JP2023115516A - Vehicle locking/unlocking device and vehicle locking/unlocking method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a method for locking/unlocking a vehicle with the usage of a portable device instead of a dedicated remote controller.SOLUTION: A vehicle locking/unlocking device 1 for use in a vehicle according to the present invention is configured to include a wireless communication unit 3 that can wirelessly communication with a portable device 2 a body ECU 4 for controlling locking/unlocking of the vehicle, and a door lock motor 5 for locking/unlocking the vehicle. A user of the vehicle, who carries the portable device 2, can automatically lock/unlock the vehicle in such a manner of moving away from or close to the vehicle in which the vehicle locking/unlocking device 1 is mounted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle locking/unlocking device, and relates to a method of using a portable device as a vehicle locking/unlocking means.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method of locking and unlocking a vehicle, a method of operating a dedicated remote controller is known.

Actual Kaihei 5-17056

However, with the above-described method, it is necessary to carry a dedicated remote controller to lock and unlock the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such conventional problems, and enables a vehicle user to lock and unlock a vehicle using a mutually authenticated portable device.

The present invention comprises at least wireless communication means capable of wirelessly communicating with a mobile device and locking/unlocking means for controlling locking/unlocking of a vehicle, and when the mobile device and the wireless communication means are mutually authenticated,

When the vehicle is locked, the wireless communication means determines that the electric field strength between the mobile device and the wireless communication means is stronger than a preset threshold, and the wireless communication means transmits an unlocking operation signal. Unlock the door of the vehicle by sending to the locking/unlocking means,

When the vehicle is unlocked, the wireless communication means determines that the electric field intensity between the mobile device and the wireless communication means is weaker than a preset threshold value, and the wireless communication means transmits a locking operation signal. It can be realized by a vehicle locking/unlocking device characterized in that the threshold value of the electric field strength can be arbitrarily set by a mobile device in the device for locking the vehicle door by sending the signal to the locking/unlocking means.
The wireless communication means may have an internal antenna function, or may have a separate antenna section.

A smart phone is a typical mobile device. Nowadays, it is no exaggeration to say that smartphones are always carried around and indispensable to our lives. The present invention can use a smart phone instead of a dedicated remote control.

In the vehicle locking/unlocking device, the threshold value of the electric field intensity for unlocking and locking can be arbitrarily set by the portable device. To improve usability for a user by separately setting the distance between a user to be unlocked immediately and the vehicle and the distance between the user and the vehicle to be locked when getting off the vehicle and leaving the vehicle. can be done. For example, it is possible to unlock the vehicle when the distance between the user and the vehicle is approximately 2 m, and lock the vehicle when the distance is approximately 5 m.

In the vehicle locking/unlocking device, the wireless communication means can be mutually authenticated with a plurality of portable devices, so that a plurality of users can share the vehicle equipped with the vehicle locking/unlocking device.

When mutual authentication is performed with a plurality of mobile devices, the wireless communication means can arbitrarily set the threshold value of the electric field strength by enabling the threshold value to be set for each of the mobile devices. The vehicle can be locked and unlocked at any desired distance.

Since the mobile device is used as means for locking and unlocking the vehicle, the user does not need to carry a remote control key. A smart phone is a typical mobile device. These days, smartphones are always carried and used, which improves convenience for users and eliminates the need for remote control keys, making it possible to reduce the cost of vehicles.

In a vehicle equipped with the vehicle locking/unlocking device, by performing mutual authentication with the portable devices of a plurality of users, it becomes unnecessary to exchange remote control keys among a plurality of users, thereby improving convenience.

Furthermore, since the smartphone and the vehicle locking/unlocking device have been mutually authenticated, they also have a vehicle theft prevention function.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a vehicle locking/unlocking device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which an antenna function is incorporated in wireless communication means. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the vehicle locking/unlocking device according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which the wireless communication means and the antenna section are separated. FIG. 3 is an example of a screen of a mobile device for setting the electric field intensity with the mobile device in the vehicle locking/unlocking device according to the embodiment of the present invention. (When setting with the slide bar) FIG. 4 is an example of a screen of a mobile device for setting the electric field intensity with the mobile device in the vehicle locking/unlocking device according to the embodiment of the present invention. (When setting by entering a numerical value) FIG. 5 shows an example of a vehicle locking/unlocking device according to an embodiment of the present invention in which a plurality of users operate the mobile devices. FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the vehicle locking/unlocking method for the first vehicle. FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining a second vehicle locking/unlocking method.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. When referring to numbers such as the number, quantity, amount, range, etc. of each element in the embodiments shown below, unless otherwise specified or clearly specified in principle, the number referred to However, the invention is not so limited. Also, the structures and the like described in the embodiments shown below are not necessarily essential to the present invention unless otherwise specified or clearly specified in principle.

1. Configuration Example of Vehicle Locking/Unlocking Device 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a vehicle locking/unlocking device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As an example, the vehicle locking/unlocking device 1 shown in FIG. It is composed of a door lock motor 5 for locking and unlocking.

As a communication method of the wireless communication unit 3 capable of wirelessly communicating with the mobile device 2, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) technology, which is one of short-range wireless communication standards, may be used.

The body ECU 4 is a computer that controls the body of the vehicle. The body ECU 4 has a function of locking and unlocking the doors of the vehicle by controlling the door lock motor 5 based on the received unlocking command or locking command. The body ECU 4 may further have a function of controlling elements associated with the vehicle body, such as power window control, seat adjustment, anti-theft, seat belt control, and headlight control.

The door lock motor 5 is an actuator that locks and unlocks the doors of the vehicle (including the passenger door, rear gate, and trunk).

A means for locking and unlocking the vehicle with the above configuration will be described. The wireless communication unit 3 that can wirelessly communicate with the mobile device 2 must register mutual authentication information with each other in advance.

In the vehicle locking/unlocking device 1, the distance between the mobile device 2 and the vehicle can be detected by measuring the electric field intensity between the mobile device 2 and the wireless communication unit 3. FIG. By comparing this electric field intensity with a preset threshold value, it is possible to determine whether the user of the vehicle carrying the portable device 2 has approached or left the vehicle.

When the vehicle is locked, the wireless communication unit 3 detects that the electric field intensity between the mobile device 2 and the wireless communication unit 3 is stronger than a preset threshold value. send a command. The body ECU 4 receives the unlock command and starts the door lock motor 5 to unlock.

When the vehicle is unlocked and the electric field strength between the mobile device 2 and the wireless communication unit 3 becomes weaker than a preset threshold, the wireless communication unit 3 locks the body ECU 4. send a command. The body ECU 4 receives the locking command and locks and starts the door lock motor 5 .

In addition to the locking conditions described above, the engine is stopped and all doors are closed. In addition, when the condition is added, if either the engine is stopped or all doors are closed, a warning may be given by sounding a buzzer or the like.

The radio communication section 3 may have an internal antenna function as shown in FIG. 1, or may be provided with an antenna section 8 separately as shown in FIG.
The wireless communication unit 3 and the antenna unit 8 can be connected to the vehicle locking/unlocking device 1 by wire and separated from the vehicle locking/unlocking device 1 . By separating them, the wireless communication unit 3 and the antenna unit 8 can be installed at positions with a good wireless communication environment, and a stable electric field strength can be ensured.

2. FIG. 3 shows an example of a screen of the mobile device 2 for setting the threshold value of the electric field strength in the vehicle locking/unlocking device 1. FIG.
A reaction distance between the mobile device 2 and the wireless communication unit 3 or the antenna unit 8 is set by sliding the slide bar with a finger or the like.
The left diagram of FIG. 3 is an example of a screen for setting a threshold common to locking and unlocking.
When using a threshold common to locking and unlocking, hysteresis may be taken into account for control.
The right figure in FIG. 3 is an example of a screen for individually setting threshold values for locking and unlocking.

2. FIG. 4 is an example of a screen of the mobile device 2 for setting the threshold value of the electric field strength in the vehicle locking/unlocking device 1 .
The reaction distance between the mobile device 2 and the wireless communication unit 3 or the antenna unit 8 is represented by a numerical value in the mobile device 2, and the numeric value is input and set.
The left figure in FIG. 4 is an example of a screen for setting a threshold common to locking and unlocking.
The right figure in FIG. 4 is an example of a screen for individually setting threshold values for locking and unlocking.

By making the threshold variable, the user of the vehicle can set how close the door is to be unlocked and how far away the door is to be locked, thereby improving usability for the user. In addition, it is possible to absorb variations in the radio wave output of various mobile devices 2, and to realize a stable operating environment.

The threshold set by the mobile device 2 by the user of the vehicle is transmitted to the wireless communication unit 3 via wireless communication, and the wireless communication unit 3 stores the threshold. is compared with the threshold, a locking command or an unlocking command is sent to the body ECU 4 . The threshold value may be stored in a place other than the wireless communication unit 3 .

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example in which three users of a vehicle incorporating the vehicle locking/unlocking device 1 share the vehicle locking/unlocking device 1 using portable devices 2a, 2b, and 2c, respectively. be. A plurality of users can share the vehicle by mutually authenticating the mobile devices 2 and the wireless communication units 3 of the plurality of users.

Further, in each mobile device 2, the threshold value of the electric field strength between the mobile device 2 and the wireless communication unit 3 or the antenna unit 8 can be set as shown in FIG. The vehicle can be locked and unlocked at the optimum distance for each person.

FIG. 6 is a control flowchart of the first body ECU 4 for explaining a vehicle locking/unlocking method.
First, in step ST1 (hereinafter the step is omitted), it is determined whether the vehicle is locked.

If the vehicle is locked, the process proceeds to ST2, and it is determined whether or not there is an unlock command from the wireless communication unit 3. If there is no unlock command, return. If there is an unlocking command, the process proceeds to ST3. In ST3, the door lock motor 5 is controlled to unlock the vehicle door, and the process returns.
The above-described unlock command is sent when the wireless communication unit 3 compares the electric field strength between the mobile device 2 and the wireless communication unit 3 with a set threshold value and determines that the electric field strength is strong.

In ST1, if the vehicle is not locked, the process proceeds to ST4 to determine whether or not there is a locking command from the wireless communication unit 3. If there is no lock command, return. If there is a lock command, the process proceeds to ST5. In ST5, the door lock motor 5 is controlled to lock the vehicle doors, and the process returns.

FIG. 7 is a control flowchart of the second body ECU 4 for explaining a vehicle locking/unlocking method.
First, in step ST11, it is determined whether the vehicle is locked.

If the vehicle is locked, the process proceeds to ST12, and it is determined whether or not there is an unlock command from the wireless communication unit 3. If there is no unlock command, return. If there is an unlock command, the process proceeds to ST13. In ST13, the door lock motor 5 is controlled to unlock the vehicle door, and the process returns. The above unlocking command is sent when the wireless communication unit 3 compares the electric field strength between the mobile device 2 and the wireless communication unit 3 with a set threshold value and determines that the electric field strength is strong.

If the vehicle is not locked in ST11, the process proceeds to ST14 to determine whether or not there is a lock command from the wireless communication unit 3. If there is no lock command, return. If there is a lock command, the process proceeds to ST15.

In ST15, it is confirmed whether the ignition key is off (both the ignition power source and the accessory power source are off). In this case, a warning may be given by sounding a buzzer or the like. If it is determined that it is in the OFF state, the process proceeds to ST16.

In ST16, it is confirmed whether all the doors of the vehicle are closed, and if it is determined that they are not closed, the process returns. In this case, a warning may be given by sounding a buzzer or the like. If it is determined to be in the closed state, the process proceeds to ST17. In ST17, the door lock motor 5 is controlled to lock the vehicle doors, and the process returns.

1 vehicle locking/unlocking device 2 portable device 2a portable device 1
2b mobile device 2
2c mobile device 3
3 wireless communication unit 4 body ECU
5 Door lock motor 8 Antenna part

Claims (5)

When the mobile device and the wireless communication means are mutually authenticated, and the mobile device and the wireless communication means are mutually authenticated,
When the vehicle is locked, the wireless communication means determines that the electric field strength between the mobile device and the wireless communication means is stronger than a preset threshold, and the wireless communication means transmits an unlocking operation signal. Unlock the door of the vehicle by sending to the locking/unlocking means,
When the vehicle is unlocked, the wireless communication means determines that the electric field intensity between the mobile device and the wireless communication means is weaker than a preset threshold value, and the wireless communication means transmits a locking operation signal. A vehicle locking/unlocking device, wherein the threshold value of the electric field strength can be arbitrarily set by a portable device in the device for locking a vehicle door by transmitting to the locking/unlocking means. 2. The vehicle locking/unlocking device according to claim 1, wherein the threshold for unlocking and the threshold for locking can be individually set when the threshold of the electric field strength is arbitrarily set by the portable device. 3. The vehicle locking/unlocking device according to claim 1, wherein said wireless communication means enables mutual authentication with a plurality of said mobile devices. 3. When mutual authentication is performed with a plurality of said mobile devices, said wireless communication means is capable of setting said threshold for each of said mobile devices when arbitrarily setting said threshold of said electric field intensity. The vehicle locking/unlocking device described in 1. When the mobile device and the wireless communication means are mutually authenticated, and the mobile device and the wireless communication means are mutually authenticated,
When the vehicle is locked, the wireless communication means determines that the electric field strength between the mobile device and the wireless communication means is stronger than a preset threshold, and the wireless communication means transmits an unlocking operation signal. Unlock the door of the vehicle by sending to the locking/unlocking means,
When the vehicle is unlocked, the wireless communication means determines that the electric field intensity between the mobile device and the wireless communication means is weaker than a preset threshold value, and the wireless communication means transmits a locking operation signal. A vehicle locking/unlocking method, wherein the threshold value of the electric field intensity can be arbitrarily set by a mobile device in the method of locking a vehicle door by transmitting to the locking/unlocking means.

Images