JPH1136675A - Electronic key system for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To prevent damage to the maximum while leaving a mechanical key system. SOLUTION: When the collation of the first code is completed by wireless communication with an electronic key (S11, S12), the door lock is released (S13). Next, the second code from the electronic key is collated (S14, S15). When the collation is completed, the lid into which the electronic key is inserted is opened (S1).
6). Thus, the cylinder can be rotated by the main body of the electronic key, and operations such as turning on the ignition can be performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic key system for a vehicle for controlling a vehicle-mounted device by collating a code based on wireless communication with an electronic key, and more particularly, to a vehicle-mounted electronic key system capable of operating a vehicle-mounted device by a turning operation. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, operations such as unlocking a vehicle door lock and starting a driving engine such as an engine are performed by a mechanical operation of inserting a key into a key cylinder and rotating the key. On the other hand, various types of keyless entry systems using a portable electronic key have been proposed, and a system that unlocks a door by performing wireless communication between the electronic key and a vehicle has become widespread.
In this keyless entry system, the vehicle verifies the encryption code (code) transmitted from the portable electronic key, and unlocks the door only if the code is correct. Doors are locked.

Here, in the case of a conventional mechanical key system, whether or not the inserted key shape matches the key cylinder is determined after the key is inserted into the key cylinder. For this reason, even if the key is not a regular key, it is often possible to insert the key cylinder itself, and there is a problem that the key cylinder is easily broken.

In particular, theft of vehicles in recent years has increased, and there is a high demand for further improving the security of vehicles. For this reason, we have abolished all fragile mechanical key systems such as door lock key cylinders and ignition key cylinders, and lock only door locks, steering locks, ignition switch operation, etc. using only electronic code verification by wireless communication. An electronic key system for performing control has been proposed.

[0005]

However, in the operation of the user, there is a demand that the operation be instructed by a specific movement such as the rotation of a key as in the prior art. Although unlocking of the door and the like are performed by button operation and the like, there is no uncomfortable feeling, but there are many users who are uncomfortable with starting the engine by button operation. Therefore, I want to leave some mechanical key systems. However, when such a key system is provided, there is a problem that the above-described key cylinder is easily broken.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 3-21575 discloses a technique in which code collation is performed by communication with a card-type electronic key, and when the collation is successful, the engine is started by operating a push button.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic key system capable of preventing an unauthorized operation due to destruction or the like as much as possible while leaving a mechanical key system.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided an electronic key system for a vehicle for performing code collation based on wireless communication with an electronic key and controlling the operation of an on-vehicle device, wherein the electronic key is directly transmitted from a key insertion portion. A key insertion operation unit that is inserted and outputs an operation signal for operation control of the vehicle-mounted device in accordance with the movement of the electronic key, and a lid that covers the key insertion unit in the key insertion operation unit where the electronic key is inserted. A lid operation unit that controls opening and closing of the key insertion unit by the lid;
When code collation can be performed by wireless communication with the electronic key, the lid is driven to open the key insertion portion, and the electronic key can be inserted into the insertion operation portion. And

[0009] As described above, the lid is opened only when the code can be collated. Therefore, before that, the part where the electronic key is inserted is closed by the lid. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a driver or the like from being inserted and forcibly rotated, unlike a conventional key cylinder or the like. In particular, the opening of the lid is based on the exchange of codes by wireless communication. Therefore, security can be improved as compared with a mechanical one. Further, when the engine or the like is started, since the actual rotation operation is performed, it is possible for the user to feel comfortable.

[0010] Further, the invention is characterized in that a vehicle driving engine is started by a rotation operation of an electronic key inserted into the electronic key insertion operation section. As described above, since the engine such as the engine can be started according to the rotation operation, the user can start the engine or the like by the same operation as the conventional key operation.

Further, the invention is characterized in that after the vehicle door is unlocked based on the wireless communication with the electronic device, the lid is driven based on the result of the wireless communication for the code collation. Because the door lock is released by wireless communication, the door lock can be released in the same way as the keyless entry system.
Then, the lid is opened. For this reason, other codes can be used for releasing the door lock, and a system with higher security can be provided.

Further, the present invention provides a vehicular electronic key system that performs code collation based on wireless communication with an electronic key and controls the operation of a vehicle-mounted device. Generates an operation signal for controlling the operation of the on-vehicle device and rotates the rotary dial in the direction of the rotation axis. The rotary dial protrudes from the peripheral portion in the same non-rotatable position as the peripheral portion. And a dial moving mechanism for moving the rotary dial to the rotatable position when code matching can be performed by wireless communication with the electronic key. And

In this way, the rotary dial is maintained at the same position as its peripheral part. Therefore, at this stage, there is very little danger that the rotary dial is illegally rotated. The movement of the rotary dial in the rotation axis direction depends on the result of code collation. Therefore, to improve security,
The operation itself can be the same mechanical operation as before.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic key system mounted on a vehicle includes a first antenna 10 and a second antenna 1.
2 antennas. The first antenna is provided, for example, for a door. On the other hand, the second antenna 12 is provided near the instrument panel in the vehicle interior. The first antenna 10 is connected to the ECU 20 via a first transmitting / receiving unit 14, and the second antenna 12 is connected to an ECU 20 via a second transmitting / receiving unit 16. The ECU 20 transmits and receives an electronic key via the first antenna 10 and the second antenna 12. Note that, as an actual circuit, the first and second transmission / reception units 14 and 16 include 1
It may be combined into one circuit.

A memory 22 is connected to the ECU 20. The memory 22 stores a plurality of ID codes (hereinafter simply referred to as codes). That is, in the present embodiment, the code for the door lock and the code for the engine start are different. The contents of the memory 22 are not erased when the power is turned off, such as an EEPROM.

The operation detecting section 24 detects various operations by the user, detects an operation of an ignition switch described later, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the ECU 20.
To supply.

A steering lock 30, an immobilizer 32, and a door lock 34 are connected to the ECU 20. The steering lock 30 mechanically prohibits the operation of the steering.
No. 2 prohibits the fuel supply to the engine and the operation of the ignition.
It controls unlocking.

Further, the ECU 20 includes a drive operation unit 36.
The key insertion operation unit 38 is connected via the. The key insertion operation section 38 is for inserting and rotating an electronic key described later, and the rotation is detected by the operation detection section 24 described above. On the other hand, the drive operation unit 36 controls opening and closing of the lid in the key insertion operation unit 38.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show the configuration of the key insertion operation section 38. FIG. As described above, one end of the cylindrical cylinder 40 is rotatably supported by the base 42. A distal end 46 for forming an elongated slit-shaped key insertion slot 44 into which a strip-shaped electronic key 60 is inserted is fixed to an end of the cylinder opposite to the base 42.

Inside the cylinder 40, a spring 48 having one end fixed to the base 42 is inserted and arranged. At the other end of the spring 48, a lid 50 that covers the key insertion opening 44 is attached. A pin 52 is provided in a part of the cylinder 40 so as to be freely inserted and removed. That is, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the insertion of the pin 52 into the cylinder 40 prevents the lid 50 from being retracted into the cylinder 40, and thus keeps the key insertion opening 44 covered by the lid 50. Is done. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the pin 52 is retracted from the cylinder 40, the lid 50 can be retracted into the cylinder 40, and is pushed down by the electronic key 60.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a case where the distal end portion 46 slightly protrudes from its periphery. Key slot 4
4 in the state where the strip-shaped electronic key 60 is inserted.
6 and the cylinder 40 become rotatable. The detailed mechanism is
It is the same as a key cylinder using a normal mechanical key, and the description is omitted, but a position rotated to the leftmost side is a lock (PUSH / LOCK) position. Then, the electronic key 60 is pressed and turned to the right to reach the accessory on (ACC) position. Then, by further turning to the right, the ignition is turned on (IG / O
N) position, and rotated to a starter on (START) position.

FIG. 4 shows a circuit configuration of the electronic key 60. As described above, the antenna 62 that transmits and receives radio waves to and from the outside is connected to the ECU 66 via the transmission and reception circuit 64. The ECU 66 is connected to a memory 68 storing codes. The ECU 66 reads a code from the memory 68 according to the signal received by the antenna 62 and outputs the code from the antenna 62. The memory 68 is composed of an EEPROM or the like, and stores a plurality of codes. The electronic key 60 usually has a built-in battery, and operates using the power of this battery.

Next, the operation of the present system will be described based on the flow of FIG. First, it is assumed that the vehicle is parked with all doors locked. The ECU 20 periodically (for example, every 200 msec) transmits a radio wave of a certain frequency to the first radio wave.
The signal is transmitted from the antenna 10. Then, it is determined whether a reply from the electronic key 60 has been received (S11).

When the user carries the electronic key 60 (for example, in a chest pocket) and approaches the vehicle, the antenna 62 of the electronic key receives the radio wave from the first antenna 10 and The corresponding first code is read from the memory 68 and transmitted. The ECU 20 on the vehicle side includes an electronic key 60
When the radio wave of a predetermined wavelength is received from the server and the result of S11 is YES, it is checked whether the code of the received radio wave matches the first code stored in the memory 22 (S12).
Then, if the collation result in S12 is YES, it recognizes that the correct electronic key 60 is approaching the vehicle, controls the door lock 34, and releases the locks on all the doors (S13).

Next, the ECU 20 determines whether a predetermined radio wave has been transmitted from the second antenna 12 and a reply has been received from the electronic key 60 (S14). It is also preferable to start transmission from the second antenna 12 after detecting that the door has actually been opened. When the user gets into the vehicle, the antenna 62 of the electronic key 60 receives a radio wave from the second antenna 12. ECU of electronic key 60
66, in response to the radio wave from the second antenna 12,
The second code is read from the memory 68 and transmitted from the antenna 62.

When receiving the electric wave from the electronic key 60, the vehicle-side ECU 20 checks whether the code transmitted by the electric wave matches the second code stored in the memory 22 (S15). . If it is confirmed that the second code has been sent, the drive operation unit 36
As a result, the pin 52 is pulled out, the lid 50 is made movable, and the steering lock 30 and the immobilizer 32 are removed.
, The steering lock 30 is released, and the prohibition of engine start by the immobilizer 32 is released (S16).

By enabling the movement of the cover 50, the user can insert the electronic key 60 into the key insertion slot 44. Then, the user inserts the electronic key 60 into the key insertion slot 44 and rotates the electronic key 60, so that the starting operation can be performed in the same manner as when using a normal ignition key.

As described above, according to the system of the present embodiment, the cylinder 40 is rotated by using the strip-shaped electronic key 60 to start the engine. Therefore, this operation itself is the same as an operation using a normal ignition key, and the user can perform the operation without feeling uncomfortable. And for the first time after code verification by wireless communication,
With the lid 50 movable, the key insertion slot 44 is opened. Therefore, destruction of the mechanical key mechanism can be effectively prevented. Further, in the present embodiment, a different code is used for the door lock and the opening of the lid 50. Therefore,
Security against eavesdropping etc. is increased. In particular, the first code that communicates outside the vehicle has a possibility of eavesdropping to some extent, but the second code that exchanges inside the vehicle interior has a very low possibility of eavesdropping, thereby improving safety.

"Other Configurations" After the electronic key 60 is inserted and pushed to the accessory position, the electronic key 60 may be pulled out and rotatable by holding the distal end portion 46. Also, no such mechanism is provided,
The operation using the tip may be enabled at the stage where the code collation is completed. Further, the lid 50 may be of various types such as an openable type.

In the above example, the start prohibition by the immobilizer 32 is canceled by collation of the second code.
It is also preferable that the communication for releasing the immobilizer 32 be performed separately. That is, an immobilizer antenna is provided in the vicinity of the key insertion slot 44, another code (for example, a third code) is exchanged with the electronic key 60, and only when the immobilizer 32 is completed,
It is preferable to cancel the engine start prohibition due to. Further, the exchange of the second code and the exchange of the immobilizer code, if any, are performed by the electronic key 60.
It is also preferable to perform the operation after detecting the insertion into the key insertion opening 44.

In the above-described example, the frequency of the radio wave transmitted from the vehicle and the frequency of the radio wave from the electronic key 60 are the same. However, it is also preferable to use one having a different frequency depending on the direction of the radio wave. For example, it is preferable that the vehicle transmits radio waves in the 2.45 GHz band having relatively high directivity, and the electronic key transmits radio waves in the 300 MHz band. In this case, a transmitting / receiving antenna is provided separately. Further, the communication in the vehicle cabin may use a signal having a significantly different frequency band such as a medium wave. In particular, communication using the first antenna 10 must be able to perform communication even at a distance of 5 to 10 m or more, but communication using the second antenna 12 may be performed within a range of several meters or less. It should be able to do. Therefore, it is preferable to set the transmission and reception power and frequency to appropriate ones.

[Other Embodiment] Next, FIG. 6 shows a configuration of another embodiment. In this embodiment, a member corresponding to the distal end portion 46 located on the distal end side of the cylinder 40 of the above-described embodiment is configured by a dial 70. Then, when the collation of the second code is completed, the dial 70 pops out and can be rotated. Therefore, when the user carries the correct electronic key 60 and gets into the vehicle, the dial 70 automatically pops out. Thus, the engine 70 can be started by rotating the dial 70.

In particular, the dial 70 of this embodiment is flush with the surroundings until code collation is performed. Therefore, the rotation of the dial due to an illegal operation is effectively prevented. Further, it is preferable that the dial 70 be mechanically locked when the dial 70 is pushed in.

With such a configuration, the dial 70 is maintained at the same position as its peripheral portion until the collation of the second code is completed. Therefore, at this stage, the dial 70
There is very little danger of illegal rotation. Whether or not to move the dial 70 in the rotation axis direction is determined by the second
By code collation. Therefore, the security itself can be improved, and the operation itself can be a mechanical operation similar to the conventional operation. Note that the dial pop-out mechanism can be easily configured using a spring and a lock.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a key insertion operation unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a key insertion operation unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic key.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 first antenna, 12 second antenna, 14 first antenna
Transceiver, 16 Second transceiver, 20 ECU, 22
Memory, 24 operation detection unit, 30 steering lock, 32 immobilizer, 34 door lock, 36 drive operation unit, 38 key insertion operation unit.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI E05B 65/20 E05B 65/20

Claims (4)

[Claims] An electronic key system for a vehicle that performs code collation based on wireless communication with an electronic key and controls the operation of an on-vehicle device, wherein the electronic key is directly inserted from a key insertion part, and A key insertion operation unit for outputting an operation signal for operation control of the vehicle-mounted device in response thereto, a cover for covering the key insertion portion of the key insertion operation unit into which the electronic key is inserted, and the key insertion by the lid A lid operation unit that controls opening and closing of the unit. When code verification can be performed by wireless communication with the electronic key, the lid is driven to open a key insertion unit and the insertion of the electronic key is performed. An electronic key system for a vehicle, which can be inserted into an operation unit. 2. The electronic key system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a vehicle driving engine is started by rotating an electronic key inserted into the electronic key insertion operation section. . 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein after the vehicle door is unlocked based on the wireless communication with the electronic device, the lid is closed based on a result of the wireless communication for the code verification. An electronic key system for a vehicle, which is driven. 4. An on-vehicle electronic key system that performs code collation based on wireless communication with an electronic key and controls the operation of an on-vehicle device. A rotation dial that generates an operation signal for control and is movable in the direction of the rotation axis. The rotation dial is substantially in the same non-rotatable position as its peripheral portion, and is rotatable to protrude from the peripheral portion. And a dial moving mechanism for moving the rotary dial to a rotatable position when code collation can be performed by wireless communication with the electronic key. Electronic key system.