JP3233697B2 - Remote control system for locking and unlocking cars - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control system for locking and unlocking a vehicle, which remotely operates a door lock mechanism of the vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-105469, a transmitter for outputting a preset identification code signal and a locking / unlocking code signal corresponding to a button operation, and an output from the transmitter. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a remote control device for locking and unlocking an automobile having a receiver for outputting an operation command signal for locking and unlocking a door lock mechanism in accordance with a code signal to be transmitted.

[0003] The above remote control for locking and unlocking usually includes a voltage detecting section for detecting the voltage of a battery provided in the transmitter, and display means such as a light emitting diode which emits light in response to an output signal of the voltage detecting section. The brightness of the display means is reduced in response to the voltage drop, so that the user is notified that the battery needs to be replaced.

[0004]

In the locking / unlocking remote control device having the above-mentioned structure, it is necessary to form an opening for installing the display means such as the light-emitting diode on the surface of the transmitter. It is difficult to secure, and the brightness of the display means decreases at the time of the voltage drop required for display, so that the visibility decreases, and it cannot be clearly notified that the voltage has dropped. There's a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to clearly indicate that the voltage of a power supply provided in a receiver has dropped.

[0006]

The invention according to claim 1 is
A remote control device for locking and unlocking an automobile, comprising: a transmitter that outputs an identification code signal and a locking / unlocking code signal; and a receiver that receives an output signal of the transmitter and outputs an operation command signal to a door lock mechanism. A voltage detecting section for detecting a voltage of a power supply provided in the apparatus, and a notification code for notifying a voltage drop of the power supply when the voltage detecting section detects that the voltage of the power supply has dropped below a reference value. A notification code generator for transmitting the notification code signal and a transmitter for transmitting the notification code signal are provided on the transmitter, and a notification means for receiving the notification code signal is provided on the vehicle body, and a notification command for operating the notification means is provided. A control means for outputting a signal is provided in the receiver, and when the notification code signal is output, the door is operated in accordance with an output signal of a door switch that detects an open / closed state of the door. When the fact that the release operation is confirmed, which is constituted so as to operate the alarm means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the remote control device for a vehicle according to the first aspect, when the notification code signal is output, the door is operated in accordance with an output signal of a door switch for detecting an open / closed state of the door. It is configured to keep the notification means in an operating state from the time when it is confirmed that the opening operation has been performed until the time when it is confirmed that the ignition key switch has been turned ON in response to the output signal of the ignition key switch. is there.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmitter which outputs an identification code signal and an unlocking code signal, and a receiver which receives an output signal of the transmitter and outputs an operation command signal to a door lock mechanism. In the remote control device for locking and unlocking the vehicle, a voltage detection unit that detects a voltage of a power supply provided in the transmitter, and a case where the voltage detection unit detects that the voltage of the power supply drops below a reference value. A notification code generation unit that generates a notification code for notifying a voltage drop of a power supply, and a transmission unit that transmits the notification code signal are provided in the transmitter, and a notification unit that operates according to the notification code signal is provided on the vehicle body. A control means for outputting a notification command signal for operating the notification means is provided in the receiver, and when the notification code signal is output, an ignition key switch is provided. Until the ignition key switch according to the output signal is ON operation is confirmed, which is constituted so as to maintain said notification means in operation.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the voltage of the power supply provided in the transmitter drops, the open / closed state of the door is detected when the signal having the notification code is output from the transmitter. It is determined whether or not the door has been opened in response to the output signal of the door switch. Then, when it is confirmed that the door has been opened in response to the output signal of the door switch, the notification means is in an operating state and a battery or the like constituting a power source of the transmitter is to be replaced. Will be notified.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the notification code signal for notifying that the voltage of the power supply provided in the transmitter has dropped is output from the transmitter, the time from when the door is opened is changed. Until the ignition key switch is turned on, the notification means provided on the vehicle body is in the operating state, and it is notified that the battery or the like constituting the power source of the transmitter needs to be replaced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the voltage of the power supply provided in the transmitter drops, a signal having a notification code is output from the transmitter, and when this signal is received by the receiver. Then, a notification command signal for operating the notification means provided on the vehicle body is output from the control means of the receiver. Until it is confirmed that the ignition key switch has been turned ON in response to the output signal of the ignition key switch, the notifying means provided on the vehicle body is in an operating state, and a battery or the like constituting a power source of the transmitter is provided. Is in a state to be replaced.

[0012]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a remote control device for locking and unlocking an automobile according to the present invention. This locking and unlocking remote control device includes a portable transmitter 1 and a receiver 2 installed in a vehicle body.
, A door lock mechanism 3 provided on the door, and an alarm means 4 such as an alarm lamp or a buzzer installed on a display unit or the like of the instrument panel.

The transmitter 1 generates an identification code output unit 5 for outputting a preset identification code signal, and generates an operation command code including a lock code signal and an unlock code signal corresponding to a button operation by a user. A command code generator 6 for performing the operation, a voltage detector 8 for detecting the voltage of a power supply 7 composed of a battery or the like, and a notification code when it is confirmed that the voltage of the power supply 7 has dropped below a preset reference voltage. And a transmitting unit 10 for transmitting each of the code signals.

An output signal of a code pattern including a start bit, an identification code, an operation command code, a notification code, and an end bit is transmitted from the transmission unit 10 of the transmitter 1 to the reception signal in the vehicle body in response to a user's button operation. The message is transmitted to the machine 2.

The receiver 2 includes a receiving unit 11 for receiving a signal transmitted from the transmitter 1, an identification code storage unit 12 for storing an identification code corresponding to the identification code output from the transmitter 1, A control means 14 for outputting an operation command signal to the door lock mechanism 3 in accordance with the output signal of the storage means 12 and the receiving section 13 and outputting a notification command signal to the notification means 4 is provided. .

The control means 14 compares the identification code of the transmitter output from the transmitter 1 with the identification code of the receiver read from the storage means 9 and determines that the two coincide. An operation command signal for unlocking or locking the door lock mechanism 3 is output to the door lock mechanism 3 in accordance with the lock code signal or the unlock code signal of the output signal. When the output signal includes a notification code, a notification command signal is output from the control means 14 to the notification means 4 at a predetermined timing, and the notification means 4 operates.

The control means 14 has an output from a door switch 15 for detecting that the door has been opened and closed, and an output from an ignition key switch 16 for detecting that the ignition key cylinder has been turned. A signal is input. When the notification code signal is input from the receiver 1, the ignition key switch 16 is turned on from the time when the door switch 15 is turned on.
Until the state is reached, a notification command signal is output to the notification means 4.

The control operation of the notification means 4 by the control means 14 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, in step S1, it is determined whether an output signal has been transmitted from the transmitter 1. Then, when it is confirmed that the output signal has been transmitted, it is determined in step S2 whether or not a notification code exists in the output signal. As a result of this determination, when it is confirmed that the notification code does not exist, the control operation is terminated because it is not necessary to operate the notification means 4.

Next, in step S2, when it is confirmed that the notification code exists in the output signal,
In step S3, it is determined whether or not the door switch 15 has been turned ON, that is, whether or not the door has been opened. Then, when it is confirmed that the door has been opened, in step S4, a notification command signal is output to set the notification means 4 to an operating state.

Next, in step S5, it is determined whether or not the ignition switch 16 has been turned on. Then, when it is determined as YES in step S5, in step S6, the output of the notification command signal is stopped, the notification unit 4 is deactivated, and the control operation ends.

As described above, the notifying means 4 for notifying that the voltage of the power supply 7 provided in the transmitter 1 has dropped below the preset reference voltage and the need for battery replacement has occurred is provided on the vehicle body side. Since the receiver 2 is provided with the control means 14 for activating the notification means 4 in response to the notification code signal output from the transmitter 1, without being affected by the voltage drop of the power supply 7, Using the power source such as a battery provided on the vehicle body, the notification means 4 can be properly operated to clearly notify the user that the battery needs to be replaced.

Further, the voltage drop state can be notified without providing a display unit such as a light emitting diode in the transmitter 1, and it is necessary to form an opening for installing the display unit on the surface of the transmitter 1. Therefore, the structure of the transmitter 1 can be simplified, and its waterproofness can be sufficiently ensured.

Further, when the notification code signal is output from the transmitter 1 as described above, the notification means 4 is operated from the time when it is detected that the door is opened, and the ignition key switch is turned on. In the case where the operating state of the notification means 4 is maintained until this time, the display can be performed during an appropriate period when the driver gets on the vehicle.

That is, when the driver uses the transmitter 1 to release the locked state of the door and then opens the door and gets on the vehicle, that is, at the time of starting the vehicle where the driver's attention is concentrated most. Since the notification section 4 is set to the operating state in the display section, it is possible to appropriately notify the driver or the like that the voltage of the power supply 7 has dropped.

After the driver operates the ignition key to turn on the ignition key switch 15, the driver's attention shifts to other directions such as the state of the traveling road. By stopping the operation of the notification means 4, it is possible to prevent unnecessary power consumption.

In the above embodiment, when the ignition key switch 15 is turned on, the notification means 4
The operation of the timer is started from the above time, and the operation state of the notification means 4 is maintained until the predetermined time set by the timer elapses. You may.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the voltage of the power supply provided in the transmitter drops below the preset reference voltage and the battery needs to be replaced, the above-mentioned transmitter is used. Since the notification means provided on the vehicle body is operated in accordance with the output notification code, the power supply such as a battery provided on the vehicle body is not affected by the voltage drop of the power supply. The notification means can be properly operated by utilizing the information to clearly notify the user that the battery needs to be replaced.

Further, unlike the case where a display unit such as a light emitting diode is provided in the transmitter, it is not necessary to form an opening for installing the display unit on the surface of the transmitter. Can be simplified and the waterproof property can be sufficiently ensured.

When the notification code signal is output from the transmitter, the notification means is activated from the time when the door is detected to be opened, and the notification is performed until the ignition key switch is turned on. When the operation state of the means is maintained, it is appropriate for the driver or the like that the voltage of the power supply drops on the display unit at the time of starting the vehicle where the driver's attention is most concentrated. Can be informed. Further, by stopping the operation of the notification means after the ignition key switch is turned on, there is an advantage that wasteful power consumption can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a remote control device for locking and unlocking an automobile according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of a notification unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 transmitter 2 receiver 3 door lock mechanism 7 power supply 8 voltage detector 9 notification code generator 10 transmitter 14 control means 15 door switch 16 ignition key switch

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ identification code FI H04Q 9/00 301 H04Q 9/00 301B (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) E05B 49/00-49 / 04 E05B 65/12-65/42 H04B 1/02-1/04 G08B 19/00-21/24

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A remote control system for locking and unlocking an automobile, comprising: a transmitter for outputting an identification code signal and a lock / unlock code signal; and a receiver for receiving an output signal of the transmitter and outputting an operation command signal to a door lock mechanism. In the device, a voltage detection unit that detects a voltage of a power supply provided in the transmitter, and a voltage drop of the power supply when the voltage detection unit detects that the voltage of the power supply drops below a reference value. A notification code generation unit for generating a notification code to be notified, and a transmission unit for transmitting the notification code signal are provided in the transmitter, and a notification unit that operates in accordance with the notification code signal is provided in the vehicle body. A control means for outputting a notification command signal for operating the receiver is provided in the receiver, and when the notification code signal is output, an output signal of a door switch for detecting an open / closed state of the door is provided. A remote control device for locking and unlocking an automobile, wherein the notification means is activated when it is confirmed that the door has been opened. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the notification code signal is output, it is determined that the door has been opened in response to the output signal of the door switch that detects the open / closed state of the door. 2. The remote control device for locking and unlocking a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the notification means is maintained in an operating state until it is confirmed that the ignition key switch has been turned on. 3. A remote control system for locking and unlocking a vehicle, comprising: a transmitter for outputting an identification code signal and a lock / unlock code signal; and a receiver for receiving an output signal of the transmitter and outputting an operation command signal to a door lock mechanism. In the device, a voltage detection unit that detects a voltage of a power supply provided in the transmitter, and a voltage drop of the power supply when the voltage detection unit detects that the voltage of the power supply drops below a reference value. A notification code generation unit for generating a notification code to be notified, and a transmission unit for transmitting the notification code signal are provided in the transmitter, and a notification unit that operates in accordance with the notification code signal is provided in the vehicle body. A control means for outputting a notification command signal for operating the ignition key switch is provided in the receiver, and when the notification code signal is output, an ignition is performed in accordance with an output signal of an ignition key switch. A remote control device for locking and unlocking an automobile, wherein the notifying means is maintained in an operating state until it is confirmed that the NISTION key switch has been turned ON.