JP5354298B2 - Control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control system which is provided with a time zone for stopping transmission of a polling signal in a smart key system and which can also cope with a deterioration in convenience during the stop time zone. <P>SOLUTION: In a smart key system, a basic time zone (e.g. 22:00-6:00) for stopping transmission of a polling signal is provided. When processing for unlocking a vehicle door by a keyless entry system or a mechanical key is performed within this stop time zone, the time zone for stopping the transmission of the polling signal is changed depending on the time of the processing. When the processing for unlocking the vehicle door by the keyless entry system or the mechanical key is not performed within the time zone for stopping the transmission, the changed time zone is returned to the basic time zone. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control system.

  Smart key systems for vehicles (smart entry systems, smart start systems) are in widespread use. In the current smart entry system, a polling signal is transmitted from the vehicle to the vehicle surrounding area, an ID is returned when the smart key is within the reception area, and the ID received on the vehicle side is collated with the master ID. It will be in a standby state at that point. Thereafter, when the user performs an operation such as touching the door handle, the door is unlocked.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 below, in the smart key system, a means for determining whether or not the occupant intends to continue driving is equipped, and the portable device is separated from the vehicle, and driving continues for those who do not have the portable device. A system is disclosed that permits the restart of the internal combustion engine when there is an intention to prevent theft of the vehicle more reliably.

JP 2007-153190 A

  In the smart entry system, a polling signal is constantly transmitted from the vehicle, and when the smart key carried by the user receives the signal, a signal including the ID of the smart key is returned. The returned ID is collated with the master ID in the vehicle, and if the collation is successful, unlocking of the vehicle door is permitted. In this state, for example, when the user touches the door handle, the door is unlocked.

  However, since the electric power stored in the battery of the vehicle is used for transmitting the polling signal, when the polling signal is constantly transmitted, the battery power consumption may increase. Therefore, as a countermeasure, for example, it is possible to provide a time period (period) in which the polling signal is stopped. In this case, however, a problem of reduced convenience occurs in the stop time period. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a method for comprehensively solving these problems.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a time zone for stopping the transmission of polling signals in the smart key system and to cope with a decrease in convenience during the stop time zone. It is to provide a control system that can.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  In order to achieve the above object, a control system according to the present invention includes a first communication unit that can be carried by a user and has a wireless communication function, and an input unit that receives a command input for commanding unlocking of a vehicle door. A second communication unit provided in a vehicle and having a wireless communication function with the first communication unit, and an identification signal from the second communication unit toward the first communication unit. A command signal for requesting a reply is repeatedly transmitted at time intervals, the signal received by the second communication unit is compared with the identification signal unique to the portable device, and if the verification is successful, the vehicle door is unlocked. When the unlocking means, the input means receives the command input, transmits to the first communication unit, and when received by the second communication unit, the second unlocking means for unlocking the door of the vehicle, and a mechanical key A third unlocking means for unlocking a vehicle door; When stopping the transmission of the command signal in the unlocking means in a predetermined stop time zone, and when the unlocking of the door by the second unlocking means or the third unlocking means is executed within the stop time zone, And changing means for changing the stop time zone accordingly.

  Thus, in the control system according to the present invention, as a method for unlocking the door of the vehicle, the command signal is repeatedly transmitted from the vehicle, and when the portable device receives it, the identification signal is returned, and the identification signal is verified on the vehicle side. If the verification is successful and the method of permitting unlocking is provided, the transmission of the command signal is stopped in a predetermined time zone (stop time zone). Therefore, consumption of the battery power of the vehicle can be suppressed. If the door unlocking operation is performed by another method (a method in which the user inputs an unlocking command to the portable device or a method using a mechanical key) during the stop time period, the stop time period is changed accordingly. Therefore, it is possible to set an appropriate stop time zone according to the usage status of the vehicle by the user.

  In addition, the changing means may perform the second unlocking means or the third opening when the second unlocking means or the third unlocking means is unlocked in the front period obtained by dividing the stop time period into two. The start time of the stop time zone may be delayed until the door unlocking time by the locking means.

  As a result, when the unlocking command for the portable device by the user or the door unlocking by the mechanical key is executed in the front period when the stop time zone is divided into two, the start of the stop time zone is delayed until that time. By changing the stop time zone, it is possible to set an appropriate stop time zone according to the usage status of the vehicle by the user.

  In addition, when the door is unlocked by the second unlocking means or the third unlocking means in the rear period obtained by dividing the stop time zone into two, the changing means is configured to execute the second unlocking means or the third unlocking means. The end time of the stop time period may be advanced until the door unlocking time by the unlocking means.

  As a result, if the unlocking command for the portable device by the user or the door unlocking by the mechanical key is executed in the back period when the stop time zone is divided into two, the end of the stop time zone is advanced until that time, so it is flexible By changing the stop time zone, it is possible to set an appropriate stop time zone according to the usage status of the vehicle by the user.

  The changing means may change the stop time zone to a predetermined basic time zone if the door is not unlocked by the second unlocking means or the third unlocking means for a predetermined period. Good.

  As a result, if the unlocking command for the portable device by the user or the door unlocking by the mechanical key is not executed for a predetermined period during the stop time period, the stop time period is returned to the predetermined basic time period. It can be changed to reduce battery power consumption.

  The start time of the basic time zone may be a predetermined time in the afternoon, and the end time of the basic time zone may be a predetermined time in the morning.

  Thus, since the predetermined basic time zone is mainly a night time zone with midnight in between, the battery power consumption by the smart key system can be suppressed at night when it is assumed that the frequency of use of the vehicle is low.

The block diagram in one Example of the control system of this invention. The flowchart which shows the process sequence for the reset of the transmission stop time zone | band of a polling signal. The flowchart which shows the process sequence which returns the transmission stop time zone of a polling signal to a basic time zone. The figure which shows the example of the transmission stop time zone of a polling signal.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a device configuration of a vehicle control system 1 (system, control device) according to the present invention. A system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a collation control unit (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) 4 provided in a vehicle 2 and a key 3 (smart key, electronic key, portable device) that can be carried by a user. The vehicle 2 is not limited as long as it is an automobile, and may be, for example, a gasoline engine car, a diesel engine car, an electric car, or a hybrid car.

  The verification ECU 4 includes a vehicle interior LF transmitter 40, a vehicle interior LF transmitter 41, and an RF receiver 42. The vehicle exterior LF transmission unit 40 is installed, for example, at a door handle portion of the vehicle 2 and transmits a polling signal to the vehicle interior of the vehicle 2 using electromagnetic waves in the LF (long wave) band.

  The vehicle interior LF transmission unit 41 is installed in the vehicle interior and transmits a polling signal to the vehicle interior of the vehicle 2 using electromagnetic waves in the LF (long wave) band. The RF receiver 42 is installed in, for example, a vehicle interior and receives RF signals transmitted from outside the vehicle interior.

  The collation function unit 40 has a normal computer structure, and includes a CPU that controls various operations and information processing, a RAM that is a temporary storage unit as a work area of the CPU, and a nonvolatile memory 43 that stores various types of information. Prepare. It is assumed that a master ID 44 described later is stored in the memory 43.

  The door 5 of the vehicle 2 is equipped with a lock mechanism 50, a touch sensor 51, a lock button 52, and a key cylinder 53. The door is locked or unlocked by the lock mechanism 50. The touch sensor 51 is a sensor that is mounted on the door handle of the vehicle 2 and detects that the user has gripped the door handle.

  The lock button 52 is a door locking button in the smart key system, and is provided near the door handle, and is a button that locks the door when pressed by the user when the vehicle exterior verification is successful. The key cylinder 53 is a hole for inserting a mechanical key portion 37 provided near the door handle.

  The door 5 refers to a plurality of doors (driver's seat side door, passenger side door, rear seat right side, left side door, etc.) provided on the vehicle 2, and each of the doors has a lock mechanism 50, a touch sensor 51, and a lock. It is only necessary that the button 52 and the key cylinder 53 are equipped.

  The vehicle 2 also includes a key cylinder 60, an engine start switch 61, and a timing device 62 in the vicinity of the driver's seat in the passenger compartment. The key cylinder 60 is a hole into which the mechanical key portion 37 is inserted, and a cranking switch (SW) that is a switch for starting the engine of the vehicle 2 according to the rotation angle of the inserted mechanical key, and the engine of the vehicle 2. An on / off control of an ignition switch for continuing operation and an accessory switch for causing various electric devices to function without starting the engine of the vehicle 2 is controlled.

  The engine start switch 61 is a switch for starting the engine in the smart start system, and is a switch for starting the engine when the user presses the button while the vehicle interior verification is successful. The time measuring device 62 calculates the current time. The calculation of various times in the following embodiments may have the time measuring device 62. Each of the above units is connected by in-vehicle communication (CAN communication) and can exchange information.

  The key 3 is an electronic key related to the smart key system, which can be carried by the user, and includes an LF receiver 30, an RF transmitter 31, a controller 32, a memory 33, a lock switch 35, an unlock switch 36, and a mechanical key 37. Prepare. The memory 33 stores an identification signal 34 (ID code, ID) unique to the key 3. The LF receiving unit 30 receives the above-described polling signal. Upon receiving the polling signal, the RF transmission unit 31 transmits the ID code 36 unique to the key 3 as an RF signal.

  The lock switch 35 and the unlock switch 36 are switches for unlocking and locking the door in the (wireless) keyless entry system. When the user presses the lock switch 35 within the communication range outside the vehicle, the door 5 of the vehicle 2 is locked, and when the unlock switch 36 is pressed, the unlocking permitted state is entered.

  The mechanical key unit 37 is a mechanical key unit, and is inserted into the key cylinder 53 of the door 5 or the key cylinder 60 in the passenger compartment, and door unlocking, locking, engine starting, and the like are executed. The control unit 32 has the same structure as a normal computer, and includes a CPU for various information processing, a RAM of a temporary storage unit as a work area of the CPU, and the like. The control unit 32 controls the LF reception unit 30, the RF transmission unit 31, the memory 33, the lock switch 35, and the unlock switch 36.

  As described above, this system includes three methods as a method for unlocking a door of a vehicle. The first method is a so-called smart entry system. In this method, a polling signal using an LF wave commanding a reply of an identification signal (ID34) is transmitted from the outside LF transmitter 40 to the key 3 periodically (periodically, at time intervals). .

  When the key 3 receives the polling signal, it returns an RF wave signal including ID 34 from the RF transmitter 31. The verification ECU 4 compares the signal received by the RF receiving unit 42 with the master ID 44, and if the verification is successful, unlocks the door 5 of the vehicle or sets the unlocking permitted state.

  The second method is a so-called keyless entry system. In this method, when a user outside the vehicle presses the unlock switch 36 of the key 3, the unlock command signal is transmitted from the RF transmission unit 31 in a form including the ID 34. The verification ECU 4 receives this signal at the RF receiver 42 and, if the verification with the master ID 44 is successful, sets the door 5 of the vehicle to the unlocking permitted state (unlocked). If the user touches the door handle in this state, the door is unlocked (opened).

  The third method is door unlocking by the mechanical key portion 37. In this method, the door 5 is unlocked by inserting the mechanical key portion 37 into the key cylinder 53 and turning it.

  Based on the above configuration, the system 1 executes processing for controlling the polling signal transmission period (time zone) in the smart entry system in the vehicle 2. The processing procedure is shown in FIG. The processing procedure of FIG. 2 (and FIG. 3 to be described later) may be programmed in advance and stored in, for example, the memory 43 and called by the verification ECU 4 and automatically executed.

  Assume that a period during which polling signal transmission is stopped (polling stop time zone) is set in the system 1 at the time of executing the processing of FIG. In the process of FIG. 2, first, in S10, the verification ECU 4 determines whether or not the current time is included in the polling stop time zone. When it is included in the polling stop time zone (S10: YES), the process proceeds to S20, and when it is not included in the polling stop time zone (S10: NO), S10 is repeated to be in a waiting state.

  After proceeding to S20, the verification ECU 4 determines whether or not the door release command signal (keyless unlock signal) transmitted when the unlock switch 36 is pressed is received. When the keyless unlock signal is received (S20: YES), the process proceeds to S30, and when the keyless unlock signal is not received (S20: NO), the process proceeds to S70.

  After proceeding to S30, the verification ECU 4 executes a verification process between the received keyless unlock signal and the master ID 44, and determines whether the verification is successful. If the collation is successful (S30: YES), the process proceeds to S40. If the collation is unsuccessful (S30: NO), the process returns to S20 again and the above process is repeated.

  After proceeding to S70, the verification ECU 4 determines whether or not the door unlocking operation by the mechanical key unit 37 is performed. When the door unlocking operation by the mechanical key part 37 is performed (S70: YES), the process proceeds to S40, and when the door unlocking operation by the mechanical key part 37 is not performed (S70: NO), the process returns to S20 again. Repeat the above process.

  After proceeding to S40, the verification ECU 4 has received the keyless unlock signal (the verification is also successful), or the unlocking operation by the mechanical key has been performed, and there is a door unlocking request from the user. Unlock.

  Subsequently, in S50, the time at which the keyless unlock signal is received (that is, the time at S20) or the unlocking operation time by the mechanical key (the mechanical key) (that is, the time at S70) is stored.

  The storage location may be, for example, the memory 43 (which may be an EEPROM). The memory 43 may sequentially store the time at which the keyless unlock signal is received or the time of the unlocking operation by the mechanical key (mechanical key), and the history of those times may be stored.

  Subsequently, in S60, the verification ECU 4 resets the polling stop time zone. An example is shown in FIG. In this example, the basic period of the polling stop time zone is set from 22:00 to 6:00. Then, the polling stop time zone is reset (changed) using the time at which the keyless unlock signal stored in S50 or the time of the unlocking operation by the mechanical key (mechanical key) is received.

  As an example of the change, for example, there is the following method. First, the polling stop time zone is divided into the first half (22:00 to 2 o'clock in the example of FIG. 4) and the second half (2 o'clock to 6 o'clock). Then, the time in the first half of the polling stop time period is extracted from the time of receiving the keyless unlock signal stored in the memory or the time of the unlocking operation by the mechanical key. Then, the disclosure time of the polling stop time zone is changed to the latest time among the extracted times.

  Similarly, the time in the second half of the polling stop time period is extracted from the time at which the keyless unlock signal stored in the memory is received or the time at which the mechanical key is unlocked. Then, the disclosure time of the polling stop time zone is changed to the earliest time among the extracted times. The time when the keyless unlock signal or the unlocking operation time using the mechanical key stored in the memory 43 is within a predetermined period in the past as viewed from the current time point.

  For example, the polling stop time zone is reset in S60 by the above method. This method may be repeated sequentially. Although the first half and the second half are described above, it is not always necessary to divide the stop time period into two equal parts, and it may be divided into two parts unequally. The above is the processing of FIG.

  Next, FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 3 shows a process of returning to the basic stop time zone when the keyless unlock signal is not received within the polling stop time zone, or when there is no unlocking operation with the mechanical key.

  Specifically, in FIG. 3, first, in S100, it is determined whether or not the length of a period during which no keyless unlock signal is received or there is no unlocking operation with a mechanical key is a predetermined value or more. If it is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (S100: YES), the process proceeds to S110, and if it is less than the predetermined value (S100: NO), the process of FIG.

  After proceeding to S110, the verification ECU 4 performs processing for returning the polling stop time zone to the basic stop time zone. The above is the processing of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, if the door is not unlocked by a keyless or mechanical key for a certain period, it returns to the basic stop time zone, so the consumption of battery power due to the transmission of the polling signal can be suppressed (because the basic stop time zone is longer). .

1 Control system 2 Vehicle 3 Key (portable machine)
4 verification ECU

Claims (5)

A portable device comprising a first communication unit that is portable by a user and having a wireless communication function; and an input unit that receives a command input for commanding unlocking of a vehicle door;
A second communication unit provided in a vehicle and having a wireless communication function with the first communication unit;
A command signal for requesting a reply of an identification signal from the second communication unit to the first communication unit is repeatedly transmitted at time intervals, and the signal received by the second communication unit is defined as an identification signal unique to the portable device. A first unlocking means for collating and unlocking the door of the vehicle if the collation is successful;
A second unlocking means for unlocking the door of the vehicle when the input means accepts the command input and transmitting it to the first communication section;
A third unlocking means for unlocking the vehicle door with a mechanical key;
Stop means for stopping transmission of the command signal in the first unlocking means in a predetermined stop time zone;
When the door is unlocked by the second unlocking means or the third unlocking means within the stop time zone, a changing means for changing the stop time zone accordingly.
A control system characterized by comprising:   When the door is unlocked by the second unlocking means or the third unlocking means in the front period obtained by dividing the stop time period into two, the changing means is configured to release the second unlocking means or the third unlocking means. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the start time of the stop time period is delayed until the door unlocking time by the means.   When the door is unlocked by the second unlocking means or the third unlocking means in the rear period obtained by dividing the stop time period into two, the changing means is configured to release the second unlocking means or the third unlocking means. The control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the end time of the stop time period is advanced until the door unlocking time by the lock means.   The said change means changes the said stop time slot | zone to a predetermined basic time slot | zone when the unlocking of the door by the said 2nd unlocking means or the 3rd unlocking means is not performed for a predetermined period. 4. The control system according to any one of items 1 to 3.   The control system according to claim 4, wherein the start time of the basic time zone is a predetermined time in the afternoon, and the end time of the basic time zone is a predetermined time in the morning.

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