JPH0655936A - Vehicular remote control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a device by which opening and closing of vehicle doors can be carried out safely by remote operation. CONSTITUTION:A receiver 9 carries out operation on a distance from a remote controller 8 according to information carried by a radio wave from the remote controller 8, and receives a door opening and closing command when the distance is within prescribed range. The operation on this distance is carried out according to information on time sent by being carried on information, and is carried out according to radio wave arrival time. On the other hand, a remote controller 8 housing part is arranged in a vehicle room, and when the remote controller is housed here, the built-in battery is electrified. In the case where the remote controller 8 is pushed inside in a housed condition, it can function as an ignition key.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control device for a vehicle, which enables equipment mounted on the vehicle to be operated while maintaining safety.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, the opening and closing of doors on sightseeing buses or route buses is automatic. Also, in taxis, the door on the left side of the rear seat is automatically opened and closed. However, although the taxi door is an automatic door, the fact is that it is operated manually by the driver. However, with the recent trend toward higher-grade passenger cars, there is a sudden demand for automatic opening and closing of passenger car doors by a servomotor (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-58).
-76669 gazette). Further, there is a demand to apply a remote control technology for locking and unlocking a door, which is becoming popular recently, to the automatic opening and closing of the door. Assuming a case where the above-mentioned automatic opening and closing is performed using the conventional remote control technique, the operation flowchart is shown in FIG.
As shown in. First, when a door open or door close command is output from the remote control, the vehicle side receiver determines whether or not the transmitted command is for the own vehicle. That is, it is determined whether the IDs match (S
1). If the IDs match, it is judged what kind of command has been sent (S2). If the command is for opening the door, the door open command is issued only while the command is continuously issued. Control is executed (S3 to S5). On the other hand, if it is a door closing command, the door closing control is executed only while the command is continuously issued (S6 to S8).

[0003]

However, when such a conventional remote controller is used, the vehicle door moves according to the command only depending on whether or not the IDs match, which is a safety factor. Not very desirable. That is,
When using a remote controller that is currently used, it may be possible to perform remote operation from a considerable distance depending on conditions, which is insufficient in terms of safety. Furthermore, since there is no special storage space for such a remote controller in the vehicle, you can store it on the dashboard after the operation.
I need to store it in the passenger's second bag,
Often inconvenient to store. The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device for a vehicle that enables remote control only within a certain distance from the vehicle. .

[0004]

The present invention for achieving the above object provides a remote control device for a vehicle, which operates various devices provided in the vehicle on the basis of a command signal from a remote control means. , Current time output means for outputting the current time as a time signal, receiving means for receiving a command signal from the remote control means, and when the command signal is received by the receiving means, this reception is almost the same. Distance calculation means for calculating the distance between the vehicle and the remote control means based on the time signal received at the same time and the time signal at the time of reception output from the current time output means, and the distance calculation means. Based on the command signal input via the permitting means and the permitting means for permitting only a specific command signal among the command signals from the remote operating means according to the distance calculated by Te, and having a control means for actuating the various devices.

Further, there is provided a vehicle remote control device for activating various devices provided in a vehicle on the basis of a command signal from the remote control means, wherein the remote control means is controlled by a specific command signal. A long-distance communication means capable of long-distance transmission and a short-distance communication means capable of relatively short-distance transmission of command signals other than this are provided, and the vehicle side is provided with the above-mentioned command signal from the remote operation means. And a control means for operating various devices.

Further, there is provided a vehicle remote control device for activating various devices provided in a vehicle based on a command signal from the remote control means, wherein the remote control means has a built-in battery and Connection means for connecting the battery to a battery mounted on the vehicle is provided, a storage section for storing the remote control means is provided on the vehicle side, and the remote control section is stored in the storage section. When the connecting means is engaged, the engaging means is provided.On the other hand, the switch means is provided which functions as a main switch of the power supply system of the vehicle by mechanically moving the remote operation means in the housed state. It is characterized by being

[0007]

The present invention thus constructed operates as follows. First, in the first configuration, the current time output means outputs the current time as a time signal. The receiving means receives the command signal output from the remote control means, and the distance calculating means outputs the time signal received at substantially the same time as this and the current time output means when receiving the command signal. The distance between the vehicle and the remote control means is calculated based on the received time signal. The permission means permits only a specific command signal among the command signals sent from the remote control means according to the calculated distance, and only the permitted command signal is output to the control means. . The control means operates various devices based on the input command signal. Therefore, for example, if the permitting means stores a program that does not permit a command signal regarding opening and closing of the door within 5 m around the vehicle, only the operation by the remote operating means within that range is valid. , Even if the radio wave is in the range, the door cannot be opened or closed outside the range.

In the second configuration, the remote control means has a long-distance communication means capable of transmitting a specific command signal for a relatively long distance and a short-distance communication means capable of transmitting other command signals for a relatively short distance. Since the communication means is provided, even if the short-range communication means is operated at a place relatively distant from the vehicle, it is not possible to input the command signal to the control means provided on the vehicle side. You cannot operate the equipment. Therefore, if the command signal related to the opening / closing operation of the door is output from the short-range communication means, the opening / closing of the door is prevented from being performed relatively far.

Finally, in the third configuration, when the remote control means is loaded in the storage section, the connecting means of the remote control means and the engaging means provided in the storage section are connected to each other, and the remote control means. The built-in battery is connected to the battery mounted on the vehicle so that the battery can be charged. Further, the remote operation means functions as the main switch of the power supply system of the vehicle by mechanically moving the remote operation means while being housed in the remote operation means. Will also double as.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a control system for automatically opening and closing a door including a vehicle remote control device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a door drive system and a control system directly related thereto. Is. The DC power source 1 is a power source for automatically opening and closing a door based on a command from a remote controller or the like, and usually a battery mounted on a vehicle is used. The storage device 2 temporarily stores an operation program for automatically opening and closing the door and signals from various sensors described later. The potentiometers 5 and 15 are sensors that detect the opening / closing position of the door, and detect where the door is currently located on the opening / closing locus. It should be noted that this detection may use a pulse signal of an encoder described later, instead of using a potentiometer. Since it is necessary to issue a command to open / close the door from inside or outside the vehicle, switches for the command are provided as an inside switch 6 and an outside switch 7 inside and outside the door, respectively. In the figure, door open switches 6a, 7a and door close switch 6 are shown as respective switches.
Although b and 7b are shown, an emergency switch is also provided in addition to these. The remote controller 8 is mainly for remotely opening and closing the door, and a signal from the remote controller 8 is received by a receiver 9 mounted on the vehicle. An OPEN switch 8a for outputting a door opening command to the remote controller 8,
CLOSE switch 8b that outputs a door closing command, LIGH that outputs a headlight lighting command only when pressed
T switch 8c and display 8 for displaying operation status
d and are provided. By operating each switch of the remote controller 8, the door 50 of the vehicle 55 can be opened and closed, and the headlight 60 can be blinked, as shown in FIG. In consideration of safety, the door 50 can be opened and closed by the remote controller 8 only within 5 m around the vehicle 55, and the headlight 60 can be blinked within 30 m around the headlight 60. is there.

Although one door is opened and closed by two driving means, a servo motor is used in this embodiment. Driving means 10 for driving the first shaft
Is a servo motor 12 that drives the shaft through a speed reducer 11, a brake 13 that keeps the door fully closed,
The potentiometer 5 and the encoder 14 for obtaining a pulse signal for controlling the opening / closing speed of the door are mainly used. Similarly, the drive means 20 for driving the second shaft also has a speed reducer 21, a servomotor 22, a brake 13,
It is composed of a potentiometer 15 and an encoder 24. Front limit switches 30, 31 and rear limit switches 32, which are provided independently for each axis,
Reference numeral 33 is a limit switch for overrun detection which functions as a stopper when the control becomes uncontrollable. The operation of the respective driving means 10 or 20 is controlled by the DC servo driver 35 or 40. The door control unit 45 comprehensively controls opening / closing of the door and lighting of the headlight 60 based on signals input from various switches and sensors or signals output from the receiver 9.

The schematic structure of the door drive mechanism is as shown in FIG. The door 50 and the body 51 side are connected by an arm 52. The first shaft attached to the door 51 side functions to rotate the arm 52 about this axis as a rotation center, and the second shaft attached to the door 50 also rotates the arm 52 about this axis as a rotation center. Work to move. It should be noted that such a drive mechanism is provided independently for the doors on both sides of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 4 (A). Since each shaft moves in this way, it is possible to open and close the door in a manner different from the conventional one by individually setting the speed at which each shaft is rotated and the final rotation position. For example, in FIG.
It is also possible to open the door in the manner shown in (B), which makes it very easy to get on and off in a narrow space. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer peripheral surface of the door 50 is a weather strip 56 for maintaining waterproofness when the door is closed.
Is attached. Further, the currents to the servo motors provided on the first axis and the second axis are supplied from the DC servo drivers 35 and 40, respectively. Although only one DC servo driver is shown in the figure, in reality it is provided independently for each axis as shown in FIG. Further, signals from potentiometers provided on the respective axes are input to the door control unit 45 as current position information. In addition,
In the figure, for convenience, this signal is the door control unit 45.
Although it is directly input to the DC servo drivers 35 and 40, it is actually input to the DC servo drivers 35 and 40 as shown in FIG. The armature current information, that is, the current information supplied to the servo motor from the DC servo drivers 35 and 40 toward the door control unit 45, and from the door control unit 45 toward the DC servo drivers 35 and 40, or Instructions for continuation are output respectively.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a storage mechanism of the remote controller 8. As shown in the figure, an instrument panel 65 inside the vehicle is provided with a storage section 66 for the remote controller 8. Considering the ease of storage, the storage portion 66 is preferably located on the front right side of the driver's seat as shown in FIG. The storage section 66 not only has a function of storing the remote controller 8, but also has a function of charging a battery built in the remote controller 8 and a function as an ignition key. That is, a socket 67 that engages with a charging plug included in the remote controller 8 when the remote controller 8 is mounted therein is provided inside the storage section 66. Since the socket 67 is connected to the battery mounted on the vehicle, if the remote controller 8 is loaded into the storage section 66 and the charging plug of the remote controller 8 is connected to the socket 67, the remote controller 8 will be connected from that time. Charging of the built-in battery will start. Further, an ignition switch mechanism 68 is provided at the back of the storage portion 66, and the ignition switch mechanism 68 is provided.
When the remote control 8 is stored in the storage portion 66, when it is pressed once in the insertion direction, it is set to the ACC position of the ignition key, and when it is pressed again, the ignition O
It is configured to be in the N state. Further, when the engine is started, the starter motor is further rotated by further pushing the engine. When getting off the vehicle, the remote controller 8 is pulled out from the storage section 66 and taken out. In this way, the storage section 66 functions as a place for placing the remote controller, as well as a charging device, and further as an ignition key.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configurations of the remote controller 8 and the receiver 9. As described above, the remote controller 8 includes the OPEN switch 8a, the CLOSE switch 8b, and the LIGHT switch 8
c are provided respectively. The operation of these switches is input to the transmission unit 25, and a command signal corresponding to the operated switch is output to the outside via the antenna 26. The time generator 27 always counts the current time and outputs it to the transmitter 25. The transmission unit shown in the figure outputs a radio wave of uniform intensity regardless of the type of switch operated. However, for example, a switch command for opening and closing a door is output as a very weak radio wave, Other switch commands may be output by relatively strong radio waves. Such a function may be combined in one transmitting unit or may be independently provided depending on the intensity of the output radio wave.

On the other hand, the receiver 9 is provided with a decoding section 36 for decoding the information output from the remote controller 8. Here, the information sent from the remote controller 8 is transmitted to the antenna 34.
And decodes what kind of command this information is based on the data stored in the storage unit 37. The time generation unit 38 operates similarly to the time generation unit 27 of the remote controller 8. The calculator 39 calculates the distance between the remote controller 8 and the receiver 9, and the distance is calculated based on the arrival time of the radio wave. The time of the time generator 27 provided in the remote controller 8 is the time of the time generator 38 provided in the receiver 9 when the remote controller 8 is housed in the housing 66 shown in FIG. Be perfectly matched.

The general operation of each component is as described above. Next, the operation of the vehicle remote device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
From now on, it will be described in detail based on the flowchart of FIG. In the flowchart described below, the configuration of the receiver 9 and the remote controller 8 calculates the distance between the remote controller 8 and the receiver 9 based on the time required for a radio wave from the receiver 9 to be returned via the remote controller 8. It shows the operation of what is designed to do. In this type, the remote controller 8 does not need to be provided with the time generation unit 27, but the transmission unit 25 needs to have a function of returning the radio wave output from the receiver 9 as it is.

First, the receiver 9 mounted on the vehicle 55
The decoding unit 36 of the antenna 34 uses the current time output from the time generation unit 38 at predetermined time intervals as current time information.
Output via. This current time information is information composed of data relating to the current time. (S20).
When the transmitter 25 of the remote controller 8 receives the current time information, that is, the transmission packet, which is periodically sent from the receiver 9 as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The set ID data is added and returned to the receiver 9 as a response packet (S2).
8, S29). The decoding unit 36 determines whether or not the current time information is returned from the remote controller 8, and if the reply is confirmed, it is determined whether or not the ID data of the returned current time information matches that of the own vehicle. Yes (S21, S
22). If the IDs match, the decoding unit 36 inputs the current time from the current time generation unit 38 and sends the current time and the current time of the response packet to the arithmetic unit 39.
The calculation unit 39 calculates the propagation delay time based on the both present times. That is, the time difference between the time when the radio wave is transmitted from the receiver 9 and the time when this radio wave is received via the remote controller 8 is calculated as the propagation delay time (S2).
3). Next, the calculation unit 39 calculates the distance between the receiver 9 and the remote controller 8 based on this propagation delay time (S24).
If the calculated distance is within a predetermined value, the remote controller 8
Sets a flag as being within range (S26). On the other hand, if the response packet is not received from the remote controller 8 in step S21, the IDs of the response packets do not match, or the calculated distance is not within the predetermined value, the remote controller 8 is flagged as being out of range. Don't stand. The reason why the vehicle is judged to be in or out of the range is that there is a safety problem if the door can be opened and closed by a remote control from a place 200 meters away, and it is very close to the vehicle. This is so that the door can be opened and closed by the remote controller only in step S27. Such processing is always performed when the remote controller 8 is removed from the storage section 66. In addition, since the calculation of the distance between the receiver 9 and the remote controller 8 requires a considerable degree of accuracy (it is necessary to calculate the distance in m units), the time count of the time generation unit 38 is 100 millionths of a second. It must be able to perform at the above speed. Of course, high speed is also required for the processing of the arithmetic unit 39.

Since the above-described processing is always performed with the remote controller 8, whether the remote controller 8 is currently within the service area of the vehicle 55 or out of service is received by the receiver even if the remote control 8 is not operated. Always understood in 9.
When any of the switches 8a to 8c of the remote controller 8 is operated, the switch operation is detected by the decoding unit 36, and the remote controller 8 is detected depending on whether the flag for recognizing the in-range or out-of-range is set in the process of the above-described flowchart. Is present outside the service area or within the service area (S30). If it is out of the service area, the subsequent processing is not performed and only the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 7 is continued. If it is within the range, the following processing is performed according to the command content of the remote controller (S31). When the LIGHT switch 8c is pressed, the headlight is turned on only while the switch is pressed (S32 to S34). The reason why such a function is provided is to make it easy to check the parking position in the vast parking lot, so only this function can be operated even when it is judged to be out of the service area. Is also good. When the CLOSE switch 8b is pressed or the OPEN switch 8c is pressed, the door control unit 45 is held only while the switch is pressed.
Continues to output a command to close or open the door to the DC servo driver 35. In this case, it is usually sufficient to open and close only the door on the driver's side, but if necessary, the remote controller 8 is provided with a switch for opening and closing both doors at the same time. It is also possible to open and close simultaneously (S35 to S40). By performing the above-described operation, the door can be opened and closed using the remote controller 8 only within the range (inside area) very close to the vehicle, so that the safety of the door opening and closing is ensured. It will be.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 10 differs from that shown in FIG. 7 in that the remote controller 8 periodically outputs current time information. In this case,
The time generator 27 is also required for the remote controller 8. From the remote controller 8, the current time information and the ID data are output as a transmission packet at regular time intervals. That is, the information corresponding to the response packet described above is output. In the decoding unit 36 of the receiver 9,
This transmission packet is input, and it is determined whether the ID data included in this transmission packet matches that of the own vehicle (S
41, S42). If the ID data match, the decoding unit 36 inputs the current time from the current time generation unit 38 and sends the current time and the time of the transmission packet to the arithmetic unit 39. The calculation unit 39 calculates the propagation delay time based on the both times. That is, the time difference between the time when the radio wave is transmitted from the remote controller 8 and the time when this radio wave is received by the receiver 9 is calculated as the propagation delay time (S43). Next, the arithmetic unit 39 determines the receiver 9 based on this propagation delay time.
And the distance from the remote controller 8 are calculated (S44). If the calculated distance is within the predetermined distance, the remote controller 8 sets a flag as being in the area (S46). On the other hand, S
If the IDs of the response packets do not match in step 42, or if the calculated distance is not within the predetermined value, the remote controller 8 is not set and the flag is not set (S47). Subsequent operations by the remote controller 8 are processed in the same manner as the flowchart shown in FIG. In the above case, it is necessary to make the time generation section 27 of the remote controller 8 and the time generation section 38 of the receiver 9 completely coincide with each other. This is because the remote controller 8 is stored in the storage section 66. As described above, it is automatically performed when the user is present.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 11 is executed for the transmitter 25 of the remote controller 8 which is provided independently corresponding to each switch. For example, for switches that open and close the door,
A passive type switch having a very short transmission distance is provided, while a switch for actuating other switches is provided with a transmission distance similar to a normal one. In this way, by providing the transmission units having different transmission distances for each switch, it is not necessary to make the determination as to whether the vehicle is out of range or not based on the time difference as described above, so that the configuration can be relatively simple.

In this case, the decoding unit 3 provided in the receiver 9 as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
6, the ID data output from the passive type transmission unit or the normal transmission unit is read and collated (S50,
S51), if ID data is present, it is determined to be in the service area and a flag is set (S52). If ID data is not present, it is determined to be out of service and the flag is not set (S52).
53). In this way, the subsequent operation by the remote controller 8 is processed in the same manner as the flowchart shown in FIG.

According to the above embodiment, since the remote operation for opening and closing the door can be performed only within the set range, the door will be opened from a place as far as 100 m away, for example. This can be prevented. Further, since the headlight can be turned on without being limited to the above-mentioned range, it becomes easy to confirm the parking position in a very large parking lot.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, the distance between the vehicle and the remote control means is calculated, and the remote control means sends a message according to the calculated distance. Since only a specific command signal of the incoming command signals is permitted, the safety of remote operation can be improved. In addition, the remote control means,
Since long-distance communication means capable of relatively long-distance transmission of a specific command signal and short-distance communication means capable of relatively short-distance transmission of command signals other than this are provided, a specific command signal similar to the above Can be permitted only within a predetermined distance range. Furthermore, a storage section for storing the remote control means is provided, and the storage section is provided with connection means for connecting the battery with the remote control means to the battery mounted on the vehicle.
Further, since the remote operation means functions as the main switch of the power supply system of the vehicle by mechanically moving the remote operation means in the state where it is housed therein, there is no problem in housing the remote operation means. Only by this storage, the built-in battery can be kept in a charged state at all times. Further, since it also functions as an ignition key, it becomes possible to prevent the remote operation means from being lost. Like

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a control system for automatically opening and closing a door including a remote control device for a vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a drive system of the apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a situation in which a vehicle door is opened using a remote controller.

4A is a diagram showing an arrangement state of the drive system shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing one mode of an opening / closing operation of a door.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit of a remote controller.

6 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of a receiver and a remote controller shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of judging out of range in the device shown in FIG.

8 is a flowchart showing a reply process of the remote controller shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart that is processed when a vehicle device is operated by a remote control.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another determination process for determining whether the device shown in FIG. 1 is inside or outside the area.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing yet another judgment processing of the inside and outside of the area in the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart that is processed when operating a device of a vehicle using a conventional remote controller.

[Explanation of symbols]

 8 ... Remote control (remote control means) 25 ... Transmission section (long-distance communication means, short-distance communication means) 27, 38 ... Time generation section (current time output means) 36 ... Decoding section (reception means) 39 ... Calculation section (distance) Computation means, permission means) 45 ... Door control unit (control means) 66 ... Storage section 67 ... Socket (connection means) 68 ... Ignition switch mechanism (switch means)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A remote control device for a vehicle, which operates various devices provided in a vehicle based on a command signal from a remote control means, and a current time output means for outputting the current time as a time signal. , Receiving means for receiving a command signal from the remote control means, and, when the command signal is received by the receiving means, a time signal received at substantially the same time as the reception and the current time output means. The distance calculation means for calculating the distance between the vehicle and the remote control means based on the time signal at the time of reception, and the remote control means from the remote control means according to the distance calculated by the distance calculation means. Based on the permitting means for permitting only a specific command signal among the command signals and the command signal input via the permitting means,
A remote control device for a vehicle, comprising: a control unit that operates the various devices. 2. A remote control device for a vehicle, which operates various devices provided in a vehicle based on a command signal from a remote control means, wherein the remote control means is provided with a specific command signal. A long-distance communication means capable of long-distance transmission and a short-distance communication means capable of relatively short-distance transmission of a command signal other than this are provided, and the vehicle side is provided with the above-mentioned command signal from the remote control means. A remote control device for a vehicle, comprising: a control unit that operates various devices. 3. A remote control device for a vehicle, which operates various devices provided in a vehicle based on a command signal from the remote control means, wherein the remote control means has a built-in battery. Connection means for connecting the battery and a battery mounted on the vehicle is provided, a storage section for storing the remote control means is provided on the vehicle side, and the remote control section is stored in the storage section. When the connecting means is engaged, the engaging means is provided.On the other hand, the switch means is provided which functions as a main switch of the power supply system of the vehicle by mechanically moving the remote operation means in the housed state. A remote control device for a vehicle characterized by being provided.