JP2017226998A - Electronic key used in electronic key system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic key which can notify that a response signal is transmitted from the electronic key.SOLUTION: An electronic key which performs communication with an on-vehicle apparatus for key authentication in radio comprises: a receiving part for receiving a request signal for requesting the transmission of a response signal to the electronic key; a transmission part for transmitting the response signal when the request signal is received by the receiving part; and a control part which gives a notification by operating a prescribed notification part when the response signal is transmitted from the transmission part, and when a first button input operation is performed to the electronic key 1 after a start of the notification and before the lapse of a prescribed time, prohibits the transmission of the response signal by the transmission part until a second button input operation is sequentially performed on and after the first button input operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic key used in an electronic key system.

  One of systems installed in a vehicle is an electronic key system (wireless key system, wireless key system, in which an electronic key (portable device) that can be carried by a user and an in-vehicle device installed in the vehicle perform key authentication via wireless communication There are also keyless entry systems and smart entry systems).

  In the electronic key system, the vehicle-mounted device periodically transmits a predetermined request signal toward the detection area. When the electronic key receives a request signal from the in-vehicle device by entering the detection area or the like, the electronic key returns a predetermined response signal including identification information unique to the key to the in-vehicle device. When the in-vehicle device receives the response signal from the electronic key, the on-vehicle device authenticates the electronic key by comparing the identification information included in the response signal with the identification information registered in advance in the own device.

  As an unauthorized access for stealing a vehicle equipped with this electronic key system, a method of relaying a signal (radio wave) to steal is known. In this method, the request signal transmitted from the in-vehicle device is relay-transmitted to a distant place using a repeater possessed by a third party, and reaches the electronic key outside the detection area of the in-vehicle device. Then, when the electronic key transmits a response signal in response to the request signal, the response signal is relayed using a repeater to reach the in-vehicle device. Thereby, even when there is no electronic key in the detection area of the vehicle-mounted device, the authentication of the electronic key is successful, so that a third party can unlock the door lock of the vehicle and start the engine. Therefore, the vehicle may be stolen by this method.

  As a countermeasure against the above technique, for example, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the technique of Patent Document 1, an interference signal is output from the in-vehicle device to interfere with relay transmission of the response signal by the repeater. The in-vehicle device determines that an unauthorized access is being made if the response signal cannot be received due to this interference processing. The electronic key gives a predetermined notification based on the judgment of the in-vehicle device. The user who notices this notification executes a predetermined measure to prevent the vehicle from being stolen by unauthorized access.

JP 2013-147849 A

  In the technique of Patent Document 1, the electronic key notifies that it has transmitted a response signal by receiving a notification operation instruction from the in-vehicle device. For this reason, even if the electronic key transmits a response signal, it cannot notify the fact of signal transmission by its own judgment unless there is a notification operation instruction from the in-vehicle device.

  For example, when the in-vehicle device cannot determine that the response signal has been transmitted from the electronic key due to unauthorized access, the notification operation is not instructed from the in-vehicle device to the electronic key, and the notification by the electronic key is not performed. Without notification, the user may not be aware of unauthorized access and the vehicle may be stolen.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic key capable of notifying that a response signal has been transmitted from the electronic key based on its own judgment.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electronic key according to an aspect of the present invention is an electronic key that performs wireless communication with an in-vehicle device for key authentication, and transmits a response signal to the electronic key. A receiving unit that receives a request signal to request, a transmitting unit that transmits a response signal when the request signal is received by the receiving unit, and a notification unit that operates when a response signal is transmitted from the transmitting unit. If there is a first button input operation to the electronic key after the notification is started and before a predetermined time elapses, from the first button input operation to the next second button input operation. And a control unit that prohibits transmission of a response signal by the transmission unit.

  Each time the electronic key of the present invention receives a request signal transmitted from the in-vehicle device, the electronic key transmits a response signal responding to the request signal to the in-vehicle device and activates the notification unit based on its own judgment. Thus, the electronic key can notify the surroundings that the response signal has been transmitted from the electronic key.

  Therefore, a user carrying the electronic key or a user in the vicinity of the electronic key can recognize the notification issued from the electronic key and know in real time that the response signal is transmitted from the electronic key. it can.

  In addition, if there is a first button input operation before the predetermined time elapses, the electronic unit transmits the first key input operation until the next second button input operation. It is configured to prohibit transmission of a response signal directed to it.

  With this configuration, a user who knows that the electronic key has transmitted a response signal by notification from the notification unit, for example, in a scene where this communication is suspected to be due to unauthorized access, before the predetermined time has elapsed. By performing the button input operation, it is possible to prohibit transmission of a response signal from the transmission unit. That is, the wireless communication between the in-vehicle device and the electronic key can be stopped. If the transmission of the response signal is prohibited, the key authentication is not established, so that the possibility of the vehicle being stolen by unauthorized access to the electronic key system can be suppressed.

  In addition, a user who has prohibited transmission of a response signal from the transmission unit with the above configuration can perform a second button input operation, for example, in a scene where the suspicion that communication is due to unauthorized access has been resolved. The transmission of the response signal from the transmission unit may be permitted (cancellation of the prohibition). That is, by this operation, wireless communication between the in-vehicle device and the electronic key can be resumed.

  According to the electronic key of the present invention, it can be notified by its own judgment that a response signal is transmitted from the electronic key.

1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic key system that includes an electronic key according to an embodiment of the present invention. Schematic explaining an example of the detailed configuration of the in-vehicle device Schematic explaining an example of a detailed configuration of the electronic key according to the present embodiment The flowchart which shows the process sequence which the electronic key which concerns on this embodiment performs

[Overview]
The present invention is an electronic key that performs wireless communication with an in-vehicle device for key authentication. When receiving the request signal from the in-vehicle device or the like, the electronic key transmits a response signal as a response, and notifies the user that the response signal has been transmitted using the notification unit. As a result, for example, the user can recognize that unauthorized access is being performed, and can stop the transmission of the response signal. Therefore, the possibility of the vehicle being stolen by unauthorized access to the electronic key system can be suppressed.

[Configuration of electronic key system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an electronic key system 1 including an electronic key 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1, the electronic key system 1 includes an in-vehicle device 10 installed in a vehicle 50 and an electronic key (also referred to as a portable device) 20 that can be carried and carried by a user or the like.

  This electronic key system 1 performs key authentication via wireless communication between the in-vehicle device 10 and the electronic key 20 to perform predetermined vehicle control (door lock locking / Unlocking, engine starting, etc.) can be executed. In addition to such basic functions, the electronic key system 1 including the electronic key 20 of the present embodiment further includes characteristic functions described below.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a detailed configuration of the in-vehicle device 10 illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 2, the in-vehicle device 10 includes a transmission unit 11, a reception unit 12, and an authentication processing unit 13 in the configuration.

  In order to search for the electronic key 20 existing around the vehicle 50, the transmission unit 11 sends a request signal for requesting the electronic key 20 to transmit a response signal through a transmission antenna (not shown). To send periodically. This request signal is transmitted by, for example, LF (Low Frequency) communication. Here, the predetermined range is a range where the request signal reaches and a range where the response signal from the electronic key 20 can be detected. In the example of FIG. In the case of LF communication, the detection area A is, for example, in the range of about 1 to 1.5 m from the transmission antenna.

  The receiving unit 12 receives (detects) the response signal transmitted from the electronic key 20 via a receiving antenna (not shown). When the receiving unit 12 receives the response signal, the authentication processing unit 13 executes the following authentication process.

  The authentication processing unit 13 uses identification information (described later) included in the response signal received by the receiving unit 12 as information for determining a legitimate electronic key registered in the vehicle-mounted device 10 in advance. To match. If the verification processing unit 13 succeeds in collating the identification information, the authentication processing unit 13 authenticates that the device that transmitted the response signal is a legitimate electronic key (key authentication). When the authentication processing unit 13 performs key authentication, for example, a keyless operation of unlocking the vehicle door lock or a keyless operation of starting the vehicle engine is permitted to the user.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a detailed configuration of the electronic key 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 3, the electronic key 20 of the present embodiment includes a transmission unit 21, a reception unit 22, a control unit 23, and a notification unit 24 in the configuration.

  The receiving unit 22 receives a request signal transmitted from the transmitting unit 11 of the in-vehicle device 10 via a receiving antenna (not shown). When receiving the request signal, the receiving unit 22 instructs the transmitting unit 21 to transmit a response signal, which is a response to the request signal, toward the in-vehicle device 10. Moreover, the receiving part 22 will instruct | indicate the control part 23 to operate the alerting | reporting part 24, if a request signal is received.

  The transmission unit 21 transmits a response signal including key-specific identification information stored in advance in the electronic key 20 to a predetermined range via a transmission antenna (not shown) in accordance with an instruction from the reception unit 22. I do. This response signal is transmitted by, for example, RF (Radio Frequency) communication. Here, the predetermined range is a range where the response signal reaches, and may be set to a range that can sufficiently cover the detection area A in the example of FIG. In the case of RF communication, the predetermined range is, for example, a range of about 20 to 100 m from the transmission antenna.

  Moreover, the transmission part 21 restrict | limits the transmission action of a response signal by the instruction | indication received from the control part 23 mentioned later. Specifically, in the “transmission permitted state” in which transmission permission is instructed, the transmission unit 21 can transmit a response signal as a response to the request signal. On the other hand, in the “transmission prohibited state” instructed to prohibit transmission, the transmission unit 21 is prohibited from transmitting a response signal.

  When a response signal is transmitted from the transmission unit 21 in accordance with an instruction from the reception unit 22, the control unit 23 controls and operates the notification unit 24. The act of operating the notification unit 24 is that a response signal is transmitted from the transmission unit 21 to a user who carries the electronic key 20 or is in the vicinity of the electronic key 20, that is, the vehicle-mounted device 10 and the electronic key. This is performed to notify that 20 is performing wireless communication for key authentication.

  The control unit 23 activates the notification unit 24 and simultaneously starts time measurement using a timer (not shown). Then, the control unit 23 activates the notification unit 24 (after the notification by the notification unit 24 is started), and then a predetermined first input from the user or the like to the electronic key 20 until a predetermined time elapses. It is determined whether or not there is an operation. This first input operation refers to an instruction operation operation by button input such as depression of a door lock switch provided in advance in the electronic key 20 (expressed as “first button input operation” in the claims). ) The predetermined time is a time for waiting for a response from the user to the notification, and the length thereof can be arbitrarily set.

  When the control unit 23 activates the notification unit 24 to start timing, and determines that the first input operation has been performed on the electronic key 20 before the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 23 transmits to the transmission unit 21. Give instructions to ban. By this instruction, transmission of the response signal by the transmission unit 21 is prohibited. In the transmission prohibited state, the transmission of the response signal being executed in the transmission unit 21 is stopped when the first input operation is performed, and a new response is generated by the transmission unit 21 after the first input operation is performed. Signal transmission is prohibited.

  Further, after instructing the transmission unit 21 to prohibit transmission in response to the first input operation, the control unit 23 determines whether there is a predetermined second input operation from the user or the like to the electronic key 20. To do. This second input operation refers to an instruction operation operation by button input such as pressing down a door unlocking switch provided in advance in the electronic key 20 (in the claims, it is expressed as “second button input operation”). ing).

  When the control unit 23 instructs the transmission unit 21 to prohibit transmission in response to the first input operation, and determines that the second input operation has been performed on the electronic key 20, the control unit 23 transmits to the transmission unit 21. Give instructions to allow. By this instruction, the transmission unit 21 is permitted to transmit the response signal. In the transmission permission state, the transmission unit 21 can transmit a response signal.

  In other words, if the first input operation is performed on the electronic key 20 after the time is started (notification by the notification unit 24 is started) and before a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 23 performs the first operation. From the first input operation to the next second input operation, the transmission of the response signal by the transmission unit 21 is prohibited.

  The notification unit 24 is a unit (feedback unit) that operates under the control of the control unit 23 and can perform some notification to the surroundings when operating. As this alerting | reporting part 24, a speaker apparatus, a vibration apparatus, etc. can be used, for example. When the notification unit 24 is a speaker device, the operation of the notification unit 24 corresponds to sound output from a speaker. Moreover, when the alerting | reporting part 24 is a vibration apparatus, the action | operation of the alerting | reporting part 24 corresponds to the vibration by a vibrator, etc.

  The operation of the notification unit 24 is performed by the control unit 23, for example, when it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that the first input operation has been performed, or the second input operation is performed. It can be stopped by either being judged to have been.

  Note that, as described above, the first input operation and the second input operation may be different button switch pressing operations, or may be the same button switch pressing operation.

[Processing by electronic key]
Next, the processing operation executed by the electronic key 20 that has received the request signal transmitted from the in-vehicle device 10 will be described with further reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure performed by the electronic key 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The electronic key 20 in a state waiting for a normal request signal is controlled to a transmission-permitted state (step S401). That is, when receiving a request signal transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device 10 to search for an electronic key existing around the vehicle 50, the electronic key 20 can transmit a response signal as a response to the received request signal. Is in a state.

  In the transmission-permitted state, the electronic key 20 always determines whether or not a request signal has been received from the in-vehicle device 10 or the like (step S402). If it is determined in step S402 that a request signal has been received (step S402, Yes), the electronic key 20 transmits a response signal, which is a response to the request signal, to the in-vehicle device 10 (step S403). Also, the electronic key 20 starts the notification by operating the notification unit 24 together with the transmission of the response signal (step S403). Furthermore, the electronic key 20 starts time measurement by a timer or the like simultaneously with the start of notification by the notification unit 24 (step S403).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S402 that the request signal has not been received (step S402, No), the electronic key 20 continues the transmission-permitted state until the request signal is received (step S401).

  When the electronic key 20 starts the notification by the notification unit 24 and the time measurement by the timer or the like in step S403, whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S404) and whether or not a first input operation has been performed (step S405). , Respectively.

  After the notification by the notification unit 24 is started, if the predetermined time has elapsed without determining the first input operation (No in step S405) (step S404, Yes), the electronic key 20 It is determined that the first input operation has not been performed because the user has determined that the wireless communication with the electronic key 20 is a legitimate access or the user has not been near the electronic key 20. To do. In this case, the electronic key 20 waits for a new request signal from the in-vehicle device 10 without restricting transmission of the response signal by the transmission unit 21 (step S401). At this time, the electronic key 20 may stop the operation of the notification unit 24 as a predetermined time elapses.

  When it is determined that the first input operation has been performed (step S404, No) before the predetermined time has elapsed after the notification by the notification unit 24 is started (step S405, No), the electronic key 20 is It is determined that the first input operation has been performed because the user has determined that the wireless communication between the electronic key 10 and the electronic key 20 is unauthorized access. In this case, the electronic key 20 prohibits transmission of a response signal by the transmission unit 21 (step S406). At this time, the electronic key 20 may stop the operating notification unit 24 in response to the transmission unit 21 being controlled to prohibit transmission.

  The transmission prohibited state in the transmission unit 21 controlled in step S406 can be canceled by determining whether or not the second input operation has been performed by the electronic key 20 (step S407, Yes). When the transmission prohibition state is canceled, the transmission unit 21 returns to the transmission permission state in which the transmission of the response signal is not restricted.

  By being controlled in this way, the user who has noticed the notification by the notification unit 24 performs a first input operation on the electronic key 20, so that the door lock of the vehicle 50 is unlocked without permission by a third party. It can be avoided that the engine can be started or the engine can be started. Therefore, the possibility that the vehicle 50 is stolen by unauthorized access to the electronic key system 1 can be suppressed.

[Operational effects in this embodiment]
As described above, in the electronic key 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention, each time the reception unit 22 receives a request signal transmitted from the in-vehicle device 10, the transmission unit 21 transmits a response signal in response to the request signal. While transmitting toward the vehicle equipment 10, the control part 23 operates the alerting | reporting part 24. FIG. As a result, the fact that the response signal has been transmitted from the electronic key 20 can be notified to the surroundings through the notification unit 24 provided in the electronic key 20 by its own judgment.

  Therefore, a user who carries the electronic key 20 or a user who is near the electronic key 20 can recognize the notification issued from the electronic key 20, and that the response signal is transmitted from the electronic key 20, in other words, Then, it can be known in real time that the in-vehicle device 10 and the electronic key 20 are currently performing wireless communication.

  In addition, if there is a first input operation or a second input operation by the user or the like before a predetermined time has elapsed, the electronic key 20 can be transmitted by the transmission unit 21 after the input time according to the input operation content. It is comprised so that the transmission action of the response signal performed toward the vehicle equipment 10 may be restrict | limited. Specifically, if the electronic key 20 has a first input operation before a predetermined time has elapsed, the transmitter 21 is mounted on the vehicle from the first input operation until the next second input operation. The transmission of the response signal toward the machine 10 is prohibited.

  With this configuration, a user who knows that the electronic key 20 has transmitted a response signal by notification from the notification unit 24 is, for example, in a scene where this communication is suspected to be unauthorized access before a predetermined time has elapsed. By performing the first input operation, transmission of a response signal from the transmission unit 21 can be prohibited. That is, wireless communication between the in-vehicle device 10 and the electronic key 20 can be stopped. If the transmission of the response signal is prohibited, the key authentication is not established, so that the possibility of the vehicle 50 being stolen by unauthorized access to the electronic key system 1 can be suppressed.

  For example, even if the door lock of the vehicle 50 is illegally unlocked and boarded by a third party by transmitting a response signal in response to a request signal transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device 10, unauthorized access is made by notification. If the user who notices the above immediately performs the first input operation, the engine start of the vehicle 50 thereafter can be prevented. Therefore, in such a scene, the vehicle 50 can be prevented from being stolen.

  In addition, the user who prohibits the transmission of the response signal from the transmission unit 21 by the above configuration should further perform the second input operation in a scene where the suspicion that the communication is due to unauthorized access is resolved, for example. Thus, the transmission of the response signal from the transmission unit 21 may be permitted (cancellation is canceled). That is, wireless communication between the in-vehicle device 10 and the electronic key 20 can be resumed.

  The electronic key of the present invention can be used in an electronic key system that performs key authentication through wireless communication between an in-vehicle device and an electronic key.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic key system 10 Vehicle equipment 11 Transmission part 12 Reception part 13 Authentication processing part 20 Electronic key (portable machine)
21 transmitting unit 22 receiving unit 23 control unit 24 notifying unit 50 vehicle A detection area

Claims (1)

An electronic key that performs wireless communication with the in-vehicle device for key authentication,
A receiving unit for receiving a request signal for requesting transmission of a response signal to the electronic key;
When the request signal is received by the reception unit, a transmission unit that transmits the response signal;
When the response signal is transmitted from the transmission unit, a predetermined notification unit is operated to notify, and after the notification is started and before a predetermined time elapses, a first button input operation is performed on the electronic key. If there is a control unit that prohibits transmission of the response signal by the transmission unit from the first button input operation to the next second button input operation,
Electronic key.

Images