KR100776106B1 - Vehicle equipment control system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle facility control system locks the vehicle doors 11 to 14 by either an automatic lock or a trigger lock system. In the automatic lock system, a wide communication area A2e2 is set which covers the entire vehicle compartment. In the trigger lock system, a narrow communication area A2e1 is set in which communication with the portable unit 1 carried by the user near the vehicle 10 is impossible. When no response signal from the portable unit 1 is received in each communication area, each vehicle door 11 to 14 is locked. Thus, when either of the automatic lock and trigger lock system is used, the portable unit 1 is prevented from remaining in the compartment, and each vehicle door 11 to 14 can be locked.

Portable unit, vehicle, in-vehicle unit, inner transmitter, outer transmitter

Description

VEHICLE EQUIPMENT CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD

1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle facility control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a schematic diagram showing a communication area for an inner transmitter;

3 is a flowchart showing door lock control in accordance with an automatic lock system.

4 is a flowchart showing door lock control according to a trigger lock system;

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a modification of the door lock control.

6 is a flow chart showing another modification of the door lock control.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1: portable unit

2e: inner transmitter

2a to 2d: outer transmitter

10: vehicle

100: in-vehicle unit

The present invention relates to a vehicle facility control system and method for allowing bidirectional communication between a portable unit and an in-vehicle unit and controlling the vehicle facility mounted on the vehicle in accordance with the communication result.

Conventionally, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-269023 proposes a vehicle facility control system. The system has an automatic lock function that automatically locks the vehicle door when the user leaves the vehicle. In the system, the distance that allows automatic lock is specified. When specified as "short range", the automatic lock function is performed under the condition that LF (low frequency) communication from the vehicle apparatus to the portable unit becomes impossible. On the other hand, when specified as "long distance", the automatic lock function is performed under the condition that UHF (Ultra High Frequency) communication from the portable unit to the vehicle device becomes impossible.

Also, Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 10-59131 proposes another door locking system. In such door locking system, the operation of the switch provided on each door knob of the vehicle is set as a trigger, and bidirectional communication between the in-vehicle device and the portable transceiver device (portable unit) is performed in response to the operation. In situations where a normal response signal is received from the portable unit, the corresponding door of the vehicle is locked through the vehicle device. In such a system, when the door is locked, the low power verification signal and the high power verification signal are output from the in-vehicle device, preventing the portable unit from being lost in the vehicle compartment. More particularly, the system may be preset such that the receivable range of the low power verification signal of the portable unit is substantially the same as the range within the compartment. As such, in a situation where a response to the low power verify signal is received, it may be determined that the portable unit has been lost in the compartment.

Optionally, when no response to the low power verify signal is received, a high power verify signal is continuously transmitted to verify the presence of the response from the portable unit. The receivable range of the high power verification signal is preset to include a predetermined range covering the vicinity of the vehicle. As such, when a response to the high power verification signal is received from the portable unit, it is determined that the user of the portable unit exists outside of the vehicle, and therefore the door is locked.

As mentioned above, the vehicle door locking system includes an automatic lock and a trigger lock system. The automatic lock system automatically locks each vehicle door when the user leaves the vehicle. The trigger lock system operates in response to trigger settings for user actions performed on a switch provided on the vehicle door.

In order to improve the usability of such a system for the user, it is preferred that the vehicle door is lockable by either an automatic lock or trigger lock system. In this case, when the user gets off the vehicle and moves without operating the switch provided on the vehicle door, the door is locked by the automatic locking system. Optionally, when the user operates the switch provided on the vehicle door, the vehicle door is locked by the trigger lock system.

However, if the vehicle door is lockable by either of the automatic lock and the trigger lock system, certain disadvantages may arise, as described below.

As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 10-59131, in order to prevent the portable unit from being lost and confined in the compartment, when the vehicle door is locked, an inner transmitter for transmitting a request signal toward the vehicle compartment is provided. It is used to verify whether it exists in a compartment. However, this approach faces the difficulty of setting the transmission range of the request signal of the inner transmitter to include the entire area of the compartment within the communication area that can communicate with the portable unit. This is because the transmission wave of the request signal leaks from the window of each vehicle door when the transmission range of the request signal is set in this manner.

When operating the switch of the vehicle door to lock the vehicle door, the user is positioned relatively close to the vehicle. As such, when the transmission wave of the request signal leaks, the portable unit carried by the user may arrive with the leak request signal, and the response signal may be returned. Thus, while the user carries the portable unit, an alarm will be issued indicating that the portable unit is lost in the compartment and the vehicle door will not be locked.

In order to overcome this disadvantage, it is intended that the user reduces the transmission power level to a size that does not cause a reaction of the portable unit when the switch of the vehicle door is activated. In this case, however, a dead zone area is created in which communication between the inner transmitter and the portable unit is impossible. As such, even when the portable unit is located in the dead zone area, the user gets off the vehicle and performs the automatic lock function under the condition that bidirectional communication with the inner transmitter is impossible, so that the portable unit is undesirably confined in the compartment. Optionally, assuming that the automatic lock function is performed under the condition as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-269023, communication with the transmitter covering the outside of the vehicle is disabled. In such a case, a situation may arise in which the vehicle may be left without the automatic locking function being performed and therefore the door of the vehicle is not locked.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle plant control system and method in which each vehicle door can be properly locked by using either an automatic lock or a trigger lock system.

In the vehicular facility control system according to an aspect of the present invention, in the situation where the trigger switch for instructing the locking of the vehicle door does not operate, the communication between the inner transmitter and the portable unit is set larger than when the inner trigger switch is operated. do. Thus, when each vehicle door is locked according to the automatic locking system, the system can be set up to establish a communication area covering the entire compartment. Optionally, when each vehicle door is locked in accordance with the trigger lock system in response to a user's operation of the trigger switch, the system allows to establish a communication area with a size sufficient to render it incapable of communicating with the portable unit possessed by the user. . Thus, when either the automatic lock and the trigger lock system are used, the vehicle door can be properly locked, while preventing the portable unit from being lost in the compartment.

In a vehicle facility control method according to another aspect of the present invention, a request signal is transmitted from an inner transmitter in a vehicle compartment when an opening / closing operation of the vehicle door is detected. The vehicle door is controlled based on the response signal transmitted from the portable unit in accordance with the request signal. The request signal is also sent from the inner transmitter at a low power level when a locking operation of the vehicle door is detected. When the portable unit does not transmit a response signal to the request signal transmitted in response to the locking operation, another request signal is transmitted from an outer transmitter provided outside the vehicle instead of the request signal of the inner transmitter. The vehicle door is controlled based on the response signal transmitted from the portable unit in response to the request signal of the outer transmitter.
In one aspect of the present invention, in response to a request signal transmitted from an in-vehicle unit, the portable unit transmits a response signal including an ID code, so that the in-vehicle unit receives a response signal from the portable unit and includes the ID included in the response signal. Vehicle facility control to allow bidirectional communication between the portable unit 1 and the in-vehicle unit 100 in a manner of performing a comparison between the code and a pre-registered code and controlling the vehicle facilities 5a to 5d according to the comparison result. In the system,
The in-vehicle unit 100 includes a receiver 3 for receiving a response signal from the portable unit, and an inner transmitter for transmitting a request signal toward the compartment using a compartment of the vehicle as a communication area for communicating with the portable unit. 2e, trigger switches 6a2 to 6d2 provided to the vehicle doors 11 to 14 and providing instructions for locking the vehicle door, and the inner transmitter and the receiver when the trigger switch is inoperative. Communication area changing means 2e1 for setting a communication area for communication between portable units larger than when the trigger switch is operated, and a response signal in response to a request signal transmitted from the inner transmitter; Lock control means (4, 7) for locking the vehicle door in a case where it is not received in the communication area set by the.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the in-vehicle unit 100 further includes door opening and closing detection means 6a1 to 6d1 for detecting the opening and closing operation of the vehicle door, and the lock control means 4 and 7 are the vehicle door. When the opening / closing operation of is detected by the door opening / closing detecting means, a bidirectional communication with the portable unit is attempted by a request signal transmitted from the inner transmitter in the communication area set by the communication area changing means.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the lock control means 4 and 7 are a result of bidirectional communication between the inner transmitter and the portable unit in the second communication area when the opening and closing operation of the vehicle door is detected by the door opening and closing detecting means. Firstly performs door lock control in accordance with an automatic lock system that performs door lock control in accordance with the present invention; The lock control means 4, 7 block the automatic door lock control and, by blocking it, when the trigger switch is operated while performing the automatic door lock control, the lock control means 4, 7 in the first communication area smaller than the second communication area. The door lock control is performed according to the trigger lock system which performs the door lock control according to the bidirectional communication result between the inner transmitter and the portable unit.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the communication area changing means 2e1 sets a communication area for communication between the inner transmitter and the portable unit for any one of the first communication area and the second communication area larger than the first communication area.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the communication area changing means 2e1 adjusts at least one of an output level of a request signal transmitted from the inner transmitter and a reception sensitivity level of a response signal of the portable unit to change the size of the communication area. do.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the lock control means (4, 7) first attempts bidirectional communication by setting a communication area to the first communication area when the trigger switch is not operated; The lock control means 4, 7 retry bidirectional communication by setting the communication area to the second communication area when no response signal is received from the portable unit.
In another aspect of the present invention, the in-vehicle unit 100 also includes alarm generating means 15 for generating an alarm to a user; The lock control means 4, 7 cause the alarm generating means to generate an alarm without locking the vehicle door when a reaction signal is received from the portable unit under the condition that the communication area is set as the first communication area.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the lock control means (4, 7) allows the predetermined number of two-way communication to be repeatedly performed when a reaction signal is received from the portable unit while the communication area is set as the second communication area; The lock control means 4, 7 generate an alarm when the response signal is continuously received from the portable unit a predetermined number of bidirectional communication.
In another aspect of the present invention, the in-vehicle unit 100 further includes outer transmitters 2a to 2d for transmitting a request signal to the outer circumferential side of the vehicle by using the outer circumferential side of the vehicle as a communication area with the portable unit; The lock control means 4, 7 verify that the response signal to the request signal sent from the inner transmitter is not received by the receiver when the trigger switch is not operated, thereby verifying the response signal to the request signal sent from the outer transmitter. If reception is no longer possible, lock the vehicle door.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the in-vehicle unit (100) further comprises alarm generating means (15) for generating an alarm to a user; The lock control means 4, 7 terminates the bidirectional communication between the outer transmitter and the portable unit when the number of times of reception of the response signal to the request signal transmitted from the outer transmitter reaches a predetermined number and the alarm generating means To trigger this alarm.
Another aspect of the present invention further provides that the in-vehicle unit (100) further includes outer transmitters (2a to 2d) for transmitting a request signal toward the outer circumference of the vehicle by using the outer circumference of the vehicle as a communication area with the portable unit; The lock control means 4, 7 attempt to bi-directional communication with the portable unit by using the inner transmitter and the outer transmitter when the trigger switch is activated, and the lock control means 4, 7 transmit from the inner transmitter. The vehicle door is locked when no response signal is received in response to the requested request signal and when a response signal is received in response to the request signal transmitted from the outer transmitter.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the in-vehicle unit 100 includes an engine control means 9 for controlling an operating state of an engine of the vehicle, and a reaction signal corresponding to a pre-registration code is bidirectional between the inner transmitter and the portable unit. Further comprising permission means (4) for allowing the engine control means to start the engine if a command for starting the engine is provided by the user when received via communication; The communication area changing means 2e1 sets the communication area for communication between the inner transmitter and the portable unit to the communication area set when the trigger switch is operated during the start permission control by the permission means.
According to another aspect of the present invention, when the opening and closing operation of the vehicle doors 11 to 14 is detected, the portable unit 1 has an output level at which the portable unit 1 can receive a request signal outside the compartment from the inner transmitter 2e provided in the vehicle compartment. A vehicle equipment control method comprising the step of transmitting a request signal (S40) and controlling the locking of the vehicle door based on the response signal transmitted from the portable unit in response to the request signal (S70, S90),
Transmitting a request signal from the inner transmitter 2e at an output level lower than the output level when the locking operation of the vehicle door is detected (S130), and a response signal to the request signal transmitted in response to the locking operation is portable. When not transmitted from the unit, another request signal is transmitted from the outer transmitters 2a to 2d provided on the outside of the vehicle, so that the locking operation of the vehicle door is based on the response signal transmitted from the portable unit in response to the other request signal. Control step (S150).

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A vehicle facility control system according to this embodiment is shown in FIG. The system enters the lock or unlock mode of each door of the vehicle 10 in accordance with a comparison of identification (ID) codes via bidirectional communication between the portable unit 1 and the in-vehicle unit 100 provided to the vehicle 10. To control. The in-vehicle unit 100 controls a permit or prohibit mode for starting the engine of the vehicle 10 to improve the security of the vehicle 10.

The portable unit 1 comprises a receiver 1a and a transmitter 1b. The receiver 1a receives the request signal from either the inner transmitter 2e or the outer transmitters 2a to 2d of the in-vehicle unit 100. In response to the received request signal, the transmitter 1b transmits a request signal including, for example, an ID code. The portable unit ECU 1c is connected to the receiver 1a and the transmitter 1b and performs various control processes and operations. More specifically, the portable unit ECU 1c is configured to determine whether there is a request signal according to the received signal of the receiver 1a, to generate a response signal including an ID code and the like and to respond to the corresponding request signal. It performs the same operation as the control of the response signal transmitted from.

The in-vehicle unit 100 includes outer transmitters 2a to 2d provided in each of the doors 11 to 14 of the vehicle 10, and the inner transmitter 2e is provided in the compartment. The outer transmitters 2a to 2d and the inner transmitter 2e respectively transmit the request signals in accordance with the transmission command signal received from the lock control means of the in-vehicle unit 100, for example, the comparison ECU 4.

The coverage distance of the request signal of each outer transmitter 2a to 2d is set in the range of about 0.7 m to about 1.0 m. During parking of the vehicle 10, each communication area for communication with the portable unit 1 corresponding to the coverage distance of the request signal is formed periodically around each door 11 to 14 of the vehicle 10. . Thus, it is possible to detect whether the user of the portable unit 11 approaches the vehicle 10 or exists adjacent to the vehicle. The communication area for communication by the portable unit 1 and the inner transmitter 2e is formed so as to cover the vehicle compartment, for example, when starting the engine or locking the door, so that the portable unit 1 is present in the compartment. Check for presence. The inner transmitter 2e may be configured to include, for example, a front seat dedicated inner transmitter having a communication area mainly covering the front seat and a rear seat dedicated inner transmitter having a communication area mainly covering the rear seat, for example. Can be. In this case, the whole compartment is covered by the whole communication area created by combining each communication area with two dedicated inner transmitters for the front seat and the back seat.

In the present embodiment, the inner transmitter 2e includes communication area changing means, for example, an output level adjusting circuit 2e1. By the output level adjusting circuit 2e1, the request signal transmission output level can be variable or adjustable. Therefore, the inner transmitter 2e can make the size of the transmission area of the request signal, that is, the size of the communication area for communicating with the portable unit 1, adjustable.

The communication areas A2a to A2d of the outer transmitters 2a to 2d are respectively shown in FIG. The output level adjusting circuit 2e1 of the inner transmitter 2e is preset to adjust the request signal output level to two sub levels. The two sublevels of the request signal transmit power level are the low power level and the high power level. The low power level and the high power level are for defining the first communication area A2e1 and the second communication area A2e2, respectively. Low power levels are mainly determined by placing importance on preventing the greatest possible leakage through the window of the vehicle door. The high power level is determined by attaching importance to preventing possible occurrence of dead zone areas where communication to the portable unit 1 of the compartment cannot be achieved.

Thus, when the request signal transmission output level is a low output level as shown in Fig. 2, a first communication area A2e1 is formed that substantially covers the entire section while allowing generation of a predetermined dead zone area. In addition, this communication area is prevented from extending out of the vehicle through the window of each vehicle door. In the case where the request signal transmission power level is a high power level as shown in Fig. 2, a second communication area A2e2 is formed which completely covers the compartment but extends further out of the vehicle through the window of each vehicle door. do. Thus, areas A2e1 and A2e2 are set narrower and wider than vehicle compartments, respectively.

In addition, the in-vehicle unit 100 provided in the compartment comprises a receiver 3. The receiver 3 is controlled in the response signal reception possible mode in synchronization with the output operation of the transmission signal to the transmitters 2a to 2e, thereby receiving the response signal transmitted from the portable unit 1. The response signal received by the receiver 3 is output to the comparison ECU 4.

The comparison ECU 4 performs a comparison to determine whether there is a predetermined relationship, such as a match relationship between the ID code included in the received response signal and the pre-registered registration code of each vehicle. Then, according to the comparison result of "yes" (positive) or "no" (negative), together with the main body ECU 7, the comparison ECU 4, which can function as an authorization means, is for example a respective one. Control the lock or unlock mode of the door and the start permit or prohibit mode of the engine.

The main body ECU 7 controls the on / off operation for supplying power to each facility mounted on the vehicle 10, for example, and the lock control units 5a to 5d provided in the respective doors 11 to 14. ) Outputs a drive signal for controlling the lock or unlock mode of each vehicle door 11 to 14. In the main body ECU 7, for example, there is an input signal from each sensor and switch SW for determining whether or not the state for engine starting has been satisfied. More specifically, the main body ECU 7 is, for example, an engine switch operated by a user to provide a command for starting or stopping the engine, a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle 10, a transmission Shift position sensor for detecting shift position of (gear set), stop lamp switch for outputting ON signal during operation performed by the driver in brake pedal, and door courtesy for detecting each door opening and closing operation ) Input signals from the facility provided near the driver's seat, such as a lamp switch.

In a state where the state for starting the engine is satisfied and power is determined to be supplied to each vehicle facility, the main body ECU 7 drives the relay circuit 8 to relay the circuit from the battery (not shown) to each vehicle facility. Power is supplied via (8). The in-vehicle unit 100 also includes lock control units 5a to 5d that lock or unlock each door 11 to 14 at each door 11 to 14 of the vehicle 10. More specifically, the lock control units 5s to 5d each include a door lock motor (not shown) that rotates back and forth (return) in accordance with the lock signal / lock release signal transmitted from the main body ECU 7 respectively. .

Door opening / closing detection means, for example, touch sensors 6a1 to 6d1, are provided on the door handles 6s to 6d of the doors 11 to 14 of the vehicle 10, respectively, so that the user of the portable unit can use each door handle 6s to It can be detected to operate each door handle 6s to 6d operated by touching 6d). In addition, door lock switches 6s2 to 6d2 formed as push switches are provided to the door handles 6s to 6d, respectively. Each door lock switch 6a2 to 6d2 makes it possible to lock the doors 11 to 14. Each door handle 6s to 6d acts as a wireless antenna for the outer transmitters 2a to 2d.

The detection of the operation performed by the user of the portable unit 1 of each vehicle door 11 to 14 need not be performed only by the touch sensors 6a1 to 6d1. Detection may instead be performed using a detection mechanism that mechanically detects the operation of pulling each door handle 6s to 6d toward the side of the user. Also optionally, a lock release button can be provided to each door handle 6s to 6d in which the operation of each vehicle door 11 to 14 can be detected by the operation of the lock release button. Also optionally, the touch sensors 6a1 to 6d1 and the door lock switches 6a2 to 6d2 may be provided to the respective vehicle doors 11 to 14, and as respective operation units for performing the lock and unlock operation. Can be allocated and used.

In this embodiment, when the engine switch is operated, the permit and prohibit modes for starting the engine are controlled according to the result of the comparison of the ID codes to improve the security of the vehicle 10. More specifically, the comparison ECU 4 of the in-vehicle unit 100 is connected to engine control means for controlling the operation mode of the engine, for example, the engine ECU 9, for starting the engine according to the comparison result of the ID code. Outputs a control signal indicating a permit or prohibit command. In the case of door lock control, the comparison ECU 4 commands the engine ECU 9 to set the engine to the start inhibit mode.

The in-vehicle unit 100 also includes an alarm device 15. Thus, in the case of locking the vehicle doors 11 to 14, the in-vehicle unit 100 determines whether the portable unit 1 has been lost and left in the compartment. When the portable unit 1 is lost in the compartment, the in-vehicle unit 100 provides an alarm via the alarm device 15. The alarm device 15 provides an alarm in the form of audio, buzzer or light emission.

The lock release control of each of the vehicle doors 11 to 14 is briefly described below.

When the engine is not operated with the vehicle 10 parked and the respective doors 11 to 14 locked, the comparison ECU 4 performs the signal transmission periodically to perform signal transmission periodically, i. Provide instructions to the outer transmitters 2a to 2d. Accordingly, the comparison ECU 4 verifies whether the user of the portable unit 1 has approached the vehicle 10, that is, whether the user is in any communication area A2a to A2d.

In this case, the outer transmitters 2a to 2d each transmit a request signal containing a unique ID code for each outer transmitter 2a to 2d, and the portable unit is configured to transmit a response signal each containing an ID code. do. Thus, the user of the portable unit 1 can identify access to one of the vehicle doors 11 to 14. Optionally, in order to identify the position of one of the vehicle doors 11 to 14 that the user of the portable unit 1 approaches, the comparison ECU 4 sends a request signal to the outer transmitters 2a to 2d for the shifted timing. It may be used to provide an instruction for transmitting the.

When the portable unit 1 transmits a response signal in response to any one of the request signals of the outer transmitters 2a to 2d, the response signal is received by the receiver 3 of the in-vehicle unit 100. The comparison ECU 4 performs ID code comparison to determine whether or not the ID code included in the reaction signal satisfies a predetermined relationship such as a relationship matching with a pre-registered registration code.

If the comparison ECU 4 determines that the comparison result is "yes", the comparison ECU 4 also determines the position of the user of the portable unit 1 from the ID code included in the reaction signal. The main body ECU 7 then activates one of the touch sensors 6a1 to 6d1 of the vehicle doors 11 to 14 corresponding to the position to set each of the vehicle doors 11 to 14 in the unlocking standby mode. To provide a command (signal).

When the user of the portable unit 1 touching each door handle 6a to 6d of the vehicle doors 11 to 14 sets to the unlocking standby mode, the operation of the door handle of the user of the portable unit 1 is touched. It is detected by the sensors 6a1 to 6d1 and the detection signal is sent to the comparison ECU 3. Accordingly, the comparison ECU 4 provides the main body ECU 7 with a command signal for unlocking all the vehicle doors 11 to 14. According to the command signal, the main body ECU 7 outputs a lock release drive signal to the lock control units 5s to 5d of the respective vehicle doors 11 to 14 to unlock the respective vehicle doors 11 to 14. .

According to the present embodiment, each vehicle door 11 to 14 can be locked by any of an automatic lock and a trigger lock system. The automatic lock system automatically locks each vehicle door 11 to 14 when the user leaves the vehicle 10a, and the trigger lock system triggers according to user operation performed at the switch of the door lock switches 6a2 to 6d2. Each vehicle door 11 to 14 is locked in response to the setting.

Lock control according to the present embodiment is shown in Figs. The flowchart of FIG. 3 shows lock control in accordance with an automatic lock system (automatic lock type door lock control), and the flowchart of FIG. 4 shows lock control in accordance with a trigger lock system (trigger lock type lock control).

In order to detect the user of the portable unit 1 getting off the vehicle 10, in step S10 of FIG. 3, it is determined whether each vehicle door 11 to 14 has been activated, that is, opened or closed. For example, a signal from a courtesy lamp switch (not shown) may determine whether each vehicle door 11-14 is open or closed. In this determination process, the process proceeds to step S20 and is then only performed in the situation where the vehicle doors 11 to 14 determine whether to open or close. Thus, bidirectional communication between the inner transmitter 2e and the portable unit 1 can be performed by proceeding to step 20 to determine whether the vehicle doors 11 to 14 are locked. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inner transmitter 2e or the portable unit 1 from consuming unnecessary power. In this case, the engine stop situation may be added in a state that allows the bidirectional communication between the inner transmitter 2e and the portable unit 1 to be performed.

In step S20, the first request signal is transmitted from the inner transmitter 2e to the first output level (low output level). Therefore, the communication area for communication between the inner transmitter 2e and the portable unit 1 is set as the first communication area A2e1. In this case, when the response signal indicates that the ID code comparison result is "Yes" in the receiver 3, it is highly likely that the portable unit 1 has been lost in the compartment. For this reason, according to the transmission of the response signal in step S20, it is determined in step S30 whether to receive the request signal with the ID code comparison result "Yes". If the determination result is "Yes", the process proceeds to step S110 in which an alarm for the portable unit 1 which is likely to be lost (alarm for a possible loss of the portable unit) is performed by the alarm device 15.

The communication procedure of bidirectional communication between each one of the transmitters 2a to 2e of the in-vehicle unit 100 and the portable unit 1 will be described in more detail below. The following description shows an exemplary case of communication between the outer transmitter 2a of the in-vehicle unit 100 and the portable unit 1.

The portable unit 1 remains in the sleep mode until the start of communication. As such, the outer transmitter 2a transmits an activation request signal for wake up of the portable unit 1. The portable unit 1 wakes up with an activation request signal and transmits a first acknowledgment signal (first ACK signal) again. When the first ACK signal is received by the receiver 3, in the situation where the ID code different from the unit is included for the unit of the vehicle and the portable unit 1 has the same vehicle ID code as the received ID code, the outer transmitter (2a) retransmits the first transmission request signal for requesting transmission of the second ACK signal. Upon receiving the first transmission request signal, the portable unit 1 responds in response to the same vehicle ID code included in the first transmission request signal and transmits a second ACK signal.

When the second ACK signal is received by the receiver 3, the outer transmitter 2a transmits a second transmission request signal containing a different code from the unit to the unit of the transmitter and requests an ID code. The portable unit 1 generates a response code by using a code included in the second transmission request signal, and transmits a response signal including the generated response signal. In the situation where the outer transmitter 2a receives the activation request signal and the first transmission request signal, the portable unit 1 communicates when the first and second ACK signals are not transmitted from the portable unit 1 accordingly. It is assumed that it does not exist in the area, so the communication is terminated.

As mentioned above, the response code is generated by using a different code from the unit as the unit of the transmitter. Thus, the comparison ECU 4 can reliably identify the response code to which the response signal is transmitted in accordance with the signal of one of the transmitters 2a to 2e. In the aforementioned communication process, the active request signal and the first and second transmission request signals correspond to request signals transmitted from respective transmitters, and the first and second ACK signals and response signals are transmitted from the portable unit 1. Corresponds to the response signal.

However, as mentioned above, even if a different code from the unit is not used for the unit of the transmitter, the portable unit 1 may be connected to the signal transmitted from one of the transmitters in such a manner that the reception timing of the request signal from each transmitter is shifted. It can be verified to transmit a response signal in response. In addition, since the request signal transmission timing of the inner transmitter 2e is different from the request signal transmission timing of the outer transmitters 2a to 2d, the above-described code is not used. This is enough to verify the presence of the portable unit 1 in the compartment. In addition, the aforementioned communication procedure may omit the process of transmitting the first transmission request signal from the in-vehicle unit 100 and the process of transmitting the corresponding second ACK signal from the portable unit 1.

According to the communication procedure, upon receiving the request signal containing the ID code from the portable unit 1, the comparison ECU 4 determines a predetermined relationship such as a relationship in which the ID code included in the response signal matches a pre-registered registration code. Determine whether or not to satisfy. When the predetermined relationship is satisfied, the comparison result is determined as "yes", and when the predetermined relationship is not satisfied, the comparison result is determined as "no".

When a response signal is generated which causes the elapse of the ID code comparison is "Yes" in step S30, the second request signal is transmitted from the inner transmitter 2e to the second output level (high output level) in step S40. Thus, the communication area for communication between the inner transmitter 2e and the portable unit 1 completely covers the vehicle compartment. In addition, the communication area is set to the second communication area A2e2 extended out of the vehicle 10 by the transmission wave leaking from the window of each vehicle door. Then, in step S50, it is determined whether a response signal having an ID code comparison result of "Yes" has been received in response to the request signal transmitted in step S40.

Since the request signal is transmitted at a high output level in step S40, if the user carrying the portable unit 1 is near the vehicle 10, the determination result of step S50 may be "Yes". In this case, the process proceeds to step S60 of determining whether the number of times of receiving the response signal is a plurality of predetermined times. As a result of the determination in step S60, when the number of times is determined to be less than the predetermined number of times, the process from step S40 is repeatedly performed.

When the user carrying the portable unit 1 moves away from the vehicle 10, it is determined in step S50 that a response signal is not received (response signal reception invalid). In this case, since the portable unit 1 is carried outside the vehicle, the process proceeds to step S70 in which it is determined whether all the vehicle doors 11 to 14 of the vehicle 10 are closed. In this step, when any vehicle doors 11 to 14 are opened, the process proceeds to step S80 where an alarm or request is generated by using the alarm device 15 for the necessity of verification of the vehicle door. When the user closes the vehicle door, in step S70, it is determined whether all the vehicle doors 11 to 14 are closed. When all vehicle doors are closed, the process proceeds to step S90.

In step S90, each lock control unit 5a to 5d commands the vehicle doors 11 to 14 to be closed. Thus, it is verified that all vehicle doors 11 to 14 are closed, all vehicle doors 11 to 14 are locked at the same time, and any vehicle doors 11 to 14 are inadvertently unlocked to prevent it from remaining. Can be. Simultaneously with the door locking operation, the comparison ECU 4 instructs the engine ECU 9 to set the engine to the start inhibit mode.

In the determination process of step S60, when the number of times of the response signal reception time reaches a predetermined number, it is a situation that the portable unit 1 is present and maintained in close proximity to the vehicle 10. Accordingly, the process proceeds to step S100 where an alarm is provided by the alarm device to request the position check of the portable unit 1. More specifically, in the above-described situation, in this case, for example, the portable unit 1 is in the dead zone area of the first communication area A2e1 or the user carrying the portable unit 1 leaks the compartment wavelength. It is thought to be in the realm. In this situation, bidirectional communication is terminated to reduce power consumption of the inner transmitter 2e and the portable unit 1. The alarm also prompts the user to verify the position of the portable unit 1.

As described above, in the automatic lock-type door lock control, a communication area for communication between the inner transmitter 2e and the portable unit 1 is set for the first communication area (first in-vehicle communication area) A2e1. Thus, a situation may occur in which a response signal is not received after the bidirectional communication attempt. In this case, by setting a communication area for communication between the inner transmitter 2e and the portable unit 1 for the second communication area (second in-vehicle communication area) A2e2 that is wider than the first area A2e1. Bidirectional communication is retried. This mode of operation can monitor the position of the portable unit 1 to track the movement of the portable unit 1 out of the vehicle compartment.

However, this indicates whether the portable unit 1 has been lost in the compartment by attempting bidirectional communication by setting a communication area for communication between the inner transmitter 2e and the portable unit 1 for the second communication area A2e2. Can be verified. Thus, the attempt for bidirectional communication by using the first communication area A2e1 can be omitted.

During the automatic locked door lock control process, when each door lock switch 6a2 to 6d2 is activated, the door lock control is performed by the blocking process. More specifically, in response to the operation of the door lock switches 6a2 to 6d2 (step S120 in Fig. 4), the automatic lock type door lock control shown in Fig. 3 is cut off, and the process shown in Fig. 4 is started.

In step S130, the first request signal is transmitted from the inner transmitter 2e at a low output level. Therefore, the communication area for communication between the inner transmitter 2e and the portable unit 1 is set to the first communication area A2e1. This prevents the transmission of the request signal from leaking into the vehicle compartment. Thus, even when the user of the portable unit 1 is near the vehicle 10 to operate each door lock switch 6a2 to 6d2, the portable unit 1 responds to the request signal from the inner transmitter 2e. Transmission of the response signal can be prevented.

In response to the request signal of step S130, in step S140 it is determined whether an ID code comparison result of "yes" has been received. In this determination process, if the comparison result is determined to be "yes", it is possible that the user has lost or put the portable unit 1 in the compartment. In this way, the process proceeds to step S110 where an alarm for the potentially missing portable unit 1 (alarm for a potentially missing portable unit) shown in FIG. 3 is performed by the alarm device 14.

If a response signal with the ID comparison result "yes" is received (response signal reception is valid), the process proceeds to step S150. In step S150, the third request signal is transmitted from the outer transmitters 2a to 2d or all the outer transmitters 2a to 2d corresponding to the operated door handles 6a to 6d. Next, in step S160, it is determined in response to the request signal transmitted in step S150 whether a request signal having an ID code comparison result of "yes" has been received.

In the determination process of step S160, if it is determined that a request signal with an ID code comparison result of "yes" has been received, it is assumed that the user who has operated the respective door lock switches 6a2 to 6d2 possesses the portable unit 1. do. Thus, the process proceeds to step S70 of FIG. If a request signal with an ID code comparison result of "yes" is not received, the door lock switches 6a2 to 6d2 are likely to be operated by a third party other than the regular driver who carries the portable unit 1. Thus, the process returns to the automatic locked door lock control process. Thus, when each door lock switch 6a2 to 6d2 is actuated, each outer transmitter 2a to 2d and the portable unit in addition to bidirectional communication between each inner transmitter 2e and the portable unit 1 Bidirectional communication between (1) is attempted. Thus, it is not only possible to verify whether the portable unit 1 has been lost in the compartment, but also to verify whether the operation has been performed by the user who carries the portable unit 1. If the operation is performed by a third party rather than the user possessing the portable unit 1, the blocked automatic locked door lock control can be restarted and the automatic locked door lock control can be performed continuously.

As described above, in this embodiment, the size of the communication area in the trigger lock type lock control is set smaller than the communication area in the case of automatic lock type lock control. More specifically, the second communication area A2e2 covering the entire section is set in the case of automatic locked door lock control. In addition, the first communication area having a size sufficient to disable communication with the portable unit 1 carried by the user near the vehicle 10 is set in the case of trigger lock type lock control. Thus, in any one of the automatic lock and trigger lock systems, the portable unit 1 can be prevented from being lost in the compartment, and each vehicle door 11 to 14 can be properly locked.

Although the preferred embodiment has been described, it can be modified in many ways.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, in the case of automatic locked vehicle door lock control, bidirectional communication between the inner transmitter 2e and the portable unit 1 is first attempted in the first communication area A2e1. Then, if no response signal is received, bidirectional communication between the inner transmitter 2e and the portable unit 1 is retried in the second communication area A2e2. Also in bidirectional communication in the second communication area A2e2, each vehicle door 11 to 14 is automatically locked unless a response signal is received from the portable unit 1.

However, as shown in Fig. 5, control can be performed such that bidirectional communication is further performed between the outer transmitters 2a to 2d and the portable unit 1 when no response signal is received from the portable unit 1. And each vehicle door 11 to 14 is locked. More specifically, as in step S170 shown in Fig. 5, a request signal is transmitted to each outer transmitter 2a to 2d. In response to the request signal, in step S180, it is determined whether a request signal having an ID code comparison result of "yes" has been received. Immediately after the user gets off the vehicle 10, communication is established between the respective outer transmitters 2a to 2d and the portable unit 1. However, in general, before the number of times of reception of the response signal reaches the predetermined number determined in step S190, the user moves away from the vehicle to make it impossible to receive the response signal. In this case, the process from step S70 to S90 in Fig. 3 is performed to lock the respective vehicle doors 11 to 14.

Thus, each vehicle door 11 to 14 is locked in accordance with the unacceptable timing of the response signal from the portable unit 1 in bidirectional communication between the respective outer transmitters 2a to 2d and the portable unit 1. do. This is because each of the vehicle doors 11 to 14 is verified after verifying that the portable unit 1 is moved by the user out of the communication area for communication between the respective outer transmitters 2a to 2d and the portable unit 1. Can be locked

Further, as described above, in the automatic lock system, bidirectional communication of the first communication area A2e1 between the inner transmitter 2e and the portable unit 1 can be arbitrarily performed. This is also applicable to the example shown in FIG. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, each of the outer transmitters 2a to 2d and the portable unit (2) in the bidirectional communication or the second communication area A2e2 between the inner transmitter 2e and the portable unit 1 In the bidirectional communication between 1), each vehicle door 11 to 14 can be locked in a state in which reception of a reaction signal from the portable unit 1 becomes impossible.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the response signal transmission power level of the inner transmitter 2e is variable so that the communication area for communication between the inner transmitter 2e and the portable unit 1 is the first and second communication areas A2e1. , A2e2). However, the size of the communication area for communication between the inner transmitter 2e and the portable unit 1 may vary depending on the reception sensitivity of the portable unit 1.

For shifting the reception sensitivity of the portable unit 1 to a high sensitivity corresponding to the first and second communication areas A2e1 and A2e2, for communication between the respective transmitters 2a to 2e and the portable unit 1 The active request signal or the first transmission request signal used in the above-described communication procedure is used. More specifically, the inner transmitter 2e transmits two different types of signals, i.e., the active request signal A (or the first transmission request) which commands the portable unit 1 to perform a low sensitivity reception. Signal A] and an active request signal B (or a first transmission request signal B) which instructs the portable unit 1 to perform high sensitivity reception. Therefore, the reception sensitivity of the portable transmitter 1 can be shifted to any one of low sensitivity and high sensitivity.

In addition, adjusting the request signal transmission output level of the inner transmitter 2e and shifting the reception sensitivity of the portable unit 1 can be performed simultaneously.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the comparison ECU 4 outputs a control signal for instructing the engine ECU 9 to permit or prohibit starting the engine. This is because the state in which the user carrying the portable unit 1 is present in the vehicle 10 is set as the engine starting state. In this case, it is preferable that the communication area for communication with the inner transmitter 2e for receiving the response signal including the ID code from the portable unit 1 is set as the first communication area A2e1. This can prevent the occurrence of a situation in which the portable unit 1 exists outside the vehicle cabin and permits the starting of the engine.

In addition, when the vehicle door is locked, the door lock state can be notified to the user, for example, by turning on the emergency light of the vehicle or providing a light of the buzzer or the portable unit 1 to generate sound or light. This is particularly effective in preventing a door lock failure because the user does not perform an operation for locking, especially when automatic lock type door lock control is performed.

With the above configuration, there is provided a vehicle facility control system and method capable of appropriately locking each vehicle by using any one of an automatic lock and a trigger lock system.

Claims (13)

In response to the request signal transmitted from the in-vehicle unit, the portable unit transmits a response signal including an ID code so that the in-vehicle unit receives a response signal from the portable unit so that the ID code included in the response signal and the pre-registered code are included. A vehicle facility control system which permits bidirectional communication between the portable unit 1 and the in-vehicle unit 100 in a manner to perform a comparison of and control the vehicle facilities 5a to 5d according to the comparison result. The unit 100, A receiver 3 for receiving a response signal from the portable unit, An inner transmitter 2e for transmitting a request signal toward the compartment using a compartment of the vehicle as a communication area for communicating with the portable unit; Trigger switches 6a2 to 6d2 provided in the vehicle doors 11 to 14 and providing instructions for locking the vehicle door; Communication area changing means (2e1) for setting the communication area for communication between the inner transmitter and the portable unit to be larger than when the trigger switch is operated when the trigger switch does not operate; Lock control means (4, 7) for locking the vehicle door in the event that a response signal in response to the request signal transmitted from said inner transmitter is not received in the communication area set by said communication area changing means; Control system. The vehicle in-vehicle unit 100 further comprises door opening and closing detection means 6a1 to 6d1 for detecting the opening and closing operation of the vehicle door. The lock control means (4, 7) is a portable unit by a request signal transmitted from the inner transmitter in the communication area set by the communication area changing means when the opening / closing operation of the vehicle door is detected by the door opening / closing detecting means. A control system that attempts bidirectional communication with. The method of claim 2, The lock control means 4, 7 perform door lock control in accordance with a result of bidirectional communication between the inner transmitter and the portable unit in the second communication area when the opening / closing operation of the vehicle door is detected by the door opening / closing detection means. Door lock control according to the automatic lock system, The lock control means 4, 7 block the automatic door lock control and, by blocking it, when the trigger switch is operated while performing the automatic door lock control, the lock control means 4, 7 in the first communication area smaller than the second communication area. A control system that performs door lock control in accordance with a trigger lock system that performs door lock control in accordance with a bidirectional communication result between the inner transmitter and the portable unit. 2. The control according to claim 1, wherein the communication area changing means (2e1) sets a communication area for communication between the inner transmitter and the portable unit for any one of the first communication area and the second communication area larger than the first communication area. system. The communication area changing means (2e1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication area changing means (2e1) adjusts at least one of an output level of a request signal transmitted from the inner transmitter and a reception sensitivity level of a response signal of the portable unit. Control system to change the size of the communication area. The method of claim 4, wherein The lock control means 4, 7 first attempt bidirectional communication by setting the communication area to the first communication area when the trigger switch is not operated, The lock control means (4, 7) retry bidirectional communication by setting the communication area to the second communication area when no response signal is received from the portable unit. The method of claim 6, The in-vehicle unit 100 also includes alarm generating means 15 for generating an alarm to the user, The lock control means 4, 7 control to cause the alarm generating means to generate an alarm without locking the vehicle door when a reaction signal is received from the portable unit under the condition that the communication area is set as the first communication area. system. The method according to claim 6 or 7, The lock control means (4, 7) causes the bidirectional communication to be repeatedly performed a predetermined number of times when a reaction signal is received from the portable unit while the communication area is set as the second communication area, And said lock control means (4, 7) cause the alarm generating means to generate an alarm when a response signal is continuously received from the portable unit a predetermined number of bidirectional communication. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The in-vehicle unit 100 further includes outer transmitters 2a to 2d which transmit request signals to the outer circumferential side of the vehicle by using the outer circumferential side of the vehicle as a communication area with the portable unit. The lock control means 4, 7 verify that the response signal to the request signal sent from the inner transmitter is not received by the receiver when the trigger switch is not operated, thereby verifying the response signal to the request signal sent from the outer transmitter. Control system to lock the vehicle door when reception is not possible. The method of claim 9, The in-vehicle unit 100 further includes an alarm generating means 15 for generating an alarm to the user, The lock control means 4, 7 terminates the bidirectional communication between the outer transmitter and the portable unit when the number of times of reception of the response signal to the request signal transmitted from the outer transmitter reaches a predetermined number and the alarm generating means Control system to trigger this alarm. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The in-vehicle unit 100 further includes outer transmitters 2a to 2d for transmitting a request signal to the outer circumference of the vehicle by using the outer circumference of the vehicle as a communication area with the portable unit. The lock control means 4, 7 attempts bidirectional communication with the portable unit by using the inner transmitter and the outer transmitter when the trigger switch is activated, The lock control means 4, 7 lock the vehicle door when no response signal is received in response to the request signal sent from the inner transmitter and when a response signal is received in response to the request signal sent from the outer transmitter. To control system. The in-vehicle unit 100 according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Engine control means 9 for controlling an operating state of the engine of the vehicle; Permission means for permitting the engine control means to start the engine when a command for starting the engine is provided by the user when a response signal corresponding to the pre-registration code is received through bidirectional communication between the inner transmitter and the portable unit ( 4) more, And the communication area changing means (2e1) sets a communication area for communication between the inner transmitter and the portable unit to a communication area set when a trigger switch is operated during start permission control by the permission means. When the opening / closing operation of the vehicle doors 11 to 14 is detected, the portable unit 1 transmits a request signal having an output level at which the portable unit 1 can receive a request signal outside the compartment from the inner transmitter 2e provided in the vehicle compartment ( And controlling the locking of the vehicle door based on the response signal transmitted from the portable unit in response to the request signal (S70, S90). Transmitting a request signal from the inner transmitter 2e at an output level lower than the output level when the locking operation of the vehicle door is detected (S130); When a response signal to the request signal transmitted in response to the locking operation is not transmitted from the portable unit, another request signal is transmitted from the outer transmitters 2a to 2d provided on the outside of the vehicle, so that the locking operation of the vehicle door is controlled. And controlling based on the response signal transmitted from the portable unit in response to the other request signal (S150).

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