophoretic Display) type electronic paper. The information display switch 342 can transmit a user operation content to the control unit 350. For example, “0” is transmitted to the control unit 350 when the information display switch 342 is pressed, and “1” is transmitted to the control unit 350 when the information display switch 342 is not pressed.

  The wireless communication unit 310 receives and transmits an LF band radio signal and transmits and receives an RF band radio signal to and from the vehicle 200. The wireless communication unit 310 includes an antenna coil 312, an antenna 314, a switching unit 316, a reception unit 320, and an RF transmission unit 330 (transmission unit). The reception unit 320 includes an LF reception unit 322 (first reception unit) connected to the antenna coil 312 and an RF reception unit 324 (second reception unit) configured to be connectable to the antenna 314 by the switching unit 316. ). The connection destination of the antenna 314 is switched to the RF reception unit 324 or the RF transmission unit 330 by the switching unit 316.

  The antenna coil 312 receives an LF band radio signal from the vehicle 200. The LF reception unit 322 performs reception processing of a radio signal in the LF band received via the antenna coil 312. The RF reception unit 324 performs reception processing of an RF band radio signal received via the antenna 314. The RF transmission unit 330 performs transmission processing of a radio signal in the RF band, and transmits the radio signal to the vehicle 200 via the antenna 314. For example, when the RF transmission unit 330 receives a signal including identification information from the vehicle 200 by the LF reception unit 322, the RF transmission unit 330 can respond to the vehicle 200 with a radio signal in the RF band.

  The control unit 350 includes a timer unit 352 and controls each unit constituting the electronic key 300. Timer unit 352 measures the time corresponding to the reception interval of vehicle information received from vehicle 200. The control unit 350 includes, for example, a CPU and a memory (not shown), and a CPU that reads a program stored in the memory executes a process corresponding to the program, thereby realizing the functions of the above-described units. Good.

  In the electronic key 300 having such a configuration, the receiving unit 320 receives the vehicle information from the vehicle 200. Then, display unit 340 displays information corresponding to the vehicle information received by receiving unit 320. At this time, the receiving unit 320 receives radio signals in different frequency bands depending on the distance from the vehicle 200. Specifically, in receiving section 320, LF receiving section 322 receives a radio signal in the LF band when the distance between vehicle 200 and electronic key 300 is the first distance. In the receiving unit 320, the RF receiving unit 324 receives a radio signal in the RF band when the distance between the vehicle 200 and the electronic key 300 is a second distance that is longer than the first distance. When the information display switch 342 instructs the display unit 340 to display information, the vehicle 200 is requested to acquire vehicle information, and when there is no response from the vehicle 200, the operation of the RF receiving unit 324 is performed. Can be stopped.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a schematic external view of the electronic key 300 of FIG. FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the electronic key 300 as viewed from the top. In FIG. 3, the same parts as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  The electronic key 300 includes a door lock locking switch 380 of the vehicle 200 and a door lock release switch 382 in addition to the display unit 340 and the information display switch 342. In addition, the electronic key 300 includes a storage unit, and the mechanical key 384 is stored in the storage unit. The user can turn on the information display switch 342 by pressing the information display switch 342, and can display information corresponding to the vehicle information received from the vehicle 200 on the display unit 340. Further, the user can turn on the door lock locking switch 380 by pressing the door lock locking switch 380 and communicate with the vehicle 200 to lock the door of the vehicle 200. Further, the user can turn on the door lock release switch 382 by depressing the door lock release switch 382 and communicate with the vehicle 200 to release the lock of the door of the vehicle 200.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of an operation sequence of the electronic key system 100 in the present embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, communication using an LF band radio signal (LF communication) or communication using an RF band radio signal (RF communication) is established.

  The first sequence example is an example in which LF communication and RF communication are established between the vehicle 200 and the electronic key 300. In the first sequence example, the vehicle 200 acquires vehicle information at predetermined time intervals (SQ1), and transmits the acquired vehicle information to the electronic key 300 (SQ2, vehicle information communication step). At this time, the vehicle 200 transmits vehicle information to the electronic key 300 using a radio signal in the LF band. The electronic key 300 displays information corresponding to the vehicle information transmitted from the vehicle 200 on the display unit 340 (SQ3, information display step).

  In the second sequence example, the distance between the vehicle 200 and the electronic key 300 is longer than that in the first sequence example, and the LF communication is not established and the RF communication is established. In this second sequence example, first, when the information display switch 342 of the electronic key 300 is turned on (SQ4), the electronic key 300 makes a vehicle information acquisition request through RF communication (SQ5). The vehicle 200 that has received this acquisition request acquires vehicle information (SQ6), and transmits the acquired vehicle information to the electronic key 300 (SQ7, vehicle information communication step). At this time, the vehicle 200 can transmit vehicle information to the electronic key 300 using a radio signal in the RF band. The electronic key 300 displays information corresponding to the vehicle information transmitted from the vehicle 200 on the display unit 340 (SQ8, information display step).

  In the third sequence example, it is assumed that the distance between the vehicle 200 and the electronic key 300 is longer than that in the second sequence example. In the third sequence example, first, when the information display switch 342 of the electronic key 300 is turned on (SQ9), the electronic key 300 makes a vehicle information acquisition request by RF communication (SQ10). The vehicle 200 that has received this acquisition request acquires vehicle information (SQ11), and transmits the acquired vehicle information to the electronic key 300 (SQ12). Here, a radio signal including vehicle information cannot be received by the electronic key 300, and the electronic key 300 cannot display the vehicle information. In addition, when the radio signal including the acquisition request that the electronic key 300 makes to the vehicle 200 cannot be received by the vehicle 200 (SQ10a), the vehicle 200 cannot acquire the vehicle information corresponding to the acquisition request.

  In any of the above examples, the electronic key 300 continues to receive the vehicle information of the vehicle 200 periodically. The reception interval of the vehicle information is desirably different according to the distance between the vehicle 200 and the electronic key 300. By doing so, useless power consumption can be suppressed in the vehicle 200 and the electronic key 300.

  As described above, the electronic key 300 displays on the display unit 340 information corresponding to the vehicle information of the vehicle 200 received by radio signals in different frequency bands depending on the distance from the vehicle 200. As a result, the electronic key 300 can display information corresponding to the vehicle information of the vehicle 200 on the display unit 340 even in a distant place where LF communication cannot be established. At this time, by considering the reception interval of the vehicle information, it is possible to reduce power consumption, and to reduce the number of times of battery replacement and charging built in the electronic key 300.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be specifically described.

  FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are diagrams illustrating the operation of each unit according to the distance between the vehicle 200 and the electronic key 300. FIG. 5A schematically shows the position of the electronic key 300 relative to the vehicle 200 when the vehicle 200 is viewed from above. FIG. 5B illustrates an operation explanatory diagram at each position in FIG. 5A and 5B show an operation after the initial communication is established between the vehicle 200 and the electronic key 300. FIG.

  As described above, in the vehicle 200, the LF transmission unit 222 is installed near the driver's seat, and the LF transmission unit 224 is installed near the door. When the electronic key 300 is in the vehicle, the electronic key 300 exists at a position AR1 where LF communication and RF communication by the LF transmission unit 222 are possible. At this time, the vehicle 200 operates the LF transmission unit 222 and the RF reception unit 230, and stops the operation of the other parts constituting the wireless communication unit 210. The electronic key 300 operates the LF reception unit 322 and the RF transmission unit 330, and stops the operation of other parts of the wireless communication unit 310.

  When the electronic key 300 is in the vicinity of the door outside the vehicle, the electronic key 300 exists at a position AR2 where LF communication and RF communication by the LF transmission unit 224 are possible. At this time, the vehicle 200 operates the LF transmission unit 224 and the RF reception unit 230, and stops the operation of other parts constituting the wireless communication unit 210. The electronic key 300 operates the LF reception unit 322 and the RF transmission unit 330, and stops the operation of other parts of the wireless communication unit 310.

  When the electronic key 300 is outside the vehicle and is present at a position AR3 where LF communication is impossible and RF communication is possible, the vehicle 200 operates the RF transmission unit 226 and the RF reception unit 230, and the wireless communication unit 210 The operation of the other parts constituting the is stopped. The electronic key 300 operates the RF transmission unit 330 and the RF reception unit 324, and stops the operation of the other parts constituting the wireless communication unit 310.

  When the electronic key 300 is outside the vehicle and is present at the position AR4 where LF communication and RF communication are not possible, the vehicle 200 operates the RF receiving unit 230 and performs the operation of other parts constituting the wireless communication unit 210. Stop. The electronic key 300 operates the RF transmission unit 330 and stops the operation of other parts constituting the wireless communication unit 310.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since communication is performed using radio signals in different frequency bands depending on the distance between the vehicle 200 and the electronic key 300, it is possible to communicate to a farther distance and useless power. Consumption can be reduced.

  Since the operation at the position AR2 can be the same as the operation at the position AR1, description of the operation at the position AR2 is omitted in the following description.

  6 and 7 are flowcharts showing an operation example of the electronic key 300 in the present embodiment. The control unit 350 of the electronic key 300 includes a CPU and a memory, and programs corresponding to the following steps are stored in the memory. At this time, the CPU can realize the following processing by executing processing corresponding to the program stored in the memory.

  First, the LF receiver 322 determines whether there is a call from the vehicle 200 using the LF signal (step S1). In step S1, when the LF signal is received from the vehicle 200 (step S1: Y), the electronic key 300 operates the LF reception unit 322 and the RF transmission unit 330, and the other part of the wireless communication unit 310 is operated. Stop operation. Then, the LF receiver 322 receives vehicle information based on the LF signal transmitted by the vehicle 200 (step S2). Display unit 340 displays information corresponding to the vehicle information received in step S2 (step S3).

  FIG. 8 shows a display example of the electronic key 300 in step S3 of FIG. 8, parts similar to those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  The display unit 340 displays the current date and time, the remaining battery information of the electronic key 300, the date and time when the vehicle information is acquired from the vehicle 200, and information corresponding to the vehicle information. The vehicle information includes a charging operation state (for example, charging or stopping charging) for the battery 246 of the vehicle 200, a charging level (charging capacity) of the battery 246, a travelable distance at the current charging level, and a charging time until full charging. Including. Note that since the display portion 340 is formed of EPD electronic paper, current consumption during display can be suppressed to almost zero.

  In step S3 of FIG. 6, after the information corresponding to the vehicle information is displayed on the display unit 340 as shown in FIG. 8, the electronic key 300 starts measuring time by the timer unit 352 (step S4). At this time, the timer unit 352 is set to count a predetermined timeout time T1, and the electronic key 300 monitors the end of the timing by the timer unit 352 (step S5: N). When the timer unit 352 finishes counting time (step S5: Y), the operation of the electronic key 300 returns to step S1. At this time, the electronic key 300 returns the operation state of each unit constituting the wireless communication unit 310 to the initial state.

  Steps S2 to S5 represent an operation example when the electronic key 300 exists at the position AR1.

  In step S1, when the LF signal from the vehicle 200 is not received (step S1: N), the control unit 350 determines whether or not the information display switch 342 is turned on (step S6). When it is determined that the information display switch 342 is not turned on (step S6: N), the operation of the electronic key 300 returns to step S1.

  When it is determined in step S6 that the information display switch 342 has been turned on (step S6: Y), the electronic key 300 operates the RF transmission unit 330 and the RF reception unit 324 to configure the wireless communication unit 310. Stop other parts. And the RF transmission part 330 transmits the acquisition request of vehicle information with respect to the vehicle 200 by RF signal (step S7). Thereafter, the RF receiver 324 waits for a response from the vehicle 200 (step S8).

  When there is a response from the vehicle 200 in step S8 (step S8: Y), the RF receiver 324 receives vehicle information based on the RF signal transmitted by the vehicle 200 (step S9). Display unit 340 displays information corresponding to the vehicle information received in step S9 (step S10).

  FIG. 9 shows a display example of the electronic key 300 in step S10 of FIG. 9, parts that are the same as those in FIG. 8 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in step S <b> 10 of FIG. 7, information corresponding to the acquired vehicle information can be displayed on the display unit 340 as in FIG. 8. At this time, it is at a distance where the LF signal from the vehicle 200 cannot be received in step S1 and becomes an acquisition interval (T2) in the timer unit 352 described below. Therefore, for example, the time when the vehicle information is acquired is compared with FIG. It becomes old time. That is, although the vehicle information that can be confirmed with the electronic key 300 may be a little old information, vehicle information that cannot be received originally can be displayed with the electronic key 300.

  In step S10 of FIG. 7, after the information corresponding to the vehicle information is displayed on the display unit 340 as shown in FIG. 9, the electronic key 300 starts measuring time by the timer unit 352 (step S11). At this time, the timer unit 352 is set to time a predetermined time-out time T2 longer than the time-out time T1, and the electronic key 300 monitors the end of the time measurement by the timer unit 352 (step S12).

  When the timer unit 352 does not finish counting time (step S12: N), the electronic key 300 returns the operation state of each unit constituting the wireless communication unit 310 to the initial state. Then, the LF receiving unit 322 determines whether there is a call from the vehicle 200 using the LF signal (step S13). When the LF signal is received from the vehicle 200 (step S13: Y), the electronic key 300 operates the LF reception unit 322 and the RF transmission unit 330, and stops the operation of other parts of the wireless communication unit 310. , Transition to step S2. In step S13, when the LF signal from the vehicle 200 is not received (step S13: N), the control unit 350 determines whether or not the information display switch 342 is turned on (step S14). When it is determined that the information display switch 342 is not turned on (step S14: N), the operation of the electronic key 300 returns to step S12.

  In step S12, when the time measurement by the timer unit 352 is completed (step S12: Y), or it is determined that the information display switch 342 is turned on in step S14 (step S14: Y), the operation of the electronic key 300 is performed in step S12. Return to S7. At this time, the electronic key 300 returns the operation state of each unit constituting the wireless communication unit 310 to the initial state.

  Steps S7 to S14 represent an operation example when the electronic key 300 exists at the position AR3. In the electronic key 300, the operation of the RF receiving unit 324 and the RF transmitting unit 330 is stopped during the time measurement period of the timer unit 352, so that the power consumption can be further reduced. The time-out time T2 can be set to several tens of minutes to about 1 hour, assuming charge monitoring at home or leaving the vehicle during charging.

  In step S8, when there is no response from the vehicle 200 (step S8: N), the electronic key 300 operates the RF receiving unit 324 and the RF transmitting unit 330, and the other part of the wireless communication unit 310 is operated. Stop operation. And the display part 340 displays the information which shows that acquisition of vehicle information is impossible (step S15).

  FIG. 10 shows a display example of the electronic key 300 in step S15 of FIG. 10, parts that are the same as those in FIG. 8 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in step S <b> 15 in FIG. 7, information corresponding to previously acquired vehicle information can be displayed on the display unit 340. At this time, a display to the effect that vehicle information could not be obtained at the time of the latest acquisition is displayed. In this case, although the vehicle information that can be confirmed with the electronic key 300 may be a little old information, vehicle information that cannot be received originally can be displayed with the electronic key 300.

  In step S15 of FIG. 7, after the information corresponding to the vehicle information is displayed on the display unit 340 as shown in FIG. 10, the electronic key 300 starts measuring time by the timer unit 352 (step S16). At this time, the timer unit 352 is set to time a predetermined time-out time T3 longer than the time-out time T2, and the electronic key 300 monitors the end of the time measurement by the timer unit 352 (step S17).

  When the timer unit 352 does not finish counting time (step S17: N), the electronic key 300 returns the operation state of each unit constituting the wireless communication unit 310 to the initial state. Then, the LF receiving unit 322 determines whether there is a call from the vehicle 200 using the LF signal (step S18). When the LF signal is received from the vehicle 200 (step S18: Y), the electronic key 300 operates the LF reception unit 322 and the RF transmission unit 330 and stops the operation of other parts of the wireless communication unit 310. , Transition to step S2. In step S18, when the LF signal from the vehicle 200 is not received (step S18: N), the control unit 350 determines whether or not the information display switch 342 is turned on (step S19). When it is determined that the information display switch 342 is not turned on (step S19: N), the operation of the electronic key 300 returns to step S17.

  In step S17, when the time measurement by the timer unit 352 is completed (step S17: Y), or it is determined that the information display switch 342 is turned on in step S19 (step S19: Y), the operation of the electronic key 300 is performed in step S17. Return to S7. At this time, the electronic key 300 returns the operation state of each unit constituting the wireless communication unit 310 to the initial state.

  Steps S15 to S19 represent an operation example when the electronic key 300 is present at the position AR4. Regarding the timeout time T3, the RF signal transmission interval can be lengthened, and the power consumption can be further reduced.

  As described above, when the distance between the vehicle 200 and the electronic key 300 is the third distance, the electronic key 300 can receive the vehicle information for each timeout time T2 (first period). Further, the electronic key 300 can receive vehicle information every time-out time T3 (second period) when the distance between the vehicle 200 and the electronic key 300 is a fourth distance that is longer than the third distance.

  Hereinafter, a detailed operation example of the electronic key system in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 11 shows a first operation timing example of the electronic key system in the present embodiment. FIG. 11 shows an example of operation timing when the electronic key 300 exists at the position AR1.

  In FIG. 11, at least the RF receiving unit 230 is always operating in the vehicle 200, and at least the LF receiving unit 322 is always operating in the electronic key 300. First, the vehicle 200 calls the electronic key 300 using an LF signal (Q1). When the LF signal is received by the LF receiver 322, the electronic key 300 notifies the RF transmitter 330 (Q2), and the RF transmitter 330 transmits an RF signal for a vehicle information acquisition request (Q3).

  When the vehicle 200 receives the RF signal from the electronic key 300 in the RF receiver 230, the vehicle 200 notifies the LF transmitter 222 or LF transmitter 224, and the LF transmitter 222 or LF transmitter 224 An LF signal including vehicle information is transmitted (Q4).

  In the electronic key 300, when the LF receiving unit 322 receives an LF signal including vehicle information, the display unit 340 displays information corresponding to the vehicle information.

  The vehicle 200 measures the time-out time T1 by the timer unit. After the time-out time T1 elapses, the vehicle 200 calls the electronic key 300 again with the LF signal and repeats the above operation.

  FIG. 12 shows a second operation timing example of the electronic key system in the present embodiment. FIG. 12 shows an example of operation timing when the electronic key 300 exists at the position AR3 and then moves to the position AR1.

  In FIG. 12, in the vehicle 200, at least the RF receiving unit 230 always operates. First, in the electronic key 300, when the information display switch 342 is turned on (Q10), the RF transmission unit 330 transmits the vehicle information acquisition request to the vehicle 200 by an RF signal (Q11).

  In the vehicle 200, when the RF receiving unit 230 receives this RF signal, the RF transmitting unit 226 transmits the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle information acquiring unit 254 to the electronic key 300 (Q12).

  In the electronic key 300, when the RF receiving unit 324 receives the vehicle information (Q13), information corresponding to the vehicle information is displayed on the display unit 340. Thereafter, the electronic key 300 measures the time-out time T2 by the timer unit 352. After the time-out time T2 elapses, the electronic key 300 makes a vehicle information acquisition request to the vehicle 200 again and repeats the above operation.

  A predetermined processing time is set as a time W1 from when the information display switch 342 is turned on until the vehicle information is acquired by the RF receiving unit 324 in consideration of a response time from the vehicle 200. Therefore, the power consumption of the electronic key 300 can be reduced by operating the RF receiver 324 only during the time W1. At this time, the power consumption of the electronic key 300 can be reduced by stopping the operation of the LF receiver 322 only during the time W2 corresponding to the time W1.

  Thereafter, when the electronic key 300 approaches the vehicle 200 and the LF signal transmitted by the vehicle 200 can be received periodically, the vehicle information can be acquired and displayed on the display unit 340 as described with reference to FIG. It becomes like this.

  FIG. 13 shows a third operation timing example of the electronic key system in the present embodiment. FIG. 13 shows an example of operation timing when the electronic key 300 exists at the position AR4 and then moves to the position AR1.

  In FIG. 13, at least the RF receiving unit 230 always operates in the vehicle 200, and at least the LF receiving unit 322 always operates in the electronic key 300. First, in the electronic key 300, when the information display switch 342 is turned on (Q20), the RF transmission unit 330 transmits the vehicle information acquisition request to the vehicle 200 by an RF signal (Q21).

  In the vehicle 200, the RF receiving unit 230 cannot receive this RF signal, and the electronic key 300 cannot acquire vehicle information. The electronic key 300 measures the time-out time T3 by the timer unit 352, and after the time-out time T3 has elapsed, the RF transmission unit 330 transmits again to the vehicle 200 by an RF signal as a vehicle information acquisition request. Repeat the operation.

  A predetermined processing time is set as a time W1 from when the information display switch 342 is turned on until the vehicle information is acquired by the RF receiving unit 324 in consideration of a response time from the vehicle 200. Therefore, the power consumption of the electronic key 300 can be reduced by operating the RF receiver 324 only during the time W1. At this time, the power consumption of the electronic key 300 can be reduced by stopping the operation of the LF receiver 322 only during the time W2 corresponding to the time W1.

  Thereafter, when the electronic key 300 approaches the vehicle 200 and the LF signal transmitted by the vehicle 200 can be received periodically, the vehicle information can be acquired and displayed on the display unit 340 as described with reference to FIG. It becomes like this.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the vehicle information of the vehicle 200 can be transmitted to the electronic key 300 by radio signals in different frequency bands depending on the distance between the vehicle 200 and the electronic key 300. it can. As a result, the electronic key 300 can display information corresponding to the vehicle information of the vehicle 200 on the display unit 340 even in a distant place where LF communication cannot be established. At this time, by considering the reception interval of the vehicle information, it is possible to reduce power consumption, and to reduce the number of times of battery replacement and charging built in the electronic key 300.

[First Modification]
Although the vehicle 200 of the electronic key system 100 in the present embodiment has been described with respect to an example in which a plurality of LF transmission units having different installation locations are provided, the vehicle in the present embodiment is not limited to this.

  FIG. 14 shows a block diagram of a configuration example of the electronic key system in the first modification of the present embodiment. 14, parts similar to those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  The electronic key system 100a in the first modification includes a vehicle 200a and an electronic key 300. The difference between the configuration of the vehicle 200a and the configuration of the vehicle 200 is that the transmission unit 220a of the wireless communication unit has a configuration in which the LF transmission unit 224 is omitted. Other configurations and operations are the same as in the present embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, the operation at the time of transmission of the LF signal by the LF transmission unit 224 can be made common with the operation at the time of transmission of the LF signal by the LF transmission unit 222. Therefore, according to the first modification example, The same effect as the embodiment can be obtained.

[Second Modification]
In each of the vehicle 200 and the electronic key 300 constituting the electronic key system 100 according to the present embodiment, the timer unit is described as being incorporated in the control unit, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  FIG. 15 shows a block diagram of a configuration example of the electronic key system in the second modification of the present embodiment. In FIG. 15, the same parts as those in FIG.

  The electronic key system 100b according to the second modification includes a vehicle 200b and an electronic key 300b. The configuration of the vehicle 200b is different from the configuration of the vehicle 200 in that the timer unit 252 is provided outside the control unit 250b. The configuration of the electronic key 300b is different from the configuration of the electronic key 300 in that the timer unit 352 is provided outside the control unit 350b. Other configurations and operations are the same as in the present embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  According to the second modification, since the timer unit is provided outside the control unit, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained, and the parts that are always operated can be integrated. This greatly simplifies the energization control of the non-operating part other than the timer part in the control part.

[Third Modification]
The configuration of the electronic key 300b constituting the electronic key system 100b in the second modification of the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the electronic key system in the third modification of the present embodiment. In FIG. 16, the same parts as those in FIG. 15 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  The electronic key system 100c in the third modification includes a vehicle 200b and an electronic key 300c. The configuration of the electronic key 300c is different from the configuration of the electronic key 300 in that a battery (not shown) is a secondary battery, and a non-contact charging circuit 500, a power receiving coil 510, and a charging control for the secondary battery are possible. Is added. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the second modified example, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  According to the third modified example, since the secondary battery as the power source of the electronic key 300c can be charged by the non-contact charging circuit 500, it is easy when the remaining capacity of the secondary battery is reduced. Can be charged. As a result, the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained, and the labor for battery replacement can be eliminated.

[Fourth Modification]
Although the electronic key 300 in the present embodiment has been described as operating as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, it is not limited to this.

  The electronic key system in the fourth modification has the same configuration as that of the present embodiment. However, the operation of the electronic key in the fourth modification is different from the present embodiment. In the following description, the reference numerals of the respective parts of the electronic key 300 in this embodiment are used as they are.

  17 and 18 are flowcharts showing an operation example of the electronic key constituting the electronic key system in the fourth modified example of the present embodiment. It is assumed that the electronic key control unit in the fourth modification is composed of a CPU and a memory, and programs corresponding to the following steps are stored in the memory. At this time, the CPU can realize the following processing by executing processing corresponding to the program stored in the memory.

  First, the LF receiver 322 determines whether there is a call from the vehicle 200 using the LF signal (step S30). In step S30, when the LF signal is received from the vehicle 200 (step S30: Y), the electronic key 300 operates the LF receiving unit 322 and the RF transmitting unit 330, and the other part of the wireless communication unit 310 is operated. Stop operation. Then, the LF receiving unit 322 receives vehicle information based on the LF signal transmitted by the vehicle 200 (step S31).

  Here, control unit 350 determines whether or not there is a change in the information corresponding to the vehicle information displayed on display unit 340 immediately before (step S32). When it is determined that there is a change in the information displayed on the immediately preceding display unit 340 (step S32: Y), the display unit 340 displays information corresponding to the vehicle information received in step S31. The rewritten information is rewritten (step S33).

  In step S32, when it is determined that there is no change in the information displayed on the immediately preceding display unit 340 (step S32: N), or following step S33, the electronic key 300 starts timing by the timer unit 352. (Step S34). At this time, the timer unit 352 is set to count a predetermined timeout time T4, and the electronic key 300 monitors the end of the timing by the timer unit 352 (step S35: N). When the time measurement by the timer unit 352 is completed (step S35: Y), the operation of the electronic key 300 returns to step S30. At this time, the electronic key 300 returns the operation state of each unit constituting the wireless communication unit 310 to the initial state.

  Steps S31 to S35 represent an operation example when the electronic key 300 exists at the position AR1.

  In step S30, when the LF signal from the vehicle 200 is not received (step S30: N), the control unit 350 determines whether or not the information display switch 342 is turned on (step S36). When it is determined that the information display switch 342 is not turned on (step S36: N), the operation of the electronic key 300 returns to step S30.

  In step S36, when it is determined that the information display switch 342 is turned on (step S36: Y), the electronic key 300 operates the RF transmission unit 330 and the RF reception unit 324 to configure the wireless communication unit 310. Stop other parts. And the RF transmission part 330 transmits the acquisition request of vehicle information with respect to the vehicle 200 by RF signal (step S37). Thereafter, the RF receiver 324 waits for a response from the vehicle 200 (step S38).

  When there is no response from the vehicle 200 in step S38 (step S38: N), the operation of the electronic key 300 returns to step S30. At this time, the electronic key 300 returns the operation state of each unit constituting the wireless communication unit 310 to the initial state.

  When there is a response from the vehicle 200 in step S38 (step S38: Y), the RF receiving unit 324 receives vehicle information based on the RF signal transmitted by the vehicle 200 (step S39).

  Here, control unit 350 determines whether or not there is a change in the information corresponding to the vehicle information displayed on display unit 340 immediately before (step S40). When it is determined that there is a change in the information displayed on the immediately preceding display unit 340 (step S40: Y), the display unit 340 displays information by displaying information corresponding to the vehicle information received in step S38. The rewritten information is rewritten (step S41).

  When it is determined that there is no change in the information displayed on the immediately preceding display unit 340 (step S40: N), or following step S40, the electronic key 300 indicates that the charge level of the battery 246 of the vehicle 200 is the full charge level. It is discriminate | determined whether it is (step S42). At this time, the electronic key 300 determines whether the charge level of the battery 246 of the vehicle 200 is the full charge level based on the vehicle information of the vehicle 200. When it is determined that the battery is at the full charge level (step S42: Y), the operation of the electronic key 300 returns to step S30. At this time, the electronic key 300 returns the operation state of each unit constituting the wireless communication unit 310 to the initial state.

  When it is determined in step S42 that the level is not the full charge level (step S42: N), the electronic key 300 starts time measurement by the timer unit 352 (step S43). At this time, the timer unit 352 is set to measure a predetermined timeout time T5, and the electronic key 300 monitors the end of the time measurement by the timer unit 352 (step S44). When the time measurement by the timer unit 352 ends (step S44: Y), the operation of the electronic key 300 returns to step S37. At this time, the electronic key 300 returns the operation state of each unit constituting the wireless communication unit 310 to the initial state.

  In step S44, when the timer unit 352 does not finish counting time (step S44: N), the electronic key 300 returns the operation state of each unit constituting the wireless communication unit 310 to the initial state. Then, the LF reception unit 322 determines whether there is a call from the vehicle 200 using the LF signal (step S45). When the LF signal is received from the vehicle 200 (step S45: Y), the electronic key 300 operates the LF reception unit 322 and the RF transmission unit 330 and stops the operation of other parts of the wireless communication unit 310. Then, the process proceeds to step S31. In step S45, when the LF signal from the vehicle 200 is not received (step S45: N), the control unit 350 determines whether or not the information display switch 342 is turned on (step S46). When it is determined that the information display switch 342 is not turned on (step S46: N), the operation of the electronic key 300 returns to step S44.

  In step S44, when the time measurement by the timer unit 352 is completed (step S44: Y), or it is determined that the information display switch 342 is turned on in step S46 (step S46: Y), the operation of the electronic key 300 is performed in step S44. Return to S37. At this time, the electronic key 300 returns the operation state of each unit constituting the wireless communication unit 310 to the initial state.

  Steps S37 to S46 represent an operation example when the electronic key 300 exists at the position AR3. By setting the timeout time T5 to be longer than the timeout time T4, the power consumption can be further reduced.

  As described above, in the fourth modification, as shown in step S38, when the RF communication between the vehicle 200 and the electronic key 300 becomes impossible, the timer is not intermittently operated by the timer, but the display unit 340 Stop updating the display. At this time, the display of the display unit 340 can be updated by bringing the electronic key 300 into the vehicle 200 to receive the LF signal or turning on the information display switch 342.

  In the fourth modification, as shown in step S42, it is determined whether or not the charge level of the battery 246 of the vehicle 200 is the full charge level. When the charge level is the full charge level, updating of the display on the display unit 340 is stopped. Let At this time, the display of the display unit 340 can be updated by bringing the electronic key 300 into the vehicle 200 to receive the LF signal or turning on the information display switch 342.

  Further, in the fourth modified example, as shown in step S32 or step S40, the display of the display unit 340 is displayed only when the information displayed on the display unit 340 is changed after the vehicle information is acquired from the vehicle 200. Rewrite.

  As described above, in the fourth modified example, when RF communication is not possible, when the battery 246 is at the full charge level, when there is no change in the display information on the display unit 340, RF communication or display is performed using the electronic key 300. The display of the unit 340 need not be updated. Therefore, in the above case, the operation of the RF transmission unit 330 and the RF reception unit 324 of the wireless communication unit 310 is stopped, or the display of the display unit 340 is not updated, so that the electronic key 300 is not updated. Power consumption can be reduced.

  As described above, the electronic key, the vehicle, the electronic key system, the control method of the electronic key system, and the like according to the present invention have been described based on the above embodiment or a modification thereof. It is not limited to. For example, the present invention can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof, and the following modifications are possible.

  (1) In the present embodiment or its modification, the communication signal in the LF band or the RF band has been described as an example of wireless communication, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  (2) In the second modification example of the present embodiment, the timer unit is provided outside the control unit in each of the vehicle and the electronic key, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the timer unit may be provided outside the control unit in only one of the vehicle and the electronic key.

  (4) In the third modification of the present embodiment, the electromagnetic induction method using the charging coil is described as an example of the contactless charging method, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  (5) Although the operation of the fourth modified example of the present embodiment has been described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at least one operation of step S32, step S38, step S40, and step S42 of FIG. 17 or FIG. 18 may be performed.

  (6) Although the present invention has been described as the electronic key, the vehicle, the electronic key system, and the control method of the electronic key system in the above-described embodiment or its modification, the present invention is not limited to this. . For example, an electronic key operation flow according to the present invention, a vehicle operation flow, or a program that describes the processing procedure of the operation flow of the electronic key system control method according to the present invention, or a recording medium on which this program is recorded. There may be.

100, 100a, 100b, 100c ... electronic key system,
200, 200a, 200b ... vehicle, 202, 204 ... radio signal,
210, 210a, 310 ... wireless communication unit, 212, 214, 312 ... antenna coil,
216, 314 ... antenna, 218, 316 ... switching unit, 220, 220a ... transmission unit,
222... LF transmitter (first transmitter), 224... LF transmitter,
226 ... RF transmitter (second transmitter), 230 ... RF receiver,
240 ... charging port, 242 ... AC / DC rectification unit, 244 ... power supply management unit,
246 ... battery, 250, 250b, 350, 350b ... control unit,
252, 352 ... Timer part, 254 ... Vehicle information acquisition part,
300, 300a, 300b, 300c ... electronic key, 320 ... receiving unit,
322 ... LF receiver (first receiver), 324 ... RF receiver (second receiver),
330 ... RF transmitter, 340 ... display, 342 ... information display switch,
380 ... Door lock locking switch, 382 ... Door lock release switch,
384 ... mechanical key, 500 ... non-contact charging circuit, 510 ... coil for receiving power

Claims (14)

An electronic key for controlling the vehicle,
A receiving unit for receiving given vehicle information from the vehicle;
A display unit that displays information corresponding to the vehicle information received by the receiving unit,
The receiver is
An electronic key that receives signals in different frequency bands according to the distance to the vehicle. In claim 1,
The receiver is
A first receiving unit that receives a signal in a first frequency band when a distance between the vehicle and the electronic key is a first distance;
A second receiving unit that receives a signal in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band when a distance between the vehicle and the electronic key is a second distance longer than the first distance; An electronic key characterized by that. In claim 2,
Including an information display switch for displaying information on the display unit,
When the information display switch instructs the display unit to display information, the vehicle information acquisition request is made to the vehicle, and when there is no response from the vehicle, the second receiving unit Electronic key characterized by stopping operation. In claim 2 or 3,
An electronic key comprising: a transmission unit that responds to the vehicle when the first reception unit receives a signal including identification information from the vehicle. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
The electronic key characterized in that the reception interval of the vehicle information is varied according to the distance between the vehicle and the electronic key. In claim 5,
When the distance between the vehicle and the electronic key is a third distance, the vehicle information is received every first period;
When the distance between the vehicle and the electronic key is a fourth distance longer than the third distance, the vehicle information is received every second period longer than the first period. . An electronic key for controlling a vehicle equipped with a battery,
A receiver that periodically receives vehicle information including charging information corresponding to a charge level of the battery from the vehicle;
An electronic key comprising: a display unit that displays information corresponding to the vehicle information received by the receiving unit. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 7,
The electronic key according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle information includes charging information corresponding to a charging level of a battery mounted on the vehicle. A vehicle controlled based on an electronic key,
A vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle information corresponding to the state of the vehicle;
A vehicle comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the vehicle information to the electronic key using a signal in a different frequency band depending on the distance from the electronic key. In claim 9,
The transmitter is
A first transmitter for transmitting a signal of a first frequency band when the distance between the vehicle and the electronic key is a first distance;
A second transmission unit configured to transmit a signal in a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band when a distance between the vehicle and the electronic key is a second distance longer than the first distance. A vehicle characterized by that. In claim 9 or 10,
Including battery,
The vehicle information includes charge information corresponding to a charge level of the battery. The electronic key according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An electronic key system comprising the vehicle according to any one of claims 9 to 11. A control method of an electronic key system comprising a vehicle and an electronic key having a display unit and controlling the vehicle,
A vehicle information communication step in which the vehicle transmits vehicle information corresponding to the state of the vehicle to the electronic key;
The electronic key includes an information display step for displaying information corresponding to the vehicle information transmitted in the vehicle information communication step on the display unit,
In the vehicle information communication step,
A method for controlling an electronic key system, comprising: transmitting vehicle information corresponding to a state of the vehicle to the electronic key using signals in different frequency bands depending on a distance between the vehicle and the electronic key. In claim 13,
A control method of an electronic key system, wherein a reception interval of the vehicle information is varied according to a distance between the vehicle and the electronic key.