JP3679194B2 - Wireless door unlock system for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wireless door unlocking system for a vehicle that can unlock a door or trunk locking mechanism desired by a user without performing an operation of inserting a key into a key hole.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to simplify the troublesome operation of having to insert the key into the key hole each time the door locking mechanism of a vehicle such as an automobile is unlocked, for example, the transmitter has a built-in transmitter and the transmitter There is a configuration in which a radio signal is transmitted in response to an operation on an operation button from a remote control to unlock the lock mechanism by remote control.
[0003]
In such a configuration, a door lock control circuit and an antenna are provided on the vehicle side. When the user approaches the vehicle and operates the transmitter, a radio signal including an identification code for identifying itself is transmitted from the transmitter. Then, the control circuit on the vehicle side receives the radio signal from the antenna, determines whether or not the identification code included in the radio signal matches the identification code registered in advance, and matches The door lock mechanism is unlocked.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Such a wireless door unlocking system is usually configured to unlock the driver's door locking mechanism or unlock all door and trunk locking mechanisms upon receipt of a signal from the transmitter. ing.
[0005]
However, in the case of a configuration in which the lock mechanism of the driver's seat door is unlocked, if the user desires to unlock the passenger's seat door or trunk, an operation of inserting the key into the key hole is required. Therefore, it was still inconvenient. Further, in the case of a configuration in which all the lock mechanisms are unlocked, there is a problem that forgetting to lock after unlocking the lock mechanisms occurs, and the security performance is lowered.
[0006]
Therefore, there is a wireless door unlock system that unlocks the door and trunk locking mechanisms of the driver's seat and passenger seat, and that can unlock only the door or trunk locking mechanism desired by the user by remote control. It is desired. In this case, in order to improve operability, it is desirable to have a system that automatically unlocks the lock mechanism only by the user approaching the vehicle.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to unlock a door or trunk locking mechanism desired by a user among vehicle doors and trunks, and to improve usability. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless door unlocking system that can perform the above.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The vehicle wireless door unlocking system of the present invention includes a magnetic field generating antenna provided corresponding to the vicinity of a vehicle door and a trunk, respectively, and transmits a magnetic field signal having the same strength from the magnetic field generating antenna. A receiving antenna that is electromagnetically coupled to the magnetic field generating antenna at a short distance and obtains magnetic field strength data indicating the strength of the magnetic field signal received by the receiving antenna and sends a reply signal including the magnetic field strength data to the query The interrogator transmits a magnetic field signal having the maximum intensity among the magnetic field signals received by the transponder based on the magnetic field intensity data included in the received reply signal. It has a function of judging a transmitted magnetic field generating antenna and unlocking a door or trunk locking mechanism corresponding to the magnetic field generating antenna. Is shall.
[0009]
According to such a configuration, when the magnetic field signal is transmitted from the interrogator side, the responder receives the magnetic field signal having a strength corresponding to the distance from each antenna provided in the door or trunk of the vehicle, A reply signal including magnetic field strength data indicating the strength of the magnetic field signal is returned. In this case, since the attenuation rate of the signal strength with respect to the distance of the magnetic field signal is about 10 times larger than that of the radio signal, the strength of the magnetic field signal received by the transponder is the It will vary greatly depending on the distance.
[0010]
Therefore, the interrogator can accurately determine the distance between each antenna provided on the vehicle and the responder based on the magnetic field strength data included in the reply signal from the responder, and based on this determination. Thus, the door or trunk locking mechanism corresponding to the antenna having the shortest distance from the responder, that is, the door or trunk that the user desires to unlock can be unlocked. In this case, since the unlocking of the lock mechanism is performed only on the door or trunk desired by the user, unnecessary unlocking is not performed on the other lock mechanisms, and forgetting to lock is prevented. Security performance is not degraded. In addition, in this case, since the user does not need to press a specific switch, it is easy to use.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of the wireless door lock release system by a combination of functional blocks.
[0012]
In FIG. 1, the wireless door lock release system for a vehicle is unitized with respect to an interrogator 12 provided on a vehicle (see FIG. 2) 11 side and a key grip of an ignition key (see FIG. 2) 13. And a built-in responder 14.
[0013]
First, the interrogator 12 includes three coiled antennas 15 to 17 as magnetic field generating antennas. As shown in FIG. 2, these three antennas 15 to 17 are provided corresponding to the vicinity of the door of the driver seat and the passenger seat and the trunk, respectively. This is referred to as a T antenna 17. In this case, although not shown in detail, the antennas 15 to 17 are disposed in the vicinity of the outer handle or key cylinder of each door and trunk.
[0014]
The interrogator 12 is configured with a determination circuit 18 as a center. The determination circuit 18 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer, has a function as a controller that controls the overall operation of the interrogator 12, and stores a control program for that purpose.
[0015]
The transmission control of the magnetic field signal through each of the antennas 15 to 17 is configured to be performed by the determination circuit 18. That is, the determination circuit 18 intermittently generates a magnetic field signal from the magnetic field signal generation circuit 19 and switches the switching device 20 at predetermined time intervals so that the magnetic field signals are transmitted from the antennas 15 to 17. It is comprised so that it may transmit in order.
[0016]
In this case, the magnetic field signals oscillated (transmitted) from the antennas 15 to 17 have the same intensity and, as shown in FIG. 3, a pulse P1 indicating the start and a pulse P2 having a width smaller than the pulse P1. The delay time ΔT of the pulse P2 from the pulse P1 is a value unique to each antenna 15-17.
[0017]
On the other hand, the determination circuit 18 is configured such that a reply signal from the responder 14 is input via the high-frequency receiving circuit 21. Here, the reply signal returned from the responder 14 will be described together with the overall structure of the responder 14.
[0018]
The responder 14 is configured around the control circuit 22 and includes a coil-shaped receiving antenna 23 that receives a magnetic field signal from the outside. The receiving antenna 23 is configured by connecting a coil 23a and a capacitor 23b in parallel between the signal line SL and the ground terminal, and the magnetic field generating antennas 15 to 17 of the interrogator 12 provided on the vehicle 11 side. The magnetic field signals from the antennas 15 to 17 are received by electromagnetic coupling within a short distance, for example, within about 1 m.
[0019]
Therefore, since the antennas 15 to 17 are provided at a distance of 1 m or more on the vehicle 11 side, the receiving antenna 23 is configured to receive only magnetic field signals from at most two antennas. When the receiving antenna 23 receives the magnetic field signal from the interrogator 12, the magnetic field signal is input to the wakeup circuit 24. When the signal level of the input magnetic field signal exceeds a specified value, the wakeup circuit 24 outputs an activation signal to the control circuit 22 and switches to an active state.
[0020]
When the receiving antenna 23 receives the magnetic field signal from the interrogator 12, the magnetic field signal is input to the processing circuit 25. In the processing circuit 25, magnetic field intensity data ΔB indicating a value corresponding to the signal level induced in the receiving antenna 23 by the magnetic field signal is generated, and the delay of the pulse P2 with respect to the pulse P1 constituting the magnetic field signal. The time data ΔT is obtained.
[0021]
Subsequently, the magnetic field strength data ΔB and the delay time data ΔT obtained by the processing circuit 25 are input to the control circuit 22. The control circuit 22 stores in advance an ID identification code ΔA unique to the corresponding ignition key 13. When the magnetic field strength data ΔB and the delay time data ΔT are input, the encoding circuit 26 performs the ID identification. Following the code ΔA, the magnetic field strength data ΔB is coded and output in the frame order corresponding to the delay time ΔT.
[0022]
That is, when the time until the pulse P2 is received after the pulse P1 is ΔT1, the magnetic field strength data ΔB is output in the first data output frame following the ID identification code ΔA, and the pulse P2 is continued from the pulse P1. Is ΔT2, the magnetic field strength data ΔB is output in the second data output frame following the ID identification code ΔA, and the time until the pulse P2 is received following the pulse P1 is ΔT3. If there is, the magnetic field strength data ΔB is output in the third data output frame following the ID identification code ΔA.
[0023]
The high-frequency transmission circuit 27 is configured to transmit (reply) a high-frequency signal (reply signal) modulated based on the output of the encoding circuit 26 from the reply antenna 28.
[0024]
On the other hand, in the interrogator 12, when a reply signal is transmitted from the reply antenna 28, this reply signal is taken into the high frequency receiving circuit 21 via the receiving antenna 29 on the vehicle 11 side, and the judgment circuit 18. Is input. The determination circuit 18 stores the same ID identification code ΔA as the ID identification code ΔA stored in the control circuit 22 on the ignition key 13 side for the vehicle.
[0025]
The determination circuit 18 decodes the reply signal and determines whether or not the ID identification code ΔA included in the reply signal matches the ID identification code ΔA stored in the determination circuit 18 in advance. When the two match, the determination circuit 18 transmits the magnetic field signal having the maximum intensity among the magnetic field signals received by the responder 14 based on the magnetic field intensity data ΔB included in the reply signal and the order of the data frames. The antenna is determined, and the determination result Sa is given to the drive circuit 30.
[0026]
In the present embodiment, when a plurality of types of magnetic field strength data ΔB are included in the reply signal, when one of the magnetic field strengths indicating a larger value is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, one type of magnetic field strength data ΔB is included. When the magnetic field strength is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, specifically, when the responder 14 is the magnetic field strength of the magnetic field signal received when the responder 14 is located within an area within about 50 cm from the antenna, the determination circuit 18 determines the magnetic field strength data. The antenna is determined from the data frame order of ΔB.
[0027]
As a result, a lock mechanism unlock command signal Sb for unlocking the door or trunk lock mechanism 31 corresponding to the antenna is given to the electric actuator of the lock mechanism 31, and the unlocking electromagnet of this electric actuator is energized and driven. Thus, the lock mechanism is configured to be unlocked. When the outer handle is rotated while the lock mechanism 31 is unlocked, the door and the trunk of the driver seat and the passenger seat are released from the latch mechanism that holds the door and the trunk closed. Is now open. Each door and trunk are automatically locked after a predetermined time has passed without the outer handle being rotated after the lock mechanism is unlocked.
[0028]
Now, the operation of the above configuration will be described by taking as an example the operation when the user approaches the vehicle 11 to unlock the driver's door. In this case, when the user approaches the driver's seat from the side or front of the vehicle 11 (upper or left side of the vehicle 11 in FIG. 2), and when the user is behind the vehicle 11 (in FIG. This will be explained separately when approaching the driver's seat from the right side or upper right side).
[0029]
First, on the vehicle 11 side, magnetic field signals are sequentially transmitted from the antennas 15 to 17. That is, the determination circuit 18 intermittently operates the magnetic field signal generation circuit 19 and switches the switcher 20 to switch the pulse P1 and the pulse P2 as shown in FIG. A magnetic field signal of the same strength consisting of a combination of
[0030]
At this time, the delay time ΔT from the pulse P1 of the pulse P2 in the magnetic field signal transmitted from each of the antennas 15 to 17 is a unique value, and specifically, the delay time in the magnetic field signal of the D antenna 15 is At ΔT1, the delay time in the magnetic field signal of the P antenna 16 is ΔT2, and the delay time in the magnetic field signal of the T antenna 15 is ΔT3. Further, the magnetic field signal is continuously transmitted in the order of the D antenna 15, the P antenna 16, and the T antenna 17, and a predetermined time is passed after the nth magnetic field signal is transmitted from each of the antennas 15 to 17. The (n + 1) th magnetic field signal is transmitted.
[0031]
When the user approaches the driver's seat from the side or front of the vehicle 11 (in FIG. 2, the upper side or the left side of the vehicle 11), first, the user (ignition key 13) is within about 1 m from the D antenna 15. , The receiving antenna 23 of the responder 14 receives the magnetic field signal by electromagnetic coupling with the D antenna 15. Thereby, in the responder 14, as described above, the magnetic field strength data ΔB and the delay time data ΔT1 corresponding to the magnetic field signal from the D antenna 15 in response to the control circuit 22 being switched to the active state by the wakeup circuit 24. Is input to the control circuit 22.
[0032]
In the control circuit 22, the magnetic field strength data ΔB is encoded by the encoding circuit 26 and output at a predetermined timing based on the delay time data ΔT 1 following the ID identification code ΔA stored in advance. Then, the high frequency transmission circuit 27 creates a reply signal based on the output of the coding circuit 26 and sends back (transmits) the signal from the reply antenna 28.
[0033]
By the way, since the interrogator 12 on the vehicle 11 side transmits the magnetic field signals sequentially through all the antennas 15 to 17 every predetermined time, the responder 14 receives the pulse P1 for a predetermined time. Each time it passes, a reply signal corresponding to the received magnetic field signal is created.
[0034]
The interrogator 12 on the vehicle 11 side receives the reply signal from the responder 14 via the receiving antenna 29, demodulates it by the high frequency receiving circuit 27, and then decodes it by the discriminating circuit 18. The determination circuit 18 compares the ID identification code ΔA included in the reply signal with the ID identification code ΔA stored in the determination circuit 18 in advance. If they do not match, all the lock mechanisms 31 are unlocked. Is prohibited.
[0035]
Therefore, even if a user holding an improper ignition key whose ID identification code does not match approaches, none of the lock mechanisms 31 of the vehicle 11 is unlocked, so that the security performance against theft does not deteriorate.
[0036]
On the other hand, when the ID identification code ΔA included in the return signal matches the ID identification code ΔA stored in advance in the determination circuit 18, the determination circuit 18 determines the intensity level of the magnetic field intensity data ΔB included in the return signal. It is determined whether or not has reached a predetermined level. When the strength level of the magnetic field strength data ΔB does not reach a predetermined level, that is, when the user receives a magnetic field signal outside the area within about 50 cm from the D antenna 15, the operation is terminated and the next reply signal is received. Wait for input.
[0037]
On the other hand, when the user is located within an area within about 50 cm from the D antenna 15 and the intensity level of the magnetic field intensity data ΔB reaches a predetermined level, the determination circuit 18 indicates that the magnetic field signal is transmitted from each antenna 15 to 15. 17, that is, it is determined that the signal is a magnetic field signal from the D antenna 15 based on the input timing of the magnetic field signal data ΔB included in the return signal, and the determination result Sa is determined as a drive circuit. 30. Then, the drive circuit 30 gives a lock release command signal Sb for releasing the lock of the driver's seat door to the electric actuator of the lock mechanism 31 based on the determination result Sa, whereby the driver's door lock mechanism 31 is released. The lock is operated.
[0038]
Next, a case where the user approaches the driver's seat from the rear of the vehicle 11 (the right side or the upper right side of the vehicle 11 in FIG. 2) will be described.
First, when the user (ignition key 13) is located within an area within 1 m from both the D antenna 15 and the T antenna 17, the receiving antenna 23 of the responder 14 is electromagnetically coupled with the D antenna 15 and the T antenna 17. The magnetic field signal is received from both by combining.
[0039]
As a result, on the responder 14 side, a reply signal is created based on the ID identification code ΔA, the magnetic field strength data ΔB corresponding to the D antenna 15, and the magnetic field strength data ΔB corresponding to the T antenna 17. I will reply.
[0040]
In the interrogator 12 on the vehicle 11 side, the reply signal from the responder 14 is received via the reception antenna 29 and is decoded by the determination circuit 18. At this time, if the ID identification code ΔA included in the reply signal and the ID identification code ΔA stored in advance in the determination circuit 18 do not match, the determination circuit 18 determines that all the lock mechanisms 31 have the same as described above. Unlocking is prohibited.
[0041]
On the other hand, when the ID identification code ΔA included in the reply signal matches the ID identification code ΔA stored in advance in the determination circuit 18, the determination circuit 18 is larger than the magnetic field strength data ΔB included in the response signal. It is determined whether the intensity level indicating the value has reached a predetermined level. In this case, the user is at a position where the magnetic field signal is received from both the D antenna 15 and the T antenna 17 (that is, within about 1 m), in other words, within about 50 cm from both the D antenna 15 and the T antenna 17. Not located in the area. Accordingly, since the intensity level of the magnetic field intensity data ΔB corresponding to the magnetic field signals from both antennas 15 and 17 has not reached the predetermined level, the operation is terminated and the next reply signal is awaited.
[0042]
When the user approaches the driver's seat and is located within an area within about 50 cm from the D antenna 15, in this case, it is not located within an area within about 1 m from the T antenna 17. The antenna 23 receives only the magnetic field signal from the D antenna 15. Then, the responder 14 creates a reply signal based on the ID identification code ΔA and the magnetic field strength data ΔB corresponding to the magnetic field signal from the D antenna 15 and sends it back. As a result, the lock mechanism 31 for the driver's seat door is unlocked in the same manner as described above.
[0043]
Here, the operation in the case where only the driver's door is unlocked when the user desires to unlock the driver's seat door has been described. Even if the trunk is unlocked, the outer handle is automatically locked after a predetermined period of time without being rotated, which is excellent in terms of security.
[0044]
According to the present embodiment having such a configuration, the antennas 15 to 17 are provided in the vicinity of the doors of the driver's seat and the passenger seat of the vehicle 11 and the outer handle or key cylinder of the trunk, respectively. When the responder 14 is located in the area, the responder 14 receives a magnetic field signal having a strength corresponding to the distance from each of the antennas 15 to 17 to generate magnetic field strength data ΔB, and includes the magnetic field strength data ΔB. The interrogator 12 accurately determines the antenna having the shortest distance from the responder 14 based on the magnetic field strength data ΔB included in the reply signal returned from the responder 14. Unlike the case of unlocking all locking mechanisms, it is not necessary because it is configured to unlock only the door or trunk that the antenna corresponds to, that is, the user desires. Since the unlocking is not performed, such as it is possible to prevent the locking forget, to improve security performance.
[0045]
Moreover, the door lock mechanism 31 is unlocked when the responder 14 receives a magnetic field signal from the vehicle 11 side and the responder 14 is located within an area within about 50 cm from the D antenna 15. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine the door or the like that the user desires to unlock, and to prevent the lock mechanism 31 from being inadvertently unlocked.
[0046]
And since a lock mechanism 31 is unlocked only by approaching the vehicle 11, a user does not press a specific switch, usability improves.
Further, since the interrogator 12 receives the reply signal (radio wave signal) from the responder 14 at a relatively short distance, the influence of noise such as communication radio waves on the reply signal can be minimized.
[0047]
FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and different points from the first embodiment will be described. That is, in this embodiment, the interrogator 12 is configured to intermittently transmit magnetic field signals from the respective magnetic field generating antennas 15 to 17 at a predetermined interval. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic field signals are transmitted in the order of D antenna 15, P antenna 16, and T antenna 17, and each magnetic field signal is composed of a single pulse P3 having the same intensity. ing.
[0048]
On the other hand, each time the responder 14 receives a magnetic field signal from the interrogator 12, the responder 14 includes a reply including the magnetic field strength data ΔB for the magnetic field signal and the ID identification code ΔA stored in the control circuit 22 in advance. A signal is generated and sent back from the reply antenna 28.
[0049]
The interrogator 12 on the vehicle 11 side receives the reply signal from the responder 14, and uses the ID identification code ΔA included in the reply signal and the ID identification code ΔA stored in advance in the determination circuit 18. At the same time, if both match, it is determined whether the intensity of the magnetic field signal received by the responder 14 has reached a predetermined intensity level based on the magnetic field intensity data ΔB.
[0050]
At this time, the interrogator 12 is configured to receive a reply signal from the responder 14 after transmitting the magnetic field signal and before transmitting the next magnetic field signal. Thereby, the interrogator 12 can identify which antenna 15 to 17 corresponds to the return signal from the responder 14.
Therefore, also in the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those in the first embodiment.
[0051]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be expanded or modified as described below.
The reply signal from the responder 14 is not limited to a radio wave signal, but may be a magnetic field signal or an optical signal.
In the responder 14, the receiving antenna 23 and the return antenna 28 are provided separately, but they may be the same antenna.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the vehicle wireless door lock release system of the present invention, when a magnetic field signal is transmitted from the interrogator side, the responder is connected to each antenna provided on the vehicle door or trunk. And a reply signal including magnetic field strength data indicating the strength of the magnetic field signal is returned, and the interrogator converts the magnetic field strength data included in the received reply signal to the magnetic field strength data included in the received reply signal. Based on this, only the door or trunk door lock mechanism corresponding to the antenna with the shortest distance from the transponder is unlocked, so that unnecessary unlocking of the lock mechanism is not performed and forgetting to lock Security performance can be improved. In addition, in this case, since the user does not need to press a specific switch, there is an excellent effect that usability can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of the entire system. FIG. 2 schematically shows an antenna arrangement on a vehicle side and a responder built in an ignition key. FIG. 3 is a signal waveform diagram of a magnetic field signal from an interrogator and a diagram showing the contents of a reply signal to the magnetic field signal. FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 showing a second embodiment of the present invention.
In the figure, 11 is a vehicle, 12 is an interrogator, 14 is a responder, 15 is a D antenna (magnetic field generating antenna), 16 is a P antenna (magnetic field generating antenna), 17 is a T antenna (magnetic field generating antenna), Reference numeral 23 denotes a receiving antenna, and 31 denotes a lock mechanism.

Claims (1)

An interrogator that includes magnetic field generating antennas provided correspondingly in the vicinity of the door and trunk of the vehicle, and transmits a magnetic field signal of the same strength from the magnetic field generating antenna;
A receiving antenna that is electromagnetically coupled to the magnetic field generating antenna at a short distance, obtains magnetic field strength data indicating the strength of a magnetic field signal received by the receiving antenna, and sends a reply signal including the magnetic field strength data to the interrogator A responder for transmitting to
The interrogator determines a magnetic field generating antenna that has transmitted a magnetic field signal having the maximum intensity among the magnetic field signals received by the responder, based on the magnetic field strength data included in the received reply signal, and A wireless door unlocking system for a vehicle having a function of unlocking a door or trunk locking mechanism corresponding to a magnetic field generating antenna.

Images