JP6722919B2 - Relay system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a relay system, wherein one of the conditions is that the authentication information stored in the vehicle control device and the authentication information stored in a portable device that can wirelessly communicate with the vehicle control device match. The present invention relates to relaying wireless communication between a vehicle control device and a portable device in a control system.

For example, in the immobilizer function, for example, a vehicle control device that starts an engine authenticates with a legitimate portable device before actually starting, and starts when the authentication is obtained. The communicable distance between this portable device and the vehicle control device is as short as several tens of cm. Therefore, when remotely starting the engine from the outside of the vehicle, a system for relaying wireless communication between the vehicle control device and the portable device is required as shown in Patent Document 1, for example. By using the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, even in a vehicle having an immobilizer function, the portable device can be brought out of the vehicle and the engine can be started remotely.

JP, 2014-49770, A

However, when the above-mentioned conventional system is used, there are the following problems. For example, the bit configuration of bit 1/0 forming a signal transmitted/received between the vehicle control device and the portable device differs depending on the vehicle type and the like. Therefore, for example, for the bit rate, which is one of the parameters related to communication, the sampling cycle is made fine for all bit configurations corresponding to each vehicle type, and transmission is performed at a high frequency bit rate. The bit rate is related to the upper limit of the communicable distance, and when the frequency of the bit rate is increased, the upper limit of the communicable distance is shortened. The quality of wireless communication deteriorates. As a result, there is a problem that the operation cannot be performed from a position sufficiently distant from the vehicle.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the relay system according to the present invention includes (1) authentication information stored in a vehicle control device and authentication information stored in a portable device that can wirelessly communicate with the vehicle control device. Is a system for relaying wireless communication between the vehicle control device and the portable device in a system for controlling a vehicle, the vehicle relay device being capable of communicating with the vehicle control device. And a portable relay device capable of communicating with the portable device. At least one of the portable relay device and the vehicle relay device stores a plurality of setting information relating to communication different depending on the vehicle type in association with the vehicle type, and a setting switch is provided on at least one of the portable relay device and the vehicle relay device. Along with the operation of the setting switch, setting information regarding communication corresponding to the vehicle type used is set, and communication between the portable relay device and the vehicle relay device is performed.

Various setting information when performing wireless communication for confirming the authentication information between the vehicle control device and the portable device may differ depending on the vehicle type. As described above, the setting information that varies depending on the vehicle type may affect the wireless transmission between the vehicle relay device and the portable relay device for relay. Therefore, in the present invention, the setting information different for each vehicle type is stored and held in the portable relay device or the vehicle relay device in association with the vehicle type. When the vehicle type in which the relay system of the present invention is mounted is determined, the vehicle type is specified using the setting switch. Along with this, the setting information stored and retained in association with the vehicle type is acquired, and wireless communication is performed according to the acquired setting information. Regardless of the type of vehicle, wireless communication can be performed under suitable conditions. Therefore, the communication conditions are stable, and it is possible to easily enable long-distance transmission. It is good that a mobile repeater and a vehicle repeater can be commonly used for different vehicle types. Further, since the vehicle type can be switched by the setting switch, it is possible to easily perform the work according to the vehicle type to be used.

The setting switch and the setting information may be stored and held in both the mobile relay device and the vehicle relay device, or in either one. In the case of performing both, it is not necessary to send the setting information or the information of the vehicle type specified by the setting switch to the other party, so it is sufficient to set each individually. If it is provided on one side, it is necessary to communicate and notify the other party, but since the switch and the storage means are installed on only one side, the configuration can be simplified.

(2) The setting information is a parameter that determines a sampling interval of the data to be wirelessly communicated, and it is preferable that the sampling interval be wide in a range in which the data can be recognized. In the embodiment, the parameter corresponds to, for example, the bit rate or the carrier frequency. For example, if the sampling interval is narrowed and the data is captured more finely, the data transmitted from the vehicle control device or the portable device can be accurately recognized and relayed. Further, if the data is taken in more finely, for example, even if the bit configuration of one bit of the setting information is different depending on the vehicle type which is the problem solved by the invention of (1), the data is collected at the common sampling interval. Can be recognized. However, if the sampling interval is shortened, the distance in which wireless communication is possible becomes short, and the problem of increasing the communication distance by relay cannot be solved, and it cannot be put to practical use. Therefore, in the present invention, by setting the sampling interval to be wide within a range in which data to be wirelessly communicated can be recognized, it is possible to lengthen the communication distance that can be relayed.

(3) The parameters may be the same for wireless communication from the vehicle repeater to the portable repeater and for wireless transmission from the portable repeater to the vehicle repeater. This makes it possible to perform the transmission process and the reception process using the same setting information in each relay device, which is preferable because the process is simplified.

(4) The parameter may be determined based on the high common pulse width of the bit configuration and the greatest common divisor of the low pulse width. This makes it possible to optimize the conditions for increasing the communication distance while recognizing the data with high accuracy.

(5) It is advisable to perform control for relaying based on the High/Low state when a set time has elapsed from the High/Low switching of the received data. If the bit configuration of the data to be communicated is known, it can be determined whether the received data is 0/1 or not, based on the elapsed time from the High/Low switching and the High/Low state at that time. You can know the situation such as whether there is any abnormality. Therefore, if various controls are performed based on such a situation, the communication distance can be extended, the quality of wireless communication can be improved, and stable relay can be performed.

(6) The control for the relay is a determination as to whether the data being received is 1 or 0, and the relay that continues the Low state or the High state assigned to 1 and 0 based on the determination result for the set time. It is preferable to have a function of creating a waveform. Since it is converted into a relay waveform of “1 cycle is High/1 cycle is Low” according to 0/1, the bit rate is apparently low, and long distance transmission is possible.

(7) The control for the relay is to judge whether the data being received is 1 or 0, and has a correction function to output normal waveform data even if an abnormal pulse is generated thereafter based on the judgment result. Good. (8) It is preferable to have a correction function that outputs normal waveform data even if an abnormal pulse that is impossible occurs from the time elapsed from switching High/Low of the received data. For example, when wireless communication is actually performed near a communicable distance, a bit abnormality may occur due to the communication environment and the like, and an abnormal pulse may occur. If an abnormal pulse occurs, correct data cannot be sent/received, and authentication cannot be performed and the vehicle cannot be controlled. Therefore, in the present invention, since a normal waveform is forcibly generated and output, the communicable distance is extended, which is preferable.

(9) If a plurality of abnormal pulses occur between the switching of High/Low of the received data and the next switching of normal High/Low, correction by the correction function is not performed. Good to do. The corrections (7) and (8) described above are strong corrections that forcefully send a normal waveform even if there is an abnormality. Therefore, if there are multiple times or more, the credibility of the original data will be reduced, so no correction was made.

(10) There are a plurality of the portable devices having different authentication information, the vehicle control device stores and holds each authentication information of the plurality of portable devices, and the vehicle control device stores the stored and held plurality of the authentication information items. A response request signal including one of the authentication information is transmitted, and the portable device transmits response data when the authentication information included in the received response request signal matches its own, and the vehicle control The device is a relay system corresponding to the system that determines that the authentication information matches when the response data is received. Then, the portable relay device, after completing the relay of the response request signal, switches to a communication state in which the response data is relayed, performs carrier sense at the timing when the response data arrives, and when the carrier does not come, It is preferable to switch to a communication state in which the response request signal is relayed.

In the present invention, since carrier sense is always performed when there is a response, without carrier sense, there is no portable device that has the authentication information specified by the previously transmitted response request signal, and response data is transmitted. It becomes clear that this has not been done. If there is no response data within a fixed time, the vehicle control device transmits a response request signal based on the next authentication information. Therefore, if the repeater continues to receive the response data and switches to the response request signal reception mode after a delay, the next response request signal cannot be received, and the relay toward the legitimate mobile device is performed. May not be possible. Without such relay, the vehicle cannot be controlled even though there is a legitimate portable device.

According to the present invention, since it is possible to recognize that there is no response data early and switch the communication state, it is possible to reliably receive and relay the response request signal sent next.

(11) The vehicle relay device switches to a communication state in which the response data is relayed after completing the relay of the response request signal, performs carrier sense at the timing when the response data arrives, and when the carrier does not come, It is preferable to switch to a communication state in which the response request signal is relayed. As in the case of (10) above, the presence or absence of response data can be quickly known, the communication state can be switched, and the response request signal to be transmitted next can be reliably relayed.

(12) Carrier sense may be performed at the timing when the response data arrives, and when the carrier arrives, the communication state for relaying the response data may be continued. In this case, since the received carrier is highly likely to be response data, it is good that the response data can be relayed by continuing the communication as it is.

(13) The carrier sense may be performed multiple times. In order to speed up the process, it is preferable to perform once, but it is possible to ensure accuracy by checking multiple times. Compared to actually checking the data, time can be secured even if carrier sensing is performed multiple times, so accuracy is more important than the time demerit of multiple carrier sensing. The present invention is preferred.

(14) It is preferable that the vehicle relay device or the portable relay device has a function of transmitting ACK by itself in the middle of receiving WAKE transmitted from the vehicle control device. Since ACK is common to all mobile devices, it is not necessary to wait for it to be actually sent from the mobile device and then relay it. Can be shortened. Furthermore, since ACK is returned during the reception of WAKE, it is preferable because the processing time can be further shortened.

In particular, when RFICs dedicated to transmission and reception are prepared as in the invention of (15) described below, for example, a system in which a portable device transmits WACK or ACK or response while receiving a response request signal. When applied to the case, the relay device returns the ACK without waiting for the ACK from the portable device while relaying the WAKE, so that the processing speed of the entire system can be increased.

(15) It is preferable that the transmission/reception unit that relays in the vehicle relay device and the portable relay device is configured by a transmission-only RFIC and a reception-only RFIC. The transmission-dedicated RFIC and the reception-dedicated RFIC do not necessarily have to be transmission-dedicated or reception-dedicated hardware, and a receivable RFIC may be used as a transmission-dedicated or reception-dedicated RFIC. .. There is no need to switch between transmission and reception, processing time can be shortened, and communication control can be performed easily. Further, by performing the transmission and the reception with the dedicated RFIC, the reception process and the transmission process can be performed at the same time, and thus the time can be further shortened. As a result, even if the allowable time from the transmission of the response request signal to the reception of the response data is shortened, it is possible to deal with it. Since the RFIC is used only for reception and transmission, the RFIC can be designed without considering the switching time, so that it is possible to design at a frequency that increases the certainty of wireless communication.

(16) The portable repeater is equipped with a large-capacity battery, and the case of the portable repeater includes a storage unit for storing the portable unit, and the portable unit is stored in the storage unit. The machine and the portable repeater may be placed in a relative position where they can communicate with each other. Power consumption increases by providing two RFICs and making them dual. Therefore, the built-in battery also uses a large-capacity battery to improve the battery life. A large-capacity battery means that it has a larger capacity than a general-purpose dry battery, a button battery, or the like, and includes, for example, a battery mounted on a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. Since the portable repeater is portable, its weight and size are determined in consideration of portability even with a large capacity battery. On the other hand, a large-capacity battery has a larger size and shape than a button battery or the like, and the case that constitutes a portable repeater also becomes large. Therefore, when a space for accommodating the portable device is secured in the enlarged portable relay device as a storage portion and the portable device is stored in the storage portion, the portable device and the portable relay device can be arranged close to each other within a desired distance. It is good because it can be done and can communicate surely.

(17) The case of the portable relay device includes a storage unit for storing the portable device, and in a state where the portable device is stored in the storage unit, the portable device and the portable relay device are in a relative position where communication is possible. It is good to be placed in a relationship. According to the present invention, when a space for accommodating a portable device is secured as a storage part and the portable device is stored in the storage part, the portable device and the portable relay device can be arranged close to each other within a desired distance. It's good because you can communicate.

(18) The portable relay device stores and holds a response request signal including the authentication information transmitted by the vehicle control device as a normal response request signal, and the portable relay device outputs the normal response request signal. It is preferable to include a separation determination function that performs notification based on the determination result of whether or not the response data from the portable device has been received. The notification of the determination result may be made only when communication is possible or not, but it is preferable to notify both of them because the notification result can be surely recognized.

According to the present invention, it is possible to know from the notification result whether or not the portable relay device and the portable device are within an appropriate range in which communication is possible. Therefore, for example, if you try to control the vehicle equipment remotely by operating the mobile repeater and it is not possible to actually control it, whether communication between the mobile repeater and the mobile device is not possible in the first place, or other It is possible to easily understand whether the communication system is malfunctioning or the like. In addition, according to the present invention, it can be confirmed without starting the engine.

(19) The portable relay device relays a response request signal including the authentication information transmitted from the vehicle control device, and when receiving response data to the response request signal from the portable device, the relayed response request signal. A signal may be stored and held as the normal response request signal. In this way, the normal response request signal can be easily obtained, stored and held.

(20) When the portable relay device relays a plurality of types of response request signals including the authentication information transmitted by the vehicle control device, the response request signal that has not received response data is also stored as the normal response request signal. You should keep it. When there are multiple legitimate mobile devices, the user does not necessarily carry the mobile device corresponding to the response request signal sent the first time, and the response data is sent by sending the response request signal multiple times. Sometimes. Even in such a case, the response request signal in which the response data is not transmitted also includes the authentication information of the authorized mobile device. Therefore, in the present invention, by storing and holding the authentication certificate information of the regular portable device as a normal response request signal, it is possible to perform the separation determination even when the user carries another portable device at a later date or the like. good.

(21) When a plurality of types of response request signals including the authentication information transmitted by the vehicle control device are relayed, the portable relay device stores and holds all the relayed response request signals as the normal response request signal. It is good to do so. For example, even if there is no response data for all the response request signals that have been transmitted, since it was transmitted from the vehicle control device, there is a high possibility that all of the response request signals will be compatible with legitimate portable devices. Therefore, by storing and holding all of them as normal response request signals, it is possible to perform separation determination for any portable device that is subsequently carried.

Then, for example, if the portable relay device is operated without the portable device and the vehicle control device is made to transmit the response request signal, since the response data is not transmitted, all of the data stored and held in the vehicle control device are not transmitted. A response request signal for the portable device can be acquired.

According to the present invention, it is possible to commonly use a portable relay device or a vehicle relay device for different vehicle types and the like. Further, since the setting information is switched depending on the vehicle type, the setting information can be made appropriate for the vehicle control device and the portable device for each vehicle type, and the quality of wireless communication can be improved.

It is a figure which shows an example of the vehicle remote control system containing the relay system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the communication timing of each data and signal. It is a figure which shows an example of the bit structure of the data which wirelessly communicate. It is a figure explaining 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of communication in case a some portable device exists. It is a figure explaining a fifth embodiment. It is a figure explaining 7th embodiment. It is a figure explaining an 8th embodiment. It is a figure explaining an 8th embodiment. It is a figure explaining a modification. It is a figure explaining a modification. It is a figure explaining a modification. It is a figure explaining a modification. It is a figure explaining a modification. It is a figure explaining a ninth embodiment. It is a figure explaining a ninth embodiment. It is a figure explaining a modification. It is a figure explaining a 10th embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used for explaining the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention. The configuration, shape, etc. of the described device are merely illustrative examples, and the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto, and is based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. , Various changes, modifications and improvements can be added.

[Basic configuration] (First embodiment: commonization to different vehicle types, etc.)
FIG. 1 shows an example of a vehicle remote control system using the relay system of the present invention. Based on FIG. 1, the basic configuration on which the present system is based will be described while explaining the operation of communication processing. This system includes a vehicle control device 1 installed in a vehicle, a vehicle relay device 2, a mobile relay device 3, and a mobile device 4.

The vehicle control device 1 is a device for controlling a predetermined device of the vehicle. The control of the predetermined device is, for example, to start the vehicle in a travelable state in response to a user operation such as pressing a push start button. For example, a starter motor of an automobile powered by an internal combustion engine is turned on. (Engine start), turning on a power supply to an electric motor in an electric vehicle using an electric motor as a power source, and the like. Hereinafter, a case of performing "engine start" will be described as an example.

In the vehicle control device 1 of the present embodiment, the authentication information stored in the portable device 4 and the authentication information stored in the vehicle control device 1 match before performing control of the device of the vehicle to be controlled. As one of the conditions, control such as engine start is performed.

In order to perform such processing, the vehicle control device 1 and the portable device 4 are configured to be capable of wireless communication with each other. In order to perform the processing, the vehicle control device 1 includes a control unit 1a, a transmission/reception unit 1b, and an authentication information storage unit 1c. Although not shown, the vehicle control device 1 is connected to the battery of the vehicle and receives power supply from the battery. The vehicle control device 1 cooperates with a device of a vehicle to be controlled by, for example, wired communication and controls a predetermined device. The authentication information storage unit 1c is a non-volatile storage unit and stores the authentication information of the legitimate portable device 4. The authentication information is, for example, an ID code or the like. When there are a plurality of authorized portable devices 4, the authentication information of each of the plurality of authorized portable devices 4 is stored.

The control unit 1a is composed of, for example, an MPU or the like. The control unit 1a has a function of outputting a control signal for controlling the device of the vehicle to be controlled and a response for confirming the existence of the legitimate portable device 4 based on the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 1c. It has a function of outputting command data and the like when communicating with other devices such as request signals (LF data).

The transmission/reception unit 1b performs wireless communication with the transmission/reception unit mounted on the portable device 4 or the vehicle relay device 2. The transmission/reception unit 1b is configured by, for example, a vehicle-mounted transmission/reception RFIC. The transmission/reception unit 1b has a function of wirelessly transmitting LF data such as various command data output from the control unit 1a at a first frequency, and command data etc. wirelessly transmitted at a second frequency from another device. It has a function of receiving RF data and passing it to the control unit 1a. The second frequency is higher than the first frequency, and the RF data communication distance using the second frequency is also long. As an example, the first frequency is 134 kHz and the second frequency is 314 MHz.

The portable device 4 is called, for example, a smart key or a genuine key. The portable device 4 includes a control unit 4a, a transmission/reception unit 4b, and an authentication information storage unit 4c. As a power source of the portable device 4, a built-in primary battery is used. If a commercially available dry battery, button battery, or the like is used as the primary battery, it can be easily obtained and mounted, and the handling is easy. In particular, if a button battery is used, the portable device 4 can be downsized.

The authentication information storage unit 4c stores a unique ID code as authentication information for the immobilizer function. The control unit 4a is composed of, for example, an MPU or the like. The control unit 1a outputs a response signal (RF data: response data) when receiving a response request signal addressed to itself from the vehicle control devices 1 forming a pair. The transmission/reception unit 4b performs wireless communication with the transmission/reception unit mounted on the vehicle control device 1 or the mobile relay device 3. For example, the transmission/reception RFIC is mounted on the vehicle. The transmission/reception unit 4b has a function of receiving LF data such as command data and the like wirelessly transmitted at the first frequency and passing it to the control unit 4a, various command data such as a response signal output from the control unit 4a, and the like. It has a function of wirelessly transmitting the RF data of 2) at the second frequency.

When the transmission timing such as reception of a predetermined signal is satisfied, the control unit 1a of the vehicle control device 1 accesses the authentication information storage unit 1c, acquires the ID code as the stored authentication information, and includes the ID code. A response request signal (LF data) is output. The predetermined signal is, for example, a foot brake signal that is output when the foot brake pedal of the vehicle is depressed. When the portable device 4 exists within the communicable distance of the response request signal and receives the response request signal, the portable device 4 wirelessly transmits a response signal including its own authentication information. As described above, the vehicle control device 1 controls the control unit 1a of the vehicle control device 1 under the condition that the response signal including the regular authentication information is received within a certain time after outputting the response request signal. Performs engine start processing.

The communicable distance between the vehicle control device 1 and the portable device 4 is sufficient if communication is possible, for example, in a situation where the driver carrying the portable device 4 is sitting in the driver's seat and operating the engine. , Relatively short. This relatively short distance is about 1 to 2 m when the first frequency for transmitting the LF data is 134 kHz. In the present embodiment, the vehicle relay device 2 and the mobile relay device 3 are provided, and the wireless communication performed between the vehicle control device 1 and the mobile device 4 is relayed by these relay devices, thereby increasing the communicable distance. By increasing the communicable distance in this manner, the present system allows the user carrying the portable relay device 3 and the portable device 4 to carry the portable relay device 3 and the vehicle control device 1 even if the user is relatively far from the vehicle. Authentication using the authentication information between the machines 4 can be performed, and the engine can be started from the distant position.

The vehicle relay device 2 is arranged at a predetermined position in the vehicle. The vehicle relay device 2 controls the vehicle relay device 2, a first vehicle-side transceiver unit 2b for wireless communication with the vehicle control device 1, and a mobile relay device 3 for wireless communication. A second vehicle-side transceiver unit 2c is provided. Although not shown, the vehicle relay device 2 is connected to the battery of the vehicle and receives power supply from the battery. The control unit 2a is composed of, for example, an MPU or the like. In addition, the first vehicle-side transceiver unit 2b and the second vehicle-side transceiver unit 2c are each configured by a vehicle-mounted transceiver RFIC.

The first vehicle-side transmission/reception unit 2b transmits/receives data to/from the transmission/reception unit 1b of the vehicle control device 1, receives radio waves wirelessly transmitted in the transmission frequency band (first frequency) of the transmission/reception unit 1b, and Radio transmission on two frequencies. Since the communication distance is short, a weak radio wave used by a weak radio station, which is one of the radio stations, is used. The second vehicle-side transceiver unit 2c uses radio waves in the frequency band used for the specific power-saving radio station. By using this specific power-saving wireless communication, the communication distance becomes, for example, about 1 to 2 km in the view distance, and becomes about several hundred meters even when there is an obstacle. Therefore, for example, even when the house is a detached house or an apartment and the vehicle is parked in the parking lot on the premises, it is possible to communicate with the vehicle control device 1.

Further, in the present embodiment, the vehicle relay device 2 and the vehicle control device 1 are connected by a communication cable that performs wired communication. The control unit 2a of the vehicle relay device 2 uses this wired communication to transmit a foot brake signal and an engine start request signal. The foot brake signal is a signal corresponding to the signal output when the foot brake pedal of the vehicle is depressed. The engine start request signal is, for example, a signal corresponding to the signal output when the push start button of the vehicle is pressed.

The mobile relay device 3 includes a control unit 3 a that controls the mobile relay device 3, a first mobile-side transceiver unit 3 b that communicates with the mobile device 4, and a second mobile device that communicates with the vehicle relay device 2. The side transmitting/receiving unit 3c is provided. Further, the mobile relay device 3 includes an operation unit 3d and an informing unit 3e.

The operation unit 3d is, for example, a push button switch corresponding to an operation instruction such as a start switch and a stop switch. A user at a position away from the vehicle operates the vehicle control device 1 mounted on the vehicle by pressing the operation unit 3d to remotely operate the engine by starting or stopping the engine. In order to perform the process, when the control unit 3a detects an operation on the operation unit 3d, the control unit 3a transmits an instruction command corresponding to the operation from the second mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 3c. As a power source of the portable relay device 3, a built-in primary battery is used. If a commercially available dry battery, button battery, or the like is used as the primary battery, it can be easily obtained and mounted, and the handling is easy. In particular, if a button battery is used, the portable relay device 3 can be downsized.

The notification unit 3e notifies the operation status and the like. For example, the notification unit 3e notifies the execution result such as the engine start success and error sent from the vehicle control device 1 and the vehicle relay device 2. The notification unit 3e is for making a notification using sight or hearing. In the case of using the visual sense, the notification unit 3e uses, for example, a display panel to display the execution result in characters, figures, or the like, or uses a light emitting unit such as an LED to turn on or off the lighting state (blinking/lighting/lighting). , Notification by the emission color. Further, in the case of using hearing, the notification unit 3e uses a speaker, for example, to notify by voice or buzzer. These are realized by combining one or more.

The control unit 3a is composed of, for example, an MPU or the like. Further, the first portable-side transmitting/receiving unit 3b and the second portable-side transmitting/receiving unit 3c are each configured by an in-vehicle transmitting/receiving RFIC. Then, the first portable-side transmitting/receiving unit 3b wirelessly transmits at the reception frequency band (first frequency) of the transmitting/receiving unit 4b of the portable device 4, and wirelessly receives at the transmission frequency (second frequency) of the transmitting/receiving unit 4b. Since the communication distance is short, a weak radio wave used by a weak radio station, which is one of the radio stations, is used. Further, the second mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 3c uses radio waves in the frequency band used for the specific power-saving wireless station.

Then, in the present embodiment, it is possible to remotely start the engine using the relay function by the communication transition as shown in FIGS. (1) The control unit 3a of the mobile repeater 3 outputs a start signal when the operation unit 3d is pressed. The second portable-side transmitting/receiving unit 3c wirelessly transmits the start signal to the vehicle relay device 2.

(2) The second vehicle-side transceiver unit 2c of the vehicle relay device 2 receives the start signal transmitted from the portable relay device 3. Upon receiving the start signal, the control unit 2a of the vehicle relay device 2 transmits a foot brake signal to the vehicle control device 1 by using the wired communication function. As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle relay device 2 maintains the state in which the foot brake signal is turned on during the relay/transmission processing of each data/signal described below.

(3) Upon receiving the footbrake signal, the control unit 1a of the vehicle control device 1 accesses the authentication information storage unit 1c, acquires the ID code as the stored authentication information, and makes a response request including the ID code. The signal (LF data) is output. The transmitting/receiving unit 1b transmits the LF data by using the wireless transmission function.

(4) The first vehicle-side transceiver unit 2b of the vehicle relay device 2 receives the LF data. The vehicle relay device 2 wirelessly transmits the wireless LF data based on the received LF data toward the portable relay device 3 by using the transmission function of the second vehicle side transceiver unit 2c. The wireless LF data is data that is reversible with the LF data.

(5) The second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 3c of the mobile relay device 3 receives the wireless LF data. The mobile relay device 3 generates original LF data from the received wireless LF data, and transmits the generated LF data to the mobile device 4 at the first frequency by using the transmission function of the first mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 3b. Send.

(6) Since the LF data transmitted by the mobile relay device 3 is transmitted at the first frequency and is equivalent to the LF data transmitted by the transmission/reception unit 1b of the vehicle control device 1, the transmission/reception unit 4b of the mobile device 4 is transmitted. Receives the LF data. The control unit 4a determines whether the received LF data is addressed to itself. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the ID code included in the LF data matches the own ID code stored in the authentication information storage unit 4c. When the ID codes match, RF data (response data), which is a response signal, is transmitted using the transmitting function of the transmitting/receiving unit 4b. Note that the control unit 4a does not transmit anything when the ID codes do not match.

(7) The first mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 3b of the mobile relay device 3 receives the RF data. The mobile relay device 3 transmits wireless RF data based on the received RF data using the transmission function of the second mobile-side transceiver unit 3c. The wireless RF data is data that is reversible with the LF data.

(8), (9) The second vehicle-side transceiver unit 2c of the vehicle relay device 2 receives the wireless RF data. The vehicle relay device 2 generates original RF data from the received wireless RF data, and transmits the generated RF data at the second frequency using the transmission function of the first vehicle side transceiver unit 2b. Further, the control unit 2a of the vehicle relay device 2 transmits an engine start request signal to the vehicle control device 1 using a wired communication function before transmitting the RF data from the first vehicle-side transmitting/receiving unit 2b. The vehicle relay device 2 wirelessly transmits the RF data while maintaining the state where the engine start request signal is turned on.

The transmission/reception unit 1b of the vehicle control device 1 receives the RF data transmitted from the vehicle relay device 2. The control unit 1a authenticates whether the received RF data is the RF data (response data) from the legitimate portable device 4. When the authentication result is the RF data from the legitimate portable device 4 and both the engine start request signal and the foot brake signal are ON, the control for starting the engine is performed. It should be noted that the control unit 1a performs control to stop the engine when a predetermined time has elapsed since the engine was started. By continuing the driving operation of the engine, warm-up operation is performed and the temperature inside the vehicle compartment is adjusted to an appropriate temperature by the air conditioner mounted on the vehicle.

Furthermore, when stopping the engine during the warm-up operation, the user operates the operation unit 3d of the portable relay device 3. When the mobile relay device 3 receives the operation stop command associated with the operation of the operation unit 3d, the mobile relay device 3 transmits the operation stop command. The transmitted operation stop command reaches the vehicle control device 1 via the vehicle relay device 2. When the control unit 1a receives the operation stop command, the control unit 1a performs control to stop the engine that is operating. Further, the control unit 1a relays/transmits the execution result corresponding to the received operation command in the same manner as the LF data, and when reaching the portable relay device 3, notifies the result.

[Features of First Embodiment]
FIG. 3 shows an example of bit configurations of LF data and RF data. As shown in the figure, for example, looking at the LF data, at “bit 0”, 200 μs is High and 150 μs is Low (see FIG. 3A), and at “bit 1”, 500 μs is High and 200 μs is It becomes Low (see FIG. 3B). In this way, each of them has a bit configuration that falls to Low at High start. On the other hand, in the RF data, in “bit 0”, “800 μs is High and 800 μs is Low” (see FIG. 3C) and its inversion “800 μs is Low and 800 μs is High” (FIG. 3 (d). ) See). In "bit 1", the same state (H/L) is maintained for 1600 μs for one cycle (see FIGS. 3E and 3F). Which bit configuration is adopted depends on the state of the previous bit. That is, for example, when a certain “0” is represented in FIG. 3C, it ends in High, so the next data has a bit configuration that starts in High (“0”: FIG. 3C, “1”). : Use the one shown in FIG. Therefore, if "0" continues, the same bit configuration is used, and if "1" continues, FIGS. 3(e) and 3(f) are used alternately.

When transmitting such data by wireless communication, it is transmitted at a predetermined bit rate. At this time, since the pulse widths of the LF data and the RF data are largely different, a bit rate that does not impair the pulse width is set. Also, the illustrated bit configuration is an example, and differs depending on the automobile manufacturer and vehicle type. Then, with such different bit configurations, the bit rates suitable for the different bit configurations also differ.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the portable repeater 3 stores, in the mobile relay device 3, a parameter storage unit 3f that stores parameters relating to communication corresponding to different bit configurations depending on the automobile manufacturer and vehicle type, and one of the plurality of parameters stored in the parameter storage unit 3f. A setting switch 3g for setting one is provided. The parameter relating to communication is, for example, the bit rate at the time of sampling. Furthermore, the carrier frequency of LF data may differ depending on the vehicle. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the combination of the bit rate and the carrier frequency is stored as the parameter. Also, information about the bit configuration may be stored. The parameter storage unit 3f stores, for example, a parameter relating to communication and a table associating information such as a vehicle type.

The setting switch 3g may be, for example, a dial type switch or a dip switch. If the dip switch is used, the installation space can be made small, the portable repeater 3 can be downsized, and the possibility that the setting of the dip switch is mistakenly switched during use can be suppressed as much as possible.

The vehicle relay device 2 also includes a parameter storage unit 2d that stores communication-related parameters corresponding to different bit configurations depending on the automobile manufacturer and vehicle type. The information stored in the parameter storage unit 2d is the same as the information stored in the parameter storage unit 3f of the mobile relay device 3.

The setting of parameters according to the vehicle type and the like is performed as follows. First, in the mobile relay device 3, the control unit 3a accesses the parameter storage unit 3f in accordance with, for example, the setting of the setting switch 3g, acquires parameters such as a bit rate associated with the set vehicle type, and the like, and the second mobile side. It is set in the transmitter/receiver 3c. In addition, the control unit 3a sends the acquired setting information of the setting switch 3g to the vehicle relay device 2 by packet communication that is not the relay illustrated in FIG. The control unit 2a of the vehicle relay device 2 accesses the parameter storage unit 2d based on the setting information received by the second vehicle-side transmitting/receiving unit 2c, acquires the parameter associated with the set vehicle type, and the like. It is set in the two-vehicle side transmitting/receiving unit 2c. In this way, the communication from the portable relay device 3 to the vehicle relay device 2 can be easily performed by sending only the information of the state of the setting switch 3g, for example, 1/0 of the dip switch in the case of the dip switch.

Then, at the time of actual relaying, the second mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 3c and the second vehicle-side transmitting/receiving unit 2c perform sampling when transmitting/receiving the wireless LF data or the wireless RF data according to parameters such as a set bit rate. ..

According to the present embodiment, the portable relay device 3 and the vehicle relay device 2 can be commonly used for different vehicle types, which is preferable. Since it is possible to switch the vehicle type with the setting switch 3g, it is preferable that the work suitable for the vehicle type to be used can be easily performed.

[Modification of First Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, both the vehicle relay device 2 and the mobile relay device 3 store information in which vehicle types and parameters relating to communication are associated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, such information is mobile relay. It is also possible to provide only on the machine 3 side and send to the vehicle relay machine 2 parameters relating to communication corresponding to the vehicle type to be used, etc., which is uniquely specified by the setting of the setting switch 3g. The vehicle relay device 2 may store and hold the transmitted parameters, and set parameters such as the bit rate of the second vehicle-side transceiver unit 2c based on the parameters. By doing so, it is not necessary to provide both the vehicle relay device 2 and the portable relay device 3 with information associating a vehicle type and the like with a parameter relating to communication, so that the configuration may be simplified. Moreover, the portable relay device 3 is preferable because it can be operated by being held by the user and the setting work can be easily performed.

Further, when the information in which the vehicle type and the parameters relating to communication are associated with each other is stored in only one, the information may be provided on the vehicle relay device 2 side, contrary to the above. In this case, a setting switch may be provided on the vehicle relay device 2. Normally, the setting switch is operated only once at the time of installation in the vehicle. Therefore, the setting can be easily performed by operating the setting switch of the vehicle relay device 2 in a free state before the vehicle is installed at a predetermined position in the vehicle. After the setting switch is set, there is normally no switch switching operation. Therefore, if the vehicle relay device 2 is installed in the vehicle, the setting switch is placed in a place where it is difficult to switch the setting switch. But there is no problem.

Further, when the setting switch 3g is installed in the mobile relay device 3, it is preferable that the setting switch 3g can be covered with a closing member such as a cover and a lid. By covering with the closing member such as the cover and the lid, it is possible to prevent the setting switch 3g from being accidentally touched while carrying the portable repeater 3 or while operating the operation unit 3d.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the communication for transmitting the LF data between the vehicle control device 1 and the vehicle relay device 2 uses the wireless communication, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the wired communication is performed. And especially good. The transmission/reception unit 1b of the vehicle control device 1 includes an antenna for LF data and a wiring connected to the antenna. In the case of wired communication, for example, a communication cable is connected to the wiring and cooperates with the first vehicle-side transceiver unit 2b of the vehicle relay device 2. The connection to the wiring may be branched by using, for example, an electro tap without cutting the wiring. Since the LF has a low frequency and the antenna is provided outside, the work of connecting a communication cable for wired communication can be easily performed.

In the above-described embodiment, wireless communication is used for communication for transmitting RF data and the like between the vehicle control device 1 and the vehicle relay device 2 between the vehicle control device 1 and the vehicle relay device 2. The present invention is not limited to this, and wired communication may be performed. The high frequency RF antenna is likely to be provided as a built-in antenna inside the unit. In the case of the built-in antenna, in order to perform wired communication, it becomes necessary to disassemble the unit or cut the wiring pattern in the unit to connect the wired cable, which makes the work complicated. If the wiring pattern is cut, it cannot be restored.For example, if there is poor contact, the immobilizer function of the vehicle may not operate normally depending on the vehicle, and the engine may not start due to the user's operation such as pressing the normal push start button. It may not be possible. Therefore, it is particularly preferable to communicate the RF data by wireless communication as in the embodiment.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the engine start request signal and the foot brake signal are sent from the vehicle relay device 2 to the vehicle control device 1 using wired communication, but the present invention is not limited to this. Wireless communication may be used. However, it is better to use a wired communication signal because the ON state can be easily maintained.

[Optimization] (second embodiment)
In this embodiment, the bit rate, which is one of the parameters relating to communication in the above-described first embodiment, is set appropriately. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the pulse widths of the LF data and the RF data are largely different, the sampling period is made as small as possible so that the normal pulse width is not impaired, and the data is transmitted at a high frequency bit rate. As a result, reliable LF data can be transmitted. However, the bit rate is related to the upper limit of the communicable distance, and when the frequency of the bit rate is increased, the upper limit of the communicable distance is shortened. Therefore, the quality of wireless communication is deteriorated.

Therefore, in this embodiment, attention is paid to the pulse width of the bit configuration of the LF data and the bit configuration of the RF data set for each vehicle type, etc., and the bit rate is lengthened within the range where the wireless quality falls within the allowable range, and communication is possible. I tried to increase the distance. The long bit rate within the allowable range is set based on the greatest common divisor of the pulse width of each bit configuration.

To give an example shown in FIG. 3, the pulse width of LF data is 200 μs, 150 μs, and 500 μs, and the pulse width of RF data is 800 μs and 1600 μs. The greatest common divisor in this case is 50 μs. Therefore, in the case of the vehicle type having the bit configuration shown in FIG. 3, assuming that the sampling cycle is 50 μs, the sampling waveform data having the pulse width of 50 μs and each data are in phase, and the LF data and the RF data are either “0/1”. Even with the value of, sampling can be performed at the rising/falling timing. Therefore, it is possible to optimize the balance between the bit rate and the wireless quality by sampling each data having the illustrated bit configuration at 20 kbs.

Normally, a common bit rate is set for all vehicle types, but if such a condition is met, the bit rate will be too fine. As a result, as described above, the upper limit of the communicable distance becomes short, which causes a problem that radio waves do not fly. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, for example, the greatest common divisor is used to set the optimal parameters for communication for each vehicle type, so that the problem can be solved.

Further, in the present embodiment, the common bit rate parameter is used for the LF data and the RF data, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the bit rate may be set for LF data communication and RF data communication, respectively. It is advisable to change the value so that the radio quality is further improved.

[Modulation of Relay Waveform] (Third Embodiment)
In this embodiment, 0/1 determination of LF data is performed, and if “bit 0”, one cycle is converted to Low, and if “bit 1”, one cycle is converted to High, and the data is modulated. I chose In the above-described second embodiment, the waveform is optimized to reduce the bit rate and increase the communicable distance. In the present embodiment, the Low state and the High state last for a relatively long time, so that the bit rate can be apparently reduced and the quality can be improved.

Then, the 0/1 determination is made not by looking at the entire LF data but by looking at the High/Low state of the LF data at the time of the determination. That is, as described above, the LF data has a predetermined data structure when it is "bit 0" and "bit 1". In the examples shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, both “bit 0” and “bit 1” are high start, and if bit 0, it becomes low at the time point of 200 μs. Therefore, 0/1 determination is performed from the state of the LF data at the time of 200 μs+α with a constant margin of 200 μs. Since the determination is performed based on the state of the LF data at a certain point in time, the determination can be performed quickly and easily before the entire data forming “bit 1” and “bit 0” is acquired, and the reception is performed moment by moment. It can be applied to a communication method of continuously transferring and relaying data to be transmitted.

It should be noted that, at a certain point of time when the 0/1 judgment is made, it is set based on the point at which the bit configuration of each bit is switched to Low. However, instead of pinpointing once, it is continuously or appropriately timed multiple times. Good to see. By doing so, it is possible to make an accurate determination.

As an example, when the LF data is “0110” as shown in FIG. 4, the waveform data received by the vehicle relay device 2 is as shown in FIG. Then, it becomes Low when 200 μs+α has elapsed since the start of receiving the data of “bit 0”, so the data being received is “bit 0”. Along with this, the wireless LF data transmitted by the vehicle relay device 2 is set to the Low state. This low state continues for 350 μs for one cycle of “bit 0”.

At the time when 350 μs has passed in this Low state, 200 μs+α has elapsed since the data of the bit next to “bit 0” was started, and the state of the LF data at this time is High, so the data being received is It is "bit 1". Along with this, the wireless LF data transmitted by the vehicle relay device 2 is set to the High state. This High state continues for 700 μs for one cycle of “bit 1”.

At the time when 700 μs has passed in this High state, 200 μs+α has elapsed since the data of the bit next to “bit 1” was started, and the state of the LF data at this point is High, so the data being received is It is "bit 1". Along with this, the wireless LF data transmitted by the vehicle relay device 2 remains in the High state. In the same manner as described below, wireless LF data as shown in FIG. 4B is generated, modulated based on it, and transmitted.

When the mobile repeater 3 receives and demodulates the wireless LF data at the second mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 3c, the data as shown in FIG. 4C is obtained. If the demodulated data is Low, waveform data having a bit configuration corresponding to "bit 0" is generated, and if it is High, waveform data having a bit configuration corresponding to "bit 1" is generated. Since the portable repeater 3 has a known pulse width corresponding to each bit, even if the High state continues for a long time as shown in FIG. 4C, for example, “bit 1” starts from the first 700 μs. The waveform data corresponding to “bit 1” is generated again from the next 700 μs portion. Therefore, the LF data shown in FIG. 4D is reproduced. Then, the mobile relay device 3 transmits the reproduced LF data to the mobile device 4 by the first mobile-side transceiver unit 3b.

The control units 2a and 3a respectively perform the above-described determination processing and generation/reproduction of data associated with the determination.

[Modification]
As described in the first and second embodiments, the bit configuration of each bit differs depending on the vehicle type and the like. Therefore, since the High/Low pulse widths of the LF data are different, the timing of performing the 0/1 determination, the Low state after the determination, the time for which the High state is continued, and the like are also different. Therefore, it is advisable to store and store these various conditions in association with the vehicle type and the like, and set any of the conditions when using. Since conditions such as determination can be associated with parameters related to communication, it is advisable to perform condition setting together with setting parameters related to communication. The condition associated with the vehicle type and the like may be stored separately from the parameter related to communication, but may be stored together in the parameter storage unit 3f together with the parameter. This makes it possible to add/change conditions such as parameters/judgments all at once, which simplifies the management, and can be performed all at once as the setting switch 3g is operated. It is good because the consistency of the parameters and conditions set in the machine etc. can be maintained.

[Transmission/reception switching control of transmission/reception unit of portable repeater] (fourth embodiment)
When there are a plurality of authorized portable devices 4, the authentication information storage unit 1c of the vehicle control device 1 stores the ID codes of the plurality of portable devices 4. In order to confirm the presence of the legitimate portable device 4, the vehicle control device 1 sequentially confirms the presence of the LF data, which is the response request signal, for each of the portable devices 4, and checks which one is registered. When it is authenticated with the legitimate portable device 4, the actual engine starting process is performed.

FIG. 5 shows the communication timing of LF data and RF data when two mobile devices are registered. First, the vehicle control device 1 transmits a WAKE signal, and the portable device 4 receiving the WAKE signal returns an ACK signal. The control unit 1a of the vehicle control device 1 selects one of the plurality of ID codes stored in the authentication information storage unit 1c, and outputs the LF data, which is a response request signal, to the portable device 4 having the selected ID code. To send. In FIG. 5, ID1 is selected and the LF data of “response request signal=ID1 designation+challenge data” is transmitted.

The portable device 4 (ID1) receives the LF data of "ID1 designation+challenge data". The portable device 4 (ID1) recognizes that it is addressed to itself based on the ID code in the LF data, and transmits the response data. On the other hand, even if the portable device 4 (ID2) receives "ID1+challenge data", since it is different from its own ID code, it does not transmit response data.

If the vehicle control device 1 cannot receive the response data from the portable device (ID1) even after a certain time t has elapsed after transmitting the LF data of "ID1 designation+challenge data", the portable device of another ID code ( Here, the LF data of “ID2 designation+challenge data” is transmitted as a response request signal toward ID2). When the portable device 4 (ID2) receives the LF data of "ID2 designation+challenge data", it recognizes that it is addressed to itself from the ID code in the LF data and transmits the response data.

In the above example, an example in which two regular portable devices 4 are registered has been shown, but in the case where there are three or more regular portable devices 4, LF data with ID designation is transmitted one by one in the same manner. Then, when the response data is received, the vehicle control device 1 does not transmit the subsequent LF data with the designated ID.

Further, the transmission/reception unit is configured by using one transmission/reception RFIC, and operates by appropriately switching between the reception state and the transmission state. Therefore, after receiving the LF data of the ID measure described above, the transmission state is switched and the response data is transmitted, but it takes several msec as the switching time T of the transmission/reception.

By the way, the vehicle relay device 2 uses a transmission/reception RFIC as the second vehicle-side transmission/reception unit 2c. Therefore, the second vehicle-side transceiver unit 2c first sets the transmission state to relay and transmits the wireless LF data with the ID specified, and then switches to the reception state to wirelessly transmit the response data transmitted from the portable relay device 3. Wait for reception of RF data. On the other hand, when there is no portable device corresponding to the relayed ID-specified wireless LF data, since the next ID-specified wireless LF data is transmitted at an appropriate timing, the ID-specified wireless LF data is relayed. Then, the second vehicle side transmitting/receiving unit 2c is switched to the transmitting state.

The portable repeater 3 uses a transmitting/receiving RFIC as the second portable side transmitting/receiving unit 3c. Therefore, the second mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 3c switches to the transmission state after completing the reception of the wireless LF data from the vehicle relay device 2 in the reception state, and relays the RF data of the response data sent from the mobile device 4 to the vehicle relay device. Relay to machine 2. That is, the portable relay device 3 confirms whether the portable device 4 is transmitting RF data, and if it is transmitted, the portable relay device 3 transmits it to the vehicle relay device 2 as it is until the end of the RF data. When not transmitting, the second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 3c immediately switches from the transmission state of the RF data to the vehicle relay device 2 to the LF data reception state.

In this embodiment, the transmission/reception switching control is configured as follows in order to perform the switching control more quickly. For example, the portable relay device 3 switches the second portable side transmitting/receiving section 3c to the transmitting state in preparation for a response after the second portable side transmitting/receiving section 3c in the receiving state completes receiving the wireless LF data with the specified ID. Then, when the response data is always present, the reception carrier sense is performed once, and when there is no carrier sense, the transmission/reception switching is performed to bring it into the reception state, and when there is the carrier sense, the transmission state is continued as it is.

Further, in accordance with this, the transmission/reception state of the first mobile side transmission/reception unit 3b is also switched. That is, the transmission state is set at first, and the LF data based on the wireless LF data received by the second mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 3c is transmitted to the mobile device 4 and relayed. After the transmission of the LF data is completed, the mode is switched to the reception state, and the response data transmitted from the portable device 4 is waited for. If there is no carrier sense, transmission/reception switching is performed to bring it into a transmitting state, and if there is carrier sense, the receiving state is continued as it is.

When the response always exists, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the response data is sent at least after the transmission/reception switching time T has elapsed after the completion of the transmission of the wireless LF data with the designated ID. Therefore, it is preferable to set the timing when a time T (for example, several msec) has elapsed from the completion of the transmission or the timing when a predetermined margin is added to T. By doing so, the presence or absence of response data can be determined at a relatively early timing.

In the present embodiment, carrier sense is always performed when there is a response. Therefore, without carrier sense, there is no portable device having the ID specified by the LF data transmitted earlier, and response data is transmitted. It becomes clear that it will not come. Therefore, it becomes possible to reliably receive the next LF data with the designated ID sent from the vehicle control device 1 by switching the second mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 3c to the receiving state. Since the presence or absence of the response data can be determined at a relatively early timing after the reception of the wireless LF data with the designated ID is completed, when the response data is not sent, the transmission/reception switching is performed with a margin and the next ID is transmitted. It is possible to prepare for reception of designated wireless LF data.

On the other hand, when there is carrier sense, the response data continuously sent from the portable device 4 is received by the first portable side transmitting/receiving section 3b and is transmitted by the second portable side transmitting/receiving section 3c. Even if the carrier sense reception determination is made not at the beginning of the response data but at a slightly delayed timing, the first mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 3b is in the receiving state, and therefore the reception can be surely performed. Since the second mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 3c is in the transmitting state, it is possible to reliably transmit and relay.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the transmission/reception switching based on the reception determination of the carrier sense is provided on the portable relay device 3 side has been described, but the same function may be mounted on the vehicle relay device 2 side.

The problem to be solved in this embodiment is as follows. For example, the vehicle control device 1 determines whether to receive the response data after the LF data is transmitted and before the elapse of the certain time t. The conventional method for detecting the presence or absence of response data is to actually receive several bits of data and determine whether the data is the start data of the response data or whether it is a bit component of the response data. There is. For example, assuming that the bit configuration is that shown in FIG. 3, one bit is 1.6 ms, and therefore, for example, looking at four bits requires 6.4 ms. As described above, considering the switching time T (for example, 2 to 3 ms), it takes 8.4 to 9.4 ms even if simply added. Then, since the fixed time t until the vehicle control device 1 transmits the next LF data is, for example, about 10 ms, when the portable relay device 3 detects the presence or absence of response data and then performs transmission/reception switching, Considering that switching from the transmission state to the reception state takes several hundreds of μ or more, there is a case where the switching is not completed within the fixed time t. Even if 3 bits are viewed to allow a time margin, if the data is difficult to determine due to, for example, a disturbance or the like, it takes time to switch, and LF data retransmission has already started. In that case, the portable device could not be properly relayed, the portable device could not recognize the LF data, the response data of the RF data was not transmitted, and the engine could not be started. Furthermore, if the number of bits to be confirmed is small, it is not possible to accurately determine whether or not the response data has been received. The bit configuration is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3, and since the time of one cycle is also different, the above problem becomes remarkable. As described above, in the conventional method of detecting the presence/absence of response data, the fixed time t is short, and therefore there is a problem that it is impossible to see many bits in order to reliably detect the presence/absence.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as described above, the presence/absence of response data is detected during the fixed time t, and switching of the transmission/reception function has a strict time constraint, but in the present embodiment, presence/absence of carrier sense is detected. Since the judgment is made in step 1, it can be judged in a short time.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, the presence/absence of the received carrier sense is determined once when the response data always exists. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, in order to improve the precision of the determination result, The carrier sense may be performed several times continuously, or may be performed a plurality of times at regular intervals. However, it is preferable to perform the operation once, as in the embodiment, because the determination can be performed quickly.

[Correction of Bit Abnormality] (Fifth Embodiment)
In each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, when LF data, wireless LF data, RF data, and wireless RF data relayed by the vehicle relay device 2 or the mobile relay device 3 is received by wireless communication, the received data is in the wireless communication state. This causes a problem that the bit configuration changes due to. Since both the LF data and the RF data are wireless communication, it is inevitable to be disturbed. In particular, if the communication distance becomes long and the communication is within the permissible range, a bit error is likely to occur.

Each relay device is configured to perform sampling on the received data at a sampling cycle, and sequentially transfer and transmit the acquired data. Therefore, when the normal bit configuration of “bit 1” is, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, when High continues for 500 μs and then Low continues for 200 μs, for example, as shown in FIG. 6B. Consider a case where an abnormality occurs such that the voltage once falls to Low before 500 μs has elapsed and then returns to High. Then, the relayed wireless RF data has a data structure having a phenomenon of once falling to Low as shown in FIG. 6B. Then, the vehicle control device 1 receives the data of the received portion as response data, and therefore the vehicle control device 1 cannot recognize “1” and cannot recognize a normal waveform in the first place. Therefore, the engine cannot be started. Although not specifically shown, if there is an error in the transmission/relay of the LF data, the portable device 4 cannot receive the regular LF data, and as a result, cannot transmit the response, and the engine cannot be started. There are challenges.

On the other hand, in the present invention, since the length and pattern of a normal waveform are known, even if there is a bit abnormality, a normal waveform is output if there is a pattern. Specifically, even if there is a High/Low switching that is impossible due to the pattern configuration, the original state is maintained without switching. For example, in the bit configuration shown in FIG. 3, in the case of High start data, High continues up to 200 μ in any case of 0/1. Therefore, it is controlled so as to maintain High even if it falls to Low before 200 μs has elapsed. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 6B, in the case of LF data, if High continues for more than 200 μs, a waveform representing “bit 1” is obtained, so it falls to Low before 500 μs elapses. Even though it remains high. The maintenance of this High state continues until the next low pulse is input.

As a result, even if the wireless LF data received by the mobile relay device 3 has one low pulse due to noise at 300 μs after the start of High, as shown in FIG. The high state is maintained until a low pulse is input to. Then, in the example of FIG. 6B, the next low pulse is at the time of 500 μs which is the normal inversion time, so the LF data transmitted from the mobile relay device 3 is the normal one shown in FIG. It becomes a waveform. Therefore, the portable device 4 can recognize the LF data and can return a response when it is addressed to itself.

Further, in the above description, the case where the low pulse is generated from the high state has been described, but the low state is similarly maintained even when the high pulse is generated at the timing when the high state is not originally generated in the low state. Further, in the illustrated example, "bit 1" of LF data has been described, but "bit 0" and RF data are processed in the same manner.

Therefore, even if a pulse that inverts once occurs due to noise or the like, the waveform itself to be relayed and transmitted becomes the same as the normal waveform. As a result, it is possible to prevent the portable device 4 and the vehicle control device 1 from making an abnormality determination.

The determination as to whether the received data is "bit 0" or "bit 1" may be made at the timing of H/L inversion of a normal waveform, but it is made by providing a predetermined margin (α). And good. For example, the determination as to "bit 1" shown in FIG. 6 is not performed immediately when the time exceeds 200 μs, but a predetermined margin (α) such as “200 μs+α” may be provided. Depending on the communication environment and the like, the waveform of bit 0 may not fall to Low at the time of 200 μs, but may go to Low with a slight time lag. In such a case, the waveform of “bit 0” can be normally relayed by providing the predetermined margin (α).

In the present embodiment, the above-described correction process is performed by the side that receives the signal of the long distance transmission. Specifically, the mobile relay device 3 that receives the wireless LF data transmitted from the vehicle relay device 2 and the vehicle relay device 2 that receives the wireless RF data transmitted from the mobile relay device 3 perform the processing. This is because the communication between the vehicle relay device 2 and the mobile relay device 3 is long-distance transmission, and the user carrying the mobile relay device 3 may be away from the vehicle and the communication distance may be long. Is more likely to occur. Therefore, the engine can be started even if such an abnormality occurs.

On the other hand, the vehicle control device 1 and the vehicle relay device 2 are both installed at predetermined positions in the vehicle, and they are relatively close to each other, and are usually arranged in consideration of a communicable distance at the time of installation. Event is hard to occur. Further, since the mobile relay device 3 and the mobile device 4 are both relatively close to each other because they are carried by the user, the above-mentioned phenomenon is unlikely to occur. Further, if the distance is far enough to cause such an event, it can be dealt with by bringing them closer.

The correction according to the present embodiment is a relatively strong correction such that the High state or the Low state is forcibly continued after a certain period of time elapses, so that the vehicle relay in which the occurrence of the event is relatively high is relatively high. The long distance communication between the device 2 and the portable relay device 3 is performed.

Further, in the present embodiment, even if a pulse that is inverted once is input, the original state is maintained without being inverted. Therefore, for example, when a pulse that inverts a plurality of times (for example, twice) occurs in the same state (for example, a High state) (see FIG. 6C), the state is inverted during the second inversion pulse (see FIG. 6C). In the example of the figure, it is changed from High to Low). Therefore, in such a case, the waveform data falling to Low before the elapse of 500 μs is transmitted. In such a case where it occurs multiple times, the normal waveform is not output. Since this is also a relatively strong correction, the correction target is limited to one abnormal pulse to prevent the transmission of an originally non-normal signal as a normal waveform.

The above-described noise removal process is preferably performed by the control unit 2a and the control unit 3a configured by the MPU because the process can be appropriately performed.

[Modification]
In the embodiment described above, the correction is limited to the occurrence of the abnormal pulse only once, but the correction may be performed plural times. By doing so, it is possible to start the engine at a location separated by a long distance. Even if LF data or RF data different from the original data is relayed by forcible correction, it may be finally excluded on the vehicle side.

Further, it is preferable that the number of times to be set can be changed by user setting. By doing so, it is preferable that the correction can be made under appropriate conditions according to the usage environment/situation of the user.

In the above-described embodiment, the waveform transmitted by the long distance communication is corrected, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to other communication. In that case, for example, it may be applied to communication between the mobile device 4 and the mobile relay device 3. The portable device 4 and the portable relay device 3 are both held by the user, and the distance between the two can be managed and appropriately adjusted by the user. However, if the communication distance becomes shorter due to, for example, exhaustion of the built-in battery, or if both are stored in a pocket of clothes worn by the user, a bag, or the like, the two relatively move inside, The distance may exceed the desired distance. Even in such a case, the engine can be started by performing the correction of the above-described embodiment, which is preferable.

In the embodiment described above, the correction is performed by the control unit, but a dedicated circuit or the like may be provided. By providing a dedicated circuit, processing can be performed more quickly. As described in the fourth embodiment, transmission and reception of LF data and RF data has a time limitation, and there is a problem that the time required for relay is desired to be as short as possible. Therefore, by providing a dedicated circuit, the correction can be performed in a short time, and the response can be returned with sufficient margin within the fixed time t.

As described in the first and second embodiments, the bit configuration of each bit differs depending on the vehicle type and the like. Therefore, since the pulse widths of High/Low are different, the correction conditions (for example, maintaining from start to OOμs, and maintaining ∆μμs after OOμs) are also different. Therefore, it is advisable to store the correction condition corresponding to the vehicle type and the like in association with the vehicle type and set any one of the conditions for use. Since the correction condition can be associated with the communication-related parameter, the condition setting may be performed together with the communication-related parameter setting. The correction condition associated with the vehicle type or the like may be stored separately from the parameter relating to communication, but may be stored in the parameter storage unit 3f in association with the parameter together. In this way, the parameters and the correction conditions can be added/changed in a batch, which facilitates the management and can be batched in accordance with the operation of the setting switch 3g. It is good that the consistency of the parameters and correction conditions set for the above can be maintained.

[Dualization of RFIC] (sixth embodiment)
In each of the above-described embodiments and modified examples, the transmission/reception unit is configured by one transmission/reception RFIC, and the transmission/reception state is appropriately switched to perform relay. In the present embodiment, each transmission/reception unit mounted on the vehicle relay device 2 and the portable relay device 3 is configured by a transmission-dedicated RFIC and a reception-dedicated RFIC, respectively, and transmission/reception is performed exclusively by each IC.

For example, as described in the fourth embodiment and the like, when transmitting/receiving LF data, wireless LF data, RF data, and wireless RF data, a transmission/reception switching operation occurs in each transmission/reception unit. In addition, since the vehicle control device 1 has to perform the process from transmitting the LF data to receiving the response data from the corresponding portable device 4 within a fixed time t, the transmission/reception switching operation requires quickness. To be done. And if the fixed time becomes shorter, the demand becomes higher. Then, there are no compatible RFICs, or if there are any, there are few types, and the choice is narrowed. Furthermore, even if the switching operation time satisfies the request, it does not correspond to the radio frequency band to be used, and there is a possibility that a system configuration that meets the specifications cannot be established.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, by mounting dedicated RFICs for transmission and reception, switching between transmission and reception becomes unnecessary, and communication control can be performed easily. Furthermore, by performing the transmission and the reception with the dedicated RFIC, the reception processing and the transmission processing can be performed at the same time. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, normally, after reception of WAKE from the vehicle control device 1 is completed, the first vehicle-side transceiver unit 2b is switched to a transmission state and ACK is returned, but in the present embodiment, reception of WAKE is performed. I tried to return ACK on the way. This shortens the time from when the vehicle control device 1 transmits WAKE until the reception of ACK is completed. Then, the vehicle control device 1 transmits the LF data with the predetermined ID designated upon receipt of the ACK, but the start of the transmission is also performed faster than in the above-described embodiments and modifications. Furthermore, since the waiting time for switching between transmission and reception, which is required when performing each relay, is eliminated, there is a time margin also in this respect. Furthermore, the ACK is not transmitted by the portable device 4 but relayed by the vehicle relay device 2. Thereby, the time can be further shortened. Further, since the RFIC is dedicated to reception and transmission, the RFIC can be designed without considering the switching time, so that it is possible to design at a frequency that increases the certainty of wireless communication.

In addition, each repeater is designed to transmit and receive at different frequencies. The transmitting and receiving channels are not adjacent to each other, and there is no mutual interference.

In each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, LF data is communicated using a high frequency (short bit length), for example, 900 MHz, and RF data is communicated using a low frequency, for example, 400 MHz. This is because the higher the frequency is, the higher the bit rate is, so that the switching from the transmitting state to the receiving state becomes faster, and the capturing and returning becomes faster. Therefore, in order to keep the time constraint, 900 MHz is used when the switching method is used. By using two RFICs and making them dual as in this embodiment, for example, LF data may be communicated at 400 MHz. 400 MHz is preferable because it has a narrow band width and can perform stable communication without interference with other signals.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the RFIC is dualized, power consumption increases. Therefore, the battery built in the portable repeater 3 also needs to have a large capacity. Therefore, the case that houses the portable relay device 3 also becomes large.

Therefore, it is preferable that the case has a space in which the portable device 4 can be stored, and the portable relay device 3 and the portable device 4 can be integrally carried. By the integration, the mobile relay device 3 and the mobile device 4 can be arranged at a short distance, and therefore communication can be surely performed.

Further, since the battery built in the portable relay device 3 has a large capacity, it may be provided with a connecting portion with a mobile device so that it can be used as a mobile battery. The connection part includes, for example, a terminal part to which a cable can be connected. When applied to a mobile battery, the battery may be a secondary battery.

[Separation determination function] (seventh embodiment)
As described in the above embodiments and modifications, the mobile relay device 3 relays and transmits the LF data, and the mobile device 4 receives the LF data and then the ID code included in the LF data is If it matches with the above, RF data (response data) is transmitted.

Then, the RF data (response data) is transmitted from the portable relay device 3 to the vehicle control device 1 through the vehicle relay device 2. When the vehicle control device 1 receives the response from the legitimate portable device 4, the vehicle control device 1 starts the engine.

By the way, the LF data is transmitted at the first frequency, and the RF data is transmitted at the second frequency different from the first frequency. The second frequency is higher than the first frequency, and the RF data communication distance using the second frequency is also long. As an example, the first frequency is 134 kHz and the second frequency is 314 MHz. Then, the communicable distance of the LF data is as short as 1 to 2 m, and if it is too far apart, the portable device 4 may not be able to receive the LF data transmitted from the portable relay device 3.

Then, as one of the factors in the case where the engine start fails, the portable relay device 3 and the portable device 4 are separated from each other and the LF data transmitted from the portable relay device 3 cannot be received. However, the LF data communicable distance varies depending on, for example, how the user holds the portable relay device 3 and the surrounding environment. Therefore, when the user fails to start the engine, the portable device 4 and the portable relay device 3 are not connected to each other. There is a problem that it is difficult to know whether it is caused by the fact that communication is not possible due to a distance, or whether it is due to another failure or the like.

Also, a method of increasing the radio wave intensity can be adopted to ensure communication even if the distance is a little away, but if the radio wave intensity is increased, it will fly too much and may cause a malfunction, which is not preferable. For example, in a situation where a spare portable device is placed in a room, if a person who does not have the portable device 4 mistakenly operates the portable relay device 3, the engine will start, which is not preferable. Further, when the radio field intensity is increased, the battery consumption is also increased, and there is also a demand to suppress it. Therefore, the communicable distance becomes short, and the above problem becomes remarkable.

FIG. 7 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment is for solving the above problem, and is provided with an isolation determination mode for determining whether or not the user separates the mobile relay device 3 from the mobile device 4. In this isolation determination mode, the mobile relay device 3 is provided with the normal LF data information storage unit 3h. The control unit 3a stores the LF data when the engine has been successfully started in the normal LF data information storage unit 3h as normal LF data.

When the separation determination mode is set, the control unit 3a transmits the normal LF data stored in the normal LF data information storage unit 3h by the first mobile-side transceiver unit 3b. When the portable device 4 receives the normal LF data, the portable device 4 transmits RF data (response data) because it is the same as the ID-designated LF data sent from the vehicle control device 1. The control unit 3a waits for reception of the RF data (response data). Then, when the control unit 3a completes the reception of the RF data (response data), the control unit 3a notifies from the notification unit 3e that it is within the communicable range. On the other hand, when the control unit 3a cannot receive the RF data (response data), the control unit 3a notifies the notification unit 3e that communication cannot be performed.

The user can know from the notification result of the notification unit 3e whether or not the mobile relay device 3 and the mobile device 4 are within an appropriate range in which communication is possible. Therefore, for example, if the engine is not actually started when the engine is remotely started by operating the portable relay device 3, the communication between the portable relay device 3 and the portable device 4 cannot be performed in the first place, or another communication system can be used. It is possible to easily understand whether or not the failure has occurred. In the present embodiment, it can be confirmed without starting the engine.

[Modification]
When there are a plurality of authorized portable devices 4, the vehicle control device 1 sequentially transmits the LF data specifying the authentication information (ID code) of each of the registered portable devices 4. Therefore, if the ID code included in the first transmitted LF data does not match its own, the portable device 4 does not transmit the RF data (response data), and the portable relay device 3 includes a different ID code. Relay LF data. When RF data (response data) is finally sent from the portable device 4 and engine start is successful, the LF data at the time of success may be stored in the normal LF data information storage unit 3h. By storing the LF data about the ID code of the portable device 4 that the user often uses, the separation determination can be performed immediately.

Further, when a plurality of LF data are relayed, all the LF data relayed up to that time are LF data including the regular ID code stored in the vehicle control device 1, and therefore all the LF data are normal LF data. It may be stored in the data information storage unit 3h. With this configuration, when the user does not fix the portable device 4 to be used, the separation determination can be performed by using any of the portable devices 4.

Further, the normal LF data stored in the normal LF data information storage unit 3h may be only the LF data when the response data is received, but all the LF data sent so far may be stored. .. By doing so, even if the portable device carried by the user changes, the isolation determination can be performed.

When all the LF data is stored, for example, the LF data about all the authentication information stored in the vehicle control device 1 is operated by operating the operation unit 3d of the mobile relay device 3 without the mobile device. Can be acquired and stored. By doing so, the separation determination can be performed for any portable device that is subsequently carried.

In addition, the mobile relay device 3 may have a function of notifying the number of registered normal LF data stored in the normal LF data information storage unit 3h. In this way, by collecting the LF data corresponding to all the authentication information registered in the vehicle control device 1, it is possible to know how many legitimate portable devices are registered in the vehicle control device 1, which is interesting. ..

When the portable relay device 3 receives the response data when the operation unit 3d is operated, the notification unit 3e may be notified of that. In this way, it is known that the communication between the mobile relay device 3 and the mobile device 4 is secured, and if the engine cannot be started in that state, it is known that there is a failure. The notification in this case is preferable, for example, if the sound such as "beep" is smoothed, so that the user can understand without looking at the notification unit 3e.

In the above-described embodiment and modified example, the LF data when the engine is started is stored and the separation determination between the portable relay device 3 and the portable device 4 is performed. However, the RF data (response (Data) may be stored and the RF data may be checked in the same manner. As the determination of the presence or absence of RF data, RF data carrier sensing, determination of the leading bit, or the like may be used.

[Integrated structure of portable device and portable relay device] (eighth embodiment)
8 and 9 show an eighth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the portable device 4 and the portable relay device 3 are integrated. The portable repeater 3 includes a display unit 11, operation buttons 12, and a lid unit 13 on the upper surface 10a of the case body 10. As shown in FIG. 9, the lid 13 closes the storage recess 10b provided so as to open on the upper surface 10a of the case body 10. In the present embodiment, the lid portion 13 is slid along the upper surface 10a of the case body 10 to be attached/detached. Although illustration is omitted, in the case body 10, for example, various circuits/devices such as a control unit 3a, a first mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 3b, a second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 3c, and a parameter storage unit 3f are mounted. .. The display unit 11 constitutes, for example, the notification unit 3e in each of the above-described embodiments. The operation button 12 is an engine operation switch, a vehicle door operation switch, or the like, and constitutes, for example, the setting switch 3g in each of the above-described embodiments. Further, the lid 13 is provided with an auxiliary switch 13a. The auxiliary switch 13a is a push button type switch operation unit.

In this embodiment, the portable device 4 is stored in the storage recess 10b of the portable relay device 3, but the internal substrate assembly 21 of the portable device 4 is stored instead of mounting the entire portable device 4 as it is. The internal board assembly 21 is provided with a push button type switch 21a on its surface. When the internal board assembly 21 is housed in the housing recess 10b and the lid 13 is closed, the switch 21a of the internal board assembly 21 and the auxiliary switch 13a of the lid 13 are moved up and down as shown in FIG. 8B. Place it so that it overlaps. As a result, when the auxiliary switch 13a is pressed, the auxiliary switch 13a presses the switch 21a of the internal board assembly 21. Therefore, the user can perform a predetermined switch operation on the portable device 4 by operating the auxiliary switch 13a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8C, the portable device 4 may include the mechanical key 22 of the vehicle. The mechanical key 22 is inserted into the key cylinder of the ignition when the engine using the portable device 4 cannot be started due to, for example, running out of the battery of the portable device 4 or failure, and the mechanical key 22 is rotated to rotate the engine. It is used to start/stop etc. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the case body 10 is provided with a hole into which the mechanical key 22 is inserted, and the mechanical key 22 can be set in the hole. Accordingly, the user can carry the mechanical key 22 together with the portable relay device 3.

When the internal board assembly 21 is attached, for example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the user or the like disassembles the portable device 4 and removes the internal board assembly 21. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9B, the user or the like removes the lid 13 of the portable relay device 3 to open the storage recess 10b. Next, the user or the like inserts the internal substrate assembly 21 into the storage recess 10b with the auxiliary switch 13a facing upward as shown in FIG. After that, the user or the like attaches the lid 13 to the case body 10 to configure the portable relay device 3 in which the internal board assembly 21 shown in FIG. 8A is integrated.

In the present embodiment, the portable device 4 and the portable relay device 3 are integrated so that the portable device 4 becomes compact and does not become bulky when placed in a pocket or the like. In particular, since the internal substrate assembly 21 is taken out from the portable device 4 and mounted, the internal space of the storage recess 10b can be made small, and the overall size of the portable relay device 3 integrated with the portable device 4 can be increased. It is good because it can be done by suppressing. Further, the portable device 4 and the portable relay device 3 are arranged in a short distance so that communication can be reliably performed. With respect to this point as well, since there is no case of the portable device 4, the distance between the portable relay device 3 and the portable device 4 can be made closer.

In the present embodiment, the internal substrate assembly 21 includes the switch 21a and is applied to the auxiliary switch 13a of the lid 13 that can press the switch 21a. However, for example, the switch 21a is structurally not exposed on the upper surface. In the case where the auxiliary switch 13a cannot press the switch 21a or the switch 21a cannot be pressed by the auxiliary switch 13a of the lid 13 such as a slide type, for example, the switch 21a is exposed to the outside from the opening of the case body 10. It is preferable that the switch 21a can be directly operated.

[Modification 1 of relay waveform]
In the above-described embodiment, for example, the relay between the vehicle relay device 2 and the portable relay device 3 is performed by transmitting the wireless LF data converted based on the LF data. Specifically, for example, in the third embodiment, if "bit 0", one cycle is converted to Low, and if "bit 1", one cycle is converted to High, and the data is modulated. .. As described above, the method of converting the wireless LF data into a pulse waveform different from the pulse width of the LF data is not limited to the above-described method, and various kinds of measures can be taken. An example is as follows.

For example, an edge signal is generated at the rising edge and the falling edge of the LF data. The wireless LF data is data generated by the edge signal at an appropriate timing from the Low state. The edge signal is, for example, a single pulse having a predetermined width. Explaining with a specific example, when the LF data is “0110”, the waveform data received by the vehicle relay device 2 is as shown in FIG. Then, the rising edge of "bit 0" is detected, an edge signal of a predetermined width (for example, 50 μs) is inserted, and then the Low state is maintained. When the Low state continues for 350 μs, a fall from “High” of “bit 0” to Low occurs. Therefore, the Low state is maintained after the edge signal is inserted with the fall as a trigger.

When this low state continues for 100 μs, the LF data is switched to the next “bit 1” High. An edge signal is inserted at the rising edge at this time. Hereinafter, by repeating the process, wireless LF data as shown in FIG. 10B is generated, and the wireless LF data is modulated and transmitted based on the wireless LF data. According to this method, two edge signals are output per bit data, and the wireless LF data has a long Low state.

When the mobile repeater 3 receives the wireless LF data shown in FIG. 10B, the portable relay device 3 sets the signal to High in accordance with the first edge signal, and maintains High until the next edge signal arrives. Then, when the next edge signal is detected, it is set to Low, and is kept Low until the next edge signal comes. By alternately switching between High and Low each time the edge signal is detected, the original LF data can be reproduced as shown in FIG. 10C.

[Modification 2 of Relay Waveform]
In Modification 1 described above, the edge signal is inserted at each of the rising edge and the falling edge of the LF data, but the edge signal may not be inserted at the falling edge. Then, in the case of “bit 1” in which the high pulse width is long, a single-shot pulse is inserted while maintaining the high state. In “bit 0”, High drops to Low after 200 μs has passed, and in “Bit 1”, High continues for 500 μs, so that the timing of inserting a single pulse is, for example, 200 μs after the rising edge.

As a result, the wireless LF data in the case of “bit 0” has a pulse waveform in which a single pulse having a predetermined width is inserted at the rising of the LF data and becomes Low until 350 μs elapses from the rising. Further, in the case of “bit 1”, the wireless LF data has a single pulse of a predetermined width inserted at the rising of the LF data, the Low state is maintained thereafter, and a pulse of a predetermined width is inserted when 200 μs has elapsed from the rising, After that, it becomes a pulse waveform in which the Low state is maintained.

Therefore, when the portable repeater 3 receives the wireless LF data, if the next pulse does not occur even after 200 μs has elapsed after detecting a single pulse, it is known that the data is “bit 0” and 200 μs has elapsed. When the next pulse occurs at this time, it can be seen that the data is "bit 1", and thus the original LF data can be reproduced.

The control unit 2a of the vehicle relay device 2 for performing the process of generating the wireless LF data has a function of executing the transmission data conversion flow illustrated in FIG. 11A, for example. That is, the control unit 2a monitors the L/H state of the LF data and determines the presence or absence of a rising edge (ST1). When the rising edge is detected (ST1 is Yes), the controller 2a outputs a 40 μs pulse (ST2).

Next, the control unit 2a makes a logical determination whether the current data is "bit 0" ("bit 1") (ST3). When the logical determination is "bit 0", the control unit 2a returns to ST1 and detects the next rising edge. As a result, when the LF data is "bit 0", there is only a pulse output of 40 µs at the rising edge. On the other hand, the control unit 2a outputs a 40 μs pulse when the logic determination is “bit 1” (ST4). After that, the control unit 2a returns to ST1 and detects the next rising edge. As a result, when the LF data is “bit 1”, a 40 μs pulse is output twice at the time of rising and in the middle. In the logical determination of ST3, when 350 μs has elapsed from the rising edge, it is determined whether it is High or Low, and if it is Low, it is determined as “bit 0”.

On the other hand, the control unit 3a of the mobile relay device 3 for performing the process of reproducing the LF data from the received wireless LF data has a function of executing the transmission data conversion flow shown in FIG. 11B, for example. That is, the control unit 3a monitors the L/H state of the wireless LF data and determines the presence/absence of a rising edge (ST11). When the rising edge is detected (ST11 is Yes), the control unit 3a sets the signal to High (ST12).

Next, the control unit 3a determines whether or not the current data is "bit 1" ("bit 0") based on the presence/absence of a rising edge (ST13). When the determination result is “bit 0” (ST13 is No), the control unit 3a changes the output to Low (ST14) and then returns to ST1 to detect the next rising edge. On the other hand, when the determination is “bit 1” (ST13 is No), the control unit 3a maintains the High state for a certain period of time (ST15). After the elapse of a certain time, the control unit 3a changes the output to Low (ST16), returns to ST11, and detects the next rising edge. In the determination of ST13, it is determined whether or not there is a rising edge when 350 μs has elapsed from the rising of ST11, and if there is, it is determined to be “bit 1”. Instead of the rising edge, it may be checked whether it is High or Low.

The above-mentioned processing function will be described with a specific example. For example, if the LF data is “0110”, the waveform data received by the vehicle relay device 2 will be as shown in FIG. The control unit 2a detects the rising edge of "bit 0" of the LF data, inserts a pulse having a predetermined width (for example, 40 μs), and then maintains the Low state. Since the LF data when 350 μs has elapsed from the detection of the rising edge is Low, the branch determination in ST3 is Yes, the Low is continued, and the next rising edge is waited for.

Then, with the next rise of "bit 1" of the LF data, a pulse of 40 µs is inserted, and then the Low state is maintained. Since the LF data when 350 μs has elapsed from the detection of the rising edge is High, the branch determination in ST3 is No, a 40 μs pulse is inserted, and then the Low state is maintained. This Low state continues until the next "bit 1" rises. Similarly, when the LF data of "0110" is received thereafter, the wireless LF data as shown in FIG. 12B is generated. The wireless LF data of the pulse system shown in FIG. 12B is transmitted from the vehicle relay device 2 and received by the portable relay device 3.

The mobile relay device 3 reproduces the LF data shown in FIG. 12C by executing the processing flow of FIG. 11B on the received wireless LF data. That is, the control unit 3a detects the rising edge of the wireless LF data and sets it to High. This High state continues until the next branch determination determination process (ST13) is performed. Then, after 200 μs has elapsed from the rising edge, there is no rising edge and it remains Low, so the branch determination in ST13 is No, and the output is set to Low. This Low state continues until the next rising edge. Thereby, the LF data of "bit 0" is reproduced.

In addition, the control unit 3a outputs High in response to the detection of the rising edge. Since the wireless LF data has a rising edge after 200 μs has elapsed from the rising, the branch determination in ST13 is Yes, and the output is kept Low for a certain period of time and then set Low. This Low state continues until the next rising edge. As a result, the "bit 1" LF data is reproduced. By repeating the process thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12C, the LF data of “0110” is reproduced.

[Modification 3 of relay waveform]
In the first modification and the second modification described above, the edge signal is output at the rising edge of the LF data, but in the present modification, the wireless LF data of the relay waveform is based on the duration of the High state of the LF data. To generate. As described above, as an example of the bit configuration of the LF data, “bit 0” is High at 200 μs and Low at 150 μs (see FIG. 3A), and “Bit 1” is 500 μs at High and 200 μs. It becomes Low (see FIG. 3B). As described above, in the bit configurations that respectively configure “bit 0” and “bit 1”, the pulse widths of High and Low are determined, and for example, the High state of LF data sent from the vehicle control device 1 is 200 μs. If it continues longer than, it is "bit 1". In this modification, the vehicle relay device 2 generates wireless LF data having a bit configuration having a pulse width different from the High and Low pulse widths of the “bit 0” and the “bit 1” of the received LF data, respectively, The data is wirelessly transmitted to the repeater 3. The bit configurations of different pulse widths are, for example, the same as the “bit 1” high pulse width of the wireless LF data and the “bit 0” high pulse width of the LF data, and the “bit 0” of the wireless LF data. The pulse width of High is made longer than the pulse width of High of "bit 1" of the wireless LF data. Then, the Low pulse width of the wireless LF data is set to a value such that the length of one cycle including High and Low becomes the same for the LF data and the wireless LF data.

By doing so, the mobile relay device 3 that has received the wireless LF data can discriminate between “bit 0” and “bit 1” based on the length of High, and the rise of Low to High can be performed without delay. It should be the same as the LF data.

As an example of the bit configuration of the wireless LF data, “bit 0” has a High of 200 μs+α and a Low of 150 μs−α. Here, α is a value smaller than (500-200) μs, for example, 100 μs. “Bit 1” has a High of 200 μs and a Low of ((500+200)−200) μs.

Further, the wake signal and the STOP signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 1 have fixed pulse widths. As an example, the WAKE signal keeps Low for 180 μs after High continues for 2 ms. Further, the STOP signal is a single-shot pulse whose High is 180 μs. In order to distinguish these WAKE signal and STOP signal from “bit 0” and “bit 1” of the LF data, the vehicle relay device 2 receives WAKE, and turns into a signal of High 200 μs+α+β and Low 2 ms+180 μs−(200 μs+α+β). It is converted and wirelessly transmitted to the mobile relay device 3. When the vehicle relay device 2 receives the STOP signal, the vehicle relay device 2 converts the High signal into a 180 μs+γ signal and wirelessly transmits it to the portable relay device 3. Here, γ is less than 20 μs.

The High of each signal after the above conversion is WAKE signal (200 μs+α+β)>bit 0 (200 μs+α)>bit 1 (200 μs)>STOP signal (180 μs+γ:γ<20 μs). Thereby, the portable relay device 3 can identify the WAKE signal, the bit 0, the bit 1, and the STOP signal from the length of High. In addition, the total value of each signal composed of the combination of High and Low is equal to the total value of the signals before conversion.
In order to perform the above process, the control unit 2a of the vehicle relay device 2 executes the process flow shown in FIG. 13, and the control unit 3a of the mobile relay device 3 executes the process flow shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 2a waits for the input signal sent from the vehicle control device 1 to rise from Low to High (ST21).

When rising to High (Y in ST21), the control unit 2a outputs a signal for continuing High for 200 μs+α+β and continuing Low for 2 ms+180 μs−(200 μs+α+β) (ST22). The second vehicle-side transceiver unit 2c wirelessly transmits this signal to the portable relay device 3. Similarly, the output signal output from the control unit 2a described below is wirelessly transmitted to the portable relay device 3 by the second vehicle-side transceiver unit 2c.

The control unit 2a then waits for the input signal to rise from Low to High (ST23). When rising to High (Y in ST23), the control unit 2a sets the output signal to High (ST24). The control unit 2a determines whether or not the duration of High of the input signal falls to Low at 180 μs (ST25). When the branch determination in ST25 is Y, the control unit 2a drops it to Low after the set time of less than γμs has elapsed. As a result, the control unit 2a outputs a STOP signal that falls to Low after 180 μs+γ has elapsed since the state was set to High in ST24.

When the branch determination in ST25 is Y, the control unit 2a determines whether or not the input signal has a High duration of more than 200 μs (ST27). If the duration exceeds 200 μS, it is a signal of bit 1, and if it falls to Low without exceeding 200 μs, it is a signal of bit 0. Therefore, when the branch determination in ST27 is Y, the control unit 2a sets the output signal to Low, and maintains Low for (500+200)−200 μs (ST28). If the branch determination in ST27 is N, the control unit 2a maintains the High state at α, then sets the output signal to Low, and maintains Low for 150 μs−α (ST28).

As shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 3a of the mobile relay device 3 waits for the input signal sent from the vehicle relay device 2 to rise from Low to High (ST31). When rising to High (Y in ST31), the control unit 3a outputs a signal for continuing High for 2.0 ms and continuing Low for 180 μs (ST32). The first portable-side transmitting/receiving unit 3b wirelessly transmits this signal to the portable device 4. Similarly, the output signal output from the control unit 2a described below is also wirelessly transmitted to the portable device 4 by the first portable-side transmitting/receiving unit 3b.

The control unit 3a then waits for the input signal to rise from Low to High (ST33). When rising to High (Y in ST33), the control unit 3a sets the output signal to High (ST34). The control unit 3a determines the High duration of the input signal (ST35). When the determination in ST35 exceeds 200 μs, the control section 3a sets the output signal to Low (ST36). When the determination in ST35 is 200 μs, the control unit 3a maintains the output signal in the High state (500-200) μs, and then sets the output signal to Low and Low (ST37). When the determination in ST35 is 180 μs+γ, the control unit 3a sets Low (ST38). When the process of ST38 is executed, the High duration of the STOP signal becomes 180 μs+γ, which is longer than the High duration of the STOP signal output from the original vehicle control device 1 before conversion by γ. Since the STOP signal is a single high-level pulse and continues to be Low thereafter, the accuracy required for the duration is lower than signals such as 1-bit and 0-bit, and it is recognized as a STOP signal even if it is somewhat long. To be done. Further, γ is the time for recognizing such a STOP signal.

Further, in each processing step (excluding ST38) of FIG. 14, the timing of switching Low/High of the output signal based on the signal received by the mobile relay device 3 is delayed by γ, and the processing of ST38 is set to Low without delaying γ. The control may be performed. In this case, γ is set within the time period during which the relay communication is completed within the time period allowed by the vehicle control device 1 from the transmission of the LF data to the reception of the RF data.

Further, in the process of ST28 shown in FIG. 13, instead of continuing Low, the signal may be changed and the data may be transmitted. In the above-described modified example, the mobile relay device 3 generates an output signal based on the high duration time of the received input signal, and the Low reception period is a constant period Low regardless of the L/H situation of the input signal. Is output. Therefore, in the process of ST28, instead of continuing Low, by transmitting appropriate data during the period when Low continues, the LF data sent from the vehicle control device 1 is transferred and another data is transferred. I was able to send it. Since the Low period is 500 μs, for example, if a signal having a bit configuration of bit 1 (High 20 μs, Low 10 μs) and bit 0 (High 10 μs, Low 20 μs), 8-bit data can be transmitted. In the LF data, usually, there is always one or more data of bit 0, and therefore the LF data is transmitted using the section of the bit 0. This 8-bit data is meaningful in one transmission and has meaning in a plurality of transmissions. That is, when the data is long, the data is divided into a plurality of times and transmitted.

When transmitting data using the Low period in this way, the mobile relay device 3 executes the reception process of the data after executing the process of ST36 of FIG. The reception process is, for example, to receive the data and execute a predetermined process based on the received data.

The vehicle relay device 2 is connected to, for example, a sensor installed in the vehicle, various devices and equipment, and has a function of acquiring information about the vehicle, and the acquired information about the vehicle is used during the Low period described above. Then, the data is wirelessly transmitted to the portable relay device 3. Then, the mobile relay device 3 executes a predetermined process based on the received data. The predetermined process is, for example, for notifying the user of the above-mentioned information about the vehicle based on the received data by using the notification unit 3e of the mobile relay device 3 or changing the setting of the mobile relay device 3. There is. Since the vehicle relay device 2 is supplied with electric power from the battery of the vehicle, it is preferable to detect, for example, the battery voltage/capacity of the vehicle before the engine is started, and transmit the detected upper side as one of the information regarding the vehicle. .. By doing so, it is possible to know the state of the battery before the engine is started and to confirm the deterioration state and the like.

[Other modifications of relay waveform]
The wireless LF data to be converted based on the LF data is not limited to the above-described modification 1 and modification 2, and various conversions are possible. As a simple example, there is a waveform in which High/Low is inverted.

Furthermore, in the above-described modification, an example in which the relay waveform of the LF data is changed has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and WAKE and STOP are similarly changed and relayed and reproduced on the receiving side. It is good to have the function to do.

15 and 16 show the ninth embodiment. In the above-described embodiment and modified example, the LF data configures “bit 0” and “bit 1” by combining High and Low with predetermined pulse widths as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. I explained on the assumption. The actual LF data output from the vehicle control device 1 is a set of pulses in which L/H is switched at high speed at a predetermined frequency (for example, 134 kHz), as schematically illustrated in FIG. 15A. , Low is a Low at which a pulse switching at such a high speed is not output. Although the description goes back and forth, the data of the bit configuration shown in FIG. 3 is the one in which the envelope detection is performed for the pulse that switches at high speed, and the pulse waveform that maintains High is generated in the section where the pulse that switches at high speed exists. Is. Therefore, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, the vehicle relay device 2 does not directly transmit the envelope signal of the LF data, but converts and generates a signal for transmission based on the envelope signal and transmits the signal. I have to. Then, the mobile relay device 3 reproduces the envelope signal of the LF data based on the received signal for transmission, and performs the relay process and the like toward the mobile device 4.

In this embodiment, not the envelope signal but the data close to the LF data is transmitted as the wireless LF data. Specifically, a signal divided in half (LF divided signal) is generated and transmitted. As an example, the LF data is “101... ”As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, in the High part of each bit, a pulse of 134 kHz is continuously output. When the vehicle relay device 2 receives the LH data, the vehicle relay device 2 generates an LF frequency-divided signal (wireless LF data) whose frequency is halved to 67 kHz as shown in FIG. Send.

In this embodiment, for example, a 2.4 kHz low-pass filter is mounted on the RFIC that constitutes the second portable-side transmitting/receiving unit 3c of the portable repeater 3. Thus, when the mobile relay device 3 receives the LF frequency division signal (wireless LF data) shown in FIG. 15B, the LF data as shown in FIG. 15C is reproduced. The LF data shown in FIG. 15C is similar to the LF data reproduced based on the wireless LF data received by the mobile relay device 3 in each of the above-described embodiments. In addition, in the present embodiment, when the wireless LF data is received by the second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 3c, the wireless LF data is output without analyzing the L/H state of the signal, which is preferable because it can be processed easily and at high speed.

FIG. 16 shows main parts of the vehicle relay device 2 and the portable relay device 3 for executing the processing. As shown in the figure, the vehicle relay device 2 gives the LF data (A) received by the first vehicle-side transceiver unit 2b (not shown) to the second vehicle-side transceiver unit 2c via the frequency dividing circuit 2e. To configure. The frequency divider circuit 2e is a circuit that divides the frequency of the input signal into 1/2. As a result, the LF frequency division data (B) frequency-divided to 67 kHz is output from the frequency division circuit 2e. This LF frequency division data (B) is given to the second vehicle side transceiver unit 2c. Then, the second vehicle side transmitting/receiving unit 2c wirelessly transmits the LF frequency division data (B).

Further, in the present embodiment, the envelope detecting section 2f is provided, and the received LF data (A) shown in FIG. 15A is supplied to the envelope detecting section 2f together with the frequency dividing circuit 2e. Then, the envelope detection unit 2f generates an envelope signal that maintains High during a section in which a pulse that switches to high speed (for example, 134 kHz) exists. The output of the envelope detector 2f is given to the controller 2a. In this embodiment, the envelope signal is not transmitted, but is used to control the transmission of the LF frequency division data. Specifically, for example, the end of the LF data is detected and the transmission end control is performed.

On the other hand, in the mobile relay device 3, as described above, the low frequency filter of 2.4 kHz is mounted on the RFIC that constitutes the second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 3c. As a result, the LF data (C) is output from the second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 3c that has received the LF frequency division data (B). Note that the other configurations and operational effects are similar to those of the above-described embodiments and modified examples, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 17 shows another circuit configuration for generating and transmitting divided LF data (B) obtained by dividing the frequency of the LF data (A) of 134 kHz received by the vehicle relay device 2 into ½. Showing. In this example, the LF data (A) of 134 kHz received by the first vehicle-side transceiver unit 2b (not shown) is given to the envelope detector 2f, and the output of the envelope detector 2f is supplied to the controller 2a and the LF frequency division data generator 2g. Give to. The LF frequency division data generation unit 2g includes a 67 kHz oscillation circuit and an AND circuit. Then, the output of the envelope detector 2f and the output of the oscillation circuit are given to the AND circuit. As a result, the LF frequency division data shown in FIG. 15B is output from the AND circuit. Note that, since the other configuration and the like are similar to those of the circuit shown in FIG. 16, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 18 shows the tenth embodiment. In this embodiment, the LF data of 134 kHz (see FIG. 18B) output from the vehicle control device 1 is transmitted as it is. That is, in the vehicle relay device 2, the second vehicle-side transceiver unit 2c transmits the LF data of 134 kHz output from the vehicle control device 1 and received by the first vehicle-side transceiver unit 2b (not shown).

On the other hand, as the RFIC forming the first portable-side transmitting/receiving unit 3b of the portable repeater 3, the RFIC in which the bit rate filter is set to a low frequency is used. The low frequency may be one that cannot receive 134 kHz. As a result, the first portable-side transmitting/receiving unit 3b of the mobile repeater 3 cannot directly receive the LF data of 134 kHz transferred from the vehicle repeater 2, and the envelope as shown in FIG. Output a waveform that looks like a waveform. Thus, by setting the bit rate filter to a low frequency so that the RFIC on the receiving side does not intentionally receive 134 kHz, it becomes possible to secure a communication distance equivalent to that when the envelope is transmitted without converting the bit rate filter into the envelope.

Further, in the present embodiment, the LF data of 134 kHz output from the vehicle control device 1 is directly transmitted to the portable relay device 3 without being converted into an envelope. Therefore, this occurs when the LF signal is converted into an envelope. Since there is no delay or deviation, it can be effectively applied to systems with severe time constraints. Moreover, since the LF signal is transmitted as it is, the signal to be relayed can be faithfully reproduced.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the transmission and reception of RF data is performed in a bit asynchronous manner. As a result, the bit rate filter (demodulation circuit) on the receiving side can be lowered, which is effective against noise.

[Other modifications]
As described in the ninth embodiment, the LF data output from the vehicle control device 1 is a signal of 134 kHz, and the LF data illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B is the received LF of 134 kHz. It is an envelope waveform generated by the envelope detector. In this way, instead of generating an envelope by the envelope detector, for example, a detection circuit or the like may be provided to have a function of detecting a reception signal received by the first vehicle-side transceiver 2b. By the detection, the LF data of 134 kHz has the same waveform as that of the LF data shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, for example.

In the description of the basic configuration described above, when the control unit 2a of the vehicle relay device 2 receives the start signal transmitted from the portable relay device 3, it transmits a foot brake signal to the vehicle control device 1 by using the wired communication function. The vehicle control device 1 that receives the footbrake signal outputs the response request signal (LF data), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the footbrake signal, a push start signal is generated. Alternatively, it may be a door open signal. However, the embodiment in which the foot brake signal that is close to the output timing of the signal that accompanies the operation when the driver gets on the vehicle and actually starts the engine is the best embodiment. In addition, for example, when a door open signal is output, there is a vehicle where an auto alarm sounds, and if it is a push start signal, it may start accidentally, but in the case of a foot brake signal, that signal is transmitted to various control devices. It is good because there is no problem in safety.

Further, in the above description of the basic configuration, the foot brake signal is continuously output in the ON state, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the foot brake signal may be turned ON and then turned OFF. .. In that case, the vehicle relay device 2 which receives the wireless RF data which is the response from the portable relay device 3 turns on the engine start request signal and the foot brake signal. However, it is better to continue the ON state of the foot brake signal as described in the basic configuration. This means that when the driver gets on the vehicle and actually starts the engine, the push-start button should be pressed while the foot brake pedal is still depressed, and the foot brake pedal should be kept depressed until the engine starts. It is good because you can Furthermore, since the sequence for starting the engine differs depending on the vehicle type and the like, it is advisable to output ON/OFF in accordance with the sequence.

Further, as described above, in order to make transmission and reception of signals similar to the case where the driver gets on and actually starts the engine, the vehicle relay that receives the start signal transmitted from the portable relay device 3 The function of outputting the footbrake signal from the machine 2 and the function of continuously turning on the output footbrake signal are not limited to those applied to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and other functions such as Patent Document 1 can be used. It may be applied to a vehicle remote control system using the relay system.

The above-described embodiments and modified examples may be appropriately combined and configured. Moreover, when combining, it is good to take out a part of structure and combine with another form. Further, another invention may be configured in which some of the configurations shown in the embodiments and the modifications are essential. For example, although a plurality of parameters related to communication, which is one of the configurations of the first embodiment, is stored and held and switched by the setting switch 3g, a configuration without such a function may be used.

Although various aspects of the present invention have been described above by using the embodiments and the modifications, these embodiments and explanations are not made for the purpose of limiting the scope of the present invention, and are not intended for understanding the present invention. It should be added that it was provided to contribute. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations and manufacturing methods explicitly described in the specification, and also includes combinations of various aspects of the present invention disclosed in the present specification within the scope. Of the present invention, the configuration for which a patent is sought is specified in the appended claims, but even if the present location is not specified in the claims, it is disclosed in the present specification. Just in case, I would like to note that there is a possibility that I will claim the configuration in the future.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 vehicle control device 1a control unit 1b transmission/reception unit 1c authentication information storage unit 2 vehicle relay device 2a control unit 2b first vehicle side transmission/reception unit 2c second vehicle side transmission/reception unit 2d parameter storage unit 2e notification unit 3 portable relay unit 3a control unit 3b First portable side transmitting/receiving section 3c Second portable side transmitting/receiving section 3d Operating section 3e Notification section 3f Parameter storage section 3g Setting switch 3h Normal LF data information storage section 4 Portable device 4a Control section 4b Transmitting/receiving section 4c Authentication information storage section

Claims (21)

The vehicle in the system for controlling the vehicle, provided that the authentication information stored in the vehicle control device matches the authentication information stored in the portable device that can wirelessly communicate with the vehicle control device. A relay system for relaying wireless communication between a control device and the portable device,
A vehicle relay device capable of communicating with the vehicle control device;
A portable relay device capable of communicating with the portable device,
In at least one of the portable relay device and the vehicle relay device, a plurality of setting information relating to communication different depending on the vehicle type is stored in association with the vehicle type,
A setting switch is provided on at least one of the portable relay device and the vehicle relay device,
A relay system, wherein setting information regarding communication corresponding to the vehicle type used is set in accordance with operation of the setting switch, and communication is performed between the portable relay device and the vehicle relay device. The setting information is a parameter that determines a sampling interval of the data to be wirelessly communicated,
The relay system according to claim 1, wherein a sampling interval is widened within a range in which the data can be recognized. The parameter claim 2, characterized in that as for the wireless communication from the vehicle the relay station to the mobile repeater, and the same ones from the mobile repeater for radio transmission to said vehicle repeater The relay system described in. The relay system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the parameter is determined based on a maximum common divisor of a pulse width of High and a pulse width of Low. The relay according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein control for relay is performed based on a High/Low state when a set time elapses from High/Low switching of received data. system. The control for the relay is to determine whether the data being received is 1 or 0, and based on the determination result, create a relay waveform that maintains the Low state or the High state assigned to 1 and 0, respectively, for the set time. The relay system according to claim 5, further comprising a function of: The control for the relay is to judge whether the data being received is 1 or 0, and based on the judgment result, a correction function for outputting normal waveform data even if an abnormal pulse occurs thereafter is provided. The relay system according to claim 5, wherein the relay system is a relay system. 6. A correction function for outputting normal waveform data even if an abnormal pulse that is impossible occurs from the elapsed time from the High/Low switching of the received data, the correction function being provided. Or described relay system. When a plurality of abnormal pulses occur between the switching of High/Low of the received data and the next switching of normal High/Low, correction by the correction function is not performed. The relay system according to claim 7 or 8. There are multiple portable devices with different authentication information,
The vehicle control device stores and holds each authentication information of the plurality of portable devices,
The vehicle control device transmits a response request signal including one of the authentication information stored and held,
The portable device transmits response data when the authentication information included in the received response request signal matches its own,
The vehicle control device is a relay system corresponding to a system that determines that the authentication information matches when the response data is received,
The portable repeater,
After completing the relay of the response request signal, switch to a communication state of relaying the response data,
Carrier sense is performed at a timing when the response data arrives, and when a carrier does not come, switching to a communication state in which the response request signal is relayed,
The relay system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The vehicle relay device,
After completing the relay of the response request signal, switch to a communication state of relaying the response data,
Carrier sense is performed at a timing when the response data arrives, and when a carrier does not come, switching to a communication state in which the response request signal is relayed,
The relay system according to claim 10, wherein: The relay system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein carrier sensing is performed at a timing when the response data arrives, and when the carrier comes, the communication state for relaying the response data is continued. 13. The relay system according to claim 10, wherein the carrier sense is performed a plurality of times. 14. The vehicle relay device or the portable relay device has a function of transmitting an ACK by itself during the reception of WAKE transmitted from the vehicle control device. Relay system. The relay system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a transmission/reception unit that performs relaying in the vehicle relay device and the portable relay device includes an RFIC dedicated to transmission and an RFIC dedicated to reception. The portable repeater is equipped with a large capacity battery,
The case of the portable repeater includes a storage unit for storing the portable device,
16. The relay system according to claim 15, wherein, in a state where the portable device is stored in the storage portion, the portable device and the portable relay device are placed in a relative position where they can communicate with each other. The case of the portable repeater includes a storage unit for storing the portable device,
16. The portable device and the portable relay device are placed in a relative position where they can communicate with each other when the portable device is stored in the storage portion. Relay system. The portable relay device stores and holds a response request signal including the authentication information transmitted by the vehicle control device as a normal response request signal,
The portable relay device is provided with a separation determination function that outputs the normal response request signal and performs a notification based on a determination result as to whether or not response data from the portable device has been received. The relay system according to any one of Items 1 to 17. The portable relay device relays a response request signal including the authentication information transmitted by the vehicle control device, and when receiving response data for the response request signal from the portable device, the relayed response request signal is 19. The relay system according to claim 18, which is stored and held as a normal response request signal. When the portable relay device relays a plurality of types of response request signals including the authentication information transmitted by the vehicle control device,
20. The relay system according to claim 19, wherein the response request signal that has not received response data is also stored and held as the normal response request signal. When the portable relay device relays a plurality of types of response request signals including the authentication information transmitted by the vehicle control device,
20. The relay system according to claim 19, wherein all of the relayed response request signals are stored and held as the normal response request signals.