JP3523096B2 - Vehicle remote control device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transmission / reception device for a vehicle remote control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, automobiles have been required to have improved operability as well as basic performance and safety. A typical example thereof is a remote control device for a vehicle that remotely controls various devices provided in a vehicle.

As a specific example of the vehicle remote control device, there has been proposed a vehicle remote control device having both the function of a smart entry device and the function of a smart ignition device.

The smart entry device is a device that automatically unlocks the door when the vehicle owner (driver) approaches the vehicle and automatically unlocks the door when the driver leaves the vehicle. It is a device that locks mechanically. Further, the smart ignition device is a device that enables the engine to be started only by operating a switch or the like without using the current key. That is, the engine is put into a standby state for starting.

Such a vehicle remote control device usually comprises a portable device carried by a driver and a transmission / reception device mounted in the vehicle. Further, antennas for outputting a request signal are provided outside the vehicle compartment and inside the vehicle compartment, respectively. The outdoor antenna outputs a first request signal to a predetermined area around the vehicle, and the indoor antenna outputs a second request signal only inside the vehicle.
The request signal of is output.

When the portable device receives each request signal, the portable device transmits a transmission signal in response to the request signal. If the transmission signal is in response to the first request signal, the vehicle remote control device functions as a smart entry device. If the transmission signal is in response to the second request signal, the vehicle remote control device functions as a smart ignition device.
That is, the vehicle remote control device determines the existing position of the portable device by outputting two types of request signals using two antennas, and changes the function content depending on the position.

Further, each request signal is selectively output from each antenna. That is, as shown in the example of FIG. 5, the first and second request signals are not output at the same time. For example, as indicated by a point P1 in the figure, when the transmission / reception device receives the transmission signal from the portable device corresponding to the request signal while outputting the second request signal from the indoor antenna, the transmission / reception device remains unchanged. Output continuously. That is, it is determined that the portable device is inside the vehicle compartment, and the vehicle remote control device functions as a smart ignition device.

After that, when the transmitting / receiving device cannot receive the transmission signal from the portable device as indicated by the point P2, the output of the second request signal is stopped and the outdoor antenna receives the signal from the outdoor antenna as indicated by the point P3. The request signal of 1 is output. Then, when the transmission / reception device receives the transmission signal from the portable device corresponding to the first request signal, the vehicle remote control device determines that the portable device is outside the vehicle and functions as a smart entry device. Then, as indicated by a point P4, when the transmission / reception device cannot receive the transmission signal from the portable device in response to the first request signal, the remote control device for vehicle determines that the portable device is separated from the vehicle. Lock the door. And
After locking the door, the first request signal is output as it is, and it is monitored that the portable device approaches the vehicle.
That is, in this state, the vehicle remote control device continues to function as a smart entry device.

[0009]

However, in such a vehicle remote control device, it is difficult to output the first request signal output from the outdoor antenna only to the outside of the vehicle. This is because no matter where the outdoor antenna is installed, the outdoor antenna is located near the vehicle interior. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, an area A3 in which the output area A1 of the first request signal output from the outdoor antenna and the output area A2 of the second request signal output from the indoor antenna overlap each other is generated. Resulting in. Since it can be said that the output limit portions of the request signals overlap each other in the area A3, the reception sensitivity of the portable device tends to be unstable. Therefore, due to the poor sensitivity of the portable device, there is a possibility that the portable device may not respond to the second request signal even if the portable device is located in the vehicle compartment, or may respond to the first request signal. As a result, when the portable device is located in this area A3, the vehicle remote control device may erroneously recognize that it is located outside the vehicle even when the portable device is located inside the vehicle.

That is, for example, as indicated by point P5 in FIG. 7, the portable device may not output the transmission signal even if the second request signal is transmitted. In this case, as indicated by point P6, the function as the smart entry device is switched even though the portable device is located in the vehicle compartment. After that, as indicated by a point P7, the portable device should not respond to the first request signal, but may occasionally accidentally emit the transmission signal. When the transmission / reception device receives such a transmission signal, the vehicle remote control device determines that the portable device is outside the vehicle. Then, as indicated by a point P8, when the portable device stops transmitting the signal, the vehicle remote control device determines that the portable device has left the vehicle and locks the door.

Therefore, the remote control device for a vehicle may erroneously recognize the position of the portable device and lock the door even though the portable device is located inside the vehicle. As a result, due to such erroneous recognition of the position of the portable device, there is a possibility that the driver may lock the portable device when the driver leaves the vehicle while keeping the portable device in the vehicle.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a transmitting / receiving device of a remote control device for a vehicle capable of reducing the probability of erroneously recognizing the existing position of a portable device. It is in.

[0013]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the invention of claim 1, a portable device for transmitting a transmission signal, and a transmission / reception device for driving and controlling various actuators based on the transmission signal. And a first request signal output means for intermittently outputting a first request signal requesting a response of a transmission signal transmitted from the portable device to a predetermined area around the vehicle, and transmitted from the portable device. Second request signal output means for intermittently outputting a second request signal requesting a response of the transmission signal to the vehicle interior,
Receiving means for receiving a transmission signal from the portable device and driving of the first and second request signal outputting means are selectively switched, and an ID code included in the transmission signal and a preset ID code And a control means for driving and controlling various actuators based on the transmission signal when the ID codes match with each other, in the remote control device for a vehicle, the control means comprises:
When the portable device may be located in the vehicle compartment, the second request signal is output once even when the transmission signal transmitted in response to the first request signal is received. The point is to confirm the position of the portable device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle remote control device according to the first aspect, when the control means receives the transmission signal transmitted in response to the first request signal. In addition, when there is a possibility that the portable device is located inside the vehicle compartment, the second request signal is once output and the receiving means does not receive the transmission signal in response to the second request signal. After confirming that, the first request signal is output again, and it is determined that the portable device is located outside the vehicle compartment when the receiving unit receives the transmission signal in response to the first request signal again. Is the gist.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the remote control device for a vehicle according to the first or second aspect, the case where the portable unit may be located inside the vehicle compartment is the second case. The gist is that the transmission / reception device receives the transmission signal at the time of outputting the request signal, and then switches to the output state of the first request signal, or immediately after the remote operation device is activated. .

In the invention described in claim 4, claims 1 to 3 are provided.
In the remote control device for vehicle according to any one of 1,
When the remote control device for a vehicle is activated, the second request signal output means is driven first.

According to the invention described in claim 5, claims 1 to 4 are provided.
In the remote control device for vehicle according to any one of 1,
When the portable device may be located in the vehicle compartment and the transmission signal does not respond to either the first request signal or the second request signal, each request signal is transmitted for a predetermined time. The point is to output them alternately.

The "action" of the present invention will be described below. According to the invention described in claim 1, when the portable device may be located in the vehicle compartment, even if the transmission signal transmitted in response to the first request signal is received,
This will not determine that the portable device is located outside the vehicle compartment. That is, the second request signal is once output to confirm whether or not the portable device is really located inside the vehicle. Therefore, the probability of erroneously recognizing the existing position of the portable device such as deciding that the portable device is located outside the vehicle interior despite being located inside the vehicle interior is reduced.

According to the second aspect of the invention, even if the portable unit may be located inside the vehicle,
Even if the transmission signal transmitted in response to the request signal is received, this does not determine that the portable device is located outside the vehicle compartment. That is, the second request signal is output once, and after confirming that the portable device does not respond to the request signal, the first request signal is output again, and the receiving means responds to the first request signal again. Only when the transmission signal is received is it determined that the portable device is located outside the vehicle compartment. Therefore, the probability of erroneously recognizing the existing position of the portable device such as deciding that the portable device is located outside the vehicle interior despite being located inside the vehicle interior is reduced.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when the transmitting / receiving device receives the transmission signal at the time of outputting the second request signal and then switches to the output state of the first request signal, or the remote operation. Immediately after the device is activated, the portable device may be located inside the vehicle. Therefore, in the vehicle interior, when the portable device accidentally responds to the first request signal without responding to the second request signal, the probability of determining that the portable device is located outside the vehicle is high. Will be reduced. That is,
The probability of erroneously recognizing the location of the portable device is reduced.

According to the invention described in claim 4, immediately after the remote control device for a vehicle is activated, the second request signal output means is driven first. Normally, the device is activated by turning off the accessory after the engine is stopped. For this reason, the portable device is always located in the vehicle compartment immediately after the activation of the device. Therefore, by driving the second request signal output means first, the responsiveness is maintained even when the driver tries to restart the engine immediately after stopping the engine.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the portable unit may be located in the vehicle compartment, the transmission signal responds to both the first request signal and the second request signal. If not, each request signal is alternately output for a predetermined time. Therefore, the various actuators are not driven until the existence position of the portable device is confirmed. Therefore, for example, when the door control device is used as the actuator, the door is not locked even if the transmission signal from the portable device cannot be received.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle remote control device 1
Is a portable device 11 carried by the vehicle owner (driver)
And a transmission / reception device 12 mounted on the vehicle.

The portable device 11 is provided as an accessory to an ignition key carried by a driver, and has a receiving circuit 13 and a microcomputer (hereinafter simply referred to as "microcomputer").
14 and a transmission circuit 15.

The receiving circuit 13 is a transmitting / receiving device 12 which will be described later.
Is a circuit for receiving a request signal from the microcomputer and inputting the signal to the microcomputer 14. The microcomputer 14, when the request signal from the receiving circuit 13 is input,
It is a circuit for outputting a transmission signal including a predetermined ID code set in advance. The transmission circuit 15 is a circuit for modulating the transmission signal into a radio wave of a predetermined frequency and transmitting it to the outside. Antennas 16 and 17 are connected to the receiving circuit 13 and the transmitting circuit 15, respectively.

On the other hand, the transmission / reception device 12 mounted on the vehicle
Is a first transmission circuit 21 as a first request signal output means, a second transmission circuit 22 as a second request signal output means, a reception circuit 23 as a reception means, and a microcomputer as a control means (hereinafter, 24).

Antennas 25 to 27 are connected to the transmitting circuits 21 and 22 and the receiving circuit 23, respectively. The antenna 25 connected to the first transmission circuit 21 is mounted outside the vehicle, and the antenna 26 connected to the second transmission circuit 22 is mounted inside the vehicle. That is,
The antenna 25 is an outdoor antenna, and the antenna 26 is an indoor antenna. Further, the antenna 27 connected to the receiving circuit 23 is mounted inside the vehicle. In the transmitter / receiver 12 shown in FIG. 1, the portion surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line is shown as the vehicle interior, and the other portions are shown as the vehicle exterior.

The first transmission circuit 21 converts the first request signal output from the microcomputer 24 into a magnetic signal,
It is a circuit for outputting to the outside of the vehicle via the antenna 25. On the other hand, the second transmission circuit 22 converts the second request signal output from the microcomputer 24 into a magnetic signal,
It is a circuit for outputting to the vehicle interior through the antenna 26. Therefore, when the first request signal is output, the first transmission circuit 21 is driven to generate a magnetic field in the predetermined area A1 around the vehicle as shown in FIG. Also, the second
When the request signal is output, the second transmission circuit 22 is driven to generate a magnetic field in the predetermined area A2 in the vehicle compartment.
That is, the portable device 11 and the transmission / reception device 12 can communicate with each other in these predetermined areas A1 and A2.

The reception circuit 23 receives the transmission signal output from the portable device 11 via the antenna 27, demodulates the transmission signal into a pulse signal to generate a reception signal, and the reception signal is also stored in the microcomputer 24. It is a circuit for outputting to.

The microcomputer 24 is a C (not shown).
It is a CPU unit consisting of PU, ROM, and RAM.
The first or second request signal is output intermittently.
Further, a predetermined ID code set in advance is stored in the microcomputer 24, and when the received signal is input, the own ID code is compared with the ID code included in the received signal. When the ID codes match, the microcomputer 24 causes the door lock drive device 28 or the engine start control device 29 as various actuators.
The drive signal is output to. Specifically, if the transmission signal from the portable device 11 is in response to the first request signal, the microcomputer 24 drives the door lock driving device 28 to unlock the door. If the transmission signal from the portable device 11 is in response to the second request signal, the microcomputer 24 drives the engine start control device 29 to put the engine in the start standby state. Therefore, the vehicle remote control device 1 functions as a smart entry device when the portable device 11 is located outside the vehicle.
Will function as a smart ignition device when the vehicle is located inside the vehicle.

By the way, as described above, it is difficult to output the first request signal only to the outside of the vehicle. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, an area A3 in which the output area A1 of the first request signal and the output area A2 of the second request signal overlap each other occurs in the vehicle interior. Therefore, when the portable device 11 is located in this area A3, it can respond to either request signal. Further, since the area A3 can be said to be an area where the output limit portions of the request signals overlap each other, the reception sensitivity of the portable device 11 is likely to be unstable. Therefore, it can be said that when the portable device 11 is located in the area A3, the responsiveness is degraded with respect to either request signal. As a result, when the portable device 11 is located in the area A3, the vehicle remote control device 1 may determine that the portable device 11 is located outside the vehicle even though the portable device 11 is located inside the vehicle. That is, the position of the portable device 11 may be erroneously recognized.

Therefore, in the vehicle remote control device 1 of the present embodiment, the position of the portable device 11 is confirmed by the microcomputer 24. The operation of the vehicle remote control device 1 including this position confirmation will be described below.

First, as shown by point P1 in FIG.
When the transmitter / receiver 12 receives the transmission signal from the portable device 11 in response to the second request signal from the indoor antenna 26, the same signal is continuously output. . That is, in this case, it is determined that the portable device 11 is located inside the vehicle compartment, and the vehicle remote control device 1 functions as a smart ignition device.

After that, when the transmitter / receiver 12 cannot receive the transmission signal from the portable device 11 as indicated by the point P2, the output of the second request signal is stopped and the first request signal is output as indicated by the point P3. Request signal is output. That is, when the transmission / reception device 12 cannot receive the transmission signal from the portable device 11 in response to the second request signal, it is determined that the portable device 11 is not located in the vehicle compartment, and the first request signal is transmitted. It will be output.

Then, as indicated by a point P4, the transmitter / receiver 12 responds to the first request signal by the portable device 1
It is assumed that the transmission signal from 1 is received. At this time, as indicated by a point P5, the output of the first request signal is once stopped and the second request signal is output. Thereby, it is confirmed whether the transmission / reception device 12 receives the transmission signal from the portable device 11 in response to the second request signal. That is, the position of the portable device 11 is confirmed by once outputting the second request signal.

When it is confirmed that the transmission / reception device 12 cannot receive the transmission signal from the portable device 11, it is switched to the output state of the first request signal again as indicated by a point P6. Here, it is assumed that the transmission / reception device 12 receives the transmission signal from the portable device 11 in response to the first request signal. At this time, it is determined that the portable device 11 is located outside the vehicle, and the first request signal is continuously output. That is, here, the vehicle remote control device 1 functions as a smart entry device.

At this point P6, the transmitter / receiver 12 responds to the first request signal by the portable device 11.
It is assumed that the transmission signal from is not received. In this case, the first and second request signals are continuously output alternately for a predetermined time, and the transmission signal from the portable device 11 is waited for. That is, during this period, the vehicle remote control device 1
Becomes a standby state for a transmission signal, and does not function as a smart entry device or a smart ignition device. Therefore, in this case, the door is not locked even if the transmission signal from the portable device 11 cannot be received.

When the transmission / reception device 12 receives the transmission signal in response to the second request signal, the portable device 1
1 is determined to be located in the vehicle compartment, and the second request signal is continuously output as it is. That is, the vehicle remote control device 1 functions as a smart ignition device. When the transmission / reception device 12 receives the transmission signal in response to the first request signal, the position confirmation operation of the portable device 11 is performed again.

After that, as indicated by point P7, the first
When the transmission signal from the portable device 11 in response to the request signal is no longer received, it is determined that the portable device 11 has left the vehicle. Then, a signal for door lock is output to the door lock control circuit 28 to lock the door. After that, the first request signal is continuously output to monitor that the portable device 11 approaches the vehicle. That is, in this state, the vehicle remote control device 1 continues to function as a smart entry device.

On the other hand, at the point P5, when the transmitter / receiver 12 receives the transmission signal from the portable device 11, it is determined that the portable device 11 is located in the vehicle compartment, and the second request signal continues to be output. After that, even if the transmission / reception device 12 receives the transmission signal from the portable device 11 in the output state of the first request signal, it is not determined that the portable device 11 is located in the vehicle compartment, and the portable device is Position confirmation of 11 is performed. That is, when the transmission / reception device 12 receives the transmission signal when the second request signal is output and then switches to the output state of the first request signal, the portable device 11 may be located in the vehicle compartment. Considered to be the case. Then, in this case, the position of the portable device 11 is confirmed.

By operating in this way and confirming the position of the portable device 11, the remote control device 1 for a vehicle is operated by the portable device 11.
The probability of erroneously recognizing the position of will be reduced. In addition, normally, the vehicle remote control device 1 is in a non-driving state during engine startup or when the accessory is in the ON state. That is, it can be said that the vehicle remote control device 1 starts driving when the accessory is turned off after the engine is stopped. Therefore, immediately after the remote control device 1 for a vehicle is driven, the portable device 11 is always located in the vehicle compartment. Therefore, in the present embodiment, immediately after the vehicle remote control device 1 is driven, the first request signal is not output, but the second request signal is first output.
As a result, immediately after driving, the device 1 will function as a smart ignition device. Therefore,
The responsiveness is maintained even when the driver tries to start the engine again immediately after stopping the engine.

Immediately after the device 1 is driven, the first transmitter circuit 21 is switched to the driven state, and when the transmitter / receiver 12 receives the transmission signal in response to the first request signal, the portable device described above is used. The position of 11 is confirmed. For this reason, the remote control device 1 for a vehicle is the portable device 1
The probability of erroneously recognizing the position of 1 will be further reduced.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) When the transmission / reception device 12 receives the transmission signal from the portable device 11 in response to the second request signal, it is considered that the portable device 11 may be located in the vehicle compartment. After that, even if the same transmission signal in response to the first request signal is received, the portable device 11
Is not judged to be located outside the vehicle compartment. That is, by outputting the second request signal once,
It is confirmed whether or not the portable device 11 is really located inside the vehicle. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the probability of erroneously recognizing the existing position of the portable device 11, such as deciding that the portable device 11 is located outside the vehicle interior even though the portable device 11 is located inside the vehicle interior.

(2) Immediately after the vehicle remote control device 1 is started, the second transmission circuit 22 is driven first. That is, the second request signal is output first. Normally, the device 1 is activated by turning off the accessory after the engine is stopped. Therefore, the portable device 11 is always located inside the vehicle immediately after the device 1 is activated. Therefore, by driving the second transmission circuit 22 first, the responsiveness can be maintained even when the driver tries to start the engine again immediately after stopping the engine.

(3) When the transmission / reception device 12 does not receive the transmission signal from the portable device 11 in response to the first request signal, the first and second request signals are alternately output every predetermined time. Then, the transmission signal from the portable device 11 is waited for. That is, during this period, the vehicle remote control device 1 is in a standby state for a transmission signal, and does not function as a smart entry device or a smart ignition device. Therefore, in this case, the door is not locked even if the transmission signal from the portable device 11 cannot be received. As a result, the lock of the portable device 11 can be reliably prevented. [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the common points will be denoted by the same member numbers and description thereof will be omitted.

The present embodiment differs from the above-described first embodiment in that the transmitting / receiving device 12 has a self-diagnosis function. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the transmission / reception device 12 is provided with a sine wave signal output circuit 31 as a sine wave signal output means and a switch 32.

The sine wave signal output circuit 31 is specifically,
A noise generation circuit or an oscillation circuit, which outputs a sine wave signal including a predetermined frequency band. This sine wave signal output circuit 3
The input side of 1 is connected to the microcomputer 24, and the output side is connected to the switch 32.

The switch 32 has three contacts CP1 to CP.
3, the connection between the contact point CP1 and the contact point CP2 or the connection between the contact point CP1 and the contact point CP3 can be selected and switched. The receiving circuit 23 is connected to the contact point CP1 and the antenna 2 is connected to the contact point CP2.
7 is connected, and the output side of the sine wave signal output circuit 31 is connected to the contact CP3. The switch 32 is normally in a state where the contact point CP1 and the contact point CP2 are connected, as indicated by the solid line in FIG. The switch 32 receives the switching signal from the microcomputer 24.
The contact point of is switched, and as shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure,
The contact point CP1 and the contact point CP3 are connected.

Then, as described in the first embodiment, when the vehicle remote control device 1 is in the standby state for the transmission signal, the microcomputer 24 outputs the switching signal to the switch 32. As a result, the contact of the switch 32 is switched to the connection state of the contact CP1 and the contact CP3. Therefore, the sine wave signal output from the sine wave signal output circuit 31 is input to the reception circuit 23.

The receiving circuit 23 generates a reception signal based on the sine wave signal and outputs it to the microcomputer 24.
A preset determination signal is stored in the microcomputer 24, and the received signal is compared with the determination signal. And
If the received signal matches the determination signal, the microcomputer 24 determines that the receiving circuit 23 is operating normally. Also,
If the received signal does not match the determination signal, it is determined that the receiving circuit 23 is not operating normally, and a warning lamp is turned on to inform the driver of that fact.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects described in the above (1) to (3) in the first embodiment. (4) By providing the transmission / reception device 12 with the sine wave signal output circuit 31 and the switch 32, the transmission / reception device 12 can have a self-diagnosis function. Therefore, when the transmission / reception device 12 cannot receive the transmission signal from the portable device 11 regardless of which request signal is output, the self-diagnosis can be performed. Therefore, the probability of erroneously recognizing the location of the portable device can be further reduced as compared with the case without this function.

The embodiment of the present invention may be modified as follows. When the transmission / reception device 12 cannot receive the transmission signal from the portable device 11 regardless of which request signal is output, the output regions A1 and A2 of each request signal may be gradually expanded. However, in the second request signal, it is necessary to widen the output area A2 within a range in which the second request signal is not output outside the vehicle compartment.

In this way, the portable device 11 can be used in a wide range.
Since it is possible to confirm the existence position of the mobile device 11
It is possible to further reduce the probability of erroneously recognizing the existence position of.

In the above embodiment, the outdoor antenna 25
Although one indoor antenna 26 and one indoor antenna 26 are provided, a plurality of indoor antennas 26 may be provided. For example, the outdoor antennas 25 are provided at a plurality of locations separated from each other in the vehicle so that the first request signal is output to the entire periphery of the vehicle. With this configuration, the door can be unlocked regardless of the direction in which the driver approaches the vehicle, and the function of the smart entry device can be improved. In addition, for example, the indoor antennas 26 are provided at a plurality of locations separated from each other in the vehicle interior so that the second request signal is output to the vehicle interior without exception. With this configuration, it is possible to output the transmission signal in response to the second request signal from the portable device 11 regardless of where the portable device 11 is located in the vehicle interior. However, in this case, it is necessary that the second request signal is not output to the outside of the vehicle.

In the above embodiment, each request signal is output as a magnetic signal, but one or both of them may be output as a radio wave. However, in this case, it is necessary to use a weak radio wave that does not output the second request signal to the outside of the vehicle.

As shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 1, the antenna 27 connected to the receiving circuit 23 may be provided outside the vehicle. The antenna 27 may be provided both outside and inside the vehicle.

Next, in addition to the technical ideas described in the claims, the technical ideas grasped by the above-described embodiment will be listed below together with their effects. (1) In the vehicle remote control device according to claim 5, when the transmission signal in response to the first request signal is received at the time of alternately outputting the request signals, the second A remote control device for a vehicle, which outputs a request signal to confirm the position of a portable device.

(2) In the remote control device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and technical idea 1, the first request signal is output to the periphery of the vehicle outside the vehicle. At least one outdoor antenna is provided, and at least one indoor antenna that outputs the second request signal only to the vehicle interior is provided in the vehicle interior. apparatus.

According to the invention described in (2), each request signal can be reliably divided and output to the vehicle periphery or the vehicle interior. (3) Any one of claims 1 to 5 and technical ideas 1 and 2
In the remote control device for a vehicle according to the item 1, the transmitting / receiving device inputs a sine wave signal output means for inputting a predetermined sine wave signal to the receiving means and an input to the receiving means from the transmission signal. A remote control device for a vehicle, further comprising switching means for switching to the sine wave signal.

According to the invention described in (3), the function of the receiving means can be checked by inputting the sine wave signal to the receiving means. That is, the transmitting / receiving device can be self-diagnosed.

(4) Claims 1 to 5, technical ideas 1 to 3
In the remote control device for vehicle according to any one of 1,
At least the second request signal is a magnetic signal.

According to the invention described in (4), the second request signal can be surely output only in the vehicle compartment. (5) Any one of claims 1 to 5 and technical ideas 1 to 4
In the remote control device for a vehicle according to the item, when the transmission / reception device cannot receive the transmission signal in response to the first and second request signals, the output region of each request signal is expanded. Remote control device.

According to the invention described in (5), by expanding the output area of each request signal, it is possible to confirm the existing position of the portable device 11 in a wide range. (6) First request signal output means for intermittently outputting a first request signal requesting a response of a transmission signal transmitted from the portable device to a predetermined area around the vehicle, and transmission transmitted from the portable device. Second request signal output means for intermittently outputting a second request signal requesting a signal response into the vehicle compartment, receiving means for receiving a transmission signal from the portable device, and the first and second The drive of the request signal output means is selectively switched, the ID code included in the transmission signal is compared with a preset ID code, and when the ID codes match each other, based on the transmission signal. In a transmission / reception device of a remote control device for a vehicle, which comprises a control means for driving and controlling various actuators, the control means is provided when the portable unit may be located inside the vehicle. In this case, even if the transmission signal transmitted in response to the first request signal is received, the position of the portable device is confirmed by outputting the second request signal once. Transmitter / receiver device for vehicle remote control device.

(7) A first device which comprises a portable device for transmitting a transmission signal and a transmission / reception device for driving and controlling various actuators based on the transmission signal, and which requests a response of the transmission signal transmitted from the portable device. A first request signal output means for intermittently outputting a request signal to a predetermined area around the vehicle, and a second request signal for requesting a response of the transmission signal transmitted from the portable device are intermittently output inside the vehicle compartment. Second request signal output means, receiving means for receiving a transmission signal from the portable device, and the first and second
Of the request signal output means is selectively switched, the ID code included in the transmission signal is compared with a preset ID code, and when the ID codes match each other, based on the transmission signal. A method for controlling a remote control device for a vehicle, comprising: a control means for driving and controlling various actuators according to the first request signal when there is a possibility that the portable device is located inside the vehicle. Even if the transmission signal transmitted in response to is received, the second request signal is output once to confirm the position of the portable device, and the remote control device for a vehicle is controlled.

[0065]

As described above in detail, according to the invention described in claim 1, it is possible to confirm whether or not the portable device is really located in the vehicle interior by outputting the second request signal once. I have to. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the probability of erroneously recognizing the existing position of the portable device, such as deciding that the portable device is located outside the vehicle interior despite being located inside the vehicle interior.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the second
Of the request signal, and after confirming that the portable device does not respond to the request signal, outputs the first request signal again, and the receiving means receives the transmission signal again in response to the first request signal. Only then is it determined that the portable device is located outside the vehicle compartment. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the probability of erroneously recognizing the existing position of the portable device, such as deciding that the portable device is located outside the vehicle interior despite being located inside the vehicle interior.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when the transmitting / receiving device receives the transmission signal at the time of outputting the second request signal and then switches to the output state of the first request signal, or the remote Immediately after the operating device is activated, the portable device may be located inside the vehicle. Therefore, when the portable device accidentally does not respond to the second request signal but responds to the first request signal in the vehicle compartment, the probability that the portable device is determined to be located outside the vehicle is determined. It can be reduced.
That is, the probability of erroneously recognizing the location of the portable device can be reduced.

According to the invention described in claim 4, by driving the second request signal output means first,
The responsiveness can be maintained even when the driver tries to start the engine again immediately after stopping the engine.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the portable unit may be located inside the vehicle, the transmission signal is either the first request signal or the second request signal. When not responding, each request signal is alternately output for a predetermined time. Therefore, the various actuators are not driven until the existence position of the portable device is confirmed. Therefore, when the door control device is used as the actuator, the door is not locked even when the transmission signal from the portable device cannot be received. As a result, the lock of the portable device can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of a vehicle remote control device of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing output regions of first and second request signals in the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a time chart showing switching timings of first and second request signals in the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second embodiment of a vehicle remote control device of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the switching timing of the first and second request signals in the conventional vehicle remote control device.

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing problems of the conventional vehicle remote control device.

FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing the output regions of the first and second request signals in the conventional vehicle remote control device.

[Description of Reference Signs] 1 ... Remote control device for vehicle, 11 ... Portable device, 12 ... Transceiver device, 21 ... First transmission circuit as first request signal output means, 22 ... As second request signal output means Second transmission circuit, 23 ... Receiving circuit as receiving means,
24 ... Microcomputer as control means, 25 ...
Outdoor antenna, 26 ... Indoor antenna, 28 ... Door lock control device as actuator, 29 ... Engine start control device as actuator, 31 ... Sine wave signal output circuit as sine wave signal output means, 32 ... Switch.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Toru Maeda 3-260, Toyota, Oguchi-cho, Niwa-gun, Aichi Tokai Rika Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Keiji Yamamoto 1 Toyota-cho, Toyota-shi, Aichi Prefecture Toyota Motor Vehicle Incorporated (56) References JP-A-7-150835 (JP, A) JP-A-11-91507 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60R 25/00 -25/10 E05B 49/00 E05B 65/20

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first request for requesting a response of a transmission signal transmitted from the portable device, the portable device transmitting the transmission signal, and a transmission / reception device for driving and controlling various actuators based on the transmission signal. A first request signal output unit that intermittently outputs a signal to a predetermined area around the vehicle, and a second request signal that requests a response of the transmission signal transmitted from the portable device are intermittently output to the vehicle interior. Second
Request signal output means, receiving means for receiving a transmission signal from the portable device, and driving of the first and second request signal output means, which are selectively included in the transmission signal.
A remote control device for a vehicle, comprising: a D-code and a preset ID code, and control means for driving and controlling various actuators based on the transmission signal when the ID codes match each other. In the case where the portable device may be located in the vehicle compartment, the control means receives the transmission signal transmitted in response to the first request signal, but once the second transmission device receives the transmission signal. A remote control device for a vehicle, which outputs a request signal to confirm the position of a portable device. 2. The remote control device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit receives the transmission signal transmitted in response to the first request signal, the portable unit is a vehicle. When there is a possibility of being located in the room, the second request signal is once output and the receiving means outputs the second request signal.
When it is confirmed that the transmission signal in response to the request signal is not received, the first request signal is output again, and the receiving means receives the transmission signal in response to the first request signal again. A remote control device for a vehicle, comprising: determining that the portable device is located outside a vehicle compartment. 3. The remote control device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the portable device may be located inside the vehicle, the transmission / reception at the time of outputting the second request signal. The remote control device for a vehicle, wherein the device receives a transmission signal and then switches to an output state of the first request signal, or immediately after the remote control device is activated. 4. The remote control device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein when the remote control device for the vehicle is activated, the second request signal output means is driven first. Characteristic vehicle remote control device. 5. The remote control device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the portable device may be located inside a vehicle, and the transmission signal is the first signal. A remote control device for a vehicle, wherein when not responding to either the first request signal or the second request signal, each request signal is alternately output for a predetermined time.