Key unit

Abstract

To provide a key unit that can be simply used.SOLUTION: A key unit 1 capable of storing an electronic key 3 of a vehicle 2 comprises: an interference antenna 10 that propagates an interference wave that interferes communication using a first frequency band between a transmission antenna 2L of the vehicle 2 and the electronic key 3 in the air; a communication antenna 12 that communicates with a portable terminal 5 at a second frequency band different from the first frequency band; and a control unit 14 that controls output of the interference antenna in correspondence with a communication content at the second frequency band.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a key unit for locking and unlocking vehicle doors. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, electronic keys capable of locking and unlocking vehicle doors have been used. Meanwhile, car sharing, in which a single vehicle is shared, has become widespread in recent years. When using such car sharing, the handover of electronic keys is troublesome, so technology that allows for easy use of car sharing has been studied (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a key storage unit. This key storage unit has a storage section capable of storing an electronic key that transmits and receives radio waves of two different frequencies related to smart communication. The storage section is covered with an attenuating material that can attenuate radio waves of one of the two frequencies to a level where communication is not possible. A terminal carried by a user and the key storage unit communicate with each other by short-range wireless communication, and when the terminal is authenticated by this communication, the electronic key is operated by a key operation mechanism mounted on the key storage unit, and wireless radio waves (radio waves that are not attenuated by the attenuating material) are transmitted to lock and unlock the vehicle. In addition, the key storage unit is locked, and when the terminal is authenticated, it is unlocked, and the engine can be started by removing it from the key storage unit. By registering the target terminal in a control section arranged outside the storage section, the terminal can be used as a digital key that serves as a key for the car. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-9917 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the key storage unit described in Patent Document 1, the user needs to remove the electronic key from the storage unit when starting the engine. In addition, when using a vehicle for car sharing, the user needs to store the electronic key in the key storage unit when returning the vehicle. This causes bothersome tasks for the user when starting the engine or returning the vehicle.

[0006] Therefore, there is a demand for a key unit that is easy to use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The characteristic configuration of the key unit of the present invention is that it is a key unit capable of accommodating an electronic key for a vehicle, and is equipped with a jamming antenna that propagates jamming radio waves through the air to disrupt communication using a first frequency band between the transmitting antenna of the vehicle and the electronic key, a communication antenna that communicates with a mobile terminal using a second frequency band different from the first frequency band, and a control unit that controls the output of the jamming antenna depending on the content of the communication in the second frequency band.

[0008] With this characteristic configuration, jamming radio waves are propagated through the air from the jamming antenna to the first frequency band used for communication between the vehicle's transmitting antenna and the electronic key, so that communication between the vehicle's transmitting antenna and the electronic key can be jammed. Furthermore, even if jamming radio waves of the second frequency band are propagated through the air, the communication antenna can receive them, so that when these radio waves are received, the air propagation of the jamming radio waves is stopped and the engine can be started using the first frequency band. Therefore, there is no need for a mechanism to block radio waves of the first frequency band, nor is there a need to remove the electronic key from a place that blocks radio waves of the first frequency band, making it possible to use the electronic key easily. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a key unit. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a key unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a communication state when jamming radio waves are being output. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a communication state when no jamming radio waves are output. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation mechanism. [Figure 6] 2 is a timing chart. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The key unit of the present invention is configured to allow the vehicle doors to be locked and unlocked from outside the vehicle when an electronic key is installed in the vehicle compartment. Below, the key unit 1 of this embodiment is described. However, key unit 1 is not limited to the following embodiment and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle 2 equipped with a key unit 1. As shown in Fig. 1, key unit 1 is provided in a passenger compartment 2A of vehicle 2. Although not particularly limited, key unit 1 may be placed in the space between the driver's seat and the passenger seat in passenger compartment 2A, or may be placed in a glove box.

[0012] As described above, the key unit 1 can lock and unlock the doors of the vehicle 2. The door lock of the vehicle 2 refers to a lock 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 lock mechanism (door lock) of the door of the vehicle 2. Locking and unlocking the door lock also includes locking and unlocking the lock mechanism of the trunk of the vehicle 2. Note that, although FIG. 1 shows the vehicle 2 having a hinged door, if the vehicle 2 has a sliding door or a back door, it is also possible to configure the key unit 1 to lock and unlock the lock mechanism of the sliding door or the back door. If the vehicle 2 has a sliding door or a back door, it is also possible to configure the key unit 1 to open and close the sliding door or the back door. In the following, "setting the lock mechanism in a locked state" is referred to as "locking the door lock", and "setting the lock mechanism in an unlocked state" is referred to as "unlocking the door lock".

[0013] The key unit 1 is configured to be capable of storing an electronic key 3 capable of locking and unlocking the doors of the vehicle 2. The electronic key 3 is a key that is associated with the vehicle 2, and can lock and unlock the doors of the vehicle 2 by pressing a lock / unlock switch (described later) of the electronic key 3 or by touching a predetermined spot on the door, and can start and stop the engine by pressing an engine start button. The key unit 1 is provided with a storage section 4 (see FIG. 2) therein, and the electronic key 3 can be stored in this storage section 4.

[0014] Next, the configuration of key unit 1 will be described. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of key unit 1. As shown in Fig. 2, key unit 1 is configured with a jamming antenna 10, a short-range communication antenna (an example of a "communication antenna") 12, a control unit 14, and an operation mechanism 16, and each functional unit is constructed with hardware or software or both, with a CPU as a core component, in order to perform processes related to locking and unlocking the doors of vehicle 2.

[0015] Here, communication is performed between the key system 2B of the vehicle 2 and the electronic key 3 via radio waves. Specifically, communication from the vehicle 2 to the electronic key 3 uses radio waves in the LF (Low Frequency) band of 30 kHz-300 kHz or the VLF (Very Low Frequency) band of 3 kHz-30 kHz (an example of a "first frequency band"), while communication from the electronic key 3 to the vehicle 2 uses radio waves in the RF (Radio Frequency) band of several hundred MHz, for example. For this reason, the key system 2B of the vehicle 2 is provided with a transmitting antenna 2L that transmits LF or VLF band radio waves and an RF receiving antenna 2R that receives RF band radio waves, and the electronic key 3 is provided with a receiving antenna 3L that receives LF or VLF band radio waves and an RF transmitting antenna 3R that transmits RF band radio waves.

[0016] Generally, when the electronic key 3 is in the vehicle interior 2A, an alarm sounds if the user leaves the vehicle. In addition, some electronic keys cannot lock unlocked doors from outside the vehicle, and some cannot unlock locked doors from outside the vehicle. Furthermore, some electronic keys 3 communicate at predetermined intervals after being authenticated by the key system 2B of the vehicle 2. The key unit 1 is configured to interfere with communication between the electronic key 3 and the key unit 1 so that the doors of the vehicle 2 can be locked and unlocked from outside the vehicle even if the electronic key 3 is in the vehicle interior 2A.

[0017] Such jamming is achieved by propagating jamming radio waves through the air from a jamming antenna 10. The jamming antenna 10 propagates jamming radio waves through the air to disrupt communication using a first frequency band between a transmitting antenna 2L of the key system 2B of the vehicle 2 and a receiving antenna 3L of the electronic key 3. Here, the electronic key 3 is housed in a housing 4 of the key unit 1, and the jamming antenna 10 is also provided in the key unit 1. For this reason, it is preferable that the jamming radio waves (radio waves in the same frequency band as the first frequency band, or radio waves in a frequency band that is a multiple of the first frequency band) have an output strength that at least reaches the receiving antenna 3L. For example, it is preferable that such jamming radio waves prevent the receiving antenna 3L from receiving radio waves from the transmitting antenna 2L.

[0018] The short-distance communication antenna 12 communicates with the mobile terminal 5 outside the vehicle in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band. The second frequency band can be, for example, the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band. The mobile terminal 5 is a mobile terminal 5 carried by a user who locks and unlocks the doors of the vehicle 2, and corresponds to, for example, a smartphone or a personal computer. The user is a user who owns a registered mobile terminal 5. An application capable of communicating with the key unit 1 is pre-installed in the mobile terminal 5, and a locking / unlocking command for locking or unlocking the doors is input via this application. When a locking / unlocking command is input to the mobile terminal 5, a radio wave in the UHF band (command radio wave) is output from the mobile terminal 5. Such communication using radio waves in the UHF band can use so-called short-distance wireless communication.

[0019] A schematic diagram of such a communication state is shown in Figure 3. That is, as shown in Figure 3, when jamming radio waves are being output from jamming antenna 10 of key unit 1, communication from key system 2B to key unit 1 is not possible (indicated by an "X" in Figure 3). In this case, mutual communication between key unit 1 and mobile terminal 5 is possible (indicated by an "O" in Figure 3). Note that communication (information) sent from vehicle 2 to electronic key 3 cannot be received, but communication (information) sent from electronic key 3 to vehicle 2 can be transmitted.

[0020] Returning to FIG. 2, the control unit 14 controls the output of the jamming antenna according to the content of the communication in the second frequency band. "According to the content of the communication" includes the case where UHF band radio waves (command radio waves) are received from the mobile terminal 5 and the case where they are not received. Furthermore, "controlling the output of the jamming antenna" includes control to output jamming radio waves from the jamming antenna 10 and control to stop the output of the jamming radio waves. The control unit 14 stops the output of the jamming radio waves when it is determined that a user is present in the vehicle interior 2A.

[0021] Therefore, when the control unit 14 receives UHF radio waves (unlock command) from the mobile terminal 5 and determines that a user is present in the vehicle interior 2A, it stops output of jamming radio waves from the jamming antenna 10. Also, when the control unit 14 receives UHF radio waves (unlock command) from the mobile terminal 5 and determines that a user is not present in the vehicle interior 2A, it causes the jamming antenna 10 to output jamming radio waves. Furthermore, when the control unit 14 does not receive UHF radio waves (unlock command) from the mobile terminal 5, it causes the jamming antenna 10 to output jamming radio waves. When the output of jamming radio waves from the jamming antenna 10 is stopped, as shown in FIG. 4, communication can be performed from the key system 2B to the key unit 1 (indicated by "◯" in FIG. 4), and communication can also be performed from the key unit 1 to the key system 2B (indicated by "◯" in FIG. 4). Also, in this case, mutual communication between the key unit 1 and the mobile terminal 5 can be performed (indicated by "◯" in FIG. 4).

[0022] Whether or not a user is present in the vehicle interior 2A can be determined based on, for example, the strength of communication between the short-range communication antenna 12 and the mobile terminal 5. Alternatively, a seat sensor (load sensor) can be provided on a seat of the vehicle 2, and whether or not a user is present in the vehicle interior 2A can be determined based on the load detected by this seat sensor. Therefore, the state in which it is determined that a user is present in the vehicle interior 2A can be specified based on the strength of such communication and the detection result of the seat sensor.

[0023] Furthermore, it is preferable that the control unit 14 is configured to output jamming radio waves when radio waves in the second frequency band are not being received while the mobile terminal 5 is away from the vehicle 2 and it is determined that there is no user in the vehicle compartment 2A. The state in which the mobile terminal 5 is away from the vehicle 2 corresponds to a state in which the mobile terminal 5 is gradually moving away from the key unit 1, and a state in which the mobile terminal 5 is away from the key unit 1 by a predetermined distance (e.g., several meters) or more. Whether or not there is no user in the vehicle compartment 2A can be determined, for example, from the strength of communication between the short-range communication antenna 12 and the mobile terminal 5, or the detection result of a seating sensor (load sensor) on the seat of the vehicle 2, as described above.

[0024] The control unit 14 causes jamming radio waves from the jamming antenna 10 to propagate through the air when the short-range communication antenna 12 is not receiving radio waves in the second frequency band from the mobile terminal 5 when the mobile terminal 5 is gradually moving away from the key unit 1, or when the mobile terminal 5 is away from the key unit 1 by a predetermined distance (e.g., several meters) or more and it is determined that there is no user in the vehicle compartment 2A.

[0025] The operation mechanism 16 operates the lock / unlock switch provided on the electronic key 3 in response to the lock / unlock command. As described above, the lock / unlock command is acquired by a signal processor (not shown) from radio waves in the second frequency band received from the mobile terminal 5 by the short-range communication antenna 12. At this time, it is preferable to determine whether the lock / unlock command is a lock command to lock the door or an unlock command to unlock the door. In this embodiment, the lock / unlock switch is a general term for the lock switch 3A and the unlock switch 3B, and when there is no particular need to distinguish between the two, they will be described as the lock / unlock switches 3A and 3B.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 5, the operation mechanism 16 of this embodiment has a lock switch operation unit 16A that presses the lock switch 3A and an unlock switch operation unit 16B that presses the unlock switch 3B. When the lock / unlock command is a lock command, the operation mechanism 16 is configured such that the lock switch operation unit 16A of the operation mechanism 16 presses the lock switch 3A of the electronic key 3 as shown in Fig. 5, and when the lock / unlock command is an unlock command, the unlock switch operation unit 16B of the operation mechanism 16 presses the unlock switch 3B of the electronic key 3. The lock switch operation unit 16A and the unlock switch operation unit 16B are configured to return to their original positions (non-pressed positions) after pressing the lock switch 3A and the unlock switch 3B, respectively.

[0027] Next, the state of the key unit 1 will be described using the timing chart in Figure 6. Here, it is assumed that the doors of the vehicle 2 are locked and the engine cannot be started (in Figure 6, the state of the vehicle 2 is shown as "locked" and the engine start possibility is shown as "no"). In this state, jamming radio waves are propagating through the air from the jamming antenna 10 of the key unit 1 (#1). As a result, the receiving antenna 3L of the electronic key 3 is disrupted from communicating with the transmitting antenna 2L of the vehicle 2 (#2), and is unable to respond to signals from the transmitting antenna 2L of the vehicle 2 (#3, #4, #5, #6).

[0028] When jamming radio waves are propagating through the air from jamming antenna 10 of key unit 1, and radio waves in the second frequency band (a command to unlock the doors) are output from short-range communication antenna 12 of mobile terminal 5 (#7), short-range communication antenna 12 of key unit 1 receives the command radio waves (#8). When key unit 1 receives radio waves in the second frequency band (unlock command), unlock switch operating section 16B of operation mechanism 16 presses unlock switch 3B. This causes an unlock request to be output from RF transmitting antenna 3R of electronic key 3 (#9). When vehicle 2 receives the unlock request (#10), it unlocks the doors.

[0029] Furthermore, the key unit 1 determines whether or not a user is present in the vehicle interior 2A. If it is determined that a user is present in the vehicle interior 2A (#11), the key unit 1 stops the airborne propagation of jamming radio waves from the jamming antenna 10 (#12). This cancels the jamming of the receiving antenna 3L of the electronic key 3 (#13), making it possible to receive radio waves from the transmitting antenna 2L of the vehicle 2.

[0030] Thereafter, communication takes place between the vehicle 2 and the electronic key 3. Specifically, communication takes place from the vehicle 2 to the electronic key 3 when the receiving antenna 5L of the electronic key 3 receives radio waves from the transmitting antenna 2L of the vehicle 2, and communication takes place from the electronic key 3 to the vehicle 2 when the RF receiving antenna 2R of the vehicle 2 receives radio waves from the RF transmitting antenna 5R of the electronic key 3 (#20-#34). In this state, it is possible to start the engine of the vehicle 2 (in FIG. 6, the state of the vehicle 2 is shown as "unlocked (locked)" for the lock state and "enable" for whether the engine can be started).

[0031] Thereafter, when the vehicle 2 is parked and the user leaves the vehicle compartment 2A (#40), jamming radio waves are output from the jamming antenna 10 of the key unit 1 (#41). This disrupts communication between the receiving antenna 3L of the electronic key 3 and the transmitting antenna 2L of the vehicle 2 (#42), and the receiving antenna 3L of the electronic key 3 is unable to respond to signals from the transmitting antenna 2L of the vehicle 2 (#43).

[0032] Then, when radio waves in the second frequency band (a command to lock the doors) are output from short-range communication antenna 12 of mobile terminal 5 (#44), short-range communication antenna 12 of key unit 1 receives the command radio waves (#45). When key unit 1 receives radio waves in the second frequency band (lock command), lock switch operating section 16A of operation mechanism 16 presses lock switch 3A. This causes a lock request to be output from RF transmitting antenna 3R of electronic key 3 (#46). When vehicle 2 receives the lock request (#47), it locks the doors (in FIG. 6, the state of vehicle 2 is shown as "locked" for the lock state and "no" for the engine start option).

[0033] The number of communications regarding locking, unlocking, and engine start shown in FIG. 6 is merely an example and can be changed as appropriate.

[0034] Other embodiments Next, other embodiments of the key unit 1 will be described.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the control unit 14 has been described as stopping the output of jamming radio waves when it is determined that a user is present in the vehicle interior 2A. However, the output of jamming radio waves may be stopped when radio waves of the second frequency band are received regardless of whether or not a user is determined to be present in the vehicle interior 2A, the output of jamming radio waves may be stopped when radio waves of the second frequency band are received in a state in which a user is determined to be present in the vehicle interior 2A, or the output of jamming radio waves may be stopped when it is determined that the mobile terminal 5 is in the vicinity of the vehicle 2.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the control unit 14 has been described as outputting jamming radio waves when the radio waves of the second frequency band are not received in a state where the mobile terminal 5 is away from the vehicle 2 and it is determined that there is no user in the vehicle interior 2A. However, the control unit 14 may output jamming radio waves when the radio waves of the second frequency band are not received as long as the mobile terminal 5 is away from the vehicle 2, regardless of whether it is determined that there is no user in the vehicle interior 2A, or may output jamming radio waves when the radio waves of the second frequency band are not received in a state where it is determined that there is no user in the vehicle interior 2A, regardless of whether the mobile terminal 5 is away from the vehicle 2. Furthermore, the control unit 14 may be configured to output jamming radio waves when the radio waves of the second frequency band are not received, regardless of whether the mobile terminal 5 is away from the vehicle 2 and regardless of whether it is determined that there is no user in the vehicle interior 2A.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the key unit 1 has been described as including the operation mechanism 16 that operates the locking / unlocking switches 3A, 3B provided on the electronic key 3 in response to a locking / unlocking command. However, the key unit 1 may also be configured without including the operation mechanism 16. Also, the operation mechanism 16 may be configured to operate only one of the locking switch 3A and the unlocking switch 3B.

[0038] In addition, instead of a lock / unlock command, it is also possible to configure the unlock switch operating unit 16B of the operation mechanism 16 to operate the unlock switch 3B when the strength of the communication between the short-range communication antenna 12 and the mobile terminal 5 exceeds a preset value, and to configure the lock switch operating unit 16A of the operation mechanism 16 to operate the lock switch 3A when the strength of the communication falls below the preset value.

[0039] Furthermore, it is also possible to calculate the distance from the short-range communication antenna 12 to the mobile terminal 5 based on the strength of the communication between the short-range communication antenna 12 and the mobile terminal 5, and configure the unlock switch operation unit 16B of the operation mechanism 16 to operate the unlock switch 3B when the calculated distance exceeds a preset value, and configure the lock switch operation unit 16A of the operation mechanism 16 to operate the lock switch 3A when the calculated distance becomes equal to or smaller than the preset value. In such a case, it is also possible to provide an antenna other than the short-range communication antenna 12 and calculate the distance to the mobile terminal 5 by using the antenna. When determining the position of the user relative to the vehicle 2 based on the distance or communication strength, multiple antennas may be used, or an antenna other than the short-range communication antenna 12 may be used.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the control unit 14 has been described as determining whether or not a user is present in the vehicle interior 2A based on the strength of the communication between the short-range communication antenna 12 and the mobile terminal 5. However, the control unit 14 may determine whether or not a user is present in the vehicle interior 2A based on the detection result of the seating sensor provided on the seat as described above, or may determine whether or not a user is present in the vehicle interior 2A based on an image captured of the vehicle interior 2A. In addition, a sensor capable of detecting that the steering wheel of the vehicle 2 is gripped may be provided on the steering wheel, and the control unit 14 may be configured to determine whether or not a user is present in the vehicle interior 2A based on the detection result of this sensor. Furthermore, the control unit 14 may be configured to determine that a user is present in the vehicle interior 2A by, for example, bringing the mobile terminal 5 close to the key unit 1.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the control unit 14 has been described as stopping the output of jamming radio waves from the jamming antenna 10 when it receives UHF radio waves (unlock command) from the mobile terminal 5 and it is determined that a user is present in the vehicle interior 2A, outputting jamming radio waves from the jamming antenna 10 when it receives UHF radio waves (unlock command) from the mobile terminal 5 and it is not determined that a user is present in the vehicle interior 2A, and outputting jamming radio waves from the jamming antenna 10 when it does not receive UHF radio waves (unlock command) from the mobile terminal 5. However, the control unit 14 may output / stop jamming radio waves depending on whether it receives a command radio wave having information indicating whether to output or stop jamming radio waves from the mobile terminal 5.

[0042] The key unit 1 has its own power source (battery) and can be configured to continue outputting jamming radio waves even if the power supply from the vehicle 2 is cut off. If the key unit 1 does not have a power source (battery), the key unit 1 is basically powered by the vehicle 2, but if a third party enters the vehicle 2 and cuts off the power supply to the key unit 1, the output of jamming radio waves will stop. However, by having the key unit 1 have its own power source (battery), it can continue to output jamming radio waves to prevent the engine from starting, even if the power supply is unintentionally cut off.

[0043] In addition to registering the portable terminal 5 in advance in the key unit 1, an authentication unit may be provided that authenticates whether the portable terminal 5 is one that has been pre-registered in the key unit 1. This makes it possible to use only specific portable terminals 5.

[0044] The key unit 1 may have the above-mentioned functional parts provided separately. Even in this case, each functional part can perform the above-mentioned functions and controls. In this case, the control unit 14, the short-range communication antenna 12, etc. may be configured as separate units.

[0045] The key unit 1 may monitor the power supply state of the vehicle 2, and control whether or not to output jamming depending on the power supply state of the vehicle 2. In such a case, it is also applicable to a case where it is desired to output jamming while the engine is running.

[0046] Instead of pressing a button, the key unit 1 may control locking and unlocking by inputting an electrical signal to the vehicle 2 via a wired or wireless connection. Such a function may also be added to the key unit 1. This makes it possible to use the key unit 1 by modifying the vehicle 2 (inputting an electrical signal directly to the locking and unlocking control device) rather than via the electronic key 3.

[0047] The above describes the key unit 1. The key unit 1 can automatically control the locking and unlocking of the doors based on a request from the mobile terminal 5 or a proximity determination to the vehicle 2. In this case, this can be done based on the strength of radio waves or the distance of the user. After determining whether or not a user is in the vehicle, it is possible to start the engine or stop jamming in response to a request from the mobile terminal 5. The determination of whether or not a user is in the vehicle can be made based on the strength of radio waves, distance, images, sensors, and ultra-close communication, and the request from the mobile terminal 5 can be configured to stop jamming and start the engine directly from the key unit 1 by an electrical signal after receiving a request from the mobile terminal 5.

[0048] [Summary of the above embodiment] The above-described key unit 1 will now be outlined.

[0049] (1) The key unit 1 is capable of accommodating an electronic key 3 for a vehicle 2, and is equipped with a jamming antenna 10 that propagates jamming radio waves through the air to disrupt communications using a first frequency band between the transmitting antenna of the vehicle 2 and the electronic key 3, a short-range communication antenna (communication antenna) 12 that communicates with the mobile terminal 5 on a second frequency band different from the first frequency band, and a control unit 14 that controls the output of the jamming antenna depending on the content of the communication on the second frequency band.

[0050] According to this configuration, jamming radio waves are propagated through the air from the jamming antenna 10 to the first frequency band used for communication between the transmitting antenna 2L of the vehicle 2 and the electronic key 3, so that it is possible to jam communication between the transmitting antenna 2L of the vehicle 2 and the electronic key 3. Furthermore, even if jamming radio waves are propagating through the air, the short-range communication antenna (communication antenna) 12 can receive command radio waves using the second frequency band. Therefore, when this command radio wave is received, the air propagation of the jamming radio waves is stopped, and it is possible to start the engine by using the first frequency band for communication between the transmitting antenna 2L of the vehicle 2 and the electronic key 3. Therefore, there is no need for a mechanism that blocks radio waves of the first frequency band, nor is there a need to remove the electronic key 3 from a place that blocks radio waves of the first frequency band, so that the system can be easily used.

[0051] (2) In the key unit 1 described in (1), it is preferable that the control unit 14 stops output of jamming radio waves when it is determined that a user is present in the vehicle interior 2A.

[0052] According to this configuration, the output of jamming radio waves is stopped on the condition that the user is in the vehicle interior 2A, so that it is possible to permit the engine to start only when the user is in the vehicle interior 2A, for example, thereby improving security.

[0053] (3) The key unit 1 described in (1) or (2) is preferably configured to output jamming radio waves when the control unit 14 is not receiving radio waves in the second frequency band when the mobile terminal 5 is away from the vehicle 2 and it is determined that there is no user in the vehicle compartment 2A.

[0054] According to this configuration, jamming radio waves are output on the condition that there is no user in the vehicle compartment 2A, so it is possible to avoid a situation in which the doors of the vehicle 2 cannot be locked because an electronic key 3 is present in the vehicle compartment 2A.

[0055] (4) In the key unit 1 described in (2) or (3), it is preferable that the control unit 14 determines whether or not a user is present in the vehicle compartment 2A based on the strength of communication between the short-range communication antenna (communication antenna) 12 and the mobile terminal 5.

[0056] According to this configuration, in order to determine whether or not a user is present in the vehicle compartment 2A, it is not necessary to install, for example, a seating sensor that detects whether or not a user is seated in the seat, or a camera that captures an image of a user seated in the seat, so it is possible to determine whether or not a user is present in the vehicle compartment 2A with an inexpensive configuration. [Industrial Applicability]

[0057] The technology disclosed herein can be used in a key unit that locks and unlocks vehicle doors. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1: key unit, 2: vehicle, 2A: vehicle compartment, 2L: transmission antenna, 3: electronic key, 3: mobile terminal, 3A: lock switch, 3B: unlock switch, 10: jamming antenna, 12: short-range communication antenna (communication antenna), 14: control unit

Claims

1. A key unit capable of accommodating an electronic key for a vehicle, a jamming antenna that propagates through the air a jamming radio wave that jams communication using a first frequency band between a transmitting antenna of the vehicle and the electronic key; a communication antenna for communicating with a mobile terminal in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band; A control unit that controls an output of the jamming antenna in accordance with a content of communication in the second frequency band; A key unit equipped with:

2. The key unit according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit stops output of the jamming radio waves when it is determined that a user is present in the vehicle compartment.

3. The key unit described in claim 1, wherein the control unit outputs the jamming radio waves when the mobile terminal is away from the vehicle and it is determined that there is no user in the vehicle cabin and radio waves in the second frequency band are not being received.

4. The key unit according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the control unit determines whether or not the user is present in the vehicle compartment based on a strength of communication between the communication antenna and the mobile terminal.

Images