Key unit

Abstract

Provided is a key unit that can be easily used. A key unit (1) capable of housing an electronic key (3) of a vehicle (2) is provided with: an interference antenna (10) that propagates interference radio waves in the air, said interference radio waves interfering communication between a transmission antenna (2L) of the vehicle (2) and the electronic key (3) using a first frequency band; a communication antenna (12) that communicates with the portable terminal (5) via a second frequency band different from the first frequency band; and a control unit (14) that controls the output of the interference antenna on the basis of the communication content of the second frequency band.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a key unit for locking and unlocking a door lock of a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In the past, electronic keys that can lock and unlock vehicle door locks were used. On the other hand, in recent years, vehicle sharing, in which one vehicle is shared and used together, has become popular. When using such vehicle sharing, it is troublesome to hand over the electronic key, so a technology that can easily use vehicle sharing has been studied (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent document 1 describes a key storage unit. The key storage unit includes a storage portion that can store an electronic key that sends and receives two different frequencies of radio waves related to smart communication. The storage portion is covered with an attenuation material that can attenuate the radio waves of one of the two frequencies to a level at which communication is impossible. The terminal held by the user communicates with the key storage unit through short-range wireless communication. When the terminal is authenticated through the communication, the electronic key is operated by a key operating mechanism mounted on the key storage unit to send radio waves (radio waves that are not attenuated by the attenuation material) to lock and unlock the vehicle. In addition, the key storage unit is locked, and the terminal is unlocked when it is authenticated, and the engine can be started by taking it out of the key storage unit. By registering the terminal of the object in a control unit arranged outside the storage portion, the terminal can be used as a digital key as a key of the car.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-9917

[0007] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0008] In the key storage unit described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to take out the electronic key from the storage unit when starting the engine. In addition, when the vehicle is used in a shared vehicle, it is necessary to store the electronic key in the key storage unit when returning the vehicle. Therefore, it is troublesome for the user to start the engine or return the vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0009] Therefore, a key unit that can be easily used is required.

[0010] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0011] The characteristic structure of the key unit involved in the present invention is that the key unit can accommodate the electronic key of the vehicle, and comprises: an interference antenna, which transmits interference radio waves in the air, and the interference radio waves interfere with the communication between the transmitting antenna of the vehicle and the electronic key using a first frequency band; a communication antenna, which communicates with a portable terminal through a second frequency band different from the first frequency band; and a control unit, which controls the output of the interference antenna according to the communication content of the second frequency band.

[0012] According to such a characteristic structure, since the interference wave is propagated in the air from the interference antenna relative to the first frequency band used for communication between the vehicle's transmitting antenna and the electronic key, the communication between the vehicle's transmitting antenna and the electronic key can be interfered. In addition, even when the interference wave is propagated in the air, the radio wave of the second frequency band can be received by the communication antenna, so when the radio wave is received, the propagation of the interference wave in the air can be stopped, and the engine can be started using the first frequency band. Therefore, there is no need for a mechanism to block the radio wave of the first frequency band, nor is there a need to remove the electronic key from a place where the radio wave of the first frequency band is blocked, so it can be easily used. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a key unit.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the key unit.

[0015] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing a communication state when an interfering radio wave is output.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing a communication state when no interfering radio wave is output.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of an operating mechanism.

[0018] Figure 6 It is a timing diagram.

[0019] Explanation of symbols

[0020] 1: key unit, 2: vehicle, 2A: vehicle interior, 2L: transmitting antenna, 3: electronic key, 5: portable terminal, 3A: locking switch, 3B: unlocking switch, 10: interference antenna, 12: short-range communication antenna (communication antenna), 14: control unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The key unit involved in the present invention is configured to lock and unlock the door lock of the vehicle from outside the vehicle when an electronic key is installed in the vehicle cabin. The key unit 1 of this embodiment is described below. However, the key unit 1 is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist thereof.

[0022] Figure 1 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a vehicle 2 equipped with a key unit 1. Figure 1 As shown, the key unit 1 is installed in the vehicle interior 2A of the vehicle 2. Although not particularly limited, the key unit 1 may be arranged in the space between the driver's seat and the passenger seat in the vehicle interior 2A, or may be arranged in the glove box.

[0023] As described above, the key unit 1 can lock and unlock the door lock of the vehicle 2. The door lock of the vehicle 2 refers to the locking mechanism provided on the door of the vehicle 2, and locking and unlocking the door lock of the vehicle 2 refers to locking and unlocking the locking mechanism (door lock) of the door of the vehicle 2. In addition, locking and unlocking the door lock also includes locking and unlocking the locking mechanism of the trunk of the vehicle 2. Figure 1 The vehicle 2 having hinged doors is shown in the figure, but when the vehicle 2 has sliding doors and a rear door, the locking mechanism of the sliding door and the rear door may be locked and unlocked. In addition, when the vehicle 2 has sliding doors and a rear door, the sliding door and the rear door may be opened and closed. Hereinafter, "making the locking mechanism locked" is expressed as "locking the door lock", and "making the locking mechanism unlocked" is expressed as "unlocking the door lock".

[0024] The key unit 1 is configured to accommodate an electronic key 3 that can lock and unlock the door locks of the vehicle 2. The electronic key 3 is a key corresponding to the vehicle 2, and is a key that can lock and unlock the door locks of the vehicle 2 by pressing a lock and unlock switch (described later) of the electronic key 3 or touching a predetermined part of the door, or can start or stop the engine by pressing an engine start button. The key unit 1 is provided with a storage portion 4 (see Figure 2 ), the electronic key 3 can be accommodated in the accommodation portion 4.

[0025] Next, the structure of the key unit 1 will be described. Figure 2 Schematic diagram showing the structure of the key unit 1. Figure 2 As shown, the key unit 1 is constructed with an interference antenna 10, a short-range communication antenna (an example of a "communication antenna") 12, a control unit 14 and an operating mechanism 16. In order to perform processing related to locking and unlocking the door locks of the vehicle 2, each functional unit is composed of hardware or software or both with the CPU as the core component.

[0026] Here, the key system 2B of the vehicle 2 communicates with the electronic key 3 via radio waves. Specifically, the communication from the vehicle 2 to the electronic key 3 uses radio waves in the LF (Low Frequency) band of 30kHz-300kHz or the VLF (Very Low Frequency) band of 3kHz-30kHz (an example of the "first frequency band"), and the communication from the electronic key 3 to the vehicle 2 uses radio waves in the RF (Radio Frequency) band of several hundred MHz. Therefore, the key system 2B of the vehicle 2 is provided with a transmitting antenna 2L that transmits radio waves in the LF band or the VLF band and an RF receiving antenna 2R that receives radio waves in the RF band, and the electronic key 3 is provided with a receiving antenna 3L that receives radio waves in the LF band or the VLF band and an RF transmitting antenna 3R that transmits radio waves in the RF band.

[0027] Generally, when the electronic key 3 is in the vehicle interior 2A and the user walks out of the vehicle, an alarm is sounded. In addition, sometimes the door lock in the unlocked state cannot be locked from the outside of the vehicle, and sometimes the door lock in the locked state cannot be unlocked from the outside of the vehicle. Moreover, according to the electronic key 3, after being authenticated by the key system 2B of the vehicle 2, communication is performed at a predetermined interval. In the key unit 1, it is configured to interfere with the communication between the electronic key 3 and the key unit 1 so that the door lock of the vehicle 2 can be locked and unlocked from the outside of the vehicle even if the electronic key 3 is in the vehicle interior 2A.

[0028] Such interference is achieved by propagating interference radio waves in the air from the interference antenna 10. The interference antenna 10 is located between the transmitting antenna 2L of the key system 2B of the vehicle 2 and the receiving antenna 3L of the electronic key 3, and propagates interference radio waves in the air that interfere with the communication using the first frequency band. Here, the electronic key 3 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 4 of the key unit 1, and the interference antenna 10 is also provided in the key unit 1. Therefore, the interference radio waves (radio waves of the same frequency band as the first frequency band, or radio waves of a frequency band equivalent to a multiple of the first frequency band) can be output with an intensity that at least reaches that of the receiving antenna 3L. For example, with such interference radio waves, the receiving antenna 3L can be unable to receive the radio waves from the transmitting antenna 2L.

[0029] The short-range communication antenna 12 communicates with the portable terminal 5 outside the vehicle at a second frequency band different from the first frequency band. The second frequency band can use, for example, the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band. The portable terminal 5 is a portable terminal 5 held by a user who locks and unlocks the door locks of the vehicle 2, such as a smartphone or a personal computer. The user refers to a user who owns the registered portable terminal 5. An application that can communicate with the key unit 1 is pre-installed in the portable terminal 5, and a lock and unlock command for locking or unlocking the door lock is input through the application. When a lock and unlock instruction is input in the portable terminal 5, a radio wave (command radio wave) in the UHF band is output from the portable terminal 5. Communication using such radio waves in the UHF band can utilize so-called short-range wireless communication.

[0030] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing such a communication state. Figure 3 As shown, when the jamming radio wave is output from the jamming antenna 10 of the key unit 1, communication from the key system 2B to the key unit 1 cannot be performed (in Figure 3 In this case, the key unit 1 and the portable terminal 5 can communicate with each other (in Figure 3 In addition, although the communication (information) sent from the vehicle 2 to the electronic key 3 cannot be received, the communication (information) sent from the electronic key 3 to the vehicle 2 can be sent.

[0031] Back to Figure 2 , the control unit 14 controls the output of the interference antenna according to the communication content of the second frequency band. "According to the communication content" includes the case where the radio wave (command radio wave) of the UHF band is received from the portable terminal 5 and the case where it is not received. In addition, "controlling the output of the interference antenna" includes the control of outputting the interference radio wave from the interference antenna 10 and the control of stopping the output of the interference radio wave. When the control unit 14 determines that there is a user in the vehicle cabin 2A, it stops the output of the interference radio wave.

[0032] Therefore, the control unit 14 receives a radio wave in the UHF band (unlocking command) from the portable terminal 5, and when it is determined that there is a user in the vehicle interior 2A, stops the output of the interference radio wave from the interference antenna 10. In addition, the control unit 14 receives a radio wave in the UHF band (unlocking command) from the portable terminal 5, and when it is not determined that there is a user in the vehicle interior 2A, stops the output of the interference radio wave from the interference antenna 10. Furthermore, the control unit 14 stops the output of the interference radio wave from the interference antenna 10 when it is not received a radio wave in the UHF band (unlocking command) from the portable terminal 5. Figure 4 As shown, it is possible to communicate from the key system 2B to the key unit 1 (in Figure 4 denoted by "0" in the figure), it is also possible to communicate from the key unit 1 to the key system 2B (in Figure 4 In this case, the key unit 1 and the portable terminal 5 can also communicate with each other (in Figure 4 (denoted by “0” in the middle).

[0033] Whether there is a user in the vehicle compartment 2A can be determined based on, for example, the strength of communication between the short-range communication antenna 12 and the portable terminal 5. Alternatively, a seat sensor (load sensor) can be provided on the seat of the vehicle 2, and whether there is a user in the vehicle compartment 2A can be determined based on the load detected by the seat sensor. Therefore, the state of determining that there is a user in the vehicle compartment 2A can be determined based on the strength of such communication and the detection result of the seat sensor.

[0034] In addition, the control unit 14 is preferably configured to output interference radio waves when the portable terminal 5 leaves the vehicle 2 and it is determined that there is no user in the vehicle interior 2A, and when the radio waves of the second frequency band are not received. The portable terminal 5 leaves the vehicle 2, which is equivalent to the portable terminal 5 gradually moving away from the key unit 1, and the portable terminal 5 is more than a predetermined distance (for example, several meters) away from the key unit 1. As described above, for example, it is possible to determine whether there is no user in the vehicle interior 2A by the strength of the communication between the short-range communication antenna 12 and the portable terminal 5, and the detection result of the seat sensor (load sensor) on the seat of the vehicle 2.

[0035] When the portable terminal 5 is gradually moving away from the key unit 1, the portable terminal 5 is more than a specified distance (for example, several meters) away from the key unit 1, and it is determined that there is no user in the vehicle cabin 2A, and when the short-range communication antenna 12 does not receive radio waves of the second frequency band from the portable terminal 5, the control unit 14 propagates interference radio waves from the interference antenna 10 through the air.

[0036] The operating mechanism 16 operates the lock-unlock switch provided on the electronic key 3 according to the lock-unlock instruction. As described above, the lock-unlock instruction is obtained from the radio wave of the second frequency band received from the portable terminal 5 through the short-range communication antenna 12 by the signal processing unit not shown. At this time, it is preferable to determine whether the lock-unlock instruction is a lock instruction for locking the door lock or an unlock instruction for unlocking the door lock. In the present embodiment, the lock-unlock switch is a general term for the lock switch 3A and the unlock switch 3B, and in particular, when the two are not distinguished, they are described as the lock-unlock switches 3A and 3B.

[0037] like Figure 5As shown, the operating mechanism 16 of this embodiment includes a locking switch operating unit 16A for pressing the locking switch 3A and an unlocking switch operating unit 16B for pressing the unlocking switch 3B. The operating mechanism 16 is configured such that, when the locking and unlocking instructions are locking instructions, Figure 5 As shown, the lock switch operating part 16A of the operating mechanism 16 presses the lock switch 3A of the electronic key 3, and when the lock unlocking instruction is an unlocking instruction, the unlock switch operating part 16B of the operating mechanism 16 presses the unlock switch 3B of the electronic key 3. In addition, the lock switch operating part 16A and the unlock switch operating part 16B are respectively configured to return to the original position (not pressed position) after the lock switch 3A and the unlock switch 3B are pressed.

[0038] Next, use Figure 6 Here, it is assumed that the door lock of the vehicle 2 is in the locked state, which is the state in which the engine cannot be started (in Figure 6 In the figure, as the state of the vehicle 2, the locking state is indicated as "locked", and whether the engine can be started is indicated as "no"). In this state, interference waves are propagated in the air from the interference antenna 10 of the key unit 1 (#1). As a result, the communication between the receiving antenna 3L of the electronic key 3 and the transmitting antenna 2L of the vehicle 2 is interfered (#2), and the electronic key 3 cannot respond to the signal from the transmitting antenna 2L of the vehicle 2 (#3, #4, #5, #6).

[0039] In the state where the interference radio wave is propagated in the air from the interference antenna 10 of the key unit 1, when the radio wave of the second frequency band (the unlocking command of the door lock) is output from the short-distance communication antenna of the portable terminal 5 (#7), the short-distance communication antenna 12 of the key unit 1 receives the command radio wave (#8). When the key unit 1 receives the radio wave of the second frequency band (the unlocking command), the unlocking switch operating part 16B of the operating mechanism 16 presses the unlocking switch 3B. As a result, the unlocking request is output from the RF transmitting antenna 3R of the electronic key 3 (#9). When the unlocking request is received (#10), the vehicle 2 unlocks the door lock.

[0040] Then, the key unit 1 determines whether there is a user in the vehicle interior 2A. If it is determined that there is a user in the vehicle interior 2A (#11), the key unit 1 stops the airborne propagation of the interference radio waves from the interference antenna 10 (#12). As a result, the interference with the receiving antenna 3L of the electronic key 3 is eliminated (#13), and the radio waves from the transmitting antenna 2L of the vehicle 2 can be received.

[0041] Subsequently, communication is performed between the vehicle 2 and the electronic key 3. Specifically, communication is performed from the vehicle 2 to the electronic key 3 by receiving the radio waves from the transmitting antenna 2L of the vehicle 2 via the receiving antenna 3L of the electronic key 3, and communication is performed from the electronic key 3 to the vehicle 2 by receiving the radio waves from the RF transmitting antenna 3R of the electronic key 3 via the RF receiving antenna 2R of the vehicle 2 (#20 to #34). In this state, the engine of the vehicle 2 can be started (in Figure 6 In FIG. 1 , as the state of the vehicle 2, the lock state is indicated as “unlocked (locked)”, and whether the engine can be started is indicated as “yes”).

[0042] Subsequently, when the vehicle 2 is parked and the user leaves the vehicle interior 2A (#40), interference radio waves are output from the interference antenna 10 of the key unit 1 (#41). As a result, the communication between the receiving antenna 3L of the electronic key 3 and the transmitting antenna 2L of the vehicle 2 is interfered (#42), and the electronic key 3 cannot respond to the signal from the transmitting antenna 2L of the vehicle 2 (#43).

[0043] Furthermore, when a radio wave of the second frequency band (locking command for the door lock) is output from the short-range communication antenna of the portable terminal 5 (#44), the short-range communication antenna 12 of the key unit 1 receives the command radio wave (#45). When the key unit 1 receives the radio wave of the second frequency band (locking command), the lock switch operating unit 16A of the operating mechanism 16 presses the lock switch 3A. As a result, a lock request is output from the RF transmitting antenna 3R of the electronic key 3 (#46). When the vehicle 2 receives the lock request (#47), the door lock is locked (in Figure 6 In the figure, as the state of the vehicle 2, the locking state is indicated as "locked", and whether the engine can be started is indicated as "no").

[0044] also, Figure 6 The number of communications related to locking, unlocking, and engine starting shown is an example and can be changed as appropriate.

[0045] [Other embodiments]

[0046] Next, other embodiments of the key unit 1 will be described.

[0047] In the above embodiment, it is described that the control unit 14 stops the output of the interference radio wave when it is determined that there is a user in the vehicle compartment 2A. However, it is also possible to stop the output of the interference radio wave when the radio wave of the second frequency band is received regardless of whether it is determined that there is a user in the vehicle compartment 2A, or to stop the output of the interference radio wave when the radio wave of the second frequency band is received when it is determined that there is a user in the vehicle compartment 2A, or to stop the output of the interference radio wave when it is determined that the portable terminal 5 is close to the vehicle 2.

[0048] In the above embodiment, it is described that when the portable terminal 5 leaves the vehicle 2 and it is determined that there is no user in the cabin 2A, the control unit 14 outputs the interference radio wave when the radio wave of the second frequency band is not received. However, if the portable terminal 5 leaves the vehicle 2, the control unit 14 outputs the interference radio wave when the radio wave of the second frequency band is not received regardless of whether it is determined that there is no user in the cabin 2A. Alternatively, the control unit 14 outputs the interference radio wave when the radio wave of the second frequency band is not received regardless of whether the portable terminal 5 leaves the vehicle 2 and it is determined that there is no user in the cabin 2A. Furthermore, the control unit 14 may be configured to output the interference radio wave when the radio wave of the second frequency band is not received regardless of whether the portable terminal 5 leaves the vehicle 2 and it is determined that there is no user in the cabin 2A.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the key unit 1 is described as including the operating mechanism 16 for operating the locking and unlocking switches 3A and 3B provided on the electronic key 3 according to the locking and unlocking command. However, the key unit 1 may be configured not to include the operating mechanism 16. In addition, the operating mechanism 16 may be configured to operate only one of the locking switch 3A and the unlocking switch 3B.

[0050] In addition, instead of a lock and unlock instruction, the configuration may be such that when the strength of communication between the short-range communication antenna 12 and the portable terminal 5 exceeds a preset value, the unlock switch operating unit 16B of the operating mechanism 16 operates the unlock switch 3B, and when the strength of communication becomes below a preset value, the lock switch operating unit 16A of the operating mechanism 16 operates the lock switch 3A.

[0051] Furthermore, it is also possible to configure such that the distance from the short-distance communication antenna 12 to the portable terminal 5 is calculated based on the strength of the communication between the short-distance communication antenna 12 and the portable terminal 5, and when the calculated distance exceeds a preset value, the unlock switch operating unit 16B of the operating mechanism 16 operates the unlock switch 3B, and when the calculated distance becomes less than a preset value, the lock switch operating unit 16A of the operating mechanism 16 operates the lock switch 3A. In this case, an antenna different from the short-distance communication antenna 12 may be provided, and the distance to the portable terminal 5 may be calculated by the antenna. When determining the position of the user relative to the vehicle 2 based on the distance and the communication strength, a plurality of antennas may be used, and an antenna different from the short-distance communication antenna 12 may be used.

[0052] In the above-mentioned embodiment, it is described that the control unit 14 determines whether there is a user in the vehicle compartment 2A based on the strength of the communication between the short-range communication antenna 12 and the portable terminal 5. However, the control unit 14 may determine whether there is a user in the vehicle compartment 2A based on the detection result of the seat sensor provided on the seat as described above, or may determine whether there is a user in the vehicle compartment 2A based on a photographic image of the vehicle compartment 2A. In addition, it may be configured so that a sensor capable of detecting that the steering wheel of the vehicle 2 is held is provided on the steering wheel, and whether there is a user in the vehicle compartment 2A is determined based on the detection result of the sensor. Furthermore, it may be configured so that the presence of a user in the vehicle compartment 2A is determined by bringing the portable terminal 5, for example, close to the key unit 1.

[0053] In the above-mentioned embodiment, it is explained that when receiving the radio wave (unlocking command) of the UHF band from the portable terminal 5 and determining that there is a user in the vehicle compartment 2A, the control unit 14 stops the output of the interference radio wave from the interference antenna 10, when receiving the radio wave (unlocking command) of the UHF band from the portable terminal 5 and not determining that there is a user in the vehicle compartment 2A, the control unit 14 outputs the interference radio wave from the interference antenna 10, and when not receiving the radio wave (unlocking command) of the UHF band from the portable terminal 5, the control unit 14 outputs the interference radio wave from the interference antenna 10. However, the control unit 14 may output / stop the interference radio wave according to whether or not a command radio wave having information indicating whether to output or stop the interference radio wave is received from the portable terminal 5.

[0054] The key unit 1 has a power source (battery) and can continue to output interference waves even when the power supply from the vehicle 2 is cut off. When the key unit 1 does not have a power source (battery), the key unit 1 is basically supplied with power from the vehicle 2, but when a third party breaks into the vehicle 2 and cuts off the power supply to the key unit 1, the output of interference waves stops. However, since the key unit 1 has a power source (battery), it can continue to output interference waves and prevent the engine from starting even when the power supply is accidentally cut off.

[0055] In addition to registering the portable terminal 5 in the key unit 1 in advance, an authentication unit may be provided to authenticate whether the portable terminal 5 is the one registered in advance in the key unit 1. Thus, only a specific portable terminal 5 can be used.

[0056] The key unit 1 may also be provided with the above-mentioned functional units separately. Even in this case, each functional unit can implement the above-mentioned functions and controls. In this case, the control unit 14, the short-distance communication antenna 12, etc. may be constituted by a separate unit.

[0057] The key unit 1 may monitor the power state of the vehicle 2 and control whether or not to output interference according to the power state of the vehicle 2. In this case, it can also be applied to the case where it is desired to output interference when the engine is started.

[0058] The key unit 1 may also input an electrical signal to the vehicle 2 by wire or wirelessly without pressing a button to perform locking and unlocking control. In addition, such a function may be added to the key unit 1. Thus, the key unit 1 can be used by modifying the vehicle 2 (directly inputting an electrical signal to the locking and unlocking control device) without using the electronic key 3.

[0059] The key unit 1 is described above, but according to the key unit 1, the locking and unlocking of the door lock can be automatically controlled by the request from the portable terminal 5 and the proximity determination to the vehicle 2. In this case, it can be performed based on the strength of the radio wave and the distance of the user. In addition, after determining whether there is a user in the vehicle, the start of the engine can be stopped and the interference can be stopped according to the request from the portable terminal 5. It is possible to determine whether there is a user in the vehicle based on the strength of the radio wave, distance, image, sensor, and ultra-short distance communication. The request from the portable terminal 5 can be configured to stop the interference after receiving the request from the portable terminal 5, and start the engine directly from the key unit 1 through an electrical signal.

[0060] [Overview of the above embodiment]

[0061] Hereinafter, the outline of the key unit 1 described above will be described.

[0062] (1) The key unit 1 is capable of accommodating the electronic key 3 of the vehicle 2, and the key unit 1 comprises: an interference antenna 10, which transmits interference radio waves in the air, and the interference radio waves interfere with the communication between the transmitting antenna of the vehicle 2 and the electronic key 3 using a first frequency band; a short-range communication antenna (communication antenna) 12, which communicates with the portable terminal 5 via a second frequency band different from the first frequency band; and a control unit 14, which controls the output of the interference antenna according to the communication content of the second frequency band.

[0063] According to this structure, since the interference wave is propagated in the air from the interference antenna 10 relative to the first frequency band used for communication between the transmitting antenna 2L of the vehicle 2 and the electronic key 3, it is possible to interfere with the communication between the transmitting antenna 2L of the vehicle 2 and the electronic key 3. In addition, even when the interference wave is propagated in the air, the command wave using the second frequency band can be received by the short-range communication antenna (communication antenna) 12, so when the command wave is received, the propagation of the interference wave in the air can be stopped, and the communication between the transmitting antenna 2L of the vehicle 2 and the electronic key 3 is performed using the first frequency band to start the engine. Therefore, there is no need for a mechanism to shield the first frequency band of waves, nor is it necessary to remove the electronic key 3 from a place where the first frequency band of waves is shielded, so it can be easily used.

[0064] (2) In the key unit 1 described in (1), it is preferable that the control unit 14 stops outputting the interfering radio wave when it is determined that there is a user in the vehicle interior 2A.

[0065] According to this configuration, since the output of the interfering radio wave is stopped on the condition that there is a user in the vehicle interior 2A, for example, the start of the engine can be permitted only when a user is riding in the vehicle interior 2A. Therefore, safety can be improved.

[0066] (3) In the key unit 1 described in (1) or (2), preferably, when the portable terminal 5 has left the vehicle 2 and it is determined that there is no user in the vehicle cabin 2A, the control unit 14 outputs an interference radio wave when no radio wave of the second frequency band is received.

[0067] According to this configuration, since the interference radio wave is outputted on the condition that there is no user in the vehicle interior 2A, it is possible to avoid a situation where the doors of the vehicle 2 cannot be locked due to the presence of the electronic key 3 in the vehicle interior 2A.

[0068] (4) In the key unit 1 described in (2) or (3), preferably, the control unit 14 determines whether there is a user in the vehicle interior 2A based on the strength of communication between the short-distance communication antenna (communication antenna) 12 and the portable terminal 5 .

[0069] According to this structure, in order to determine whether there is a user in the vehicle cabin 2A, for example, there is no need to set a seat sensor on the seat to detect whether a user is sitting, or to set a camera to take a picture of the user sitting on the seat. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether there is a user in the vehicle cabin 2A with a cheap structure.

[0070] Possibility of Industrial Application

[0071] The technology according to the present invention can be used in a key unit for locking and unlocking a door lock of a vehicle.

Claims

1. A key unit capable of accommodating an electronic key of a vehicle, wherein: have: a jammer antenna that transmits jammer waves in the air, the jammer waves interfering with communication between the transmitting antenna of the vehicle and the electronic key using a first frequency band; a communication antenna, the communication antenna communicating with a portable terminal via a second frequency band different from the first frequency band; as well as A control unit controls the output of the interference antenna according to the communication content of the second frequency band.

2. The key unit according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit stops output of the interfering radio wave when it is determined that there is a user in the vehicle cabin.

3. The key unit according to claim 1, wherein: When the mobile terminal is away from the vehicle and it is determined that there is no user in the vehicle cabin, if the radio wave of the second frequency band is not received, the control unit causes the interference radio wave to be output.

4. The key unit according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The control unit determines whether the user is in the vehicle cabin based on the strength of communication between the communication antenna and the portable terminal.

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