JPH11240421A - Immobilizer system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable maintaining theft prevention effect when an engine is started by remote control. SOLUTION: This immobilizer system has a starter 3 which enables engine start based on an operation from outside the vehicle, a transponder 11 which transmits a key ID number from an ignition key 1 to identify the ignition key 1 that is inserted into an ignition cylinder 1A, and an immobilizer unit 4 which receives the ID number from the transponder 11 after the engine starter 3 enabled the engine start and checks the received key ID number with a registered key ID number which has been previously registered. Further, if the immobilizer unit 4 does not receive the key ID number or if the ID numbers did not match in the check thereby, a predetermined action is performed to prevent theft of the vehicle.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an immobilizer system applied to a vehicle capable of remotely starting an engine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An immobilizer system for preventing a vehicle from being stolen is known. The immobilizer system checks the ID number stored in the transponder with the built-in ignition key,
The start of the engine is permitted only when the ID number of the key and the registration number match, and theft of the vehicle can be prevented by prohibiting the engine from being started by unauthorized means.

[0003] On the other hand, there is also known a device capable of remotely starting an engine using a remote controller called a remote control engine starter, but it is also possible to remotely start an engine using such a device. It is desirable that the function of the immobilizer system for preventing theft of the vehicle is not hindered.

An object of the present invention is to provide an immobilizer system that can maintain the anti-theft effect when the engine is started by remote control.

[0005]

The present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 showing an embodiment of the present invention. The portable transmitter 3 is a remote control engine starter.
1 that receives the engine start permission signal transmitted from
Receiving means 3, second receiving means 2 for receiving an engine start permission signal transmitted from transponder 11, and engine for starting the engine when the first or second receiving means receives the engine start permission signal Control means 5; identification means 4 for identifying whether the engine has been started by the engine start signal transmitted from the portable transmitter 31 or the engine has been started by the engine start signal transmitted from the transponder 11; When it is determined by the means 4 that the engine has been started by the engine starting means transmitted from the portable transmitter, the predetermined operation is prohibited, and the engine is started by the engine starting signal transmitted from the transponder 11 by the identification means 4. If it is determined that the system has been started, The foregoing objects are achieved by providing a means 5. The invention according to claim 2 is an engine start permitting means 3 for permitting an engine start based on an operation from outside of the vehicle, and a key ID for specifying the ignition key 1 inserted into an ignition cylinder 1A. 1 and a key ID transmitted from the key ID transmitting means 11, and the key ID transmitted from the key ID transmitting means 11 and the received key ID
A key ID collating unit 4 for collating the key ID with a registered key ID registered in advance; and a case where the key ID collating unit 4 does not receive the key ID after the engine start is permitted by the engine start permitting unit 3; ID
If the IDs do not match as a result of the collation by the collation means 4,
In addition to controlling to perform a predetermined operation for preventing the vehicle from being stolen, if the key ID collating means 4 matches the ID after the engine start is permitted by the engine start permitting means 3, the predetermined The above-mentioned object is achieved by providing the control means 5 for controlling not to perform the above operation. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the immobilizer system according to the first or second aspect, the control means 5 inhibits the traveling of the vehicle as the predetermined operation. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the immobilizer system according to the first or second aspect, the control means 5 forcibly stops an engine as the predetermined operation.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, whether the engine is started by the engine start permission signal transmitted from the portable transmitter or the engine start permission signal transmitted by the transponder is identified. Identified by means,
In the case of a portable transmitter, the predetermined operation is prohibited, and in the case of a signal from the transponder, the predetermined operation is permitted, so that the anti-theft effect is not impaired,
The vehicle can be remotely started. According to the second aspect of the invention, after the engine start is permitted by the engine start permitting means, the key ID collating means sets the key I
If D is not received, or if the IDs do not match as determined by the key ID matching means, a predetermined operation is performed to prevent the vehicle from being stolen, so that the engine can be remotely operated without impairing the antitheft effect. Starting can be enabled. According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the control means prohibits the running of the vehicle, it is possible to reliably prevent theft. According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the control means forcibly stops the engine, so that theft can be reliably prevented.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment A first embodiment of an immobilizer system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an ignition key inserted into a key cylinder 1A, which is a transponder 11 for communicating with a transceiver 2 installed in a vehicle, which will be described later, and a key connected to the transponder 11. The antenna 12 is built in. As shown in FIG. 2, the transponder 11 receives a radio wave from the vehicle antenna 21 received by the key antenna 12, stores the electric charge in a capacitor (not shown), and an EEPROM 11c that stores a key ID number unique to the ignition key 1. And EEPRO
A control unit 11 that reads a key ID number from M11c and controls transmission and reception of radio waves to and from vehicle antenna 21
b.

The charge stored in the charge conversion unit 11a is used as transmission power for transmission to the vehicle antenna 21 or as a power supply for the control unit 11b. When transmitting a radio wave, the control unit 11b reads the key ID number from the EEPROM 11c, and a carrier radio wave of the read key ID number is transmitted from the key antenna 12 to the vehicle antenna 21.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes an ignition key 1
This is a transceiver that transmits and receives data to and from the device. As shown in FIG. 2, the transceiver 2 includes a transmission / reception switch 22 for switching between transmission and reception of radio waves, and an oscillator 23 for outputting a carrier signal of the transmission radio waves.
And a demodulator 24 for demodulating received radio waves received by the vehicle antenna 21 and a control unit 25 for controlling the timing of radio wave transmission and reception.

In FIG. 1, SW1 is an ignition switch which is turned on by rotating an ignition key 1 inserted into an ignition cylinder 1A to an ignition on position, and SW2 is turned on when the ignition key 1 is further rotated to a starter on position. It is a starter switch. When the starter switch SW2 is turned on, a current is supplied to the starter motor 70.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 3 denotes an engine starter for starting an engine when a radio wave including a unique ID number from a remote controller 31 is received via an antenna 32. When the engine starter 3 receives the radio wave transmitted from the remote controller 31, the engine starter 3 collates the ID number stored in advance with the received ID number, and when they match, turns on the ignition and sets the starter motor 70. Supply current to The operation of turning on the ignition means the same operation as turning on the ignition switch SW1. At this time, the engine starter 3 sends a predetermined starter signal to an immobilizer unit 4 described later. Thus, the driver can start the engine from the outside of the vehicle without inserting the ignition key 1 into the key cylinder 1A, for example.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 4 denotes an immobilizer unit including a CPU 41 and a memory 42 storing a registration key ID number. The immobilizer unit 4 outputs an engine start permission signal for permitting engine start and an engine start prohibition signal for prohibiting engine start to an engine control module 5 described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the demodulator 2 of the transceiver 2
The demodulated signal output from 4 is immobilizer unit 4
Is input to the CPU 41. When the demodulated signal is input,
The CPU 41 collates the key ID number included in the demodulated signal with the registered key ID number stored in the memory 42,
If they match, an engine start permission signal is output to the engine control module 5. At this time, the CPU 41 outputs an "A signal", which is an identification signal indicating that the engine start permission signal is based on the operation of the ignition key 1, together with the engine start permission signal.

If the key ID number contained in the demodulated signal and the registered key ID number do not match each other as a result of the collation by the CPU 41, the CPU 41 outputs an engine start prohibition signal to the engine control module 5.

On the other hand, the starter signal output from the engine starter 3 is also supplied to the CPU 41 of the immobilizer unit 4.
Is input to Upon receiving the starter signal, the CPU 41 outputs to the engine control module 5 an "B signal" which is an identification signal indicating that the engine start permission signal is based on the operation of the remote controller 31, together with the engine start permission signal. .

An engine control module (ECM) 5 shown in FIG. 1 is for performing various controls relating to the engine, and stores codes of an A signal and a B signal for discriminating an input identification signal. Memory 51
Is provided. The engine control module 5 includes an engine fuel injection device 61, an engine ignition device 62, a shift lock controller 63, an antilock brake system (ABS) control unit 64, and a vehicle speed sensor 6.
5, a throttle sensor 66, a warning device 67, and a horn 68, respectively.

When the engine control module 5 receives the engine start permission signal from the immobilizer unit 4, it outputs a signal for starting the engine to the fuel injection device 61 and the ignition device 62. At this time, the identification signal input together with the engine start permission signal is compared with the code stored in the memory 51 to determine whether the identification signal is the A signal or the B signal, that is, the input engine start signal. Is derived from the operation of the ignition key 1 or from the operation of the remote controller 31.

Next, the operation of the immobilizer system according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the CPU 41 of the immobilizer unit 4. The operation in FIG. 4 is started by turning on the ignition. In step S1, the state of the ignition switch SW1 is read. If it is determined that the ignition switch SW1 is on, the process proceeds to step S5. If it is determined that the ignition switch SW1 is off, the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, it is determined whether or not a starter signal from the engine starter 3 has been received. If it is determined that a starter signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S3.
Return to 1. In step S3, a signal B indicating that the engine start permission signal is based on the operation of the remote controller 31 is output to the engine control module 5 together with the engine start permission signal, and the process returns to step S1.

On the other hand, in step S5, a radio wave is transmitted from the transceiver 2 to the ignition key 1, and in step S5
Proceed to 6. In step S6, the transceiver 2 receives the radio wave transmitted from the ignition key 1, and compares the read key ID number with the registered key ID number stored in the memory 42. If it is determined in step S6 that the ID numbers match, the process proceeds to step S8. If it is determined that the ID numbers do not match, the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, an engine start prohibition signal is output to the engine control module 5, and the sequence ends. On the other hand, in step S8, an A signal indicating that the engine start permission signal is based on the operation of the ignition key 1 is output to the engine control module 5 together with the engine start permission signal, and the sequence ends.

Next, the processing in the engine control module 5 will be described with reference to FIG. The process in FIG. 4 is started by turning on the ignition. First, in step S11, a drive prohibition command for a shift lever (not shown) is output to the shift lock controller 63, and movement of the shift lever from the parking position is prohibited. next,
In step S12, it is determined whether an engine start prohibition signal has been input from the immobilizer unit 4. If it is determined that the engine start prohibition signal has already been input, the process proceeds to step S13, and the engine start prohibition signal has not yet been input. If it is determined that there is not, the process proceeds to step S14. The input of the engine start prohibition signal corresponds to the operation in step S7 in FIG.

In step S13, the operation of the fuel injection device 61 and the ignition device 62 of the engine is prohibited, the engine is stopped, and the sequence ends. On the other hand, step S1
In step 4, it is determined whether or not an engine start permission signal from the immobilizer unit 4 has been input. If it is determined that the engine start permission signal has already been input, the process proceeds to step S15, and the engine start permission signal has not yet been input. If it is determined that there is not, the process returns to step S12. The input of the engine start permission signal corresponds to one of the operations in steps S3 and S8 in FIG.

In step S15, a command for instructing an appropriate operation for starting the engine is sent to the fuel injection device 61, the ignition device 62 and the like to start the engine, and in step S16
Proceed to. In step S16, by comparing the identification signal sent from the immobilizer 4 with the codes of the A signal and the B signal recorded in the memory 51, it is determined whether or not the A signal has already been received. If it is determined that the A signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S17. If it is determined that the A signal has not been received, step S16 is repeated. The reception of the A signal corresponds to the operation in step S8 in FIG. In step S17, a signal for instructing shift lock release is output to the shift lock controller 64. Thus, the shift lever can be moved from the parking position.

The operation from starting the engine to running the vehicle in accordance with the operation of the vehicle will be described below.

<Case of Engine Start Based on Operation of Remote Controller> First, an operation of starting the engine by operation of the remote controller 31 will be described. If the remote controller 31 is operated without inserting the ignition key 1 into the key cylinder 1A,
The ignition is turned on by the operation of the remote controller, and the starter motor 70 is driven by the output of the engine starter 3. When the engine is started by the engine starter 3, the determination in step S1 in FIG. 3 is denied, and the determination in step S2 is affirmed.
The signal is sent from the immobilizer unit 4 to the engine control module 5 together with the signal.

On the other hand, the processing in the engine control module 5 shown in FIG. 4 is started by turning on the ignition. First, in step S11, the driving of the shift lever is prohibited. Next, the determination in step S12 is denied,
Since the determination in step S14 is affirmative, step S1
At 5, the engine is started. However, at this time, since the engine control module 5 has not yet received the A signal transmitted from the immobilizer 4,
Step S16 is repeated without proceeding to step S17, and the state in which the drive of the shift lever is prohibited is maintained. Therefore, the driver cannot start the vehicle.

After starting the engine by operating the remote controller 31, if the driver inserts the proper ignition key 1 into the key cylinder 1A and operates the ignition key 1 to the ignition on position,
The ignition switch SW1 is turned on, and the determination in step S1 of FIG. 3 is affirmed. Then, in step S5, a radio wave is transmitted from the transceiver 2 to the ignition key 1, so that the charge conversion unit 11 of the transponder 11
The charge is accumulated at a. Thereby, the transmission operation of the transponder is started, and the key ID number is transmitted from the ignition key 1 to the transceiver 2. If it is a proper ignition key 1, reception at the transceiver 2
Since the key ID number obtained by demodulation matches the registered ID number stored in the memory 42 of the immobilizer unit 4, the determination in step S6 is affirmed. Therefore, the signal A is transmitted from the immobilizer 4 to the engine control module 5 in step S8. After the A signal has been transmitted, step S1 in FIG.
Since the determination in step 6 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S17, where the drive of the shift lever is permitted. Therefore, the vehicle can be started.

After the engine has been started by operating the remote controller 31, the unauthorized ignition key 1 is inserted into the key cylinder 1A and the ignition key 1A is operated to the ignition ON position, so that the determination in step S6 in FIG. 3 is denied. Therefore, an engine start prohibition signal is transmitted in step S7. Therefore, step S in FIG.
The determination in Step 12 is affirmative, and the engine is forcibly stopped in Step S13.

After the engine is started by operating the remote controller 31, if the ignition switch SW1 is short-circuited by illegal means, for example, the key I
Since the D number is not transmitted, the determination in step S6 is denied, and an engine start prohibition signal is transmitted in step S7. Therefore, the engine is similarly forcibly stopped.

<Case of Engine Start Based on Operation of Ignition Key> Next, an operation of starting the engine by operation of the ignition key 1 will be described. When the proper ignition key 1 is inserted into the key cylinder 1A and operated to the ignition on position, the ignition switch SW1 is turned on, and the step S in FIG.
Since the determination of 1 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S5. Since the radio wave is transmitted from the transceiver 2 to the ignition key 1 in step S5, the transmission operation of the transponder 11 is started as described above, and the ignition key 1
Transmits the key ID number to the transceiver 2. If the ignition key 1 is a regular ignition key, the key ID number obtained by reception and demodulation by the transceiver 2 matches the registered ID number stored in the memory 42, so the determination in step S6 is affirmed. Therefore, the engine start permission signal and the A signal are transmitted from the immobilizer 4 to the engine control module 5 in step S8.

When the ignition key 1 is operated to the starter ON position, the starter switch SW2 is turned on, so that the starter motor 70 is driven. On the other hand, the determination in step S12 in FIG.
Is affirmed, the engine is started in step S15. In addition, since the A signal has already been transmitted, the determination in step S16 is affirmed, and step S1 is performed.
Proceed to 7. In step S17, the driving of the shift lever is permitted, so that the vehicle can be started.

If an attempt is made to start the engine using an unauthorized ignition key 1, or if the ignition switch SW1 is short-circuited by illegal means, the determination in step S6 in FIG. 3 is denied.
In step S7, an engine start prohibition signal is transmitted. Therefore, the determination in step S12 in FIG.
In step S13, the engine is forcibly stopped.

As described above, in the first embodiment, when the engine is started based on the operation of the remote controller 31, the key I of the ignition key 1 is further increased.
The D number is compared with a predetermined registration key ID number, and the drive of the shift lever is prohibited unless they match. For this reason, the vehicle cannot be started unless the normal ignition key 1 is operated, so that it is possible to remotely start the engine without impairing the anti-theft effect.

In the first embodiment, the key ID number transmitted from the ignition key 1 is compared with the registered key ID number, and the engine is stopped or the drive of the shift lever is prohibited unless the two match. Although theft of the vehicle is prevented, various other operations for preventing theft of the vehicle may be employed. For example, instead of prohibiting the driving of the shift lever, the horn 68 may be sounded when the vehicle is running detected by the vehicle speed sensor 65 or the like, the engine may be stopped, or a command may be output to the ABS control unit 64 to output the wheel. Theft may be prevented by locking or the like.
Further, when the detection value of the vehicle speed sensor 65, the throttle sensor 66, or the engine speed sensor (not shown) reaches a certain value, the engine is stopped or the increase in the engine speed is prohibited to prevent theft. May be prevented. Instead of forcibly stopping the engine, the various operations described above may be employed.

In addition to the operation for preventing the vehicle from being stolen, the warning device 67 may give a warning to notify the driver of the abnormality. For example, a warning can be issued by turning on a warning lamp on a panel of a vehicle or sounding a buzzer in the vehicle. By issuing such a warning, when a legitimate driver is driving, it is possible to quickly grasp the situation, that is, that the driver has shifted to a predetermined operation for preventing theft.

Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the immobilizer system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation when the ignition switch SW1 is turned on.
Reference numeral 115 denotes an operation of the immobilizer unit 4.

In step S101 of FIG. 5, the state of the ignition switch SW1 (FIG. 1) is read, and if it is determined that the ignition switch SW1 is on, the process proceeds to step S102; if it is determined that it is off, step S101 is performed. Is repeated. In step S102, a collation command is transmitted to the immobilizer unit 4, and the process proceeds to step S103. In step S103, it is determined whether or not a signal indicating that the collation matches from the immobilizer unit 4 has been received.
The process proceeds to step S104, and if it is determined that the information has not been received, the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, the start of the engine is prohibited by stopping the injection and ignition of the fuel, and the sequence ends.

On the other hand, in step S104, it is determined whether or not the A signal has been received from the immobilizer unit 4.
If it is determined that it has been received, the process proceeds to step S105,
If it is determined that it has not been received, the process proceeds to step S106. In step S105, the driving of the shift lever is permitted, and the process proceeds to S106. In step S106, engine start is permitted, and the process proceeds to step S107. In S107, the flag F is reset, and the sequence ends.

In step S111 in FIG. 5, transmission to the transponder 11 is performed, and the flow advances to step S112. In step S112, the ID sent from the transponder 11
, And then proceeds to step S113. In step S113, the key IDs are collated. If the collation result indicates that the IDs match, the process proceeds to step S114. If the collation cannot be performed, and if the IDs do not match, the process proceeds to step S115.

In step S114, a signal notifying that the IDs match, and an A signal are transmitted to the engine control module 5, and the sequence ends. On the other hand, in step S115, a signal indicating that the ID cannot be collated or the ID does not match is transmitted to the engine control module 5, and the sequence ends.

Next, FIG. 6 shows the operation when the engine is started by the remote controller 31. Steps S201 to S203 show the operation of the engine starter 3, steps S211 to S212 show the operation of the immobilizer unit 4, and step S221. ~
Step S226 is the engine control module 5
Respectively.

In step S201 of FIG.
, And the process proceeds to step S202. Step S
In step 202, the engineer ID is collated, and in step S20
At step 3, the matching result is transmitted to the immobilizer unit 4.

In step S211 of FIG. 6, the process waits for the reception of the collation result from the engine starter 3, and then proceeds to step S21.
Proceed to 2. In step S212, in accordance with the result of the comparison of the engine ID, a signal indicating the ID match and a signal B are sent to the engine control module 5 if the IDs match, and a signal indicating the ID mismatch if the IDs do not match. To end the sequence.

In step S221 of FIG. 6, if it is determined that the engineer ID is a legitimate ID according to the collation result from the immobilizer unit 4, the process proceeds to step S223. If it is determined that it is not a legitimate ID, step S227 is performed.
Proceed to. In step S223, it is determined whether the B signal has been received from the immobilizer unit 4. If it is determined that the B signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S224. If it is determined that the B signal has not been received, the process proceeds to step S227. In step S227, the engine is prohibited from starting, and the sequence ends.

On the other hand, in step S224, the driving of the shift lever is prohibited, and the flow advances to step S225. Step S
At 225, engine start control is performed, and at step S226
Proceed to. In step S226, the flag F is set and the sequence ends.

FIG. 7 shows the operation of the engine control module 5 after starting the engine. In step S301 in FIG. 7, the state of the flag F is read. If it is determined that the flag F is set, the process proceeds to step S302. If it is determined that the flag F is not set, the sequence ends. In step S302, it is determined whether the vehicle is traveling. If it is determined that the vehicle is traveling, step S302 is performed.
Proceed to 303, and if it is determined that the vehicle is not traveling, step S302 is repeated. In step S303, control for stopping the engine is performed, and the sequence ends.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the flag F is set when the B signal is received at the time of starting the engine (step S226), while the flag is set when the A signal is received. F is reset (step S107). If the running of the vehicle is detected despite the flag F being set, the engine is stopped (step S30).
3) As in the first embodiment, when the engine is started by the remote controller 31 and the key ID is not confirmed to be valid, traveling of the vehicle is prohibited. Therefore, a high anti-theft effect can be exhibited.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an immobilizer system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ignition key and a transceiver.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence of the immobilizer unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence of the engine control module.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when an ignition switch is turned on in the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation when an engine is started by a remote controller 31;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the engine control module after starting the engine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ignition key 1A Ignition cylinder 3 Engine starter 4 Immobilizer unit 5 Engine control module 11 Transponder 67 Warning device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first receiving means for receiving an engine start permission signal transmitted from a portable transmitter which is a remote control engine starter; a second reception means for receiving an engine start permission signal transmitted from a transponder; Engine control means for starting the engine when the engine start permission signal is received by the first or second receiving means; and whether the engine has been started by the engine start signal transmitted from the portable transmitter or transmitted from the transponder. Identification means for identifying whether or not the engine has been started by the received engine start signal; and a predetermined operation is prohibited if the identification means determines that the engine has been started by the engine start means transmitted from the portable transmitter. Starting the engine transmitted from the transponder by the identification means. Immobilizer system when it is identified that the engine has been started, characterized in that it comprises a control means for permitting a predetermined operation by the signal. 2. An engine start permitting means for permitting an engine start based on an operation from outside of the vehicle, and a key ID transmitting means for transmitting a key ID for specifying an ignition key inserted into an ignition cylinder from the ignition key. Key ID comparing means for receiving the key ID transmitted from the key ID transmitting means and collating the received key ID with a registered key ID registered in advance; and starting the engine by the engine start permitting means. When the key ID is not received by the key ID collating means after the permission, and when the IDs do not match by the collation by the key ID collating means, a predetermined operation for preventing theft of the vehicle is performed. Control and
An immobilizer system comprising: control means for controlling the predetermined operation not to be performed when the IDs match in the key ID collating means after the engine start is permitted by the engine start permitting means. . 3. The immobilizer system according to claim 1, wherein the control means prohibits the running of the vehicle as the predetermined operation. 4. The immobilizer system according to claim 1, wherein the control means forcibly stops an engine as the predetermined operation.