JPH10194088A - Key insertion detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To reduce the size and weight of a key cylinder by enabling key insertion detection using an immobilizer of a vehicle anti-theft device. SOLUTION: This key insertion detecting device generates a magnetic field in an electric field generating section 6a when a key presence detecting means 6h incorporated as software in an immobilizer 6 detects a door opening by a signal from a door switch, and is built in the key. The key ID collating unit 6c executes the collation of the key ID code issued from the transponder which is in operation, and outputs the key presence detection signal KS when the collation of the ID code is established. With the combination of the existing vehicle anti-theft equipment and door switch signal, it detects that the door has been opened with the key inserted into the key cylinder, and provides a warning to forget to remove the key and a function to prevent confinement. Signal required for
In addition, a signal required for an indoor lighting timer can be extracted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key insertion detecting device for detecting whether a key is inserted into a key cylinder.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a key insertion detecting device for detecting whether a key is inserted into a key cylinder in order to activate an alarm for forgetting to remove a key, prevent a key from being trapped, an indoor lighting timer, etc. Turns on when a key is inserted, turns off when a key is removed (or vice versa), and incorporates a mechanical key insertion detection switch, which detects that the door has been opened by a door switch When the key insertion detection switch detects the key insertion, the interior lighting is turned off, and when the key insertion detection switch detects the key insertion, the driver's door is opened. When a signal is detected, it is determined that the user has forgotten to remove the key, and an alarm is issued.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional key insertion detecting device, the mechanical structure of the key cylinder is complicated and large because the mechanical key insertion detecting switch is incorporated in the key cylinder. This was the cause of weight increase, cost increase, and deterioration of vehicle mountability.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and determines the key insertion detection based on a combination of signals of an existing immobilizer and a door switch used as a vehicle anti-theft system. ,
An object of the present invention is to provide a key insertion detecting device capable of correctly detecting key insertion without adding a mechanical element to existing equipment.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key insertion detecting device which is registered with itself in response to a magnetic field.
A key with a built-in transponder to send the D code,
The transponder is incorporated in the body of the key cylinder or near the key cylinder and generates the magnetic field to generate an ID from the transponder.
Upon receiving the code signal, the ID code is collated, and when the collation is established, it is determined that the key is a genuine key, and an immobilizer that starts communication regarding engine start with the engine control unit, and a driver seat door opening / closing operation. A door switch to be detected, and a key to generate a magnetic field in the immobilizer when the door switch detects that the door has been opened and to execute the key ID code collation, and to output a key detection signal when the ID code collation is established. And a detecting means.

In the key insertion detecting device according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the key presence detecting means detects the opening of the door by the door switch, a magnetic field is generated in the immobilizer, and the key ID code generated from the transponder built in the key. Is performed by the immobilizer, and if the ID code is verified, a key presence detection signal is output.

[0007] With this arrangement, the combination of the existing vehicle anti-theft equipment and the signal from the door switch detects that the door has been opened with the key inserted into the key cylinder and prevents the key from being forgotten to be removed and prevents the door from being locked. For the interior lighting timer to take out the necessary signals for the function and also turn on the interior lighting when the door is opened, then wait for the key to be inserted into the key cylinder and turn off the interior lighting Necessary signals can be extracted, and the key cylinder does not need to be equipped with a mechanical key insertion detection switch. Deterioration of mountability can be prevented.

A key insertion detecting device according to a second aspect of the present invention is provided with a key having a built-in transponder for transmitting an ID code registered therein in response to a magnetic field, and a key cylinder main body or a key cylinder built in the vicinity of the key cylinder. Generating the magnetic field, receiving an ID code signal from the transponder, collating the ID code, determining that the key is a genuine key when the collation is established, and starting communication regarding engine start with the engine control unit. A key presence detecting means for generating a magnetic field in the immobilizer when the engine is turned off by the key to perform the collation of the key ID code, and outputting a key detection signal when the collation of the ID code is established; It is provided with.

In the key insertion detecting device according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the key presence detecting means performs an engine-off operation by the key, the immobilizer generates a magnetic field to execute the collation of the key ID code and the collation of the ID code. Is satisfied, a key detection signal is output.

[0010] With this arrangement, the combination of the existing equipment for preventing vehicle theft and the signal from the door switch detects that the door has been opened with the key inserted into the key cylinder, and alerts the user to forget to remove the key and lock the key. It can extract necessary signals for the prevention function, eliminating the need to incorporate a mechanical key insertion detection switch in the key cylinder,
The structure of the key cylinder, which had been a problem in the past, became complicated,
In addition, it is possible to prevent weight increase, cost increase, and deterioration of vehicle mountability due to the increase in size.

[0011]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
The combination of the existing vehicle theft prevention equipment and the signal from the door switch detects that the door has been opened with the key inserted in the key cylinder, and provides a warning to forget to remove the key and prevent the key from being trapped. Extracts the necessary signals and also turns on the room lights when the door is opened, and then generates the necessary signals for the room light timer to turn off the room lights after waiting for the key to be inserted into the key cylinder. The key cylinder does not need to incorporate a mechanical key insertion detection switch, making it possible to reduce the size and weight of the key cylinder. It is possible to prevent an increase in weight, an increase in cost, and a deterioration in vehicle mountability.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is detected that the door is opened while the key is inserted in the key cylinder by a combination of the existing vehicle anti-theft equipment and the signal of the door switch. The key signal can be extracted for the key removal alarm / key trapping prevention function, eliminating the need to incorporate a mechanical key insertion detection switch into the key cylinder, making the key cylinder smaller and lighter. The structure of the key cylinder, which has been a problem, becomes complicated, and the key cylinder is increased in size, thereby preventing weight increase, cost increase, and deterioration in vehicle mountability.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a circuit configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, in which a key 1 incorporates a transponder 2 which is excited under a weak magnetic field and transmits a unique ID code signal registered in advance. I have. An antenna 4 for transmitting / receiving a signal to / from the transponder 2 and an amplifier (AM) for amplifying a signal are provided on a key cylinder 3 on the vehicle side.
P) 5 is incorporated. An immobilizer (IMMC / U) 6 is connected to the amplifier 5, and the immobilizer 6 is connected to an engine control unit (ECM) 7
Is connected to Further, a signal of the door switch 8 is input to the immobilizer 6, and a key insertion detection signal KS is output based on a determination function described later.

FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of the immobilizer 6. The electric field generating unit 6a, a key ID receiving unit 6b for receiving a key ID code signal, and a key ID code are provided. I that matches the ID code of the genuine key registered in advance
A D collation unit 6c, an engine start ID collation unit 6d that communicates with the engine control unit 7 when the key ID collation unit 6c determines that collation is established, and collates the engine start authorization ID code, and permits the next engine start when the engine is off. An engine start ID registration unit 6e for negotiating and registering an ID code with the engine control unit 7,
A key state determination unit 6f for determining whether the engine is on or off from the key position is provided.

In addition to the above, the immobilizer 6 of the present invention further includes a door switch signal input section 6g for inputting an on / off signal of the door switch 8 by opening and closing the door, and a key ID code collation of the key ID collation section 6c. A key insertion determining unit 6h that receives the determination signal and determines that the key 1 is inserted into the key cylinder 3, and when the key insertion determining unit 6h determines the key insertion, the determination signal KS is forgotten to be removed and the key is locked. A key insertion determination signal output unit 6j that outputs to the outside for use in a prevention circuit, an indoor lighting timer circuit, and the like is provided.

Next, the operation of the key insertion detecting device having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a key insertion detection operation in the immobilizer 6 when a user who owns the genuine key opens the driver's seat door, gets in, and inserts the key into the key cylinder. This processing flow starts when a door open signal is input from the door switch 8 (step S1), and the immobilizer 6
Causes the electric field generator 6a to excite the antenna 4 (step S2).

When the user inserts the key 1 into the key cylinder 3 (step S3), the transponder 2 of the key 1 senses under a weak magnetic field generated by the antenna 4,
A key ID code signal is transmitted, and the antenna 4 receives it. The key ID code signal is amplified by the amplifier 5 and input to the immobilizer 6, analyzed by the key ID receiving unit 6b, collated with the ID code of the genuine key registered in advance by the key ID collating unit 6c, and the collation is established. Then, the key is determined to be a genuine key (step S4).

If the key ID code is verified,
The immobilizer 6 exhibits the vehicle anti-theft function as before, and the engine start ID collating unit 6d communicates with the engine control unit 7 to collate the engine start permit ID code, and if the collation of the engine start permit ID is established. The fuel supply to the engine is permitted, and the engine can be started. At the same time, when the key ID code collation is established, the key insertion determination unit 6h determines that the key has been inserted, and outputs the key insertion detection signal from the key insertion detection signal output unit 6j.
KS is output to the outside (step S5).

If the door switch signal input section 6g determines from the signal of the door switch 8 that the door has been closed (step S6), the electric field generating section 6a receives the signal and stops exciting the antenna 4 (step S7). Then, the output of the key insertion detection signal is stopped, and the key insertion detection process ends (step S8).

The immobilizer 6 performs a key insertion determination process shown in FIG. That is, the change of the accessory switch from on to off is detected by the key state determination unit 6f, and the processing of this flowchart is started (Step S).
11), the electric field generator 6a excites the antenna 4 to generate a weak magnetic field (step S12). The transponder 2 of the key 1 responds to the weak magnetic field generated by the antenna 4 and transmits a key ID code signal, and the key ID receiving unit 6b receives the signal via the antenna 4 (step S1).
3) If the key ID collating unit 6c verifies the authenticity key with the ID code and the collation is established, the key insertion detection signal output unit 6j
Outputs a key insertion detection signal KS to the outside (step S1).
4).

Subsequently, if the key insertion determining unit 6h determines that the key has been pulled out because the key ID receiving unit 6b of the immobilizer 6 does not receive the key ID code signal (step S15), the key is not forgotten. The electric field generator 6a stops the excitation of the antenna 4, and terminates the key insertion detection process (Step S16).

However, after the engine is turned off, while the key 1 remains inserted into the key cylinder 3, the determination in step S15 branches to NO, and the door switch signal input unit 6g opens the door from the door switch 8 to open the door. It is determined whether or not a signal has been input, and if the door is not opened, step S1 is performed.
2 is repeated, and if the door is opened, the process proceeds to step S1 in the flowchart of FIG. 3 (step S1).
7). Therefore, in this key insertion detection device, after the engine is turned off, the key detection signal KS is continuously output until the key 1 is removed from the key cylinder 3.

This key insertion detection signal KS is used in a key removal forgetting alarm / key trapping prevention circuit. That is, when the door opening signal is received from the door switch 8 while the key insertion detection signal KS is received from the immobilizer 6, it is determined that the door has been opened with the key 1 inserted into the key cylinder 3, and the key forgetting alarm is given. Is to be emitted.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, by incorporating a slight determination function into the existing functions of the key with the built-in transponder and the immobilizer conventionally used as a vehicle anti-theft device, A key cylinder that can accurately detect key insertion without having to incorporate a mechanical key insertion detection switch into the key cylinder as in the conventional example, making it possible to reduce the size and weight of the key cylinder. Can be prevented from becoming complex and bulky, increasing the weight, increasing the cost, and deteriorating the vehicle mountability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an immobilizer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a key insertion detection operation at the time of entry into a vehicle according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a key insertion detection operation when the engine is stopped according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Key 2 Transponder 3 Key cylinder 4 Antenna 5 Amplifier 6 Immobilizer 7 Engine control unit 8 Door switch

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Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. I registered in response to a magnetic field
A key having a built-in transponder for transmitting a D code, and a key cylinder body or a key cylinder built in the vicinity of the key cylinder to generate the magnetic field and generate an ID from the transponder.
Upon receiving the code signal, the ID code is collated, and when the collation is established, it is determined that the key is a genuine key, and an immobilizer that starts communication regarding engine start with the engine control unit, and a driver's door opening / closing operation. A door switch to be detected; and a key for outputting a key detection signal when the ID code is verified by generating a magnetic field in the immobilizer when the door switch detects the door opening and performing verification of the ID code. A key insertion detecting device comprising a detecting means. 2. I registered in itself in response to a magnetic field
A key having a built-in transponder for transmitting a D code, and a key cylinder body or a key cylinder built in the vicinity of the key cylinder to generate the magnetic field and generate an ID from the transponder.
Upon receiving the code signal, the ID code is collated, and when the collation is established, the key is determined to be a genuine key, and an immobilizer that starts communication regarding engine start with the engine control unit. A key insertion detecting device comprising: a key presence detecting means for generating a magnetic field in the immobilizer to perform the key ID code collation when it is detected, and outputting a key detection signal when the ID code collation is established.