JP4867490B2 - Vehicle control system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle control system, and more particularly, to a vehicle control system that verifies a user ID and permits start of the vehicle.

  Conventionally, a control system that collates a user ID transmitted from an electronic key carried by a user with a pre-registered user ID and permits unlocking of a vehicle door and engine start based on the collation result is a smart entry system. And is known by the name of immobilizer system. A problem in such a control system is a response to the case where the user ID cannot be transmitted due to the power from the battery due to the battery of the electronic key running out.

In such a case, Patent Document 1 discloses that in such a case, by placing an electronic key at a predetermined position in the vehicle, a transponder built in the electronic key causes a response signal including a user ID to an electromagnetic wave transmitted from the vehicle side. An invention is disclosed for a device that returns.
JP 2003-269019 A

  However, this type of control system is not limited to the device described in Patent Document 1, and a procedure different from the procedure normally performed by the user is required in such a special situation, and there is a case where the procedure cannot be dealt with immediately. Moreover, in this type of control system currently applied to a vehicle, only the necessary procedure is described in the operation manual, and the user may feel troublesome to search for the location. Therefore, from the viewpoint of user friendliness, when the electronic key is out of battery, it is desirable that display, voice guidance, etc. be performed for necessary procedures. In such a scene, the device described in Patent Document 1 merely displays that the engine cannot be started by turning on the light emitting diode, and there is no description for explaining the subsequent procedure to the user.

  The present invention is to solve such a problem, and it is possible to provide information on a procedure necessary for obtaining permission for transmission of the vehicle at an appropriate timing when the electronic key is out of battery. The main object is to provide a simple vehicle control system.

  According to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, an internal key and an electronic key including a transmission unit capable of transmitting a user ID by power from the internal power source and a user ID received from the electronic key are registered in advance. Collation permitting means for collating with a user ID and permitting unlocking of the vehicle door and starting of the vehicle based on the collation result, and a mechanical key capable of mechanically unlocking the vehicle door are provided. A vehicle control system comprising unlock detection means for detecting unlocking of a vehicle door by a mechanical key, and when the unlocking detection means detects unlocking of the vehicle door by a mechanical key, The vehicle control system is characterized in that information is provided about a predetermined procedure for starting the vehicle when the power supply is less than the power required by the transmission means.

  According to this aspect of the present invention, when the unlocking of the vehicle door by the mechanical key is detected, there is a probability that the power supply of the internal power supply is less than the power necessary for transmitting the user ID of the electronic key. Information about the necessary procedure in this state. Thereby, information about the necessary procedure can be provided at an appropriate timing.

  One embodiment of the present invention further includes, for example, a non-contact power supply unit that supplies power to the electronic key by mutual electromagnetic induction, and the electronic key uses a power supplied from the non-contact power supply unit. The predetermined procedure includes a procedure of bringing the electronic key closer to the non-contact power supply means.

  Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention, for example, a non-contact power supply unit that supplies power to an electronic key by mutual electromagnetic induction, and an electronic device that is installed so as to be close to the non-contact power supply unit and can hold the electronic key The electronic key is configured to transmit a user ID using power supplied from the non-contact power supply means, and the predetermined procedure is a procedure for holding the electronic key in the electronic key holding means. including.

  One embodiment of the present invention further includes, for example, a power supply unit that supplies power to the electronic key when the electronic key is connected, and the predetermined procedure includes a procedure of connecting the electronic key to the power supply unit.

  Further, one aspect of the present invention includes, for example, a user ID acquisition unit that can acquire a user ID from an electronic key by connecting the electronic key, and the predetermined procedure includes a procedure of connecting the electronic key to the user ID acquisition unit. including.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle control system capable of providing information at an appropriate timing with respect to a procedure necessary for obtaining a vehicle transmission permission when the electronic key is out of battery. it can.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle control system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a vehicle control system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, solid arrows indicate the flow of main information exchange. The vehicle control system 1 includes a smart key 10 and a mechanical key 20 that are carried by a user. Further, as installed in the vehicle, a transmission / reception unit 30, an engine switch 40, an information providing device 50, a verification electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as a verification ECU) 60, and a door lock assembly (assembly) 70, a main body electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as main body ECU) 80, and an engine control computer 90. Note that communication between devices in the vehicle in the following description is performed using an appropriate communication protocol such as CAN (Controller Area Network) or LIN (Local Interconnect Network). In addition, operations such as locking, unlocking, opening and closing of the vehicle door are in principle operations for the driver's seat door, and operations for the passenger seat door and the rear seat door are automatically associated with the operations for the driver seat door. Shall be done.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the external configuration of the smart key 10 and the mechanical key 20. As shown in the drawing, the smart key 10 includes a lock button 11 and an unlock button 12 for instructing the vehicle to lock and unlock the door, a hole 13 in which the mechanical key 20 can be accommodated, and a mechanical key take-out hook 14. And comprising. As shown in FIG. 1, the smart key 10 includes a battery 15, a communication device 16, and a transponder 17, and further includes a chip that stores a user ID.

  The battery 15 is, for example, a coin-type lithium battery. The communication device 16 is a wireless communication device that operates by supplying power from the battery 15, and transmits a signal including the user ID and the like as a response signal to a weak radio wave (request signal) emitted by the transmission / reception unit 30. Also, when the lock button 11 or the unlock button 12 is operated, a lock signal or an unlock signal is transmitted.

  The transponder 17 is a wireless communication device that does not require power supply from the battery 15 during operation. When the transponder 17 receives an electromagnetic wave having a specific frequency from a short distance, the transponder 17 generates power by mutual electromagnetic induction and transmits a signal including a user ID. Note that the user ID transmitted by the transponder 17 may be the same as or different from the user ID transmitted by the communication device 16.

  The mechanical key 20 can mechanically lock and unlock the vehicle door. Therefore, when the mechanical key 20 is in a state where the communication device 16 cannot operate because the power supply of the battery 15 is not sufficient (hereinafter referred to as a smart key 10 being out of battery state), or when the radio wave condition outside the vehicle is poor, it will be described later. This is used when it is considered that the vehicle interior / reception transmitter / receiver 32 is out of order, and allows the user to enter the vehicle interior without performing verification by the verification ECU 60.

  The transmission / reception unit 30 is composed of a vehicle interior / reception transmitter / receiver 32 and a vehicle interior / reception device 34, and periodically transmits a weak radio wave (request signal) from when the vehicle engine is stopped until the next engine start. When the response signal from the smart key 10 is received, the user ID included therein is transmitted to the verification ECU 60. Also, when a lock signal or unlock signal is received, it is transmitted to the verification ECU 60.

  The engine switch 40 is disposed, for example, on the side of the steering wheel. As described later, when the user pushes the vehicle while the brake pedal is depressed, a signal related to the operation is transmitted to the verification ECU 60, and the verification ECU 60 After checking the user ID and permission to start the engine, the engine is started. The engine switch 40 has a built-in electromagnetic circuit for transmitting electromagnetic waves to the transponder 17, and periodically transmits electromagnetic waves of the specific frequency when the engine is stopped. Therefore, user ID transmission from the transponder 17 is performed by bringing the transponder 17 close to (over the engine switch 40).

  The information providing device 50 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device installed as a part of a combination meter. Further, the liquid crystal display device of the navigation system may be shared, or may be a speaker that performs audio output due to the nature of the present invention. Moreover, both a display device and a speaker may be provided, and information provision by display and audio output may be performed simultaneously. The information providing device 50 operates according to an instruction from the verification ECU 60.

  The verification ECU 60 is, for example, a computer unit in which a ROM, a RAM, and the like are connected to each other via a bus (not shown) with a CPU at the center, and includes a communication port, a timer, a counter, and the like. The collation ECU 60 collates the user ID received from the transmission / reception unit 30 with a user ID registered in advance in a ROM or the like, and transmits an engine start permission signal to the main body ECU 80 if they match. Further, the lock signal and the unlock signal received from the transmission / reception unit 30 are transmitted to the main body ECU 80.

  The door lock ASSY 70 includes a door lock mechanism 72 that is actually locked and unlocked, a door lock control motor 74, and a door lock position switch 76.

  The door lock mechanism 72 includes a lock member that mechanically allows or prohibits the opening of the door, a door outside handle, a touch sensor installed inside the door outside handle, a lock switch that locks the door, and the lock It is composed of a key cylinder or the like that is wire-connected to a component and that can mechanically operate the lock member by inserting and rotating the mechanical key 20.

  The door lock control motor 74 is operated by an instruction from the main body ECU 80 to operate the lock member. For example, the door lock position switch 76 is connected to the lock member, detects the state (locked state or unlocked state) of the door lock mechanism 72, and transmits the detected state to the main body ECU 80.

  The main body ECU 80 is, for example, a computer unit having a hardware configuration similar to that of the verification ECU 60, and centrally controls the door lock ASSY 70, the steering lock mechanism, and the like. The main body ECU 80 transmits the state of the door lock mechanism 72 received from the door lock position switch 76 to the verification ECU 60, and transmits a starter start signal to the engine control computer 90 when an engine start permission signal is received from the verification ECU 60. To do.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the vehicle control system 1 from when the user approaches the vehicle until the engine start is permitted will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of characteristic processing executed by the verification ECU 60. This flow is started, for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed after detecting engine stop and locking of the vehicle door, and is repeatedly executed until the next engine start.

  First, the verification ECU 60 instructs the vehicle interior / reception transmitter / receiver 32 to transmit a request signal (S100).

  The verification ECU 60 determines whether or not a response signal from the smart key 10 is received based on a signal transmitted from the vehicle interior / reception transmitter / receiver 32 (S110). If the response signal is received, the verification signal is included in the response signal. The user ID to be checked is compared with the user ID registered in the ROM or the like in advance, and it is determined whether or not they match (S120). If the user IDs do not match, no processing is performed and one routine of this flow is terminated.

  If the user IDs match, a vehicle door unlocking permission signal is transmitted to the main body ECU 80 (S130). When the unlocking permission signal is input to the main body ECU 80, the main body ECU 80 locks the door when a button operation on the unlock button 12 of the smart key 10 or a touch operation on the touch sensor of the door lock mechanism 72 is performed. The control motor 74 is driven to bring the door lock mechanism 72 into the unlocked state. By pulling the door outside handle in this state, the vehicle door is opened and it is possible to get into the vehicle interior.

  When the processing of S130 is performed, it waits for the ignition to be turned on by a predetermined ignition operation (S140). Since the operation does not form the core of the present invention, detailed description is omitted.

  When the ignition is turned on, the engine switch 40 is awaited to be pushed with the vehicle brake pedal depressed (S150), and the engine switch 40 is pushed with the vehicle brake pedal depressed. And instructing the vehicle interior transceiver 34 to transmit a request signal (S160).

  Then, it is determined whether or not a response signal from the smart key 10 has been received (S170), and when the response signal is received, the user ID included in the response signal is the user ID registered in the ROM or the like in advance. Collation is performed to determine whether or not they match (S180).

  If the user IDs match, an engine start permission signal is transmitted to the main body ECU 80 (S190). The main body ECU 80 that has received the engine start permission signal transmits a starter start signal to the engine control computer 90. As a result, the starter motor is driven and the engine is started. Thereby, the transmission of the vehicle is permitted. In order to prevent unauthorized replacement of the verification ECU, another verification device is provided, and before the starter start signal is transmitted, the verification ECU 60 checks whether it is a legitimate ECU. The starter start signal may be transmitted only when it is received.

  When a negative determination is obtained in S170 or S180, the vehicle interior transceiver 34 is instructed to transmit a request signal again (S160).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S110 that the response signal has not been received, it is determined whether or not the vehicle door is unlocked by the mechanical key 20 (S200). This determination is made, for example, by the main body ECU 80 detecting that the vehicle door has been unlocked by a signal received from the door lock position switch 76 even though a drive signal has not been transmitted to the door lock control motor 74. In this case, it is determined that the vehicle door is unlocked by the mechanical key 20, and the determination result is transmitted to the verification ECU 60. More realistically, for example, it may be limited to whether or not unlocking has been performed within a predetermined time after obtaining a negative determination in S110. If the vehicle door is not unlocked by the mechanical key 20, no processing is performed and one routine of this flow is terminated. Therefore, the transmission of the request signal by the vehicle interior / reception transmitter / receiver is repeatedly performed.

  When the vehicle door is unlocked by the mechanical key 20, a predetermined procedure for obtaining permission to start the engine when the smart key 10 is out of battery is displayed to the user by the information providing device 50 and / or Alternatively, a voice is output (S210). That is, a message such as “Please bring the smart key close to the engine switch and then press the engine switch” is displayed and / or voice output.

  In this embodiment, this predetermined procedure is a procedure in which the smart key 10 is brought close to the engine switch 40 to cause the transponder 17 to transmit the user ID, and then the engine switch 40 is pushed. Such special procedures are not performed during normal driving, and the user may not be able to respond immediately, especially when the smart key 10 is out of battery for the first time. Further, when the predetermined procedure is described only in the operation manual, the user may find it troublesome to find the part. Therefore, in this embodiment, from the viewpoint of user friendliness, display and audio output are performed by the information providing apparatus 50 to eliminate such inconvenience.

  As described above, the scene in which the vehicle door is unlocked by the mechanical key 20 is not necessarily a scene in which the smart key 10 is out of battery, but at least the smart key 10 is out of battery. It is a scene that may be in a state. On the other hand, although it is possible to directly detect that the smart key 10 is out of battery, it is necessary to provide a dedicated device, and there is a problem of cost and vehicle space, and the smart key 10 is out of battery. Considering the frequency of occurrence of scenes that are in the state, it is not realistic. On the other hand, it goes without saying that providing information on a predetermined procedure at all times is troublesome.

  Therefore, in the present invention, when the vehicle door is unlocked by the mechanical key 20, it is determined that the probability that the smart key 10 is out of battery is sufficiently high, and a predetermined procedure is notified. Is. Thereby, information about a predetermined procedure can be provided at an appropriate timing without increasing the equipment burden.

  Hereinafter, the description returns to the flowchart. When the information about the predetermined procedure is provided, the vehicle interior transceiver 34 is instructed to transmit a request signal (S220), and the signal from the smart key 10 (response signal from the communication device 16, Or a signal from the transponder 17) (S230), and if a signal is received, the user ID included in the signal is checked against the user ID registered in the ROM or the like in advance. It is determined whether or not (S240).

  If the user IDs match, the engine switch 40 waits for a push operation (S250), and transmits an engine start permission signal to the main body ECU 80 (S190).

  If a negative determination is obtained in S230 or S240, an instruction is sent again to the in-vehicle transceiver 34 to transmit a request signal (S220).

  Here, when the unlocking is performed by the mechanical key 20 due to a reason other than that the smart key 10 is out of the battery, the request signal transmitted in S220 is performed regardless of the operation of the transponder 17. The communication device 16 transmits a response signal, and the engine start is permitted on condition that the user ID matches. On the other hand, when the smart key 10 is unlocked due to the battery being out of service, the user brings the smart key 10 closer to the engine switch 40 according to the provision of information on a predetermined procedure. Since the transponder 17 operates and transmits a signal, the engine start permission is similarly made on condition that the user ID matches. In either case, the engine start is properly permitted on condition that the smart key 10 is authorized.

  According to the vehicle control system 1 of the present embodiment described above, information necessary for obtaining the engine start permission when the smart key 10 is out of battery can be provided at an appropriate timing. .

  As mentioned above, although the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described using one embodiment, the present invention is not limited to such one embodiment, and within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention, Various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiment.

  For example, although it has been exemplified that the transmission of the vehicle is substantially permitted and prohibited by permitting and prohibiting the start of the engine, the transmission of the vehicle may be permitted and prohibited by other methods. For example, the transmission of the vehicle may be prohibited by fixing the shift position to parking or neutral, or the parking brake may be operated. This makes it possible to apply to vehicle types other than engine vehicles, such as electric vehicles.

  Further, the predetermined procedure for obtaining the engine start permission (or vehicle transmission permission) when the smart key 10 is out of battery is not limited to the procedure in the embodiment, and any procedure may be required. For example, a holder or an insertion slot for the smart key 10 is disposed at a position close to an electromagnetic circuit for transmitting electromagnetic waves to the transponder 17, and the engine switch is placed after the smart key 10 is placed or inserted therein. It may be a procedure to push 40, a procedure to connect to a charging terminal or information communication terminal on the vehicle side (cable connection, direct connection between terminals, etc.), or a password etc. to some input device Procedures may be included.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a vehicle control system that performs at least user ID verification and permits vehicle start. The appearance, weight, size, running performance, etc. of the vehicle to be mounted are not limited.

It is a figure showing an example of the whole composition of control system 1 for vehicles concerning one example of the present invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external configuration of a smart key 10 and a mechanical key 20. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the characteristic process performed by collation ECU60.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle control system 10 Smart key 11 Lock button 12 Unlock button 13 Hole 14 Mechanical key take-off hook 15 Battery 16 Communication device 17 Transponder 20 Mechanical key 30 Transmitter / receiver unit 32 Out-of-vehicle transmitter / receiver 34 In-vehicle transmitter / receiver 40 Engine switch 50 Information provision device 60 Verification electronic control unit 70 Door lock ASSY
72 Door lock mechanism 74 Door lock control motor 76 Door lock position switch 80 Main body electronic control unit 90 Engine control computer

Claims (3)

An electronic key comprising an internal power supply and a transmission means capable of transmitting a user ID by power from the internal power supply;
Collation permission means for collating the user ID received from the electronic key with a pre-registered user ID and permitting unlocking the vehicle door and starting the vehicle based on the collation result;
A mechanical key capable of mechanically unlocking the vehicle door;
Unlock detection means for detecting unlocking of the vehicle door by the mechanical key;
Contactless power supply means for supplying power to the electronic key by mutual electromagnetic induction ,
The electronic key is configured to transmit the user ID using power supplied from the non-contact power supply means,
When said unlocking of the vehicle door by the mechanical key is detected by the unlocking detection means, for to start the vehicle when the power supply of the internal power supply is less than the power required by the said transmission means, said A vehicle control system that provides information on a predetermined procedure including a procedure of bringing an electronic key closer to the non-contact power supply means . An electronic key comprising an internal power supply and a transmission means capable of transmitting a user ID by power from the internal power supply;
Collation permission means for collating the user ID received from the electronic key with a pre-registered user ID and permitting unlocking the vehicle door and starting the vehicle based on the collation result;
A mechanical key capable of mechanically unlocking the vehicle door;
Unlock detection means for detecting unlocking of the vehicle door by the mechanical key;
Contactless power supply means for supplying power to the electronic key by mutual electromagnetic induction;
Electronic key holding means installed close to the non-contact power supply means and capable of holding the electronic key;
The electronic key is configured to be able to transmit the user ID using power supplied from the contactless power supply means,
When the unlocking detection means detects the unlocking of the vehicle door by the mechanical key, the power supply of the internal power supply does not satisfy the power required by the transmission means, and the vehicle is started. A vehicle control system characterized in that information is provided about a predetermined procedure including a procedure for holding an electronic key in the electronic key holding means. An electronic key comprising an internal power supply and a transmission means capable of transmitting a user ID by power from the internal power supply;
Collation permission means for collating the user ID received from the electronic key with a pre-registered user ID and permitting unlocking the vehicle door and starting the vehicle based on the collation result;
A mechanical key capable of mechanically unlocking the vehicle door;
Unlock detection means for detecting unlocking of the vehicle door by the mechanical key;
Power supply means for supplying power to the electronic key by being connected to the electronic key;
When the unlocking detection means detects the unlocking of the vehicle door by the mechanical key, the power supply of the internal power supply does not satisfy the power required by the transmission means, and the vehicle is started. A vehicle control system that provides information on a predetermined procedure including a procedure of connecting an electronic key to the power supply means .

Images