JPH1046883A - Key device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To charge a secondary battery by simple constitution in a key device having an illumination function. SOLUTION: A coil 116 for a key section 102 receives a high-frequency signal from a coil 104 for a main body instrument 103, and a charging circuit 115 charges a secondary battery 114 by the output signal of the coil 116. An LED 117 is flashed during the charging period, and the flashing is input to a control circuit 106 through a photo-diode 107, an amplifier circuit 108 and a waveform shaping circuit 109. The control circuit 106 controls a transmitter-receiver circuit 105 so that the high-frequency signal is transmitted from the coil 104 during a time when the LED 117 is flashed. When a user operates a control switch 111, on the other hand, the LED 117 emits light by the power of the secondary battery 114.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a key device having a lighting function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a vehicle door is unlocked with a unique mechanical key plate at night, it is difficult to confirm the position of a cylinder lock on the vehicle side. A key device in which an LED and an operation switch are integrally molded, and in response to the operation of the operation switch, the LED is driven to emit light by using the battery as a power source, thereby illuminating a key hole or the like of a vehicle door. Is used.

[0003]

In the conventional key device, since the battery is a primary battery, the lighting of the LED consumes the battery, and the LED may not be illuminated when necessary. When the battery is exhausted, the battery may be replaced. However, when the LED is used frequently, there is a problem that the frequency of replacement of the battery increases and the usage becomes extremely complicated. On the other hand, if the battery is a secondary battery, it can be charged, so that the frequency of battery replacement can be reduced and convenience is improved, but a dedicated charging circuit is required to charge the secondary battery, There has been a problem that the configuration is complicated and expensive. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a key device that can charge a secondary battery with a simple configuration.

[0004]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A key plate for providing energy to a cylinder lock in the main body, outputting energy from energy transmission means of the main body in response to insertion into the cylinder lock or rotation of the cylinder lock to a predetermined position, and reception of the energy; In a key device provided with a transponder for outputting a predetermined personal identification code signal as a power source in a portable device, a secondary battery, and energy receiving means for receiving energy from the energy sending means and outputting a corresponding signal. The portable device is provided with charging means for charging the secondary battery based on an output signal of the energy receiving means, and circuit means for operating using the secondary battery as a power supply. Energy receiving means provided in the portable device receives the energy from the energy sending means and outputs a corresponding signal. Charging means charges the secondary battery based on an output signal of the energy receiving means. Circuit means provided in the portable device operates using the secondary battery as a power supply. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation unit, wherein the circuit unit is a light emitting unit that emits light using the secondary battery as a power supply in response to an operation of the operation unit. Features. When the user operates the operation unit, the light emitting unit emits light using the secondary battery as a power supply. The invention according to claim 3 includes a key plate,
Signal receiving means, a secondary battery, charging means for charging the secondary battery based on the output of the signal receiving means, a circuit driven by the secondary battery, and electric power based on a signal from the signal transmitting / receiving means A portable device having a transponder which is driven by the controller and sends out a predetermined password, detects a cylinder lock, and inserts the key plate into the cylinder lock or detects that the cylinder lock is turned to a predetermined position by the key plate. Detecting means for outputting a detection signal; the signal transmitting / receiving means; a transmitting / receiving means for outputting a predetermined signal to the signal transmitting / receiving means in a transmission mode and receiving a signal from the signal transmitting / receiving means in a reception mode; The transmission / reception unit is set to the transmission mode in response to the signal, and is set to the reception mode after a lapse of a predetermined time. PIN code received Te is characterized in that it comprises a main body unit and a control unit to re-transmit mode the transmitting and receiving means when the predetermined code. When the key plate is inserted into the cylinder lock or the cylinder lock is rotated to a predetermined position by the key plate, the detecting means detects this and outputs a detection signal. The control unit sets the transmission / reception unit in the transmission mode for a predetermined time in response to the detection signal, and then sets the reception mode. As a result, a predetermined signal is transmitted from the transmission / reception means for a predetermined time via the signal transmission / reception means. The transponder receives a signal from the signal transmitting / receiving means by its built-in signal transmitting / receiving means,
A predetermined password is transmitted from the built-in signal transmission / reception means using the power based on the power as a power source. The transmission / reception unit in the reception mode receives the password through the signal transmission / reception unit, demodulates the code, and outputs the demodulated code to the control unit. The control means sets the transmission / reception means to the transmission mode again when the personal identification code from the transponder is a predetermined code.
A signal is transmitted again from the transmitting / receiving means via the signal transmitting / receiving means. This signal is input to the charging means via the receiving means, whereby the secondary battery is charged. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the control means executes the following processing if the normal security code is not received within a predetermined time or if the unauthorized security code is received a predetermined number of times. The feature is to end.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect of the present invention, the portable device further comprises: an operating unit; and a light emitting unit that emits light by the power of the secondary battery in response to the operation of the operating unit. It is characterized by having. When the operating means is operated, the light emitting means emits light by the power of the secondary battery.

[0005]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of a key device 101 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, a key device 101 includes a key unit 102 serving as a portable device carried by a user, and a main unit 10 mounted on a main body of a vehicle.
3.

The key portion 102 is formed in a shape in which a metal key plate protrudes from a resin grip portion (not shown), and each circuit portion of the key portion 102 is housed in the grip portion. It is formed integrally with the plate. still,
The key plate has a unique key groove.

The main unit 103 is provided with an ignition switch (not shown) which rotates together with the cylinder lock of the automobile, a LOCK position where the key can be removed from the cylinder lock, an ACC position for supplying power to a radio or the like, and a running state. By turning to the ON position corresponding to or the ST position for starting the engine, the engine and the electronic system of the vehicle are turned on and off. The ignition switch, together with the control circuit 106, functions as detecting means for detecting that the cylinder lock has been turned to a predetermined position.

The key device 101 starts the engine when both the electrical security code of the key portion 102 and the key groove of the key plate match the electrical security code of the main body 103 and the key tumbler arrangement of the cylinder lock. , So-called immobilizer system is configured. Therefore, the key unit 102 has a built-in transponder 113, and the main unit 103 has an immobilizer control unit that also functions as a power supply device.

The key unit 102 has a coil 1 as a signal receiving means magnetically coupled to the coil 104 of the main unit 103.
16, a charging circuit 115 serving as charging means having its input connected to the coil 116, and a secondary battery 114 provided at a first output of the charging circuit 115. The second output of the charging circuit 115 is connected to the input of the lighting control circuit 112. An output section of the lighting control circuit 112 is connected to an LED 117 as a light emitting means. A normally open type operation switch 111 as operation means is connected to a control input section of the lighting control circuit 112. Here, the lighting control circuit 112 and the LED 117 are circuits driven by the secondary battery 114, and constitute circuit means. Although the internal configuration of the transponder 113 is not specifically illustrated, it includes a built-in coil as a signal transmitting / receiving unit magnetically coupled to the coil 104, a storage device storing a personal identification code, a modulation circuit, a power supply capacitor, and the like. It has a known configuration.

On the other hand, the main unit 103 includes the transponder 1
A coil 104 is provided as signal transmitting / receiving means for magnetically coupling with the 13 built-in coils and the coil 116. The coil 104 is connected to a first input / output unit of the transmission / reception circuit 105, and the second input / output unit of the transmission / reception circuit 105 is connected to the control circuit 106.
Connected to the input / output unit of The control circuit 106 has a built-in storage device (not shown) storing the same security code as the security code stored in the transponder 113. Note that the coil 104, the transmission / reception circuit 105, and the control circuit 106 constitute an immobilizer control unit.

The output of the photodiode 107 that receives the light from the LED 117 is connected to the input of the control circuit 106 via the amplifier 108 and the waveform shaping circuit 109. The output of the control circuit 106 is an engine ECU (El
(Electronic Control Unit) 110.

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of the key section 102. 2, one end of a coil 116 is connected to a reference potential (ground), and the other end is connected to an input of a constant voltage circuit 203 via a rectifier circuit 202. The output of the constant voltage circuit 203 is connected to the positive terminal of the secondary battery 114, one terminal of the operation switch 111, the input of the voltage detection circuit 204, and the input of the switch circuit 205.
The negative terminal of the secondary battery 114 is grounded. The output of the voltage detection circuit 204 is connected to the control input of the switch circuit 205. The output of the switch circuit 205 is connected to the power supply input of the oscillation circuit 206 and the oscillation circuit 2
The output section 06 is grounded via the high resistance 207, the backflow prevention resistor 208 and the LED 117. The other terminal of the operation switch 111 is connected to the low resistance 201 and the LED1.
17 is grounded.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the control circuit 106 when charging the secondary battery 114. FIG. 1 shows the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the case of functioning as an immobilizer will be described. In this case, when the key plate of the key section 102 is inserted into the cylinder lock of the main unit 103 and the cylinder lock is turned to the ON position, the ignition switch is turned from the ON position to the ON position. Is output. The control circuit 106 detects that the cylinder lock has been turned to the ON position by receiving the signal (step 301).
05 is switched to the transmission mode, and control is performed so that a high-frequency signal is output from the transmission / reception circuit 105 to the coil 104 (step 302).

The control circuit 106 controls the transmission / reception circuit 105 to return to the reception mode when a predetermined time elapses after the transmission / reception circuit 105 outputs the high-frequency signal (step 3).
03). As a result, the transmission / reception circuit 105 outputs a high-frequency signal for a predetermined time.

The high frequency signal output to the coil 104 is transmitted to the internal coil of the transponder 113 by magnetic coupling, and the high frequency signal is excited in the internal coil. The built-in capacitor of the transponder 113 is charged by the high-frequency signal generated in the built-in coil, and the secret code stored in the transponder 113 is modulated by using this as a power source, and transmitted from the built-in coil.
The modulated personal identification code is applied to the coil 1 by magnetic coupling.
The password is transmitted to the transmission / reception circuit 104, received and demodulated by the transmission / reception circuit 105, and only the personal identification code signal is output to the control circuit 106. The control circuit 106 compares the input personal identification code with the personal identification code stored in the internal storage device (step 30).
4) When both match, a permission signal is output to engine ECU 110 (step 306). In this state, when the key plate is rotated to rotate the cylinder lock to the ST position, the engine starts.

On the other hand, if the security code signal from transponder 113 does not match the security code stored in the control circuit, no permission signal is output to engine ECU 110 and a predetermined security code is received until a proper security code is received. Wait for a time (steps 304 and 305). In other words, when the formal security code is not received from the transponder 113, the engine does not start even if the key plate is turned to the ST position, and the engine is not started by a person who does not own the formal key, and the vehicle is stolen. Can be prevented.

If the correct password has not been received within the predetermined time, the process is terminated (step 305).
As a result, no charging is performed on the key devices other than the authorized key device. After the key device is removed from the cylinder lock, the key device is inserted again and the above operation is repeated, whereby the processing in FIG. 3 is started again.

Next, the operation for charging the secondary battery 114 will be described. After outputting the permission signal (step 306), the control circuit 106 switches the transmission / reception circuit 105 to the transmission mode (step 307). Transmission / reception circuit 105
Transmits a high-frequency signal through the coil 104 continuously. The high-frequency signal is transmitted to the coil 116 by magnetic coupling, and is input to the charging circuit 115.

As shown in FIG. 3, the high-frequency signal transmitted to the coil 116 is rectified by the rectifier circuit 202 of the charging circuit 115, and then converted to a constant voltage by the constant voltage circuit 203. Supplied to Secondary battery 114
Is charged by this.

On the other hand, the voltage detection circuit 204
When the voltage is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the switch circuit 205 is kept closed. In this state, since power is supplied to the oscillation circuit 206 via the switch circuit 205, the oscillation circuit 206 oscillates at a predetermined low frequency. The output signal of the oscillation circuit 206 is supplied to a low level through a high-resistance resistor 207 and a backflow prevention diode 208.
It is supplied to the ED 117. Thereby, the LED 117
Flashes repeatedly at a predetermined cycle determined by the oscillation frequency of the oscillation circuit 206. The blinking of the LED 117 corresponds to a charging signal indicating that the secondary battery 114 is being charged.

Since the resistance of the resistor 207 is set to a value larger than that of the resistor 201, the brightness of the LED 117 during charging is lower than the brightness when the operation switch 111 is closed. Even if the vehicle is driven while the vehicle is running, the blinking of the LED 117 does not obstruct the driver and does not hinder the driving.

The charging signal is supplied to the photodiode 107
After that, the signal is amplified by the amplifier circuit 108, shaped by the waveform shaping circuit 109, and input to the control circuit 106. When the secondary battery 114 is charged until the voltage reaches a predetermined voltage, the voltage detection circuit 204 detects this and controls the switch circuit 205 to open. As a result, the power supply to the oscillation circuit 206 is cut off,
6 stops, and the LED 117 turns off. This LE
Turning off D117 corresponds to a charge completion signal indicating that charging of the secondary battery 114 has been completed.

When the control circuit 106 receives the charge completion signal (step 308), it controls the transmission / reception circuit 105 to stop sending the high frequency signal (step 310).
Thereby, the output of the transmission / reception circuit 105 stops,
It is possible to suppress power consumption of the vehicle battery. When the cylinder lock 309 is turned to the OFF position while the secondary battery 114 is being charged, the control circuit 106 controls the transmission / reception circuit 105 to stop sending high-frequency signals (steps 309 and 310). Thus, it is possible to prevent consumption of the vehicle battery due to charging of the secondary battery when the engine of the vehicle is stopped.

Next, the case where the LED 117 illuminates the key insertion hole and the like will be described. In this case, the key unit 102
The operation switch 111 is closed in a state where the LED 117 is directed in the direction of the cylinder lock with the hand held in the hand. This allows
When current is supplied from the secondary battery 114 to the LED 117,
The ED 117 is turned on, and the cylinder lock is illuminated. Since the resistor 201 has a low resistance, necessary illumination luminance can be obtained without lowering the brightness of the LED 117.

In the above-described embodiment, the coil 104, the transponder 113, and the coil 10 are used to transmit and receive a high-frequency signal and a security code as energy.
4 and the coil 116 are described as being wirelessly connected by magnetic coupling. However, by making each coil function as an antenna, it is possible to transmit and receive energy and a security code wirelessly by radio waves, and to perform an immobilizer function and charging. It is also possible to configure the function to operate. In this case, it is possible to replace each coil with an antenna having another shape such as a linear shape.

Further, the security code can be configured not to be a fixed code but to improve the antitheft property by using a security code that changes every operation or every predetermined time. Further, in the above embodiment, the cylinder lock is turned on.
The immobilizer function and the charging function are configured to operate when rotated to the position.However, when the vehicle battery is less consumed, when the cylinder lock is rotated to another position such as the ACC position, or It is also possible to detect that the key plate is inserted into the cylinder lock, transmit and receive energy and a security code, and operate the immobilizer function and the charging function. When detecting that the key plate has been inserted into the cylinder lock,
A detection switch for detecting this is provided, and the detection switch and the control circuit 106 constitute detection means.

In the present embodiment, charging of the secondary battery 114 is started after receiving a predetermined password from the transponder 113. However, charging is performed even when the predetermined password is not received. It is also possible to configure. Further, in the present embodiment, the processing is terminated when the formal security code is not received within the predetermined time (step 305). However, the processing for determining whether or not the formal security code is received (step 305) 304) is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times), and during this time, if an unauthorized password is detected, that is, if no authorized password is detected, the processing of the control circuit 106 is terminated. Is also possible. Note that the case where an unauthorized password is detected includes a case where no password is received.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the cylinder lock is provided on the main body, and the main body is responsive to insertion into the cylinder lock or rotation of the cylinder lock to a predetermined position such as an ON position. In the key device 101 provided in the key unit 102 with a key plate for outputting energy from the coil 104 of the switch 103 and a transponder 113 for receiving the energy and using the energy as a power source to output a predetermined password code signal, the secondary battery 114 And the coil 10
, A coil 116 for receiving energy from the coil 4 and outputting a corresponding signal, a charging circuit 115 for charging the secondary battery 114 based on the output signal of the coil 116, and a secondary battery 11
And LED 117 operating with power supply 4 as a power source.
Since the coil 104 can be used both during the operation of the immobilizer function and during the operation of the charging function, the configuration is simpler and less expensive than when a dedicated charging circuit is separately provided. In this case, signals are transmitted and received in a non-contact manner using magnetic coupling or radio waves. Therefore, compared to the contact-contact type charging method, there is no influence from contamination of the contacts and the environment is excellent. ing. further,
The rechargeable battery can be charged by the normal operation of the key, such as inserting the key plate into the cylinder lock or rotating the cylinder lock to a predetermined position by the key plate, so no special operation is required, and charging is easy. Becomes possible.

In addition to the above configuration, the operation switch 111 and the secondary battery 114 responding to the operation of the operation switch 111
Is provided with the LED 117 that emits light by using the LED 117 as a power supply, so that the LED 117 can illuminate a key insertion hole or the like of the cylinder lock. Since the secondary battery 114 is rechargeable, the battery does not need to be replaced frequently even if the LED 117 is frequently lit, and the convenience in use is improved.

Also, a key plate, a coil 116,
A secondary battery 114, a charging circuit for charging the secondary battery 114 based on the output of the coil 116, an LED 117 driven by the secondary battery 114, and a predetermined personal identification code driven by power based on a signal from the coil 104 A key portion 102 having a transponder 113 that sends out the key lock, a cylinder lock, and inserting the key plate into the cylinder lock or detecting that the cylinder lock is turned to a predetermined position such as an ON position by the key plate. A detection circuit that outputs a detection signal; a coil 104; a transmission / reception circuit 105 that outputs a predetermined signal to the coil 104 in a transmission mode and receives a signal from the coil 104 in a reception mode; The circuit 105 is set to the transmission mode and the reception mode is set after a predetermined time has elapsed. A main unit 103 having a control circuit 106 for setting the transmission / reception circuit 105 to the transmission mode again when the personal identification code received via the file 104 is a predetermined code, so that the immobilizer function operation time and the charging function Since the coil 104 can also be used during the operation, the configuration is simplified, and the operation automatically shifts to the charging function after the permission of the immobilizer function, so that the convenience is improved. When the immobilizer function does not operate, the charging operation is not performed, so that only the key device other than the regular key can be charged.

Further, in addition to this configuration, the key unit 102
The operation switch 111 and an LED 117 that emits light by the power of the secondary battery 114 in response to the operation of the operation switch
Is provided, it becomes possible to illuminate the key insertion hole and the like of the cylinder lock with the LED 117. Secondary battery 114
Is rechargeable, the battery does not need to be replaced frequently even if the LED 117 emits light frequently, and the convenience in use is improved.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the signal transmitting / receiving means for the so-called immobilizer using the transponder is also used for charging the secondary battery, it is necessary to provide a new signal transmitting means. Therefore, it is possible to provide a key device having a simple configuration. Further, by configuring the key device to perform a charging operation when the key device is authorized, unauthorized charging can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a key unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... Key device 102 ... Key part as a portable device 103 ... Main device 113 ... Transponder 106 ... Control circuit constituting control means 114 ... Secondary battery 104 ... Energy Coil as sending means 116 Coil as energy receiving means 115 Charging circuit as charging means 114 Operating switch 117 as operating means 117 LED as light emitting means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Agency reference number FI Technical display location H02J 17/00 H02J 17/00 X

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A key plate provided with a cylinder lock on a main body, and for outputting energy from energy transmission means of the main body in response to insertion into the cylinder lock or rotation of the cylinder lock to a predetermined position. A key device having a portable device provided with a transponder for receiving the energy and outputting a predetermined personal identification code signal using the energy as a power source, receiving the energy from the energy transmitting means and outputting a corresponding signal; Energy receiving means, charging means for charging the secondary battery based on an output signal of the energy receiving means, and circuit means operating using the secondary battery as a power supply are provided in the portable device. Key device to do. 2. The key device according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit, wherein the circuit unit is a light emitting unit that emits light by using the secondary battery as a power supply in response to an operation of the operation unit. 3. A key plate, signal receiving means, a secondary battery, charging means for charging the secondary battery based on an output of the signal receiving means, a circuit driven by the secondary battery, A portable device having a transponder driven by electric power based on a signal from the signal transmitting / receiving means and transmitting a predetermined password; a cylinder lock; inserting the key plate into the cylinder lock; Detecting means for detecting the rotation to the position and outputting a detection signal; the signal transmitting / receiving means; outputting a predetermined signal to the signal transmitting / receiving means in a transmission mode and a signal from the signal transmitting / receiving means in a reception mode. Transmitting and receiving means for receiving the detection signal, and setting the transmitting and receiving means to a transmission mode in response to the detection signal and to a reception mode after a lapse of a predetermined time; A key unit having control means for setting the transmission / reception means to the transmission mode again when the personal identification code received from the printer via the signal transmission / reception means is a predetermined code. 4. The control means according to claim 3, wherein said control means terminates the subsequent processing if it does not receive a formal security code within a predetermined time or if it receives a formal security code a predetermined number of times. The key device as described. 5. The portable device according to claim 3, wherein the portable device includes an operation unit, and a light emitting unit that emits light by electric power of the secondary battery in response to an operation of the operation unit. The key device as described.