JP2017109572A - Vehicle remote operation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle remote operation system capable of facilitating a remote operation of various equipment of a vehicle at a low cost.SOLUTION: A vehicle remote operation system 1 includes: an on-vehicle relay apparatus 10 which is mounted on a vehicle and is capable of communicating with a vehicle control device 110; and a portable relay apparatus 20 which is capable of conducting radio communication with the on-vehicle relay apparatus 10. The portable relay apparatus 20 is operation means for performing a remote operation of a vehicle when an engine of the vehicle is started by the remote operation and is operation means other than operation means for stopping the engine of the vehicle. The portable relay apparatus includes an output section 12 which stops the engine of the vehicle via the vehicle control device 110 when operating a portable machine side lock operation button to be operation means provided in a portable machine 120 or automatically.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle remote control system.

  A vehicle control system for starting various devices such as a vehicle engine according to a driver's operation includes a vehicle control device mounted in the vehicle and a portable device (remote control key) that can be carried by the vehicle driver. And is configured. When the driver inserts the portable device into the key cylinder of the vehicle, the vehicle control device acquires the authentication information stored in the portable device in an encrypted state by wireless communication, and this authentication information is stored in the vehicle control device. The vehicle control device performs various controls such as starting the engine on the condition that it matches the stored authentication information.

  Also, in recent years, keyless entry type vehicle control in which wireless communication of authentication information is performed simply by getting into the vehicle with the driver holding the portable device even if the driver does not insert the portable device into the key cylinder. Systems are also becoming popular. In such a vehicle control system, the vehicle control device wirelessly transmits a response request signal in the vehicle at LF (Low Frequency), and the portable device that wirelessly receives the response request signal transmits a response signal including authentication information to UHF (Ultra Wireless transmission at high frequency). The vehicle control device that wirelessly receives the response signal performs control such as engine start on the condition that the response signal is wirelessly received at the response frequency.

  On the other hand, for vehicles equipped with such various vehicle control systems, a vehicle remote control system for operating various devices such as engine starting from outside the vehicle for various purposes such as warm-up operation in cold regions. (Engine starter) has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). This vehicle remote control system is configured to include a portable relay device owned by a driver and an in-vehicle relay device mounted on the vehicle. These portable repeaters and in-vehicle repeaters relay the response request signal transmitted from the vehicle control device so that the response request signal is wirelessly transmitted to the portable device by LF, and set the response request signal to the response request frequency. The response signal transmitted from the portable device on the condition that it has been received is relayed so that it is wirelessly transmitted to the vehicle control device by UHF, thereby controlling the engine start and the like.

  In such a vehicle remote control system, a device for locking / unlocking the door of the vehicle has been devised. That is, in the aforementioned vehicle control system, in order to improve the convenience for the driver, the portable device side lock operation button, which is an operation button for operating the lock / unlock of the door of the vehicle, is provided on the portable device. A device has been devised so that the operation of locking / unlocking the door of the vehicle can be performed from outside the vehicle by operating the lock operation button on the portable device side. However, in general, the vehicle control system is configured so that the operation of locking / unlocking the door of the vehicle cannot be performed from outside the vehicle while the engine of the vehicle is operating. When the vehicle engine is started, the lock / unlock operation cannot be performed on the vehicle door using the portable device of the vehicle control system.

  Therefore, in order to perform the operation of locking / unlocking the door of the vehicle even during operation of the engine, in the vehicle remote control system, the mobile relay is an operation button for operating the locking / unlocking of the vehicle door. The door lock operation button is provided on the mobile relay device of the vehicle remote control system, and the door lock is operated so that the lock / unlock of the vehicle door can be operated by operating the mobile relay device lock operation button. / Locking the vehicle door by connecting an in-vehicle repeater of the vehicle remote control system to the vehicle device for operating the unlock (hereinafter referred to as lock / unlock control device) using a dedicated wiring. The device has been devised to allow unlocking operation from outside the vehicle.

JP 2014-49770 A

  However, in the conventional vehicle remote control system, the purpose of the function of the mobile relay side lock operation button of the mobile relay device overlaps with the purpose of the function of the mobile device side lock operation button of the mobile device of the vehicle control system. Since the mobile relay side lock operation button is redundant, there has been a demand for omitting the mobile relay side lock operation button. In addition, in order to use the mobile relay device side lock operation button of the mobile relay device, as described above, the in-vehicle relay device of the vehicle remote control system is connected to the lock / unlock control device using the dedicated wiring. It is necessary to purchase the dedicated wiring and the work cost to connect the dedicated wiring to the in-vehicle repeater. Therefore, I want to omit connecting the in-vehicle repeater to the lock / unlock control device with the dedicated wiring. There was also a request. That is, in the vehicle remote control system, there has been a demand for omitting all the configurations related to locking / unlocking of the vehicle door (specifically, the mobile relay side lock operation button and the dedicated wiring).

  However, in accordance with such a request, when all the configurations relating to locking / unlocking of the vehicle door in the vehicle remote control system are omitted, as described above, the portable device of the vehicle control system is not used during operation of the vehicle engine. Therefore, the vehicle door cannot be locked / unlocked. For example, the portable relay device of the vehicle remote control system is manually operated to stop the vehicle engine and then carry the portable relay device from the portable relay device. It is necessary to operate the lock operation button on the portable device side and operate the lock / unlock of the door of the vehicle after moving to the machine, and more than one device (specifically, the portable relay device of the vehicle remote control system) , And the vehicle control system portable device) must be moved and operated, and the vehicle door is locked / unlocked while the vehicle engine is running. That operation there is a possibility that the time and effort. Therefore, this vehicle remote control system has room for improvement from the viewpoint of easily remotely operating various devices including a lock / unlock control device at low cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost vehicle remote control system that makes it possible to easily perform remote control of various devices of a vehicle.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a vehicle remote control system according to claim 1 is a vehicle control system configured to enable wireless communication between a vehicle control device and a portable device. Based on the response request signal wirelessly transmitted from the vehicle control device, the vehicle control device transmits the response signal wirelessly and receives the response signal as at least one of the conditions for starting the engine of the vehicle. A vehicle remote control system for remotely operating the predetermined device via a vehicle control system for controlling the predetermined device of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle remote control system is mounted on the vehicle and can communicate with the vehicle control device. A portable repeater capable of wireless communication with the in-vehicle repeater, and the in-vehicle repeater or the portable repeater is installed when the engine of the vehicle is started by remote operation. The portable device side operation means, which is an operation means for remotely operating the vehicle, is an operation means other than an operation means for stopping the engine of the vehicle, and is an operation means provided in the portable device. And stop control means for stopping the engine of the vehicle via the vehicle control device when operated.

  Further, the vehicle remote control system according to claim 2 is the vehicle remote control system according to claim 1, wherein the position of the portable repeater relative to the vehicle when the engine of the vehicle is started by remote control. And a stop control unit that stops the engine of the vehicle via the vehicle control device based on a detection result of the detection unit.

  Further, the vehicle remote control system according to claim 3 is the vehicle remote control system according to claim 2, wherein the detection means is arranged around the vehicle when the engine of the vehicle is started by remote control. The mobile control device detects that the mobile relay device has entered the detection region, and the stop control means detects the vehicle control when the detection device detects that the mobile relay device has entered the detection region. The engine of the vehicle is stopped via the device.

  The vehicle remote control system according to claim 4 is a vehicle remote control system according to claim 3, wherein the detection signal for wirelessly transmitting a detection signal for detecting that the portable repeater has entered the detection area is provided. A signal transmission means; and a detection signal reception means for wirelessly receiving the detection signal transmitted wirelessly by the detection signal transmission means, wherein the detection signal transmission means is provided on one of the in-vehicle relay device or the portable relay device. The detection signal receiving means is provided on the other of the in-vehicle relay device or the portable relay device, and the detection means is based on the intensity of the detection signal wirelessly received by the detection signal receiving means. , Detecting that the portable repeater has entered the detection area.

  Further, the vehicle remote control system according to claim 5 is the vehicle remote control system according to claim 4, wherein the detection means includes: an intensity of the detection signal wirelessly received by the detection signal reception means; a threshold intensity; And detecting that the portable repeater has entered the detection area based on the comparison result.

  The vehicle remote control system according to claim 6 is the vehicle remote control system according to claim 4, wherein the detection means calculates a statistical value of the intensity of the detection signal wirelessly received by the detection signal reception means. Then, based on the calculated statistical value, it is detected that the portable relay device has entered the detection area.

  The vehicle remote control system according to claim 7 is the vehicle remote control system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the detection signal transmitting means intermittently wirelessly transmits the detection signal. .

  Further, the vehicle remote control system according to claim 8 is the vehicle remote control system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the detection signal transmitting means is provided in the in-vehicle repeater, The detection signal receiving means is provided in the portable repeater, and the detection signal transmitting means continuously transmits the detection signal wirelessly.

  A vehicle remote control system according to claim 9 is a stop control signal transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting a stop control signal for stopping the engine of the vehicle in the vehicle remote control system according to claim 8. The stop control signal transmitting means provided in the portable repeater, and a stop control signal receiving means for wirelessly receiving the stop control signal wirelessly transmitted by the stop control signal transmitting means. The stop control signal receiving means provided, wherein the detection signal transmitting means wirelessly transmits the detection signal in a first radio frequency band, and the stop control signal transmitting means is provided in the detection area. When the detection means detects that a mobile relay has entered, the stop control signal is wirelessly transmitted in a second radio frequency band that is a frequency band different from the first radio frequency band. The stop control unit, when the stop control signal receiving means to wirelessly receive the stop control signal to stop the engine of the vehicle.

  A vehicle remote control system according to claim 10 is the vehicle remote control system according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the vehicle remote control system is configured to stop wireless transmission of the detection signal by the detection signal transmission means. A detection stop signal transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting a detection stop signal; and a detection stop signal receiving means for wirelessly receiving the detection stop signal transmitted by the detection stop signal transmitting means. The detection signal transmission means of the in-vehicle relay device or the portable relay device is provided, and the detection stop signal transmission means is provided in the in-vehicle relay device or the portable relay device. The detection signal receiving means is provided on the other side, and the detection signal transmitting means is the detection stop signal wirelessly transmitted by the detection stop signal transmitting means. When the detection stop signal receiving means wirelessly received, it stops the wireless transmission of the detection signal.

  The vehicle remote control system according to claim 11 is the vehicle remote control system according to any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the stop control means is configured such that the engine of the vehicle is started by remote control. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the engine of the vehicle is stopped regardless of whether or not the detection means detects that the mobile relay has entered the detection area.

  A vehicle remote control system according to claim 12 is the vehicle remote control system according to any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein the stop control unit prohibits control to stop the engine of the vehicle. Means.

  A vehicle remote control system according to claim 13 is the vehicle remote control system according to any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the position detection signal is used to detect the position of the portable repeater with respect to the vehicle. And a position detection signal receiving means for wirelessly receiving the position detection signal wirelessly transmitted by the position detection signal transmitting means, wherein the detection means is the position detection signal receiving means. Detects a change in the position of the portable repeater with respect to the vehicle based on the position detection signal received wirelessly, and the stop control means detects that the portable repeater is approaching the vehicle. When the means detects, the engine of the vehicle is stopped via the vehicle control device, and it is detected that the portable repeater is moving away from the vehicle. There when detecting, do not stop the engine of the vehicle via the vehicle control device.

  The vehicle remote control system according to claim 14 is the vehicle remote control system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the portable device operates the portable device side operation means. An operation presence signal transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting an operation presence signal which is a signal indicating that the portable device side operation means is operated, and the on-vehicle relay device or the portable relay device includes the operation presence signal transmission means. An operation presence signal receiving means for wirelessly receiving the operation presence signal transmitted wirelessly, and the stop control means via the vehicle control device when the operation presence signal reception means wirelessly receives the operation presence signal. To stop the vehicle engine

  According to the vehicle remote control system of claim 1, when the portable device side operation means is operated, or the vehicle engine is automatically stopped, for example, when the vehicle engine is stopped. When remotely operating a device that can only be remotely operated (hereinafter referred to as “engine stop required device”), it is not necessary for the driver to change multiple devices (for example, portable devices and portable relay devices). It is possible to provide a vehicle remote control system that makes it possible to easily perform remote control of various devices of a vehicle including a stop device. Further, when the portable device side operation means is operated or automatically, the engine of the vehicle is stopped. For example, the operation means for remotely operating the engine stop device (for example, the above-described portable relay device) The mobile relay device side lock operation button) is not provided on the mobile relay device, or it is not necessary to perform connection work for connecting the in-vehicle relay device to the vehicle using a dedicated wiring in order to use the operation means. The operation means itself, the dedicated wiring itself, and the connection work can be omitted, and the vehicle remote operation system can be provided at low cost.

  Further, according to the vehicle remote control system of the second aspect, since the engine of the vehicle is stopped based on the detection result of the detection means for detecting the position of the portable relay machine with respect to the vehicle, for example, the vehicle and the portable relay Since the engine of the vehicle can be automatically stopped based on the positional relationship with the aircraft, the procedure for the driver to stop the engine of the vehicle by manual operation can be omitted. By operating only a single device (for example, a portable device) only once, it is possible to remotely operate the engine stop device, so that a user-friendly vehicle remote control system can be provided.

  Further, according to the vehicle remote control system of the third aspect, when the detection means detects that the portable repeater has entered the detection area that is the area around the vehicle, the vehicle engine is stopped. For example, when the mobile repeater is located far away from the vehicle, the engine can be prevented from stopping against the driver's intention. The engine can be stopped at the timing.

  According to the vehicle remote control system of claim 4, since the detection signal receiving means detects that the portable relay device has entered the detection area based on the intensity of the detection signal wirelessly received, for example, the vehicle Because the mobile relay can be detected without being affected by the ambient brightness or temperature, the vehicle engine can be stopped reliably by detecting the mobile relay reliably. Convenience for remote control of various devices can be improved.

  Further, according to the vehicle remote control system of the fifth aspect, the strength of the detection signal is compared with the threshold strength, and it is detected that the mobile relay device has entered the detection area based on the comparison result. By adjusting the threshold strength, it is possible to adjust the range for detecting the mobile relay device, so the driver needs to detect the mobile relay device (for example, within 5 meters from the vehicle) Etc.), it is possible to detect the portable repeater and to improve the convenience of remote control of various devices of the vehicle.

  Further, according to the vehicle remote control system according to claim 6, since it is detected that the mobile relay device has entered the detection area based on the calculated statistical value, for example, detection for detecting the mobile relay device Since it is possible to reduce the degree of influence due to disturbances such as noise superimposed on the signal, the vehicle engine can be stopped reliably by detecting the mobile relay device reliably, and remote control of various devices of the vehicle Convenience can be improved.

  Further, according to the vehicle remote control system of the seventh aspect, since the detection signal is intermittently wirelessly transmitted, for example, power consumption for wirelessly transmitting the detection signal can be reduced.

  Further, according to the vehicle remote control system of the eighth aspect, since the detection signal is continuously transmitted wirelessly, for example, the wirelessly transmitted detection signal can be reliably and quickly received wirelessly. By reliably detecting the relay machine, the engine of the vehicle can be stopped reliably and quickly, and convenience for remote operation of various devices of the vehicle can be improved.

  According to the vehicle remote control system of claim 9, the detection signal is wirelessly transmitted in the first radio frequency band and the stop control signal is wirelessly transmitted in the second radio frequency band. And the stop control signal can be prevented from interfering with each other, so that both the detection of the portable repeater and the stop of the engine can be performed reliably, and the convenience of remote control of various devices of the vehicle can be improved. Can be improved.

  Further, according to the vehicle remote control system according to claim 10, since the wireless transmission of the detection signal is stopped when the detection stop signal is wirelessly received, for example, the detection signal is prevented from being wirelessly transmitted unnecessarily. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the power consumption for wirelessly transmitting the detection signal from increasing unnecessarily.

  Further, according to the vehicle remote control system of the eleventh aspect, the vehicle engine is stopped when a predetermined time has elapsed since the vehicle engine was started. For example, the vehicle engine continues to operate. As a result, it is possible to prevent the possibility of engine damage or prevent the fuel of the vehicle from being consumed continuously. In addition, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the vehicle engine, the vehicle engine is stopped even if it is not detected that the portable relay device has entered the detection area. For example, the vehicle engine is started. When the predetermined time has elapsed, it is possible to make it possible to remotely operate the engine-stopping device, so that it is impossible to remotely operate the engine-stopping device. Therefore, the convenience of remote control of various devices of the vehicle can be improved.

  Further, according to the vehicle remote control system of the twelfth aspect, since the control for stopping the engine of the vehicle is prohibited, for example, although the engine is not desired to be stopped, the surrounding environment of the vehicle is limited. (For example, when a walkway is close to a parking lot, etc.), the driver carrying the mobile relay device must enter the detection area, contrary to the driver's intention. It is possible to prevent the engine from automatically stopping.

  According to the vehicle remote control system of claim 13, when the detecting means detects that the mobile relay is approaching the vehicle, the vehicle engine is stopped and the mobile relay is connected to the vehicle. When the detection means detects that the aircraft is moving away, the vehicle engine is not stopped. For example, the driver starts the vehicle engine using a portable repeater at a predetermined position around the vehicle. When the vehicle is moved away from the vehicle, it is possible to prevent the engine from being automatically stopped against the driver's intention immediately after the engine is started.

  According to the vehicle remote control system of claim 14, when the operation presence signal receiving means wirelessly receives the operation presence signal, the vehicle engine is stopped via the vehicle control device. Since there is no need to change a plurality of devices (for example, portable devices and portable relay devices), a vehicle remote control system that makes it possible to easily perform remote control of various devices of the vehicle including engine stop devices Can be provided. In addition, for example, since the engine of the vehicle can be stopped by a manual operation of the portable device side operation means, the engine can be stopped at an appropriate timing according to the driver's intention.

It is a block diagram which shows the vehicle remote control system which concerns on Embodiment 1 and 2 of this invention with a vehicle control system. It is an example of a reception intensity-distance graph. It is a flowchart of the vehicle remote control process in the case of starting the engine of a vehicle. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a vehicle remote operation process when the vehicle engine is started, following FIG. 3. It is a flowchart of the vehicle remote control process in the case of stopping the engine of a vehicle. 10 is a flowchart of a vehicle remote operation process when the engine of a vehicle according to Embodiment 2 is stopped. It is an example of an RSSI characteristic graph. It is a block diagram which shows the vehicle remote control system which concerns on Embodiment 3 with a vehicle control system. It is a flowchart of the vehicle remote control process in the case of stopping the engine of a vehicle.

  Hereinafter, a vehicle remote control system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to each embodiment.

  The vehicle remote control system according to the present invention is a system for remotely controlling a vehicle, and in particular, a system for stopping a vehicle engine. As for stopping the engine of the vehicle, there are a case where it is automatically stopped, a case where it is stopped by operating the portable device side operation means, etc., but in the first embodiment and the second embodiment shown below, In the third embodiment, the case of stopping by operating the portable device side operation means will be described.

[Embodiment 1]
First, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. This form is a form in which the engine of the vehicle is automatically stopped, and in particular, is a form in which the engine is stopped by detecting that the mobile relay has entered the detection area.

(Overview)
Initially, the outline | summary of the vehicle remote control system which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle remote control system 1 according to the present embodiment together with a vehicle control system 100 (in FIG. 1, a wired communication path is indicated by a straight arrow, and a wireless communication path is indicated by a broken line arrow. (The same applies to FIG. 8).

  The “vehicle remote operation system” 1 is a system for remotely operating a predetermined device via a vehicle control system 100 that controls a predetermined device of the vehicle (that is, various devices of the vehicle). Here, the “vehicle control system” 100 is a system configured such that the vehicle control device 110 and the portable device 120 can communicate with each other wirelessly. “Vehicle control device” 110 is a device installed in the vehicle to control predetermined equipment of the vehicle, and is wired to be able to communicate with an ECU (Engine Control Unit) via a CAN (Controller Area Network), for example. It is a connected device. The “portable device” 120 is a so-called remote control key that can be carried by a driver (that is, a user) to control a predetermined device of the vehicle via the vehicle control device 110. Here, the specific type of the “predetermined device” and the specific control content for the predetermined device are arbitrary. As the “specific type of the predetermined device”, for example, the engine of the vehicle is stopped. This includes a type corresponding to the above-mentioned “engine stop required device” that is a device that can be remotely operated only when it is present, and “specific control contents for a predetermined device” include, for example, engine start And stop, air conditioner start / stop, vehicle door lock / unlock, security system activation / release, and output of various vehicle information such as room temperature in the vehicle. In the following, an example of a case where “engine stop” is performed after “engine start” is performed when “engine stop required device” is “device that controls locking / unlocking of a vehicle door”. To do.

  In the case of “engine start”, the vehicle control system 100 performs the following process as a known process for starting the engine. That is, in this process, an “activation sequence” for the vehicle control device 110 to confirm the presence of the portable device 120 in the vehicle and an “authentication sequence” for the vehicle control device 110 to authenticate the portable device 120 are sequentially executed. Is done.

  In the “start-up sequence”, when a predetermined start-up operation based on the driver or an arbitrary event (for example, operation of an engine switch in the vehicle by the driver when the engine is stopped) is performed, the vehicle control device 110. Transmits the activation response request signal by radio at the response request frequency. Here, the “activation response request signal” is a signal for requesting a response from the vehicle control device 110 to the portable device 120, and its format and information content are arbitrary. The “response request frequency” is, for example, a frequency that can be adjusted so that the transmission range is only in the vehicle. In this case, the portable device 120 owned by the driver is within a predetermined range with respect to the vehicle control device 110 ( Typically, the activation response request signal is received by the portable device 120 only when it exists in the vehicle).

  The portable device 120 that has received the activation response request signal wirelessly transmits the activation response signal at the response frequency. Here, the “activation response signal” is a signal for notifying the vehicle control device 110 from the portable device 120 that the valid portable device 120 has received the activation response request signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 110. The format and information content are arbitrary. For example, the authentication information stored in the portable device 120 can be included in the activation response signal and transmitted. When receiving the activation response signal, the vehicle control device 110 analyzes the activation response signal, determines whether or not a predetermined authentication sequence start condition is satisfied, and when the predetermined authentication sequence start condition is satisfied Only to the authentication sequence.

  The “authentication sequence” performs the same communication as the activation sequence, and points that are not particularly described can be described as “activation” in the description of the activation sequence being replaced with “authentication”. That is, the vehicle control device 110 wirelessly transmits an authentication response request signal at a response request frequency. The portable device 120 that has received this authentication response request signal wirelessly transmits the authentication response signal at the response frequency. The vehicle control device 110 that has received the authentication response signal analyzes the authentication response signal, determines whether or not a predetermined control condition is satisfied, and turns on the engine only when the predetermined control condition is satisfied. Predetermined control for starting is performed.

  Although the specific content of the “control condition” is arbitrary, in the following, 1) the operation of the engine switch (ignition switch) of the vehicle and the operation of the brake are performed, and 2) the authentication information included in the authentication response signal Coincides with the authentication information stored in advance in the vehicle control device 110, and 3) within a predetermined time (for example, 1 second, hereinafter referred to as “condition satisfaction time”) after transmitting the activation response request signal. Next, the fact that the satisfaction of the above conditions 1) and 2) has been confirmed will be described as a control condition. Regarding the condition 2) above, the authentication information may actually be changed every time by the known rolling code method and challenge response method, and the present invention can be similarly applied to such a case. However, a case where authentication information is fixed will be described below.

  In the case of “stopping the engine”, the vehicle control system 100 performs the following process as a known process for stopping the engine. That is, in this process, a “stop sequence” for stopping the engine of the vehicle is executed. In the “stop sequence”, when a predetermined stop operation based on the driver or an arbitrary event (for example, operation of an engine switch in the vehicle by the driver when the engine is started and operating) is performed, the vehicle The vehicle control device 110 of the control system 100 performs predetermined control for stopping the engine.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 1, the “vehicle remote operation system” 1 is a system for remotely operating a predetermined device via the vehicle control system 100 that controls the predetermined device of the vehicle as described above. This vehicle remote control system 1 is a system configured such that the in-vehicle repeater 10 and the portable repeater 20 can wirelessly communicate with each other. Details of these units will be described later.

  In the following description, when wirelessly performing communication, transmission, or reception of signals or information between a plurality of devices, it is specially described as “wireless communication”, “wireless transmission”, or “wireless reception”. However, if there is no special note, it can be performed either wirelessly or by wire. In addition, regarding the wireless communication method between a plurality of devices, “simple communication method” means a method in which only one-way communication from one device to the other device is performed using one frequency. "Semi-recovery method" means a method that uses one frequency for communication in the direction from one device to the other device and vice versa, and "recovery method" means one device It means a method of performing communication in the direction from one device to the other device and communication in the opposite direction using two frequencies. In addition, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the “activation response request signal” and the “authentication response request signal”, they are collectively referred to as “response request signal”. Similarly, “activation response signal” and “authentication response signal” are collectively referred to as “response signal” when it is not necessary to distinguish them from each other.

(Configuration-vehicle control system-vehicle control device)
Next, configurations of the vehicle control system 100 and the vehicle remote control system 1 will be described. First, the configuration of the vehicle control system 100 will be described. The vehicle control device 110 of the vehicle control system 100 includes a basic transmission / reception circuit 111. The basic transmission / reception circuit 111 is basic transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving the response request signal and the response signal (hereinafter, the same applies to basic transmission / reception circuits 13, 23, and 121 described later). A response request signal transmission circuit 112 for wireless transmission and a response signal reception circuit 113 for receiving a response signal transmitted at a response frequency are provided. Moreover, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the vehicle control apparatus 110 for MPU (Micro Processing Unit) which controls each part of the said vehicle control apparatus 110, the memory | storage part which memorize | stores authentication information non-volatilely, and performing wireless communication An antenna and a contact terminal for receiving wired output from various devices of the vehicle are provided. The contact terminal includes an engine operation contact terminal that receives an output when the vehicle engine switch is operated (hereinafter referred to as an engine operation output) and an output when the vehicle brake is operated (hereinafter referred to as a brake operation output). A brake operation contact terminal is provided. However, since the vehicle control device 110 can be configured in the same manner as in the prior art, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Configuration-Vehicle control system-Mobile device)
A portable device 120 of the vehicle control system 100 includes a basic transmission / reception circuit 121. The basic transmission / reception circuit 121 includes a response request signal reception circuit 122 that receives a response request signal transmitted at a response request frequency, and a response signal transmission circuit 123 that wirelessly transmits the response signal at the response frequency. Although not shown, the portable device 120 includes an MPU that controls each unit of the portable device 120, a storage unit that stores authentication information in a nonvolatile manner, an antenna that performs wireless communication, and a vehicle door. The above-mentioned “portable device side lock operation button” which is an operation button for operating lock / unlock and a battery serving as a power source are provided. However, since the portable device 120 can be configured in the same manner as in the past, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Configuration-Vehicle remote control system-Onboard repeater)
Next, the configuration of the vehicle remote control system 1 will be described. The in-vehicle relay device 10 of the vehicle remote control system 1 is provided in a vehicle, and includes a transmission / reception circuit 11 for communicating with the vehicle control device 110 and the portable relay device 20 and an output unit 12.

  Specifically, the transmission / reception circuit 11 includes a basic transmission / reception circuit 13 and a relay transmission / reception circuit 14. The basic transmission / reception circuit 13 is basic transmission / reception means for performing wireless communication with the vehicle control device 110 and includes a response request signal reception circuit 15 and a response signal transmission circuit 16. The response request signal receiving circuit 15 is a receiving unit that receives a response request signal wirelessly transmitted from the vehicle control device 110 at a response request frequency. The response signal transmission circuit 16 is a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits the response signal transmitted from the portable repeater 20 to the vehicle control device 110 at the response frequency, and wirelessly transmits the detection signal at the response frequency (that is, wirelessly). Detection signal transmission means. Here, the “detection signal” is a signal for detecting that the portable repeater 20 has approached the vehicle (that is, the in-vehicle repeater 10). Specifically, the portable repeater 20 is in the detection area. This is a signal for detecting that the vehicle has entered, and is a signal having a predetermined strength. The “detection signal” can be wirelessly communicated at an arbitrary frequency. Here, for example, the “detection signal” is wirelessly transmitted at the “response frequency” that is the frequency of the response signal transmitted by the response signal transmission circuit 16. A description will be given below of communication. Note that the frequency at which wireless communication is performed for this detection signal corresponds to the “first radio frequency band”, that is, in the present embodiment, the “first radio frequency band” is the “response frequency”. Further, the “detection area” is an area for detecting the mobile repeater 20, and specifically, an area around the vehicle. The “detection region” is arbitrarily set based on the relationship between the direction in which the detection signal is output (that is, the directivity of the detection signal), the strength of the detection signal, and the “threshold strength” described later. However, here, for example, a case where an area within a range of a radius of 5 meters centering on the vehicle (that is, the in-vehicle repeater 10) is set as the detection area will be described. The relay transmission / reception circuit 14 is a relay transmission / reception unit that performs wireless communication with the mobile relay device 20, and includes a first relay reception circuit 17 and a first relay transmission circuit 18. The first relay receiving circuit 17 is a receiving unit that receives a start operation signal and a response signal wirelessly transmitted from the mobile relay device 20 at a predetermined first relay frequency, and also transmits a stop operation signal from the mobile relay device 20 wirelessly. Stop control signal receiving means for receiving. Here, the “start operation signal” is a signal for operation, and is a signal for starting the activation sequence by controlling the vehicle control device 110 via the in-vehicle relay device 10. The “stop operation signal” is a signal for operation, and is a stop control signal for controlling the vehicle control device 110 via the in-vehicle relay 10 to stop the engine of the vehicle. The “stop operation signal” can be wirelessly communicated at an arbitrary frequency as long as the frequency is different from the frequency at which the wireless communication of the detection signal is performed. Here, for example, the mobile relay 20 In the following, it is assumed that wireless communication is performed at the “first relay frequency” that is the frequency of the start operation signal and the response signal transmitted wirelessly. Note that the frequency at which wireless communication is performed for the stop operation signal corresponds to the “second radio frequency band”, that is, in the present embodiment, the “second radio frequency band” is the “first relay frequency”. ing. The first relay transmission circuit 18 is a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits the response request signal received by the response request signal reception circuit 15 to the portable relay device 20 at the first relay frequency.

  The output unit 12 is an output unit that outputs to the vehicle control device 110 a condition output that constitutes a control condition for a predetermined device of the vehicle. In particular, the output unit 12 is a stop control unit that stops the engine of the vehicle via the vehicle control device 110. In the present embodiment, the engine operation output and the brake operation output are output simultaneously or sequentially. More specifically, although not shown, the in-vehicle relay machine 10 is provided with an engine operation contact terminal for performing an engine operation output and a brake operation contact terminal for performing a brake operation output. The engine operation contact terminal is wired to the engine operation contact terminal of the vehicle control device 110, and the brake operation contact terminal is wired to the brake operation contact terminal of the vehicle control device 110. And the output part 12 outputs an engine operation output via an engine operation contact terminal, and outputs a brake start operation output via a brake operation contact terminal.

  Moreover, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the vehicle-mounted relay machine 10 is a memory | storage part (henceforth the MPU which controls each part of the said vehicle-mounted relay machine 10 (henceforth, MPU of the car-mounted relay machine 10) non-volatilely, and stores authentication information etc. And a storage unit of the in-vehicle repeater 10) and an antenna for performing wireless communication. The “MPU of the in-vehicle repeater 10” is a control means for controlling each part of the in-vehicle repeater 10, and the “storage unit of the in-vehicle repeater 10” stores programs and various data necessary for the operation of the in-vehicle repeater 10. Storage means for storing, specifically, authentication information or the like. In addition, the power supply with respect to the vehicle-mounted repeater 10 is acquired from a vehicle by a well-known method.

(Configuration-Vehicle remote control system-Mobile repeater)
The mobile relay device 20 of the vehicle remote control system 1 is carried by a driver, and includes an operation switch 21 and a transmission / reception circuit 22 for communicating with the mobile device 120 and the in-vehicle relay device 10. .

  The operation switch 21 is an operation means for receiving an operation instruction for a predetermined device of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the operation switch 21 is an engine switch for receiving an operation instruction for starting the engine of the vehicle. It is configured as a push button switch.

  Specifically, the transmission / reception circuit 22 includes a basic transmission / reception circuit 23 and a relay transmission / reception circuit 24. The basic transmission / reception circuit 23 is basic transmission / reception means for performing wireless communication with the portable device 120 and includes a response request signal transmission circuit 25 and a response signal reception circuit 26. The response request signal transmission circuit 25 is a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits the response request signal transmitted from the in-vehicle relay device 10 to the portable device 120 at the response request frequency. The response signal receiving circuit 26 is a receiving means for receiving a response signal wirelessly transmitted at a response frequency based on the response request signal from the portable device 120, and also wirelessly receives a detection signal from the in-vehicle repeater 10 at the response frequency. It is a detection signal receiving means. The relay transmission / reception circuit 24 is a relay transmission / reception unit that performs wireless communication with the in-vehicle relay device 10, and includes a first relay transmission circuit 27 and a first relay reception circuit 28. The first relay transmission circuit 27 is a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits a start operation signal and a response signal to the first relay reception circuit 17 of the in-vehicle relay device 10 at the first relay frequency, and also transmits a stop operation signal to the in-vehicle relay device 10. Stop operation signal transmitting means (stop control signal transmitting means) for wirelessly transmitting to the first relay receiving circuit 17 at the first relay frequency. The first relay receiving circuit 28 is a receiving means for receiving a response request signal wirelessly transmitted at the first relay frequency from the first relay transmitting circuit 18 of the in-vehicle relay device 10.

  Moreover, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the portable relay machine 20 is a memory | storage part (henceforth a following, MPU which controls each part of the said portable relay machine 20 (henceforth, MPU of the portable relay machine 20) and various information non-volatilely. A storage unit of the portable repeater 20, an antenna for performing wireless communication, and a battery serving as a power source. The “MPU of the mobile relay device 20” is a control unit that controls each part of the mobile relay device 20, and in particular, is a detection unit that detects that the mobile relay device 20 has entered the detection area. The detection of the portable repeater 20 performed by the “MPU of the portable repeater 20” can be performed using any method, but here, for example, the portable repeater 20 has an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator). A signal strength detecting means for detecting the strength of a signal such as a circuit is provided. The strength of the detection signal received by the response signal receiving circuit 26 is detected by the signal strength detecting means, and the strength of the detected detection signal is described later. A case in which the “threshold strength” is compared and the detection is performed based on the comparison result will be described.

  The “storage unit of the portable repeater 20” is a storage unit that stores programs and various data necessary for the operation of the portable repeater 20, and specifically stores threshold strength specifying information and the like. Here, “threshold strength specifying information” is information for specifying “threshold strength”. The “threshold strength” is a threshold value for detecting that the portable repeater 20 has approached the vehicle (that is, the in-vehicle repeater 10), and specifically, that the portable repeater 20 has entered the detection area. Is a threshold value for detecting the intensity of the detection signal. The “threshold strength” can be arbitrarily set according to the driver's needs for stopping the engine of the vehicle, but here, for example, the radius centered on the vehicle (that is, the in-vehicle repeater 10). A case will be described in which the setting is made in accordance with the driver's needs to stop the engine of the vehicle when the portable repeater 20 enters an area within a range of 5 meters. An arbitrary method can be used as the method for setting the “threshold strength”, but here, for example, a case of setting using a reception strength-distance graph will be described. FIG. 2 is an example of a reception intensity-distance graph. Here, the “reception strength-distance graph” is a graph showing the reception strength of the wireless signal wirelessly transmitted from the transmission source with respect to the distance from the transmission source of the wireless signal. That is, it shows the reception intensity of the detection signal wirelessly transmitted from the response signal transmission circuit 16 of the in-vehicle relay device 10 with respect to the distance from the (in-vehicle relay device 10). The “reception strength” is the strength of the wireless signal received when the wireless signal is wirelessly received, and specifically, the strength of the wirelessly received detection signal when the detection signal is wirelessly received. Thus, for example, this corresponds to the detection result of the signal intensity detection means described above. In more detail with respect to FIG. 2, the vertical axis indicates the reception intensity (unit: dBm), and the value increases toward the upper side of the page. The horizontal axis indicates the distance from the vehicle (unit: meters). The value increases toward the right side of the page. In FIG. 2, a curve C1 indicates the reception intensity of the detection signal with respect to the distance from the vehicle. For example, the intensity of the detection signal wirelessly transmitted by the response signal transmission circuit 16 of the in-vehicle repeater 10 in FIG. It is obtained using a known method including calculation (that is, simulation) using the above-described predetermined intensity) or an experiment on reception intensity. Specifically, the “threshold strength” setting method performed by using the “reception strength-distance graph” of FIG. 2 specifically, “reception strength” corresponding to “distance” = “5” (meters) in FIG. = "Pr1" (dBm) ("Pr1" is a real number, for example, corresponds to "-90"), and the specified "Pr1" is determined as the "threshold strength". At the time of manufacturing the portable repeater 20, threshold strength specifying information for specifying “Pr1 (specifically“ −90 ”)” = “threshold strength” is input via an input unit (not shown). It will be described below as being stored in the “storage unit of the mobile relay device 20”.

  The portable repeater 20 configured as described above is held at a position close to the portable device 120 so that wireless communication with the portable device 120 at the response request frequency is possible. For example, as a device for performing such holding, a hole for inserting a key holder ring is formed in the casing of the portable relay machine 20, and the portable key 120 ring is shared between the portable machine 120 and the portable relay machine 20. It becomes possible to hold | maintain the portable relay machine 20 in the position near with respect to the portable device 120 easily by hold | maintaining by.

(frequency)
Next, the frequency used for wireless communication will be described. The response request frequency and the response frequency used in wireless communication between the vehicle control device 110 and the in-vehicle relay device 10 and between the portable device 120 and the portable relay device 20 are the vehicle control device 110 and the portable device 120, respectively. The frequency is set to the same frequency as the response request frequency and response frequency used in wireless communication between the two. Here, when these response request frequencies and response frequencies differ depending on vehicle manufacturers and vehicle types, these frequencies are specified in advance for each vehicle by a test, and the vehicle manufacturer that installs the vehicle remote control system 1 The frequency corresponding to the vehicle type is set in the in-vehicle repeater 10 and the portable repeater 20. In the following description, it is assumed that the response request frequency is LF (specifically 125 kHz) and the response frequency is UHF (more generally RF (Radio Frequency), specifically 315 MHz).

(processing)
Next, a vehicle remote operation process performed using the vehicle remote operation system 1 configured as described above will be described. 3 and 4 are flowcharts of the vehicle remote operation process when the vehicle engine is started, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the vehicle remote operation process when the vehicle engine is stopped. In the following description of the process, the start sequence shown in FIG. 3 and the authentication sequence shown in FIG. 4 are described as processes when the vehicle engine is started, and then the stop sequence shown in FIG. 5 is executed as a process when the vehicle engine is stopped. explain. In addition, the processing that does not specify the control subject is executed by the MPU of the vehicle control device 110, the portable device 120, the in-vehicle relay device 10, or the portable relay device 20, and does not specify the information acquisition source or acquisition route. For the case, it is stored in advance in the storage unit of each machine by a known timing and a known method, or a driver or the like is input through an operating means (not shown) provided in each machine, The step is abbreviated as “S” (the same applies to the second and third embodiments).

(Processing-Startup sequence)
The operator who owns the portable device 120 and the portable relay device 20 instructs the start of the engine by pressing the operation switch 21 of the portable relay device 20 outside the vehicle. The portable relay machine 20 monitors the presence or absence of a driver's operation on the operation switch 21. When an operation on the operation switch 21 is received (SA1 in FIG. 3), a start sequence (not shown) is executed. Specifically, first, the first relay transmission circuit 27 of the portable repeater 20 performs carrier sense and then transmits a start operation signal at the first relay frequency (eg, UHF = 920 MHz) (SA2 ).

  When the start operation signal is received by the first relay receiving circuit 17 of the in-vehicle repeater 10 (SA3), the output unit 12 wire-outputs the condition output to the vehicle control device 110 (SA4). When the condition output is received by the vehicle control device 110 (SA5), the vehicle control device 110 indicates that the condition output thus wired is the same as the output performed when the driver performs a predetermined starting operation. Therefore, the same processing as that when the output when the predetermined activation operation is performed is performed. That is, the response request signal transmission circuit 112 of the vehicle control device 110 wirelessly transmits an activation response request signal to the portable device 120 at a response request frequency (SA6). The activation response request signal for the portable device 120 does not reach the portable device 120 outside the vehicle, but is received by the response request signal receiving circuit 15 of the in-vehicle repeater 10 in the vehicle.

  When the activation response request signal is received by the response request signal receiving circuit 15 in this way (SA7), the first relay transmission circuit 18 modulates the activation response request signal to the first relay frequency (SA8) and modulates it. An activation response request signal is wirelessly transmitted to the portable repeater 20 (SA9).

  When this activation response request signal is received by the first relay reception circuit 28 of the portable repeater 20 (SA10), the first relay reception circuit 28 demodulates the activation response request signal to a response request frequency and transmits a response request signal transmission circuit. 25 (SA11), the response request signal transmission circuit 25 of the portable repeater 20 wirelessly transmits an activation response request signal to the portable device 120 at the response request frequency (SA12).

  When the activation response request signal wirelessly transmitted in SA12 is received by the response request signal receiving circuit 122 of the portable device 120 (SA13), the portable device 120 thus activates the activation response wirelessly transmitted from the portable relay device 20 in this way. Since the request signal is the same signal regarding the content and frequency as the activation response request signal wirelessly transmitted from the vehicle control device 110 in SA6, it is the same as when the activation response request signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 110 is directly received. Perform the process. That is, the portable device 120 generates a predetermined activation response signal, and the response signal transmission circuit 123 wirelessly transmits the activation response signal to the vehicle control device 110 at a response frequency (SA14).

  When this activation response signal is received by the response signal receiving circuit 26 of the portable repeater 20 (SA15), the first relay transmission circuit 27 modulates the activation response signal to the first relay frequency (SA16), and the modulated activation The response signal is wirelessly transmitted to the in-vehicle repeater 10 at the first relay frequency (SA17). When this activation response signal is received by the first relay receiving circuit 17 of the in-vehicle repeater 10 (SA18), the first relay receiving circuit 17 demodulates the activation response signal to a response frequency and sends it to the response signal transmission circuit 16 ( (SA19), the response signal transmission circuit 16 wirelessly transmits an activation response signal to the vehicle control device 110 at a response frequency (SA20).

  When the activation response signal is received by the response signal receiving circuit 113 of the vehicle control device 110 (SA21), the vehicle control device 110 receives the activation response signal wirelessly transmitted from the in-vehicle repeater 10 in SA14 as a portable device. Since the activation response signal wirelessly transmitted from 120 is the same signal as the content and frequency, the same processing as when the activation response signal transmitted from the portable device 120 is directly received is performed. That is, the vehicle control device 110 determines whether or not a predetermined authentication sequence start condition is satisfied based on the activation response signal (not shown), and determines that the predetermined authentication sequence start condition is satisfied. Execute the authentication sequence. Note that if the vehicle control apparatus 110 determines that even a part of the authentication sequence start condition is not satisfied, the vehicle remote operation process is terminated without executing the authentication sequence.

(Processing-Authentication sequence)
In this authentication sequence, the response request signal transmission circuit 112 of the vehicle control device 110 wirelessly transmits a predetermined authentication response request signal to the portable device 120 at the response request frequency (SA22 in FIG. 4). The authentication response request signal for the portable device 120 does not reach the portable device 120 outside the vehicle, but is received by the response request signal receiving circuit 15 of the in-vehicle repeater 10 in the vehicle.

  When the authentication response request signal is received by the response request signal receiving circuit 15 in this way (SA23), the first relay transmission circuit 18 modulates the authentication response request signal to the first relay frequency (SA24), and first Wireless transmission is performed to the portable repeater 20 at the relay frequency (SA25). When this authentication response request signal is received by the first relay receiving circuit 28 of the portable repeater 20 (SA26), the first relay receiving circuit 28 demodulates the authentication response request signal to a response request frequency and transmits a response request signal transmission circuit. 25 (SA27), the response request signal transmission circuit 25 wirelessly transmits the authentication response request signal to the portable device 120 at the response request frequency (SA28). Specifically, for SA28, the same authentication response request signal as the authentication response request signal wirelessly transmitted in SA22 is wirelessly transmitted.

  When this authentication response request signal is received by the response request signal receiving circuit 122 of the portable device 120 (SA29), the portable device 120 transmits the authentication response request signal wirelessly transmitted from the portable repeater 20 in this way to the vehicle in SA22. Since the authentication response request signal wirelessly transmitted from the control device 110 is the same signal as the content and frequency, the same processing as when the authentication response request signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 110 is directly received is performed. That is, the portable device 120 generates a predetermined authentication response signal including, for example, authentication information, and the response signal transmission circuit 123 wirelessly transmits the authentication response signal to the vehicle control device 110 at a response frequency (SA30).

  When this authentication response signal is received by the response signal receiving circuit 26 of the portable repeater 20 (SA31), the first relay transmission circuit 27 modulates the authentication response signal to the first relay frequency (SA32), and the modulated authentication is performed. The response signal is wirelessly transmitted to the in-vehicle repeater 10 at the first relay frequency (SA33). When this authentication response signal is received by the first relay receiving circuit 17 of the in-vehicle repeater 10 (SA34), the first relay receiving circuit 17 demodulates the authentication response signal to a response frequency and sends it to the response signal transmitting circuit 16 ( (SA35), the response signal transmission circuit 16 wirelessly transmits an authentication response signal to the vehicle control device 110 at a response frequency (SA36). Specifically, for SA36, the same authentication response signal as the authentication response signal wirelessly transmitted in SA30 is wirelessly transmitted.

  When this authentication response signal is received by the response signal receiving circuit 113 of the vehicle control device 110 (SA37), the vehicle control device 110 receives the authentication response signal wirelessly transmitted from the in-vehicle relay device 10 in SA30 as a portable device. Since the authentication response signal wirelessly transmitted from 120 is the same signal as the content and frequency, the same processing as when the authentication response signal transmitted from the portable device 120 is directly received is performed. That is, the vehicle control device 110 determines whether or not a predetermined control condition is satisfied based on the authentication response signal (SA38). Specifically, the vehicle control device 110 determines whether or not the engine switch operation and the brake operation of the vehicle are being performed. However, since the condition output has already been received in SA5, these operations are not performed. It is determined that it is done. Further, for example, the vehicle control device 110 determines whether or not the authentication information included in the authentication response signal matches the authentication information stored in advance in its own storage unit. Further, the vehicle control device 110 determines whether or not the elapsed time from the transmission of the activation response request signal in SA6 to the time is within the condition satisfaction time. Then, when it is determined that all of these control conditions are satisfied, the vehicle control device 110 performs predetermined control for starting the engine (SA39). For example, the vehicle control device 110 encrypts and transmits a signal indicating that the control conditions for starting the engine are satisfied to the ECU, and the ECU that receives and decrypts this signal starts the starter motor of the engine. Thus, after starting the engine, the vehicle remote control process for starting the vehicle engine is terminated. Note that if the vehicle control device 110 determines that even a part of the control conditions is not satisfied, the vehicle remote control process for starting the engine of the vehicle is terminated without performing any control.

(Processing-stop sequence)
Next, the vehicle remote control system 1 executes a stop sequence. The timing for starting execution of the stop sequence is arbitrary as long as it is the timing after the step of starting the vehicle engine is performed. Here, for example, the execution of the stop sequence is performed after performing SA36 in FIG. Will be described below.

  First, in SB <b> 1 of FIG. 5, the MPU of the in-vehicle repeater 10 wirelessly transmits a detection signal via the response signal transmission circuit 16. Specifically, a detection signal having a predetermined strength determined in advance is wirelessly transmitted (that is, wirelessly output) in all directions around the in-vehicle repeater 10 (that is, the vehicle) at a response frequency. The wireless transmission of the detection signal may be performed intermittently in consideration of reducing the power consumption for transmitting the detection signal, or it is detected that the portable repeater 20 has entered the detection area. Although it may be performed continuously in consideration of improving detection sensitivity, here, for example, the power of a battery (not shown) of a vehicle that is charged (charged) in a relatively large amount is used for wireless transmission of a detection signal. Considering that the necessity of reducing the power consumption is low because it can be used, the following description will be given on the assumption that the detection signal is continuously wirelessly transmitted.

  On the other hand, in SB <b> 2 of FIG. 5, the MPU of the mobile repeater 20 determines whether or not the detection signal is wirelessly received. Specifically, the response signal receiving circuit 26 is monitored and determined. If the response signal receiving circuit 26 does not wirelessly receive the detection signal (NO in SB2), it is determined that the detection signal is not wirelessly received, and SB2 is repeated until it is determined that the detection signal is wirelessly received. Run. If the response signal receiving circuit 26 wirelessly receives the detection signal (YES in SB2), it is determined that the detection signal is wirelessly received, and the process proceeds to SB3. Here, for example, when the driver carrying the portable repeater 20 approaches the vehicle, the response signal receiving circuit 26 wirelessly receives the detection signal, and determines that it has been wirelessly received.

  Next, in SB3 of FIG. 5, the MPU of the mobile repeater 20 acquires the intensity of the detection signal. Specifically, the intensity of the detection signal wirelessly received by the response signal receiving circuit 26 in SB2 is detected using the signal intensity detection means described above, and the intensity detected by the signal intensity detection means is used as the intensity of the detection signal. get. Here, for example, the driver carrying the portable repeater 20 is approaching a position about 3 meters away from the vehicle, and detects and acquires, for example, “−70” (dBm) as the intensity of the detection signal. The case will be described below as an example.

  Next, in SB4 of FIG. 5, the MPU of the mobile relay device 20 determines whether or not the mobile relay device 20 has entered the detection area. Specifically, the intensity of the detection signal acquired in SB3 is compared with the “threshold intensity” specified by the “threshold intensity specifying information” stored in the storage unit of the mobile relay device 20, and based on the comparison result. Judgment. If the strength of the detection signal acquired in SB3 is lower than the “threshold strength” (NO in SB4), it is determined that the mobile relay device 20 has not entered the detection area (that is, mobile relay is input to the detection area). Without detecting that the machine 20 has entered), the process proceeds to SB2. If the strength of the detection signal acquired in SB3 is higher than the “threshold strength” (YES in SB4), it is determined that the mobile relay device 20 has entered the detection region (that is, the mobile relay device 20 enters the detection region). Is detected), the process proceeds to SB5. Here, for example, as described above, when “−70” (dBm) is detected and acquired as the intensity of the detection signal in SB3, as described above, “threshold intensity” = “Pr1 (specifically, Since “−90”) is set, the strength of the detection signal acquired in SB3 is higher than the “threshold strength”, so it is determined that the mobile relay device 20 has entered the detection area (that is, After detecting that the mobile repeater 20 has entered the detection area), the process proceeds to SB5.

  Next, the processing of SB9 is executed after the processing of B5 to SB8 in FIG. 5 is performed, and the processing similar to SA2 to SA5 in FIG. 3 is performed for the processing of SB5 to SB8. Specifically, for SB9 in addition to SB5 to SB8 in FIG. 5, the first relay transmission circuit 27 of the portable repeater 20 performs carrier sense and then sends a stop operation signal to the first relay frequency (eg, UHF). = 920 MHz) (SB5). When this stop operation signal is received by the first relay receiving circuit 17 of the in-vehicle repeater 10 (SB6), the output unit 12 wire-outputs the condition output to the vehicle control device 110 (SB7). When this condition output is received by the vehicle control device 110 (SB8), the vehicle control device 110 has the same condition output output in a wired manner as the output performed when the driver performs a predetermined stop operation. Therefore, the same processing as that when the output when a predetermined stop operation is performed is performed. That is, the vehicle control device 110 performs known control for stopping the vehicle engine (SB9).

  In this way, when the driver carrying the portable repeater 20 enters a detection area (for example, an area within a radius of 5 meters centered on the vehicle), the engine automatically stops. Thus, for example, the remote operation of locking / unlocking the door of the vehicle can be performed by operating the mobile device side lock operation button of the mobile device 120. However, since the remote operation of locking / unlocking the door of the vehicle by the operation of the lock operation button on the mobile device 120 of the mobile device 120 can be performed in the same manner as before, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Effect of Embodiment 1)
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the MPU of the mobile repeater 20 detects that the mobile repeater 20 of FIG. 1 has entered, the engine of the vehicle is stopped. Is remotely operated (that is, when the vehicle door is locked / unlocked by remote control), the driver (for example, a portable relay device) Since the procedure of stopping the engine of the vehicle by manual operation (which is performed via the operation switch 21 of 20) can be omitted, it is possible to easily perform remote control of various devices of the vehicle including the engine stop device. A vehicle remote control system 1 that enables this can be provided. Further, since the engine of the vehicle automatically stops, for example, an operation means (for example, the above-described mobile relay side lock operation button) for remotely operating the engine stop device is provided in the mobile relay machine 20, In order to use the operation means, it is not necessary to perform connection work for connecting the in-vehicle repeater 10 to the vehicle using dedicated wiring. Therefore, the operation means itself, the dedicated wiring itself, and the connection work are performed. The vehicle remote control system 1 can be provided at low cost.

  Moreover, since it detects that the portable repeater 20 approached into the detection area based on the intensity of the detection signal wirelessly received by the MPU of the portable repeater 20, for example, the influence of brightness or temperature around the vehicle is affected. Since the mobile repeater 20 can be detected without receiving it, the vehicle engine can be reliably stopped by reliably detecting the mobile repeater 20, and convenience for remote operation of various devices of the vehicle Can be improved.

  In addition, the detection signal strength is compared with the threshold strength, and based on the comparison result, it is detected that the mobile relay device 20 has entered the detection region. For example, by adjusting the threshold strength, Since the range to be detected can be adjusted, the mobile relay 20 is detected according to the driver's needs for detecting the mobile relay 20 (for example, detection within 5 meters from the vehicle). It is possible to improve convenience for remote control of various devices of the vehicle.

  In addition, since the detection signal is continuously wirelessly transmitted, for example, the wirelessly transmitted detection signal can be reliably and quickly received by radio. The engine can be surely stopped, and convenience for remote control of various devices of the vehicle can be improved.

  In addition, since the detection signal is wirelessly transmitted at the response frequency and the stop control signal is wirelessly transmitted at the first relay frequency, for example, it is possible to prevent the detection signal and the stop control signal from interfering with each other. Both the detection of the portable relay device 20 and the stop of the engine can be reliably performed, and the convenience of remote operation of various devices of the vehicle can be improved.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this form, the engine of the vehicle is automatically stopped, and in particular, the engine is stopped by detecting that the mobile relay is approaching the vehicle. However, unless otherwise specified, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment, if necessary. To do.

(Configuration-Vehicle remote control system-Onboard repeater)
First, the configuration of the vehicle remote control system according to the present embodiment will be described. A vehicle remote control system 1a according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes an in-vehicle relay device 10a and a portable relay device 20a. The vehicle-mounted relay device 10a of the vehicle remote control system 1a is provided in a vehicle, and includes a transmission / reception circuit 11a for communicating with the vehicle control device 110 and the portable relay device 20a, and an output unit 12.

  Specifically, the transmission / reception circuit 11 a includes a basic transmission / reception circuit 13 a and a relay transmission / reception circuit 14. The basic transmission / reception circuit 13a is basic transmission / reception means for performing wireless communication with the vehicle control device 110, and includes a response request signal reception circuit 15 and a response signal transmission circuit 16a. The response signal transmission circuit 16a is a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits the response signal transmitted from the portable repeater 20a to the vehicle control device 110 at the response frequency, and wirelessly transmits the position detection signal at the response frequency (that is, wireless Position detection signal transmission means. Here, the “position detection signal” is a signal for detecting the position of the portable repeater 20a with respect to the vehicle (that is, the in-vehicle repeater 10a), and is a signal having a predetermined strength. The “position detection signal” can be wirelessly communicated at an arbitrary frequency, but here, for example, at the “response frequency” that is the frequency of the response signal transmitted by the response signal transmission circuit 16a. A description will be given below of wireless communication.

  Moreover, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the vehicle-mounted relay machine 10a is a memory | storage part (henceforth, the MPU which controls each part of the said vehicle-mounted relay machine 10a (henceforth, MPU of the car-mounted relay machine 10a), and non-volatile storage of authentication information etc. And a storage unit of the in-vehicle repeater 10a) and an antenna for performing wireless communication. The “MPU of the in-vehicle repeater 10a” is a control means for controlling each part of the in-vehicle repeater 10a, and the “storage unit of the in-vehicle repeater 10a” stores programs and various data necessary for the operation of the in-vehicle repeater 10a. Storage means for storing, specifically, authentication information or the like.

(Configuration-Vehicle remote control system-Mobile repeater)
The portable relay machine 20a of the vehicle remote control system 1a is carried by a driver and includes an operation switch 21, and a transmission / reception circuit 22a for communicating with the portable machine 120 and the in-vehicle relay machine 10a. .

  Specifically, the transmission / reception circuit 22 a includes a basic transmission / reception circuit 23 a and a relay transmission / reception circuit 24. The basic transmission / reception circuit 23a is basic transmission / reception means for performing wireless communication with the portable device 120, and includes a response request signal transmission circuit 25 and a response signal reception circuit 26a. The response signal receiving circuit 26a is a receiving unit that receives a response signal wirelessly transmitted at a response frequency from the portable device 120 based on the response request signal, and also wirelessly receives a position detection signal from the in-vehicle relay device 10a at the response frequency. Position detection signal receiving means.

  Although not shown, the mobile relay device 20a includes an MPU that controls each unit of the mobile relay device 20a (hereinafter referred to as MPU of the mobile relay device 20a) and a storage unit that stores various information in a non-volatile manner (hereinafter referred to as “MPU”). A storage unit of the portable repeater 20a, an antenna for performing wireless communication, and a battery serving as a power source. The “MPU of the portable repeater 20a” is a control means for controlling each part of the portable repeater 20a. In particular, the portable repeater 20a is approaching the vehicle, or the portable repeater 20a is closer to the vehicle. It is a detection means to detect that is moving away. The detection of the portable repeater 20a performed by the “MPU of the portable repeater 20a” can be performed using any method, but here, for example, the portable repeater 20a has an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator). A signal strength detecting means for detecting the strength of a signal such as a circuit, the signal strength output means for converting the signal strength itself (unit: dBm) into a voltage value (unit: V) and outputting it is provided. A case will be described in which the intensity of the position detection signal received by the response signal receiving circuit 26a is detected by the signal intensity detection means and detected based on a change in the intensity of the detected position detection signal. The signal intensity detection means will be described below assuming that the voltage value to be output increases as the received signal intensity increases.

(processing)
Next, a vehicle remote operation process performed using the vehicle remote operation system 1a configured as described above will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the vehicle remote control process when the vehicle engine is stopped. Since the start sequence and the authentication sequence performed using the vehicle remote control system 1a are the same as the corresponding sequences described in the first embodiment, only the stop sequence in FIG. 6 will be described here.

(Processing-stop sequence)
First, in SC1 of FIG. 6, the MPU of the in-vehicle repeater 10a wirelessly transmits a position detection signal via the response signal transmission circuit 16a. Specifically, a position detection signal having a predetermined strength determined in advance is wirelessly transmitted (that is, wirelessly output) in all directions around the in-vehicle repeater 10a (that is, the vehicle) at a response frequency. . The wireless transmission of the position detection signal will be described below assuming that the wireless transmission is performed continuously so that the change in the position of the mobile relay device 20a with respect to the vehicle can be continuously detected. In addition, the strength of the position detection signal is as shown below so that it can be detected that the portable repeater 20a is approaching or moving away from the vehicle (vehicle relay 10a). Shall be set. FIG. 7 is an example of an RSSI characteristic graph. Here, the “RSSI characteristic graph” is a graph showing the voltage value output from the RSSI circuit with respect to the reception level of the radio signal. Specifically, the position detection signal strength setting is such that the portable repeater 20a approaches or moves away from the vehicle around the vehicle (for example, an area within a radius of 3 or 10 meters centered on the vehicle). In such a case, the reception level of the radio signal changes within the linear region of FIG. 7, which is a region where the voltage value output with respect to the change of the reception level of the radio signal changes linearly. , Shall be set.

  On the other hand, in SC2 of FIG. 6, the MPU of the portable repeater 20a determines whether or not the position detection signal is wirelessly received. Specifically, the response signal receiving circuit 26a is monitored and determined. When the response signal receiving circuit 26a does not wirelessly receive the position detection signal (NO in SC2), it is determined that the position detection signal is not wirelessly received, and until it is determined that the position detection signal is wirelessly received. SC2 is repeatedly executed. When the response signal receiving circuit 26a wirelessly receives the position detection signal (YES in SC2), it is determined that the position detection signal is wirelessly received, and the process proceeds to SC3. Here, for example, when the driver carrying the portable repeater 20a is located in the vicinity of the vehicle, the response signal receiving circuit 26a wirelessly receives the position detection signal, and determines that it is wirelessly received. To do.

  Next, in SC3 of FIG. 6, the MPU of the mobile repeater 20a continuously acquires a plurality of position detection signal strengths. Specifically, the intensity of the position detection signal wirelessly received by the response signal reception circuit 26a in SB2 is detected by the above-described signal intensity detection unit and the voltage value output by the signal intensity detection unit is determined at predetermined time intervals (for example, , 100 (ms), 500 (ms), 1 (s), etc.) continuously.

  Next, in SC4 of FIG. 6, the MPU of the portable repeater 20a determines whether the portable repeater 20a is approaching the vehicle. Specifically, based on the voltage value continuously acquired in SB3, a change in the voltage value is detected, and based on the detected change, it is determined whether the portable repeater 20a is approaching the vehicle. To do. And when it detects that the voltage value is falling as a change of a voltage value, or when it detects that the voltage value is constant and has not changed, the portable repeater 20a approaches the vehicle. (No in SC4) (that is, it is detected that the portable repeater 20a is not moving with respect to the vehicle or the portable repeater 20a is moving away from the vehicle) To SC2. Further, when it is detected that the voltage value is rising as a change in the voltage value, it is determined that the portable repeater 20a is approaching the vehicle (NO in SC4) (that is, portable with respect to the vehicle). Detecting that the repeater 20a is approaching) and proceeding to SC5.

  Next, in SC5 to SC9 in FIG. 6, the same processing as in SB5 to SB9 in FIG. 5 is performed to perform control for stopping the engine of the vehicle.

  In this way, when a driver or a passenger carrying the portable repeater 20a approaches the vehicle, the engine is automatically stopped. For example, remote operation of locking / unlocking the door of the vehicle is performed. This can be performed by operating the portable device side lock operation button of the portable device 120.

(Effect of Embodiment 2)
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when it is detected that the portable repeater 20a is approaching the vehicle, the engine of the vehicle is stopped and the portable repeater 20a is moving away from the vehicle. The vehicle engine is not stopped when the vehicle is detected.For example, when the driver starts the vehicle engine using the portable repeater 20a at a predetermined position around the vehicle and the vehicle moves away, Immediately after the engine is started, it can be prevented from stopping against the driver's intention, and the engine can be prevented from being automatically stopped against the driver's intention.

[Embodiment 3]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this form, the engine of the vehicle is stopped by operating the portable device side operation means. However, unless otherwise specified, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment, if necessary. To do.

(Configuration-Vehicle control system-Mobile device)
First, the configuration of the vehicle control system and the vehicle remote control system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the vehicle remote control system 1b according to the present embodiment together with the vehicle control system 100b. The vehicle control system 100b includes a vehicle control device 110 and a portable device 120b. The portable device 120b includes a basic transmission / reception circuit 121b. The basic transmission / reception circuit 121b includes a response request signal reception circuit 122 and a response signal transmission circuit 123b. The response signal transmission circuit 123b is a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits a response signal at a response frequency, and is an operation signal transmission unit that wirelessly transmits an operation signal at a response frequency. Here, the “operation presence signal” is a signal indicating that an operation has been performed, and specifically, a signal indicating that a portable device side lock operation button described later has been operated. Although not shown, the portable device 120b performs wireless communication with an MPU that controls each unit of the portable device 120b (hereinafter, MPU of the portable device 120b) and a storage unit that stores authentication information in a nonvolatile manner. Mobile device side lock operation button (operating device side operation means) which is an operation button other than an operation button dedicated to an engine for stopping the engine of the vehicle and an operation button for operating locking / unlocking of the door of the vehicle ) And a battery as a power source.

(Configuration-Vehicle remote control system-Onboard repeater)
Next, the configuration of the vehicle remote control system 1b will be described. The vehicle-mounted relay device 10b of the vehicle remote control system 1b is provided in the vehicle, and includes a transmission / reception circuit 11b for communicating with the vehicle control device 110 and the portable relay device 20b, and an output unit 12.

  Specifically, the transmission / reception circuit 11b includes a basic transmission / reception circuit 13b and a relay transmission / reception circuit 14. The basic transmission / reception circuit 13b is basic transmission / reception means for performing wireless communication with the vehicle control device 110, and includes a response request signal reception circuit 15 and a response signal transmission circuit 16b. The response signal transmission circuit 16b is a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits the response signal transmitted from the portable repeater 20b to the vehicle control device 110 at a response frequency.

  Moreover, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the vehicle-mounted relay machine 10b is a memory | storage part (henceforth, the MPU which controls each part of the said vehicle-mounted relay machine 10b (henceforth, MPU of the car-mounted relay machine 10b), and non-volatile storage of authentication information etc. And a storage unit of the in-vehicle repeater 10b) and an antenna for performing wireless communication. The “MPU of the in-vehicle repeater 10b” is a control means for controlling each part of the in-vehicle repeater 10b, and the “storage unit of the in-vehicle repeater 10b” stores programs and various data necessary for the operation of the in-vehicle repeater 10b. Storage means for storing, specifically, authentication information or the like.

(Configuration-Vehicle remote control system-Mobile repeater)
The portable relay device 20b of the vehicle remote control system 1b is carried by a driver and includes an operation switch 21 and a transmission / reception circuit 22b for communicating with the portable device 120b and the in-vehicle relay device 10b. .

  Specifically, the transmission / reception circuit 22 b includes a basic transmission / reception circuit 23 b and a relay transmission / reception circuit 24. The basic transmission / reception circuit 23b is basic transmission / reception means for performing wireless communication with the portable device 120b, and includes a response request signal transmission circuit 25 and a response signal reception circuit 26b. The response signal receiving circuit 26b is a receiving means for receiving a response signal wirelessly transmitted at a response frequency based on the response request signal from the portable device 120b, and an operation presence signal wirelessly transmitted from the portable device 120b at the response frequency. Is an operation signal receiving means for wirelessly receiving.

  Although not shown, the mobile relay device 20b includes an MPU that controls each unit of the mobile relay device 20b (hereinafter, MPU of the mobile relay device 20b) and a storage unit that stores various information in a nonvolatile manner (hereinafter, referred to as “MPU”). A storage unit of the portable repeater 20b), an antenna for performing wireless communication, and a battery serving as a power source. “MPU of portable repeater 20b” is a control means for controlling each part of portable repeater 20b. The “storage unit of the portable repeater 20b” is a storage unit that stores programs and various data necessary for the operation of the portable repeater 20b.

(processing)
Next, a vehicle remote operation process performed using the vehicle remote operation system 1b configured as described above will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the vehicle remote control process when the vehicle engine is stopped. Since the start sequence and the authentication sequence performed using the vehicle remote control system 1b are the same as the corresponding sequences described in the first embodiment, only the stop sequence in FIG. 9 will be described here.

(Processing-stop sequence)
First, in SD1 of FIG. 9, the MPU of the portable device 120b determines whether or not the portable device side lock operation button is operated. Specifically, the determination is made based on a detection value of an arbitrary pressing sensor that detects whether or not the portable device side lock operation button is pressed. If the pressing sensor does not detect that the portable device side lock operation button has been pressed, it is determined that the portable device side lock operation button has not been operated (NO in SD1), and the portable device side lock operation button is determined. The process of SD1 is repeated until it is determined that has been operated. If the pressing sensor detects that the portable device side lock operation button has been pressed, it is determined that the portable device side lock operation button has been operated (YES in SD1), and the process proceeds to SD2. Here, for example, when the driver presses the portable device side lock operation button, it is determined that the portable device side lock operation button is operated.

  Next, in SD2 of FIG. 9, the MPU of the portable device 120b wirelessly transmits an operation presence signal at the response frequency via the response signal transmission circuit 123b.

  On the other hand, in SD3 of FIG. 9, the MPU of the portable repeater 20b determines whether or not the operation presence signal is wirelessly received. Specifically, the response signal receiving circuit 26b is monitored and determined. When the response signal receiving circuit 26b does not wirelessly receive the operation presence signal (NO in SD3), it is determined that the operation presence signal is not received wirelessly, and it is determined that the operation presence signal is wirelessly received. Repeat SD3. When the response signal receiving circuit 26b wirelessly receives the operation presence signal (YES in SD3), it is determined that the operation presence signal is wirelessly received, and the process proceeds to SD4. Here, for example, when the driver presses the portable device side lock operation button, since the operation presence signal is wirelessly transmitted from the portable device 120b, it is determined that the operation presence signal is wirelessly received.

  Next, in SD4 to SD8 in FIG. 9, the same processing as SB5 to SB9 in FIG. 5 is performed to perform control for stopping the vehicle engine.

  In this way, when the driver carrying the portable repeater 20b presses the portable device side lock operation button, the engine is stopped, and then the portable device side lock operation button is pressed again. Thus, it is possible to remotely control the lock / unlock of the vehicle door.

(Effect of Embodiment 3)
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the operation presence signal is wirelessly received, the engine of the vehicle is stopped. For example, the driver holds a plurality of devices (for example, the portable device 120b and the portable relay device 20b). Since it is not necessary to carry it over, it is possible to provide the vehicle remote control system 1b that makes it possible to easily perform remote control of various devices of the vehicle including the engine stop device. Further, for example, since the engine of the vehicle can be stopped by manual operation of the portable device side lock operation button, the engine can be stopped at an appropriate timing according to the driver's intention.

[Modifications to Embodiment]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the specific configuration and means of the present invention can be arbitrarily modified and improved within the scope of the technical idea of each invention described in the claims. Can do. Hereinafter, such a modification will be described.

(About problems to be solved and effects of the invention)
First, the problems to be solved by the invention and the effects of the invention are not limited to the above-described contents, and the present invention solves the problems not described above or has the effects not described above. There are also cases where only some of the described problems are solved or only some of the described effects are achieved. For example, even when the remote operation performance of the vehicle remote operation system according to the present invention is comparable to that of the conventional vehicle remote operation system, the vehicle remote operation system according to the present invention can remotely operate the vehicle. Where possible, the problems of the present invention have been solved.

(About distribution and integration)
Further, each of the electrical components described above is functionally conceptual and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the specific forms of distribution and integration of each unit are not limited to those shown in the drawings, and all or a part thereof may be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in arbitrary units according to various loads or usage conditions. Can be configured. The “system” in the present application is not limited to one configured by a plurality of devices, but includes one configured by a single device. In addition, the “apparatus” in the present application is not limited to one configured by a single apparatus, but includes one configured by a plurality of apparatuses. For example, the basic transmission / reception circuit 23 and the relay transmission / reception circuit 24 in the portable repeater 20 of the first embodiment may be physically configured by one circuit. Further, for example, the basic transmission / reception circuit 13 and the relay transmission / reception circuit 14 in the in-vehicle repeater 10 may be physically configured by one circuit.

(About shape, numerical value, structure, time series)
Regarding the constituent elements illustrated in the embodiments and drawings, the shape, numerical value, or the structure or mutual relationship of a plurality of constituent elements are arbitrarily modified and improved within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. be able to. For example, even if not otherwise specified, the items described in the above embodiment and the items described in the modification may be arbitrarily combined.

(About detection of mobile repeaters)
In the first embodiment, the in-vehicle relay device 10 of FIG. 1 wirelessly transmits a detection signal, the mobile relay device 20 wirelessly receives the detection signal, and the mobile relay device 20 indicates that the mobile relay device 20 has entered the detection area. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, contrary to the embodiment, the mobile relay device 20 in FIG. 1 wirelessly transmits a detection signal, the in-vehicle relay device 10 wirelessly receives the detection signal, and the mobile relay device 20 enters the detection area. You may make it the vehicle-mounted relay machine 10 detect. Specifically, the in-vehicle relay device 10 realizes a detection signal receiving unit that wirelessly receives a detection signal, and the mobile relay device 20 implements a detection signal transmission unit that wirelessly transmits the detection signal, and then the in-vehicle relay device Ten MPUs (detection means) may detect that the portable repeater 20 has entered the detection area. The implementation method of the detection signal transmission unit and the detection signal reception unit is arbitrary, but for example, the following first implementation method or second implementation method may be used.

  First, the first realization method is a method of realizing the function by switching functions. Specifically, the response signal transmission of FIG. 1 is performed using each IC that can be used by switching the radio transmission function or the radio reception function. After realizing each of the circuit 16 and the response signal receiving circuit 26, the response signal receiving circuit 26 in FIG. 1 is appropriately switched from the wireless reception function to the wireless transmission function, thereby realizing a detection signal transmission means in the portable repeater 20, In this method, the response signal transmission circuit 16 is appropriately switched from the wireless transmission function to the wireless reception function, thereby realizing a detection signal reception unit in the in-vehicle relay device 10.

  The second realization technique is a technique realized by newly providing a circuit, and specifically, a detection signal having a function corresponding to the function of wirelessly transmitting the detection signal in the response signal transmission circuit 16 of FIG. A detection signal receiving circuit having a function corresponding to a function of wirelessly receiving a detection signal in the response signal receiving circuit 26 by realizing a detection signal transmitting means in the mobile relay 20 by newly providing a transmission circuit in the mobile relay 20 Is provided in the in-vehicle repeater 10 to realize a detection signal receiving means in the in-vehicle repeater 10. Then, after storing “threshold strength specific information” in the storage unit of the in-vehicle repeater 10, the MPU of the in-vehicle repeater 10 has entered the detection area in the same manner as SB4 in FIG. , And when it is detected that the mobile repeater 20 has entered the detection area, the same processing as SB5 to SB9 in FIG. 5 may be performed to stop the engine of the vehicle.

(About stopping wireless transmission of detection signals)
Further, in the configuration described in “(Detection of mobile relay device)” in “Modification”, even if wireless transmission of the detection signal is stopped after detecting that the mobile relay device 20 has entered the detection area, Good. Specifically, the in-vehicle relay device 10 realizes a detection stop signal transmission unit that wirelessly transmits a detection stop signal, and the mobile relay device 20 implements a detection stop signal reception unit that wirelessly receives the detection stop signal. When the detection stop signal receiving means wirelessly receives the detection stop signal transmitted wirelessly by the detection stop signal transmission means, the MPU of the portable repeater 20 stops the wireless transmission of the detection signal by the detection signal transmission means. Also good. Here, the “detection stop signal” is a signal for stopping wireless transmission of the detection signal by the detection signal transmission means. The method for realizing the detection stop signal transmitting unit and the detection stop signal receiving unit is arbitrary. For example, the following method may be used. Specifically, the first relay transmission circuit 18 of the in-vehicle repeater 10 is configured to wirelessly transmit the detection stop signal at the first relay frequency, thereby realizing a detection stop signal transmission unit in the in-vehicle relay 10. Then, the first relay receiving circuit 28 of the portable repeater 20 is configured to wirelessly receive the detection stop signal at the first relay frequency, thereby realizing a detection stop signal receiving means in the portable repeater 20. is there. Further, it may be realized by newly providing a circuit in the same manner as the “second realization method” described in “(Detection of mobile relay device)” of “Modification”. The MPU of the in-vehicle repeater 10 is configured to wirelessly transmit a detection stop signal from the first relay transmission circuit 18 at the first relay frequency after detecting that the portable repeater 20 has entered the detection area. The MPU of the portable repeater 20 stops the wireless transmission of the detection signal by the detection signal transmission unit when the first relay reception circuit 28 wirelessly receives the wirelessly transmitted detection stop signal. Also good. When configured in this way, when the detection stop signal is wirelessly received, wireless transmission of the detection signal is stopped. For example, in order to prevent the detection signal from being continuously transmitted wirelessly, the detection signal is It is possible to prevent the power consumption for wireless transmission from increasing unnecessarily.

  Also in the first embodiment, the wireless transmission of the detection signal may be stopped after detecting that the mobile relay device 20 has entered the detection area. Specifically, when the stop operation signal is wirelessly received in SB6 of FIG. 5, the MPU of the in-vehicle relay device 10 may stop the wireless transmission of the detection signal from the response signal transmission circuit 16. In this case, the stop operation signal of SB6 in FIG. 5 also functions as the above-described detection stop signal, and the first relay transmission circuit 27 of the portable repeater 20 also functions as a detection stop signal transmission unit. In addition, the first relay receiving circuit 17 of the in-vehicle repeater 10 also functions as a detection stop signal receiving unit.

(About judgment of approach (1))
In the first embodiment, the case where it is determined whether or not the mobile relay device 20 has entered the detection area using the intensity of the detection signal itself in SB4 of FIG. 5 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, the MPU of the mobile repeater 20 acquires the intensity of the detection signal over a plurality of times in the same manner as acquired in SB3, and calculates the statistical value based on the acquired intensity of the plurality of detection signals. You may determine based on a statistical value (that is, you may detect that the portable relay machine 20 approached into the detection area). For this statistical value, any statistical value can be used as long as it is a statistical value that can reliably detect that the mobile repeater 20 has entered. Here, for example, the statistical values shown below are used. Also good. Specifically, the average value may be used as the statistical value in consideration of smoothing noise superimposed on the detection signal transmitted wirelessly, or the distance used as shown in FIG. Focusing on the fact that the received intensity changes greatly according to the above, the amount of change in the intensity of the detection signal within a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) may be used as the statistical value. Then, after storing information specifying the “statistic threshold strength”, which is a threshold similar to the “threshold strength” and is a threshold to be compared with such a statistical value, in the storage unit of the mobile relay device 20, the mobile relay The MPU of the machine 20 calculates the statistical value, compares the calculated statistical value with the stored “statistic threshold strength”, and based on the comparison result, determines whether or not the portable repeater 20 has entered the detection area. You may judge. When configured in this way, since it detects that the mobile relay device 20 has entered the detection area based on the calculated statistical value, for example, noise or the like superimposed on the detection signal for detecting the mobile relay device 20 Since the degree of influence due to disturbance can be reduced, it is possible to reliably stop the vehicle engine by reliably detecting the mobile repeater 20, and to improve the convenience of remote operation of various devices of the vehicle Can be made.

(About judgment of approach (part 2))
Further, for example, not the intensity of the detection signal itself but a voltage value corresponding to the intensity of the detection signal (for example, “0.5” (V), “−90” (dBm) with respect to “−100” (dBm). SB4 of FIG. 5 is executed using the converted voltage value and the “threshold voltage” obtained by converting the “threshold strength” into the voltage value. Also good.

(About setting threshold strength)
Moreover, although the said Embodiment 1 demonstrated the case where the threshold strength specific information was memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the portable repeater 20 at the time of manufacture of the portable repeater 20, it is not restricted to this. For example, the “threshold strength” may be arbitrarily set according to the driver's needs by allowing the driver to arbitrarily store the threshold strength specific information. An arbitrary method can be used as the “threshold strength” setting method. For example, the following first setting method or second setting method may be used.

  First, the first setting method is a method of setting outside the vehicle. Specifically, when a predetermined operation of the operation switch 21 of the mobile relay device 20 (for example, long press for 5 seconds or more) is performed, The signal strength detection means of the portable repeater 20 detects the strength of the detection signal, and stores threshold strength specific information such that “the detected detection signal strength” = “threshold strength” in the storage unit of the portable repeater 20. This is a method of setting after configuring. In more detail about the first setting method, the detection signal is continuously transmitted from the in-vehicle repeater 10 provided in the vehicle, and the driver is in a position around the vehicle where the vehicle is remotely operated daily. Thus, by performing a predetermined operation of the operation switch 21, the intensity of the detection signal at the position around the vehicle where the driver remotely operates the vehicle on a daily basis is set as the “threshold strength”. By using such a setting method, the engine of the vehicle can be stopped according to the driver's needs, and for example, the lock / unlock of the door of the vehicle can be remotely operated.

  In addition, the second setting method is a method for setting in the vehicle, and as in the case of the first setting method, a predetermined operation of the operation switch 21 of the portable repeater 20 (for example, long press for 5 seconds or more). 2, the signal strength detection means of the portable repeater 20 is configured to detect the strength of the detection signal, and the detected detection signal strength is further set to “distance” = “0” ( 2), a predetermined calculation is performed to calculate information similar to the information specified by the curve C1 in FIG. 2, and the vehicle is separated from the vehicle by a predetermined distance (for example, 5 (meters)) based on the calculation result. This is a method in which the reception strength at the specified position is specified and the threshold strength specifying information such that “specified reception strength” = “threshold strength” is stored in the storage unit of the mobile repeater 20 and configured. More specifically, the second setting method is such that the detection signal is continuously transmitted from the in-vehicle repeater 10 provided in the vehicle, and the operation switch 21 is set in the state in which the portable repeater 20 is provided in the vehicle. This is a method of setting the intensity of the detection signal estimated to be at a position away from the vehicle by a predetermined distance as a “threshold intensity” by performing a predetermined operation. By using such a setting method, the “threshold strength” is appropriately set in consideration of the machine difference of the mobile relay 20 with respect to the strength of the detection signal transmitted wirelessly. The detection accuracy for detecting that 20 has entered can be improved.

(About stopping the engine)
Further, in the first embodiment described above, the vehicle engine is stopped when it is detected that the mobile relay device 20 has entered the detection area (that is, in the case of SB4 in FIG. 5). It is not limited to this. For example, regardless of whether or not it is detected that the mobile relay 20 has entered the detection area, the vehicle engine is stopped when the “set idling time” has elapsed since the time when the vehicle engine was started by remote control. You may comprise. Here, the “set idling time” is the longest time that the vehicle engine is kept operating when the vehicle engine is started and operated by remote operation. A predetermined time that can be set by the driver, for example, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, or the like. Specifically, this configuration may be realized in the in-vehicle repeater 10 or the portable repeater 20 of FIG. First, in the case where the in-vehicle repeater 10 is realized, the MPU of the in-vehicle repeater 10 is configured so that the “set idle time” can be stored in the storage unit of the in-vehicle repeater 10 using an arbitrary method. An arbitrary method is used to detect that the vehicle engine has been started, and the detected time (hereinafter referred to as engine start time) is acquired using a timing means such as a timer (not shown), and relayed in-vehicle from the acquired engine start time. It is determined whether or not the “set idling time” stored in the storage unit of the machine 10 has elapsed based on the timing result of the time measuring means, and it is determined that the “set idling time” has elapsed from the acquired engine start time. In such a case, the engine of the vehicle may be stopped. For an arbitrary method for detecting that the engine of the vehicle has been started, for example, the vehicle control device 110 is configured to transmit a start signal indicating that the engine has started, and this output start signal is then mounted on the vehicle. When the repeater 10 receives the signal, it may be detected that the engine of the vehicle has started, or when the “set idling time” + “overhead time” has elapsed since the execution of SA36 in FIG. It may be detected that the engine is started. The “overhead time” is a time corresponding to the time from the execution of SA36 until the engine is actually started. For example, an experiment for measuring the “overhead time” performed for each vehicle manufacturer or vehicle type. This is a time that can be set based on the experimental results. Further, in the case where the mobile relay device 20 is realized, the “set idling time” can be stored in the storage unit of the mobile relay device 20 using an arbitrary method in the same manner as in the case of the mobile relay device 10. Once configured, the MPU of the mobile repeater 20 is configured to stop the engine of the vehicle when it is determined that the “set idling time” has passed in the same manner as the MPU of the mobile repeater 20. Also good. In this case, for an arbitrary method for detecting that the vehicle engine has been started, for example, when “set idling time” + “overhead time” has elapsed since SA33 in FIG. It may be detected that has started. The “overhead time” here is a time corresponding to the time from the execution of SA33 until the engine is actually started. For example, the “overhead time” is used in the case where the above-described in-vehicle relay device 10 is used. It is a time that can be set in the same manner as the “overhead time”. In such a configuration, the engine of the vehicle is stopped when the “set idling time” has elapsed after the engine of the vehicle has been started. It is possible to prevent the possibility from being caused or prevent the fuel of the vehicle from being consumed continuously. In addition, when the “set idling time” has elapsed since the start of the vehicle engine, the vehicle engine is stopped even if it is not detected that the portable repeater 20 has entered the detection area. When the "set idling time" has elapsed since the engine started, it is possible to remotely operate the engine stop device that is required, so it is impossible to remotely operate the engine stop device that is required Can be prevented, and convenience for remote operation of various devices of the vehicle can be improved.

(Disabling the automatic engine stop function)
Further, in the first embodiment, when it is detected that the portable relay device 20 has entered the detection area (that is, in the case of SB4 in FIG. 5), the function of stopping the vehicle engine is appropriately disabled. Good. Specifically, in this configuration, when the mobile relay device 20 of FIG. 1 is provided with a stop control prohibiting switch for prohibiting the control to stop the engine of the vehicle, and the stop control prohibiting switch is pressed, the mobile relay device 20 MPU is configured to wirelessly transmit a prohibition signal, which is a signal for prohibiting control to stop the engine of the vehicle, to the in-vehicle repeater 10, and then the MPU of the in-vehicle repeater 10 performs the above-described wireless transmission. This may be realized by configuring so that the processing of SB1 in FIG. 5 is not performed when the prohibited signal is received wirelessly. As for the function of stopping the engine of the disabled vehicle, a predetermined operation of the mobile relay device 20 of FIG. 1 (for example, simultaneously pressing and holding the stop control prohibiting switch and the operation switch 21 for 5 seconds or more) is performed. May be validated. In such a configuration, the MPU of the in-vehicle relay device 10 or the MPU of the mobile relay device 20 corresponds to the “prohibiting means”. By configuring in this way, control for stopping the engine of the vehicle is prohibited. For example, although the engine is not desired to be stopped, there are restrictions on the surrounding environment of the vehicle (for example, there is a walking path). When the driver carrying the mobile relay device 20 is forced to enter the detection area due to the proximity of the parking lot, etc., the engine automatically stops against the driver's intention. Can be prevented.

(About the method of wireless transmission of detection signals)
In the first embodiment, the case where the detection signal is continuously wirelessly transmitted in SB1 in FIG. 5 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the detection signal may be intermittently wirelessly transmitted. As described above, when the detection signal is intermittently wirelessly transmitted, the ratio between the sleep time (that is, the time when wireless transmission is not performed) and the wake time (that is, the time when wireless transmission is performed) is arbitrarily set. For example, after adjusting the data rate of the detection signal, the ratio between the sleep time and the wake time is set to about “500: 1” or “1000: 1”. May be. Similarly, in “(Detection of portable relay device)” of “Modification”, the detection signal may be intermittently wirelessly transmitted in the same manner. By configuring in this way, for example, it is possible to reduce power consumption for wirelessly transmitting a detection signal.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the detection signal is wirelessly transmitted in all directions around the vehicle in SB1 of FIG. 5 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the driver carrying the portable repeater 20 in FIG. 1 approaches the vehicle in a predetermined direction (for example, the driving side) with the directivity of the detection signal, the engine is stopped. Therefore, the detection signal may be wirelessly transmitted only in a predetermined direction.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the response signal transmission circuit 16 in FIG. 1 wirelessly transmits the detection signal at the response frequency and the response signal reception circuit 26 wirelessly receives the detection signal at the response frequency has been described. Not limited to this. For example, the first relay transmission circuit 18 may wirelessly transmit the detection signal at the first relay frequency, and the first relay reception circuit 28 may wirelessly receive the detection signal at the first relay frequency.

(Method of wireless transmission of stop operation signal)
In the first embodiment, the first relay transmission circuit 27 in FIG. 1 wirelessly transmits a stop operation signal at the first relay frequency, and the first relay reception circuit 17 transmits the stop operation signal at the first relay frequency. Although the case of wireless reception has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as described in “(Regarding Detection of Mobile Relay Device)” in “Modifications”, the response signal transmission circuit of FIG. 1 is used by using each IC that can be used by switching the wireless transmission function or the wireless reception function. 16 and the response signal receiving circuit 26, respectively, the response signal receiving circuit 26 is appropriately switched from the wireless reception function to the wireless transmission function, and the response signal receiving circuit 26 wirelessly transmits the stop operation signal at the response frequency, The response signal transmission circuit 16 may be appropriately switched from the wireless transmission function to the wireless reception function so that the response signal transmission circuit 16 wirelessly receives the stop operation signal at the response frequency.

(About detection of mobile repeaters)
Moreover, although the said Embodiment 1 demonstrated the case where it detected that the portable repeater 20 of FIG. 1 approached into the detection area using the intensity | strength of a detection signal, it is not restricted to this. For example, the mobile relay device 20 is provided with an imaging unit such as a camera, and an image of the appearance of the vehicle is registered in the mobile relay device 20 in advance, and the registered image and the imaging result of the imaging unit are compared, and the vehicle itself and After the distance between the vehicle and the portable relay device 20 can be recognized, it may be configured to detect that the portable relay device 20 has entered the detection area based on the recognition result. Further, for example, one of the in-vehicle repeater 10 and the portable repeater 20 is provided with a heat generating means that generates heat at a predetermined temperature, and the other of the in-vehicle repeater 10 and the portable repeater 20 is provided with a temperature detecting means such as infrared thermography. In addition, it may be configured to detect that the portable repeater 20 has entered the detection area based on the temperature detection result of the temperature detection means.

(Vehicle)
The type and configuration of the vehicle is arbitrary, and includes a crane vehicle and a two-wheeled vehicle in addition to a four-wheeled vehicle. Further, when the device to be controlled is other than the prime mover, a vehicle without a prime mover may be targeted, for example, a two-wheeled bicycle may be targeted.

(About the configuration of the vehicle control system)
The configuration of the vehicle control system is arbitrary. For example, in the first embodiment, the vehicle control device 110 is described as being connected to the ECU by wire, but the vehicle control device 110 itself may be the ECU. Further, the function described as being performed by the vehicle control device 110 may be provided to the ECU, or the function described as being performed by the ECU may be provided to the vehicle control device 110. For example, part of the determination of satisfaction of the control condition may be performed by an ECU connected to the vehicle control device 110 instead of the vehicle control device 110. Further, the vehicle control device 110 can have a known function in addition to the functions described above. For example, when the response signal cannot be received within a predetermined time after the response request signal is transmitted, A retry function for retransmitting the request signal may be provided. Even in the case of retrying in this way, after establishing the connection as described above, maintaining this connection until the vehicle remote control processing ends, resulting in retransmission of a response request signal for retrying, etc. To minimize delay. Furthermore, the present invention can be similarly applied to the case where only one of the “start-up sequence” and the “authentication sequence” is performed, or even when another sequence is performed. In this case, the vehicle remote control system In FIG. 5, only one of the “startup sequence” and the “authentication sequence” can be performed, and further communication for performing another sequence can be performed.

(About the configuration of the vehicle remote control system)
In the first embodiment, the example in which the vehicle remote control system 1 is configured by the in-vehicle relay device 10 and the portable relay device 20 has been described. However, the vehicle remote control system 1 may be configured including other devices, For example, when remote control is performed from a location extremely far from the vehicle, a relay device that relays wireless communication between the in-vehicle relay device 10 and the portable relay device 20 may be further installed. In addition, a plurality of portable repeaters 20 may be communicable with one in-vehicle repeater 10. Moreover, you may make it connect the vehicle-mounted relay machine 10 to apparatuses other than the vehicle control apparatus 110 by radio | wireless or a wire as needed. In addition, regarding arrangement | positioning of the vehicle remote control system 1, although each embodiment demonstrated as what operate | moves the portable relay machine 20 in the state arrange | positioned with the portable device 120 with the portable device 120 outside, the portable relay device 20 and the inside of a vehicle You may arrange in.

  In the first embodiment, the example in which the vehicle remote control system 1 wirelessly communicates with the in-vehicle relay device 10 and the portable relay device 20 at the first relay frequency has been described. Also good. For example, wireless communication may be performed at the second relay frequency (for example, 429 MHz), or wireless communication may be performed at the first relay frequency and the second relay frequency.

(About connection mode)
In the first embodiment, communication between the vehicle control device 110 and the in-vehicle repeater 10 (excluding output from the output unit 12), communication between the portable device 120 and the portable repeater 20, Although described as being performed by wireless communication, a wired connection may be used.

(About frequency)
The frequencies indicated by numerical values in the above description are merely examples, and other frequencies may be adopted. Further, the relay frequency used for the activation sequence and the relay frequency used for the authentication sequence may be different from each other.

(About processing)
The order and timing of the processing described above can be changed as appropriate. For example, in the first embodiment, the case where the vehicle control device 110 transmits the start response request signal using the start operation signal from the mobile relay device 20 as a trigger has been described. When the control device 110 is configured to transmit the activation response request signal at a predetermined interval, the process related to the relay of the activation response request signal may be performed prior to the process related to the transmission of the start operation signal. .

(Embodiments and modifications)
The features of each modification may be appropriately applied to the second embodiment or the third embodiment, and each feature of the first to third embodiments and the modification may be arbitrarily selected, and the selected features may be combined. Also good.

(Appendix)
The vehicle remote control system according to appendix 1 is a vehicle control system configured such that a vehicle control device and a portable device can wirelessly communicate with each other, and the portable device is based on a response request signal wirelessly transmitted from the vehicle control device. Transmitting the response signal wirelessly and receiving the response signal as at least one of the conditions for starting the engine of the vehicle, the vehicle control device controls the predetermined device of the vehicle via the vehicle control system. A vehicle remote control system for remotely operating a device, comprising: an on-vehicle relay device mounted on the vehicle and capable of communicating with the vehicle control device; and a portable relay device capable of wireless communication with the on-vehicle relay device The in-vehicle relay device or the portable relay device is an operation means for remotely operating the vehicle when the engine of the vehicle is started by remote operation. When the portable device side operation means, which is an operation means other than the operation means for stopping the engine of the vehicle and is operated in the portable device, is operated, or automatically, the vehicle control Stop control means for stopping the engine of the vehicle via the device.

  Further, the vehicle remote control system according to supplementary note 2 performs detection related to the position of the portable relay device with respect to the vehicle when the engine of the vehicle is started by remote control in the vehicle remote control system according to supplementary note 1. The stop control means stops the engine of the vehicle via the vehicle control device based on the detection result of the detection means.

  Further, the vehicle remote control system according to supplementary note 3 is the vehicle remote control system according to supplementary note 2, wherein the detection means is a region around the vehicle when the engine of the vehicle is started by remote control. When the detection unit detects that the portable relay device has entered the detection area, and the stop control unit detects that the portable relay device has entered the detection region, the vehicle control device Stop the engine of the vehicle.

  The vehicle remote control system according to appendix 4, in the vehicle remote control system according to appendix 3, a detection signal transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting a detection signal for detecting that the mobile relay has entered the detection area, Detection signal receiving means for wirelessly receiving the detection signal wirelessly transmitted by the detection signal transmitting means, and the detection signal transmitting means is provided in one of the in-vehicle relay device or the portable relay device, and The signal receiving means is provided on the other of the in-vehicle repeater or the portable repeater, and the detection means is provided in the detection area based on the intensity of the detection signal wirelessly received by the detection signal receiving means. Detects that a mobile relay has entered.

  The vehicle remote control system according to appendix 5 is the vehicle remote control system according to appendix 4, wherein the detection means compares the intensity of the detection signal wirelessly received by the detection signal reception means with a threshold intensity, Based on the above, it is detected that the portable relay device has entered the detection area.

  The vehicle remote control system according to appendix 6 is the vehicle remote control system according to appendix 4, wherein the detection means calculates a statistical value of the intensity of the detection signal wirelessly received by the detection signal reception means, and calculates the statistical value Based on the above, it is detected that the portable relay device has entered the detection area.

  The vehicle remote control system according to appendix 7 is the vehicle remote control system according to any one of appendices 4 to 6, wherein the detection signal transmission means wirelessly transmits the detection signal intermittently.

  The vehicle remote control system according to appendix 8 is the vehicle remote control system according to any one of appendices 4 to 6, wherein the detection signal transmitting means is provided in the in-vehicle repeater, and the detection signal receiving means is , Provided in the portable repeater, and the detection signal transmitting means continuously transmits the detection signal wirelessly.

  The vehicle remote control system according to appendix 9 is the vehicle remote control system according to appendix 8, wherein the vehicle remote control system is a stop control signal transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting a stop control signal for stopping the engine of the vehicle. The stop control signal transmitting means provided and the stop control signal receiving means for wirelessly receiving the stop control signal wirelessly transmitted by the stop control signal transmitting means, wherein the stop provided in the in-vehicle relay device Control signal receiving means, wherein the detection signal transmitting means wirelessly transmits the detection signal in a first radio frequency band, and the stop control signal transmitting means has entered the detection area when the mobile relay has entered the detection area When the detection means detects this, the stop control signal is wirelessly transmitted in a second radio frequency band that is a frequency band different from the first radio frequency band, and the stop control is performed. Stage, when the stop control signal receiving means to wirelessly receive the stop control signal to stop the engine of the vehicle.

  The vehicle remote control system according to appendix 10 is the vehicle remote control system according to any one of appendices 4 to 9, and wirelessly transmits a detection stop signal for stopping the wireless transmission of the detection signal by the detection signal transmitting means. Detection stop signal transmitting means, and the detection stop signal receiving means for wirelessly receiving the detection stop signal wirelessly transmitted by the detection stop signal transmitting means, wherein the detection stop signal receiving means is the in-vehicle repeater or The detection signal transmission means is provided in one of the portable relays, and the detection stop signal transmission means is the detection signal reception means in the in-vehicle relay or the portable relay. The detection signal transmission means transmits the detection stop signal wirelessly transmitted by the detection stop signal transmission means to the detection stop signal. If the receiving unit is wirelessly received, it stops the wireless transmission of the detection signal.

  The vehicle remote control system according to appendix 11 is the vehicle remote control system according to any one of appendices 3 to 10, wherein the stop control means has passed a predetermined time after the engine of the vehicle is started by remote control. In this case, the engine of the vehicle is stopped regardless of whether or not the detection means detects that the mobile relay has entered the detection area.

  The vehicle remote control system according to appendix 12 is the vehicle remote control system according to any one of appendices 3 to 11, and further includes a prohibiting unit that prohibits the stop control unit from stopping the engine of the vehicle.

  The vehicle remote control system according to appendix 13, in the vehicle remote control system according to any one of appendices 2 to 12, is a position detection that wirelessly transmits a position detection signal for detecting the position of the portable repeater relative to the vehicle. Signal transmission means, and position detection signal reception means for wirelessly receiving the position detection signal wirelessly transmitted by the position detection signal transmission means, wherein the detection means is the position received by the position detection signal reception means wirelessly. Based on a detection signal, a change in the position of the portable repeater with respect to the vehicle is detected, and the stop control means detects when the detection means detects that the portable repeater is approaching the vehicle. When the detection unit detects that the vehicle engine is stopped via the vehicle control device and the portable repeater is moving away from the vehicle. , Do not stop the engine of the vehicle via the vehicle control device.

  The vehicle remote control system according to appendix 14 is the vehicle remote control system according to any one of appendices 1 to 13, wherein the portable device operates when the portable device side operation means is operated. An operation presence signal transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting an operation presence signal that is a signal indicating that the operation has been performed, and the in-vehicle relay device or the portable relay device is configured to transmit the operation presence signal transmitted by the operation presence signal transmission means. Operation stop signal receiving means for wirelessly receiving a signal, and the stop control means, when the operation presence signal receiving means wirelessly receives the operation enable signal, the engine of the vehicle via the vehicle control device. Stop

(Additional effects)
According to the vehicle remote control system described in appendix 1, when the portable device side operation means is operated or the vehicle engine is automatically stopped, for example, when the vehicle engine is stopped. When remotely operating a device that can only be remotely operated (hereinafter referred to as “engine stop required device”), it is not necessary for the driver to switch between multiple devices (for example, mobile devices and mobile relay devices). It is possible to provide a vehicle remote control system that makes it possible to easily perform remote control of various devices including a device. Further, when the portable device side operation means is operated or automatically, the engine of the vehicle is stopped. For example, the operation means for remotely operating the engine stop device (for example, the above-described portable relay device) The mobile relay device side lock operation button) is not provided on the mobile relay device, or it is not necessary to perform connection work for connecting the in-vehicle relay device to the vehicle using a dedicated wiring in order to use the operation means. The operation means itself, the dedicated wiring itself, and the connection work can be omitted, and the vehicle remote operation system can be provided at low cost.

  According to the vehicle remote control system described in appendix 2, since the engine of the vehicle is stopped based on the detection result of the detection unit that detects the position of the mobile relay with respect to the vehicle, for example, between the vehicle and the mobile relay Since the vehicle engine can be automatically stopped based on the positional relationship between them, the driver can omit the procedure of stopping the vehicle engine by manual operation. By operating the (for example, portable device) only once, it is possible to remotely operate the engine-requiring equipment, so that it is possible to provide an easy-to-use vehicle remote operation system.

  According to the vehicle remote control system according to attachment 3, the vehicle engine is stopped when the detection unit detects that the portable repeater has entered the detection region that is a region around the vehicle. Since the engine can be prevented from stopping against the driver's intention when the repeater is located far from the vehicle, the engine can be operated at an appropriate timing according to the driver's intention. Can be stopped.

  According to the vehicle remote control system described in appendix 4, it is detected that the portable relay device has entered the detection area based on the intensity of the detection signal received wirelessly by the detection signal receiving unit. Since the mobile repeater can be detected without being affected by brightness, temperature, etc., the vehicle engine can be stopped reliably by detecting the mobile repeater reliably. Convenience for remote control can be improved.

  According to the vehicle remote control system described in appendix 5, the intensity of the detection signal is compared with the threshold intensity, and based on the comparison result, it is detected that the mobile relay has entered the detection area. By adjusting, it is possible to adjust the detection range of the mobile relay device, so according to the driver's needs for detecting the mobile relay device (for example, to detect within 5 meters from the vehicle) A portable repeater can be detected, and convenience for remote control of various devices of the vehicle can be improved.

  According to the vehicle remote control system described in appendix 6, since it is detected that the mobile relay device has entered the detection area based on the calculated statistical value, for example, it is superimposed on the detection signal for detecting the mobile relay device. Because it can reduce the degree of influence caused by disturbances such as noise, the vehicle engine can be stopped reliably by detecting the mobile relay device reliably, and it is convenient for remote control of various devices of the vehicle Can be improved.

  According to the vehicle remote control system described in appendix 7, since the detection signal is intermittently wirelessly transmitted, for example, power consumption for wirelessly transmitting the detection signal can be reduced.

  According to the vehicle remote control system described in appendix 8, since the detection signal is continuously transmitted wirelessly, for example, in order to receive the wirelessly transmitted detection signal reliably and promptly, By reliably detecting the vehicle engine, the vehicle engine can be stopped reliably and quickly, and the convenience of remote operation of various devices of the vehicle can be improved.

  According to the vehicle remote control system described in appendix 9, since the detection signal is wirelessly transmitted in the first radio frequency band and the stop control signal is wirelessly transmitted in the second radio frequency band, for example, the detection signal and the stop control are transmitted. Since it is possible to prevent the signals from interfering with each other, both the detection of the portable repeater and the stop of the engine can be reliably performed, and the convenience of remote control of various devices of the vehicle is improved. Can do.

  According to the vehicle remote control system described in appendix 10, since the wireless transmission of the detection signal is stopped when the detection stop signal is wirelessly received, for example, it is possible to prevent the detection signal from being continuously wirelessly transmitted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an unnecessary increase in power consumption for wirelessly transmitting the detection signal.

  According to the vehicle remote control system according to attachment 11, the engine of the vehicle is stopped when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the engine of the vehicle. For example, when the engine of the vehicle continues to operate, the engine It is possible to prevent the possibility of damage to the vehicle and to prevent the fuel of the vehicle from being consumed. In addition, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the vehicle engine, the vehicle engine is stopped even if it is not detected that the portable relay device has entered the detection area. For example, the vehicle engine is started. When the predetermined time has elapsed, it is possible to make it possible to remotely operate the engine-stopping device, so that it is impossible to remotely operate the engine-stopping device. Therefore, the convenience of remote control of various devices of the vehicle can be improved.

  According to the vehicle remote control system described in appendix 12, control for stopping the engine of the vehicle is prohibited. For example, although the engine is not desired to be stopped, the surrounding environment of the vehicle (for example, The engine automatically runs against the driver's intention when the driver carrying the mobile relay device has to enter the detection area (for example, when the walkway is close to the parking lot). Can be prevented.

  According to the vehicle remote control system described in appendix 13, when the detection unit detects that the mobile relay is approaching the vehicle, the vehicle engine is stopped and the mobile relay is moved away from the vehicle. When the detection means detects that the vehicle is running, the vehicle engine is not stopped, so the driver starts the vehicle engine using a portable repeater at a predetermined position around the vehicle and then moves away from the vehicle. In this case, it is possible to prevent the engine from being automatically stopped immediately after the engine is started against the driver's intention.

  According to the vehicle remote control system described in appendix 14, when the operation presence signal receiving unit wirelessly receives the operation presence signal, the vehicle engine is stopped via the vehicle control device. To provide a vehicle remote control system that makes it possible to easily perform remote control of various devices of a vehicle including an engine stop required device because it is not necessary to change devices (for example, a portable device and a portable relay device). Can do. In addition, for example, since the engine of the vehicle can be stopped by a manual operation of the portable device side operation means, the engine can be stopped at an appropriate timing according to the driver's intention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle remote control system 1a Vehicle remote control system 1b Vehicle remote control system 10 In-vehicle repeater 10a In-vehicle repeater 10b In-vehicle repeater 11 Transmission / reception circuit 11a Transmission / reception circuit 11b Transmission / reception circuit 12 Output unit 13 Basic transmission / reception circuit 13a Basic transmission / reception circuit 13b Basic transmission / reception Circuit 14 Relay transmission / reception circuit 15 Response request signal reception circuit 16 Response signal transmission circuit 16a Response signal transmission circuit 16b Response signal transmission circuit 17 First relay reception circuit 18 First relay transmission circuit 20 Mobile relay device 20a Mobile relay device 20b Mobile relay device 21 Operation switch 22 Transmission / reception circuit 22a Transmission / reception circuit 22b Transmission / reception circuit 23 Basic transmission / reception circuit 23a Basic transmission / reception circuit 23b Basic transmission / reception circuit 24 Relay transmission / reception circuit 25 Response request signal transmission circuit 26 Response signal reception circuit 26a Response signal reception Circuit 26b Response signal reception circuit 27 First relay transmission circuit 28 First relay reception circuit 100 Vehicle control system 100b Vehicle control system 110 Vehicle control device 111 Basic transmission / reception circuit 112 Response request signal transmission circuit 113 Response signal reception circuit 120 Mobile device 120b Mobile 121 Basic transmission / reception circuit 121b Basic transmission / reception circuit 122 Response request signal reception circuit 123 Response signal transmission circuit 123b Response signal transmission circuit C1 Curve

Claims (14)

A vehicle control system configured to enable wireless communication between a vehicle control device and a portable device, wherein the portable device wirelessly transmits a response signal based on a response request signal wirelessly transmitted from the vehicle control device, A vehicle remote control system for remotely operating the predetermined device via a vehicle control system in which the vehicle control device controls the predetermined device of the vehicle as at least one of the conditions for starting the engine of the vehicle that the response signal is received Because
An in-vehicle repeater mounted on the vehicle and capable of communicating with the vehicle control device;
A portable repeater capable of wireless communication with the in-vehicle repeater,
The in-vehicle repeater or the portable repeater is
An operating means for remotely operating the vehicle when the engine of the vehicle is started by remote operation, and is an operating means other than an operating means for stopping the engine of the vehicle, and is provided in the portable device A stop control means for stopping the engine of the vehicle via the vehicle control device when the portable device side operation means, which is an operation means, is operated or automatically.
Vehicle remote control system. Detecting means for detecting the position of the portable relay device with respect to the vehicle when the engine of the vehicle is started by remote operation;
The stop control means stops the engine of the vehicle via the vehicle control device based on a detection result of the detection means.
The vehicle remote control system according to claim 1. The detection means detects that the mobile relay has entered a detection area that is an area around the vehicle when the engine of the vehicle is started by remote operation,
The stop control means stops the engine of the vehicle via the vehicle control device when the detection means detects that the mobile relay has entered the detection area.
The vehicle remote control system according to claim 2. Detection signal transmission means for wirelessly transmitting a detection signal for detecting that the mobile relay has entered the detection area;
A detection signal receiving means for wirelessly receiving the detection signal wirelessly transmitted by the detection signal transmitting means,
The detection signal transmitting means is provided in one of the in-vehicle relay device or the portable relay device,
The detection signal receiving means is provided on the other of the in-vehicle relay device or the portable relay device,
The detection means detects that the mobile relay has entered the detection area based on the intensity of the detection signal received wirelessly by the detection signal receiving means.
The vehicle remote control system according to claim 3. The detection means compares the intensity of the detection signal wirelessly received by the detection signal reception means with a threshold intensity, and detects that the mobile relay has entered the detection area based on a comparison result.
The vehicle remote control system according to claim 4. The detection means calculates a statistical value of the intensity of the detection signal wirelessly received by the detection signal reception means, and detects that the mobile relay has entered the detection area based on the calculated statistical value.
The vehicle remote control system according to claim 4. The detection signal transmission means intermittently wirelessly transmits the detection signal.
The vehicle remote control system according to any one of claims 4 to 6. The detection signal transmission means is provided in the in-vehicle relay machine,
The detection signal receiving means is provided in the portable repeater,
The detection signal transmitting means continuously transmits the detection signal wirelessly.
The vehicle remote control system according to any one of claims 4 to 6. Stop control signal transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting a stop control signal for stopping the engine of the vehicle, the stop control signal transmitting means provided in the portable relay device;
A stop control signal receiving means for wirelessly receiving the stop control signal wirelessly transmitted by the stop control signal transmitting means, the stop control signal receiving means provided in the in-vehicle repeater, and
The detection signal transmitting means wirelessly transmits the detection signal in a first radio frequency band,
The stop control signal transmitting means is a second frequency band different from the first radio frequency band when the detection means detects that the portable repeater has entered the detection area. Wireless transmission in the radio frequency band,
The stop control means stops the engine of the vehicle when the stop control signal receiving means wirelessly receives the stop control signal.
The vehicle remote control system according to claim 8. A detection stop signal transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting a detection stop signal for stopping wireless transmission of the detection signal by the detection signal transmitting means;
The detection stop signal receiving means for wirelessly receiving the detection stop signal wirelessly transmitted by the detection stop signal transmitting means,
The detection stop signal receiving means is provided in one of the in-vehicle relay machine or the portable relay machine provided with the detection signal transmission means,
The detection stop signal transmission means is provided on the other side of the in-vehicle relay machine or the portable relay machine provided with the detection signal reception means,
The detection signal transmission means stops wireless transmission of the detection signal when the detection stop signal reception means wirelessly receives the detection stop signal wirelessly transmitted by the detection stop signal transmission means.
The vehicle remote control system according to any one of claims 4 to 9. Regardless of whether or not the detection means detects that the portable relay has entered the detection area when a predetermined time has elapsed since the engine of the vehicle was started by remote control. Stop the engine of the vehicle,
The vehicle remote control system according to any one of claims 3 to 10. Prohibiting means for prohibiting control to stop the engine of the vehicle by the stop control means,
The vehicle remote control system according to any one of claims 3 to 11. A position detection signal transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting a position detection signal for detecting the position of the portable repeater with respect to the vehicle;
A position detection signal receiving means for wirelessly receiving the position detection signal wirelessly transmitted by the position detection signal transmitting means,
The detection means detects a change in the position of the mobile relay device relative to the vehicle based on the position detection signal wirelessly received by the position detection signal reception means,
The stop control means stops the engine of the vehicle via the vehicle control device when the detection means detects that the portable repeater is approaching the vehicle, and When the detection means detects that the portable relay is moving away, the vehicle engine is not stopped via the vehicle control device,
The vehicle remote control system according to any one of claims 2 to 12. The portable device includes an operation presence signal transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting an operation presence signal that is a signal indicating that the portable device side operation means is operated when the portable device side operation means is operated,
The on-vehicle relay device or the portable relay device includes an operation presence signal receiving means for wirelessly receiving the operation presence signal wirelessly transmitted by the operation presence signal transmission means,
The stop control means stops the engine of the vehicle via the vehicle control device when the operation presence signal receiving means wirelessly receives the operation presence signal.
The vehicle remote control system according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

Images