JP7412022B2 - Relay systems, repeaters and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to, for example, a relay system, a relay device, a program, and the like.

As a security measure for vehicles, the condition is that the vehicle control device and a mobile device that can communicate wirelessly with the vehicle control device each exchange authentication information, and that authentication is successful between the vehicle control device and the mobile device. One of these is a system that controls a vehicle.

For example, when starting an engine using a vehicle control device in a vehicle equipped with an immobilizer function, the vehicle control device performs authentication processing via wireless communication with an authorized mobile device before starting the engine, and if authentication is successful. Start the engine.

The distance over which wireless communication is possible between this portable device and the vehicle control device is as short as about 1 to 2 meters. Therefore, when starting the engine remotely from outside the vehicle, a system that relays wireless communication between the vehicle control device and the portable device is required, as shown in Patent Document 1, for example. In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, by relaying the wireless communication using a vehicle relay device and a mobile relay device, even if the mobile device is taken outside the vehicle in a vehicle equipped with an immobilizer function, the engine can be remotely activated. It is said that it is possible to start the engine.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-49770

However, when using a conventional relay system, there are the following problems. For example, communication specifications (for example, data length of communication signals transmitted and received) between a vehicle control device and a portable device differ depending on the type of vehicle. Therefore, for example, the vehicle relay device that makes up the relay system receives a communication signal (for example, a response request signal) sent from the vehicle control device and relays it to the mobile relay device in order to handle data lengths that differ depending on the vehicle type. The timing of switching to the state, and the timing of switching to the state of receiving a communication signal (for example, a response signal) relayed from a portable relay device and relaying it to the vehicle control device must be set for each vehicle type.

Similarly, regarding the mobile relay device that constitutes the relay system, the timing of receiving a signal (for example, a response request signal) relayed from the vehicle relay device and switching to the relay transmission state to the mobile device, and the timing of switching to the state of relaying the signal transmitted from the mobile device The timing of receiving a signal (for example, a response signal) and switching to the relay transmission state to the vehicle relay device must be set for each vehicle type. Therefore, there was a problem in that a relay system had to be prepared for each vehicle type.

An object of the present invention is, for example, to provide a relay system that is compatible with many more vehicle types than conventional systems.

Further, the purpose of the present invention is not limited thereto, but is to obtain effects obtained from the configuration portions disclosed in this specification, drawings, etc. For example, the present specification discloses a problem in which the phrase ``can be done'' is replaced with ``the problem is.'' It is also an object of the present invention to solve this problem. The present applicant intends to claim a part of the structure described in this specification in an amendment or divisional application.

(1) For example, a first device and a second device that perform wireless communication with each other according to predetermined communication specifications are provided, the first device is placed in a controlled device, and the first device and the second device In a control system that performs a control operation of a controlled device in which the first device is arranged when communication of a predetermined signal is performed between the first device and the second device, The relay system is a relay system that relays wireless communication between the first device and the second device, and is capable of relaying wireless communication in a plurality of types of the control system in which the predetermined communication specifications between the first device and the second device are different. and a first repeater and a second repeater that perform wireless communication with each other, and the first repeater can receive a signal from the first device and can be recognized by the first device. The second repeater receives a signal from the second device and transmits a signal that can be recognized by the second device, and the second repeater receives a signal from the second device and transmits a signal that the second device can recognize. receiving a communication signal for communication with the first device, determining the predetermined communication specification based on the received communication signal, and communicating the first device with the first repeater; The relay system may be characterized in that the determined predetermined communication specification is applied to communication between the second device and the second relay device.

In this way, even if the communication specifications differ for each control system, the communication specifications corresponding to each control system are automatically applied, so the first device in the control system is installed A relay system capable of controlling control equipment can be obtained.

The communication specifications may include signal data length, number of bits, transmission time, data frame, etc.

The controlled device and the control system may each be, for example, a vehicle and a vehicle control system disposed in the vehicle, and the first device and the second device may be, for example, a vehicle control device and a portable device, respectively. Further, the first relay device may be a vehicle relay device disposed in the vehicle, and the second relay device may be a portable relay device carried by the user.

In this way, even if the communication specifications for each vehicle type are different, it is possible to obtain a relay system that can automatically apply the communication specifications for each vehicle type and perform control operations for the vehicle of that type. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the need to prepare a relay system that corresponds to communication specifications for each vehicle model, and inventory management at the dealership becomes easier.

The operation of the controlled device controlled by the control operation of the control system may be of any kind, but for example, if the controlled device is a vehicle, it may be the operation of each part that constitutes the vehicle, for example. It is preferable to open and close the lock of the vehicle door and activate and shut off the car security. In particular, it is preferable to start an engine or a motor system, which is a power source of a vehicle, or to start an air conditioner, and to stop these. The relay system may be an engine starter that can start the engine, start the motor system, or start the air conditioner, and stop these by remote control.

Control of the controlled device by the control system may be started or stopped, for example, by detecting a user's operation of an operation unit provided on the second repeater or an operation unit provided on the second device. . For example, when the controlled device is a vehicle, a user's operation on an operation unit (for example, an operation button) provided on a mobile relay device, which is a second relay device, is detected, and the first relay device It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which the vehicle control system performs the control operation of the controlled device via the vehicle relay device.

In particular, the detection of the user's operation on the operation unit provided in the second device is performed by detecting a wireless communication between the second device and the first device in response to the user's operation of the operation unit provided in the second device. It is preferable to have a configuration in which a signal to be transmitted is received and the processing is performed based on the received signal.

In particular, the user's operation of the operation unit provided in the second device causes the second device to perform a predetermined control operation on a predetermined controlled device from the first device to the first device. It is preferable to use a different operation from the operation for.

In particular, the user's operation of the operation unit provided in the second device includes performing a predetermined control operation of a predetermined controlled device from the second device to the first device. In order to achieve this, it is preferable to use an operation that includes an operation that triggers the transmission of a wireless signal, but is different from that operation. In particular, it is preferable that consecutive same operations within a predetermined period of time include operations that are not performed between the first device and the second device. In particular, when receiving a radio signal in which the same operation has been performed a predetermined number of times in a row within a predetermined time, the vehicle control system transmits a predetermined signal from the first vehicle repeater to the second repeater. The configuration may be such that a predetermined control operation is performed on the controlled device.

For example, in a configuration where the controlled device is a vehicle and its door lock is controlled, and the second device, a portable device, is provided with a button for locking the vehicle door as an operation unit, The user performs an operation on the button that is different from an operation for locking the vehicle door (for example, pressing the button only once), such as pressing the door lock button three times in succession within one second. This may be done by detecting that the second repeater has consecutively received the three door lock radio signals issued by the second device within a predetermined time. When such a detection is made, it is preferable to wirelessly transmit an instruction signal for starting the engine or the like to the first repeater.

For example, if the controlled device is a vehicle and the second device, a portable device, is provided with only a button for opening and closing the lock of the vehicle door as an operation part, the button cannot be used to lock the vehicle door. When the user performs an operation different from the opening/closing operation, such as pressing the button three times in succession within one second, the vehicle control system starts the engine via the second relay and the first relay. Alternatively, it is preferable to start the motor system, start the air conditioner, or stop these.

The relay system may be configured such that the communication distance between the first relay device and the second relay device is longer than the communication distance between the first device and the second device. In this way, by operating the second repeater or the second device, the user can remotely control the control system from a greater distance. As a configuration for making the communication distance between the first repeater and the second repeater longer, for example, the transmission of radio waves used for communication between the first repeater and the second repeater is possible. The power may be greater than the transmission power of radio waves used for communication between the first device and the second device.

The relay system is preferably applied to a control system in which communication between a first device and a second device is performed in the following order (hereinafter also referred to as a "sequence"). [1] First, in order to start controlling a controlled device using the first device, for example, when a start switch provided on the first device is operated, the first device sends a response request signal as a communication signal. Send. [2] Upon receiving the response request signal, the second device performs predetermined processing based on the response request signal and transmits the generated response signal as a communication signal. [3] The first device starts controlling the controlled device if the received response signal is a predetermined response signal compared to the response request signal transmitted by itself, and if it is not a predetermined response signal, the first device starts controlling the controlled device. In this case, control of the controlled device is not started.

In a control system in which communication is performed in such a sequence, the relay system may relay communication between the first device and the second device of the control system in the following order. Regarding the response request signal, upon receiving the response request signal transmitted from the first device, the first relay transmits a wireless response request signal based on the response request signal. When the second relay device receives the wireless response request signal, it generates a transfer response request signal that the second device recognizes as a response request signal from this wireless response request signal, and transmits the generated transfer response request signal to the second device. (Hereinafter, the first relay device receives the response request signal and the second relay device transmits the transfer response request signal is also referred to as "relaying the response request signal.").

Regarding the response signal, upon receiving the response signal transmitted from the second device, the second relay transmits a wireless response signal based on the response signal. Upon receiving the wireless response signal, the first relay device generates a transfer response signal that the first device recognizes as a response signal from this wireless response signal, and transmits the generated transfer response signal to the first device. (Hereinafter, the second repeater receiving the response signal and the first repeater transmitting the transfer response signal will also be referred to as "relaying the response signal.")

The transfer response request signal may be exactly the same as the original response request signal, or may be different from the original response request signal as long as it is within a range that the second device can recognize as a response request signal. Similarly, the transfer response signal may be exactly the same as the original response signal, or may be different from the original response signal as long as it is within a range that the first device can recognize as a response signal.

Further, the relay system is particularly preferably applied to a control system that performs the above sequence twice (for example, a startup sequence and a subsequent authentication sequence).

The communication specifications may be determined each time a communication occurs in the control system, but it is particularly preferable to perform the determination the first time communication occurs in the control system after the relay system is installed in the control system. Furthermore, information regarding the determined communication specifications is recorded in storage means provided in each of the first relay device and the second relay device based on the determination result, and based on the recorded information, the first relay device and the second relay device It is preferable that the second repeater is activated. Further, it is preferable that unless the determined communication specifications are applied to the relay system, the control system cannot perform control such as starting the controlled device via the relay system.

If communication specifications are to be determined the first time communication occurs in the control system after the relay system is installed on the controlled device, for example, when the relay system is first installed and then controlled with a start switch installed on the controlled device. It is preferable to do this when the system is started up and a communication signal is transmitted from the first device. For example, when the first repeater is provided with a dip switch and the dip switch is used to set the relay system to the setting mode, It is preferable that a starting operation is performed using a starting switch provided on the controlled device, and a communication signal is transmitted from the first device.

The communication specification may be determined based on, for example, the data length of the communication signal. Here, a case will be considered as an example in which a relay system corresponding only to control system A is used for control system B in a case where the data length of a communication signal of control system A is shorter than a communication signal of another control system B.

Between a first repeater and a second repeater that perform wireless communication with each other, transmission of a communication signal (for example, a wireless response request signal) from the first repeater and reception by the second repeater, It is also preferable that the communication signal (for example, a wireless response signal) is transmitted from the second relay device and received by the first relay device.

The first repeater may be provided with separate transmitting means and receiving means for communicating with the second repeater, or may be provided with transmitting and receiving means for both transmitting and receiving purposes. Similarly, the second repeater may be provided with separate transmitting means and receiving means for communicating with the first repeater, or may be provided with transmitting and receiving means for both transmission and reception.

In a second repeater of a relay system that only supports control system A, when transmitting and receiving communication signals with the first repeater using a transmitter/receiver that also serves as both transmitter and receiver, It is preferable to switch between the reception state of the communication signal and the transmission state of the communication signal to the first repeater at an appropriate timing according to the data length of the communication signal of the control system A.

If the data length of the communication signal of control system A is shorter than the communication signal of another control system B, the second repeater that has received the communication signal from the first repeater transmits the communication from the first repeater. Switching from the signal reception state to the communication signal transmission state to the first repeater is performed before the reception of the communication signal from the first repeater is completed, which may cause an error. .

However, if communication specifications determined based on communication signals are applied, for example, the timing for switching the transmission/reception status of the first repeater and the second repeater can be set automatically according to the control system. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a relay system in which such errors occur, and the occurrence of such errors can be reduced.

The communication specification may be determined by only the first relay, only the second relay, or both the first and second relays. In a case where only the first relay device determines the communication specification based on the communication signal, it is preferable to transmit information regarding the determined communication specification from the first relay device to the second relay device.

A separation instruction that instructs, when determining communication specifications, to set the distance so that the first repeater and the second repeater can communicate with each other, and the distance that prevents the first device and the second device from communicating with each other. It would be good to have a means. The separation instruction means may be written on paper such as an instruction manual, and may indicate the distance or communication state between the first repeater and the second repeater and the communication status between the first and second devices. Determine the distance or communication state to determine whether the distance is such that the first relay device and the second relay device can communicate with each other, and the distance is such that the first device and the second device cannot communicate with each other. It may also be used as a distance notification means to notify the distance. The notification by the distance notification means may be performed by providing a display section or an audio output section on the first repeater or the second repeater, and displaying the information on the display section or outputting it as audio from the audio output section.

In this way, it is possible to prevent the first device and the second device from completing communication without going through the relay system before application of the specific communication specifications to the relay system is completed. Can be done.

The distance notification means is set at a distance that allows the first relay device and the second relay device to communicate with each other, not only when determining the communication specifications but also when using the relay system. It is preferable to instruct that the distance between the two devices is such that they cannot communicate with each other. Note that the instruction by the distance reporting means may not be given when determining the communication specifications, but may be given only when the relay system is used.

It is preferable that the first relay device is provided with a specification notification means for notifying which communication specification has been applied when the determined communication specification has been applied. The specification notification means includes a storage unit that stores notification contents corresponding to the determined communication specifications, and a display unit or an audio output unit, and when the application of the communication specifications is completed, it indicates which communication specification has been applied. It is preferable to display it on the display unit or output it as audio from the audio output unit. The notification content should be information that can specify which communication specification has been applied, for example, the vehicle manufacturer and model. Also, if the communication specifications stored in the relay system are managed by number, , for example, "Communication specification 1 has been applied." Further, it is preferable to display on the display unit whether the determined communication specification is applied or not applied.

(2) The determination of the communication specifications includes at least one of the communication signals, a response request signal transmitted from the first device and a response signal transmitted from the second device in response to the response request signal. For any one of them, it is preferable to perform the determination based on at least one of the number of bits, transmission time, and data frame configuration.

In this way, the type of control system can be accurately determined, and more accurate communication specifications can be applied.

When the control system is, for example, a vehicle control system, it is possible to accurately determine the vehicle type, and it is possible to more accurately set the switching timing of the transmission/reception states of the first relay device and the second relay device.

When the sequence of communication signals performed in the control system is twice: a startup sequence and a subsequent authentication sequence, the communication specifications may be determined based on the transmission time of the response request signal of the startup sequence, for example, the WAKE signal. .

Further, the communication specification may be determined based on at least two of the number of bits, transmission time, and data frame configuration for at least one of the response request signal and the response signal.

(3) The control system communicates between the first device and the second device a response request signal transmitted from the first device as the communication signal and a response request signal that corresponds to the response request signal. Preferably, a plurality of sets of response signals transmitted from the second device are used, and the communication specifications are determined based on the response request signal and the response signal of each set.

In this way, the model of the controlled device equipped with the control system can be specified more accurately. When the controlled device is a vehicle, for example, the vehicle control system can determine the communication specification based on the communication signal for both the startup sequence and the authentication sequence that use two sets of response request signals and response signals. This makes it possible to apply accurate communication specifications and, for example, more accurately set the switching timing of the transmission/reception states of the first repeater and the second repeater.

(4) When the communication specifications are determined by a determination means provided in the first repeater, and application of the determined communication specifications to the first repeater and the second repeater is completed; The second relay includes an operation permission notification means for notifying that the user can start or stop the control operation of the controlled device by the control system via the first relay and the second relay. It would be good if it was set up in

This allows the user to know that the controlled device can now be operated using the relay system, and prevents the user from attempting to operate the controlled device when the device cannot be operated. It becomes possible to suppress the

The determination result of the communication specifications by the determination means provided in the first relay device may be transmitted from the first relay device to the second relay device by communication other than relaying the communication signal of the control system.

The operation permission informing means provided in the second repeater may be an audio output means or a display means. For example, the audio output means may output a short signal sound such as "beep" or a voice saying "you can use" when the controlled device can be operated using the relay system. The display means may be, for example, an LED, which changes from a red lighting state to a blue lighting state when the controlled device can be operated using the relay system, or may be, for example, a liquid crystal screen, which allows the relay system to be operated. It is preferable that characters or marks indicating that the device is usable are displayed when the device can be used to operate the controlled device. The operation permission reporting means may be provided in the first repeater.

(5) Preferably, the controlled device is a vehicle and a vehicle component device constituting the vehicle, the first device is a vehicle control device provided in the vehicle, and the second device is a portable device.

In this way, the vehicle or vehicle component equipment can be operated using the relay system. The vehicle component may be of any kind, but may be, for example, a vehicle door lock mechanism, car security, or air conditioner, and particularly preferably an engine or motor that is the power source of the vehicle.

(6) storage means for storing information regarding a plurality of types of the communication signals; and a storage means for storing information regarding the plurality of types of the communication signals; , a verification means for verifying which of the plurality of types of communication signals stored in the storage means corresponds to the communication signal, and the determination of the predetermined communication specification is performed by verification of the communication signals by the verification means. good.

In this way, the communication specifications can be reliably determined, and the settings of the first relay device and the second relay device can be performed accurately.

The information regarding multiple types of communication signals is preferably information for identifying each type of multiple types of communication signals, information about the characteristics of each communication signal, and information about differences between each communication signal. .

(7) The control system uses, as the communication signal, a response request signal transmitted from the first device and a response signal transmitted from the second device in response to the response request signal, and The second device transmits the response signal at a frequency based on frequency designation information included in the response request signal, and the second device transmits the response signal at a frequency based on frequency designation information included in the response request signal. It is preferable that the second repeater receives the response signal transmitted from the second device at a frequency based on the frequency designation information.

In this way, even if the frequency at which the second device transmits the response signal differs depending on the control system or communication, it is possible to relay using the same relay system.

The frequency at which the second device transmits the response signal may be determined by communication specifications.

(8) The second relay device performs wireless communication between a first transmitter/receiver that performs wireless communication with the first relay device and the second device, and a second transmitting/receiving section that transmits the communication signal to and from the second transmitting/receiving section, except when receiving the communication signal transmitted from the second device. When transmission of the communication signal to the first transmitter/receiver is interrupted and the first transmitter/receiver completes receiving the communication signal transmitted from the first repeater, the first transmitter/receiver transmits the communication signal to the first repeater. It is preferable to switch to a state in which the communication signal transmitted from the second transmitter/receiver is transmitted.

In the second repeater, the second transmitter/receiver transmits the communication signal transmitted from the second device to the first transmitter/receiver, and the first transmitter/receiver transmits the communication signal from the second transmitter/receiver. If the second transmitter/receiver receives a noise while the second transmitter/receiver is not receiving the communication signal transmitted from the second device, the noise is detected. There is a problem in that the signal is transmitted from the first transmitter/receiver.

Here, in the second repeater, even if the first transmitting/receiving section directly transmits the signal transmitted from the second transmitting/receiving section, it may not receive the communication signal transmitted from the second device. By blocking the transmission of communication signals from the second transmitting/receiving section to the first transmitting/receiving section except when the device is in use, the communication signals transmitted from the second device can be relayed to the first device. In this case, it is possible to suppress the transmission of noise.

Further, in the second repeater, when the first transmitter/receiver completes receiving the communication signal transmitted from the first repeater, the first transmitter/receiver transmits the communication signal transmitted from the second transmitter/receiver to the first repeater. Since the communication signal is switched to a state in which the communication signal is transmitted, a time delay from when the communication signal is transmitted from the first device until it is returned to the first device is less likely to occur. Therefore, for example, if the control system is a vehicle control system, the time from when the vehicle control device sends a response request signal to when the portable device starts sending the response signal when starting the engine is shortened by the vehicle manufacturer. Even if the relay system is set, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the engine cannot be started using the relay system.

The communication signal from the second transmitting/receiving unit to the first transmitting/receiving unit can be cut off, for example, by using a control unit that outputs a control signal only when it detects that a communication signal has been transmitted from the second device; It is preferable to use an AND circuit that outputs the logical product of the control signal output from the control section and the communication signal output from the second transmitting/receiving section to the first transmitting/receiving section.

(9) In the control system, the first device performs wireless communication of the predetermined signal for controlling the controlled device with each of the plurality of second devices; In response to each of the first response request signal and the second response request signal that the first device transmits as the communication signal, each of the second devices responds with a unique first response as the communication signal. signal and a unique second response signal, the first relay device storing information regarding the first response signal transmitted from the plurality of second devices, The operation detection means for detecting an operation of at least one of the controlled device, the first device, the first repeater, and the second repeater is configured to detect the operation of at least one of the controlled device, the first device, the first repeater, and the second repeater. The first relay device, which is connected to the first device and receives the first response request signal transmitted by the first device, transmits the first response request signal to the first device based on the stored information regarding the first response signal. transmits one of the signals that the device recognizes as one of the unique first response signals, and the first device that recognizes as one of the unique first response signals transmits the second response request signal. and the second device transmits the signal based on the second response request signal transmitted by the first device from the second relay device that receives the signal based on the second response request signal transmitted by the first device. After one of the second devices, which has received a signal recognized as the second response request signal, transmits the unique second response signal, the operation detection means detects the first device, the controlled device, and the other device. , the first repeater, and the second repeater based on the stored information regarding the first response signal until it detects that at least one of the first repeater and the second repeater has operated. It is preferable that one device sequentially transmits a signal that is recognized as one of the unique first response signals.

By performing the operation in which the first repeater sequentially transmits signals that the first device recognizes as one of the unique first response signals (hereinafter also referred to as "sequential transmission operation"), the relay When performing an authentication operation between a first device and a second device using the system, there is no need to relay the first response signal from the second device to the first device, and the power used by the relay system is reduced. can be reduced.

The motion detection means may be connected to the first repeater or the second repeater by wire or wirelessly.

Preferably, the operation of the second relay device detected by the operation detection means is that the second relay device receives the second response signal transmitted by the second device. The operation of the first repeater detected by the operation detection means may be that the first repeater receives a wireless response signal transmitted by the second repeater based on the second response signal. The operation of the first device detected by the operation detection means may be the first device receiving a signal transmitted by the first repeater and recognized by the first device as the second response signal. . The operation of the controlled device detected by the motion detection means is preferably an operation based on the control operation of the control system performed when the first device recognizes the second response signal, and when the controlled device is a vehicle. This may be, for example, starting an engine, starting a motor system, or starting an air conditioner.

The authentication operation of the first device and the second device using the relay system can be performed, for example, in the following steps.

[1] The first repeater transmits an activation trigger signal to the first device; [2] The first device receives the activation trigger signal and transmits a first response request signal; [3] The first repeater that has received the first response request signal determines which signal the first device recognizes as one of the unique first response signals based on the stored information about the first response signal. [4] the first device recognizing the unique first response signal transmits the second response request signal; [5] the first repeater and the first device transmitting the first response signal; [6] One of the second repeaters that has recognized the second response request signal transmits the second response signal; [7] ] the second relay device and the step of the first relay device relaying the second response signal, and after these steps, the first device receives the relayed second response signal. , completes the authentication operation when recognizing that the first response signal and the second response signal correspond, and confirms that the first response signal and the second response signal correspond. If not recognized, as a sequential sending operation, the first repeater transmits a signal that the first device recognizes as one of the unique first response signals, which is different from the signal transmitted in step [3]. shall be taken as a thing.

(10) The controlled device is a control system for a vehicle, and the communication specifications may be determined by determining differences in communication specifications between vehicle manufacturers. In this way, it is only necessary to manufacture the same relay system for vehicles made by different manufacturers, and it is possible to reduce the need for inventory management of relay systems for each manufacturer of relay systems at the dealership. It is also possible to reduce the work and management burden at the relay system manufacturing site and vehicle installation site.
(11) It is preferable not to include a setting means for manually setting communication specifications for wireless communication between the first device and the second device. In this way, there is no need to attach instructions for manual setting. It also reduces the possibility of making mistakes in manual settings. For example, it is preferable to adopt a configuration that does not include a dip switch or the like for manually setting communication specifications such as vehicle type.
(12) A configuration including means for switching to a determination mode for determining the communication specifications, and in which the first relay device does not transmit the received signal based on the second relay device to the first device when in the determination mode. It is good to do this. In this way, it is easier to ensure safety and reliability. The apparatus further comprises means for switching to a discrimination mode for discriminating the communication specification, and when in the discrimination mode, the communication specification is discriminated or set based on the signal received from the second repeater, and the first repeater determines or sets the communication specification based on the received signal. It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which a signal based on the second repeater is not transmitted to the first device. The switching means may be constituted by a switch or the like, but in a vehicle where the second device is equipped with a button, the second relay device transmits the radio waves transmitted by an operation other than the operation defined as the vehicle operation for the button. It is recommended to set the mode to determination mode when receiving the information. Switching from the discrimination mode to the relay mode, which is a relay state, may be done manually using a switch, but after the communication specifications are successfully determined in the discrimination mode, the discrimination mode is automatically ended and the relay mode is switched. It is recommended that you switch to .

(13) Receiving a communication signal between the first device and the second device, which is performed for determining the communication specification, is performed by directly receiving the signal from the first device or the second device. It is preferable that at least one of the first relay device and the second relay device is provided with at least one of the means for receiving the communication signal and the means for receiving the communication signal to be relayed. (1) "Receive a communication signal for communication between the first device and the second device" means, for example, that the first relay device and the second relay device The configuration may be such that the device is located within the communication range of the second device and directly receives communication between the devices, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the second repeater receives the signal of the first device from the first repeater, and indirectly receives the signal of the first device by receiving radio waves from the first repeater. It is recommended to have a configuration that receives . For example, a first repeater receives a signal from a second device by relaying it from the second repeater, and by receiving radio waves from the second repeater, the first repeater indirectly transmits the signal from the second device. It is preferable to have a configuration that receives signals. In addition, various configurations for receiving information indirectly may be used. It is preferable to indirectly receive the communication signal between the first device and the second device by means of receiving a relay signal from the device in this way. In this way, the number of receivers through which the repeater directly receives signals from devices can be reduced, and the cost of the repeater can be significantly reduced.

(14) For example, it may be configured as the first relay device in the relay system described in any one of (1) to (9) above.
(15) For example, it may be configured as a second relay device in the relay system described in any one of (1) to (9) above.
Such devices may be configured, for example, as devices used in the vehicle control system described above. The device used in the vehicle control system may be configured, for example, as a device for a relay system used as an engine starter, such as a vehicle relay device or a portable relay device provided with an engine start button.

(16) It is preferable to provide a function to determine whether or not the engine is running, so that when the engine is running, the relay is not performed.

(17) It is preferable to provide means for specifying the current location (for example, position), and perform processing such that relaying is not performed at a specific location (for example, set in advance). Also, for example, processing is performed so that the relay is performed at a specific location (for example, set in advance) (for example, the relay is not relayed at a home in an apartment, but not at a vacation home, etc.). For example, relay prohibition points (for example, areas) may be set.

(18) When the temperature (for example, inside the vehicle) is within a certain range (for example, a comfortable temperature range), it is preferable to control so that the relay is not performed.

(19) It is preferable that the second relay device is provided with an LF reception function for receiving LF data transmitted by the first device, etc., and controlled so that it does not relay while receiving LF data.

(20) A function to transmit the same signal (LF data) emitted by the car, such as the first device, to the second repeater when there is no signal from the car (for example, a function provided in the second repeater). When the check button is pressed, or at fixed time intervals (for example, every minute), the function is to transmit the signal sent by the second repeater from the genuine key, which is the second device. It is determined whether a response signal is returned (for example, whether the two are within an appropriate distance range). It would be good to have a function that notifies you if the person does not return. At this time, it is preferable to control the response signal from the genuine key so as not to be relayed to the first relay device. Although signal patterns for each vehicle type may be stored in advance and signals based on the stored patterns may be sent out, in particular, signals from vehicles relayed from a vehicle relay device may be stored and the signals may be transmitted based on the stored patterns. It is preferable to send a signal based on

(21) It is preferable that the first repeater has a function of connecting to the in-vehicle LAN, and also has a function of controlling not to relay the signal in consideration of the state of the signal of the in-vehicle LAN. For example, when door opening is detected from the in-vehicle LAN (for example, CAN), it may be configured to not relay the information.

(22) It is preferable to include a function to limit the relay operation time of the relay device. For example, the relay operation time may be limited to a predetermined range (for example, several seconds) after pressing the engine start button. For example, conventional mobile repeaters and genuine keys are connected by a ring, but if the two are connected by a ring, they may get caught on other items in the bag, making it difficult to use. . If it is allowed for the two to be several meters apart, for example, a problem will arise where the mobile relay device (second relay device) will relay the signal from the original key of another car of the same model. . The frequency of occurrence of such problems can be reduced. Further, it is preferable to provide a function to check whether the genuine key of another car of the same model is responding, and in such a case, it is preferable to provide a notification to that effect. It may be controlled to stop relaying the signal from then on when it is determined that the data is not the correct genuine key data.

(23) If there are buttons on both the second device and the second repeater, there is a problem that it is easy to press the wrong buttons. Since the second relay device has an RF receiver for relaying, it is preferable to use this for purposes other than relaying. For example, remove the button from the second repeater. The mobile repeater will be used for broadcasting and notification (it is particularly desirable to notify by sound rather than by screen). For example, the operation is performed by pressing a specific button multiple times on the second device (such as pressing the lock button twice within one second) to start the engine. It is preferable to send out an engine start signal when such a specific operation is detected by receiving a signal sent from the genuine key with a portable relay device.

(24) It is preferable to have a function of changing the operation of the second repeater depending on whether or not the second device is near the second repeater. For example, if it is detected that the engine start button of a mobile relay device, which is a second relay device, has been pressed, the engine start signal is sent to the vehicle relay device, which is a first relay device, before (or even after) it is detected that the engine start button is pressed. However, in this case, the vehicle relay device sends the engine start signal to the vehicle with a delay, etc.), and sends a signal to confirm whether the second device, the genuine key, is near the mobile relay device. (for example, LF data), and when it is determined that the genuine key is near the mobile relay device, an engine start signal is sent to the vehicle relay device. If it is determined that there is no engine start signal, the engine start signal is not transmitted to the vehicle relay device. If the genuine key is not present, it is advisable to issue a notification indicating that the genuine key is not near the portable relay device.

Also, for example, if a child inside the home presses the engine start button on the mobile repeater while the driver is cleaning the car in the parking lot of the home after leaving the mobile repeater at home. Assuming that the vehicle relay device has a function to detect whether or not the genuine key is in the vehicle (for example, by direct connection to the ECU, in-vehicle LAN monitoring, or RF receiver), if the genuine key is present in the vehicle, If an engine start signal is received from the portable repeater even though the engine has been detected, it is advisable to issue a notification indicating that such a situation exists.

(25) The portable device (genuine key, second device) recognizes the LF data as a regular signal, but it is preferable that the LF data is different from the LF data output by the car (vehicle control device). A device equipped with an LF receiver (for example, a vehicle repeater (first repeater) is preferably provided with this function) is equipped with a function to distinguish between these two LF data and record which LF data has been received. Good.

(26) The vehicle recognizes the RF data as a regular signal, but the RF data is different from the RF data output by the genuine key (second device). A device equipped with an RF receiver (for example, a mobile repeater (second repeater) is preferably equipped with this function) is equipped with a function to distinguish between these two RF signals and record which RF signal is received. Good.

(27) For example, it may be configured as a program for causing a computer to implement the functions described in any one of (1) to (26) above. The programs may be a program for the first repeater and a program for the second repeater.

The inventions (1) to (26) described above can be combined arbitrarily. For example, it may be provided with at least any one of the other configurations (2) to (26) without all or part of the configuration (1). However, it is particularly preferable to include all or part of the configuration (1) and at least any one of the configurations (2) to (26) in combination. Further, arbitrary constituent elements may be extracted from at least one of (1) to (26) and combined. The applicant of this application intends to obtain patent rights for such configurations as well.

The above-described specific method of the present invention is an example, and a portion may be expanded or a portion may be limited.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide, for example, a relay system that is compatible with many types of controlled devices (for example, many types of vehicles) and many control systems.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a vehicle remote control system using a relay system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the communication sequence of only the vehicle control system in the vehicle remote control system. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the communication sequence of each data/signal. Figure 4 is a timing chart of LF data and RF data in the vehicle control system, where (a) is the vehicle control system installed in vehicle A, and (b) is the timing chart for the vehicle control system installed in vehicle B. The control system is shown. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a portable repeater according to a third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a timing chart of LF data and RF data in the vehicle control system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a timing chart of LF data and RF data in a vehicle control system in which a plurality of portable devices can be used. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the communication sequence of each data/signal in the vehicle remote control system according to the fourth embodiment.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments exemplified below, and it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments may be made based on the teaching and spirit of the invention without departing from the scope of the claims. can be understood.

[Basic configuration of vehicle remote control system using relay system]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a vehicle remote control system using a relay system. Using the figure, the basic configuration that is the premise of this vehicle remote control system will be explained while explaining the operation of communication processing. The vehicle remote control system 1 includes a vehicle control device 10 (first device), a vehicle relay device 20 (first relay device), a mobile relay device 30 (second relay device), and a mobile device 40 (second relay device). 2). The vehicle control device 10 and the vehicle relay device 20 are installed in the vehicle 6, and the mobile relay device 30 and the portable device 40 are carried by the user. In the vehicle remote control system 1, the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 constitute the vehicle control system 2, and the vehicle relay device 20 and the portable relay device 30 constitute the relay system 4. Here, the vehicle control system 2 is originally installed in the vehicle at the time of shipment from the vehicle manufacturer's factory, and the relay system 4 is a system retrofitted to the vehicle.

[Vehicle control device]
The vehicle control device 10 is a device for controlling predetermined equipment provided in the vehicle 6. The control of this predetermined equipment is for starting the vehicle 6 to a state where it can run in response to a user's operation such as pressing a push start button installed on the vehicle 6, for example, using an internal combustion engine as the power source. In automobiles, there are times when the starter motor is turned on (engine starting).

The vehicle control device 10 constituting the vehicle control system 2 uses the authentication information stored in the portable device 40 and the authentication information stored in the vehicle control device 10 before controlling the equipment of the vehicle 6 to be controlled. Controls such as starting the engine are performed on the condition that the information is successfully authenticated.

In order to perform such processing, the vehicle control device 10 is configured to be capable of wirelessly communicating communication signals with the portable device 40. The vehicle control device 10 includes a control section 12, a transmitting/receiving section 14, and an authentication information storage section 16. The vehicle control device 10 is connected to the battery 6a of the vehicle 6 and receives power supply. The vehicle control device 10 communicates with devices of the vehicle 6 to be controlled, for example, through wired communication, and controls predetermined devices. The authentication information storage unit 16 is a non-volatile storage means and stores authentication information of the authorized portable device 40. The authentication information includes, for example, an ID code. When a plurality of authorized portable devices 40 exist, authentication information for each of the plurality of portable devices 40 is stored.

The control unit 12 is constituted by, for example, a microcomputer, and implements the functions described below by having a built-in CPU execute a program stored in a built-in ROM. The control unit 12 has a function of outputting a control signal for controlling the equipment of the vehicle 6 to be controlled, and a function of confirming the existence of the authorized portable device 40 based on the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 16. It has a function of outputting command data, etc. (hereinafter also referred to as "LF data") when communicating with other devices, such as a response request signal, which is a communication signal.

The transmitting/receiving section 14 performs wireless communication with a transmitting/receiving section 44 mounted on the portable device 40 and a first vehicle side transmitting/receiving section 24 mounted on the vehicle relay device 20 . The transmitter/receiver section 14 is configured by a transmitter/receiver RFIC. The transmitting/receiving unit 14 has a function of wirelessly transmitting LF data such as various commands and data output from the control unit 12 at a first frequency (hereinafter also referred to as "LF"), and a function of wirelessly transmitting LF data such as various commands and data output from the control unit 12, and a function of transmitting LF data such as various commands and data outputted from the control unit 12 at a second frequency (hereinafter also referred to as "LF") from other devices. It has a function of receiving commands, data, etc. (hereinafter also referred to as "RF data") wirelessly transmitted via RF (also referred to as "RF data"), and passing them to the control unit 12.

The second frequency is a higher frequency than the first frequency, and the communicable distance of RF data using the second frequency is longer than the communicable distance of LF data using the first frequency. As an example, the first frequency (LF) is 134kHz and the second frequency (RF) is 314MHz.

[Mobile device]
The portable device 40 is, for example, what is called a smart key, a genuine key, or the like. The portable device 40 includes a control section 42, a transmitting/receiving section 44, and an authentication information storage section 46. The portable device 40 is powered by a built-in primary battery 40a. It is preferable to use a commercially available dry battery, button battery, or the like as the primary battery 40a because it can be easily obtained, mounted, and handled easily. In particular, a button battery is good because the portable device 40 can be made smaller.

The authentication information storage unit 46 stores a unique ID code as authentication information for the immobilizer function. The control unit 42 is constituted by, for example, a microcomputer, and implements the functions described below by having a built-in CPU execute a program stored in a built-in ROM. When the control unit 42 receives a response request signal addressed to itself from the vehicle control device 10 forming the pair, the control unit 42 outputs a response signal (hereinafter also referred to as "response data" and included in "RF data"). The transmitting/receiving section 44 performs wireless communication with the transmitting/receiving section 14 installed in the vehicle control device 10 and the first mobile side transmitting/receiving section 34 installed in the mobile relay device 30. For example, it is configured by a transmitting/receiving RFIC. The transmitting/receiving unit 4b has a function of receiving LF data such as commands and data wirelessly transmitted at the first frequency and passing it to the control unit 42, and various commands and data such as response signals output from the control unit 42. It has a function to wirelessly transmit the RF data of

[Engine starting process]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a communication sequence of only the vehicle control system included in the vehicle when shipped from the original vehicle manufacturer's factory, among the vehicle remote control systems. Numbers in parentheses in the following description correspond to numbers in parentheses in the figures. The sequence shown in the figure consists of a startup sequence and an authentication sequence.

(1, 2) When the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 satisfies a transmission timing such as reception of a predetermined trigger signal, the control unit 12 transmits a WAKE signal (a type of LF data) as a response request signal from the transmitting/receiving unit 14. The predetermined trigger signal is, for example, a foot brake signal that is output when the foot brake pedal of the vehicle 6 is depressed.

(3) When the portable device 40 is within the communicable distance of the WAKE signal and receives the WAKE signal, the portable device 40 wirelessly transmits an ACK signal (a type of RF data) as a response signal. The transmitting/receiving unit 14 of the vehicle control device 10 receives the ACK signal, and the control unit 12 confirms the existence of the portable device 40. The above is the startup sequence.
(4) When the vehicle control device 10 confirms the existence of the portable device 40 in the startup sequence, the process moves to an authentication sequence. In the authentication sequence, the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 accesses the authentication information storage unit 16, acquires an ID code as the stored authentication information, and sends a challenge signal (LF data) that is a response request signal including the ID code. ) is output.

(5) When the mobile device 40 recognizes that the challenge signal received from the ID code is addressed to itself, the mobile device 40 sends a response signal (a type of RF data) that is a response signal containing its own authentication information. Transmit wirelessly. When the transmitter/receiver 14 of the vehicle control device 10 receives the response signal, authentication of the portable device 40 is completed.

As described above, one of the conditions for the vehicle control device 10 is to receive a response signal including regular authentication information within a certain period of time after outputting the response request signal, and the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10: Performs engine starting processing. In this embodiment, when the vehicle control device 10 outputs the WAKE signal and receives the challenge signal within a certain period of time to complete the authentication, the push start button provided on the vehicle 6 is pressed in the authentication completed state. The engine is started by turning on the engine start request signal.

[Relay system]
The communicable distance between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 shown in FIG. It is relatively short because it is enough. This relatively short distance is about 1 to 2 meters, assuming that the first frequency for transmitting LF data is 134 kHz.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle control system 2 is provided with a vehicle relay device 20 and a mobile relay device 30 that constitute the relay system 4, and these relay devices perform communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the mobile device 40. By relaying wireless communication, the communication distance is increased.

By increasing the communication distance in this way, the present system allows, for example, a user carrying the mobile repeater 30 and the mobile device 40 to communicate with the vehicle control device 10 even if the user is located relatively far from the vehicle 6. Authentication using authentication information can be performed with the portable device 40, and the engine can be started by operating the portable relay device 30 or the portable device 40 from the remote location.

[Vehicle repeater]
The vehicle relay device 20 is placed at a predetermined position within the vehicle 6. The vehicle relay device 20 includes a control section 22 that controls the vehicle relay device 20, a first vehicle-side transceiver section 24 that performs wireless communication with the vehicle control device 10, and a first vehicle side transmitting and receiving section 24 that performs wireless communication with the mobile relay device 30. It includes a second vehicle-side transmitting/receiving section 26 and a parameter storage section 28 that stores communication signals and various parameters of communication specifications. The vehicle relay device 20 is connected to the battery 6a of the vehicle 6 and receives power supply. The control unit 22 is constituted by, for example, a microcomputer, and implements the functions described below by having a built-in CPU execute a program stored in a built-in ROM. Further, the first vehicle-side transmitting/receiving section 24 and the second vehicle-side transmitting/receiving section 26 are each configured by a transmitting/receiving RFIC. The vehicle relay device 20 further includes a starting trigger output section 20a, a setting switch 20b, and a notification section 20c.

The first vehicle-side transmitting/receiving unit 24 transmits and receives data with the transmitting/receiving unit 14 of the vehicle control device 10, and receives radio waves wirelessly transmitted at a first frequency (LF) that is the transmission frequency band of the transmitting/receiving unit 14. and transmits wirelessly at a second frequency (RF). Since the communication distance is short, weak radio waves used by a weak radio station, which is one of the radio stations, are used.

The second vehicle-side transmitting/receiving unit 26 uses radio waves of a third frequency (hereinafter also referred to as "SG") included in the frequency band used for specified low power radio stations. By using this specified low power wireless communication, the communication distance is, for example, about 1 to 2 km in terms of viewing distance, and even if there is an obstacle, it is about several hundred meters, for example. Therefore, even if the vehicle 6 is parked in a parking lot on the premises, for example, in a detached house or an apartment, communication with the vehicle control device 10 is possible. As an example, the third frequency (SG) is 922 MHz.

In this embodiment, the vehicle relay device 20 and the vehicle control device 10 are connected by a communication cable 8 that performs wired communication. The control section 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 uses this wired communication to transmit the foot brake signal and the engine start request signal to the vehicle control device 10 from the start trigger output section 20a. The foot brake signal is a signal corresponding to a signal output when the foot brake pedal of the vehicle 6 is depressed. The engine start request signal is, for example, a signal corresponding to a signal output when the push start button of the vehicle 6 is pressed.

[Mobile repeater]
The mobile relay device 30 includes a control unit 32 that controls the mobile relay device 30, a first mobile side transmitting and receiving unit 34 for communicating with the mobile device 40, and a second mobile side transmitting and receiving unit 34 for communicating with the vehicle relay device 20. It includes a side transmitting/receiving section 36 and a parameter storage section 38 that stores various parameters, signals, and communication specifications. Furthermore, the portable relay device 30 includes an operation section 30b and a notification section 30c.

The operation unit 30b is, for example, a push button switch that corresponds to operation instructions such as a start switch and a stop switch. A user located at a distance from the vehicle 6 operates the vehicle control device 10 mounted on the vehicle 6 by pressing the operation unit 30b, and remotely starts or stops the engine.

In order to perform such processing, when the control unit 32 detects an operation on the operation unit 30b, the control unit 32 transmits an instruction corresponding to the operation from the second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36. The portable relay device 30 is powered by a built-in primary battery 30d. As the primary battery 30d, it is preferable to use a commercially available dry battery, a button battery, or the like because it can be easily obtained, mounted, and handled easily. In particular, a button battery is preferred because the portable relay device 30 can be made smaller.

The notifying unit 30c notifies the operating status and the like, and for example, notifies execution results such as a successful engine start or an error based on a signal sent from the vehicle control device 10 via the vehicle relay device 20. The notification unit 30c provides notification using visual and auditory senses. In the case of visual notification, the notification unit 30c may, for example, use a display panel to display the execution results in letters, figures, etc., or use a light emitting means such as an LED to indicate the lighting state (flashing/off/on). , and provide notification by emitted light color. Furthermore, in the case of using the auditory sense, the notification section 30c uses a speaker, for example, to notify by voice, buzzer, or the like. The notification unit 30c may be realized by combining one or more of these, and may be a combination of a visual system and an auditory system.

The control unit 32 is constituted by, for example, a microcomputer, and realizes the functions described below by having a built-in CPU execute a program stored in a built-in ROM. Further, the first mobile-side transmitting/receiving section 34 and the second mobile-side transmitting/receiving section 36 are each constituted by a transmitting/receiving RFIC. The first mobile-side transmitting/receiving section 34 performs wireless transmission using the receiving frequency band (first frequency, LF) of the transmitting/receiving section 44 of the portable device 40, and performs wireless reception using the transmitting frequency (second frequency, RF) of the transmitting/receiving section 44. Since the communication distance is short, weak radio waves used by weak radio stations, which are one type of radio station, are used. The second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36 uses radio waves of a frequency (third frequency, SG) included in the frequency band used for specified low power radio stations.

[Communication sequence]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the communication sequence of each data/signal. In this embodiment, remote starting of the engine using the relay function is enabled by communication in the sequence shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Numbers in parentheses in the following description correspond to numbers in parentheses in the figures. The sequence shown in FIG. 3 consists of a startup sequence and an authentication sequence.

(1) The control unit 32 of the portable relay device 30 outputs a start signal when the operation unit 30b is pressed. The second mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 36 wirelessly transmits the starting signal toward the vehicle relay device 20 .

(2) The second vehicle-side transmitting/receiving section 26 of the vehicle relay device 20 receives the starting signal transmitted from the mobile relay device 30. When the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 receives the starting signal, it outputs a starting response signal. The second vehicle-side transmitting/receiving unit 26 wirelessly transmits the start response signal to the mobile relay device 30 .

(3) Furthermore, upon receiving the start signal, the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 transmits a foot brake signal, which is a start trigger, from the start trigger output unit 20a to the vehicle control device 10 using a wired communication function. The vehicle relay device 20 maintains the foot brake signal in the ON state during the relay/transmission processing of each data/signal described below.

(4) When the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 receives the foot brake signal, it outputs a WAKE signal (a type of LF data) which is a response request signal. The transmitting/receiving unit 14 transmits the WAKE signal as a wireless signal using a wireless transmission function. Note that the transmitting/receiving section 14 of the vehicle control device 10 and the first vehicle side transmitting/receiving section 24 of the vehicle relay device 20 may be connected by a communication line (not shown), and the WAKE signal may be transmitted from the transmitting/receiving section 14 by wire.

(5) The first vehicle-side transceiver section 24 of the vehicle relay device 20 receives the WAKE signal. The vehicle relay device 20 transmits a wireless WAKE signal as a wireless response request signal based on the received WAKE signal to the mobile relay device 30 on a third frequency (SG) using the transmission function of the second vehicle side transceiver section 26. Transmit wirelessly. The wireless WAKE signal has reversibility with the WAKE signal.

(6) The second mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 36 of the mobile relay device 30 receives the wireless WAKE signal. The mobile relay device 30 generates a transfer WAKE signal as a transfer response request signal, which the portable device 40 recognizes as a WAKE signal, from the received wireless WAKE signal, and transmits the generated transfer WAKE signal to the first mobile side transmitting/receiving section 34. The transmission function is used to transmit to the portable device 40 at the first frequency (LF). The above "from when the vehicle relay device 20 receives the WAKE signal to when the mobile relay device 30 transmits the transfer WAKE signal" is hereinafter also referred to as "relaying the WAKE signal."

(7) The transmitting/receiving unit 44 of the portable device 40 receives the transfer WAKE signal. The transfer WAKE signal transmitted from the portable relay device 30 is recognized by the control unit 42 of the portable device 40 as the WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10. The transmitting/receiving section 44 that has received the transfer WAKE signal transmits an ACK signal (a type of RF data) that is a response signal using the transmitting function of the transmitting/receiving section 44 .

(8) The first mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 34 of the mobile repeater 30 receives the ACK signal. The mobile relay device 30 wirelessly transmits a wireless ACK signal as a wireless response signal based on the received ACK signal using the transmission function of the second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36 toward the vehicle relay device 20 at a third frequency (SG). . The wireless ACK signal has reversibility with the ACK signal.

(9) The second vehicle-side transceiver section 26 of the vehicle relay device 20 receives the wireless ACK signal. The vehicle relay device 20 generates a transfer ACK signal as a transfer response signal that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as an ACK signal from the received wireless ACK signal, and transmits the generated transfer ACK signal to the first vehicle side transceiver section 24. Transmit on a second frequency (RF) using the transmit function. The above "from when the mobile relay device 30 receives the ACK signal until the vehicle relay device 20 transmits the transfer ACK signal" is hereinafter also referred to as "relaying the ACK signal."

The transmitting/receiving unit 14 of the vehicle control device 10 receives the transfer ACK signal. The transfer ACK signal transmitted from the vehicle relay device 20 is recognized by the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 as the ACK signal transmitted from the portable device 40, and the presence of the portable device 40 is confirmed. When the presence of the portable device 40 is confirmed in the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 through the above startup sequence, the process moves to an authentication sequence.

(10) When the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 recognizes the ACK signal, it accesses the authentication information storage unit 16, obtains the ID code as the stored authentication information, and responds with the ID code and challenge data. A challenge signal (a type of LF data; referred to as a "CH signal" in the figure), which is a request signal, is output. The transmitter/receiver 14 transmits the challenge signal using a wireless transmission function. Note that the transmitting/receiving section 14 of the vehicle control device 10 and the first vehicle side transmitting/receiving section 24 of the vehicle repeater 20 may be connected by a communication line (not shown), and the challenge signal may be transmitted from the transmitting/receiving section 14 by wire.

(11) The first vehicle-side transceiver section 24 of the vehicle relay device 20 receives the challenge signal. The vehicle relay device 20 transmits a wireless challenge signal (described as a "wireless CH signal" in the figure) as a wireless response request signal based on the received challenge signal using the transmission function of the second vehicle-side transceiver section 26. Radio transmission is performed toward the mobile repeater 30 on the third frequency (SG). The wireless challenge signal has reversibility with the challenge signal.

(12) The second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36 of the mobile repeater 30 receives the wireless challenge signal. The mobile repeater 30 generates a transfer challenge signal (referred to as a "transfer CH signal" in the figure) as a transfer response request signal that the portable device 40 recognizes as a challenge signal from the received wireless challenge signal, and The generated transfer challenge signal is transmitted to the portable device 40 at a first frequency (LF) using the transmission function of the first portable side transceiver 34.

(13) The transmitting/receiving unit 44 of the portable device 40 receives the transfer challenge signal. The transfer challenge signal transmitted from the mobile relay device 30 is recognized by the control unit 42 of the mobile device 40 as the challenge signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10. The control unit 42 determines whether the received transfer challenge signal is addressed to itself. Specifically, it is determined whether the ID code included in the challenge signal matches its own ID code stored in the authentication information storage section 46. If the ID codes match, a response signal (a type of RF data; referred to as "RE signal" in the figure) is transmitted using the transmission function of the transmitter/receiver 44. If the ID codes do not match, the portable device 40 does not transmit anything.

(14) The first mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 34 of the mobile relay device 30 receives the response signal. The mobile relay device 30 transmits a wireless response signal (referred to as a "wireless RE signal" in the figure) as a wireless response signal based on the received response signal, and transfers the transmission function of the second mobile side transceiver 36 to the vehicle relay device. 20 on the third frequency (SG). The wireless response signal has reversibility with the response signal.

(15, 16) The second vehicle-side transceiver section 26 of the vehicle relay device 20 receives the wireless response signal. The vehicle relay device 20 generates a transfer response signal (referred to as a "transfer RE signal" in the figure) as a transfer response signal that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as a response signal from the received wireless response signal, and The generated transfer response signal is transmitted at the second frequency (RF) using the transmission function of the first vehicle-side transmitting/receiving section 24. Further, the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 transmits an engine start request signal to the vehicle control device 10 using the wired communication function, prior to transmitting the transfer response signal from the first vehicle side transmitting/receiving unit 24. The vehicle relay device 20 wirelessly transmits the transfer response signal while keeping the engine start request signal in an ON state.

The transmitter/receiver 14 of the vehicle control device 10 receives the transfer response signal. The transfer response signal transmitted from the vehicle relay device 20 is recognized by the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 as the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40. The control unit 12 authenticates whether the received transfer response signal is a response signal transmitted from an authorized portable device 40.

Then, if the response signal is authenticated as being transmitted from the authorized portable device 40, and both the engine start request signal and the foot brake signal are ON, control is performed to start the engine. Note that, when a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of the engine, the control unit 12 performs control to stop the engine. By continuing this operation of the engine, warm-up operation is performed, and the air conditioner installed in the vehicle 6 adjusts the temperature inside the vehicle to an appropriate temperature.

Furthermore, when stopping the engine during warm-up, the user operates the operation unit 30b of the mobile relay device 30. When the portable relay device 30 receives the operation stop command associated with the operation of the operation unit 30b, it transmits the operation stop command. The transmitted operation stop command reaches the vehicle control device 10 via the vehicle relay device 20. When the control unit 12 receives the operation stop command, it performs control to stop the engine that is in operation. Further, the control unit 12 relays and transmits the execution result of the received operation command in the same manner as the LF data, and when it reaches the mobile relay device 30, notifies the result.

In the above description, the vehicle control device 10 controls the predetermined equipment installed in the vehicle 6 by starting the engine by turning on the starting motor. It is also possible to turn on.

[First embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the relay system 4 in the vehicle remote control system 1 having the basic configuration described above can also be used in multiple types of vehicle control systems 2 in which communication specifications between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 are different. Wireless communications can be relayed.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart of LF data and RF data in the vehicle control system, where (a) is the vehicle control system installed on vehicle A, and (b) is the vehicle control system installed on vehicle B. Show about. As shown in the figure, vehicle A and vehicle B have different communication specifications of the vehicle control system 2. Specifically, the data lengths of the WAKE signal and the challenge signal, which are LF data, and the ACK signal and response signal, which are RF data, used for communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 are different. Therefore, the wireless WAKE signal, transfer ACK signal, wireless challenge signal, and transfer response signal transmitted from the vehicle relay device 20 that constitutes the relay system 4, and the transfer WAKE signal, wireless ACK signal, and transfer signal transmitted from the mobile relay device 30 are transmitted. Similarly, the challenge signal and the wireless response signal have different data lengths between vehicle A and vehicle B.

Here, in the relay system 4 corresponding to the vehicle control system 2 mounted on the vehicle A, the mobile relay device 30 that has received the wireless WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle relay device 20 receives the signal scheduled to be received. The data length is known in advance. Therefore, when the time required to receive the wireless WAKE signal has elapsed, the second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36 is automatically switched from the state of receiving the signal from the vehicle repeater 20 to the state of transmitting the signal to the vehicle repeater 20. .

Such switching of the transmission/reception state is similarly performed for the wireless challenge signal in the mobile relay device 30. Further, in the second vehicle-side transmitting/receiving section 26 of the vehicle repeater 20, the transmission/reception state of the wireless ACK signal and the wireless response signal is similarly switched.

Therefore, in a case where the relay system 4 is compatible only with the vehicle control system 2 installed on vehicle A, if this relay system 4 is applied to the vehicle control system 2 installed on vehicle B, the following problems will occur. occurs. The mobile relay device 30 that has received the wireless WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle relay device 20 sets the second mobile side transceiver unit 36 to a state of receiving the signal from the vehicle relay device 20 before completing the reception of the wireless WAKE signal. The state is switched from the state to the state where the data is transmitted to the vehicle relay device 20, and a communication error occurs. Even if the wireless WAKE signal is successfully transmitted and received, there is a very high possibility that errors will occur when transmitting and receiving other signals.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, after the vehicle relay device 20 configuring the relay system 4 is installed in the vehicle 6, communication between the vehicle control device 10 configuring the vehicle control system 2 and the portable device 40 is first performed. When this occurs, the communication specifications are determined using the control section 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 and the control section 32 of the mobile relay device 30. Specifically, after the vehicle relay device 20 constituting the relay system 4 is installed in the vehicle 6, the foot brake pedal provided on the vehicle 6 is first depressed to generate a foot brake signal that is a starting trigger. , automatically when a WAKE signal is transmitted from the vehicle control device 10.

The communication specifications are determined by the control section 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 and the control section 32 of the mobile relay device 30. The parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle relay device 20 and the parameter storage unit 38 of the mobile relay device 30 contain information regarding communication signals such as LF data and RF data used for communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the mobile device 40. is memorized. Both the control unit 22 and the control unit 32 operate as a verification means, and the communication signal received by the vehicle relay device 20 or the mobile relay device 30 from the vehicle control device 10 or the mobile device 40 is transmitted to the parameter storage unit 28 and the parameter storage. It is checked which of the communication signals stored in the section 38 corresponds to the communication signal. In this way, the communication specifications are determined.

In the present embodiment, the communication specifications are determined based on the WAKE signal and the challenge signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10, the wireless WAKE signal and the wireless challenge signal transmitted from the vehicle relay device 20 based on these signals, and the mobile device. The processing is performed based on the data length of the ACK signal and response signal transmitted from the mobile relay device 30, and the data length of the wireless ACK signal and the wireless response signal transmitted from the mobile relay device 30 based on these signals. Based on the data length of at least one of these signals, it is determined to which communication specification of which vehicle type the communication specification of the vehicle control system 2 corresponds.

Then, the determination result is recorded in the parameter storage unit 28 provided in the vehicle repeater 20 and the parameter storage unit 38 provided in the mobile repeater 30, and based on the recorded information, the vehicle repeater 20 and the mobile Relay machine 30 operates.

When the determination of the communication specifications is completed and the determined communication specifications are recorded in the parameter storage unit 28 provided in the vehicle repeater 20 and the parameter storage unit 38 provided in the mobile repeater 30, the The notification unit 20c provided in the portable relay device 30 and the notification unit 30c provided in the mobile relay device 30 notify which communication specification has been applied. The notification unit 20c and the notification unit 30c both include a storage unit that stores notification contents corresponding to the determined communication specifications, and an audio output unit, and the audio output unit outputs the message “Communication specifications of car model Y of company X are applied. ” is announced by voice. Furthermore, when the communication specifications are applied and the user can start or stop the control operation of the vehicle 6 by the vehicle control system 2, the audio output section will notify the user with a voice message saying "Can be used." .

When determining the communication specifications, the distance is set so that the vehicle relay device 20 and the portable relay device 30 can communicate with each other, and the distance is set so that the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 cannot communicate with each other. Therefore, when determining the communication specifications, if the distance is such that the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 cannot communicate with each other, or the distance that the vehicle control device 10 and the mobile device 40 can communicate with each other, the vehicle relay device 20 or the control unit 32 of the mobile relay device 30, the notification portion 20c of the vehicle relay device 20 and the notification portion 30c of the mobile relay device 30 output a message from the audio output unit that says, “If the mobile device is not connected to the vehicle. Please move away from the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40.'', the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 are separated from each other at a distance where they cannot communicate with each other.

Note that the communication specifications may be determined each time communication in the vehicle control system 2 occurs. Further, the relay system 4 is put into the setting mode by the setting switch 20b of the vehicle relay device 20, and in that state, the foot brake pedal provided on the vehicle 6 is depressed to generate a foot brake signal as a starting trigger, and the vehicle control device This may be done by transmitting a WAKE signal from 10. The setting switch 20b may be a dip switch.

Further, the communication specifications may be determined using either the control section 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 or the control section 32 of the mobile relay device 30. In this case, data of the determined communication specifications is transmitted from the one of the vehicle relay device 20 and the portable relay device 30 whose communication specifications have been determined to the one whose communication specifications have not been determined. Further, the control unit 22 determines the communication specifications based on the WAKE signal received by the vehicle relay device 20, and further transmits a wireless WAKE signal based on the WAKE signal from the vehicle relay device 20 to the mobile relay device 30, and The communication specification may be determined by the control unit 32 based on the wireless WAKE signal received by the wireless WAKE signal.

Furthermore, the notification section 20c of the vehicle relay device 20 may include a display section instead of or in addition to the audio output section. The display section is, for example, a liquid crystal screen, and the audio output section displays the content of the notification as text. The notification section 30c of the portable relay device 30 may also include a display section instead of or in addition to the audio output section. The display section is, for example, an LED or the like, and displays the content to be notified on the audio output section using a predetermined color or blinking method.

In addition to the data length, the communication specification may be determined based on the number of bits, transmission time, data frame structure, etc., or a combination of two or more of these.

[Second embodiment]
In the second embodiment, in the vehicle remote control system 1 having the basic configuration described above, even if the frequency of the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 is different for each vehicle control system 2 or for each communication, the same relay system is used. 4 can relay communication signals.

In this embodiment, the first frequency (LF) of the communication signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 explained in the above-mentioned basic configuration is 134.2kHz, and the first frequency (LF) of the communication signal between the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 is The third frequency (SG) used is constant at 922 MHz, but the second frequency (RF) of the communication signal transmitted from the portable device 40 is 312 MHz or 314 MHz. Or change to one of the frequencies for each individual communication. These second frequencies are set by the manufacturer of the vehicle 6, and the inventors, who are third parties, discovered this by analyzing the radio waves transmitted from the mobile device 40. It is.

According to research conducted by the inventors, this change in the second frequency is performed based on frequency designation information included in the communication specifications of the WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10. The portable device 40 that has received the WAKE signal recognizes the frequency designation information in the control unit 42, and after recognizing it, changes the second frequency at which the RF data to be transmitted from the transceiver unit 44 to the frequency specified by the frequency designation information ( 312MHz or 314MHz). Furthermore, in the vehicle control device 10, at the time of transmitting the WAKE signal including the frequency designation information, the second frequency at which the transmission/reception unit 14 receives the communication signal is set to the frequency specified by the frequency designation information.

Here, the second frequency used for receiving the communication signal by the first mobile-side transceiver 34 of the mobile repeater 30, and the second frequency used for transmitting the communication signal by the first vehicle-side transceiver 24 of the vehicle repeater 20. If the frequency is not the frequency designated by the frequency designation information, the relay system 4 cannot relay the communication signal. However, in this embodiment, these second frequencies can be set to the frequencies specified by the frequency designation information by the following method.

In this embodiment, for the vehicle control system 2 to which the relay system 4 is applied, the WAKE signal is investigated in advance, and the frequency designation information and the frequency used as the second frequency are transmitted to the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30. is stored in the control unit 32 of. The investigation of the WAKE signal may be performed using the relay system 4, or may be performed using a separate investigation device different from the relay system 4.

Specifically, the investigation of the WAKE signal involves detecting the WAKE signal, storing the data pattern of the WAKE signal, then detecting the frequency of the RF data, and comparing the data pattern of the stored WAKE signal and the detected RF data. This is done by making the frequency correspond to the second frequency.

Then, the vehicle relay device 20 is installed in the vehicle 6, and the relay system 4 is made usable in the vehicle remote control system 1. In this state, when the portable relay device 30 is operated to transmit a start signal, the WAKE signal is transmitted from the vehicle control device 10, as explained using FIG. The vehicle relay device 20 that received the WAKE signal and the mobile relay device 30 that received the wireless WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle relay device 20 based on the WAKE signal determine the communication specifications of the WAKE signal or the wireless WAKE signal, and Based on the frequency designation information obtained as a result of the determination, the frequency used for receiving the communication signal by the first mobile-side transmitting/receiving section 34 of the mobile repeater 30 and the frequency used for receiving the communication signal by the first vehicle-side transmitting/receiving section 24 of the vehicle repeater 20 are determined. Set the second frequency used for transmission.

Thereby, even if the second frequency changes for each vehicle control system 2, each engine start, or each communication, the relay system 4 can relay the communication signal.

Note that instead of determining the communication specifications for each individual communication and determining the frequency described above, the vehicle control system 2 is first configured after the vehicle relay device 20 that configures the relay system 4 is installed in the vehicle 6. When communication occurs between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40, the communication specifications are determined using the control section 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 and the control section 32 of the portable relay device 30, and at that time, the WAKE The signal investigation may be performed automatically. In this way, the time required to determine the communication specifications is not required for each communication, and the possibility that the time conditions necessary for relaying are satisfied can be increased, and engine starting, etc. can be performed more reliably.

After the vehicle relay device 20 configuring the relay system 4 is installed in the vehicle 6, when communication first occurs between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 that configure the vehicle control system 2, the mobile relay device 30 When automatically investigating the WAKE signal using the control unit 32, it is preferable to do as follows. The mobile relay device 30 determines the correspondence relationship between the frequency designation information included in the wireless WAKE signal received from the vehicle relay device 20 and the second frequency of the response signal (RF data) transmitted from the mobile device 40 in response to the WAKE signal. It is stored in the control unit 32 of. Thereafter, when the mobile relay device 30 receives a response signal transmitted from the mobile device 40, the mobile relay device 30 controls a control unit corresponding to the frequency designation information included in the wireless WAKE signal received from the vehicle relay device 20. The second frequency stored in 32 is received.

In this case, the vehicle relay device 20 receives, from the mobile relay device 30, information on the correspondence between the frequency designation information stored in the control unit 32 of the mobile relay device 30 and the second frequency, and based on the correspondence, , the RF data may be transmitted to the vehicle control device 10 at a second frequency corresponding to frequency designation information included in the WAKE signal received from the vehicle control device 10. It is preferable that the vehicle relay device 20 stores the information regarding the correspondence received from the mobile relay device 30 in the control unit 22 .

Further, the vehicle relay device 20 may be capable of receiving a response signal (RF data) transmitted from the portable device 40 at the second frequency. In this case, the vehicle repeater 20 detects the frequency designation information included in the WAKE signal received from the vehicle control device 10 and the second frequency of the response signal (RF data) transmitted from the portable device 40 in response to the WAKE signal. It is preferable that the correspondence relationship with the results obtained is stored in the control unit 22. After that, for example, if the vehicle relay device 30 receives and relays the WAKE signal from the vehicle control device 10, but cannot receive a response signal from the portable device 40, based on the stored correspondence relationship, The RF data may be transmitted to the vehicle control device 10 at a second frequency corresponding to frequency designation information included in the WAKE signal received from the vehicle control device 10.

Note that the information on the correspondence relationship may be stored in the control unit 22 of the vehicle repeater 20 and the control unit 32 of the mobile repeater 30; It may be stored in the storage unit 38.

Furthermore, the relationship between the frequency designation information included in the WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 and the second frequency of the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 in response to the WAKE signal is determined by the following method 1 or 2. You may investigate.

(Method 1) It is assumed that the vehicle repeater 20 has a function of transmitting an ACK signal at any frequency including 312 MHz and 314 MHz. When the vehicle relay device 20 receives the WAKE signal from the vehicle control device 10, it first transmits an ACK signal at 312 MHz to the vehicle control device 10, and then transmits the challenge signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 to the mobile device 40 in the relay system 4. If the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 can be relayed to the vehicle control device 10 by the relay system 4, the frequency designation information included in the WAKE signal and 312 MHz can be associated with each other and the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 can be relayed to the control section 22 of the vehicle relay device 20. Remember. If the response signal is not transmitted from the portable device 40 and the relay system 4 cannot relay it, the vehicle relay device 20 switches to 314 MHz and transmits an ACK signal, and similarly relays the challenge signal through the relay system 4. If the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 can be relayed to the vehicle control device 10, the frequency designation information included in the WAKE signal and 314 MHz are stored in the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 in association with each other. If the response signal is not transmitted from the portable device 40 even at 314 MHz, the ACK signal may be further transmitted at another frequency, or the WAKE signal may be stored in the control unit 22 as non-standard. good.

(Method 2) It is assumed that the mobile relay device 30 has a function of receiving radio waves at any frequency including 312 MHz and 314 MHz. First, the mobile repeater 30 sets the receiving frequency to 312 MHz. The WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 can be relayed to the mobile device 40 by the relay system 4, and the ACK signal transmitted from the mobile device 40 can be received by the mobile relay device 30 whose receiving frequency is set to 312 MHz. If the system 4 can relay the signal to the vehicle control device 10, the frequency designation information included in the WAKE signal and 312 MHz are stored in the control unit 32 of the portable relay device 30 in association with each other. If the mobile relay device 30 cannot receive the ACK signal, the reception frequency is switched to 314MHz, the WAKE signal is relayed, and the ACK signal transmitted from the mobile device 40 can be received at the mobile relay device 30, and the relay system If the WAKE signal can be relayed to the vehicle control device 10 in Step 4, the frequency designation information included in the WAKE signal and 314 MHz are stored in the control unit 32 of the portable relay device 30 in association with each other. If the ACK signal cannot be received even at 314 MHz, reception may be attempted at another frequency, or the WAKE signal may be stored in the control unit 22 as being non-standard.

In addition, instead of investigating the WAKE signal, as setting items of the relay system 4, the frequency used for communication signal reception in the first mobile side transmitting/receiving section 34 of the mobile relay device 30, and the first vehicle side transmitting/receiving section of the vehicle relay device 20. The frequency used for transmitting the communication signal may be selected in the section 24. In this setting item, the user may select which frequency to use and determine the frequency by trial and error until the engine can be started.

[Third embodiment]
In the third embodiment, the relay system 4 in the vehicle remote control system 1 having the above-mentioned basic configuration does not transmit noise when relaying communication signals, and also allows communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40. There will be no delay in communication.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a portable repeater according to a third embodiment. In the vehicle remote system according to the third embodiment, the mobile relay device 30 in the vehicle remote system having the basic configuration described above further includes an AND circuit 50. In this figure, the operation unit 30b and the like described in the above-mentioned basic configuration are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first mobile transmitter/receiver 34 of the mobile relay device 30 includes a transmission-only RFIC 34a and a reception-only RFIC 34b. The transmission-only RFIC 34a transmits radio waves of a first frequency (LF), and the reception-only RFIC 34b receives radio waves of a second frequency (RF). Further, the second mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 36 is an RFIC that transmits and receives radio waves of a third frequency (SG). The second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36 is in either a transmitting state or a receiving state by switching the mode. The second mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 36 includes an input terminal 36a, and when in a transmitting state, a communication signal based on a signal input from the input terminal 36a is transmitted.

Further, the control unit 32 and the second mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 36, and the control unit 32 and the reception-only RFIC 34b are connected by carrier sense wiring shown in broken lines in the figure, and data wiring shown in solid lines in the figure. Connected by Further, the control unit 32 and the transmission-only RFIC 34a are connected by a data wiring shown by a solid line in the figure.

The RF data transmitted from the portable device 40 and received by the reception-only RFIC 34b is output from the output terminal 34c provided on the reception-only RFIC 34b of the first mobile-side transmitting/receiving section 34.

In addition, the control unit 32 performs carrier sense for the second frequency (RF) and the third frequency (SG), and determines whether the frequency used for transmission is used before transmitting the communication signal from the second mobile side transceiver unit 36. It is determined whether the portable device 40 is present or not, and whether RF data is being transmitted from the portable device 40.

A control signal is output from the output terminal 32a of the control unit 32 only when it is determined by carrier sense that RF data is being transmitted from the portable device 40.

Among these carrier sense determinations, the determination as to whether or not the frequency used for transmission is being used before transmitting a communication signal from the second mobile transmitter/receiver 36 is performed based on the law.

The AND circuit 50 provided in the portable relay device 30 in this embodiment includes two input terminals 50a and 50b and one output terminal 50c. The input terminal 50a is connected to the output terminal 34c of the transmission-only RFIC 34a, the input terminal 50b is connected to the output terminal 32a of the control section 32, and the output terminal 50c is connected to the input terminal 36a of the second mobile side transceiver section 36.

The output terminal 50c of the AND circuit 50 outputs the logical product of the signals input to the input terminals 50a and 50b. Therefore, from the output terminal 50c of the AND circuit 50, only when the control unit 32 detects that RF data is being transmitted from the portable device 40, the combination of Hi and Lo transmitted from the portable device 40 is output. RF data is output, and the output becomes Lo at other times.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart of LF data and RF data in the vehicle control system according to the third embodiment. When the ACK signal and response signal, which are RF data, are not transmitted from the portable device 40, no data exists and noise is generated. In the figure, noise is shown immediately before the ACK signal and the response signal.

The time required for the vehicle control device 10 to receive the RF data transmitted from the portable device 40 after the LF data is transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 is set to be very short (for example, 2 ms or 6.5 ms) by the vehicle manufacturer. has been done. Therefore, the relay system 4 must also relay these signals in time for this time, and in the mobile relay device 30, the second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36 immediately changes from the receiving state to transmitting the LF data after completing reception of the LF data. Switch mode to state.

If RF data is not being transmitted from the mobile device 40 at the time the mode is switched, noise will be transmitted at the third frequency from the second mobile side transmitter/receiver 36 in the transmitting state, complying with the Radio Law. The problem is that it may not be possible.

Although the first mobile transmitter/receiver 34 of the mobile repeater 30 includes the transmission-only RFIC 34a and the reception-only RFIC 34b, these dedicated RFICs may be configured by a circuit instead of an IC.

However, in the present embodiment, when RF data is not transmitted from the portable device 40, the AND circuit 50 reduces noise from the reception-only RFIC 34b of the first portable transmitting/receiving section 34 to the second portable transmitting/receiving section 36. The second mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 36 that is cut off and in the transmitting state transmits a Lo signal at the third frequency, and no problem according to the Radio Law occurs.

[Fourth embodiment]
The fourth embodiment is a case where the relay system 4 in the vehicle remote control system 1 having the basic configuration described above is such that a plurality of portable devices 40 can be used for the vehicle control device 10 provided in one vehicle 6. It is also available in Moreover, the power consumption of the portable relay device 30 can be reduced, and the frequency of replacing the primary battery 30d can be reduced.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart of LF data and RF data in a vehicle control system in which a plurality of portable devices can be used. The figure shows a case where four portable devices 40 can be used for one vehicle control device 10.

The four portable devices 40 each have different timings from receiving the WAKE signal to transmitting the ACK signal. In FIG. 7, ACK signals transmitted from each portable device 40 are shown as ACK signals 1 to 4 in descending order of transmission timing. Further, when a plurality of portable devices 40 can be used, the ID code of each portable device 40 is stored in the authentication information storage section 16 of the vehicle control device 10. The engine starting process in this case will be explained using FIG. 2.

(1, 2) The control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 that has received the predetermined trigger signal transmits a WAKE signal from the transmitting/receiving unit 14. (3) When the portable device 40 existing within the communicable distance of the WAKE signal receives the WAKE signal, it transmits an ACK signal at a unique timing.

(4) When the vehicle control device 10 receives the ACK signal and confirms the presence of the portable device 40 within the communicable distance, the vehicle control device 10 accesses the authentication information storage section 16 and stores the ID code as the stored authentication information. and outputs a challenge signal containing the ID code. When a plurality of portable devices 40 transmit ACK signals, a challenge signal including the ID code of the portable device 40 that transmitted the ACK signal at the earliest timing is output.

(5) When the portable device 40 recognizes that the challenge signal received from the ID code is addressed to itself, the portable device 40 wirelessly transmits a response signal containing its own authentication information. When the transmitter/receiver 14 of the vehicle control device 10 receives the response signal, authentication of the portable device 40 is completed.

When applying the relay system 4 to such a vehicle control system 2, the following two methods can be considered.

(Method 1) As shown in FIG. 3, the WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 is relayed to the mobile device 40 by the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30, and the WAKE signal is transmitted from the mobile device 40 that has recognized the WAKE signal. The received ACK signal is relayed to the vehicle control device 10 by the mobile relay device 30 and the vehicle relay device 20.

(Method 2) After the vehicle relay device 20 receives the WAKE signal, it transmits an ACK signal to the vehicle control device 10 at a second frequency (RF) at a timing previously stored in the parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle relay device 20.

Each of these methods has the following advantages and disadvantages.

Method 1 has the advantage that it is not necessary to store the ACK signal of each portable device 40 in the parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle relay device 20 in advance. However, both the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 have disadvantages in that the number of times of switching between transmission and reception is greater than in method 2, the design is complicated, the operation time is long, and power consumption is increased. In particular, in the portable relay device 30, there is a limit on the size of the primary battery 30d in order to improve portability, and if the power consumption is large, the time and effort required to replace the battery increases.

In the case of method 2, since the ACK signal is not relayed, the power consumption of the portable repeater 30 and the portable device 40 can be reduced. However, it is necessary to know which of the four portable devices 40 will be used for authentication before starting to use the relay system 4 in the vehicle 6, and to store the parameter storage section 28 of the vehicle relay device 20 in the parameter storage section 28 of the vehicle relay device 20. The timing of transmitting the ACK signal of the machine 40 must be investigated and memorized. Furthermore, when changing the portable device 40 that is carried along with the portable relay device 30, it is necessary to newly investigate the timing and store it again.

This embodiment overcomes the shortcomings of these methods. This embodiment will be described below.

First, before installing the vehicle relay device 20 in the vehicle 6 or after installing it and before starting to use the relay system 4, four parameters that can be authenticated by the vehicle control device 10 are stored in the parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle relay device 20. The timing at which the ACK signal of the portable device 40 is transmitted is stored. Then, communication is performed in the sequence shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a communication sequence of each data/signal in the vehicle remote control system according to the fourth embodiment. Numbers in parentheses in the following description correspond to numbers in parentheses in the figures. The description of parts common to the above description of the basic configuration will be simplified.

(1) When the operation unit 30b is pressed, the portable relay device 30 wirelessly transmits a start signal to the vehicle relay device 20.

(2) When the vehicle relay device 20 receives the start signal, it wirelessly transmits a start response signal to the mobile relay device 30.

(3) Furthermore, upon receiving the start signal, the vehicle relay device 20 transmits a foot brake signal, which is a start trigger, to the vehicle control device 10 using a wired communication function.

(4) The vehicle control device 10 that has received the foot brake signal transmits a WAKE signal.

(5) The first vehicle-side transceiver section 24 of the vehicle relay device 20 receives the WAKE signal. The vehicle relay device 20 transmits the ACK signal at any one of the four timings stored in the parameter storage section 28. The ACK signal transmitted by the vehicle relay device 20 is also referred to as a "pseudo ACK signal" below.

(6) Furthermore, the vehicle relay device 20 wirelessly transmits a wireless WAKE signal to the mobile relay device 30.

(7) The mobile relay device 30 that has received the wireless WAKE signal transmits a transfer WAKE signal to the mobile device 40.

(8) The portable device 40 that has received the transfer WAKE signal transmits an ACK signal. However, the mobile relay device 30 does not receive the ACK signal. Therefore, the mobile relay device 30 does not transmit the wireless ACK signal described in the basic configuration.

(9) The transmitting/receiving unit 14 of the vehicle control device 10 receives the pseudo ACK signal transmitted from the vehicle repeater 20. The ACK signal transmitted from the vehicle relay device 20 is transmitted from the portable device 40 (hereinafter referred to as "virtual portable device") corresponding to the transmission timing of the pseudo ACK signal in the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10. This is recognized as an ACK signal, and the existence of the virtual mobile device is confirmed. When the existence of the virtual portable device is confirmed in the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 through the above startup sequence, the process moves to an authentication sequence.

When the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 recognizes the ACK signal, it accesses the authentication information storage unit 16, acquires the ID code corresponding to the virtual mobile device as the stored authentication information, and stores the ID code and challenge data. Outputs a challenge signal containing. The transmitter/receiver 14 transmits the challenge signal using a wireless transmission function.

(10) The vehicle relay device 20 that has received the challenge signal transmits a wireless challenge signal toward the mobile relay device 30.

(11) The mobile relay device 30 that has received the wireless challenge signal transmits a transfer challenge signal to the mobile device 40.

(12) The transmitting/receiving unit 44 of the portable device 40 receives the transfer challenge signal. The transfer challenge signal transmitted from the mobile relay device 30 is recognized by the control unit 42 of the mobile device 40 as the challenge signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10. The control unit 42 determines whether the received transfer challenge signal is addressed to itself. Specifically, it is determined whether the ID code included in the challenge signal matches its own ID code stored in the authentication information storage section 46. If the ID code of the portable device 40 that has received the transfer challenge signal is the same as the ID code of the virtual portable device, the ID codes match and the response signal is transmitted using the transmission function of the transmitter/receiver 44.

On the other hand, if the ID codes do not match, the portable device 40 does not transmit anything, so the engine cannot be started.

In this embodiment, even if a certain period of time elapses after the vehicle relay device 20 transmits the foot brake signal that is the start trigger in (3) above, due to ID code mismatch, communication trouble, etc., the engine If the start is not performed, the process returns to (3) again, the vehicle relay device 20 transmits the foot brake signal, and (4) the vehicle control device 10 that has received the foot brake signal transmits the WAKE signal. Then, in the second time (5), the ACK signal is transmitted at a timing different from the previous timing. Transmitting the foot brake signal from the vehicle relay device 20 again and transmitting the ACK signal with a different transmission timing will be referred to as a "sequential transmission operation" hereinafter. This sequential sending operation is performed until the ID code of the portable device 40 that received the transfer challenge signal matches the ID code of the virtual portable device. If the ID codes match, a response signal is transmitted.

(13) The mobile relay device 30 that has received the response signal transmits a wireless response signal to the vehicle relay device 20.

(14, 15) The vehicle relay device 20 that has received the wireless response signal transmits a transfer response signal. Furthermore, the vehicle relay device 20 transmits an engine start request signal to the vehicle control device 10 before transmitting the transfer response signal. The vehicle relay device 20 wirelessly transmits the transfer response signal while keeping the engine start request signal in an ON state.

Thereafter, the vehicle control device 10 receives the transfer response signal and authenticates whether the received transfer response signal is a response signal transmitted from the authorized portable device 40. Then, if the response signal is authenticated as being transmitted from the authorized portable device 40, and both the engine start request signal and the foot brake signal are ON, control is performed to start the engine.

According to the present embodiment, the disadvantages of methods 1 and 2 are solved, and the ACK signal is not relayed, so the power consumption of the mobile relay device 30 can be reduced, and the power consumption of the mobile relay device 30 can be reduced. There is no need to investigate the timing of transmitting the ACK signal of the portable device 40 and store it in the parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle relay device 20.

In this embodiment, the timing of the pseudo ACK signal transmitted in (5) above may be arbitrarily selected from four timings, and may be arbitrarily selected from the remaining timings in the sequential transmission operation. However, for example, the ACK signal 1 having the earliest timing may be transmitted first, and in the subsequent sequential transmission operation, the ACK signal 2 and the ACK signal 3 may be transmitted in this order.

Furthermore, after the engine has been successfully started, the last successful timing is stored in the parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle relay device 20, and the next time the engine is started, an ACK signal is transmitted at the memorized timing, and then In the sequential transmission operation, the transmission may be performed in order from the earliest among the remaining timings. Furthermore, in the sequential transmission operation, the successes before the last success may be transmitted in order from the newest one.

Further, the timing order of the pseudo ACK signals transmitted in the above-mentioned (5) may be arbitrarily set by the user using the setting switch 20b of the vehicle relay device 20.

[Modified example of relay system]
The relay system 4 described in the above basic configuration and each embodiment may be modified as follows.

[Modification 1. Relay system that “does not relay communication signals” under predetermined conditions]
(1) At least one of the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 is provided with a function to determine whether the engine of the vehicle 6 is running, and if the function determines that the engine is running, the communication Do not relay signals.

(2) At least one of the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 is provided with means for specifying the current location (hereinafter also referred to as "current location specifying means"), and the position specified by the current location specifying means is set to a predetermined location. If the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 or the control unit 32 of the mobile relay device 30 determines that the vehicle is located, the communication signal is not relayed, or it is determined that the vehicle is located at a predetermined location. Relay only when necessary.

The "predetermined location" is preferably stored in the parameter storage section 28 of the vehicle relay device 20 or the parameter storage section 38 of the mobile relay device 30 in advance. The "predetermined place" may be, for example, a "user's home apartment" as a place where the relay is performed, and may be, for example, a "villa used by the user" as a place where the relay is not performed. Conversely, the place where the relay is performed may be, for example, "the user's villa", and the place where the relay is not performed may be, for example, "the user's home apartment". Thereby, it is possible to automatically switch whether or not to relay communication signals depending on the user's activity location, and the power consumption of the primary battery 30d of the portable relay device 30 can be reduced.

Further, it is preferable to use a highly airtight space as a place where relaying is not performed. This highly airtight location may be, for example, an indoor multi-story parking lot. By not conducting relays in airtight areas, it is possible to prevent oxygen depletion and carbon monoxide from being caused by leaving the engine running in airtight areas, thereby preventing unnecessary accidents. can be suppressed.

Further, even if the current location cannot be specified by the current location specifying means, the location is likely to be indoors, so it is preferable not to relay the location.

The current location specifying means may be, for example, a means having a GPS function.

(3) When a temperature sensor that measures the temperature inside the vehicle is connected to the vehicle relay device 20 or mobile relay device 30 by wire or wirelessly, and the measured temperature is within a predetermined temperature range, communication signals are not relayed. .

The "predetermined temperature range" may be, for example, a temperature range that people generally feel comfortable with. In this way, if the temperature inside the car is such that the user feels hot or cold, the communication signal is relayed to start the engine before the user gets into the car, and the temperature inside the car is adjusted to a comfortable temperature. In addition, if the temperature is such that the user feels comfortable, there is no need to start the engine, so no communication signal is relayed.

(4) The mobile repeater 30 has a function of receiving radio waves of the first frequency (LF), and when the mobile repeater 30 is receiving the radio waves of the first frequency due to the function, the control unit 32 does not relay the radio waves. Control as follows.

The radio waves of the first frequency transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 have a short communicable distance, and the user usually carries both the portable relay device 30 and the portable device 40. Therefore, when the mobile relay device 30 is receiving radio waves of the first frequency transmitted from the vehicle control device 10, it is assumed that the mobile relay device 30 is located very close to the vehicle 6, for example, inside the vehicle. Become. In that case, since the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 can communicate directly, there is no need for the relay system 4 to relay communication signals. Thereby, unnecessary relaying of communication signals can be reduced, and power consumption of the primary battery 30d of the portable relay device 30 can be reduced.

The function of receiving radio waves of the first frequency of the mobile repeater 30 may be provided by providing the mobile repeater 30 with an RFIC for receiving the first frequency and connecting it to the control unit 32 .

(5) The mobile relay device 30 transmits the same communication signal (hereinafter also referred to as "pseudo LF data") as the signal (LF data) transmitted by the vehicle control device 10 from the vehicle control device 10 at the first frequency (LF). It has a function of transmitting a communication signal when it is not being transmitted, and also has a function of determining whether RF data has been transmitted from a portable device 40 that has received the LF data when pseudo LF data is transmitted. Thereby, it can be determined whether the distance between the portable relay device 30 and the portable device 40 is appropriate.

Note that the RF data transmitted from the portable device 40 as a response to the pseudo LF data is not relayed from the portable relay device 30 to the vehicle relay device 20.

The pseudo LF data is preferably stored in the parameter storage section 38 of the mobile relay device 30.

If the mobile repeater 30 transmits pseudo LF data and it is not determined that RF data has been transmitted from the mobile device 40, the mobile repeater 30 is provided with a notification function to notify that fact. good. The notification by the notification function may be performed by the notification unit 30c of the mobile relay device 30 by sound, display, light emission, or the like.

The pseudo LF data is preferably transmitted by the first mobile transmitter/receiver 34 of the mobile repeater 30, and the first mobile transmitter/receiver determines whether RF data has been transmitted from the mobile device 40 that has received the LF data. It is preferable that the control unit 32 determines whether the RF data is received by the unit 34.

The pseudo LF data may be transmitted when the user presses a check button provided on the mobile relay device 30 or at regular time intervals. The fixed time interval may be, for example, every minute. A check button may be provided on the operation section 30b.

It is preferable that the parameter storage unit 38 of the portable relay device 30 stores signal patterns for each vehicle type, and transmits signals based on the stored patterns as pseudo LF data. In particular, it is preferable to store the signal relayed from the vehicle relay device 20 and transmitted from the vehicle control device 10, and to transmit a signal based on the signal as pseudo LF data.

(6) The vehicle relay device 20 has a function of connecting to the in-vehicle LAN provided in the vehicle 6, and the relay system 4 does not relay the communication signal, taking into consideration the state of the signal flowing through the in-vehicle LAN.

The in-vehicle LAN may be, for example, a CAN, and it is preferable that the relay system 4 not relay communication signals when a signal indicating, for example, that a door is open is detected from the CAN.

The connection of the vehicle relay device 20 to the in-vehicle LAN is preferably performed by providing an OBD2 adapter that is connected to the control unit 22 of the vehicle repeater 20, and the OBD2 adapter is preferably connected to an OBD2 connector connected to the in-vehicle LAN. .

[Modification 2. [Limit the relay operation time of the relay system]
The time period during which the relay system 4 performs the relay operation is limited to a predetermined time range after pressing the operating section 30b, which is a push button switch of the portable relay device 30.

For example, currently, in many cases, the portable relay device 30 and the portable device 40, which is also called a genuine key, are used in a manner in which they are connected by a ring. However, when two items are connected by a ring like this, if you put them in a bag, for example, they may get caught on other items in the bag, making it inconvenient to use.

In order to solve this problem, if the mobile relay device 30 and the mobile device 40 can be used even if they are several meters apart, another problem will arise, for example, when the signal from the key of another car of the same model cannot be used. There is a high possibility that the mobile relay device 30 will relay the information.

Therefore, by limiting the time for performing the relay operation as in this modification, the frequency of occurrence of such problems can be reduced. Further, it is preferable that the mobile relay device 30 is provided with a function of checking whether the keys of other cars of the same model are responding, and when it is detected that the keys are responding, the notification unit 30c issues a notification to that effect. Good. When the control unit 32 determines that the data received by the mobile relay device 30 is not the correct genuine key data, the control unit 32 may control the mobile relay device 30 to stop relaying the signal thereafter.

[Modification 3. Prevents erroneous operations using genuine keys and mobile repeaters]
Some of the portable devices 40 have operation buttons, and the portable relay device 30 also has an operation section 30b, so there is a problem that the user tends to press these buttons by mistake.

To solve this problem, the operating section 30b is removed from the portable relay device 30. The portable relay device 30 is assumed to be dedicated to relaying and broadcasting communication signals. It is desirable that the notification by the notification unit 30c be made by sound rather than by screen.

The operations that were performed using the operating section 30b of the portable repeater 30 described in the above basic configuration are performed by pressing a specific operating button on the portable device 40 multiple times within a predetermined period of time. Such an operation of the portable device 40 may be performed, for example, by continuously pressing the lock button twice in one second as an engine start operation. When a communication signal transmitted from the portable device 40 by such a specific operation is received by the portable relay device 30 and detected by the control unit 32, an engine start signal is transmitted.

[Modification 4. The operation changes depending on whether the genuine key is near the mobile repeater]
When the control unit 32 detects that the operation unit 30b of the mobile relay device 30 has been pressed, before transmitting the engine start signal to the vehicle relay device 20, the mobile device 40, which is a genuine key, is pressed near the mobile relay device 30. A signal is transmitted on a first frequency (LF) to confirm whether or not the signal is present. When the control unit 32 determines that the portable device 40 is near the mobile relay device 30 based on this confirmation signal, it transmits an engine start signal to the vehicle relay device 20.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the portable device 40 is not near the portable relay device 30, the engine start signal is not transmitted to the vehicle relay device 20. Further, in this case, it is preferable that the notification section 30c notifies that the portable device 40 is not near the portable relay device 30.

Note that when transmitting the confirmation signal from the mobile relay device 30 after transmitting the engine start signal to the vehicle relay device 20, a certain delay is required for transmitting the engine start signal from the vehicle relay device 20 to the vehicle control device 10. Have it.

Further, for example, when the user leaves the mobile relay device 30 at home and is cleaning the interior of the vehicle 6 in the parking lot of the user's home, a child at home may operate the operation unit 30b of the mobile relay device 30. Assume that you press the button to start the engine.

In such cases, it is desirable not to start the engine to avoid unnecessary trouble. Therefore, the vehicle relay device 20 is provided with a function of detecting whether or not the portable device 40 is present in the vehicle. If the vehicle relay device 20 receives an engine start signal from the mobile relay device 30 even though the vehicle relay device 20 detects that the portable device 40 is present in the vehicle, the vehicle relay device 20 may be in such a situation. It is preferable that the notification section 20c of the vehicle relay device 20 and the notification section 30c of the mobile relay device 30 make a notification regarding a certain event.

[Modification 5. Modified example of LF data]
Although the portable device 40 recognizes the LF data transmitted by the portable relay device 30 at the first frequency (LF) as regular LF data, it is different from the LF data transmitted by the vehicle control device 10. The range that the portable device 40 recognizes as regular LF data includes the range of the LF data transmitted by the vehicle control device 10, and also includes the range of the LF data transmitted by the portable relay device 30 in this modification. .

The relay system 4 preferably includes a device having a function of receiving LF data, and the device preferably has a function of distinguishing between these two types of LF data and recording which LF data has been received. The device having the function of receiving LF data may be, for example, the vehicle repeater 20, and the reception of the LF data may be performed by the first vehicle-side transmitting/receiving section 24, or may be provided separately from the first vehicle-side transmitting/receiving section 24. This may also be done using a receiving RFIC or the like. It is preferable to record the reception of the LF data by providing a recording device in the vehicle relay device 20.

[Modification 6. Modified example of RF data]
Although the vehicle control device 10 recognizes the RF data transmitted by the vehicle repeater 20 at the second frequency (RF) as regular RF data, it is different from the RF data transmitted by the portable device 40. The range that the vehicle repeater 20 recognizes as regular RF data includes the range of RF data transmitted by the portable device 40, and also includes the range of RF data transmitted by the vehicle repeater 20 in this modification. .

The relay system 4 preferably includes a device having a function of receiving RF data, and the device preferably has a function of distinguishing between these two types of RF data and recording which RF data has been received. The device having the function of receiving RF data may be, for example, the vehicle repeater 20, and the reception of RF data may be performed by providing a receiving RFIC or the like. The reception and recording of RF data is preferably performed by providing a recording device in the vehicle relay device 20.

[Modification 7. Modifications of additional functions of mobile repeater]
A portable relay device 30 is used as a box from which information about a vehicle 6 is taken out. For example, the mobile relay device 30 is added with a function of acquiring information from the vehicle 6, a function of communicating with a smartphone, etc. The communication function with a smartphone or the like may be a Bluetooth function, an NFC function, etc., and, for example, a Bluetooth transmitting/receiving module may be connected to the control unit 32. Examples of additional functions will be explained in (1) to (3) below.

(1) Transfer various information regarding the vehicle 6 from the vehicle relay device 20 to the mobile relay device 30, store it in the storage section provided in the mobile relay device 30, and transfer the stored information to a smartphone etc. Allow transfer.

Although it is difficult to operate a smartphone or the like inside a car and obtain information about the vehicle 6, it is easy to obtain information outside the car, such as at home or at a restaurant. On the other hand, at home, a restaurant, etc., there is a problem in that the distance between the vehicle 6 and the smartphone or the like operated by the user is large, making it difficult to directly obtain information from the vehicle 6 using the smartphone or the like.

Since the user has both the smartphone and the mobile relay device 30 nearby, according to this modification, information regarding the vehicle 6 can be easily acquired, and the above problem can be solved.

Furthermore, according to this modification, the mobile relay device 30 can be used not only as a simple engine starter operation button but also as a tool to be used in pair with a smartphone or the like, giving the user an incentive to carry the mobile relay device 30. It can be done. Generally, engine starters are used exclusively in winter, so the portable repeater 30 is rarely carried by users outside of winter, especially in summer. However, according to this modification, it can be carried even outside of winter. The possibility of becoming

(2) The information stored in (1) above includes, for example, the operation of the vehicle 6 (engine on/off), the position (for example, the location where the vehicle 6 is parked as detected by the on-board GPS), the temperature inside the vehicle, etc. It's good to do that. You can display this information on your smartphone, display it on a map, and even share that information and the map that displays it with others. By using this information, the user can easily look back on past actions.

GPS and the like consume a lot of power, so if they are installed in the portable repeater 30, the primary battery 30d will have to be replaced more frequently. Therefore, if these things are installed in the vehicle relay device 20 instead of the mobile relay device 30, the user will not be able to obtain rich information even though the mobile relay device 30 can be powered by the primary battery 30d as a button battery. can. Since the mobile relay device 30 only receives this information, its power consumption remains small.

(3) The mobile relay device 30 may have a function of storing the detection history of devices having a wireless communication function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). In particular, it is preferable to associate and store the detected time. Although the history may be stored at predetermined time intervals (eg, 1 minute intervals), it is preferable to store only the time when a change occurs.

The device having a wireless communication function such as Bluetooth may be, for example, headphones, a keyboard or mouse for a personal computer, a smartphone, or the like.

Detection of a device having a wireless communication function such as Bluetooth may be performed by transmitting a scan signal using a wireless communication function such as Bluetooth provided in the mobile relay device 30.

Table 1 shows an example of data acquired and stored by the mobile relay device 30. The stored data listed in Table 1 includes the Bluetooth (indicated as "BT" in the table) ID of the detected device, the level of electric field strength as the communication state, and the date and time of detection.

By using such detection history data, it is possible to understand, for example, which device a user carrying the mobile repeater 30 was near at what time, and how close the user was to the device, making it easier to control one's own actions. You can look back on it. In this modification, the behavior status may be determined based on the difference in SSID, etc. of Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth.

[Modification 8. Modified example of vehicle repeater]
The above-mentioned modification 7 was a modification of the mobile relay device 30, but in the modification 8, the vehicle relay device 20 has a function of acquiring information from the vehicle 6 and a communication function with a smartphone etc. etc. are added. The communication function with a smartphone or the like may be a Bluetooth function, an NFC function, etc., and, for example, a Bluetooth transmitting/receiving module may be connected to the control unit 22.

Table 2 shows an example of data acquired and stored by the vehicle relay device 20. Similarly to Table 1, the stored data listed in Table 2 includes the Bluetooth (indicated as "BT" in the table) ID of the detected device, the level of electric field strength as the communication state, and the date and time of detection. include. The ID shown in Table 2 as "None" means, for example, a case where a weak signal was received but the ID could not be identified.

By using such detection history data, it is possible to understand, for example, which device the user who boarded the vehicle 6 equipped with the vehicle relay device 20 was near at what time, and how close the user was. , can easily reflect on one's own actions. In this modification, the behavior status may be determined based on the difference in SSID, etc. of Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth.

In addition, when Modification 7 and Modification 8 are combined, for example, by comparing the data in the first row of Table 1 and the first row of Table 2, it is possible to see that the device with ID 00001 (for example, a smartphone) is a mobile relay at the same time. It was detected by both the mobile relay device 30 and the vehicle relay device 20, indicating that the device was located near both the mobile relay device 30 and the vehicle 6, and furthermore, based on the level of electric field strength, the device was detected by the mobile relay device rather than the vehicle 6. It was found that there was a high possibility that it was near aircraft 30, and this can be used as an aid in the search for the equipment. Furthermore, it can be applied to searching for the location of a genuine key, for example, when the genuine key is lost.

[Modification 9. Identification of location of mobile repeater]
Radio waves of a frequency (third frequency (SG), for example, 922 MHz) used for relaying communication signals between the vehicle repeater 20 and the mobile repeater 30 in the relay system 4, and the radio waves of the Bluetooth function used in Modification 8. It is preferable to identify where the mobile relay device 30 is located by using the vehicle relay device 20 in combination.

A function for receiving Bluetooth radio waves is added to the vehicle relay device 20. In the vehicle relay device 20, for example, a Bluetooth transmission/reception module may be connected to the control unit 22. Thereby, the second vehicle-side transmitting/receiving section 26 can receive radio waves of the third frequency, and the Bluetooth transmitting/receiving module can receive Bluetooth radio waves.

The communication distance with the third frequency is several hundred meters, and with Bluetooth radio waves, it is about 10 meters. Therefore, if the vehicle repeater 20 is receiving both radio waves, the mobile repeater 30 is within 10 meters from the vehicle 6, and if it is receiving only the third frequency radio waves, it is farther than 10 meters. If it exists within a few hundred meters, and neither radio wave is received, it can be inferred that it does not exist within a few hundred meters.

According to the relay system 4 as described above, as shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle control device 10 (first device) and the portable device 40 (second device) communicate wirelessly with each other according to predetermined communication specifications. The vehicle control device 10 is placed in the vehicle 6 (controlled device), and when communication of a predetermined signal is performed between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40, the vehicle in which the vehicle control device 10 is placed In the vehicle control system 2 (control system) that performs the control operation of 6, the relay system 4 relays wireless communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40. A vehicle relay device 20 (first relay device) and a mobile relay device 30 (first relay device) can relay wireless communication in multiple types of vehicle control systems 2 with different predetermined communication specifications between them. The vehicle relay device 20 receives signals from the vehicle control device 10 and transmits signals that the vehicle control device 10 can recognize, and the mobile relay device 30 receives signals from the mobile device 40. and transmits a signal that the portable device 40 can recognize, receives a communication signal for communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40, and performs the predetermined communication based on the received communication signal. The communication specifications are determined, and the determined predetermined communication specifications are applied to the communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the vehicle relay device 20 and the communication between the portable device 40 and the mobile relay device 30.

In this way, even if the communication specifications are different for each vehicle control system 2, the communication specifications corresponding to each vehicle control system 2 are automatically applied. It is possible to obtain a relay system 4 capable of controlling a vehicle 6 in which a vehicle 6 is disposed.

The communication specifications may include signal data length, number of bits, transmission time, data frame, etc.

In the embodiment described above, the vehicle relay device 20 is placed in the vehicle 6, and the mobile relay device 30 is carried by the user.

In this way, even if the communication specifications differ for each vehicle type, the communication specifications for each vehicle type are automatically applied, and it is possible to obtain the relay system 4 that can control the vehicle of that type. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the need to prepare a relay system 4 that corresponds to communication specifications for each vehicle model, and inventory management at the dealership becomes easier.

The operation of the vehicle 6 that is controlled by the control operation of the vehicle control system 2 may be any type of operation, but may be, for example, the operation of each part that constitutes the vehicle 6, such as opening and closing the door of the vehicle 6, It is good to activate and shut off car security. In particular, it is preferable to start the engine, the motor system, or the air conditioner, which is the power source of the vehicle 6, and to stop these. The relay system 4 may be an engine starter that can start the engine, start the motor system, or start the air conditioner, and stop them by remote control.

Control of the vehicle 6 by the vehicle control system 2 may be started or stopped, for example, by detecting a user's operation of an operation unit provided on the portable relay device 30 or an operation unit provided on the portable device 40. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a user's operation on an operation button of the mobile relay device 30 is detected, and the vehicle control system 2 controls each part of the vehicle via the vehicle relay device 20.

Detection of a user's operation on the operating section provided on the portable device 40 is particularly performed by detecting a signal that the portable device 40 wirelessly transmits to the vehicle control device 10 in response to the user's operation on the operating section provided on the portable device 40. It is preferable to receive a signal and perform the process based on the received signal.

In particular, the user's operations on the operation unit provided in the portable device 40 include operations performed from the portable device 40 to the vehicle control device 10 to cause the vehicle control device 10 to perform a predetermined control operation of the vehicle 6. should be operated differently.

In particular, as a user's operation of the operation unit provided in the portable device 40, a radio signal is sent from the portable device 40 to the vehicle control device 10 in order to cause the vehicle control device 10 to perform a predetermined control operation of the vehicle 6. It is preferable that the operation includes an operation that triggers the sending of the message, but is different from the operation. In particular, it is preferable that the same operation performed continuously within a predetermined period of time includes operations that are not performed between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40. In particular, when receiving a radio signal indicating that the same operation has been performed a predetermined number of times in a row within a predetermined time, the vehicle control system 2 performs a predetermined control operation for the vehicle 6 from the vehicle repeater 20 to the mobile repeater 30. It is recommended that the configuration is configured to perform the following.

For example, in a configuration in which the portable device 40 is provided with a button for locking the door of the vehicle 6 as an operation unit in a configuration that controls the door lock of the vehicle 6, the button is used to lock the door of the vehicle. The mobile relay device 30 indicates that the user has performed an operation that is different from the operation (pressing the button only once), such as pressing the door lock button three times in a row within one second. This may be done by detecting that the three door lock radio signals issued by the machine 40 are consecutively received within a predetermined period of time. When such a detection is made, it is preferable to wirelessly transmit an instruction signal for starting the engine or the like to the vehicle relay device 20.

For example, if the portable device 40 installed in the vehicle 6 is provided with only a button for opening and closing the lock of the door of the vehicle 6 as an operation part, the operation of using the button to open and close the lock of the door of the vehicle 6 is When the user performs different operations, such as pressing the button three times in succession within one second, the vehicle control system 2 starts the engine or motor via the mobile relay device 30 and the vehicle relay device 20. It is preferable to start or stop the air conditioner.

The relay system 4 may be configured such that the communication distance between the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 is longer than the communication distance between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40. In this way, by operating the portable relay device 30 or the portable device 40, the user can remotely control the vehicle control system 2 from a greater distance. As a configuration for increasing the communication distance between the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30, for example, the transmission power of the radio waves used for communication between the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 may be It is preferable that the transmission power be greater than the transmission power of radio waves used for communication between the control device 10 and the portable device 40.

The relay system 4 is preferably applied to the vehicle control system 2 in which communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 is performed in the following order (hereinafter also referred to as "sequence"). [1] First, in order to start controlling the vehicle 6 using the vehicle control device 10, when a start switch provided on the vehicle control device 10 is operated, the vehicle control device 10 transmits a response request signal as a communication signal. . [2] Upon receiving the response request signal, the portable device 40 performs predetermined processing based on the response request signal and transmits the generated response signal as a communication signal. [3] The vehicle control device 10 starts controlling the vehicle 6 if the received response signal is a predetermined response signal compared to the response request signal transmitted by itself, and if it is not a predetermined response signal. Control of the vehicle 6 is not started until then.

In the vehicle control system 2 where communication is performed in such a sequence, the relay system 4 relays the communication between the vehicle control device 10 of the vehicle control system 2 and the portable device 40 in the following order. good. Regarding the response request signal, when the vehicle relay device 20 receives the response request signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10, it transmits a wireless response request signal based on the response request signal. When the mobile relay device 30 receives the wireless response request signal, it generates a transfer response request signal, which the mobile device 40 recognizes as the response request signal, from the wireless response request signal, and transmits the generated transfer response request signal to the mobile device 40. (Hereinafter, the fact that the vehicle relay device 20 receives the response request signal and the mobile relay device 30 transmits the transfer response request signal is also referred to as "relaying the response request signal.")

Regarding the response signal, upon receiving the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40, the mobile relay device 30 transmits a wireless response signal based on the response signal. When the vehicle relay device 20 receives the wireless response signal, it generates a transfer response signal that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as a response signal from this wireless response signal, and transmits the generated transfer response signal to the vehicle control device 10 ( (Hereinafter, the process in which the mobile relay device 30 receives the response signal and the vehicle relay device 20 transmits the transfer response signal is also referred to as "relaying the response signal.").

The transfer response request signal may be exactly the same as the original response request signal, or may be different from the original response request signal as long as it is within a range that the portable device 40 can recognize as a response request signal. Similarly, the transferred response signal may be exactly the same as the original response signal, or may be different from the original response signal as long as it is within a range that the vehicle control device 10 can recognize as a response signal.

Further, the relay system 4 is particularly preferably applied to the vehicle control system 2 that performs the above sequence twice (for example, a startup sequence and a subsequent authentication sequence).

The communication specifications may be determined each time communication occurs in the vehicle control system 2, but in particular, the communication specification in the vehicle control system 2 is determined for the first time after the relay system 4 is installed in the vehicle 6 equipped with the vehicle control system 2. It is recommended that the configuration be configured to perform this when an occurrence occurs. Furthermore, information regarding the determined communication specifications is recorded in storage means provided in each of the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 based on the determination result, and based on the recorded information, the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 should work. Further, it is preferable that unless the determined communication specifications are applied to the relay system 4, the vehicle control system 2 cannot control the starting of the engine of the vehicle 6 via the relay system 4.

If the communication specifications are determined when communication occurs in the vehicle control system 2 for the first time after the relay system 4 is installed in the vehicle 6, for example, the start switch installed in the vehicle 6 is determined first after the relay system 4 is installed. It is preferable to perform the startup operation of the vehicle control system 2 at , and to do this when a communication signal is transmitted from the vehicle control device 10. For example, the vehicle relay device 20 may be provided with a dip switch, and the dip switch may be used to set the relay system 4 to the setting mode. In this state, it is preferable that a starting operation is performed using a starting switch provided on the vehicle 6, and a communication signal is transmitted from the vehicle control device 10.

The communication specification may be determined based on, for example, the data length of the communication signal. Here, in the case where the data length of the communication signal of the vehicle control system 2A is shorter than the communication signal of another vehicle control system 2B, when the relay system 4 corresponding only to the vehicle control system 2A is used for the vehicle control system 2B. Consider as an example.

Between the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 that perform wireless communication with each other, a communication signal (for example, a wireless response request signal) is transmitted from the vehicle relay device 20 and received by the mobile relay device 30, and the communication signal ( For example, a wireless response signal) may be transmitted from the portable relay device 30 and received by the vehicle relay device 20.

The vehicle relay device 20 may be provided with separate transmitting means and receiving means for communicating with the portable relay device 30, or may be provided with a transmitting and receiving means for both transmission and reception. Similarly, the portable relay device 30 may be provided with separate transmitting means and receiving means for communicating with the vehicle relay device 20, or may be provided with a transmitting and receiving means for both transmission and reception.

In the mobile relay device 30 of the relay system 4 that supports only the vehicle control system 2A, when transmitting and receiving communication signals with the vehicle relay device 20 using a transmitting/receiving means that also serves as both transmitter and receiver, the communication from the vehicle relay device 20 It is preferable to switch between the signal reception state and the communication signal transmission state to the vehicle relay device 20 at an appropriate timing according to the data length of the communication signal of the vehicle control system 2A.

When the data length of the communication signal of the vehicle control system 2A is shorter than the communication signal of another vehicle control system 2B, the mobile relay device 30 that has received the communication signal from the vehicle relay device 20 transmits the communication signal from the vehicle relay device 20. Switching from the receiving state to the transmitting state of the communication signal to the vehicle repeater 20 is performed before the reception of the communication signal from the vehicle repeater 20 is completed, and an error may occur.

However, if communication specifications determined based on communication signals are applied, the switching timing of the transmission/reception status of the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 can be automatically set for both the vehicle control system 2A and the vehicle control system 2B. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a relay system 4 that performs operations in a consistent manner, and the occurrence of such errors can be reduced.

The communication specifications may be determined by using only the vehicle relay device 20, only the mobile relay device 30, or both the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30. In the case where the communication specifications are determined based on communication signals only by the vehicle relay device 20, it is preferable to transmit information regarding the determined communication specifications from the vehicle relay device 20 to the mobile relay device 30.

When determining the communication specifications, separation instruction means is provided for instructing that the distance is such that the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 can communicate with each other, and the distance that the vehicle control device 10 and the mobile device 40 cannot communicate with each other. Good. The separation instruction means may be written on paper such as an instruction manual, and may indicate the distance or communication state between the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 and the distance or communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the mobile device 40. Distance reporting means that determines the state and reports whether the distance is such that the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 can communicate with each other, and the distance that the vehicle control device 10 and the mobile device 40 cannot communicate with each other. You can also use it as As the distance notification means, a notification section 20c provided in the vehicle relay device 20 or a notification section 30c provided in the mobile relay device 30 can be used. The notification by the distance notification means may be performed by providing a display section or an audio output section on the vehicle relay device 20 or the portable relay device 30, and outputting the information as a sound from the display section or the audio output section.

In this way, it is possible to prevent the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 from completing communication without going through the relay system 4 before the application of the specific communication specifications to the relay system 4 is completed. be able to.

The distance reporting means is set at a distance that allows the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 to communicate with each other not only when determining the communication specifications but also when using the relay system 4. It is preferable to instruct that the communication distance be set at such a distance that they cannot communicate with each other. Note that the instruction by the distance reporting means may not be given when determining the communication specifications, but may be given only when the relay system 4 is used.

It is preferable that the vehicle relay device 20 is provided with a specification notification means for notifying which communication specification is applied when the determined communication specification is applied. The specification notification means includes a storage unit that stores notification contents corresponding to the determined communication specifications, and a display unit or an audio output unit, and when the application of the communication specifications is completed, it indicates which communication specification has been applied. It is preferable to display it on the display unit or output it as audio from the audio output unit. As the specification notification means, a notification section 20c provided in the vehicle relay device 20 or a notification section 30c provided in the mobile relay device 30 can be used. The content of the notification is preferably information that can specify which communication specification has been applied, for example, the vehicle manufacturer and model, or when the communication specifications stored in the relay system 4 are managed by number. may be, for example, "Communication specification 1 has been applied." Further, it is preferable to display on the display unit whether the determined communication specification is applied or not applied.

In the present embodiment, the communication specification is determined by at least one of the response request signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 and the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 in response to the response request signal among the communication signals. For one, the determination is made based on at least one of the number of bits, transmission time, and data frame configuration.

In this way, the type of vehicle control system 2 can be accurately determined, and more accurate communication specifications can be applied.

The model of the vehicle 6 equipped with the vehicle control system 2 can be accurately determined, and the switching timing of the transmission/reception states of the vehicle relay device 20 and the portable relay device 30 can be set more accurately.

When the sequence of communication signals performed in the vehicle control system 2 is twice: a startup sequence and a subsequent authentication sequence, the communication specification is determined based on the transmission time of the WAKE signal, which is a response request signal for the startup sequence. Good.

Further, the communication specification may be determined based on at least two of the number of bits, transmission time, and data frame configuration for at least one of the response request signal and the response signal.

In the present embodiment, the vehicle control system 2 communicates between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 in response to a response request signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 as a communication signal and from the portable device 40 in response to the response request signal. A plurality of sets of transmitted response signals are used, and communication specifications are determined based on each set of response request signals and response signals.

In this way, the type of vehicle 6 equipped with the vehicle control system 2 can be specified more accurately. In the vehicle control system 2 included in the vehicle 6, the communication specification can be determined based on the communication signal for both the activation sequence and the authentication sequence using two sets of response request signals and response signals, and thereby accurate communication specifications can be determined. By applying, for example, the switching timing of the transmission/reception state of the vehicle relay device 20 and the portable relay device 30 can be set more accurately.

In this embodiment, the communication specifications are determined by the determination means provided in the vehicle repeater 20, and when the application of the determined communication specifications to the vehicle repeater 20 and the mobile repeater 30 is completed, the vehicle repeater 20 and the mobile The portable relay device 30 is provided with an operation permission notification means for notifying that the user can start or stop the control operation of the vehicle 6 by the vehicle control system 2 via the relay device 30. The notification unit 20c provided in the vehicle relay device 20 or the notification portion 30c provided in the mobile relay device 30 can be used as the operation permission notification means.

In this way, the user can know that the vehicle 6 can now be operated using the relay system 4, and can be prevented from attempting to operate the vehicle 6 when the vehicle 6 cannot be operated. It becomes possible to suppress this.

The determination result of the communication specifications by the determination means provided in the vehicle relay device 20 may be transmitted from the vehicle relay device 20 to the mobile relay device 30 by communication other than relaying the communication signal of the vehicle control system 2.

The operation permission informing means provided in the portable relay device 30 may be an audio output means or a display means. For example, the audio output means may output a short signal sound such as "beep" or a voice saying "you can use" when the vehicle 6 can be operated using the relay system 4. The display means may be, for example, an LED, which changes from a red lighting state to a blue lighting state when the vehicle 6 can be operated using the relay system 4, or may be, for example, an LCD screen, and the display means may be an LED, which changes from a red lighting state to a blue lighting state when the vehicle 6 can be operated using the relay system 4. It is preferable that when it becomes possible to operate the vehicle 6 using the , characters or marks indicating that the vehicle 6 can be used are displayed. The operation permission reporting means may be provided in the vehicle relay device 20.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the vehicle control device 10 controls the vehicle 6 and the vehicle component devices that constitute the vehicle 6, and that the portable device 40 is installed in the vehicle 6.

In this way, the relay system 4 can be used to operate the vehicle 6 or the vehicle components. The vehicle component may be of any kind, but may be, for example, a vehicle door lock mechanism, car security, or air conditioner, and particularly preferably an engine or motor that is the power source of the vehicle.

In this embodiment, the storage means stores information regarding multiple types of communication signals, and the communication signals received by the vehicle relay device 20 or the mobile relay device 30 from the vehicle control device 10 or the portable device 40 are stored in the storage device. A verification means is provided for verifying which of a plurality of types of communication signals the communication signal corresponds to, and a predetermined communication specification is determined by verification of the communication signal by the verification means. The storage means can utilize the parameter storage section 28 of the vehicle relay device 20 and the parameter storage section 38 of the mobile relay device 30, and the collation means can utilize the control section 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 and the control section 32 of the mobile relay device 30. can be used.

In this way, the communication specifications can be reliably determined, and the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 can be set accurately.

The information regarding multiple types of communication signals is preferably information for identifying each type of multiple types of communication signals, information about the characteristics of each communication signal, and information about differences between each communication signal. .

In this embodiment, the vehicle control system 2 uses, as communication signals, a response request signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 and a response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 in response to the response request signal. The mobile repeater 30 transmits a response signal at a frequency based on frequency designation information included in the response request signal, and the frequency designation information is included in a predetermined communication specification determined based on the response request signal. receives the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 at the frequency based on the frequency designation information.

In this way, even if the frequency at which the response signal is transmitted from the portable device 40 differs depending on the vehicle control system 2 or communication, it is possible to relay the response signal using the same relay system 4.

The frequency at which the portable device 40 transmits the response signal may be set according to communication specifications.

In this embodiment, the mobile relay device 30 performs wireless communication between the second mobile side transmitting/receiving section 36 (first transmitting/receiving section) that performs wireless communication with the vehicle relay device 20 and the portable device 40. It also includes a first mobile side transmitter/receiver 34 (second transmitter/receiver) that transmits communication signals to and from the second mobile side transmitter/receiver 36, and receives communication signals transmitted from the mobile device 40. At other times, transmission of communication signals from the first mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 34 to the second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36 is interrupted, and the second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36 does not receive communication signals transmitted from the vehicle repeater 20. When the process is completed, the vehicle relay device 20 is switched to a state in which the communication signal transmitted from the first mobile side transmitting/receiving section 34 is transmitted.

In the mobile repeater 30, the first mobile transmitter/receiver 34 transmits the communication signal transmitted from the mobile device 40 to the second mobile transmitter/receiver 36, and the second mobile transmitter/receiver 36 transmits the communication signal transmitted from the mobile device 40 to the second mobile transmitter/receiver 36. In the case where the communication signal transmitted from the side transceiver 34 is directly transmitted, when the first mobile side transmitter/receiver 34 is not receiving the communication signal transmitted from the mobile device 40, the first mobile side transmitter/receiver 34 There is a problem in that when the mobile phone receives noise, the noise is transmitted from the second mobile side transmitting/receiving section 36.

Here, in the mobile relay device 30, even if the second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36 transmits the signal transmitted from the first mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 34 as it is, it receives the communication signal transmitted from the mobile device 40. If transmission of communication signals from the first mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 34 to the second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36 is cut off except when It is possible to suppress the transmission of noise when relaying to.

Further, in the mobile relay device 30 , when the second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36 completes receiving the communication signal transmitted from the vehicle relay device 20 , the second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36 transmits the communication signal transmitted from the first mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 34 to the vehicle relay device 20 . Since the state is switched to transmitting a signal, a time delay from when the communication signal is transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 until it is returned to the vehicle control device 10 is less likely to occur. Therefore, for example, in the vehicle control system 2, the time from when the vehicle control device transmits a response request signal to when the portable device starts transmitting the response signal when starting the engine is set by the vehicle manufacturer to be short. Even if the engine is not started, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the engine cannot be started using the relay system 4.

The communication signal is cut off from the first mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 34 to the second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36, for example, by a control unit that outputs a control signal only when it detects that a communication signal is transmitted from the mobile device 40. It is preferable to use an AND circuit 50 that outputs the logical product of the control signal output from the control unit and the communication signal output from the first mobile side transmitter/receiver 34 to the second mobile side transmitter/receiver 36 .

In the present embodiment, in the vehicle control system 2, the vehicle control device 10 performs wireless communication of predetermined signals for controlling the vehicle 6 with each of the plurality of portable devices 40, and the vehicle control device 10 In response to each of the WAKE signal (first response request signal) and challenge signal (second response request signal) transmitted by the mobile device 40 as a communication signal, each of the portable devices 40 transmits a corresponding unique ACK signal (second response request signal) as a communication signal. 1 response signal) and a unique response signal (second response signal), the vehicle relay device 20 stores information regarding the ACK signals transmitted from the plurality of portable devices 40, An operation detection means for detecting the operation of at least one of the vehicle 6, the vehicle control device 10, the vehicle relay device 20, and the mobile relay device 30 is connected to the vehicle relay device 20 or the mobile relay device 30, and the vehicle control device 10 transmits a signal. The vehicle relay device 20 that has received the WAKE signal transmits one of the signals (pseudo ACK signal) that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as one of the unique ACK signals, based on the stored information regarding the ACK signal. The vehicle control device 10 that recognized the ACK signal transmits a challenge signal, and the mobile relay device 30 receives a signal based on the challenge signal transmitted by the vehicle control device 10 via the vehicle relay device 20. After one of the portable devices 40 that has received a signal that the device 40 recognizes as a challenge signal transmits a unique response signal, the motion detection means detects the vehicle 6, the vehicle control device 10, the vehicle relay device 20, and the mobile relay device. 30, the vehicle control device 10 sequentially transmits signals that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as one of the unique ACK signals based on the information regarding the ACK signals stored in the vehicle relay device 20.

By performing the operation (hereinafter also referred to as "sequential transmission operation") in which the vehicle relay device 20 sequentially transmits signals that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as one of the unique ACK signals, the relay system 4 is utilized. When performing an authentication operation between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40, there is no need to relay the ACK signal from the portable device 40 to the vehicle control device 10, and the power used by the relay system 4 can be reduced.

The motion detection means is preferably connected to the vehicle relay device 20 or the portable relay device 30 by wire or wirelessly. The control section 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 or the control section 32 of the mobile relay device 30 can be used as the motion detection means.

The operation of the mobile relay device 30 detected by the operation detection means may be the reception of the response signal transmitted by the mobile device 40 by the mobile relay device 30. The operation of the vehicle relay device 20 detected by the motion detection means may be when the vehicle relay device 20 receives a wireless response signal transmitted by the mobile relay device 30 based on the response signal. Preferably, the operation of the vehicle control device 10 detected by the motion detection means is that the vehicle control device 10 receives a signal transmitted by the vehicle relay device 20 and recognized as a response signal by the vehicle relay device 20. The motion of the vehicle 6 detected by the motion detection means is preferably an operation based on a control operation of the vehicle control system 2 performed by the vehicle control device 10 recognizing a response signal, such as starting the engine or motor system, or starting the air conditioner. It is good to start.

The authentication operation of the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 using the relay system 4 can be performed, for example, in the following steps.

[1] A step in which the vehicle relay device 20 transmits a start trigger signal to the vehicle control device 10, [2] a step in which the vehicle control device 10 receives the start trigger signal and transmits a WAKE signal, and [3] a WAKE signal. The vehicle relay device 20 that has received the ACK signal transmits one of the signals (pseudo ACK signal) that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as one of the unique ACK signals based on the stored information regarding the ACK signal; [4] A step in which the vehicle control device 10 that recognizes one of the unique ACK signals transmits a challenge signal; [5] a step in which the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 relay the challenge signal; and [6] Recognize the challenge signal. [7] One of the mobile relay devices 30 transmits a response signal, and [7] the mobile relay device 30 and the vehicle relay device 20 relay the response signal. After these steps, the vehicle control device 10 receives the relayed response signal and completes the authentication operation if it recognizes that the ACK signal and response signal correspond, but does not recognize that the ACK signal and response signal correspond. In this case, as a sequential transmission operation, the vehicle relay device 20 transmits a signal that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as one of the unique ACK signals, which is different from the signal transmitted in step [3].

(10) For example, it may be configured as the vehicle relay device 20 in the relay system 4 described in any one of (1) to (9) above.

(11) For example, it may be configured as the portable relay device 30 in the relay system 4 described in any one of (1) to (9) above.

Devices such as these are configured as devices used in the vehicle control system 2. For example, the device for the relay system 4 used as an engine starter may be configured as a vehicle relay device 20 or a portable relay device 30 provided with an engine start button.

(12) It is preferable that the vehicle relay device 20 or the portable relay device 30 has a function of determining whether the engine is running or not, and does not perform relaying when the engine is running.

(13) The vehicle relay device 20 or the portable relay device 30 may be provided with means for specifying the current location (for example, position), and may be processed so as not to relay at a specific location (for example, set in advance). Also, for example, processing is performed so that the relay is performed at a specific location (for example, set in advance) (for example, the relay is not relayed at a home in an apartment, but not at a vacation home, etc.). For example, relay prohibition points (for example, areas) may be set.

(14) The vehicle relay device 20 or the mobile relay device 30 is equipped with a temperature sensor that measures the temperature inside the vehicle, and when the temperature (for example, inside the vehicle) is within a certain range (for example, a comfortable temperature range), the relay device 20 or the mobile relay device 30 relays the information. It is best to control this so that it does not occur.

(15) The mobile relay device 30 includes the first vehicle-side transmitting/receiving section 24, and has an LF reception function of receiving LF data transmitted by the vehicle control device 10, etc., but is not relayed while receiving LF data. Good to control.

(16) A function (for example, a function provided in the mobile relay device 30) that transmits the same signal (LF data) from the vehicle control device 10 to the mobile relay device 30 as the signal (LF data) output from the vehicle 6 when there is no signal from the vehicle 6. When a check button is pressed or at fixed time intervals (for example, every minute), the mobile device 40 properly returns a response signal to the signal transmitted by the mobile repeater 30. (for example, whether the two are within an appropriate distance range). It would be good to have a function that notifies you if the person does not return. At this time, the response signal from the portable device 40 may be controlled not to be relayed to the vehicle relay device 20 side. Although signal patterns for each vehicle type may be stored in advance and signals based on the stored patterns may be sent out, in particular, signals from the vehicle control device 10 relayed from the vehicle relay device 20 may be stored. It is preferable to send a signal based on that signal.

(17) It is preferable that the vehicle relay device 20 has a function of connecting to the in-vehicle LAN, and also has a function of controlling not to relay the signals in consideration of the state of the signal flowing through the in-vehicle LAN. For example, when door opening is detected from the in-vehicle LAN (for example, CAN), it may be configured to not relay the information.

(18) It is preferable to include a function to limit the relay operation time of the vehicle relay device 20 and the portable relay device 30 that constitute the relay system 4. For example, the relay operation time may be limited to a predetermined range (for example, several seconds) after pressing the engine start button. For example, a conventional mobile relay device and the portable device 40 are connected with a ring, but if the two devices are connected with a ring, they may get caught on other items in the bag, making it difficult to use. bad. Therefore, if it is possible for the two to be separated by several meters, a problem arises in that, for example, the portable relay device 30 relays a signal from a genuine key of another car of the same model. By limiting the relay operation time of the vehicle relay device 20 and the portable relay device 30, the frequency of occurrence of such problems can be reduced. Further, it is preferable to provide a function to check whether the portable device 40 (genuine key) of another car of the same model is responding, and in such a case, it is preferable to provide a notification indicating this fact. It may be controlled to stop relaying the signal from then on when it is determined that the data is not from the correct portable device 40.

(19) If there are buttons on both the portable device 40 and the portable relay device 30, there is a problem that it is easy to press the wrong buttons. Since the portable relay device 30 has an RF receiver for relaying, it is preferable to use this for purposes other than relaying. For example, the button may be removed from the mobile repeater 30. The portable relay device 30 is used for relaying and notification (it is particularly desirable to notify by sound rather than by screen). For example, the operation is performed by pressing a specific button multiple times on the portable device 40 (such as pressing the lock button twice within one second) to start the engine. It is preferable to send out the engine start signal when the portable relay device 30 receives and detects a signal sent from the portable device 40 to detect such a specific operation.

(20) It is preferable to include a function that changes the operation of the mobile relay device 30 depending on whether the mobile device 40 is near the mobile relay device 30 or not. For example, when it is detected that the engine start button of the mobile relay device 30 has been pressed, the engine start button is activated on the vehicle relay device 20 side before (or after) the engine start signal is sent to the vehicle relay device 20. The starting signal is sent to the vehicle with a delay, etc.), and a signal (for example, LF data) is sent to confirm whether the mobile device 40 is near the mobile relay device 30, and the mobile device 40 is connected to the mobile relay device 30. When it is determined that the vehicle is near the vehicle 30, an engine start signal is transmitted to the vehicle relay device 20. If it is determined that there is no engine start signal, the engine start signal is not transmitted to the vehicle relay device 20. If the genuine key is not present, it is preferable to issue a notification indicating that the genuine key is not near the portable relay device 30.

Also, for example, if the mobile relay device 30 is forgotten at home and the driver is cleaning the inside of the car in the parking lot of the home, a child inside the home presses the engine start button of the mobile relay device 30. In this case, the vehicle relay device 20 is equipped with a function to detect whether or not the genuine key is in the vehicle (for example, directly connected to the ECU, detected by in-vehicle LAN monitoring, or detected by an RF receiver), and the genuine key is detected in the vehicle. If the engine start signal is received from the portable relay device 30 even though the engine is detected to be present in the portable relay device 30, it is preferable to issue a notification indicating that such a situation exists.

(21) The portable device (genuine key, portable device 40) recognizes the LF data as a regular signal, but it is preferable that the LF data is different from the LF data output by the car. A device including an LF receiver (for example, the vehicle repeater 20 is preferably provided with this function) is preferably provided with a function of distinguishing between these two LF data and recording which LF data has been received.

(22) The vehicle recognizes the RF data as a regular signal, but the RF data is different from the RF data output by the genuine key (portable device 40). A device including an RF receiver (for example, the portable repeater 30 is preferably provided with this function) is preferably provided with a function of discriminating between these two RF signals and recording which RF signal is received.

(23) For example, it may be configured as a program for causing a computer to implement the functions described in any one of (1) to (22) above. The programs may be a program for the vehicle relay device 20 and a program for the mobile relay device 30.

The inventions (1) to (22) described above can be combined arbitrarily. For example, it may be provided with at least any one of the other configurations (2) to (22) without having all or part of the configuration (1). However, it is particularly preferable to include all or part of the configuration (1) and at least any one of the configurations (2) to (22) in combination. Further, arbitrary constituent elements may be extracted from at least one of (1) to (22) and combined. The applicant of this application intends to obtain patent rights for such configurations as well.

Although various aspects of the present invention have been described above using embodiments and modified examples, these embodiments and explanations are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. I would like to add that this is provided for the benefit of the public. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations explicitly described in the specification, but also includes combinations of various aspects of the invention disclosed herein. Of the present invention, the structure for which a patent is sought has been specified in the attached claims, but at present, even if the structure is not specified in the claims, it is not disclosed in this specification. We intend to include such configurations in the scope of claims in the future.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the embodiments described above. The components of each of the embodiments and modifications described above may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Also, any component of each embodiment or modification, any component described in the means for solving the invention, or a component that embodies any component described in the means for solving the invention. It may be configured in any combination. The applicant intends to obtain rights to these matters through amendments to the application or divisional applications.

1 Vehicle remote control system 2 Vehicle control system 4 Relay system 6 Vehicle 6a Battery 8 Communication cable 10 Vehicle control device 12 Control section 14 Transmission/reception section 16 Authentication information storage section 20 Vehicle relay device 20a Start trigger output section 20b Setting switch 20c Notification section 22 Control section 24 First vehicle side transmitting/receiving section 26 Second vehicle side transmitting/receiving section 28 Parameter storage section 30 Mobile repeater 30a Setting switch 30b Operation section 30c Notification section 30d Primary battery 32 Control section 32a Output terminal 34 First mobile side transmitting/receiving section 34a Transmission-only RFIC
34b Reception-only RFIC
34c Output terminal 36 Second mobile transmitting/receiving section 36a Input terminal 38 Parameter storage section 40 Portable device 40a Primary battery 42 Control section 44 Transmitting/receiving section 46 Authentication information storage section 50 AND circuit 50a Input terminal 50b Input terminal 50c Output terminal

Claims (6)

In a relay system that relays wireless communication between a vehicle and a portable device carried by a user,
A relay machine installed in the vehicle and having a function of not performing the relay under predetermined conditions,
means for identifying the location of the vehicle by GPS;
The function of not performing the relay under the predetermined condition includes a function of not performing the relay when it is determined that the position of the vehicle specified by the GPS is located at a predetermined first position. Characteristic repeater. In a relay system that relays wireless communication between a vehicle and a portable device carried by a user,
A repeater that is carried by the user and has a function of not performing the relay under predetermined conditions,
means for identifying the user's location by GPS;
The function of not performing the relay under the predetermined condition includes a function of not performing the relay when it is determined that the position of the user specified by the GPS is located at a predetermined first position. Characteristic repeater. The relay device according to claim 1, further comprising a function of not performing the relay when the position cannot be specified by the GPS. 3. The relay device according to claim 1, further comprising a function of performing the relay only when it is determined that the position specified by the GPS is located at a predetermined second position. 5. The repeater according to claim 4 , wherein the second location is a user's home. A program for causing a computer to implement the function of the repeater according to claim 1.

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