JP2007191924A - Vehicular communication control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular communication control system which carries out control based on communication between a portable machine and an on-vehicle device, with good accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: According to the system, the portable machine 10 detects a receiving level when a request signal is received, and transmits an ID code signal inclusive of a receiving level code indicative of the receiving level. The on-vehicle device 20 is formed of: an in-vehicle transmission circuit 22 for transmitting the request signal into a cabin of a vehicle; an ID receiving circuit 25 for receiving the ID code signal: a request receiving circuit 24 configured so as to receive the request signal transmitted to the cabin of the vehicle, and having a transmitting/receiving antenna 27 arranged at a request signal transmission critical location in the vehicle 2; and a vehicle control section 21 for allowing engine start only when the receiving level of the request signal by the request receiving circuit 24 is equal to or higher than the receiving level included in the ID code signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle communication control system including a portable device having a wireless communication function and an in-vehicle device that controls the vehicle based on wireless communication with the portable device.

  In recent years, automobiles have been required to improve convenience as well as basic performance and safety. Therefore, for the purpose of improving such convenience, conventionally, wireless communication is automatically performed between the portable device possessed by the user and the in-vehicle device (vehicle control device), and the wireless communication is established. There has been proposed a vehicle communication control system that automatically locks and unlocks a door lock and makes it possible to start an engine (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Specifically, the in-vehicle device intermittently transmits a response request signal (request signal) including a radio signal around the vehicle and in the vehicle compartment. When a request signal is transmitted around the vehicle, the request signal is transmitted to a predetermined area (outside the vehicle area) around the vehicle, and when a request signal is transmitted inside the vehicle interior, the request signal is only an area within the vehicle interior (indoor area). It is set not to be transmitted outside the vehicle. For this reason, when a user (driver) possessing a portable device having a communication function enters a vehicle outside region or an indoor region, the portable device receives a request signal, and the ID set in itself in response to the request signal An ID code signal including the code is returned. The in-vehicle device receives this ID code signal and collates the ID code set in itself with the ID code included in the ID code signal. As a result, the vehicle control device determines that communication with the portable device has been established when the ID codes match each other, and if the ID code signal is a response to the request signal transmitted to the vehicle exterior area, the door lock is established. Is automatically unlocked, and if the ID code signal is a response to the request signal transmitted to the indoor area, the engine is ready to start. That is, mutual communication is automatically performed between the in-vehicle device and the portable device, and the door lock is automatically unlocked or the engine can be started on the condition that the mutual communication is established. To do. This eliminates the need for complicated operations such as the use of a mechanical key for locking and unlocking the door and starting the engine, improving the operability of the vehicle. Further, since locking / unlocking and engine starting are controlled based on electrical verification, the security level is also improved.
JP 2001-31333 A

  By the way, the shape and size of the vehicle interior differs for each vehicle type, and the arrangement position of the in-vehicle device may vary for each vehicle type. Therefore, the vehicle exterior area and the indoor area, which are request signal transmission areas, also vary depending on the vehicle type. Must be set. That is, when the request signal transmitted to the indoor area is transmitted to the outside area of the vehicle, the request signal is received by the portable device regardless of the position outside the vehicle, communication is established, and control of the in-vehicle device that does not correspond is performed. Therefore, it is necessary to individually set the output intensity of the request signal according to the vehicle type.

  However, in particular, when a portable device outside the vehicle returns an ID code signal in response to a request signal transmitted to the indoor area, the in-vehicle device is indoors even though the portable device is outside the vehicle. Since it is determined that it exists, it is necessary to set the indoor area with high accuracy, and adjustment of the output intensity of the request signal is complicated and difficult.

  In general, the reception sensitivity of the portable device and the output intensity of the request signal vary due to individual differences, and also varies due to temperature changes and secular changes. Due to such variations, the communication area between the portable device and the in-vehicle device varies from system to system. There is a risk that it will vary. Therefore, it is desirable to adjust the output intensity of the request signal so as to eliminate the variation in the communication area, but the operation is very complicated. In particular, it has been difficult to adjust the output intensity of the request signal in response to variations in reception sensitivity due to temperature changes and secular changes.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle communication control system capable of performing control based on communication between a portable device and an in-vehicle device with high accuracy.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the invention according to claim 1, a portable device having a wireless communication function and transmitting a response signal on condition that a response request signal transmitted from a corresponding in-vehicle device is received And a vehicle communication control system that is mounted on a vehicle and transmits the response request signal to a vehicle interior and controls an in-vehicle device corresponding to the condition that the response signal is received. The portable device includes a response control means for detecting a reception level when receiving the response request signal and transmitting a response signal including a reception level code indicating the reception level, A transmission means for transmitting a response request signal; a first reception means for receiving the response signal; and the response request in the vehicle configured to receive the response request signal. Second receiving means disposed at the transmission limit of the signal, and the reception level of the response request signal by the second receiving means is equal to or higher than the reception level indicated by the reception level code included in the response signal. The gist of the invention is that it comprises a control means that enables control of the in-vehicle device only when it is determined that it is higher.

  According to the above configuration, the second receiving means capable of receiving the response request signal is disposed at the transmission limit position of the response request signal transmitted from the transmitting means of the in-vehicle device to the vehicle compartment. Then, when the response request signal is received by the second receiving means and the response signal from the portable device is received by the first receiving means, the control means receives the reception level code included in the response signal. The level is compared with the reception level of the response request signal received by the second receiving means. As a result, the control means determines that the reception level indicated by the reception level code, that is, the reception level of the response request signal by the portable device is equal to or higher than the reception level of the response request signal by the second reception means. Allows control of in-vehicle devices. In other words, when the control unit determines that the reception level of the response request signal by the portable device is lower than or lower than the reception level of the response request signal by the second reception unit, the control unit disables control of the in-vehicle device. . When the reception level of the response request signal received by the second receiving means is equal to or higher than the reception level of the response request signal received by the portable device, the portable device is higher than the second receiving means. Equivalent to existing on the transmission means side. Since the response request signal is transmitted into the vehicle interior, and the second receiving means is disposed at the transmission limit position of the response request signal in the vehicle, the portable device is present in the vehicle interior in the above case. Is equal to On the other hand, when the reception level of the response request signal received by the second receiving means is lower than or lower than the reception level of the response request signal received by the portable device, the portable device is in the vehicle interior. Equivalent to not existing. For this reason, the control means enables control of the in-vehicle device only when mutual communication with the portable device existing in the vehicle interior is established, and when the portable device does not exist in the vehicle interior. Therefore, even if mutual communication with the portable device is established, the control of the in-vehicle device is disabled. Therefore, it is possible to control the in-vehicle device based on the communication between the portable device and the in-vehicle device with high accuracy.

  The invention according to claim 2 has a wireless communication function and a portable device that transmits a response signal on condition that a response request signal transmitted from a corresponding in-vehicle device has been received; A vehicle communication control system including a vehicle-mounted device that transmits a request signal into a vehicle compartment and controls a corresponding vehicle-mounted device on condition that the response signal is received, wherein the vehicle-mounted device includes the response request A transmission means for transmitting a signal; a first reception means for receiving the response signal; a second reception means disposed at a transmission limit position of the response request signal in a vehicle and capable of receiving the response request signal; When the response request signal is received by the second reception means, the response request signal including a reception level code indicating the reception level of the response request signal is transmitted from the transmission means. And a control unit that enables control of a corresponding in-vehicle device on the condition that the response signal is received, and the portable device receives the response request signal including the reception level code. Is a response that transmits the response signal only when it is determined that the reception level of the received response request signal is equal to or higher than the reception level indicated by the reception level code included in the response request signal or higher than the reception level. The gist is that it is provided with a control means.

  According to the above configuration, the second receiving means capable of receiving the response request signal is disposed at the transmission limit position of the response request signal transmitted from the transmitting means of the in-vehicle device to the vehicle compartment. Then, when the response request signal is received by the second receiving means, the control means causes the transmitting means to transmit a response request signal including a reception level code indicating the reception level. When the portable device receives the response request signal, the response control means compares the reception level with the reception level of the second reception means indicated by the reception level code of the response request signal. As a result, when the response control means determines that the reception level of the received response request signal is equal to or higher than the reception level of the response request signal by the second reception means or higher than the reception level, the response control means transmits a response signal. In other words, if the response control means determines that the reception level of the received response request signal is lower than or lower than the reception level of the response request signal by the second reception means, it receives the response request signal. Even if a response signal is not transmitted. The control unit of the in-vehicle device enables control of the in-vehicle device on the condition that the response signal from the portable device is received, that is, communication with the portable device is established. In a state where is not established, control of the in-vehicle device becomes impossible. Since the response request signal is transmitted into the vehicle compartment, and the second receiving means is disposed at the transmission limit position of the response request signal in the vehicle, the control means is connected to the portable device existing in the vehicle compartment. Only when the communication is established, the vehicle-mounted device can be controlled. When the portable device is not present in the vehicle compartment, the vehicle-mounted device cannot be controlled. Therefore, it is possible to control the in-vehicle device based on the communication between the portable device and the in-vehicle device with high accuracy.

  The invention according to claim 3 has a wireless communication function, a portable device that transmits a response signal on condition that a response request signal transmitted from a corresponding in-vehicle device has been received, and a vehicle mounted on the vehicle, wherein the response A vehicle communication control system including a vehicle-mounted device that transmits a request signal into a vehicle compartment and controls a corresponding vehicle-mounted device on condition that the response signal is received, wherein the vehicle-mounted device includes the response request Transmitting means for transmitting a signal; first receiving means for receiving the response signal; second receiving means disposed at a transmission limit portion of the response request signal in a vehicle and capable of receiving the response request signal; Automatic strength for adjusting the transmission strength of the response request signal so that the reception level of the response request signal received by the second receiving means is equal to or lower than a preset threshold or lower than the threshold. And summarized in that a control means for performing the section control.

  According to the above configuration, when the response request signal is received by the second receiving unit, the control unit transmits the response request signal from the transmitting unit so that the reception level of the response request signal is equal to or lower than a preset threshold value. The transmission intensity of the response request signal to be adjusted is adjusted. For this reason, even if there is a variation in transmission intensity due to individual differences among transmission means, and a variation in transmission intensity due to temperature change, secular change, etc., the transmission intensity of the response request signal is always kept constant. Therefore, a suitable communication environment between the portable device and the in-vehicle device can be established easily and reliably, and the control of the in-vehicle device based on the communication between the portable device and the in-vehicle device can be performed with high accuracy. Moreover, since such an effect can be obtained only by a change on the in-vehicle device side, it is not necessary to change any hardware or software of the portable device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle communication control system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the receiving antenna of the second receiving means is arranged on the vehicle interior side or vehicle exterior in the vicinity of the vehicle window glass. The gist is that it is provided.

  According to the said structure, the receiving antenna of a 2nd receiving means will be arrange | positioned in the location where the response request signal transmitted indoors is easy to be transmitted to the exterior of a vehicle. For this reason, by arranging the receiving antenna at such a location, it becomes possible to reliably control only the corresponding in-vehicle device based on the communication between the portable device and the in-vehicle device.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle communication control system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the transmission unit includes a first transmission unit that transmits the response request signal into a vehicle compartment; Second transmission means for transmitting the response request signal to the outside of the vehicle, wherein the second reception means uses the transmission antenna for transmitting the response request signal from the second transmission means. The gist is to receive the response request signal transmitted from the network.

  According to the above configuration, the transmitting antenna for transmitting the response request signal to the outside of the vehicle is used as a receiving antenna for receiving the response request signal by the second receiving means. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide the receiving antenna of a 2nd receiving means separately, and the increase in a number of parts can be suppressed.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle communication control system according to the fifth aspect, the transmission antenna is selected between a connection state with the second transmission unit and a connection state with the second reception unit. A switching means for switching between the first transmission means and the control means for switching the transmission antenna to the second transmission means when transmitting the response request signal from the second transmission means; The gist is to switch the transmitting antenna to the second receiving means when transmitting a signal.

  According to the above configuration, the connection state between the transmission antenna and the second transmission unit and the connection state between the transmission antenna and the second reception unit are switched by the switching unit. The switching means connects the transmitting antenna to the second receiving circuit when a response request signal is transmitted from the first transmitting means to the vehicle compartment. For this reason, it is possible to ensure that the response request signal transmitted into the vehicle compartment can be received by the receiving means.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle communication control system capable of performing control based on communication between a portable device and an in-vehicle device with high accuracy.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle communication control system 1 includes a portable device 10 possessed by a vehicle owner (user) and an in-vehicle device 20 disposed in the vehicle 2.

<Configuration of portable device 10>
The portable device 10 has a wireless communication function and can communicate with the in-vehicle device 20. Specifically, the portable device 10 includes a communication control unit 11 as a response control unit configured by a computer unit including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, a reception circuit 12 electrically connected to the communication control unit 11, and a transmission Circuit 13.

  When receiving the response request signal (request signal) transmitted from the in-vehicle device 20, the reception circuit 12 detects the reception level of the request signal, demodulates it to a pulse signal, and generates a demodulated signal including the reception level of the request signal. Output to the communication control unit 11.

  The communication control unit 11 includes a nonvolatile memory 11a, and a preset unique ID code is recorded in the memory 11a. When the demodulated signal is input from the receiving circuit 12, the communication control unit 11 includes an ID including the reception level code indicating the reception level of the request signal included in the demodulated signal and the ID code recorded in the memory 11a. The code signal is output to the transmission circuit 13.

The transmission circuit 13 modulates the ID code signal input from the communication control unit 11 into a radio wave having a predetermined frequency and transmits the modulated signal to the outside.
<Configuration of in-vehicle device 20>
As shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle device 20 includes a vehicle control unit 21 that is disposed approximately in the center of the vehicle 2 and includes a computer unit that includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. Yes. The vehicle control unit 21 includes an indoor transmission circuit 22 as a first transmission means, an outside transmission circuit 23 as a second transmission means, a request reception circuit 24 as a second reception means, and a first reception means. The ID receiving circuit 25 is electrically connected.

  The indoor transmission circuit 22 is configured to be able to transmit radio waves in a predetermined frequency band (here, LF band (for example, 124 kHz)) via an indoor transmission antenna 22a disposed approximately in the center of the vehicle interior. When a request signal is input from the vehicle control unit 21, the indoor transmission circuit 22 modulates the request signal into a radio wave and transmits the request signal to the outside with a preset intermittent period and output intensity. Specifically, the indoor transmission circuit 22 transmits the request signal with an intensity that enables communication with the portable device 10 in the indoor area A1 indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 2 via the indoor transmission antenna 22a.

  A transmission / reception antenna 27 is connected to the outside transmission circuit 23 and the request reception circuit 24 via a switching circuit 26 as switching means. The transmission / reception antenna 27 is disposed on the outside door handle 3 shown in FIG. 2, for example, and the connection state with the external transmission circuit 23 and the connection state with the request reception circuit 24 are selected by the switching circuit 26. Can be switched to. The transmission / reception antenna 27 can transmit and receive radio waves in a predetermined frequency band (here, LF band (for example, 124 kHz)). That is, the transmission / reception antenna 27 functions as a transmission antenna when it is connected to the outside transmission circuit 23 by the switching circuit 26, and receives the request signal when it is connected to the request reception circuit 24. Functions as an antenna. The switching circuit 26 switches the connection state of the transmission / reception antenna 27 based on a control signal from the vehicle control unit 21.

  When the request signal is input from the vehicle control unit 21, the vehicle exterior transmission circuit 23 modulates the request signal into a radio wave and communicates with the portable device 10 in the vehicle exterior area A <b> 2 indicated by a broken line in FIG. 2 via the transmission / reception antenna 27. The request signal is transmitted at a strength that enables communication. Further, when the request reception circuit 24 receives the request signal transmitted from the indoor transmission antenna 22 a via the transmission / reception antenna 27, the request reception circuit 24 outputs the reception level of the request signal to the vehicle control unit 21.

  The ID receiving circuit 25 can receive the ID code signal transmitted from the portable device 10 via the receiving antenna 25a. When receiving the ID code signal by the receiving antenna 25a, the ID receiving circuit 25 demodulates the ID code signal into a pulse signal and outputs the pulse signal to the vehicle control unit 21.

  The vehicle control unit 21 includes a nonvolatile memory 21a, and an ID code equivalent to the ID code set in the corresponding portable device 10 is recorded in the memory 21a. Further, the vehicle control unit 21 is provided in the vicinity of the driver's seat in the vehicle cabin, and a door handle sensor 31 and a lock switch 32 provided on the outside door handle 3, a door courtesy switch 33 for detecting opening and closing of the door, respectively. The start switch 34 is electrically connected to the door lock device 35 and the engine control device 36. The door lock device 35 is a device that automatically locks and unlocks the door lock. When the unlock signal is input from the vehicle control unit 21, the door lock is unlocked, and when the lock signal is input, the door lock device 35 is unlocked. And a locking / unlocking state signal indicating the locking / unlocking state of the door lock is output to the vehicle control unit 21. The engine control device 36 is connected to a cell motor (not shown). When a drive signal is input from the vehicle control unit 21, the engine control device 36 drives the cell motor to automatically start the engine and outputs an engine state signal indicating the engine drive state. Output to the vehicle control unit 21. For this reason, the vehicle control unit 21 can recognize the locking / unlocking state of the door lock and the driving state of the engine based on the locking / unlocking state signal and the engine state signal.

  Such a vehicle control unit 21 performs door lock control for driving and controlling the door lock device 35 on condition that mutual communication with the portable device 10 is established by transmitting a request signal to the vehicle exterior area A2. Specifically, when the door lock is locked and the portable device 10 is not present indoors, the vehicle control unit 21 first outputs a control signal to the switching circuit 26 to transmit / receive the antenna 27. And the vehicle outside transmission circuit 23 are connected to each other, a request signal is output to the vehicle outside transmission circuit 23, and the request signal is transmitted to the vehicle outside region A2. When the ID code signal from the portable device 10 transmitted in response to the request signal is received by the ID receiving circuit 25, the vehicle control unit 21 stores the ID code included in the ID code signal and the memory 21a. Comparison with the recorded ID code (ID code verification) is performed. As a result, when the ID code collation is established, the vehicle control unit 21 determines that mutual communication with the portable device 10 has been established, and enters a door unlocking permission state. In this state, when a detection signal indicating that human contact with the outside door handle 3 is detected is input from the door handle sensor 31, the vehicle control unit 21 outputs an unlock signal to the door lock device 35. Output to unlock the door lock. When an operation signal is input from the lock switch 32 in such an unlocked state of the door lock, the vehicle control unit 21 outputs a lock signal to the door lock device 35 to lock the door lock.

  In addition, the vehicle control unit 21 performs engine control for driving and controlling the engine control device 36 on condition that mutual communication with the portable device 10 is established by transmitting a request signal to the indoor area A1. Specifically, when a signal indicating that the door has been opened is input from the door courtesy switch 33, the vehicle control unit 21 outputs a control signal to the switching circuit 26 to output the transmission / reception antenna 27, the request reception circuit 24, and the like. And a request signal is output to the indoor transmission circuit 22, and the request signal is transmitted to the indoor area A1. The request signal transmitted to the indoor area A1 is indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2 due to variations in transmission intensity due to individual differences between the indoor transmission circuit 22 and the indoor transmission antenna 22a, and variations in transmission intensity due to temperature changes and secular changes. In addition, there is a risk of being transmitted outside the vehicle. In such a case, the request signal is also received by the request receiving circuit 24 via the transmission / reception antenna 27. When the ID code signal from the portable device 10 transmitted in response to the request signal is received by the ID receiving circuit 25, the vehicle control unit 21 performs ID code verification. When the ID code verification is established, the vehicle control unit 21 compares the reception level of the request signal input from the request reception circuit 24 with the reception level indicated by the reception level code included in the ID code signal. As a result, the vehicle control unit 21 enters the engine start permission state only when the reception level included in the ID code signal is higher than the reception level by the request reception circuit 24. That is, when the reception level included in the ID code signal is equal to or lower than the reception level by the request reception circuit 24, the vehicle control unit 21 is in an engine start prohibited state. In the engine start permission state, the vehicle control unit 21 outputs a drive signal to the engine control device 36 and starts the engine on condition that an operation signal is input from the start switch 34. In other words, the vehicle control unit 21 does not output a drive signal to the engine control device 36 even if an operation signal is input from the start switch 34 unless the engine start permission state is entered.

Next, the operation of the vehicle communication control system 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to the sequence charts shown in FIGS.
<External communication operation>
As shown in FIG. 3, the in-vehicle device 20 first connects the transmission / reception antenna 27 to the transmission circuit 23 outside the vehicle in step S <b> 1, and makes a request from the transmission circuit 23 outside the vehicle via the transmission / reception antenna 27 to the vehicle exterior area A < A signal is intermittently transmitted at a predetermined cycle.

  When the portable device 10 receives the request signal transmitted to the outside area A2, the portable device 10 determines the reception level of the request signal in step S3, and the reception level code and ID code indicating the determined reception level in step S4. An ID code signal including is transmitted. Here, when the portable device 10 receives the request signal transmitted to the vehicle exterior area A2, the reception level is determined, but for example, a vehicle exterior code is added to the request signal transmitted to the vehicle exterior area A2. However, the portable device 10 may be configured not to determine the reception level when recognizing the vehicle outside code. Incidentally, in this case, the portable device 10 transmits an ID code signal including only an ID code.

  When receiving the ID code signal, the in-vehicle device 20 performs ID code verification in step S5, and enters the door unlocking permission state when the ID code verification is established. And the vehicle-mounted apparatus 20 will unlock | release a door lock, if operation of the outside door handle 3 is detected by the door handle sensor 31 in step S6.

<Indoor communication operation>
When the door is opened after the door lock is unlocked, as shown in FIG. 4, the in-vehicle device 20 first connects the transmission / reception antenna 27 to the request reception circuit 24 in step S <b> 11, and performs indoor transmission in step S <b> 12. A request signal is intermittently transmitted from the circuit 22 to the indoor area A1 via the indoor transmission antenna 22a at a predetermined cycle.

  When receiving the request signal transmitted to the indoor area A1, the portable device 10 determines the reception level of the request signal in step S13, and in step S14, a reception level code and an ID code indicating the determined reception level. An ID code signal including is transmitted.

  In step S15, the in-vehicle device 20 detects the request signal transmitted in step S12 by the request reception circuit 24 via the transmission / reception antenna 27, and determines the reception level of the request signal. Here, when the request signal is not received by the transmission / reception antenna 27, it is determined that the reception level is “0”. And the vehicle equipment 20 will perform ID code collation in step S16, if the ID code signal from the portable device 10 is received. As a result, when the ID code verification is established, the in-vehicle device 20 receives the request signal received by the request reception circuit 24 at the reception level (portable device reception level) indicated by the reception level code included in the ID code signal in step S17. It is determined whether it is higher than the reception level (request reception level). When the in-vehicle device 20 determines that the portable device reception level is higher than the request reception level, the in-vehicle device 20 enters the engine start permission state in step S18.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) A transmission / reception antenna 27 capable of receiving the request signal is disposed at a transmission limit portion of the request signal transmitted from the in-vehicle device 20 to the indoor area A1. When the request signal is received by the request receiving circuit 24 via the transmission / reception antenna 27 and the ID code signal from the portable device 10 is received by the ID receiving circuit 25, the vehicle control unit 21 receives the ID code signal. Is compared with the reception level of the request signal received by the request reception circuit 24. As a result, when the vehicle control unit 21 determines that the reception level of the request signal included in the ID code signal, that is, the reception level of the request signal by the portable device is higher than the reception level of the request signal by the request reception circuit 24, the engine The start permission state is entered. In other words, if the vehicle control unit 21 determines that the reception level of the request signal by the portable device 10 is equal to or lower than the reception level of the request signal by the request reception circuit 24, the vehicle control unit 21 disables the engine start. When the reception level of the request signal received by the request reception circuit 24 is higher than the reception level of the request signal received by the portable device 10, the portable device 10 exists on the vehicle interior side with respect to the transmission / reception antenna 27. Is equivalent to On the other hand, when the reception level of the request signal received by the transmission / reception antenna 27 is equal to or lower than the reception level of the request signal received by the portable device 10, this is equivalent to the fact that the portable device 10 does not exist in the vehicle compartment. For this reason, the vehicle control unit 21 enters the engine start permission state and enables engine drive control by the engine control device 36 only when mutual communication with the portable device 10 existing in the vehicle compartment is established. Thus, when the portable device 10 is not present in the vehicle compartment, engine start control is disabled even if mutual communication with the portable device 10 is established. Therefore, the control of the in-vehicle device based on the communication between the portable device 10 and the in-vehicle device 20 can be performed with high accuracy.

  (2) The transmission / reception antenna 27 constituting the second receiving means is disposed on the outside door handle 3 of the vehicle 2. Generally, the outside door handle 3 is provided in the vicinity of the window glass of the door, and the window glass is a place where a request signal transmitted to the indoor area A1 is likely to leak to the outside. For this reason, by arranging the transmitting / receiving antenna 27 at such a location, the engine can be allowed to start only when communication between the portable device 10 and the in-vehicle device 20 in the vehicle interior is established, and the portable device 10 is outside the vehicle. Although the engine is present, it is possible to reliably prevent the engine from being in a start permission state.

  (3) A transmission antenna for transmitting a request signal to the vehicle exterior area A2 and a reception antenna for receiving the request signal are shared by the transmission / reception antenna 27. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna separately, and an increase in the number of components can be suppressed.

  (4) The connection state between the transmission / reception antenna 27 and the outside transmission circuit 23 and the connection state between the transmission / reception antenna 27 and the request reception circuit 24 are switched by the switching circuit 26. The switching circuit 26 connects the transmission / reception antenna 27 to the request reception circuit 24 when a request signal is transmitted from the indoor transmission circuit 22 by the vehicle control unit 21. For this reason, the request signal transmitted to the indoor area A1 can be surely received by the request receiving circuit 24.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the following embodiments, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and common points will be simply denoted by the same member numbers, and description thereof will be omitted.

This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the process of the vehicle control unit 21 of the in-vehicle device 20 and the process of the communication control unit 11 of the portable device 10.
Specifically, when the vehicle control unit 21 transmits a request signal from the indoor transmission circuit 22 to the indoor area A1, when the request signal is received by the request reception circuit 24 via the transmission / reception antenna 27, the vehicle control unit 21 The reception level is determined, and a request signal including a reception level code indicating the reception level is transmitted again from the indoor transmission circuit 22 to the indoor area A1. When the vehicle control unit 21 receives the ID code signal from the portable device 10 transmitted in response to the request signal, the vehicle control unit 21 performs the ID code verification, and enters the engine start permission state when the ID code verification is established. .

  On the other hand, when receiving the request signal transmitted from the indoor transmission circuit 22, the communication control unit 11 determines the reception level of the request signal and compares the reception level included in the request signal with the determined reception level. . The communication control unit 11 transmits the ID code signal including the ID code only when the determined reception level (mobile device reception level) is higher than the reception level (request reception level) included in the request signal. To send from. That is, the communication control unit 11 does not transmit the ID code signal when the reception signal is not included in the request signal or when it is determined that the portable device reception level is equal to or lower than the request reception level.

  Next, the indoor communication operation of the vehicle communication control system 1 configured as described above will be described according to the sequence chart shown in FIG. In addition, about the communication operation outside a vehicle, since it is the same as that of 1st Embodiment, the description is omitted here.

<Indoor communication operation>
As shown in the figure, the in-vehicle device 20 first connects the transmission / reception antenna 27 to the request reception circuit 24 in step S21, and in step S22, the request signal is sent from the indoor transmission circuit 22 to the indoor area A1 via the indoor transmission antenna 22a. Are intermittently transmitted at a predetermined cycle.

The portable device 10 receives the request signal transmitted to the indoor area A1, but does not transmit the ID code signal because the request signal does not include the level code.
On the other hand, when the request signal transmitted in step S22 is received by the request reception circuit 24 via the transmission / reception antenna 27 in step S24, the in-vehicle device 20 determines the reception level of the request signal. If the request signal is not received by the transmission / reception antenna 27, the in-vehicle device 20 determines that the reception level is “0”.

In step S25, the in-vehicle device 20 transmits again a request signal including a reception level code indicating a reception level by the request reception circuit 24 to the indoor area A1.
When receiving the request signal including the level code, the portable device 10 determines the reception level of the request signal in step S26, and determines whether the portable device reception level is higher than the request reception level in step S27. As a result, if it is determined that the portable device reception level is higher than the request reception level, an ID code signal is transmitted in step S28.

And the vehicle equipment 20 will be in an engine starting permission state, if ID code collation is materialized by receiving the ID code signal from the portable device 10 in step S29.
Therefore, according to this embodiment, in addition to the effects described in (2) to (4) in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  (5) When the request signal transmitted from the indoor transmission circuit 22 of the in-vehicle device 20 to the indoor area A1 is received by the request reception circuit 24 via the transmission / reception antenna 27, the vehicle control unit 21 receives the reception level code indicating the reception level. The request signal including is transmitted again to the indoor area A1. When the communication control unit 11 of the portable device 10 receives the request signal, the communication control unit 11 compares the reception level of the request signal (portable device reception level) with the reception level (request reception level) included in the request signal. As a result, the communication control unit 11 transmits the ID code signal only when it is determined that the portable device reception level is higher than the request reception level. In other words, when the portable device 10 determines that the portable device reception level is equal to or lower than the request reception level, the portable device 10 determines that the portable device 10 does not exist in the vehicle compartment and does not transmit the ID code signal. Since the vehicle control unit 21 enters the engine start permission state on the condition that the ID code signal from the portable device 10 is received, that is, communication with the portable device 10 is established, in such a case, the engine is in the start permission state. It will not be. Therefore, it becomes possible to control the in-vehicle device based on the communication between the portable device 10 and the in-vehicle device 20 with high accuracy.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the process of the vehicle control unit 21 of the in-vehicle device 20 and the process of the communication control unit 11 of the portable device 10.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, the indoor transmission circuit 22 has a variable transmission intensity of the request signal based on a control signal from the vehicle control unit 21. The memory 21a of the vehicle control unit 21 stores a reception threshold value indicating an allowable value of the reception level of the request signal by the request reception circuit 24. When the vehicle control unit 21 transmits the request signal from the indoor transmission circuit 22 to the indoor area A1, when the request signal is received by the request reception circuit 24 via the transmission / reception antenna 27, the vehicle control unit 21 receives the request signal. The level is determined, and the reception level is compared with the reception threshold value recorded in the memory 21a. As a result, when the reception level of the request signal received by the request reception circuit 24 is higher than the reception threshold, the vehicle control unit 21 outputs a control signal to the indoor transmission circuit 22 so that the reception level of the request signal is the reception level. The transmission intensity is adjusted to be equal to the threshold value. In the transmission intensity adjustment period, the vehicle control unit 21 enters a communication invalid state that does not enter the engine start permission state even if the ID code signal is received from the portable device 10.

  In the present embodiment, the request receiving circuit 24 is set to have higher receiving sensitivity than the receiving circuit 12 of the portable device 10. The reception threshold value is set so that the request signal can be received by the request reception circuit 24 but the request signal strength is such that the reception circuit 12 of the portable device 10 cannot receive the reception threshold.

  On the other hand, when receiving the request signal from the in-vehicle device 20, the communication control unit 11 of the portable device 10 transmits the ID code signal without performing the process of determining the reception level of the request signal.

  Next, the indoor communication operation of the vehicle communication control system 1 configured as described above will be described according to the sequence chart shown in FIG. In addition, as for the out-of-vehicle communication operation, the point that the portable device 10 does not determine the reception level of the request signal and transmits an ID code signal that does not include the reception level code indicating the reception level is different from each of the embodiments described above. Except for the differences, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of the out-of-vehicle communication operation is omitted here.

<Indoor communication operation>
As shown in the figure, the in-vehicle device 20 first connects the transmission / reception antenna 27 to the request reception circuit 24 in step S31, and in step S32, the request signal is sent from the indoor transmission circuit 22 to the indoor area A1 via the indoor transmission antenna 22a. Are intermittently transmitted at a predetermined cycle.

  Next, in step S33, when the in-vehicle device 20 receives the request signal by the request receiving circuit 24 via the transmission / reception antenna 27, the in-vehicle device 20 enters a communication invalidation state and determines the reception level of the request signal. Then, when the reception level is higher than the reception threshold, the in-vehicle device 20 outputs a control signal to the indoor transmission circuit 22 in step S34, so that the reception level becomes equal to the reception threshold. The transmission intensity is adjusted, and the request signal is transmitted again to the indoor area A1 in step S35. At the same time, the in-vehicle device 20 cancels the communication invalid state.

  On the other hand, when the portable device 10 receives the request signal from the in-vehicle device 20 transmitted in step S32, the portable device 10 transmits an ID code signal in step S36. However, since the in-vehicle device 20 is in a communication invalidation state at this time, starting of the engine is not permitted. Also, the portable device 10 transmits an ID code signal in step S37 even when it receives a request signal transmitted after adjusting the transmission intensity of the request signal.

  When the ID code signal is received, the communication device is not in a communication invalidation state. Therefore, in step S38, the in-vehicle device 20 performs ID code verification, and enters the engine start permission state when the ID code verification is established.

  The reception threshold value is set so that the request signal can be received by the request reception circuit 24 but not so strong that the reception circuit 12 of the portable device 10 cannot receive the signal, so that the request signal is transmitted to the indoor area A1. In some cases, the in-vehicle device 20 can communicate with each other only when the portable device 10 is present in the vehicle compartment, and enters the engine start permission state. Therefore, the control of the in-vehicle device based on the communication between the portable device 10 and the in-vehicle device 20 can be performed with high accuracy.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects described in the above (2) to (4) in the respective embodiments, the following effects can be obtained.
(6) When the request signal transmitted to the indoor area A1 is received by the request receiving circuit 24, the vehicle control unit 21 makes the reception level of the request signal equal to the reception threshold value recorded in the memory 21a. The transmission intensity of the request signal transmitted from the indoor transmission circuit 22 is automatically adjusted. For this reason, even if there is a variation in transmission intensity due to individual differences between the indoor transmission circuit 22 and the indoor transmission antenna 22a, or a variation in transmission intensity due to temperature change or secular change, the transmission intensity of the request signal is always kept constant. Can be held. Therefore, a suitable communication environment between the portable device 10 and the in-vehicle device 20 can be easily and reliably constructed, and control of the in-vehicle device based on the communication between the portable device 10 and the in-vehicle device 20 (here, engine start permission control). ) Can be performed with high accuracy. And since such an effect | action can be acquired only by the change by the vehicle-mounted apparatus 20 side, it is not necessary to change the hardware and software of the portable device 10 at all.

In addition, you may change embodiment of this invention as follows.
In the first and second embodiments, during the communication outside the vehicle, the communication control unit 11 of the portable device 10 does not determine the reception level of the request signal and includes a reception level code indicating the reception level. The ID code signal may not be transmitted. That is, in this case, the communication control unit 11 may transmit an ID code signal including only the ID code.

  In the third embodiment, the vehicle control unit 21 performs indoor transmission so that the reception level of the request signal received by the request reception circuit 24 is equal to or lower than the reception threshold recorded in the memory 21a. It is only necessary to adjust the transmission intensity of the request signal transmitted from the circuit 22, and it is not always necessary to adjust the reception level to be equal to the reception threshold. However, in order to ensure a wide communication area between the portable device 10 and the in-vehicle device 20 in the vehicle compartment, it is desirable to adjust the reception level to be close to the reception threshold.

  In each of the above embodiments, the transmission / reception antenna 27 is not limited to the outside door handle 3, for example, a center pillar, door mirror, glass run, etc. of the vehicle 2 where a request signal is likely to leak outside the vehicle (particularly in the vicinity of the window glass). It may be arranged.

  In each of the above embodiments, the transmission / reception antenna 27 is not limited to the vehicle exterior side, and may be provided on the indoor side. However, in this case, in the first embodiment, the vehicle control unit 21 of the in-vehicle device 20 has the request signal reception level by the request reception circuit 24 equal to or higher than the request signal reception level indicated by the reception level code included in the ID code signal. It is desirable to enter the engine start permission state only when it is determined. In this case, in the second embodiment, when the communication control unit 11 of the portable device 10 receives the request signal including the reception level code, the reception level of the received request signal is included in the request signal. It is desirable that the ID code signal is transmitted only when it is determined that the level is higher than the level. Further, in this case, in the third embodiment, it is set that the reception sensitivity of the request reception circuit 24 and the reception sensitivity of the reception circuit 12 of the portable device 10 are equal to each other. From the viewpoint of securing a wide communication area between the vehicle and the in-vehicle device 20.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the reception antenna for receiving the request signal in the in-vehicle device 20 and the transmission antenna for transmitting the request signal to the vehicle outside area A2 are shared by the transmission / reception antenna 27. However, these receiving antenna and transmitting antenna may be provided separately. In this way, the switching circuit 26 becomes unnecessary.

  In each of the above embodiments, the request signal is transmitted to the indoor area A1, and the request signal is received by the request reception circuit 24 via the transmission / reception antenna 27, whereby the reception level of the request signal at the location where the transmission / reception antenna 27 is disposed. Is supposed to be detected. However, when detecting the reception level, the vehicle control unit 21 may transmit other radio waves as well as the request signal as long as the radio wave has the same frequency and the same transmission intensity as the request signal. . In addition, as other radio waves, a startup radio wave for switching the portable device 10 from the sleep mode to the standby mode may be used.

Next, in addition to the technical ideas described in the claims, the technical ideas grasped by the embodiment described above are listed below.
(1) In the vehicle communication control system according to claim 4, the receiving antenna constituting the second receiving means is disposed on the outside door handle.

  (2) A vehicle communication control device for controlling a corresponding in-vehicle device on condition that mutual communication with a portable device having a wireless communication function is established, and a response request for requesting the portable device to transmit a response signal A transmission means for transmitting a signal, a first reception means for receiving a response signal from the portable device, and a second reception arranged at a transmission limit portion of the response request signal in the vehicle and capable of receiving the response request signal And automatic strength adjustment control for adjusting the transmission strength of the response request signal so that the reception level of the response request signal received by the second receiving means is lower than or lower than a preset threshold value. A vehicle communication control device comprising a control means for performing.

The block diagram which shows schematic structure of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows roughly the vehicle carrying the communication control system for vehicles of the embodiment. The sequence chart which shows the communication operation outside a vehicle of the embodiment. The sequence chart which shows the indoor communication operation | movement of the embodiment. The sequence chart which shows the indoor communication operation | movement of 2nd Embodiment. The sequence chart which shows the indoor communication operation | movement of 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle communication control system, 2 ... Vehicle, 10 ... Portable machine, 11 ... Communication control part as response control means, 20 ... In-vehicle apparatus, 21 ... Vehicle control part as control means, 22 ... As 1st transmission means Indoor transmission circuit of the vehicle, 23... External transmission circuit as the second transmission means, 24... Request reception circuit as the second reception means, 25... ID reception circuit as the first reception means, 25 a. Switching circuit 27... Transmitting / receiving antenna constituting second receiving means 35. Door lock device as in-vehicle equipment 36 engine control device as in-vehicle equipment.

Claims (6)

A portable device having a wireless communication function and transmitting a response signal on condition that a response request signal transmitted from a corresponding in-vehicle device is received, and mounted in a vehicle, and transmitting the response request signal into the vehicle interior A vehicle communication control system including an in-vehicle device that controls a corresponding in-vehicle device on condition that the response signal is received,
The portable device includes response control means for detecting a reception level when receiving the response request signal and transmitting a response signal including a reception level code indicating the reception level,
The on-vehicle device is configured to transmit the response request signal, a first receiving unit to receive the response signal, and the response request signal, and a transmission limit portion of the response request signal in the vehicle. And the reception level of the response request signal by the second reception unit is determined to be equal to or higher than the reception level indicated by the reception level code included in the response signal or higher than the reception level. A vehicle communication control system comprising: a control unit that enables control of the in-vehicle device only in the case where the control is performed. A portable device having a wireless communication function and transmitting a response signal on condition that a response request signal transmitted from a corresponding in-vehicle device is received, and mounted in a vehicle, and transmitting the response request signal into the vehicle interior A vehicle communication control system including an in-vehicle device that controls a corresponding in-vehicle device on condition that the response signal is received,
The in-vehicle device can receive the response request signal by being arranged at a transmission limit portion of the response request signal in a vehicle, a transmission means for transmitting the response request signal, a first reception means for receiving the response signal, Second receiving means and, when the response request signal is received by the second receiving means, transmission for transmitting the response request signal including a reception level code indicating a reception level of the response request signal from the transmitting means. A control means for performing control and enabling control of a corresponding in-vehicle device on condition that the response signal is received;
When the portable device receives the response request signal including the reception level code, the reception level of the received response request signal is equal to or higher than the reception level indicated by the reception level code included in the response request signal. A vehicle communication control system comprising response control means for transmitting the response signal only when it is determined that the level is higher than the level. A portable device having a wireless communication function and transmitting a response signal on condition that a response request signal transmitted from a corresponding in-vehicle device is received, and mounted in a vehicle, and transmitting the response request signal into the vehicle interior A vehicle communication control system including an in-vehicle device that controls a corresponding in-vehicle device on condition that the response signal is received,
The in-vehicle device can receive the response request signal by being arranged at a transmission limit portion of the response request signal in a vehicle, a transmission means for transmitting the response request signal, a first reception means for receiving the response signal, Second receiving means, and automatic adjustment for adjusting the transmission intensity of the response request signal so that the reception level of the response request signal received by the second receiving means is lower than or lower than a preset threshold value. A vehicle communication control system comprising control means for performing intensity adjustment control.   4. The vehicle communication control system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving antenna constituting the second receiving means is arranged on the vehicle interior side or vehicle exterior in the vicinity of the vehicle window glass. 5. .   The transmission means includes first transmission means for transmitting the response request signal into a vehicle compartment, and second transmission means for transmitting the response request signal to the outside of the vehicle, and the second reception means includes the second transmission. 5. The response request signal transmitted from the first transmission unit is received using a transmission antenna for transmitting the response request signal from the unit. 6. Vehicle communication control system. Switching means for selectively switching the transmission antenna between a connection state with the second transmission means and a connection state with the second reception means;
The control means switches the transmission antenna to the second transmission means when transmitting the response request signal from the second transmission means, and transmits the response request signal from the first transmission means. The vehicle communication control system according to claim 5, wherein the vehicle is switched to the second receiving means.

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