JP2024045101A - Relay system, relay, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a relay system adapted to many kinds of controlled devices.SOLUTION: A vehicle control system 2 includes a first device (vehicle control apparatus) and a second device (portable device) which establish a wireless connection in predetermined communication specifications, and performs, when a predetermined signal is communicated between the devices, control operation to control a controlled device (vehicle) in which the first device is mounted. A relay system 4 configured to relay the wireless communication between the devices includes a first relay (vehicle relay) and a second relay (portable relay) which relay the wireless communication on multiple kinds of control systems having different communication specifications and wirelessly communicate with each other. The first relay receives signals from the first device and transmits signals which can be recognized by the first device. The second relay receives signals from the second device and transmits signals which can be recognized by the second device. The relay system receives the signals communicated between the devices, determines the predetermined communication specifications based on the received signals, and applies the determined communication specifications to the communication with the first relay of the first device and the communication with the second relay of the second device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to, for example, a relay system, a relay device, and a program.

As a security measure for vehicles, the condition is that the vehicle control device and a mobile device that can communicate wirelessly with the vehicle control device each exchange authentication information, and that authentication is successful between the vehicle control device and the mobile device. One of these is a system that controls a vehicle.

For example, when starting the engine using a vehicle control device in a vehicle equipped with an immobilizer function, the vehicle control device performs an authentication process via wireless communication with a legitimate portable device before starting the engine, and starts the engine if the authentication is successful.

The distance over which wireless communication is possible between this portable device and the vehicle control device is short, at around 1 to 2 meters. Therefore, to start the engine remotely from outside the vehicle, a system that relays wireless communication between the vehicle control device and the portable device is required, as shown in Patent Document 1, for example. With the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, by relaying the wireless communication using a vehicle repeater and a portable repeater, it is possible to remotely start the engine in a vehicle equipped with an immobilizer function, even if the portable device is taken outside the vehicle.

JP 2014-49770 A

However, when using a conventional relay system, there are the following problems. For example, communication specifications (for example, data length of communication signals transmitted and received) between a vehicle control device and a portable device differ depending on the type of vehicle. Therefore, for example, the vehicle relay device that makes up the relay system receives a communication signal (for example, a response request signal) sent from the vehicle control device and relays it to the mobile relay device in order to handle data lengths that differ depending on the vehicle type. The timing of switching to the state, and the timing of switching to the state of receiving a communication signal (for example, a response signal) relayed from a portable relay device and relaying it to the vehicle control device must be set for each vehicle type.

Similarly, regarding the mobile relay device that constitutes the relay system, the timing of receiving a signal (for example, a response request signal) relayed from the vehicle relay device and switching to the relay transmission state to the mobile device, and the timing of switching to the state of relaying the signal transmitted from the mobile device The timing of receiving a signal (for example, a response signal) and switching to the relay transmission state to the vehicle relay device must be set for each vehicle type. Therefore, there was a problem in that a relay system had to be prepared for each vehicle type.

The object of the present invention is, for example, to provide a relay system that can accommodate a greater number of vehicle models than conventional systems.

Further, the purpose of the present invention is not limited thereto, but is to obtain effects obtained from the configuration portions disclosed in this specification, drawings, etc. For example, the present specification discloses a problem in which the phrase ``can be done'' is replaced with ``the problem is.'' It is also an object of the present invention to solve this problem. The present applicant intends to claim a part of the structure described in this specification in an amendment or divisional application.

(1) For example, in a control system that includes a first device and a second device that perform wireless communication with each other according to a predetermined communication specification, the first device is placed in a controlled device, and when a predetermined signal is communicated between the first device and the second device, the first device performs a control operation of the controlled device in which the first device is placed. The control system is a relay system that relays wireless communication between the first device and the second device, and is capable of relaying wireless communication in a plurality of types of the control system in which the predetermined communication specifications between the first device and the second device are different, and includes a first relay device and a second intermediate device that perform wireless communication with each other according to a predetermined communication specification. The relay system may be characterized in that it includes a repeater, the first repeater receives a signal from the first device and transmits a signal recognizable by the first device, the second repeater receives a signal from the second device and transmits a signal recognizable by the second device, receives a communication signal for communication between the first device and the second device, determines the predetermined communication specification based on the received communication signal, and applies the determined predetermined communication specification to the communication of the first device with the first repeater and the communication of the second device with the second repeater.

In this way, even if the communication specifications differ for each control system, the communication specifications corresponding to each control system are automatically applied, so it is possible to obtain a relay system that can perform control operations for the controlled device in which the first device in that control system is located.

The communication specifications may include signal data length, number of bits, transmission time, data frame, etc.

The controlled device and the control system may each be, for example, a vehicle and a vehicle control system disposed in the vehicle, and the first device and the second device may be, for example, a vehicle control device and a portable device, respectively. Further, the first relay device may be a vehicle relay device disposed in the vehicle, and the second relay device may be a portable relay device carried by the user.

In this way, even if the communication specifications differ for each vehicle model, it is possible to obtain a relay system that automatically applies the communication specifications for each vehicle model and can perform control operations for that vehicle model. This reduces the need to prepare relay systems with communication specifications for each vehicle model, making inventory management at dealerships easier.

The operation of the controlled device controlled by the control operation of the control system may be any type, but if the controlled device is a vehicle, for example, it may be the operation of each part that constitutes the vehicle, such as unlocking and unlocking the vehicle doors, and activating and shutting off the car security. In particular, it may be the starting of the engine or motor system, which are the power sources of the vehicle, or the starting and stopping of the air conditioner. The relay system may be an engine starter that can remotely start the engine or motor system or air conditioner, and stop these.

Control of the controlled device by the control system may be started or stopped, for example, by detecting a user's operation of an operation unit provided on the second repeater or an operation unit provided on the second device. . For example, when the controlled device is a vehicle, a user's operation on an operation unit (for example, an operation button) provided on a mobile relay device, which is a second relay device, is detected, and the first relay device It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which the vehicle control system performs the control operation of the controlled device via the vehicle relay device.

The detection of the user's operation of the operation unit provided on the second device may be particularly preferably performed based on a signal that the second device wirelessly transmits to the first device in response to the user's operation of the operation unit provided on the second device and that received signal.

In particular, the user's operation of the operation unit provided in the second device causes the second device to perform a predetermined control operation on a predetermined controlled device from the first device to the first device. It is preferable to use a different operation from the operation for.

In particular, the operation of the user of the operation unit provided in the second device may include an operation that triggers the transmission of a wireless signal from the second device to the first device to cause the first device to perform a specified control operation of a specified controlled device from the first device, but may be an operation different from the operation. In particular, it may include an operation in which the same operation is not performed consecutively between the first device and the second device within a specified time. In particular, when a wireless signal in which the same operation has been performed a specified number of times consecutively within a specified time is received, the vehicle control system may be configured to perform a specified control operation of a specified controlled device from the first repeater, which is the vehicle repeater, to the second repeater.

For example, in a configuration where the controlled device is a vehicle and its door lock is controlled, and the second device, a portable device, is provided with a button for locking the vehicle door as an operation unit, The user performs an operation on the button that is different from an operation for locking the vehicle door (for example, pressing the button only once), such as pressing the door lock button three times in succession within one second. This may be done by detecting that the second repeater has consecutively received the three door lock radio signals issued by the second device within a predetermined time. When such a detection is made, it is preferable to wirelessly transmit an instruction signal for starting the engine or the like to the first repeater.

For example, if the controlled device is a vehicle and the second device, a portable device, is provided with only a button for opening and closing the lock of the vehicle door as an operation part, the button cannot be used to lock the vehicle door. When the user performs an operation different from the opening/closing operation, such as pressing the button three times in succession within one second, the vehicle control system starts the engine via the second relay and the first relay. Alternatively, it is preferable to start the motor system, start the air conditioner, or stop these.

The relay system may be configured such that the communication distance between the first relay device and the second relay device is longer than the communication distance between the first device and the second device. In this way, by operating the second repeater or the second device, the user can remotely control the control system from a greater distance. As a configuration for making the communication distance between the first repeater and the second repeater longer, for example, the transmission of radio waves used for communication between the first repeater and the second repeater is possible. The power may be greater than the transmission power of radio waves used for communication between the first device and the second device.

The relay system is preferably applied to a control system in which communication between a first device and a second device is performed in the following order (hereinafter also referred to as a "sequence"). [1] First, in order to start controlling a controlled device using the first device, for example, when a start switch provided on the first device is operated, the first device sends a response request signal as a communication signal. Send. [2] Upon receiving the response request signal, the second device performs predetermined processing based on the response request signal and transmits the generated response signal as a communication signal. [3] The first device starts controlling the controlled device if the received response signal is a predetermined response signal compared to the response request signal transmitted by itself, and if it is not a predetermined response signal, the first device starts controlling the controlled device. In this case, control of the controlled device is not started.

In a control system in which communication is performed in such a sequence, the relay system may relay communication between a first device and a second device of the control system in the following order: When the first relay receives a response request signal transmitted from the first device, it transmits a wireless response request signal based on the response request signal. When the second relay receives a wireless response request signal, it generates from the wireless response request signal a forwarding response request signal that the second device recognizes as a response request signal, and transmits the generated forwarding response request signal to the second device (hereinafter, the first relay receiving the response request signal and the second relay transmitting the forwarding response request signal are also referred to as "relaying a response request signal").

Regarding the response signal, upon receiving the response signal transmitted from the second device, the second relay transmits a wireless response signal based on the response signal. Upon receiving the wireless response signal, the first relay device generates a transfer response signal that the first device recognizes as a response signal from the wireless response signal, and transmits the generated transfer response signal to the first device. (Hereinafter, the second repeater receiving the response signal and the first repeater transmitting the transfer response signal will also be referred to as "relaying the response signal.")

The transfer response request signal may be exactly the same as the original response request signal, or may be different from the original response request signal as long as it is within a range that the second device can recognize as a response request signal. Similarly, the transfer response signal may be exactly the same as the original response signal, or may be different from the original response signal as long as it is within a range that the first device can recognize as a response signal.

The relay system is particularly useful for control systems that perform the above sequence twice (e.g., the startup sequence and the subsequent authentication sequence).

The communication specifications may be determined each time a communication occurs in the control system, but it is particularly preferable to perform the determination the first time communication occurs in the control system after the relay system is installed in the control system. Furthermore, information regarding the determined communication specifications is recorded in storage means provided in each of the first relay device and the second relay device based on the determination result, and based on the recorded information, the first relay device and the second relay device It is preferable that the second repeater is activated. Further, it is preferable that unless the determined communication specifications are applied to the relay system, the control system cannot perform control such as starting the controlled device via the relay system.

If communication specifications are to be determined the first time communication occurs in the control system after the relay system is installed on the controlled device, for example, when the relay system is first installed and then controlled with a start switch installed on the controlled device. It is preferable to do this when the system is started up and a communication signal is transmitted from the first device. For example, when the first repeater is provided with a dip switch and the dip switch is used to set the relay system to the setting mode, It is preferable that a starting operation is performed using a starting switch provided on the controlled device, and a communication signal is transmitted from the first device.

The communication specification may be determined based on, for example, the data length of the communication signal. Here, a case will be considered as an example in which a relay system corresponding only to control system A is used for control system B in a case where the data length of a communication signal of control system A is shorter than a communication signal of another control system B.

Between a first repeater and a second repeater that perform wireless communication with each other, a communication signal (e.g., a wireless response request signal) may be transmitted from the first repeater and received by the second repeater, and a communication signal (e.g., a wireless response signal) may be transmitted from the second repeater and received by the first repeater.

The first repeater may be provided with separate transmitting means and receiving means for communicating with the second repeater, or may be provided with transmitting and receiving means for both transmitting and receiving purposes. Similarly, the second repeater may be provided with separate transmitting means and receiving means for communicating with the first repeater, or may be provided with transmitting and receiving means for both transmission and reception.

When the second repeater of the repeater system corresponding only to control system A transmits and receives communication signals to and from the first repeater using a dual-purpose transmitting/receiving means, it is preferable to switch between the receiving state of the communication signal from the first repeater and the transmitting state of the communication signal to the first repeater at an appropriate timing according to the data length of the communication signal of control system A.

If the data length of the communication signal from control system A is shorter than that of another control system B, the second repeater that receives the communication signal from the first repeater may switch from a state of receiving the communication signal from the first repeater to a state of transmitting the communication signal to the first repeater before completing reception of the communication signal from the first repeater, which may result in an error.

However, if communication specifications determined based on communication signals are applied, for example, the timing for switching the transmission/reception status of the first repeater and the second repeater can be set automatically according to the control system. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a relay system in which such errors occur, and the occurrence of such errors can be reduced.

The communication specifications may be determined by only the first repeater, only the second repeater, or both the first and second repeaters. In cases where the communication specifications based on the communication signal are determined only by the first repeater, information regarding the determined communication specifications may be transmitted from the first repeater to the second repeater.

A separation instruction that instructs, when determining communication specifications, to set the distance so that the first repeater and the second repeater can communicate with each other, and the distance that prevents the first device and the second device from communicating with each other. It would be good to have a means. The separation instruction means may be written on paper such as an instruction manual, and may indicate the distance or communication state between the first repeater and the second repeater and the communication status between the first and second devices. Determine the distance or communication state to determine whether the distance is such that the first relay device and the second relay device can communicate with each other, and the distance is such that the first device and the second device cannot communicate with each other. It may also be used as a distance notification means to notify the distance. The notification by the distance notification means may be performed by providing a display section or an audio output section on the first repeater or the second repeater, and displaying the information on the display section or outputting it as audio from the audio output section.

In this way, it is possible to prevent the first device and the second device from completing communication without going through the relay system before the application of a specific communication specification to the relay system is complete.

The distance notification means is set at a distance that allows the first relay device and the second relay device to communicate with each other, not only when determining the communication specifications but also when using the relay system. It is preferable to instruct that the distance between the two devices is such that they cannot communicate with each other. Note that the instruction by the distance reporting means may not be given when determining the communication specifications, but may be given only when the relay system is used.

It is preferable that the first relay device is provided with a specification notification means for notifying which communication specification has been applied when the determined communication specification has been applied. The specification notification means includes a storage unit that stores notification contents corresponding to the determined communication specifications, and a display unit or an audio output unit, and when the application of the communication specifications is completed, it indicates which communication specification has been applied. It is preferable to display it on the display unit or output it as audio from the audio output unit. The notification content should be information that can specify which communication specification has been applied, for example, the vehicle manufacturer and model. Also, if the communication specifications stored in the relay system are managed by number, , for example, "Communication specification 1 has been applied." Further, it is preferable to display on the display unit whether the determined communication specification is applied or not applied.

(2) The communication specifications may be determined based on at least one of the number of bits, the transmission time, and the data frame configuration for at least one of the communication signals, that is, a response request signal transmitted from the first device and a response signal transmitted from the second device in response to the response request signal.

In this way, the type of control system can be accurately determined, and more accurate communication specifications can be applied.

If the control system is, for example, a vehicle control system, the vehicle type can be accurately determined, and the timing for switching the transmission/reception states of the first repeater and the second repeater can be set more accurately.

When the sequence of communication signals performed in the control system is twice: a startup sequence and a subsequent authentication sequence, the communication specifications may be determined based on the transmission time of the response request signal of the startup sequence, for example, the WAKE signal. .

The communication specifications may be determined based on at least two of the number of bits, the transmission time, and the data frame configuration for at least one of the response request signal and the response signal.

(3) The control system may use, as the communication signal between the first device and the second device, a plurality of sets of a response request signal transmitted from the first device and a response signal transmitted from the second device in response to the response request signal, and may determine the communication specifications based on the response request signal and the response signal of each set.

In this way, it is possible to more accurately identify the model of the controlled device in which the control system is installed. For example, if the controlled device is a vehicle, the vehicle control system can determine the communication specifications based on the communication signals for both the startup sequence and the authentication sequence that use two sets of response request signals and response signals. This allows accurate communication specifications to be applied, and the timing for switching the transmission/reception state of the first repeater and the second repeater to be set more accurately.

(4) The communication specifications are determined by a determination means provided in the first repeater, and when application of the determined communication specifications to the first repeater and the second repeater is completed, the second repeater may be provided with an operation availability notification means for notifying the user that the control operation of the controlled device by the control system via the first repeater and the second repeater can be started or stopped.

In this way, the user can know when it is now possible to operate the controlled device using the relay system, and it is possible to prevent the user from attempting to operate the controlled device when it is not possible to do so.

The determination result of the communication specifications by the determination means provided in the first relay device may be transmitted from the first relay device to the second relay device by communication other than relaying the communication signal of the control system.

The operation permission informing means provided in the second repeater may be an audio output means or a display means. For example, the audio output means may output a short signal sound such as "beep" or a voice saying "you can use" when the controlled device can be operated using the relay system. The display means may be, for example, an LED, which changes from a red lighting state to a blue lighting state when the controlled device can be operated using the relay system, or may be, for example, a liquid crystal screen, which allows the relay system to be operated. It is preferable that characters or marks indicating that the device is usable are displayed when the device can be used to operate the controlled device. The operation permission reporting means may be provided in the first repeater.

(5) Preferably, the controlled device is a vehicle and a vehicle component device constituting the vehicle, the first device is a vehicle control device provided in the vehicle, and the second device is a portable device.

In this way, the vehicle or vehicle component equipment can be operated using the relay system. The vehicle component may be of any kind, but may be, for example, a vehicle door lock mechanism, car security, or air conditioner, and particularly preferably an engine or motor that is the power source of the vehicle.

(6) storage means for storing information regarding a plurality of types of the communication signals; and a storage means for storing information regarding the plurality of types of the communication signals; , a verification means for verifying which of the plurality of types of communication signals stored in the storage means corresponds to the communication signal, and the determination of the predetermined communication specification is performed by verification of the communication signals by the verification means. good.

In this way, the communication specifications can be reliably determined, and the settings of the first relay device and the second relay device can be performed accurately.

The information regarding multiple types of communication signals is preferably information for identifying each type of multiple types of communication signals, information about the characteristics of each communication signal, and information about differences between each communication signal. .

(7) The control system uses, as the communication signal, a response request signal transmitted from the first device and a response signal transmitted from the second device in response to the response request signal, and the second device transmits the response signal at a frequency based on frequency designation information included in the response request signal, the frequency designation information is included in the predetermined communication specification determined based on the response request signal, and the second repeater receives the response signal transmitted from the second device at a frequency based on the frequency designation information.

In this way, even if the frequency at which the second device transmits the response signal differs depending on the control system or communication, it is possible to relay using the same relay system.

The frequency at which the second device transmits the response signal may be determined by communication specifications.

(8) The second relay device performs wireless communication between a first transmitter/receiver that performs wireless communication with the first relay device and the second device, and a second transmitting/receiving section that transmits the communication signal to and from the second transmitting/receiving section, except when receiving the communication signal transmitted from the second device. When transmission of the communication signal to the first transmitter/receiver is interrupted and the first transmitter/receiver completes receiving the communication signal transmitted from the first repeater, the first transmitter/receiver transmits the communication signal to the first repeater. It is preferable to switch to a state in which the communication signal transmitted from the second transmitter/receiver is transmitted.

In the second repeater, the second transmitter/receiver transmits the communication signal transmitted from the second device to the first transmitter/receiver, and the first transmitter/receiver transmits the communication signal from the second transmitter/receiver. If the second transmitter/receiver receives a noise while the second transmitter/receiver is not receiving the communication signal transmitted from the second device, the noise is detected. There is a problem in that the signal is transmitted from the first transmitter/receiver.

Here, in the second repeater, even if the first transmitting/receiving section directly transmits the signal transmitted from the second transmitting/receiving section, it may not receive the communication signal transmitted from the second device. By blocking the transmission of communication signals from the second transmitting/receiving section to the first transmitting/receiving section except when the device is in use, the communication signals transmitted from the second device can be relayed to the first device. In this case, it is possible to suppress the transmission of noise.

Further, in the second repeater, when the first transmitter/receiver completes receiving the communication signal transmitted from the first repeater, the first transmitter/receiver transmits the communication signal transmitted from the second transmitter/receiver to the first repeater. Since the communication signal is switched to a state in which the communication signal is transmitted, a time delay from when the communication signal is transmitted from the first device to when the communication signal is returned to the first device is unlikely to occur. Therefore, for example, if the control system is a vehicle control system, the time from when the vehicle control device sends a response request signal to when the portable device starts sending the response signal when starting the engine is shortened by the vehicle manufacturer. Even if the relay system is set, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the engine cannot be started using the relay system.

The communication signal from the second transceiver to the first transceiver may be blocked, for example, by using a control unit that outputs a control signal only when it detects that a communication signal has been transmitted from the second device, and an AND circuit that outputs to the first transceiver the logical product of the control signal output from the control unit and the communication signal output from the second transceiver.

(9) In the control system, the first device wirelessly communicates the predetermined signal with each of the multiple second devices to perform a control operation of the controlled device, and in response to each of a first response request signal and a second response request signal transmitted by the first device as the communication signal, each of the second devices transmits either a corresponding unique first response signal or a unique second response signal as the communication signal, the first repeater stores information regarding the first response signal transmitted from the multiple second devices, an operation detection means for detecting the operation of at least one of the controlled device, the first device, the first repeater, and the second repeater is connected to the first repeater or the second repeater, and the first repeater that receives the first response request signal transmitted by the first device transmits the information stored in the storage means. The first device transmits one of the signals that the first device recognizes as one of the unique first response signals based on information about the first response signal, the first device that recognizes the signal as one of the unique first response signals transmits the second response request signal, and one of the second devices that receives a signal that the second device recognizes as the second response request signal, which is transmitted from the second repeater that received a signal based on the second response request signal transmitted by the first device via the first repeater, transmits the unique second response signal, and the first repeater sequentially transmits signals that the first device recognizes as one of the unique first response signals based on information about the first response signal stored in the first repeater until the operation detection means detects that at least one of the first device, the controlled device, the first repeater, and the second repeater has operated.

By having the first repeater perform the operation of sequentially transmitting signals that the first device recognizes as one of the unique first response signals (hereinafter also referred to as the "sequential transmission operation") in this manner, when performing authentication operation between the first device and the second device using the relay system, there is no need to relay the first response signal from the second device to the first device, and the power used by the relay system can be reduced.

The motion detection means may be connected to the first repeater or the second repeater by wire or wirelessly.

Preferably, the operation of the second relay device detected by the operation detection means is that the second relay device receives the second response signal transmitted by the second device. The operation of the first repeater detected by the operation detection means may be that the first repeater receives a wireless response signal transmitted by the second repeater based on the second response signal. The operation of the first device detected by the operation detection means may be the first device receiving a signal transmitted by the first repeater and recognized by the first device as the second response signal. . The operation of the controlled device detected by the motion detection means is preferably an operation based on the control operation of the control system performed when the first device recognizes the second response signal, and when the controlled device is a vehicle. This may be, for example, starting an engine, starting a motor system, or starting an air conditioner.

The authentication operation of the first device and the second device using the relay system can be performed, for example, in the following steps.

[1] The first repeater transmits an activation trigger signal to the first device; [2] The first device receives the activation trigger signal and transmits a first response request signal; [3] The first repeater that has received the first response request signal determines which signal the first device recognizes as one of the unique first response signals based on the stored information about the first response signal. [4] the first device recognizing the unique first response signal transmits the second response request signal; [5] the first repeater and the first device transmitting the first response signal; [6] One of the second repeaters that has recognized the second response request signal transmits the second response signal; [7] ] the second relay device and the step of the first relay device relaying the second response signal, and after these steps, the first device receives the relayed second response signal. , completes the authentication operation when recognizing that the first response signal and the second response signal correspond, and confirms that the first response signal and the second response signal correspond. If not recognized, as a sequential sending operation, the first repeater transmits a signal that the first device recognizes as one of the unique first response signals, which is different from the signal transmitted in step [3]. shall be taken as a thing.

(10) The controlled device is a vehicle control system, and the communication specifications may be determined by determining differences in communication specifications between vehicle manufacturers. In this way, it is only necessary to manufacture the same relay system for vehicles made by different manufacturers, and it is possible to reduce the need for inventory management of relay systems for each manufacturer of relay systems at the dealership. It is also possible to reduce the work and management burden at the relay system manufacturing site and vehicle installation site.
(11) It is preferable that there is no setting means for manually setting communication specifications for wireless communication between the first device and the second device. In this way, there is no need to attach instructions for manual setting. It also reduces the possibility of making mistakes in manual settings. For example, it is preferable to adopt a configuration that does not include a dip switch or the like for manually setting communication specifications such as vehicle type.
(12) A configuration including means for switching to a discrimination mode that discriminates the communication specifications, and when in the discrimination mode, the first repeater does not transmit the received signal based on the second repeater to the first device. It is good to say. In this way, it is easier to ensure safety and reliability. The apparatus further comprises means for switching to a discrimination mode for discriminating the communication specification, and when in the discrimination mode, the communication specification is discriminated or set based on the signal received from the second repeater, and the first repeater determines or sets the communication specification based on the received signal. It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which a signal based on the second repeater is not transmitted to the first device. The switching means may be composed of a switch or the like, but in a vehicle in which the second device is equipped with a button, the second repeater transmits radio waves transmitted by an operation other than the one defined as the vehicle operation for the button. It is recommended to set the mode to determination mode when receiving the information. Switching from the discrimination mode to the relay mode, which is a relay state, may be done manually using a switch, but after the communication specifications are successfully determined in the discrimination mode, the discrimination mode is automatically ended and the relay mode is switched. It is recommended that you switch to .

(13) Receiving a communication signal between the first device and the second device, which is performed for determining the communication specification, is performed by directly receiving the signal from the first device or the second device. It is preferable that at least one of the first relay device and the second relay device is provided with at least one of the means for receiving the communication signal and the means for receiving the communication signal to be relayed. (1) "Receive a communication signal for communication between the first device and the second device" means, for example, that the first relay device and the second relay device The configuration may be such that the device is located within the communication range of the second device and directly receives communication between the devices, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the second repeater receives the signal of the first device from the first repeater, and indirectly receives the signal of the first device by receiving radio waves from the first repeater. It is recommended to have a configuration that receives . For example, a first repeater receives a signal from a second device by relaying it from the second repeater, and by receiving radio waves from the second repeater, the first repeater indirectly transmits the signal from the second device. It is preferable to have a configuration that receives signals. In addition, various configurations for receiving information indirectly may be used. It is preferable to indirectly receive the communication signal between the first device and the second device by means of receiving a relay signal from the device in this way. In this way, the number of receivers through which the repeater directly receives signals from devices can be reduced, and the cost of the repeater can be significantly reduced.

(14) For example, it may be configured as the first relay device in the relay system described in any one of (1) to (9) above.
(15) For example, it may be configured as a second relay device in the relay system described in any one of (1) to (9) above.
Such devices may be configured, for example, as devices used in the vehicle control system described above. The device used in the vehicle control system may be configured, for example, as a device for a relay system used as an engine starter, such as a vehicle relay device or a portable relay device provided with an engine start button.

(16) It is advisable to have a function to determine whether the engine is running, and to process the signal so that relaying is not performed when the engine is running.

(17) It is preferable to have a means for identifying the current location (e.g., position) and to process so as not to relay at a specific location (e.g., set in advance). Also, for example, the process may be performed so as to relay at a specific location (e.g., set in advance) (e.g., relay at home in an apartment building, but not at a vacation home). For example, it may be possible to set relay-prohibited points (e.g., areas).

(18) When the temperature (e.g., inside the vehicle) is within a certain range (e.g., a comfortable temperature range), it is advisable to control the relay so as not to relay the signal.

(19) It is preferable that the second relay device is provided with an LF reception function for receiving LF data transmitted by the first device, etc., and controlled so that it does not relay while receiving LF data.

(20) A function to transmit the same signal (LF data) emitted by the car, such as the first device, to the second repeater when there is no signal from the car (for example, a function provided in the second repeater). When the check button is pressed, or at fixed time intervals (for example, every minute), the function is to transmit the signal sent by the second repeater from the genuine key, which is the second device. It is determined whether a response signal is returned (for example, whether the two are within an appropriate distance range). It would be good to have a function that notifies you if the person does not return. At this time, it is preferable to control the response signal from the genuine key so as not to be relayed to the first relay device. Although signal patterns for each vehicle type may be stored in advance and signals based on the stored patterns may be sent out, in particular, signals from vehicles relayed from a vehicle relay device may be stored and the signals may be transmitted based on the stored patterns. It is preferable to send a signal based on

(21) It is preferable that the first repeater has a function of connecting to the in-vehicle LAN, and also has a function of controlling not to relay the signal in consideration of the state of the signal of the in-vehicle LAN. For example, when door opening is detected from the in-vehicle LAN (for example, CAN), it may be configured to not relay the information.

(22) It is preferable to include a function to limit the relay operation time of the relay device. For example, the relay operation time may be limited to a predetermined range (for example, several seconds) after pressing the engine start button. For example, conventional mobile repeaters and genuine keys are connected by a ring, but if the two are connected by a ring, they may get caught on other items in the bag, making it difficult to use. . If it is allowed for the two to be several meters apart, for example, a problem will arise where the mobile relay device (second relay device) will relay the signal from the original key of another car of the same model. . The frequency of occurrence of such problems can be reduced. Further, it is preferable to provide a function to check whether the genuine key of another car of the same model is responding, and in such a case, it is preferable to provide a notification to that effect. It may be controlled to stop relaying the signal from then on when it is determined that the data is not the correct genuine key data.

(23) If there are buttons on both the second device and the second repeater, there is a problem that it is easy to press the wrong buttons. Since the second relay device has an RF receiver for relaying, it is preferable to use this for purposes other than relaying. For example, remove the button from the second repeater. The mobile repeater will be used for broadcasting and notification (it is particularly desirable to notify by sound rather than by screen). For example, the operation is performed by pressing a specific button multiple times on the second device (such as pressing the lock button twice within one second) to start the engine. It is preferable to send out an engine start signal when such a specific operation is detected by receiving a signal sent from the genuine key with a portable relay device.

(24) It is preferable to have a function of changing the operation of the second repeater depending on whether the second device is near the second repeater. For example, when it is detected that the engine start button of the portable repeater, which is the second repeater, is pressed, before sending the engine start signal to the vehicle repeater, which is the first repeater (or after it is sent, in which case the vehicle repeater may have a delay before sending the engine start signal to the vehicle), it sends a signal (e.g., LF data) to confirm whether the genuine key, which is the second device, is near the portable repeater, and if it is determined that the genuine key is near the portable repeater, it sends the engine start signal to the vehicle repeater. If it is determined that the genuine key is not near the portable repeater, it does not send the engine start signal to the vehicle repeater. If the genuine key is not near the portable repeater, it is preferable to issue an alert indicating that the genuine key is not near the portable repeater.

Also, for example, if a child inside the home presses the engine start button on the mobile repeater while the driver is cleaning the car in the parking lot of the home after leaving the mobile repeater at home. Assuming that the vehicle relay device has a function to detect whether or not the genuine key is in the vehicle (for example, by direct connection to the ECU, in-vehicle LAN monitoring, or RF receiver), if the genuine key is present in the vehicle, If an engine start signal is received from the portable repeater even though the engine has been detected, it is advisable to issue a notification indicating that such a situation exists.

(25) The portable device (genuine key, second device) should recognize the LF data as a regular signal, but the LF data should be different from the LF data emitted by the car (vehicle control device). A device equipped with an LF receiver (for example, a vehicle repeater (first repeater) should be equipped with this function) should have a function to distinguish between these two LF data and record which LF data was received.

(26) The vehicle recognizes the RF data as a regular signal, but the RF data is different from the RF data output by the genuine key (second device). A device equipped with an RF receiver (for example, a mobile repeater (second repeater) is preferably equipped with this function) is equipped with a function to distinguish between these two RF signals and record which RF signal is received. Good.

(27) For example, it may be configured as a program for causing a computer to implement the functions described in any one of (1) to (26) above. The programs may be a program for the first repeater and a program for the second repeater.

The inventions (1) to (26) above can be combined in any way. For example, it may not have all or part of the configuration of (1), but may have at least one of the other configurations (2) to (26). However, it is particularly good to have all or part of the configuration of (1) in combination with at least one of the configurations (2) to (26). In addition, any component may be extracted from at least one of (1) to (26) and combined. The applicant intends to obtain patent rights for such configurations as well.

The above-described specific method of the present invention is an example, and a portion may be expanded or a portion may be limited.

The present invention can provide, for example, a relay system that can handle many types of controlled devices (e.g., many vehicle models) and many control systems.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a vehicle remote control system using a relay system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the communication sequence of only the vehicle control system in the vehicle remote control system. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the communication sequence of each data/signal. FIG. 4 is a timing chart of LF data and RF data in a vehicle control system, where (a) shows the vehicle control system mounted on vehicle A, and (b) shows the vehicle control system mounted on vehicle B. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a portable repeater according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a timing chart of LF data and RF data in the vehicle control system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a timing chart of LF data and RF data in a vehicle control system in which a plurality of portable devices can be used. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the communication sequence of each data/signal in the vehicle remote control system according to the fourth embodiment.

The preferred embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the teachings and spirit of the invention without departing from the scope of the claims.

[Basic configuration of vehicle remote control system using relay system]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a vehicle remote control system using a relay system. Using the figure, the basic configuration that is the premise of this vehicle remote control system will be explained while explaining the operation of communication processing. The vehicle remote control system 1 includes a vehicle control device 10 (first device), a vehicle relay device 20 (first relay device), a mobile relay device 30 (second relay device), and a mobile device 40 (second relay device). 2). The vehicle control device 10 and the vehicle relay device 20 are installed in the vehicle 6, and the mobile relay device 30 and the portable device 40 are carried by the user. In the vehicle remote control system 1, the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 constitute the vehicle control system 2, and the vehicle relay device 20 and the portable relay device 30 constitute the relay system 4. Here, the vehicle control system 2 is originally installed in the vehicle at the time of shipment from the vehicle manufacturer's factory, and the relay system 4 is a system retrofitted to the vehicle.

[Vehicle control device]
The vehicle control device 10 is a device for controlling a specific device provided in the vehicle 6. The control of this specific device is, for example, for starting the vehicle 6 to a state in which it can run in response to a user operation such as pressing a push start button provided in the vehicle 6, and may include turning on a starter motor (engine start) in an automobile powered by an internal combustion engine.

The vehicle control device 10 constituting the vehicle control system 2 uses the authentication information stored in the portable device 40 and the authentication information stored in the vehicle control device 10 before controlling the equipment of the vehicle 6 to be controlled. Controls such as starting the engine are performed on the condition that the information is successfully authenticated.

In order to perform such processing, the vehicle control device 10 is configured to be capable of wirelessly communicating communication signals with the portable device 40. The vehicle control device 10 includes a control section 12, a transmitting/receiving section 14, and an authentication information storage section 16. The vehicle control device 10 is connected to the battery 6a of the vehicle 6 and receives power supply. The vehicle control device 10 communicates with devices of the vehicle 6 to be controlled, for example, through wired communication, and controls predetermined devices. The authentication information storage unit 16 is a non-volatile storage means and stores authentication information of the authorized portable device 40. The authentication information includes, for example, an ID code. When a plurality of authorized portable devices 40 exist, authentication information for each of the plurality of portable devices 40 is stored.

The control unit 12 is configured, for example, by a microcomputer, and realizes the functions described below by having the built-in CPU execute a program stored in the built-in ROM. The control unit 12 has a function to output a control signal for controlling the equipment of the vehicle 6 to be controlled, and a function to output command data (hereinafter also referred to as "LF data") for communicating with other devices, such as a response request signal, which is a communication signal for confirming the presence of a legitimate portable device 40, based on the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 16.

The transmitting/receiving section 14 performs wireless communication with a transmitting/receiving section 44 mounted on the portable device 40 and a first vehicle side transmitting/receiving section 24 mounted on the vehicle relay device 20 . The transmitter/receiver section 14 is configured by a transmitter/receiver RFIC. The transmitting/receiving unit 14 has a function of wirelessly transmitting LF data such as various commands and data output from the control unit 12 at a first frequency (hereinafter also referred to as "LF"), and a function of wirelessly transmitting LF data such as various commands and data output from the control unit 12, and a function of transmitting LF data such as various commands and data outputted from the control unit 12 at a second frequency (hereinafter also referred to as "LF") from other devices. It has a function of receiving commands, data, etc. (hereinafter also referred to as "RF data") wirelessly transmitted via RF (also referred to as "RF data"), and passing them to the control unit 12.

The second frequency is higher than the first frequency, and the distance over which RF data can be communicated using the second frequency is longer than the distance over which LF data can be communicated using the first frequency. In one example, the first frequency (LF) is 134 kHz, and the second frequency (RF) is 314 MHz.

[Mobile device]
The portable device 40 is, for example, what is called a smart key, a genuine key, or the like. The portable device 40 includes a control section 42, a transmitting/receiving section 44, and an authentication information storage section 46. The portable device 40 is powered by a built-in primary battery 40a. It is preferable to use a commercially available dry battery, button battery, or the like as the primary battery 40a because it can be easily obtained, mounted, and handled easily. In particular, a button battery is good because the portable device 40 can be made smaller.

The authentication information storage unit 46 stores a unique ID code as authentication information for the immobilizer function. The control unit 42 is configured, for example, by a microcomputer, and realizes the functions described below by executing a program stored in the built-in ROM by the built-in CPU. When the control unit 42 receives a response request signal addressed to itself from the paired vehicle control device 10, it outputs a response signal (hereinafter also referred to as "response data" and included in "RF data"). The transceiver unit 44 performs wireless communication with the transceiver unit 14 implemented in the vehicle control device 10 and the first mobile side transceiver unit 34 implemented in the mobile repeater 30. For example, it is configured by a transceiver RFIC. This transceiver unit 4b has a function of receiving LF data such as command data wirelessly transmitted at a first frequency and passing it to the control unit 42, a function of wirelessly transmitting RF data such as various command data such as a response signal output from the control unit 42 at a second frequency, etc.

[Engine starting process]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a communication sequence of only the vehicle control system included in the vehicle when shipped from the original vehicle manufacturer's factory, among the vehicle remote control systems. Numbers in parentheses in the following description correspond to numbers in parentheses in the figures. The sequence shown in the figure consists of a startup sequence and an authentication sequence.

(1, 2) When the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 satisfies a transmission timing such as reception of a predetermined trigger signal, the control unit 12 transmits a WAKE signal (a type of LF data) as a response request signal from the transmitting/receiving unit 14. The predetermined trigger signal is, for example, a foot brake signal that is output when the foot brake pedal of the vehicle 6 is depressed.

(3) When the portable device 40 is within the communicable distance of the WAKE signal and receives the WAKE signal, the portable device 40 wirelessly transmits an ACK signal (a type of RF data) as a response signal. The transmitting/receiving unit 14 of the vehicle control device 10 receives the ACK signal, and the control unit 12 confirms the existence of the portable device 40. The above is the startup sequence.
(4) When the vehicle control device 10 confirms the existence of the portable device 40 in the startup sequence, the process moves to an authentication sequence. In the authentication sequence, the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 accesses the authentication information storage unit 16, acquires an ID code as the stored authentication information, and sends a challenge signal (LF data) that is a response request signal including the ID code. ) is output.

(5) When the portable device 40 recognizes that the challenge signal received from the ID code is addressed to itself, the portable device 40 wirelessly transmits a response signal (a type of RF data) that is a response signal that includes its own authentication information. When the transceiver unit 14 of the vehicle control device 10 receives the response signal, authentication of the portable device 40 is completed.

As described above, one of the conditions for the vehicle control device 10 is to receive a response signal including regular authentication information within a certain period of time after outputting the response request signal, and the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10: Performs engine starting processing. In this embodiment, when the vehicle control device 10 outputs the WAKE signal and receives the challenge signal within a certain period of time to complete the authentication, the push start button provided on the vehicle 6 is pressed in the authentication completed state. The engine is started by turning on the engine start request signal.

[Relay system]
The communicable distance between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 shown in FIG. It is relatively short because it is enough. This relatively short distance is about 1 to 2 meters, assuming that the first frequency for transmitting LF data is 134 kHz.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle control system 2 is provided with a vehicle repeater 20 and a portable repeater 30 that constitute a relay system 4, and the wireless communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 is relayed by these repeaters, thereby increasing the communication distance.

By increasing the communication distance in this way, the system can perform authentication using authentication information between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40, even if the user carrying the portable repeater 30 and the portable device 40 is located relatively far from the vehicle 6, and can start the engine by operating the portable repeater 30 or the portable device 40 from the distant location.

[Vehicle repeater]
The vehicle repeater 20 is placed at a predetermined position in the vehicle 6. The vehicle repeater 20 includes a control unit 22 that controls the vehicle repeater 20, a first vehicle side transceiver 24 for wireless communication with the vehicle control device 10, a second vehicle side transceiver 26 for wireless communication with the portable repeater 30, and a parameter storage unit 28 for storing various parameters of communication signals and communication specifications. The vehicle repeater 20 is connected to the battery 6a of the vehicle 6 and receives power. The control unit 22 is configured, for example, by a microcomputer, and realizes the functions described below by executing a program stored in the built-in ROM by the built-in CPU. In addition, the first vehicle side transceiver 24 and the second vehicle side transceiver 26 are each configured by a transceiver RFIC. The vehicle repeater 20 further includes a start-up trigger output unit 20a, a setting switch 20b, and an alarm unit 20c.

The first vehicle-side transceiver 24 transmits and receives data to and from the transceiver 14 of the vehicle control device 10, receives radio waves wirelessly transmitted at a first frequency (LF) which is the transmission frequency band of the transceiver 14, and wirelessly transmits at a second frequency (RF). Since the communication distance is short, it uses weak radio waves used in a weak radio station, which is one type of radio station.

The second vehicle-side transceiver 26 uses radio waves of a third frequency (hereinafter also referred to as "SG") included in the frequency band used by specific low-power radio stations. By using this specific low-power wireless communication, the communication distance is, for example, about 1 to 2 km in line of sight, and even if there are obstacles, it is, for example, about several hundred meters. Therefore, even if the home is a detached house or apartment building and the vehicle 6 is parked in a parking lot on the premises, communication with the vehicle control device 10 is possible. As an example, the third frequency (SG) is 922 MHz.

In this embodiment, the vehicle repeater 20 and the vehicle control device 10 are connected by a communication cable 8 that performs wired communication. The control unit 22 of the vehicle repeater 20 uses this wired communication to transmit a foot brake signal and an engine start request signal from the start trigger output unit 20a to the vehicle control device 10. The foot brake signal is a signal corresponding to the signal output when the foot brake pedal of the vehicle 6 is stepped on. The engine start request signal is a signal corresponding to the signal output when, for example, the push start button of the vehicle 6 is pressed.

[Mobile repeater]
The mobile relay device 30 includes a control unit 32 that controls the mobile relay device 30, a first mobile side transmitting and receiving unit 34 for communicating with the mobile device 40, and a second mobile side transmitting and receiving unit 34 for communicating with the vehicle relay device 20. It includes a side transmitting/receiving section 36 and a parameter storage section 38 that stores various parameters, signals, and communication specifications. Furthermore, the portable relay device 30 includes an operation section 30b and a notification section 30c.

The operation unit 30b is, for example, a push button switch that corresponds to an operation instruction such as a start switch or a stop switch. A user who is located away from the vehicle 6 can operate the vehicle control device 10 mounted on the vehicle 6 by pressing the operation unit 30b, and start or stop the engine by remote control.

In order to perform such processing, when the control unit 32 detects an operation on the operation unit 30b, the control unit 32 transmits an instruction corresponding to the operation from the second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36. The portable relay device 30 is powered by a built-in primary battery 30d. As the primary battery 30d, it is preferable to use a commercially available dry battery, a button battery, or the like because it can be easily obtained, mounted, and handled easily. In particular, a button battery is preferred because the portable relay device 30 can be made smaller.

The notification unit 30c notifies the operating status, etc., and for example notifies the execution result such as engine start success or error based on a signal sent from the vehicle control device 10 via the vehicle repeater 20. The notification unit 30c notifies using visual and auditory senses. In the case of a notification unit using visual senses, the notification unit 30c may, for example, use a display panel to display the execution result with characters, figures, etc., or may use a light-emitting means such as an LED to notify by the lighting state (blinking/off/on) or the emitted color. In the case of a notification unit using auditory senses, the notification unit 30c may, for example, use a speaker to notify by voice or buzzer. The notification unit 30c may be realized by combining one or more of these, and may combine visual and auditory means.

The control unit 32 is constituted by, for example, a microcomputer, and implements the functions described below by having a built-in CPU execute a program stored in a built-in ROM. Further, the first mobile-side transmitting/receiving section 34 and the second mobile-side transmitting/receiving section 36 are each constituted by a transmitting/receiving RFIC. The first mobile-side transmitting/receiving section 34 performs wireless transmission using the receiving frequency band (first frequency, LF) of the transmitting/receiving section 44 of the portable device 40, and performs wireless reception using the transmitting frequency (second frequency, RF) of the transmitting/receiving section 44. Since the communication distance is short, weak radio waves used by weak radio stations, which are one type of radio station, are used. The second mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 36 uses radio waves of a frequency (third frequency, SG) included in the frequency band used for specified low-power radio stations.

[Communication sequence]
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the communication sequence of each data/signal. In this embodiment, the communication sequence shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 enables remote starting of the engine using the relay function. Numbers in parentheses in the following description correspond to the numbers in parentheses in the diagram. The sequence shown in Fig. 3 consists of a start-up sequence and an authentication sequence.

(1) The control unit 32 of the portable relay device 30 outputs a start signal when the operation unit 30b is pressed. The second mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 36 wirelessly transmits the starting signal toward the vehicle relay device 20 .

(2) The second vehicle-side transmitting/receiving section 26 of the vehicle relay device 20 receives the starting signal transmitted from the mobile relay device 30. When the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 receives the starting signal, it outputs a starting response signal. The second vehicle-side transmitting/receiving unit 26 wirelessly transmits the start response signal to the mobile relay device 30 .

(3) Furthermore, upon receiving the start signal, the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 transmits a foot brake signal, which is a start trigger, from the start trigger output unit 20a to the vehicle control device 10 using a wired communication function. The vehicle relay device 20 maintains the foot brake signal in the ON state during the relay/transmission processing of each data/signal described below.

(4) When the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 receives the foot brake signal, it outputs a WAKE signal (a type of LF data) which is a response request signal. The transmitting/receiving unit 14 transmits the WAKE signal as a wireless signal using a wireless transmission function. Note that the transmitting/receiving section 14 of the vehicle control device 10 and the first vehicle side transmitting/receiving section 24 of the vehicle relay device 20 may be connected by a communication line (not shown), and the WAKE signal may be transmitted from the transmitting/receiving section 14 by wire.

(5) The first vehicle-side transceiver 24 of the vehicle repeater 20 receives the WAKE signal. The vehicle repeater 20 wirelessly transmits a wireless WAKE signal as a wireless response request signal based on the received WAKE signal to the portable repeater 30 at a third frequency (SG) using the transmission function of the second vehicle-side transceiver 26. The wireless WAKE signal is reversible with the WAKE signal.

(6) The second mobile side transceiver 36 of the mobile repeater 30 receives the wireless WAKE signal. The mobile repeater 30 generates a forwarded WAKE signal from the received wireless WAKE signal as a forwarding response request signal that the mobile device 40 recognizes as a WAKE signal, and transmits the generated forwarded WAKE signal to the mobile device 40 at a first frequency (LF) using the transmission function of the first mobile side transceiver 34. The above period "from when the vehicle repeater 20 receives the WAKE signal to when the mobile repeater 30 transmits the forwarded WAKE signal" is also referred to below as "relaying the WAKE signal."

(7) The transceiver 44 of the portable device 40 receives the forwarded WAKE signal. The forwarded WAKE signal transmitted from the portable repeater 30 is recognized by the control unit 42 of the portable device 40 as a WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10. Having received the forwarded WAKE signal, the transceiver 44 transmits an ACK signal (a type of RF data) as a response signal using the transmission function of the transceiver 44.

(8) The first mobile side transceiver 34 of the mobile repeater 30 receives the ACK signal. The mobile repeater 30 wirelessly transmits a wireless ACK signal as a wireless response signal based on the received ACK signal, using the transmission function of the second mobile side transceiver 36 to the vehicle repeater 20 at a third frequency (SG). The wireless ACK signal is reversible with the ACK signal.

(9) The second vehicle-side transceiver section 26 of the vehicle relay device 20 receives the wireless ACK signal. The vehicle relay device 20 generates a transfer ACK signal as a transfer response signal that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as an ACK signal from the received wireless ACK signal, and transmits the generated transfer ACK signal to the first vehicle side transceiver section 24. Transmit on a second frequency (RF) using the transmit function. The above "from when the mobile relay device 30 receives the ACK signal until the vehicle relay device 20 transmits the transfer ACK signal" is hereinafter also referred to as "relaying the ACK signal."

The transmitting/receiving unit 14 of the vehicle control device 10 receives the transfer ACK signal. The transfer ACK signal transmitted from the vehicle relay device 20 is recognized by the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 as the ACK signal transmitted from the portable device 40, and the presence of the portable device 40 is confirmed. When the presence of the portable device 40 is confirmed in the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 through the above startup sequence, the process moves to an authentication sequence.

(10) When the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 recognizes the ACK signal, it accesses the authentication information storage unit 16, obtains the ID code as the stored authentication information, and responds with the ID code and challenge data. A challenge signal (a type of LF data; referred to as a "CH signal" in the figure), which is a request signal, is output. The transmitter/receiver 14 transmits the challenge signal using a wireless transmission function. Note that the transmitting/receiving section 14 of the vehicle control device 10 and the first vehicle side transmitting/receiving section 24 of the vehicle repeater 20 may be connected by a communication line (not shown), and the challenge signal may be transmitted from the transmitting/receiving section 14 by wire.

(11) The first vehicle-side transceiver 24 of the vehicle repeater 20 receives the challenge signal. The vehicle repeater 20 wirelessly transmits a wireless challenge signal (referred to as a "wireless CH signal" in the figure) as a wireless response request signal based on the received challenge signal to the portable repeater 30 at a third frequency (SG) using the transmission function of the second vehicle-side transceiver 26. The wireless challenge signal is reversible with the challenge signal.

(12) The second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36 of the mobile repeater 30 receives the wireless challenge signal. The mobile repeater 30 generates a transfer challenge signal (referred to as a "transfer CH signal" in the figure) as a transfer response request signal that the portable device 40 recognizes as a challenge signal from the received wireless challenge signal, and The generated transfer challenge signal is transmitted to the portable device 40 at a first frequency (LF) using the transmission function of the first portable side transceiver 34.

(13) The transceiver 44 of the portable device 40 receives the forwarding challenge signal. The forwarding challenge signal transmitted from the portable repeater 30 is recognized by the control unit 42 of the portable device 40 as a challenge signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10. The control unit 42 determines whether the received forwarding challenge signal is addressed to itself. Specifically, it determines whether the ID code included in the challenge signal matches its own ID code stored in the authentication information storage unit 46. If the ID codes match, a response signal (a type of RF data; in the figure, this is referred to as an "RE signal") is transmitted using the transmission function of the transceiver 44. If the ID codes do not match, nothing is transmitted from the portable device 40.

(14) The first mobile side transceiver 34 of the mobile repeater 30 receives the response signal. The mobile repeater 30 wirelessly transmits a wireless response signal (referred to as a "wireless RE signal" in the figure) as a wireless response signal based on the received response signal, using the transmission function of the second mobile side transceiver 36 to the vehicle repeater 20 at a third frequency (SG). The wireless response signal is reversible with the response signal.

(15, 16) The second vehicle-side transceiver section 26 of the vehicle relay device 20 receives the wireless response signal. The vehicle relay device 20 generates a transfer response signal (referred to as a "transfer RE signal" in the figure) as a transfer response signal that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as a response signal from the received wireless response signal, and The generated transfer response signal is transmitted at the second frequency (RF) using the transmission function of the first vehicle-side transmitting/receiving section 24. Further, the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 transmits an engine start request signal to the vehicle control device 10 using the wired communication function, prior to transmitting the transfer response signal from the first vehicle side transmitting/receiving unit 24. The vehicle relay device 20 wirelessly transmits the transfer response signal while keeping the engine start request signal in an ON state.

The transceiver 14 of the vehicle control device 10 receives the forwarding response signal. The forwarding response signal transmitted from the vehicle repeater 20 is recognized by the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 as a response signal transmitted from the portable device 40. The control unit 12 authenticates whether the received forwarding response signal is a response signal transmitted from a legitimate portable device 40.

If the response signal is authenticated as having been sent from a genuine portable device 40 and both the engine start request signal and the foot brake signal are ON, control is performed to start the engine. After a certain period of time has elapsed since the engine started, the control unit 12 controls to stop the engine. By continuing to operate the engine, the engine is warmed up and the temperature inside the vehicle 6 is adjusted to an appropriate temperature using the air conditioner installed in the vehicle 6.

Furthermore, when stopping the engine during warm-up operation, the user operates the operation unit 30b of the portable repeater 30. When the portable repeater 30 receives an operation stop command associated with the operation of the operation unit 30b, it transmits the operation stop command. The transmitted operation stop command reaches the vehicle control device 10 via the vehicle repeater 20. When the control unit 12 receives the operation stop command, it controls the engine to stop during operation. Furthermore, the control unit 12 relays and transmits the execution result of the received operation command in the same manner as LF data, and notifies the portable repeater 30 of the result when it reaches the portable repeater 30.

In the above description, the vehicle control device 10 controls the predetermined equipment installed in the vehicle 6 by starting the engine by turning on the starting motor. It is also possible to turn on.

[First embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the relay system 4 in the vehicle remote control system 1 having the basic configuration described above can also be used in multiple types of vehicle control systems 2 in which communication specifications between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 are different. Wireless communication can be relayed.

Figure 4 is a timing chart of LF data and RF data in a vehicle control system, where (a) shows the vehicle control system mounted on vehicle A and (b) shows the vehicle control system mounted on vehicle B. As shown in the figure, the communication specifications of the vehicle control system 2 are different between vehicle A and vehicle B. Specifically, the data lengths of the WAKE signal and challenge signal, which are LF data, and the ACK signal and response signal, which are RF data, used for communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40, are different. Therefore, the data lengths of the wireless WAKE signal, forwarded ACK signal, wireless challenge signal, and forwarded response signal transmitted from the vehicle repeater 20 constituting the relay system 4, and the forwarded WAKE signal, wireless ACK signal, forwarded challenge signal, and wireless response signal transmitted from the portable repeater 30 also differ between vehicle A and vehicle B.

Here, in the relay system 4 corresponding to the vehicle control system 2 mounted on the vehicle A, the mobile relay device 30 that has received the wireless WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle relay device 20 receives the signal scheduled to be received. The data length is known in advance. Therefore, when the time required to receive the wireless WAKE signal has elapsed, the second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36 is automatically switched from the state of receiving the signal from the vehicle repeater 20 to the state of transmitting the signal to the vehicle repeater 20. .

Such switching of the transmission/reception state is also performed for the wireless challenge signal in the portable repeater 30. In addition, in the second vehicle side transceiver 26 of the vehicle repeater 20, switching of the transmission/reception state is also performed for the wireless ACK signal and the wireless response signal in a similar manner.

Therefore, in a case where the relay system 4 is compatible only with the vehicle control system 2 installed on vehicle A, if this relay system 4 is applied to the vehicle control system 2 installed on vehicle B, the following problems will occur. occurs. The mobile relay device 30 that has received the wireless WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle relay device 20 sets the second mobile side transceiver unit 36 to a state of receiving the signal from the vehicle relay device 20 before completing the reception of the wireless WAKE signal. The state is switched from the state to the state where the data is transmitted to the vehicle relay device 20, and a communication error occurs. Even if the wireless WAKE signal is successfully transmitted and received, there is a very high possibility that errors will occur when transmitting and receiving other signals.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, after the vehicle relay device 20 configuring the relay system 4 is installed in the vehicle 6, communication between the vehicle control device 10 configuring the vehicle control system 2 and the portable device 40 is first performed. When this occurs, the communication specifications are determined using the control section 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 and the control section 32 of the mobile relay device 30. Specifically, after the vehicle relay device 20 constituting the relay system 4 is installed in the vehicle 6, the foot brake pedal provided on the vehicle 6 is first depressed to generate a foot brake signal that is a starting trigger. , automatically when a WAKE signal is transmitted from the vehicle control device 10.

The communication specifications are determined by the control section 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 and the control section 32 of the mobile relay device 30. The parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle relay device 20 and the parameter storage unit 38 of the mobile relay device 30 contain information regarding communication signals such as LF data and RF data used for communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the mobile device 40. is memorized. Both the control unit 22 and the control unit 32 operate as a verification means, and the communication signal received by the vehicle relay device 20 or the mobile relay device 30 from the vehicle control device 10 or the mobile device 40 is transmitted to the parameter storage unit 28 and the parameter storage. It is checked which of the communication signals stored in the section 38 corresponds to the communication signal. In this way, the communication specifications are determined.

In the present embodiment, the communication specifications are determined based on the WAKE signal and the challenge signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10, the wireless WAKE signal and the wireless challenge signal transmitted from the vehicle relay device 20 based on these signals, and the mobile device. The processing is performed based on the data length of the ACK signal and response signal transmitted from the mobile relay device 30, and the data length of the wireless ACK signal and the wireless response signal transmitted from the mobile relay device 30 based on these signals. Based on the data length of at least one of these signals, it is determined to which communication specification of which vehicle type the communication specification of the vehicle control system 2 corresponds.

Then, the determination result is recorded in the parameter storage unit 28 provided in the vehicle repeater 20 and the parameter storage unit 38 provided in the mobile repeater 30, and based on the recorded information, the vehicle repeater 20 and the mobile Relay machine 30 operates.

When the determination of the communication specifications is completed and the determined communication specifications are recorded in the parameter storage unit 28 provided in the vehicle repeater 20 and the parameter storage unit 38 provided in the mobile repeater 30, the The notification unit 20c provided in the portable relay device 30 and the notification unit 30c provided in the mobile relay device 30 notify which communication specification has been applied. The notification unit 20c and the notification unit 30c both include a storage unit that stores notification contents corresponding to the determined communication specifications, and an audio output unit, and the audio output unit outputs the message “Communication specifications of car model Y of company X are applied. ” is announced by voice. Furthermore, when the communication specifications are applied and the user can start or stop the control operation of the vehicle 6 by the vehicle control system 2, the audio output section will notify the user with a voice message saying "Can be used." .

When determining the communication specifications, the distance is set so that the vehicle relay device 20 and the portable relay device 30 can communicate with each other, and the distance is set so that the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 cannot communicate with each other. Therefore, when determining the communication specifications, if the distance is such that the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 cannot communicate with each other, or the distance that the vehicle control device 10 and the mobile device 40 can communicate with each other, the vehicle relay device 20 or the control unit 32 of the mobile relay device 30, the notification portion 20c of the vehicle relay device 20 and the notification portion 30c of the mobile relay device 30 output a message from the audio output unit that says, “If the mobile device is not connected to the vehicle. Please move away from the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40.'', the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 are separated from each other at a distance where they cannot communicate with each other.

Note that the communication specifications may be determined each time communication in the vehicle control system 2 occurs. Further, the relay system 4 is put into the setting mode by the setting switch 20b of the vehicle relay device 20, and in that state, the foot brake pedal provided on the vehicle 6 is depressed to generate a foot brake signal as a starting trigger, and the vehicle control device This may be done by transmitting a WAKE signal from 10. The setting switch 20b may be a dip switch.

Further, the communication specifications may be determined using either the control section 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 or the control section 32 of the mobile relay device 30. In this case, data of the determined communication specifications is transmitted from the one of the vehicle relay device 20 and the portable relay device 30 whose communication specifications have been determined to the one whose communication specifications have not been determined. Further, the control unit 22 determines the communication specifications based on the WAKE signal received by the vehicle relay device 20, and further transmits a wireless WAKE signal based on the WAKE signal from the vehicle relay device 20 to the mobile relay device 30, and The communication specification may be determined by the control unit 32 based on the wireless WAKE signal received by the wireless WAKE signal.

Furthermore, the notification section 20c of the vehicle relay device 20 may include a display section instead of or in addition to the audio output section. The display section is, for example, a liquid crystal screen, and the audio output section displays the content of the notification as text. The notification section 30c of the portable relay device 30 may also include a display section instead of or in addition to the audio output section. The display section is, for example, an LED or the like, and displays the content to be notified on the audio output section using a predetermined color or blinking method.

In addition to the data length, the communication specification may be determined based on the number of bits, transmission time, data frame structure, etc., or a combination of two or more of these.

[Second embodiment]
In the second embodiment, in the vehicle remote control system 1 having the basic configuration described above, even if the frequency of the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 is different for each vehicle control system 2 or for each communication, the same relay system is used. 4 can relay communication signals.

In this embodiment, the first frequency (LF) of the communication signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 explained in the above-mentioned basic configuration is 134.2kHz, and the first frequency (LF) of the communication signal between the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 is The third frequency (SG) used is constant at 922 MHz, but the second frequency (RF) of the communication signal transmitted from the portable device 40 is 312 MHz or 314 MHz. Or change to one of the frequencies for each individual communication. These second frequencies are set by the manufacturer of the vehicle 6, and the inventors, who are third parties, discovered this by analyzing the radio waves transmitted from the mobile device 40. It is.

According to the inventors' research, this change in the second frequency is made based on frequency designation information included in the communication specifications of the WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10. Upon receiving the WAKE signal, the portable device 40 recognizes the frequency designation information in the control unit 42, and sets the second frequency at which RF data is transmitted from the transceiver unit 44 after the recognition to the frequency (312 MHz or 314 MHz) specified in the frequency designation information. Furthermore, in the vehicle control device 10, at the time of transmitting the WAKE signal including the frequency designation information, the second frequency at which the transceiver unit 14 receives the communication signal is set to the frequency specified in the frequency designation information.

Here, the second frequency used for receiving the communication signal by the first mobile-side transceiver 34 of the mobile repeater 30, and the second frequency used for transmitting the communication signal by the first vehicle-side transceiver 24 of the vehicle repeater 20. If the frequency is not the frequency designated by the frequency designation information, the relay system 4 cannot relay the communication signal. However, in this embodiment, these second frequencies can be set to the frequencies specified by the frequency designation information by the following method.

In this embodiment, the WAKE signal is investigated in advance for the vehicle control system 2 to which the relay system 4 is applied, and the frequency designation information and the frequency to be used as the second frequency are stored in the control unit 22 of the vehicle repeater 20 and the control unit 32 of the portable repeater 30. The investigation of the WAKE signal may be performed using the relay system 4, or may be performed using a separate investigation device different from the relay system 4.

Specifically, the investigation of the WAKE signal involves detecting the WAKE signal, storing the data pattern of the WAKE signal, then detecting the frequency of the RF data, and comparing the data pattern of the stored WAKE signal and the detected RF data. This is done by making the frequency correspond to the second frequency.

Then, the vehicle repeater 20 is installed in the vehicle 6, and the relay system 4 is made available for use in the vehicle remote control system 1. In this state, when the portable repeater 30 is operated to transmit a start signal, a WAKE signal is transmitted from the vehicle control device 10, as described with reference to FIG. 3. The vehicle repeater 20 that receives the WAKE signal, and the portable repeater 30 that receives the wireless WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle repeater 20 based on the WAKE signal, determine the communication specifications for the WAKE signal or wireless WAKE signal, and based on the frequency designation information obtained as a result of the determination, set the frequency used to receive communication signals by the first portable side transceiver 34 of the portable repeater 30, and the second frequency used to transmit communication signals by the first vehicle side transceiver 24 of the vehicle repeater 20.

Thereby, even if the second frequency changes for each vehicle control system 2, each engine start, or each communication, the relay system 4 can relay the communication signal.

Instead of determining the communication specifications for each individual communication and deciding the frequency as described above, after the vehicle repeater 20 constituting the relay system 4 is installed in the vehicle 6, when communication first occurs between the vehicle control device 10 constituting the vehicle control system 2 and the portable device 40, the communication specifications can be determined using the control unit 22 of the vehicle repeater 20 and the control unit 32 of the portable repeater 30, and the WAKE signal can be automatically investigated at that time. In this way, the time required to determine the communication specifications is not required for each individual communication, the possibility of meeting the time conditions required for relaying can be increased, and the engine can be started more reliably, etc.

After the vehicle relay device 20 configuring the relay system 4 is installed in the vehicle 6, when communication first occurs between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 that configure the vehicle control system 2, the mobile relay device 30 When automatically investigating the WAKE signal using the control unit 32, it is preferable to do as follows. The mobile relay device 30 determines the correspondence relationship between the frequency designation information included in the wireless WAKE signal received from the vehicle relay device 20 and the second frequency of the response signal (RF data) transmitted from the mobile device 40 in response to the WAKE signal. It is stored in the control unit 32 of. Thereafter, when the mobile relay device 30 receives a response signal transmitted from the mobile device 40, the mobile relay device 30 controls a control unit corresponding to the frequency designation information included in the wireless WAKE signal received from the vehicle relay device 20. The second frequency stored in 32 is received.

In this case, the vehicle relay device 20 receives, from the mobile relay device 30, information on the correspondence between the frequency designation information stored in the control unit 32 of the mobile relay device 30 and the second frequency, and based on the correspondence, , the RF data may be transmitted to the vehicle control device 10 at a second frequency corresponding to frequency designation information included in the WAKE signal received from the vehicle control device 10. It is preferable that the vehicle relay device 20 stores the information regarding the correspondence received from the mobile relay device 30 in the control unit 22 .

Further, the vehicle relay device 20 may be capable of receiving a response signal (RF data) transmitted from the portable device 40 at the second frequency. In this case, the vehicle repeater 20 detects the frequency designation information included in the WAKE signal received from the vehicle control device 10 and the second frequency of the response signal (RF data) transmitted from the portable device 40 in response to the WAKE signal. It is preferable that the correspondence relationship with the results obtained is stored in the control unit 22. After that, for example, if the vehicle relay device 30 receives and relays the WAKE signal from the vehicle control device 10, but cannot receive a response signal from the portable device 40, based on the stored correspondence relationship, The RF data may be transmitted to the vehicle control device 10 at a second frequency corresponding to frequency designation information included in the WAKE signal received from the vehicle control device 10.

In addition, the information on the correspondence may be stored in the control unit 22 of the vehicle repeater 20 and the control unit 32 of the portable repeater 30, but it may also be stored in the parameter memory unit 28 of the vehicle repeater 20 and the parameter memory unit 38 of the portable repeater 30.

Furthermore, the relationship between the frequency designation information included in the WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 and the second frequency of the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 in response to the WAKE signal is determined by the following method 1 or 2. You may investigate.

(Method 1) It is assumed that the vehicle repeater 20 has a function of transmitting an ACK signal at any frequency including 312 MHz and 314 MHz. When the vehicle relay device 20 receives the WAKE signal from the vehicle control device 10, it first transmits an ACK signal at 312 MHz to the vehicle control device 10, and then transmits the challenge signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 to the mobile device 40 in the relay system 4. If the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 can be relayed to the vehicle control device 10 by the relay system 4, the frequency designation information included in the WAKE signal and 312 MHz can be associated with each other and the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 can be relayed to the control section 22 of the vehicle relay device 20. Remember. If the response signal is not transmitted from the portable device 40 and the relay system 4 cannot relay it, the vehicle relay device 20 switches to 314 MHz and transmits an ACK signal, and similarly relays the challenge signal through the relay system 4. If the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 can be relayed to the vehicle control device 10, the frequency designation information included in the WAKE signal and 314 MHz are stored in the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 in association with each other. If the response signal is not transmitted from the portable device 40 even at 314 MHz, the ACK signal may be further transmitted at another frequency, or the WAKE signal may be stored in the control unit 22 as non-standard. good.

(Method 2) It is assumed that the mobile relay device 30 has a function of receiving radio waves at any frequency including 312 MHz and 314 MHz. First, the mobile repeater 30 sets the receiving frequency to 312 MHz. The WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 can be relayed to the mobile device 40 by the relay system 4, and the ACK signal transmitted from the mobile device 40 can be received by the mobile relay device 30 whose receiving frequency is set to 312 MHz. If the system 4 can relay the signal to the vehicle control device 10, the frequency designation information included in the WAKE signal and 312 MHz are stored in the control unit 32 of the portable relay device 30 in association with each other. If the mobile relay device 30 cannot receive the ACK signal, the reception frequency is switched to 314MHz, the WAKE signal is relayed, and the ACK signal transmitted from the mobile device 40 can be received at the mobile relay device 30, and the relay system If the WAKE signal can be relayed to the vehicle control device 10 in Step 4, the frequency designation information included in the WAKE signal and 314 MHz are stored in the control unit 32 of the portable relay device 30 in association with each other. If the ACK signal cannot be received even at 314 MHz, reception may be attempted at another frequency, or the WAKE signal may be stored in the control unit 22 as being non-standard.

In addition, instead of investigating the WAKE signal, a setting item of the relay system 4 may be provided to select the frequency used to receive communication signals by the first mobile side transceiver 34 of the mobile repeater 30, and the frequency used to transmit communication signals by the first vehicle side transceiver 24 of the vehicle repeater 20. With this setting item, the user may select which frequency to use, and the frequency may be determined by trial and error until the engine can be started.

[Third embodiment]
In the third embodiment, the relay system 4 in the vehicle remote control system 1 having the above-mentioned basic configuration does not transmit noise when relaying communication signals, and also allows communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40. There will be no delay in communication.

Figure 5 is a block diagram of a portable repeater according to the third embodiment. In the vehicle remote system according to the third embodiment, the portable repeater 30 in the vehicle remote system of the basic configuration described above further includes an AND circuit 50. In this figure, the operation unit 30b and the like described in the basic configuration above are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first mobile transmitter/receiver 34 of the mobile relay device 30 includes a transmission-only RFIC 34a and a reception-only RFIC 34b. The transmission-only RFIC 34a transmits radio waves of a first frequency (LF), and the reception-only RFIC 34b receives radio waves of a second frequency (RF). Further, the second mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 36 is an RFIC that transmits and receives radio waves of a third frequency (SG). The second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36 is in either a transmitting state or a receiving state by switching the mode. The second mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 36 includes an input terminal 36a, and when in a transmitting state, a communication signal based on a signal input from the input terminal 36a is transmitted.

Further, the control unit 32 and the second mobile-side transmitting/receiving unit 36, and the control unit 32 and the reception-only RFIC 34b are connected by carrier sense wiring shown in broken lines in the figure, and data wiring shown in solid lines in the figure. Connected by Further, the control unit 32 and the transmission-only RFIC 34a are connected by a data wiring shown by a solid line in the figure.

The RF data transmitted from the portable device 40 and received by the receive-only RFIC 34b is output from the output terminal 34c provided on the receive-only RFIC 34b of the first portable transceiver 34.

The control unit 32 also performs carrier sensing on the second frequency (RF) and the third frequency (SG) to determine whether the frequency to be used for transmission is in use before transmitting a communication signal from the second mobile transceiver unit 36, and whether RF data is being transmitted from the mobile device 40.

A control signal is output from the output terminal 32a of the control unit 32 only when carrier sense determines that RF data is being transmitted from the portable device 40.

Among these carrier sense determinations, the determination of whether the frequency to be used for transmission is in use before transmitting a communication signal from the second mobile transceiver 36 is made in accordance with the law.

The AND circuit 50 provided in the portable relay device 30 in this embodiment includes two input terminals 50a and 50b and one output terminal 50c. The input terminal 50a is connected to the output terminal 34c of the transmission-only RFIC 34a, the input terminal 50b is connected to the output terminal 32a of the control section 32, and the output terminal 50c is connected to the input terminal 36a of the second mobile side transceiver section 36.

The output terminal 50c of the AND circuit 50 outputs the logical product of the signals input to the input terminals 50a and 50b. Therefore, from the output terminal 50c of the AND circuit 50, only when the control unit 32 detects that RF data is being transmitted from the portable device 40, the combination of Hi and Lo transmitted from the portable device 40 is output. RF data is output, and the output becomes Lo at other times.

Figure 6 is a timing chart of LF data and RF data in a vehicle control system according to the third embodiment. When the ACK signal and response signal, which are RF data, are not transmitted from the portable device 40, no data is present and noise is generated. In the figure, noise is shown immediately before the ACK signal and response signal.

The time that the vehicle control device 10 must receive the RF data sent from the portable device 40 after sending the LF data from the vehicle control device 10 is set very short (for example, 2 ms or 6.5 ms) by the vehicle manufacturer. Therefore, the relay system 4 must also relay these signals in time, and in the portable repeater 30, the second portable side transceiver 36 switches the mode from a receiving state to a transmitting state as soon as it has completed receiving the LF data.

If RF data is not being transmitted from the portable device 40 when the mode is switched, noise will be transmitted at the third frequency from the second portable transceiver unit 36 in the transmitting state, which may result in non-compliance with the Radio Law.

Although the first mobile transmitter/receiver 34 of the mobile repeater 30 includes the transmission-only RFIC 34a and the reception-only RFIC 34b, these dedicated RFICs may be configured by a circuit instead of an IC.

However, in this embodiment, when RF data is not being transmitted from the portable device 40, the AND circuit 50 blocks noise from the receive-only RFIC 34b of the first portable transceiver 34 to the second portable transceiver 36, and the second portable transceiver 36 in the transmitting state transmits a Lo signal at the third frequency, so no problems under the Radio Law arise.

[Fourth embodiment]
The fourth embodiment is a case where the relay system 4 in the vehicle remote control system 1 having the basic configuration described above is such that a plurality of portable devices 40 can be used for the vehicle control device 10 provided in one vehicle 6. It is also available in Moreover, the power consumption of the portable relay device 30 can be reduced, and the frequency of replacing the primary battery 30d can be reduced.

Figure 7 is a timing chart of LF data and RF data in a vehicle control system in which multiple portable devices can be used. The figure shows a case in which four portable devices 40 can be used for one vehicle control device 10.

Each of the four portable devices 40 has a different timing from when it receives the WAKE signal until it transmits the ACK signal. In FIG. 7, the ACK signals transmitted from each portable device 40 are shown as ACK signals 1 to 4 in order of the earliest transmission timing. In addition, when multiple portable devices 40 are usable, the authentication information storage unit 16 of the vehicle control device 10 stores the ID code of each portable device 40. The engine start process in this case will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

(1, 2) The control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 receives a specific trigger signal and transmits a WAKE signal from the transceiver unit 14. (3) When a portable device 40 that is within communication distance of the WAKE signal receives the WAKE signal, it transmits an ACK signal at a specific timing.

(4) When the vehicle control device 10 receives the ACK signal and confirms the presence of a portable device 40 within the communication distance, it accesses the authentication information storage unit 16, acquires the ID code as the stored authentication information, and outputs a challenge signal including the ID code. If multiple portable devices 40 transmit ACK signals, it outputs a challenge signal including the ID code of the portable device 40 that transmitted the ACK signal earliest.

(5) When the portable device 40 recognizes that the challenge signal received from the ID code is addressed to itself, the portable device 40 wirelessly transmits a response signal including its own authentication information. When the transceiver unit 14 of the vehicle control device 10 receives the response signal, authentication of the portable device 40 is completed.

When applying a relay system 4 to such a vehicle control system 2, the following two methods are possible.

(Method 1) As shown in FIG. 3, a WAKE signal sent from the vehicle control device 10 is relayed to the portable device 40 by the vehicle repeater 20 and the portable repeater 30, and an ACK signal sent from the portable device 40 that recognizes the WAKE signal is relayed to the vehicle control device 10 by the portable repeater 30 and the vehicle repeater 20.

(Method 2) After the vehicle relay device 20 receives the WAKE signal, it transmits an ACK signal to the vehicle control device 10 at a second frequency (RF) at a timing previously stored in the parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle relay device 20.

Each of these methods has the following advantages and disadvantages.

Method 1 has the advantage that it is not necessary to store the ACK signal of each portable device 40 in the parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle relay device 20 in advance. However, both the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 have disadvantages in that the number of times of switching between transmission and reception is greater than in method 2, the design is complicated, the operation time is long, and power consumption is increased. In particular, in the portable repeater 30, there is a limit to the size of the primary battery 30d in order to improve portability, and if the power consumption is large, the effort required to replace the battery increases.

In the case of method 2, since the ACK signal is not relayed, the power consumption of the portable repeater 30 and the portable device 40 can be reduced. However, it is necessary to know which of the four portable devices 40 will be used for authentication before starting to use the relay system 4 in the vehicle 6, and to store the parameter storage section 28 of the vehicle relay device 20 in the parameter storage section 28 of the vehicle relay device 20. The timing of transmitting the ACK signal of the machine 40 must be investigated and memorized. Furthermore, when changing the portable device 40 that is carried along with the portable relay device 30, it is necessary to newly investigate the timing and store it again.

This embodiment overcomes the shortcomings of these methods. This embodiment will be described below.

First, before the vehicle repeater 20 is installed in the vehicle 6, or before the use of the repeater system 4 is started after installation, the parameter memory unit 28 of the vehicle repeater 20 stores the timing at which the ACK signals of the four portable devices 40 that can be authenticated by the vehicle control device 10 are transmitted. Then, communication is performed in the sequence shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a communication sequence of each data/signal in the vehicle remote control system according to the fourth embodiment. Numbers in parentheses in the following description correspond to numbers in parentheses in the figures. The description of parts common to the above description of the basic configuration will be simplified.

(1) When the operation unit 30b is pressed, the portable relay device 30 wirelessly transmits a start signal to the vehicle relay device 20.

(2) When the vehicle relay device 20 receives the start signal, it wirelessly transmits a start response signal to the mobile relay device 30.

(3) Furthermore, upon receiving the start signal, the vehicle relay device 20 transmits a foot brake signal, which is a start trigger, to the vehicle control device 10 using a wired communication function.

(4) The vehicle control device 10 receives the foot brake signal and transmits a WAKE signal.

(5) The first vehicle-side transceiver section 24 of the vehicle relay device 20 receives the WAKE signal. The vehicle relay device 20 transmits the ACK signal at any one of the four timings stored in the parameter storage section 28. The ACK signal transmitted by the vehicle relay device 20 is also referred to as a "pseudo ACK signal" below.

(6) Furthermore, the vehicle relay device 20 wirelessly transmits a wireless WAKE signal to the mobile relay device 30.

(7) The mobile relay device 30 that has received the wireless WAKE signal transmits a transfer WAKE signal to the mobile device 40.

(8) The portable device 40 that has received the transfer WAKE signal transmits an ACK signal. However, the mobile relay device 30 does not receive the ACK signal. Therefore, the mobile relay device 30 does not transmit the wireless ACK signal described in the basic configuration.

(9) The transceiver unit 14 of the vehicle control device 10 receives the pseudo ACK signal transmitted from the vehicle repeater 20. The ACK signal transmitted from the vehicle repeater 20 is recognized by the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 as an ACK signal transmitted from a portable device 40 (hereinafter referred to as a "virtual portable device") corresponding to the transmission timing of the pseudo ACK signal, and the presence of the virtual portable device is confirmed. When the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 confirms the presence of the virtual portable device through the above startup sequence, it transitions to an authentication sequence.

When the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 recognizes the ACK signal, it accesses the authentication information storage unit 16, acquires the ID code corresponding to the virtual portable device as stored authentication information, and outputs a challenge signal including the ID code and challenge data. The transceiver unit 14 transmits the challenge signal using a wireless transmission function.

(10) The vehicle relay device 20 that has received the challenge signal transmits a wireless challenge signal toward the mobile relay device 30.

(11) The portable repeater 30 that receives the wireless challenge signal transmits a forwarding challenge signal to the portable device 40.

(12) The transmitting/receiving unit 44 of the portable device 40 receives the transfer challenge signal. The transfer challenge signal transmitted from the mobile relay device 30 is recognized by the control unit 42 of the mobile device 40 as the challenge signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10. The control unit 42 determines whether the received transfer challenge signal is addressed to itself. Specifically, it is determined whether the ID code included in the challenge signal matches its own ID code stored in the authentication information storage section 46. If the ID code of the portable device 40 that has received the transfer challenge signal is the same as the ID code of the virtual portable device, the ID codes match and the response signal is transmitted using the transmission function of the transmitter/receiver 44.

On the other hand, if the ID codes do not match, nothing is transmitted from the portable device 40, and the engine cannot be started.

In this embodiment, even if a certain period of time elapses after the vehicle relay device 20 transmits the foot brake signal that is the start trigger in (3) above, due to ID code mismatch, communication trouble, etc., the engine If the start is not performed, the process returns to (3) again, the vehicle relay device 20 transmits the foot brake signal, and (4) the vehicle control device 10 that has received the foot brake signal transmits the WAKE signal. Then, in the second time (5), the ACK signal is transmitted at a timing different from the previous timing. Transmitting the foot brake signal from the vehicle relay device 20 again and transmitting the ACK signal with a different transmission timing will be referred to as a "sequential transmission operation" hereinafter. This sequential sending operation is performed until the ID code of the portable device 40 that received the transfer challenge signal matches the ID code of the virtual portable device. If the ID codes match, a response signal is transmitted.

(13) Upon receiving the response signal, the portable repeater 30 transmits a wireless response signal to the vehicle repeater 20.

(14, 15) The vehicle repeater 20 that receives the wireless response signal transmits a forwarding response signal. In addition, prior to transmitting the forwarding response signal, the vehicle repeater 20 transmits an engine start request signal to the vehicle control device 10. The vehicle repeater 20 wirelessly transmits the forwarding response signal while keeping the engine start request signal ON.

Thereafter, the vehicle control device 10 receives the transfer response signal and authenticates whether the received transfer response signal is a response signal transmitted from the authorized portable device 40. Then, if the response signal is authenticated as being transmitted from the authorized portable device 40, and both the engine start request signal and the foot brake signal are ON, control is performed to start the engine.

According to the present embodiment, the disadvantages of methods 1 and 2 are solved, and the ACK signal is not relayed, so the power consumption of the mobile relay device 30 can be reduced, and the power consumption of the mobile relay device 30 can be reduced. There is no need to investigate the timing of transmitting the ACK signal of the portable device 40 and store it in the parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle relay device 20.

In this embodiment, the timing of the pseudo ACK signal transmitted in (5) above may be arbitrarily selected from four timings, and may be arbitrarily selected from the remaining timings in the sequential transmission operation. However, for example, the ACK signal 1 having the earliest timing may be transmitted first, and in the subsequent sequential transmission operation, the ACK signal 2 and the ACK signal 3 may be transmitted in this order.

Furthermore, after the engine has been successfully started, the last successful timing is stored in the parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle relay device 20, and the next time the engine is started, an ACK signal is transmitted at the memorized timing, and then In the sequential transmission operation, the transmission may be performed in order from the earliest among the remaining timings. Furthermore, in the sequential transmission operation, the successes before the last success may be transmitted in order from the newest one.

In addition, the timing order of the pseudo ACK signals sent in (5) above may be set by the user using the setting switch 20b of the vehicle repeater 20.

[Modification of relay system]
The relay system 4 having the basic configuration and described in each embodiment above may be modified as follows.

[Modification 1. Relay system that does not relay communication signals under certain conditions]
(1) At least one of the vehicle repeater 20 and the portable repeater 30 is provided with a function to determine whether the engine of the vehicle 6 is running, and if the function determines that the engine is running, communication signals are not relayed.

(2) At least one of the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 is provided with means for specifying the current location (hereinafter also referred to as "current location specifying means"), and the position specified by the current location specifying means is set to a predetermined location. If the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 or the control unit 32 of the mobile relay device 30 determines that the vehicle is located, the communication signal is not relayed, or it is determined that the vehicle is located at a predetermined location. Relaying is performed only when

The "predetermined location" is preferably stored in the parameter storage section 28 of the vehicle relay device 20 or the parameter storage section 38 of the mobile relay device 30 in advance. The "predetermined place" may be, for example, a "user's home apartment" as a place where the relay is performed, and may be, for example, a "villa used by the user" as a place where the relay is not performed. Conversely, the place where the relay is performed may be, for example, "the user's villa", and the place where the relay is not performed may be, for example, "the user's home apartment". Thereby, it is possible to automatically switch whether or not to relay communication signals depending on the user's activity location, and the power consumption of the primary battery 30d of the portable relay device 30 can be reduced.

In addition, the location where relaying is not performed should preferably be an airtight space. This airtight location may be, for example, an indoor multi-storey car park. By not performing relaying in an airtight location, it is possible to prevent the engine from being left running in an airtight location, which can lead to oxygen deficiency or carbon monoxide generation, and thus prevent the occurrence of unnecessary accidents.

Further, even if the current location cannot be specified by the current location specifying means, the location is likely to be indoors, so it is preferable not to relay the location.

The current location specifying means may be, for example, a means having a GPS function.

(3) When a temperature sensor that measures the temperature inside the vehicle is connected to the vehicle relay device 20 or mobile relay device 30 by wire or wirelessly, and the measured temperature is within a predetermined temperature range, communication signals are not relayed. .

The "predetermined temperature range" may be, for example, a temperature range that people generally feel comfortable with. In this way, if the temperature inside the car is such that the user feels hot or cold, the communication signal is relayed to start the engine before the user gets into the car, and the temperature inside the car is adjusted to a comfortable temperature. In addition, if the temperature is such that the user feels comfortable, there is no need to start the engine, so no communication signal is relayed.

(4) The mobile repeater 30 has a function of receiving radio waves of the first frequency (LF), and when the mobile repeater 30 is receiving the radio waves of the first frequency due to the function, the control unit 32 does not relay the radio waves. Control as follows.

The first frequency radio waves transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 have a short communication distance, and typically the user carries both the portable repeater 30 and the portable device 40. Therefore, when the portable repeater 30 receives the first frequency radio waves transmitted from the vehicle control device 10, the portable repeater 30 is located very close to the vehicle 6, for example, inside the vehicle. In this case, the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 can communicate directly, so there is no need for the relay system 4 to relay the communication signal. This makes it possible to reduce unnecessary relaying of the communication signal and save power consumption of the primary battery 30d of the portable repeater 30.

The function of receiving radio waves of the first frequency of the portable repeater 30 can be provided by providing an RFIC for receiving the first frequency in the portable repeater 30 and connecting it to the control unit 32.

(5) The portable repeater 30 has a function of transmitting a communication signal (hereinafter also referred to as "pseudo LF data") at a first frequency (LF) that is the same as the signal (LF data) transmitted by the vehicle control device 10 when no communication signal is transmitted from the vehicle control device 10, and also has a function of determining, when pseudo LF data is transmitted, whether RF data has been transmitted from the portable device 40 that received the LF data. This makes it possible to determine whether the portable repeater 30 and the portable device 40 are within an appropriate distance range.

Note that the RF data transmitted from the portable device 40 as a response to the pseudo LF data is not relayed from the portable relay device 30 to the vehicle relay device 20.

The pseudo LF data may be stored in the parameter memory unit 38 of the portable repeater 30.

If the mobile repeater 30 transmits pseudo LF data and it is not determined that RF data has been transmitted from the mobile device 40, the mobile repeater 30 is provided with a notification function to notify that fact. good. The notification by the notification function may be performed by the notification unit 30c of the mobile relay device 30 by sound, display, light emission, or the like.

The pseudo LF data is preferably transmitted by the first mobile transmitter/receiver 34 of the mobile repeater 30, and the first mobile transmitter/receiver determines whether RF data has been transmitted from the mobile device 40 that has received the LF data. It is preferable that the control unit 32 determines whether the RF data is received by the unit 34.

The pseudo LF data may be transmitted when the user presses a check button provided on the mobile relay device 30 or at regular time intervals. The fixed time interval may be, for example, every minute. A check button may be provided on the operation section 30b.

It is preferable that the parameter storage unit 38 of the portable relay device 30 stores signal patterns for each vehicle type, and transmits signals based on the stored patterns as pseudo LF data. In particular, it is preferable to store the signal relayed from the vehicle relay device 20 and transmitted from the vehicle control device 10, and to transmit a signal based on the signal as pseudo LF data.

(6) The vehicle repeater 20 has a function of connecting to an in-vehicle LAN installed in the vehicle 6, and takes into account the state of the signals flowing through the in-vehicle LAN and does not relay communication signals through the relay system 4.

The in-vehicle LAN may be, for example, a CAN, and when a signal indicating, for example, that a door is open is detected from the CAN, the relay system 4 may not relay communication signals.

The vehicle repeater 20 can be connected to the in-vehicle LAN by providing an OBD2 adapter connected to the control unit 22 of the vehicle repeater 20, and the OBD2 adapter can be connected to an OBD2 connector connected to the in-vehicle LAN.

[Modification 2: Limiting relay operation time of relay system]
After pressing the operation unit 30b, which is a push button switch of the portable repeater 30, the time during which the relay system 4 performs relay operation is limited to a predetermined time range.

For example, currently, in many cases, the portable relay device 30 and the portable device 40, which is also called a genuine key, are used in a manner in which they are connected by a ring. However, when two items are connected by a ring like this, if you put them in a bag, for example, they may get caught on other items in the bag, making it inconvenient to use.

In order to solve this problem, if the mobile relay device 30 and the mobile device 40 can be used even if they are several meters apart, another problem will arise, for example, when the signal from the key of another car of the same model cannot be used. There is a high possibility that the mobile relay device 30 will relay the information.

Therefore, by limiting the time for performing the relay operation as in this modification, the frequency of occurrence of such problems can be reduced. Further, it is preferable that the mobile relay device 30 is provided with a function of checking whether the keys of other cars of the same model are responding, and when it is detected that the keys are responding, the notification unit 30c issues a notification to that effect. Good. When the control unit 32 determines that the data received by the mobile relay device 30 is not the correct genuine key data, the control unit 32 may control the mobile relay device 30 to stop relaying the signal thereafter.

[Modification 3. Prevents erroneous operations using genuine keys and mobile repeaters]
Some of the portable devices 40 have operation buttons, and the portable relay device 30 also has an operation section 30b, so there is a problem that the user tends to press these buttons by mistake.

To solve this problem, the operation unit 30b is eliminated from the mobile repeater 30. The mobile repeater 30 is then limited to relaying communication signals and providing notifications. It is preferable that notifications from the notification unit 30c be made by sound rather than by display.

The operation performed using the operation unit 30b of the portable repeater 30 described in the basic configuration above is performed by pressing a specific operation button on the portable device 40 multiple times within a specified time. For example, an engine start operation of such a portable device 40 may be to press the lock button twice in succession within one second. The communication signal transmitted from the portable device 40 by such a specific operation is received by the portable repeater 30, and when detected by the control unit 32, an engine start signal is transmitted.

[Variation 4. Change operation depending on whether the genuine key is near the mobile repeater or not]
When the control unit 32 detects that the operation unit 30b of the portable repeater 30 has been pressed, a signal is transmitted at the first frequency (LF) to confirm whether the portable device 40, which is an original key, is near the portable repeater 30 before transmitting an engine start signal to the vehicle repeater 20. If the control unit 32 determines from this confirmation signal that the portable device 40 is near the portable repeater 30, it transmits an engine start signal to the vehicle repeater 20.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the portable device 40 is not near the portable repeater 30, the engine start signal is not transmitted to the vehicle repeater 20. In this case, the notification unit 30c may provide a notification that the portable device 40 is not near the portable repeater 30.

In addition, if a confirmation signal is sent from the portable repeater 30 after sending an engine start signal to the vehicle repeater 20, there is a certain delay before the engine start signal is sent from the vehicle repeater 20 to the vehicle control device 10.

Further, for example, when the user leaves the mobile relay device 30 at home and is cleaning the interior of the vehicle 6 in the parking lot of the user's home, a child at home may operate the operation unit 30b of the mobile relay device 30. Assume that you press the button to start the engine.

In such a case, it is desirable not to start the engine in order to avoid unnecessary trouble. Therefore, the vehicle repeater 20 is provided with a function to detect whether or not the portable device 40 is present inside the vehicle. If the vehicle repeater 20 detects that the portable device 40 is present inside the vehicle but receives an engine start signal from the portable repeater 30, it is preferable for the notification unit 20c of the vehicle repeater 20 and the notification unit 30c of the portable repeater 30 to notify the user of such a situation.

[Modification 5. Modified example of LF data]
Although the portable device 40 recognizes the LF data transmitted by the portable relay device 30 at the first frequency (LF) as regular LF data, it is different from the LF data transmitted by the vehicle control device 10. The range that the portable device 40 recognizes as regular LF data includes the range of the LF data transmitted by the vehicle control device 10, and also includes the range of the LF data transmitted by the portable relay device 30 in this modification. .

The relay system 4 preferably includes a device having a function of receiving LF data, and the device preferably has a function of distinguishing between these two types of LF data and recording which LF data has been received. The device having the function of receiving LF data may be, for example, the vehicle repeater 20, and the reception of the LF data may be performed by the first vehicle-side transmitting/receiving section 24, or may be provided separately from the first vehicle-side transmitting/receiving section 24. This may also be done using a receiving RFIC or the like. It is preferable to record the reception of the LF data by providing a recording device in the vehicle relay device 20.

[Modification 6. Modification of RF data]
The RF data transmitted by the vehicle repeater 20 at the second frequency (RF) is recognized by the vehicle control device 10 as regular RF data, but is different from the RF data transmitted by the portable device 40. The range of data that the vehicle repeater 20 recognizes as regular RF data includes the range of RF data transmitted by the portable device 40, and also includes the range of RF data transmitted by the vehicle repeater 20 in this modified example.

The relay system 4 includes a device having a function of receiving RF data, and the device has a function of discriminating between these two types of RF data and recording which RF data has been received. The device having a function of receiving RF data may be, for example, a vehicle repeater 20, and RF data may be received by providing a receiving RFIC or the like. The received RF data may be recorded by providing a recording device in the vehicle repeater 20.

[Modification 7. Modifications of additional functions of mobile repeater]
A portable relay device 30 is used as a box from which information about a vehicle 6 is taken out. For example, the mobile relay device 30 is added with a function of acquiring information from the vehicle 6, a function of communicating with a smartphone, etc. The communication function with a smartphone or the like may be a Bluetooth function, an NFC function, etc., and, for example, a Bluetooth transmitting/receiving module may be connected to the control unit 32. Examples of additional functions will be explained in (1) to (3) below.

(1) Transfer various information regarding the vehicle 6 from the vehicle relay device 20 to the mobile relay device 30, store it in the storage section provided in the mobile relay device 30, and transfer the stored information to a smartphone etc. Make transfer possible.

It is difficult to operate a smartphone or the like inside a vehicle, making it difficult to obtain information about the vehicle 6, but it is easy to do so outside the vehicle, such as at home or in a restaurant. On the other hand, at home or in a restaurant, the distance between the vehicle 6 and the smartphone or the like operated by the user is large, making it difficult to obtain information directly from the vehicle 6 using the smartphone or the like.

Because the user has both a smartphone and a portable repeater 30 nearby, this modified example allows the user to easily obtain information about the vehicle 6, thereby solving the above problem.

Furthermore, according to this modification, the mobile relay device 30 can be used not only as a simple engine starter operation button but also as a tool to be used in pair with a smartphone or the like, giving the user an incentive to carry the mobile relay device 30. It can be done. Generally, engine starters are used exclusively in winter, so the portable repeater 30 is rarely carried by users outside of winter, especially in summer. However, according to this modification, it can be carried even outside of winter. The possibility of becoming

(2) The information stored in (1) above may be, for example, the operation of the vehicle 6 (engine on/off), the location (for example, the location where the vehicle 6 is parked detected by the on-board GPS), the temperature inside the vehicle, etc. This information can be displayed on a smartphone or on a map, and the information or the map on which the information is displayed can be shared with others. Using this information, the user can easily look back on past actions.

GPS and the like consume a lot of power, so if they are installed in the portable repeater 30, the primary battery 30d will have to be replaced more frequently. Therefore, if these things are installed in the vehicle relay device 20 instead of the mobile relay device 30, the user will not be able to obtain rich information even though the mobile relay device 30 can be powered by the primary battery 30d as a button battery. can. Since the mobile relay device 30 only receives this information, its power consumption remains small.

(3) The portable repeater 30 should have a function for storing the detection history of devices with wireless communication functions such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). In particular, it is recommended that the detection time be associated with the history and stored. The history may be stored at a predetermined time interval (e.g., one-minute intervals), but it is recommended that the history be stored only when a change occurs.

The device having a wireless communication function such as Bluetooth may be, for example, headphones, a keyboard or mouse for a personal computer, a smartphone, or the like.

Detection of devices with wireless communication functions such as Bluetooth can be performed by transmitting a scan signal using a wireless communication function such as Bluetooth provided in the portable repeater 30.

Table 1 shows an example of data acquired and stored by the portable repeater 30. The stored data in Table 1 includes the Bluetooth (indicated as "BT" in the table) ID of the detected device, the level of electric field strength as the communication state, and the date and time of detection.

By using such detection history data, it is possible to understand, for example, which device a user carrying the mobile repeater 30 was near at what time, and how close the user was to the device, making it easier to control one's own actions. You can look back on it. In this modification, the behavior status may be determined based on the difference in SSID, etc. of Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth.

[Modification 8. Modified example of vehicle repeater]
The above-mentioned modification 7 was a modification of the mobile relay device 30, but in the modification 8, the vehicle relay device 20 has a function of acquiring information from the vehicle 6 and a communication function with a smartphone etc. etc. are added. The communication function with a smartphone or the like may be a Bluetooth function, an NFC function, etc., and, for example, a Bluetooth transmitting/receiving module may be connected to the control unit 22.

Table 2 shows an example of data acquired and stored by the vehicle relay device 20. Similarly to Table 1, the stored data listed in Table 2 includes the Bluetooth ID of the detected device (indicated as "BT" in the table), the level of electric field strength as the communication state, and the date and time of detection. include. The ID "None" shown in Table 2 means, for example, a case where a weak signal was received but the ID could not be identified.

By using such detection history data, it is possible to understand, for example, which device the user who boarded the vehicle 6 equipped with the vehicle relay device 20 was near at what time, and how close the user was. , can easily reflect on one's own actions. In this modification, the behavior status may be determined based on the difference in SSID, etc. of Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth.

In addition, when Modification 7 and Modification 8 are combined, for example, by comparing the data in the first row of Table 1 and the first row of Table 2, it is possible to see that the device with ID 00001 (for example, a smartphone) is a mobile relay at the same time. It was detected by both the mobile relay device 30 and the vehicle relay device 20, indicating that the device was located near both the mobile relay device 30 and the vehicle 6, and furthermore, based on the level of electric field strength, the device was detected by the mobile relay device rather than the vehicle 6. It was found that there was a high possibility that it was near aircraft 30, and this can be used as an aid in the search for the equipment. Furthermore, it can be applied to searching for the location of a genuine key, for example, when the genuine key is lost.

[Modification 9. Identification of location of mobile repeater]
Radio waves of a frequency (third frequency (SG), for example, 922 MHz) used for relaying communication signals between the vehicle repeater 20 and the mobile repeater 30 in the relay system 4, and the radio waves of the Bluetooth function used in Modification 8. It is preferable to identify where the mobile relay device 30 is located by using the vehicle relay device 20 in combination.

The vehicle repeater 20 is given the ability to receive Bluetooth radio waves. In the vehicle repeater 20, for example, a Bluetooth transceiver module may be connected to the control unit 22. This allows the second vehicle transceiver 26 to receive radio waves of the third frequency, and the Bluetooth transceiver module to receive Bluetooth radio waves.

The communication distance using the third frequency is several hundred meters, while that for Bluetooth radio waves is approximately 10 meters. Therefore, if the vehicle repeater 20 receives both radio waves, it can be inferred that the portable repeater 30 is located within 10 meters of the vehicle 6; if it receives only radio waves of the third frequency, it is located more than 10 meters but within several hundred meters; and if it receives neither radio waves, it is not located within several hundred meters.

According to the relay system 4 as described above, as shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle control device 10 (first device) and the portable device 40 (second device) communicate wirelessly with each other according to predetermined communication specifications. The vehicle control device 10 is placed in the vehicle 6 (controlled device), and when communication of a predetermined signal is performed between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40, the vehicle in which the vehicle control device 10 is placed In the vehicle control system 2 (control system) that performs the control operation of 6, the relay system 4 relays wireless communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40. A vehicle relay device 20 (first relay device) and a mobile relay device 30 (first relay device) can relay wireless communication in multiple types of vehicle control systems 2 with different predetermined communication specifications between them. The vehicle relay device 20 receives signals from the vehicle control device 10 and transmits signals that the vehicle control device 10 can recognize, and the mobile relay device 30 receives signals from the mobile device 40. and transmits a signal that the portable device 40 can recognize, receives a communication signal for communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40, and performs the predetermined communication based on the received communication signal. The communication specifications are determined, and the determined predetermined communication specifications are applied to the communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the vehicle relay device 20 and the communication between the mobile device 40 and the mobile relay device 30.

In this way, even if the communication specifications differ for each vehicle control system 2, the communication specifications corresponding to each vehicle control system 2 are automatically applied. It is possible to obtain a relay system 4 capable of controlling a vehicle 6 in which a vehicle 6 is disposed.

Communication specifications may include the signal data length, number of bits, transmission time, data frame, etc.

In the embodiment described above, the vehicle relay device 20 is placed in the vehicle 6, and the mobile relay device 30 is carried by the user.

In this way, even if the communication specifications differ for each vehicle type, the communication specifications for each vehicle type are automatically applied, and it is possible to obtain the relay system 4 that can control the vehicle of that type. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the need to prepare a relay system 4 that corresponds to communication specifications for each vehicle model, and inventory management at the dealership becomes easier.

The operation of the vehicle 6 that is controlled by the control operation of the vehicle control system 2 may be any type of operation, but may be, for example, the operation of each part that constitutes the vehicle 6, such as opening and closing the door of the vehicle 6, It is good to activate and shut off car security. In particular, it is preferable to start the engine, the motor system, or the air conditioner, which is the power source of the vehicle 6, and to stop these. The relay system 4 may be an engine starter that can start the engine, start the motor system, or start the air conditioner, and stop them by remote control.

The control of the vehicle 6 by the vehicle control system 2 may be configured to start or stop by detecting, for example, a user's operation of an operation unit provided on the portable repeater 30 or an operation unit provided on the portable device 40. For example, the vehicle control system 2 may be configured to detect a user's operation on an operation button of the portable repeater 30, and perform control operations of each part constituting the vehicle via the vehicle repeater 20.

The detection of the user's operation of the operation unit provided on the portable device 40 may be performed in particular by receiving a signal wirelessly transmitted from the portable device 40 to the vehicle control device 10 in response to the user's operation of the operation unit provided on the portable device 40, and based on the received signal.

In particular, the user's operation of the operation unit provided on the portable device 40 should be different from the operation performed from the portable device 40 to the vehicle control device 10 for causing the vehicle control device 10 to perform a specified control operation of the vehicle 6.

In particular, as a user's operation of the operation unit provided in the portable device 40, a radio signal is sent from the portable device 40 to the vehicle control device 10 in order to cause the vehicle control device 10 to perform a predetermined control operation of the vehicle 6. It is preferable that the operation includes an operation that triggers the sending of the message, but is different from the operation. In particular, it is preferable that the same operation performed continuously within a predetermined period of time includes operations that are not performed between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40. In particular, when receiving a radio signal indicating that the same operation has been performed a predetermined number of times in a row within a predetermined time, the vehicle control system 2 performs a predetermined control operation for the vehicle 6 from the vehicle repeater 20 to the mobile repeater 30. It is recommended that the configuration is configured to perform the following.

For example, in a configuration in which the portable device 40 is provided with a button for locking the door of the vehicle 6 as an operation unit in a configuration that controls the door lock of the vehicle 6, the button is used to lock the door of the vehicle. The mobile relay device 30 indicates that the user has performed an operation that is different from the operation (pressing the button only once), such as pressing the door lock button three times in a row within one second. This may be done by detecting that the three door lock radio signals issued by the machine 40 are consecutively received within a predetermined period of time. When such a detection is made, it is preferable to wirelessly transmit an instruction signal for starting the engine or the like to the vehicle relay device 20.

For example, if the portable device 40 installed in the vehicle 6 is provided with only a button for opening and closing the lock of the door of the vehicle 6 as an operation part, the operation of using the button to open and close the lock of the door of the vehicle 6 is When the user performs different operations, such as pressing the button three times in succession within one second, the vehicle control system 2 starts the engine or motor via the mobile relay device 30 and the vehicle relay device 20. It is preferable to start or stop the air conditioner.

The relay system 4 may be configured such that the communication distance between the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 is longer than the communication distance between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40. In this way, by operating the portable relay device 30 or the portable device 40, the user can remotely control the vehicle control system 2 from a greater distance. As a configuration for increasing the communication distance between the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30, for example, the transmission power of the radio waves used for communication between the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 may be It is preferable that the transmission power be greater than the transmission power of radio waves used for communication between the control device 10 and the portable device 40.

The relay system 4 is preferably applied to the vehicle control system 2 in which communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 is performed in the following order (hereinafter also referred to as "sequence"). [1] First, in order to start controlling the vehicle 6 using the vehicle control device 10, when a start switch provided on the vehicle control device 10 is operated, the vehicle control device 10 transmits a response request signal as a communication signal. . [2] Upon receiving the response request signal, the portable device 40 performs predetermined processing based on the response request signal and transmits the generated response signal as a communication signal. [3] The vehicle control device 10 starts controlling the vehicle 6 if the received response signal is a predetermined response signal compared to the response request signal transmitted by itself, and if it is not a predetermined response signal. Control of the vehicle 6 is not started until then.

In a vehicle control system 2 in which communication is performed in such a sequence, the relay system 4 may relay communication between the vehicle control device 10 of the vehicle control system 2 and the portable device 40 in the following order: When the vehicle repeater 20 receives a response request signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10, it transmits a wireless response request signal based on the response request signal. When the portable repeater 30 receives a wireless response request signal, it generates from the wireless response request signal a forwarding response request signal that the portable device 40 recognizes as a response request signal, and transmits the generated forwarding response request signal to the portable device 40 (hereinafter, the vehicle repeater 20 receiving the response request signal and the portable repeater 30 transmitting the forwarding response request signal are also referred to as "relaying a response request signal").

Regarding the response signal, upon receiving the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40, the mobile relay device 30 transmits a wireless response signal based on the response signal. When the vehicle relay device 20 receives the wireless response signal, it generates a transfer response signal that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as a response signal from the wireless response signal, and transmits the generated transfer response signal to the vehicle control device 10 ( (Hereinafter, the process in which the mobile relay device 30 receives the response signal and the vehicle relay device 20 transmits the transfer response signal is also referred to as "relaying the response signal.").

The forwarded response request signal may be exactly the same as the original response request signal, or may be different from the original response request signal, as long as the signal is within a range that the portable device 40 can recognize as a response request signal. Similarly, the forwarded response signal may be exactly the same as the original response signal, or may be different from the original response signal, as long as the signal is within a range that the vehicle control device 10 can recognize as a response signal.

The relay system 4 may also be particularly useful in a vehicle control system 2 that performs the above sequence twice (e.g., the startup sequence and the subsequent authentication sequence).

The communication specifications may be determined each time communication occurs in the vehicle control system 2, but in particular, the communication specification in the vehicle control system 2 is determined for the first time after the relay system 4 is installed in the vehicle 6 equipped with the vehicle control system 2. It is recommended that the configuration be configured to perform this when an occurrence occurs. Furthermore, information regarding the determined communication specifications is recorded in storage means provided in each of the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 based on the determination result, and based on the recorded information, the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 should work. Further, it is preferable that unless the determined communication specifications are applied to the relay system 4, the vehicle control system 2 cannot control the starting of the engine of the vehicle 6 via the relay system 4.

If the communication specifications are determined when communication occurs in the vehicle control system 2 for the first time after the relay system 4 is installed in the vehicle 6, for example, the start switch installed in the vehicle 6 is determined first after the relay system 4 is installed. It is preferable to perform the startup operation of the vehicle control system 2 at , and to do this when a communication signal is transmitted from the vehicle control device 10. For example, the vehicle relay device 20 may be provided with a dip switch, and the dip switch may be used to set the relay system 4 to the setting mode. In this state, it is preferable that a starting operation is performed using a starting switch provided on the vehicle 6, and a communication signal is transmitted from the vehicle control device 10.

The communication specifications may be determined, for example, based on the data length of the communication signal. Here, consider an example in which the data length of the communication signal of vehicle control system 2A is shorter than that of another vehicle control system 2B, and a relay system 4 that is only compatible with vehicle control system 2A is used for vehicle control system 2B.

Between the vehicle repeater 20 and the portable repeater 30, which perform wireless communication with each other, it is preferable that a communication signal (e.g., a wireless response request signal) be transmitted from the vehicle repeater 20 and received by the portable repeater 30, and that a communication signal (e.g., a wireless response signal) be transmitted from the portable repeater 30 and received by the vehicle repeater 20.

The vehicle relay device 20 may be provided with separate transmitting means and receiving means for communicating with the portable relay device 30, or may be provided with a transmitting and receiving means for both transmission and reception. Similarly, the portable relay device 30 may be provided with separate transmitting means and receiving means for communicating with the vehicle relay device 20, or may be provided with a transmitting and receiving means for both transmission and reception.

In the mobile relay device 30 of the relay system 4 that supports only the vehicle control system 2A, when transmitting and receiving communication signals with the vehicle relay device 20 using a transmitting/receiving means that also serves as both transmitter and receiver, the communication from the vehicle relay device 20 It is preferable to switch between the signal reception state and the communication signal transmission state to the vehicle relay device 20 at an appropriate timing according to the data length of the communication signal of the vehicle control system 2A.

When the data length of the communication signal of the vehicle control system 2A is shorter than the communication signal of another vehicle control system 2B, the mobile relay device 30 that has received the communication signal from the vehicle relay device 20 transmits the communication signal from the vehicle relay device 20. Switching from the receiving state to the transmitting state of the communication signal to the vehicle repeater 20 is performed before the reception of the communication signal from the vehicle repeater 20 is completed, and an error may occur.

However, if communication specifications determined based on communication signals are applied, the switching timing of the transmission/reception status of the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 can be automatically set for both the vehicle control system 2A and the vehicle control system 2B. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a relay system 4 that performs operations in a consistent manner, and the occurrence of such errors can be reduced.

The communication specifications may be determined by using only the vehicle relay device 20, only the mobile relay device 30, or both the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30. In the case where the communication specifications are determined based on communication signals only by the vehicle relay device 20, it is preferable to transmit information regarding the determined communication specifications from the vehicle relay device 20 to the mobile relay device 30.

When determining the communication specifications, it is preferable to provide a distance instruction means for instructing the vehicle repeater 20 and the portable repeater 30 to be at a distance where they can communicate with each other, and the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 to be at a distance where they cannot communicate with each other. The distance instruction means may be written on paper like an instruction manual, or may be a distance notification means for determining the distance or communication state between the vehicle repeater 20 and the portable repeater 30 and the distance or communication state between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40, and notifying whether the vehicle repeater 20 and the portable repeater 30 are at a distance where they can communicate with each other, and whether the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 are at a distance where they cannot communicate with each other. The distance notification means may use the notification unit 20c provided in the vehicle repeater 20 or the notification unit 30c provided in the portable repeater 30. The notification by the distance notification means may be performed by providing a display unit or an audio output unit in the vehicle repeater 20 or the portable repeater 30, and displaying on the display unit or outputting as audio from the audio output unit.

In this way, it is possible to prevent the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 from completing communication without going through the relay system 4 before the application of the specific communication specifications to the relay system 4 is completed. be able to.

The distance notification means may instruct the vehicle repeater 20 and the portable repeater 30 to be at a distance where they can communicate with each other, and the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 to be at a distance where they cannot communicate with each other, not only when determining the communication specifications, but also when the relay system 4 is in use. Note that the distance notification means may not provide instructions when determining the communication specifications, but only when the relay system 4 is in use.

The vehicle repeater 20 may be provided with a specification notification means for notifying which communication specification has been applied when the determined communication specification has been applied. The specification notification means may include a memory unit for storing notification contents corresponding to the determined communication specification, and a display unit or an audio output unit. When application of the communication specification is completed, the display unit may display which communication specification has been applied, or the audio output unit may output the communication specification as audio. The specification notification means may use the notification unit 20c provided in the vehicle repeater 20 or the notification unit 30c provided in the portable repeater 30. The notification contents may be information that can identify which communication specification has been applied, such as the vehicle manufacturer and model. If the communication specifications stored in the relay system 4 are managed by numbers, the notification contents may be, for example, "Communication specification 1 has been applied." The display unit may also display whether the determined communication specification has been applied or not.

In this embodiment, the communication specifications are determined based on at least one of the number of bits, the transmission time, and the data frame configuration for at least one of the communication signals, that is, the response request signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 and the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 in response to the response request signal.

In this way, the type of vehicle control system 2 can be accurately determined, and more accurate communication specifications can be applied.

The model of the vehicle 6 equipped with the vehicle control system 2 can be accurately determined, and the switching timing of the transmission/reception states of the vehicle relay device 20 and the portable relay device 30 can be set more accurately.

When the sequence of communication signals performed in the vehicle control system 2 is twice: a startup sequence and a subsequent authentication sequence, the communication specification is determined based on the transmission time of the WAKE signal, which is a response request signal for the startup sequence. Good.

The communication specifications may be determined based on at least two of the number of bits, the transmission time, and the data frame configuration for at least one of the response request signal and the response signal.

In this embodiment, the vehicle control system 2 uses multiple sets of response request signals transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 and response signals transmitted from the portable device 40 in response to the response request signals as communication signals between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40, and determines the communication specifications based on each set of response request signals and response signals.

In this way, the type of vehicle 6 equipped with the vehicle control system 2 can be specified more accurately. In the vehicle control system 2 included in the vehicle 6, the communication specification can be determined based on the communication signal for both the activation sequence and the authentication sequence using two sets of response request signals and response signals, and thereby accurate communication specifications can be determined. By applying, for example, the switching timing of the transmission/reception state of the vehicle relay device 20 and the portable relay device 30 can be set more accurately.

In this embodiment, the communication specifications are determined by the determination means provided in the vehicle repeater 20, and when the application of the determined communication specifications to the vehicle repeater 20 and the mobile repeater 30 is completed, the vehicle repeater 20 and the mobile The portable relay device 30 is provided with operation permission notification means for notifying that the user can start or stop the control operation of the vehicle 6 by the vehicle control system 2 via the relay device 30. The notification unit 20c provided in the vehicle relay device 20 or the notification portion 30c provided in the mobile relay device 30 can be used as the operation permission notification means.

In this way, the user can know that it is now possible to operate the vehicle 6 using the relay system 4, and it is possible to prevent the user from attempting to operate the vehicle 6 when it is not possible to do so.

The result of the communication specification determination by the determination means provided in the vehicle repeater 20 may be transmitted from the vehicle repeater 20 to the portable repeater 30 via communication other than relaying the communication signal of the vehicle control system 2.

The operation permission informing means provided in the portable relay device 30 may be an audio output means or a display means. For example, the audio output means may output a short signal sound such as "beep" or a voice saying "you can use" when the vehicle 6 can be operated using the relay system 4. The display means may be, for example, an LED, which changes from a red lighting state to a blue lighting state when the vehicle 6 can be operated using the relay system 4, or may be, for example, an LCD screen, and the display means may be an LED, which changes from a red lighting state to a blue lighting state when the vehicle 6 can be operated using the relay system 4. It is preferable that when it becomes possible to operate the vehicle 6 using the , characters or marks indicating that the vehicle 6 can be used are displayed. The operation permission reporting means may be provided in the vehicle relay device 20.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the vehicle control device 10 controls the vehicle 6 and the vehicle component devices that constitute the vehicle 6, and that the portable device 40 is installed in the vehicle 6.

In this way, the relay system 4 can be used to operate the vehicle 6 or vehicle components. The vehicle components can be anything, but examples of the vehicle components include the vehicle door locking mechanism, car security, and air conditioner, and in particular the engine or motor that is the power source of the vehicle.

In this embodiment, the storage means stores information regarding multiple types of communication signals, and the communication signals received by the vehicle relay device 20 or the mobile relay device 30 from the vehicle control device 10 or the portable device 40 are stored in the storage device. A verification means is provided for verifying which of a plurality of types of communication signals the communication signal corresponds to, and a predetermined communication specification is determined by verification of the communication signal by the verification means. The storage means can utilize the parameter storage section 28 of the vehicle relay device 20 and the parameter storage section 38 of the mobile relay device 30, and the collation means can utilize the control section 22 of the vehicle relay device 20 and the control section 32 of the mobile relay device 30. can be used.

In this way, the communication specifications can be reliably determined, and the vehicle relay device 20 and the mobile relay device 30 can be set accurately.

The information regarding the multiple types of communication signals may be information for identifying each type of the multiple types of communication signals, may be information regarding the characteristics of each communication signal, or may be information regarding the differences between each communication signal.

In this embodiment, the vehicle control system 2 uses, as communication signals, a response request signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 and a response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 in response to the response request signal, and the portable device 40 transmits the response signal at a frequency based on frequency designation information included in the response request signal. The frequency designation information is included in the predetermined communication specifications determined based on the response request signal, and the portable repeater 30 receives the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 at a frequency based on the frequency designation information.

In this way, even if the frequency at which the portable device 40 transmits the response signal differs for each vehicle control system 2 or each communication, the response signal can be relayed by the same relay system 4.

The frequency at which the portable device 40 transmits the response signal should conform to the communication specifications.

In this embodiment, the mobile relay device 30 performs wireless communication between the second mobile side transmitting/receiving section 36 (first transmitting/receiving section) that performs wireless communication with the vehicle relay device 20 and the portable device 40. It also includes a first mobile side transmitter/receiver 34 (second transmitter/receiver) that transmits communication signals to and from the second mobile side transmitter/receiver 36, and receives communication signals transmitted from the mobile device 40. At other times, transmission of communication signals from the first mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 34 to the second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36 is interrupted, and the second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36 does not receive communication signals transmitted from the vehicle repeater 20. When the process is completed, the vehicle relay device 20 is switched to a state in which the communication signal transmitted from the first mobile side transmitting/receiving section 34 is transmitted.

In the mobile repeater 30, the first mobile transmitter/receiver 34 transmits the communication signal transmitted from the mobile device 40 to the second mobile transmitter/receiver 36, and the second mobile transmitter/receiver 36 transmits the communication signal transmitted from the mobile device 40 to the second mobile transmitter/receiver 36. In the case where the communication signal transmitted from the side transceiver 34 is directly transmitted, when the first mobile side transmitter/receiver 34 is not receiving the communication signal transmitted from the mobile device 40, the first mobile side transmitter/receiver 34 There is a problem in that when the mobile phone receives noise, the noise is transmitted from the second mobile side transmitting/receiving section 36.

Here, even if the second mobile side transceiver 36 of the mobile repeater 30 transmits the signal transmitted from the first mobile side transceiver 34 as is, if the transmission of the communication signal from the first mobile side transceiver 34 to the second mobile side transceiver 36 is blocked except when the communication signal transmitted from the mobile device 40 is being received, it is possible to suppress the transmission of noise when relaying the communication signal transmitted from the mobile device 40 to the vehicle control device 10.

In addition, in the portable repeater 30, when the second portable transceiver 36 completes receiving the communication signal transmitted from the vehicle repeater 20, it switches to a state in which it transmits the communication signal transmitted from the first portable transceiver 34 to the vehicle repeater 20, so there is less of a delay in the time between when the communication signal is transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 and when it returns to the vehicle control device 10. Therefore, for example, in the vehicle control system 2, even if the time between when the vehicle control device transmits a response request signal and when the portable device starts transmitting a response signal is set to a short time by the vehicle manufacturer when starting the engine, the possibility of not being able to start the engine using the relay system 4 can be reduced.

The communication signal from the first mobile transceiver 34 to the second mobile transceiver 36 may be blocked, for example, by using a control unit that outputs a control signal only when it detects that a communication signal has been transmitted from the mobile device 40, and an AND circuit 50 that outputs the logical product of the control signal output from the control unit and the communication signal output from the first mobile transceiver 34 to the second mobile transceiver 36.

In the present embodiment, in the vehicle control system 2, the vehicle control device 10 performs wireless communication of predetermined signals for controlling the vehicle 6 with each of the plurality of portable devices 40, and the vehicle control device 10 In response to each of the WAKE signal (first response request signal) and challenge signal (second response request signal) transmitted by the mobile device 40 as a communication signal, each of the portable devices 40 transmits a corresponding unique ACK signal (second response request signal) as a communication signal. 1 response signal) and a unique response signal (second response signal), the vehicle relay device 20 stores information regarding the ACK signals transmitted from the plurality of portable devices 40, An operation detection means for detecting the operation of at least one of the vehicle 6, the vehicle control device 10, the vehicle relay device 20, and the mobile relay device 30 is connected to the vehicle relay device 20 or the mobile relay device 30, and the vehicle control device 10 transmits a signal. The vehicle relay device 20 that has received the WAKE signal transmits one of the signals (pseudo ACK signal) that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as one of the unique ACK signals, based on the stored information regarding the ACK signal. The vehicle control device 10 that recognized the ACK signal transmits a challenge signal, and the mobile relay device 30 receives a signal based on the challenge signal transmitted by the vehicle control device 10 via the vehicle relay device 20. After one of the portable devices 40 that has received a signal that the device 40 recognizes as a challenge signal transmits a unique response signal, the motion detection means detects the vehicle 6, the vehicle control device 10, the vehicle relay device 20, and the mobile relay device. 30, the vehicle control device 10 sequentially transmits signals that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as one of the unique ACK signals based on the information regarding the ACK signals stored in the vehicle relay device 20.

By having the vehicle repeater 20 perform the operation of sequentially transmitting signals that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as one of the unique ACK signals (hereinafter also referred to as the "sequential transmission operation") in this manner, when performing authentication operation between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 using the relay system 4, there is no need to relay the ACK signal from the portable device 40 to the vehicle control device 10, and the power used by the relay system 4 can be reduced.

The motion detection means may be connected to the vehicle repeater 20 or the portable repeater 30 by wire or wirelessly. The motion detection means may utilize the control unit 22 of the vehicle repeater 20 or the control unit 32 of the portable repeater 30.

The operation of the mobile relay device 30 detected by the operation detection means may be the reception of the response signal transmitted by the mobile device 40 by the mobile relay device 30. The operation of the vehicle relay device 20 detected by the motion detection means may be when the vehicle relay device 20 receives a wireless response signal transmitted by the mobile relay device 30 based on the response signal. Preferably, the operation of the vehicle control device 10 detected by the motion detection means is that the vehicle control device 10 receives a signal transmitted by the vehicle relay device 20 and recognized as a response signal by the vehicle relay device 20. The motion of the vehicle 6 detected by the motion detection means is preferably an operation based on a control operation of the vehicle control system 2 performed by the vehicle control device 10 recognizing a response signal, such as starting the engine or motor system, or starting the air conditioner. It is good to start.

The authentication operation of the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 using the relay system 4 can be performed, for example, in the following steps.

[1] A step in which the vehicle repeater 20 transmits a start-up trigger signal to the vehicle control device 10; [2] A step in which the vehicle control device 10 receives the start-up trigger signal and transmits a WAKE signal; [3] A step in which the vehicle repeater 20, having received the WAKE signal, transmits one of the signals (pseudo ACK signals) that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as one of the unique ACK signals based on the information about the ACK signal stored in the vehicle repeater 20; [4] A step in which the vehicle control device 10, having recognized the signal as one of the unique ACK signals, transmits a challenge signal; [5] A step in which the vehicle repeater 20 and the portable repeater 30 relay the challenge signal; [6] A step in which the vehicle repeater 20 transmits the challenge signal; The method includes a step in which one of the portable repeaters 30 that recognizes the signal transmits a response signal, and a step [7] in which the portable repeater 30 and the vehicle repeater 20 relay the response signal. After these steps, if the vehicle control device 10 receives the relayed response signal and recognizes that the ACK signal and the response signal correspond, the authentication operation is completed. If the vehicle control device 10 does not recognize that the ACK signal and the response signal correspond, the vehicle repeater 20 transmits a signal that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as one of its unique ACK signals, other than the signal transmitted in step [3], as a sequential transmission operation.

(10) For example, it may be configured as a vehicle repeater 20 in a repeater system 4 described in any of (1) to (9) above.

(11) For example, it may be configured as the portable relay device 30 in the relay system 4 described in any one of (1) to (9) above.

Devices such as these are configured as devices used in the vehicle control system 2. For example, the device for the relay system 4 used as an engine starter may be configured as a vehicle relay device 20 or a portable relay device 30 provided with an engine start button.

(12) It is preferable that the vehicle relay device 20 or the portable relay device 30 has a function of determining whether the engine is running or not, and does not perform relaying when the engine is running.

(13) The vehicle repeater 20 or the portable repeater 30 may be provided with a means for identifying the current location (e.g., position) and may be configured to not relay at a specific location (e.g., preset). Also, for example, the device may be configured to relay at a specific location (e.g., preset) (e.g., relay at home in an apartment building, but not at a vacation home). For example, it may be possible to set relay-prohibited points (e.g., areas).

(14) The vehicle relay device 20 or the mobile relay device 30 is equipped with a temperature sensor that measures the temperature inside the vehicle, and when the temperature (for example, inside the vehicle) is within a certain range (for example, a comfortable temperature range), the relay device 20 or the mobile relay device 30 relays the information. It is best to control this so that it does not occur.

(15) The mobile relay device 30 includes the first vehicle-side transmitting/receiving section 24, and has an LF reception function of receiving LF data transmitted by the vehicle control device 10, etc., but is not relayed while receiving LF data. Good to control.

(16) The portable repeater 30 has a function of transmitting the same signal (LF data) as the signal sent from the vehicle control device 10 to the vehicle 6 when there is no signal from the vehicle 6 (for example, a function of transmitting when a check button provided on the portable repeater 30 is pressed, or at regular time intervals (for example, every minute)), and determines whether a response signal to the signal sent by the portable repeater 30 is returned from the portable device 40 (for example, whether the two are within an appropriate distance range). It is preferable to have a function of notifying the user if a response signal is not returned. At this time, it is preferable to control the response signal from the portable device 40 so that it is not relayed to the vehicle repeater 20. It is possible to store signal patterns for each vehicle type in advance and send a signal based on the stored pattern, but it is particularly preferable to store the signal from the vehicle control device 10 relayed from the vehicle repeater 20 and send a signal based on that signal.

(17) It is preferable that the vehicle relay device 20 has a function of connecting to the in-vehicle LAN, and also has a function of controlling not to relay the signals in consideration of the state of the signal flowing through the in-vehicle LAN. For example, when door opening is detected from the in-vehicle LAN (for example, CAN), it may be configured to not relay the information.

(18) It is preferable to include a function to limit the relay operation time of the vehicle relay device 20 and the portable relay device 30 that constitute the relay system 4. For example, the relay operation time may be limited to a predetermined range (for example, several seconds) after pressing the engine start button. For example, a conventional mobile relay device and the portable device 40 are connected with a ring, but if the two devices are connected with a ring, they may get caught on other items in the bag, making it difficult to use. bad. Therefore, if it is possible for the two to be separated by several meters, a problem arises in that, for example, the portable relay device 30 relays a signal from a genuine key of another car of the same model. By limiting the relay operation time of the vehicle relay device 20 and the portable relay device 30, the frequency of occurrence of such problems can be reduced. Further, it is preferable to provide a function to check whether the portable device 40 (genuine key) of another car of the same model is responding, and in such a case, it is preferable to provide a notification indicating this fact. It may be controlled to stop relaying the signal from then on when it is determined that the data is not from the correct portable device 40.

(19) If there are buttons on both the portable device 40 and the portable relay device 30, there is a problem that it is easy to press the wrong buttons. Since the portable relay device 30 has an RF receiver for relaying, it is preferable to use this for purposes other than relaying. For example, the button may be removed from the mobile repeater 30. The portable relay device 30 is used for relaying and notification (it is particularly desirable to notify by sound rather than by screen). For example, the operation is performed by pressing a specific button multiple times on the portable device 40 (such as pressing the lock button twice within one second) to start the engine. It is preferable to send out the engine start signal when the portable relay device 30 receives and detects a signal sent from the portable device 40 to detect such a specific operation.

(20) It is preferable to provide a function that changes the operation of the portable repeater 30 depending on whether the portable device 40 is near the portable repeater 30 or not. For example, when it is detected that the engine start button of the portable repeater 30 has been pressed, before sending an engine start signal to the vehicle repeater 20 (or after sending it, in which case the vehicle repeater 20 may have a delay before sending the engine start signal to the vehicle), it sends a signal (e.g., LF data) to confirm whether the portable device 40 is near the portable repeater 30, and if it is determined that the portable device 40 is near the portable repeater 30, it sends an engine start signal to the vehicle repeater 20. If it is determined that the portable device 40 is not near the portable repeater 30, it does not send the engine start signal to the vehicle repeater 20. If the genuine key is not near the portable repeater 30, it is preferable to issue an alert indicating that the genuine key is not near the portable repeater 30.

Also, for example, when the driver leaves the mobile repeater 30 at home and is cleaning the inside of the car in the parking lot at home, a child inside the home presses the engine start button of the mobile repeater 30. In this case, the vehicle relay device 20 is equipped with a function to detect whether or not the genuine key is in the vehicle (for example, detected by direct connection to the ECU, in-vehicle LAN monitoring, or RF receiver), and if the genuine key is in the vehicle. If the engine start signal is received from the portable relay device 30 even though the engine is detected to be present in the portable relay device 30, it is preferable to issue a notification indicating that such a situation exists.

(21) The portable device (genuine key, portable device 40) recognizes the LF data as a regular signal, but it is preferable that the LF data is different from the LF data output by the car. A device including an LF receiver (for example, the vehicle repeater 20 is preferably provided with this function) is preferably provided with a function of distinguishing between these two LF data and recording which LF data has been received.

(22) The vehicle recognizes the RF data as a legitimate signal, but the RF data is different from the RF data emitted by the genuine key (portable device 40). A device equipped with an RF receiver (for example, the portable repeater 30 should have this function) should have a function to discriminate between these two RF signals and record which RF signal was received.

(23) For example, the functions described in any of (1) to (22) above may be configured as a program for causing a computer to realize the functions. The program may be a program for the vehicle repeater 20 and a program for the portable repeater 30.

The inventions (1) to (22) described above can be combined arbitrarily. For example, it may be provided with at least any one of the other configurations (2) to (22) without having all or part of the configuration (1). However, it is particularly preferable to include all or part of the configuration (1) and at least any one of the configurations (2) to (22) in combination. Further, arbitrary constituent elements may be extracted from at least one of (1) to (22) and combined. The applicant of this application intends to obtain patent rights for such configurations as well.

Although various aspects of the present invention have been described above using embodiments and modified examples, it should be noted that these embodiments and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are provided to aid in understanding the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations explicitly described in the specification, but includes combinations of various aspects of the present invention disclosed in this specification. The configurations of the present invention that are sought to be patented are specified in the attached claims, but it is intended that configurations disclosed in this specification that are not currently specified in the claims will be included in the claims in the future.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above-mentioned embodiments. The components of each of the above-mentioned embodiments and variations may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Any of the components of each of the embodiments and variations may be arbitrarily combined with any of the components described in the means for solving the invention or any of the components that embody any of the components described in the means for solving the invention. We intend to obtain rights to these as well through amendments to this application or divisional applications, etc.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 vehicle remote control system 2 vehicle control system 4 relay system 6 vehicle 6a battery 8 communication cable 10 vehicle control device 12 control unit 14 transceiver unit 16 authentication information memory unit 20 vehicle repeater 20a start trigger output unit 20b setting switch 20c notification unit 22 control unit 24 first vehicle side transceiver unit 26 second vehicle side transceiver unit 28 parameter memory unit 30 portable repeater 30a setting switch 30b operation unit 30c notification unit 30d primary battery 32 control unit 32a output terminal 34 first portable side transceiver unit 34a transmission-only RFIC
34b Receive-only RFIC
34c Output terminal 36 Second mobile side transmitting/receiving unit 36a Input terminal 38 Parameter storage unit 40 Mobile device 40a Primary battery 42 Control unit 44 Transmitting/receiving unit 46 Authentication information storage unit 50 AND circuit 50a Input terminal 50b Input terminal 50c Output terminal

Claims (13)

A relay system that relays wireless communication between a first device and a second device,
A relay system having a function of not performing the relay under predetermined conditions. Equipped with a function to determine whether the vehicle's engine is running,
2. The relay system according to claim 1, wherein the function of not performing the relay under the predetermined condition includes a function of not performing the relay when it is determined that the engine of the vehicle is running. Equipped with a means to identify the location,
2. The function of not performing the relay under the predetermined condition includes a function of not performing the relay when it is determined that the specified position is located at a predetermined location. Relay system described in. 4. The relay system according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined location comprises a location that is a highly airtight space. 5. The relay system according to claim 3, further comprising a function of not performing the relay when the position cannot be specified by the position specifying means. 6. The relay system according to claim 1, further comprising a function of relaying only when it is determined that the specified position is located at a predetermined place. 7. The relay system according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined location is a user's home. Equipped with a means to measure the temperature inside the vehicle,
8. The function of not performing the relay under the predetermined conditions includes a function of not performing the relay when the measured temperature is within a predetermined temperature range. Relay system. 9. The relay system according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined temperature range is a temperature range that people generally feel comfortable with. Equipped with a function to receive radio waves of a specified LF frequency,
The relay system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the function of not performing the relay under the specified condition is a function of not performing the relay when receiving radio waves of a specified LF frequency. 11. The relay system according to claim 1, further comprising a function of not performing the relay when it is detected that a door is open, as the function of not performing the relay under the predetermined condition. Equipped with a function to connect to the in-vehicle LAN installed in the vehicle,
12. The relay system according to claim 1, further comprising a function of not relaying the signal in consideration of a state of a signal flowing through the in-vehicle LAN. A program for causing a computer to implement the functions of the relay system according to claim 1.

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