Electronic key for vehicle

Abstract

In a state in which a vehicle electronic key is placed in a pocket, a bag, or the like of trousers, the present invention can make a determination as a misoperation when an operation of an operation button that is not intended by a user is performed, and can suppress door locking and door unlocking of a vehicle caused by the misoperation. An electronic key for a vehicle is provided with: an operation button for locking and unlocking a door of the vehicle; an operation signal transmission unit that transmits an operation signal based on the operation of the operation button; a light emitting unit that emits light by the operation of the operation button; a light receiving unit that receives reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitting unit; and a control unit that, when the light receiving unit receives the reflected light, causes the operation signal transmission unit not to transmit the operation signal based on the operation of the operation button.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic key for a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a keyless entry system for a vehicle, there is known a system for preventing the locking and unlocking of vehicle doors due to erroneous operation of an operation button of a vehicle electronic key (see Patent Document 1 below).

[0003] According to the prior art, by pressing the locking operation button and the unlocking operation button of the vehicle electronic key at the same time or substantially at the same time, it is possible to switch to a transmission stop mode for stopping the transmission of operation signals for locking and unlocking the vehicle doors, thereby preventing erroneous operation of the operation buttons. The transmission stop mode can be released by pressing the locking operation button and the unlocking operation button at the same time or substantially at the same time again.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-64918 Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical issues

[0008] However, in the prior art, when switching to the transmission stop mode of the operation signal, the user needs to press the lock operation button and the unlock operation button simultaneously or approximately simultaneously each time, and the operation is also required when releasing the transmission stop mode, which is time-consuming and laborious for the user.

[0009] In addition, even if the sending stop mode is set, for example, when the vehicle electronic key is placed in a trouser pocket or a bag, if some external force causes the lock operation button and the unlock operation button to be pressed simultaneously without the user's intention, the sending stop mode may be released. When the sending stop mode is released, it is impossible to prevent erroneous operations that are not intended by the user in this state.

[0010] The present invention is proposed to cope with such a situation. That is, its purpose is to make it possible to judge that an operation button is operated in a state where the electronic key for a vehicle is placed in a trouser pocket or a bag, etc., which is not intended by the user, as an erroneous operation, and to suppress the locking and unlocking of the vehicle doors caused by the erroneous operation by not sending an operation signal when the erroneous operation is judged.

[0011] Technical Solution

[0012] In order to solve such problems, the electronic key for a vehicle of the present invention comprises: an operation button, which is used to lock and unlock the doors of the vehicle; an operation signal sending unit, which sends an operation signal based on the operation of the operation button; a light emitting unit, which emits light through the operation of the operation button; a light receiving unit, which receives reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitting unit; and a control unit, which, when the light receiving unit receives the reflected light, causes the operation signal sending unit not to send the operation signal based on the operation of the operation button.

[0013] Technical Effects

[0014] According to the present invention, when an electronic key for a vehicle is placed in a trouser pocket, bag, etc., if an operation button is operated that is not intended by the user, it can be determined to be an erroneous operation, and the locking and unlocking of the vehicle doors caused by the erroneous operation can be suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the structure of a vehicle electronic key according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 It is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electronic key for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 It is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electronic key for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 It is a right side view of the electronic key for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a control flow chart of the vehicle electronic key according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a modified example of the vehicle electronic key according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Explanation of symbols

[0022] 1, 1A: electronic key for vehicle, 2: vehicle,

[0023] 10: Control unit, 20: Operation button, 21: Lock operation button, 22: Unlock operation button,

[0024] 30: Operation signal transmission unit, 41: Light emitting unit, 42: Light receiving unit, 50: Partition wall,

[0025] 411: first light emitting unit, 412: second light emitting unit,

[0026] 421: first light receiving unit, 422: second light receiving unit,

[0027] A, A1, A2: Object, B: Body, OS: Operation signal, P: External force, RS: Reflection surface, α: Outgoing light, β: Reflected light, α1: First outgoing light, α2: Second outgoing light DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Hereinafter, the mode for implementing the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals denote parts having the same functions, and repeated descriptions in the drawings will be appropriately omitted.

[0029] The vehicle electronic key 1 of the present invention is an electronic key corresponding to a keyless entry system for locking and unlocking the doors of a vehicle 2 by button operation, and has at least Figure 1 An electronic key having the structure shown.

[0030] The vehicle electronic key 1 is provided with a control unit 10. The control unit 10 can be configured to include a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), an electronic circuit, and a storage element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory). The components constituting the vehicle electronic key 1 are provided so as to be able to send and receive signals and the like via a bus. The operation button 20, the operation signal sending unit 30, the light emitting unit 41, and the light receiving unit 42 described later are controlled by the control unit 10.

[0031] The vehicle electronic key 1 is provided with an operation button 20 for locking and unlocking the doors of the vehicle 2, and the operation button 20 includes a lock operation button 21 and an unlock operation button 22. The user operates the lock operation button 21 and the unlock operation button 22 provided in the vehicle electronic key 1 to lock and unlock the doors of the vehicle 2. The control unit 10 receives input via switches (not shown) built into the lock operation button 21 and the unlock operation button 22, thereby detecting the operation of the operation button 20. For example, the user performs an input to the switch by pressing the operation button 20.

[0032] The vehicle electronic key 1 is provided with an operation signal transmitting unit 30 that transmits an operation signal OS based on an operation of the operation button 20. The vehicle 2 receives the operation signal OS transmitted from the operation signal transmitting unit 30, and thereby performs door locks or door unlocks based on the received operation signal OS. The control unit 10 instructs the operation signal transmitting unit 30 to transmit the operation signal OS based on the detected operation of the operation button 20. For example, after the operation of the unlock operation button 22 is detected, the operation signal transmitting unit 30 is caused to transmit the operation signal OS based on the unlock operation.

[0033] The vehicle electronic key 1 is provided with a light emitting unit 41 that emits light when the operation button 20 is operated. The light emitting unit 41 includes a light emitting circuit (not shown), and emits light having signal information when the operation button 20 is operated. The signal information refers to information composed of, for example, a specific flashing pattern and light intensity, and is information for determining that the light received by the light receiving unit 42 described later is light emitted from the light emitting unit 41. The light emitted from the light emitting unit 41 is assumed to be, for example, infrared light, but is not limited thereto, and may be light that can emit light having signal information, or may be visible light.

[0034] The vehicle electronic key 1 is provided with a light receiving unit 42. The light receiving unit 42 includes a light receiving circuit (not shown). The light receiving circuit included in the light receiving unit 42 is a circuit corresponding to the light emitting circuit included in the light emitting unit 41, and is capable of determining whether the received light is light emitted from the light emitting unit 41. When the light receiving unit 42 determines that the light emitted from the light emitting unit 41 is received, the light receiving unit 42 sends a light receiving signal to the control unit 10. When the light receiving unit 42 determines that the light other than the light emitted from the light emitting unit 41 is received, the light receiving signal is not sent to the control unit 10. The light receiving circuit mentioned here refers to a light detection circuit based on a light receiving element, etc.

[0035] A partition wall 50 is provided between the light emitting portion 41 and the light receiving portion 42 (see Figure 2 The partition wall 50 is provided so that the light emitted from the light emitting unit 41 is not directly incident on the light receiving unit 42. The light emitting unit 41 and the light receiving unit 42 are provided across the partition wall 50, for example, near the front end of the vehicle electronic key 1, where it is difficult for the user's hand to block the light emitted from the light emitting unit 41 when the user operates the operation button 20.

[0036] Next, use Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 The operation of the vehicle electronic key 1 will be described.

[0037] like Figure 2As shown in FIG. 1 , when the operation button 20 is operated, the light emitting unit 41 first emits light and emits emission light α, and then the operation signal sending unit 30 sends the operation signal OS. After the operation button 20 is operated, the light emitting unit 41 emits light, whichever is earlier, and the operation signal OS is sent from the operation signal sending unit 30 after a predetermined time has passed since the light emitting unit 41 emits light. The predetermined time is, for example, about 0.1 seconds. The emission light α emitted at this time has a specific flickering pattern and signal information based on the intensity of the light as described above.

[0038] exist Figure 3 2 shows an example in which the operation signal OS is not transmitted from the vehicle electronic key 1 . Figure 3 The vehicle electronic key 1 is in a closed space such as a bag or a trouser pocket, that is, has a reflecting surface RS that reflects the emitted light α emitted from the light emitting portion 41 in the emission direction of the emitted light α.

[0039] If the operation button 20 is operated, Figure 2 Similarly, the light emitting unit 41 is made to emit light and emit emission light α. If the emitted emission light α touches the reflecting surface RS of the closed space, it becomes reflected light β and is reflected. Then, as shown in the figure, if the light receiving unit 42 receives the reflected light β, the operation signal OS is not sent from the operation signal sending unit 30. At this time, the reflected light β has the same signal information as the emission light α. When the light receiving unit 42 determines that the reflected light β is received, it sends a light receiving signal to the control unit 10. When the control unit 10 receives the light receiving signal from the light receiving unit 42, it does not instruct the operation signal sending unit 30 to send the operation signal OS.

[0040] exist Figure 3 , the time from the emission of the emitted light α to the reception of the reflected light β by the light receiving unit 42 is within a predetermined time (for example, 0.1 seconds). That is, the predetermined time from the emission of the emitted light α to the transmission of the operation signal OS is set to be a sufficient time from the emission of the emitted light α to the reception of the reflected light β by the light receiving unit 42 in the closed space. When the light receiving unit 42 receives the reflected light β within the predetermined time from the emission of the emitted light α, the operation of the operation button 20 at this time is regarded as an erroneous operation other than the user's operation in the closed space, and the operation signal OS is not transmitted.

[0041] When no light reception signal is received from the light receiving unit 42, the control unit 10 instructs the operation signal transmitting unit 30 to transmit the operation signal OS after a predetermined time has passed since the emission light α was emitted. Therefore, when the light receiving unit 42 receives light other than the reflected light β, the operation signal OS is not not transmitted.

[0042] Next, use Figure 4 An example of erroneous operation of the vehicle electronic key 1 will be described. Figure 4 yes Figure 2 , Figure 3 The illustrated embodiment is a right side view of the vehicle electronic key 1 , but for easier understanding of the description, the light emitting unit 41 and the light receiving unit 42 are shown.

[0043] Figure 4 The vehicle electronic key 1 and the object A are placed in the trouser pocket together. Figure 4 As shown, the vehicle electronic key 1 is in a state where an object A placed together with the user's body B is sandwiched in a closed space. If an external force P as shown by the arrow is applied in this state, there is a situation where the object A is pressed into the operation button 20 by the external force P, resulting in the operation of the operation button 20.

[0044] If the operation button 20 is operated by the object A, the light emitting unit 41 emits light and emits emission light α. If the emitted emission light α touches the reflection surface RS of the closed space (the inside of the pants), it becomes reflection light β and is reflected. Then, as shown in the figure, if the light receiving unit 42 receives the reflection light β, the operation signal sending unit 30 does not send the operation signal OS. In this way, when the operation button 20 is operated by someone other than the user in the closed space, the operation signal OS is not sent, thereby suppressing the locking and unlocking of the doors of the vehicle 2 that are not intended by the user due to erroneous operation.

[0045] In addition, even when only the vehicle electronic key 1 is placed in the trouser pocket, the operation signal OS is not sent when the external force P directly operates the operation button 20 from the outside of the closed space without passing through the object A. Therefore, the locking and unlocking of the doors of the vehicle 2 that are not intended by the user due to erroneous operation can also be suppressed.

[0046] Next, use Figure 5 The control flow of the vehicle electronic key 1 will be described.

[0047] The control unit 10 monitors the operation of the operation button 20 (step S01). The operation of the operation button 20 is monitored by detecting the input of the switch of the lock operation button 21 and the unlock operation button 22. If the input of the switch of the lock operation button 21 or the unlock operation button 22 is detected, the control unit 10 determines that the operation of the operation button 20 has been performed. If it is determined that the operation button 20 is operated (step S01-yes), the control unit 10 sends a light-emitting command to the light-emitting unit 41, causing the light-emitting unit 41 to emit light and emit light α with signal information (step S02). The control unit 10 monitors the operation of the operation button 20 until the operation of the operation button 20 is detected (step S01-no).

[0048] If the light emitting unit 41 emits light, the control unit 10 determines whether the light receiving unit 42 receives the reflected light β. That is, it waits for receiving the light receiving signal from the light receiving unit (step S03). When the control unit 10 receives the light receiving signal from the light receiving unit 42, it determines that the light receiving unit 42 receives the reflected light β (step S03-Yes). When the control unit 10 determines that the light receiving unit 42 receives the reflected light β, it ends the processing without instructing the transmission of the operation signal OS.

[0049] In response to this, the control unit 10 measures whether a predetermined time has passed without the light receiving unit 42 receiving the reflected light β (step S03-No) when it is not determined that the light receiving unit 42 receives the reflected light β (step S03-No). If the predetermined time has not passed (step S04-No), the process returns to step S03. If the predetermined time has passed without the light receiving unit 42 receiving the reflected light β (step S04-Yes), the control unit 10 instructs the operation signal sending unit 30 to send the operation signal OS based on the operation of the operation button 20, and the operation signal sending unit 30 sends the operation signal OS in accordance with the instruction (step S05). If the operation signal OS is sent by the operation signal sending unit 30, a series of processing is terminated. If the processing is terminated, the control unit 10 starts processing again to monitor the operation of the operation button 20.

[0050] In this way, a predetermined time is set from the operation of the operation button 20 to the sending of the operation signal OS, and the light receiving unit 42 receives the reflected light β to determine whether the operation of the operation button 20 is an operation in a closed space, thereby detecting an erroneous operation of the operation button 20 and suppressing the locking and unlocking of the doors of the vehicle 2 that are not intended by the user and are caused by erroneous operation.

[0051] Although in the description so far, the light-emitting portion 41 and the light-receiving portion 42 are components arranged at the front end of the vehicle electronic key 1, the light-emitting portion 41 and the light-receiving portion 42 may be arranged at a position other than the front end of the vehicle electronic key 1 as long as the hand holding the vehicle electronic key 1 is arranged at a position where it is difficult to block the emitted light α when the user operates the operation button 20.

[0052] use Figure 6 , a vehicle electronic key 1A provided with a plurality of light emitting units 41 and light receiving units 42 is described. The vehicle electronic key 1A is provided with a light emitting unit 41 and a light receiving unit 42, which are provided on the surface provided with the operation button 20 in addition to the front end, and emit light in a direction different from that of the light emitting unit 41 provided at the front end. Here, the light emitting unit 41 and the light receiving unit 42 provided at the front end of the vehicle electronic key 1A are set as a first light emitting unit 411 and a first light receiving unit 421, and the light emitting unit 41 and the light receiving unit 42 provided on the surface provided with the operation button 20 are set as a second light emitting unit 412 and a second light receiving unit 422. In addition, the emission light α emitted from the first light emitting unit 411 is set as a first emission light α1, and the emission light α emitted from the second light emitting unit 412 is set as a second emission light α2. The other configurations of the vehicle electronic key 1A are the same as those of the vehicle electronic key 1.

[0053] Figure 6 For example, the vehicle electronic key 1A is placed in a bag with an opening for taking out the object A, that is, the vehicle electronic key 1A is placed in a closed space where the reflective surface RS is not provided partially.

[0054] In the closed space shown in the figure, there are a plurality of objects A around the vehicle electronic key 1A, and the object A that operates the operation button 20 of the vehicle electronic key 1A is referred to as object A1. When the operation button 20 is operated by object A1, the first light emitting unit 411 and the second light emitting unit 412 emit light, and emit the first emission light α1 and the second emission light α2.

[0055] When the first emitted light α1 is emitted, it goes straight toward the opening of the bag as shown in the figure. Since there is no reflection surface RS in the emission direction of the first emitted light α1, the first emitted light α1 is not reflected. On the other hand, the second emitted light α2 emitted from the second light emitting unit 412 in a direction different from the first emitted light α1 has an object A2 disposed in the emission direction. Since the outer surface of the object A2 becomes the reflection surface RS, the second emitted light α2 hits the reflection surface RS and becomes the reflected light β and is reflected.

[0056] The reflected light β enters the second light receiving unit 422, and the second light receiving unit 422 receives the reflected light β. If the second light receiving unit 422 receives the reflected light β, it sends a light receiving signal to the control unit 10. If the control unit 10 receives the light receiving signal, it does not send the operation signal OS to the operation signal sending unit 30.

[0057] In this way, as long as the electronic key for a vehicle 1A is provided with a plurality of light emitting units 41 and light receiving units 42 and emits the emission light α in different directions, even if Figure 6 Even when the operation button 20 is operated in a partially closed space without the reflective surface RS as shown, an erroneous operation can be detected, and locking and unlocking of the doors of the vehicle 2 not intended by the user due to the erroneous operation can be suppressed.

[0058] In the description so far, the locking and unlocking of the doors of the vehicle 2 caused by the erroneous operation of the operation button 20 are suppressed. However, from the viewpoint of preventing theft of the vehicle 2, only the erroneous operation of the unlocking operation button 22 may be suppressed. In terms of preventing theft, even if the doors of the vehicle 2 are unlocked due to erroneous operation, which is dangerous, there is no problem in locking the doors. For example, the light emitting unit 41 may not emit light when the locking operation button 21 is operated, and the light emitting unit 41 may emit light only when the unlocking operation button 22 is operated. By operating in this way, only the unlocking of the doors caused by erroneous operation can be suppressed.

[0059] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the described embodiments, and design changes and the like that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic key for a vehicle, characterized in that: have: An operation button for locking and unlocking the vehicle doors; an operation signal transmitting unit that transmits an operation signal based on an operation of the operation button; a light emitting unit that emits light when the operation button is operated; a light receiving portion that receives reflected light emitted from the light emitting portion; as well as A control unit that, when the light receiving unit receives the reflected light, causes the operation signal transmitting unit not to transmit the operation signal based on the operation of the operation button.

2. The electronic key for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light emitted from the light emitting unit has signal information. When the light receiving unit receives the light having the signal information, the light receiving unit determines that the reflected light of the light emitted by the light emitting unit is received.

3. The electronic key for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are provided at positions where it is difficult for the operating hand of the user to block the light emitted from the light emitting unit when the user operates the operation button.

4. The electronic key for a vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that: The vehicle electronic key is provided with a plurality of the light emitting units and the light receiving units.

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