Relay systems, relay devices, and programs

Abstract

This system provides a relay system and portable relay device that can handle a wider variety of controlled devices than conventional systems. [Solution] A vehicle control system 2 of a vehicle remote control system 1, which includes a vehicle control device and a portable device that communicate wirelessly with each other according to predetermined communication specifications, and which controls the controlled equipment to which the vehicle control device is located when a predetermined signal is communicated between the two devices, has a relay system 4 that relays wireless communication between the two devices, which can relay wireless communication in multiple types of control systems with different predetermined communication specifications, and includes a vehicle relay unit and a portable relay unit that communicate wirelessly with each other, the vehicle relay unit receives signals from the vehicle control device and transmits signals that the vehicle control device can recognize, the portable relay unit receives signals from the portable device and transmits signals that the portable device can recognize, receives communication signals between the two devices, determines a predetermined communication specification based on this, and applies the determined communication specification to communication with the vehicle relay unit and communication with the portable relay unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, a relay system, a relay device, a program, and the like.

Background Art

[0002] As a vehicle security measure, there is a system in which each of a vehicle control device and a portable device capable of wireless communication with the vehicle control device exchanges authentication information, and the vehicle is controlled on the condition that authentication between the vehicle control device and the portable device is successful.

[0003] For example, when starting the engine by a vehicle control device in a vehicle equipped with an immobilizer function, the vehicle control device performs an authentication process by wireless communication with a legitimate portable device before starting the engine, and starts the engine when the authentication is successful.

[0004] The distance over which wireless communication is possible between this portable device and the vehicle control device is as short as about 1 to 2 meters. Therefore, when starting the engine remotely from outside the vehicle, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a system for relaying the wireless communication between the vehicle control device and the portable device is required. In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, by relaying the wireless communication by a vehicle relay device and a portable relay device, it is said that even when a portable device is taken out of the vehicle in a vehicle equipped with an immobilizer function, the engine can be started remotely.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, using conventional relay systems presents the following challenges. For example, the communication specifications between the vehicle control unit and the portable device (e.g., the data length of the communication signals transmitted and received) differ depending on the vehicle type. Therefore, for example, the vehicle relay unit that constitutes the relay system must set timings for each vehicle type to accommodate the different data lengths for each vehicle type. These timings include the timing for switching to a state where it receives a communication signal (e.g., a response request signal) transmitted from the vehicle control unit and relays it to the portable relay unit, and the timing for switching to a state where it receives a communication signal (e.g., a response signal) relayed from the portable relay unit and relays it to the vehicle control unit.

[0007] Similarly, for the portable relay devices that make up the relay system, the timing for switching to a state where they receive signals relayed from the vehicle relay device (e.g., response request signals) and relay them to the portable device, and the timing for switching to a state where they receive signals transmitted from the portable device (e.g., response signals) and relay them to the vehicle relay device, must be set for each vehicle model. Therefore, there was a problem in that a relay system had to be prepared for each vehicle model.

[0008] The object of the present invention is, for example, to provide a relay system that can accommodate a wider range of vehicle types than conventional systems.

[0009] Furthermore, the object of the present invention is not limited thereto, and aims to obtain the effects derived from the components of the structure disclosed in this specification and the drawings. For example, a problem is disclosed in this specification that can be reinterpreted as "the problem is" where "it is possible to do ~". Solving this problem is also an object of the present invention. The applicant intends to include a part of the structure described in this specification in the claims through an amendment or divisional application. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] (1) For example, a control system comprising a first device and a second device that communicate wirelessly with each other according to predetermined communication specifications, wherein the first device is placed on a controlled device, and when a predetermined signal is communicated between the first device and the second device, the control system performs a control operation on the controlled device on which the first device is placed, wherein the relay system relays wireless communication between the first device and the second device, and which can relay wireless communication in multiple types of the control system in which the predetermined communication specifications between the first device and the second device are different, and comprises a first relay and a second relay that communicate wirelessly with each other A relay system comprising a relay device and a first relay device is characterized in that the first relay device receives signals from the first device and transmits signals that the first device can recognize, the second relay device receives signals from the second device and transmits signals that the second device can recognize, receives communication signals used for communication between the first device and the second device, determines a predetermined communication specification based on the received communication signal, and applies the determined predetermined communication specification to the communication between the first device and the first relay device, and to the communication between the second device and the second relay device.

[0011] In this way, even if the communication specifications differ for each control system, the communication specifications corresponding to each control system are automatically applied, thus making it possible to obtain a relay system that can perform control operations on the controlled equipment to which the first device is located within that control system.

[0012] The communication specifications should include the signal data length, number of bits, transmission time, and data frame.

[0013] The controlled equipment and control system may be, for example, a vehicle and a vehicle control system installed in the vehicle, and the first device and the second device may be, for example, a vehicle control device and a portable device, respectively. Furthermore, the first relay device may be a vehicle relay device installed in the vehicle, and the second relay device may be a portable relay device carried by the user.

[0014] In this way, even if the communication specifications differ for each vehicle model, a relay system can be obtained that automatically applies the communication specifications for each vehicle model and can control the vehicle's operation. Therefore, the need to prepare a relay system with communication specifications corresponding to each vehicle model can be reduced, making inventory management easier at dealerships.

[0015] The operation of the controlled device controlled by the control system can be anything, but for example, if the controlled device is a vehicle, it may be the operation of various parts that make up the vehicle, such as opening and closing the locks of the vehicle doors, or activating and deactivating the car security system. In particular, it may be the starting of the engine or motor system, or the starting and stopping of the air conditioner, which are the power sources of the vehicle. The relay system may be an engine starter that can remotely start the engine or motor system, or the air conditioner, and stop them.

[0016] The control system may be configured to start or stop the control of the controlled device by detecting, for example, a user operation on an operating unit provided on a second relay or on an operating unit provided on a second device. For example, if the controlled device is a vehicle, the system may be configured to detect a user operation on an operating unit (e.g., an operation button) provided on a portable relay, which is the second relay, and the vehicle control system performs the control operation of the controlled device via the vehicle relay, which is the first relay.

[0017] The detection of user operation of the control unit provided on the second device is preferably configured to receive a signal that the second device wirelessly transmits to the first device in response to user operation of the control unit provided on the second device, and to perform the detection based on the received signal.

[0018] In particular, the user operation of the control unit provided on the second device should be different from the operation performed by the second device to the first device to cause the first device to perform a predetermined control operation of a predetermined controlled device.

[0019] Furthermore, the user operation of the control unit provided in the second device should include an operation that triggers the transmission of a wireless signal from the second device to the first device to cause the first device to perform a predetermined control operation of a predetermined controlled device, but should be an operation different from that operation. In particular, it is desirable to include an operation that does not occur consecutively between the first device and the second device within a predetermined time. In particular, it is desirable to configure the system so that when a wireless signal indicating that the same operation has been performed a predetermined number of times consecutively within a predetermined time is received, the vehicle control system performs a predetermined control operation of a predetermined controlled device from the first relay device, which is the vehicle relay device, to the second relay device.

[0020] For example, in a configuration where the controlled device is a vehicle and its door locks are controlled, and the second device, a portable device, is equipped with a button for locking the vehicle's doors as an operating unit, the second relay device may detect that the user has performed an operation different from the operation to lock the vehicle's doors (for example, pressing the button once), such as pressing the door lock button three times in a row within one second, by detecting that it has received three wireless door lock signals from the second device consecutively within a predetermined time. When such detection occurs, it is preferable to wirelessly transmit an instruction signal to start the engine, etc., to the first relay device.

[0021] For example, if the controlled device is a vehicle, and the second device, a portable device, is only equipped with a button for opening and closing the vehicle's door locks, the vehicle control system may, via the second and first relays, start the engine or motor system, or start or stop the air conditioner, by having the user perform an operation different from opening and closing the vehicle's door locks, such as pressing the button three times in quick succession within one second.

[0022] The relay system may be configured such that the communication distance between the first relay and the second relay is longer than the communication distance between the first device and the second device. In this way, the user can remotely operate the control system from a farther distance by operating the second relay or the second device. As a configuration for making the communication distance between the first relay and the second relay longer, for example, the transmission power of the radio wave used for communication between the first relay and the second relay may be made larger than the transmission power of the radio wave used for communication between the first device and the second device.

[0023] The relay system may be applied to a control system in which communication between the first device and the second device is performed in the following order (hereinafter also referred to as "sequence"). [1] First, in order to start controlling the controlled device using the first device, for example, when an activation switch provided in the first device is operated, a response request signal is transmitted from the first device as a communication signal. [2] When the second device receives the response request signal, it transmits a response signal generated by performing a predetermined process based on the response request signal as a communication signal. [3] The first device starts controlling the controlled device when the received response signal is a predetermined response signal compared to the response request signal transmitted by itself, and does not start controlling the controlled device when it is not a predetermined response signal.

[0024] In a control system in which communication is performed in such a sequence, the relay of communication between the first device and the second device of the control system by the relay system may be performed in the following order. For the response request signal, when the first relay receives the response request signal transmitted from the first device, it transmits a wireless response request signal based on the response request signal. When the second relay receives the wireless response request signal, it generates a transfer response request signal that the second device recognizes as a response request signal from this wireless response request signal, and transmits the generated transfer response request signal to the second device (hereinafter, the first relay receiving the response request signal and the second relay transmitting the transfer response request signal is also referred to as "relaying the response request signal").

[0025] Regarding the response signal, when the second relay device receives the response signal transmitted from the second device, it transmits a wireless response signal based on the response signal. When the first relay device receives the wireless response signal, it generates a transfer response signal that the first device recognizes as a response signal from this wireless response signal, and transmits the generated transfer response signal to the first device (hereinafter, the situation where the second relay device receives the response signal and the first relay device transmits the transfer response signal is also referred to as "relaying the response signal").

[0026] The transfer response request signal may be exactly the same as the original response request signal, or may be different from the original response request signal, as long as it is a signal within the range that the second device can recognize as a response request signal. Similarly, the transfer response signal may be exactly the same as the original response signal, or may be different from the original response signal, as long as it is a signal within the range that the first device can recognize as a response signal.

[0027] Furthermore, the relay system may be particularly applicable to a control system that performs the above sequence twice (for example, a startup sequence followed by an authentication sequence).

[0028] The determination of the communication specification may be configured to be performed every time communication occurs in the control system. In particular, it may be configured to be performed when communication first occurs in the control system after the relay system is provided in the control system. Furthermore, the determination result may be used to record information regarding the determined communication specification in the storage means provided in each of the first relay device and the second relay device, and the first relay device and the second relay device may operate based on the recorded information. Also, if the determined communication specification is not applied to the relay system, it may be arranged such that control of starting the controlled device by the control system via the relay system cannot be performed.

[0029] If the determination of the communication specifications is to be performed when the first communication occurs in the control system after the relay system is installed in the controlled equipment, it is preferable to perform the determination when the control system is started using the start switch provided in the controlled equipment after the relay system is installed and a communication signal is transmitted from the first device. For example, a DIP switch may be provided in the first relay unit and the relay system may be set to setting mode using the DIP switch, and then the start operation may be performed using the start switch provided in the controlled equipment, causing the first device to transmit a communication signal.

[0030] The communication specifications can be determined, for example, based on the data length of the communication signal. Here, let's consider an example where the data length of the communication signal of control system A is shorter than that of the communication signal of another control system B, and a relay system that only corresponds to control system A is used for control system B.

[0031] Between a first repeater and a second repeater that communicate wirelessly with each other, it is preferable that the first repeater transmits a communication signal (e.g., a radio response request signal) and the second repeater receives it, and the second repeater transmits a communication signal (e.g., a radio response signal) and the first repeater receives it.

[0032] The first relay unit may be provided with separate transmitting and receiving means for communication with the second relay unit, or it may be provided with a combined transmitting and receiving means. Similarly, the second relay unit may be provided with separate transmitting and receiving means for communication with the first relay unit, or it may be provided with a combined transmitting and receiving means.

[0033] In a relay system that is compatible only with control system A, if the second relay unit of the relay system transmits and receives communication signals with the first relay unit using a combined transmit / receive means, it is preferable to switch between the state of receiving communication signals from the first relay unit and the state of transmitting communication signals to the first relay unit at an appropriate timing according to the data length of the communication signals of control system A.

[0034] If the data length of the communication signal from control system A is shorter than that of the communication signal from another control system B, the second repeater, having received the communication signal from the first repeater, may switch from the state of receiving the communication signal from the first repeater to the state of transmitting the communication signal to the first repeater before it has finished receiving the communication signal from the first repeater, which could result in an error.

[0035] However, by applying communication specifications determined based on communication signals, it is possible to obtain a relay system in which, for example, the timing of switching the transmission and reception states of the first and second relay devices is set automatically according to the control system, thereby reducing the occurrence of such errors.

[0036] The determination of the communication specifications may be performed by the first repeater alone, the second repeater alone, or both the first and second repeaters. When the determination of the communication specifications based on the communication signal is performed by the first repeater alone, the information regarding the determined communication specifications should be transmitted from the first repeater to the second repeater.

[0037] When determining the communication specifications, it is advisable to provide a separation instruction means that instructs the first and second repeaters to be at a distance where they can communicate with each other, and the first and second devices to be at a distance where they cannot communicate with each other. The separation instruction means may be written on paper, such as in an instruction manual, or it may be a distance notification means that determines the distance or communication status between the first and second repeaters and the distance or communication status between the first and second devices, and notifies whether the first and second repeaters are at a distance where they can communicate with each other, and whether the first and second devices are at a distance where they cannot communicate with each other. The notification by the distance notification means may be performed by providing a display unit or an audio output unit in the first or second repeater, and displaying the information on the display unit or outputting it as audio from the audio output unit.

[0038] In this way, it is possible to prevent the first and second devices from completing communication without going through the relay system before the application of specific communication specifications to the relay system is completed.

[0039] The distance notification means should instruct the first and second repeaters to be at a distance where they can communicate with each other, and the first and second devices to be at a distance where they cannot communicate with each other, not only when determining the communication specifications but also when using the relay system. The instructions from the distance notification means may not be given when determining the communication specifications, but only when using the relay system.

[0040] The first relay unit may be provided with a specification notification means that notifies which communication specification has been applied once the identified communication specification has been applied. The specification notification means shall include a storage unit that stores notification content corresponding to the identified communication specification, and a display unit or an audio output unit. Once the application of the communication specification is complete, the display unit may display which communication specification has been applied, or the audio output unit may output it as audio. The notification content may be information that identifies which communication specification has been applied, such as the vehicle manufacturer and model. If the relay system manages the stored communication specifications by number, it may be something like, "Communication specification 1 has been applied." The display unit may also show whether the identified communication specification has been applied or not.

[0041] (2) The determination of the communication specifications may be made based on at least one of the number of bits, transmission time, and data frame configuration of at least one of the response request signal transmitted from the first device and the response signal transmitted from the second device in response to the response request signal.

[0042] In this way, the type of control system can be accurately identified, and more precise communication specifications can be applied.

[0043] If the control system is, for example, a vehicle control system, it can accurately identify the vehicle type and more precisely set the switching timing of the transmission and reception states of the first and second relay units.

[0044] If the communication signal sequence in a control system consists of two steps—a startup sequence and a subsequent authentication sequence—the communication specification can be determined based on the transmission time of the response request signal in the startup sequence, such as the WAKE signal.

[0045] Furthermore, the determination of the communication specifications should be based on at least two factors for at least one of the response request signal and the response signal: the number of bits, the transmission time, and the data frame structure.

[0046] (3) The control system may use multiple sets of response request signals transmitted from the first device and response signals transmitted from the second device in response to the response request signals as communication signals between the first device and the second device, and may determine the communication specifications based on the response request signals and response signals of each set.

[0047] In this way, the type of controlled equipment to which the control system is installed can be identified with greater accuracy. If the controlled equipment is, for example, a vehicle, the vehicle control system can determine the communication specifications based on the communication signals for both the startup sequence and the authentication sequence, which use two sets of response request signals and response signals. This allows for the application of accurate communication specifications, and for example, the timing of switching between the transmission and reception states of the first and second repeaters can be set with greater precision.

[0048] (4) The determination of the communication specifications is performed by determination means provided in the first relay, and when the application of the determined communication specifications to the first and second relays is completed, the second relay is provided with operation availability notification means that notifies the user that the user can start or stop the control operation of the controlled device by the control system via the first and second relays.

[0049] In this way, the user can be informed that they can operate the controlled device using the relay system, and it becomes possible to deter them from attempting to operate the controlled device when it is not operational.

[0050] The determination result of the communication specifications by the determination means provided in the first relay device may be transmitted from the first relay device to the second relay device by a communication other than relaying the control system's communication signals.

[0051] The operation availability notification means provided in the second relay unit may be an audio output means or a display means. The audio output means may output a short signal sound such as "beep" or an audio message such as "available" when the controlled device becomes operational using the relay system. The display means may be an LED that changes from a red state to a blue state when the controlled device becomes operational using the relay system, or an LCD screen that displays characters or marks indicating that the device is available when the controlled device becomes operational using the relay system. The operation availability notification means may also be provided in the first relay unit.

[0052] (5) The controlled device may be a vehicle and vehicle components that make up the vehicle, the first device may be a vehicle control device installed on the vehicle, and the second device may be a portable device.

[0053] In this way, the vehicle or its components can be operated using the relay system. The vehicle components can be anything, but they are often, for example, the vehicle's door locking mechanism, car security, or air conditioning, and especially the engine or motor that powers the vehicle.

[0054] (6) The system includes a storage means for storing information relating to a plurality of types of communication signals, and a matching means for comparing which of the plurality of types of communication signals stored in the storage means corresponds to the communication signal received by the first or second repeater from the first or second device, and the determination of the predetermined communication specification is performed by matching the communication signals by the matching means.

[0055] In this way, the communication specifications can be reliably determined, and the first and second repeaters can be configured accurately.

[0056] Information regarding multiple types of communication signals can be used to identify each type of communication signal, to describe the characteristics of each communication signal, or to describe the differences between each communication signal.

[0057] (7) The control system uses a response request signal transmitted from the first device and a response signal transmitted from the second device in response to the response request signal as the communication signals, and the second device transmits the response signal at a frequency based on frequency specification information included in the response request signal, the frequency specification information is included in the predetermined communication specification determined based on the response request signal, and the second repeater receives the response signal transmitted from the second device at a frequency based on the frequency specification information.

[0058] In this way, even if the frequency at which the response signal is transmitted from the second device differs depending on the control system or communication, it is possible to relay the signal using the same relay system.

[0059] The frequency at which the second device transmits the response signal should be the same as the communication specification.

[0060] (8) The second repeater comprises a first transceiver unit that performs wireless communication with the first repeater, and a second transceiver unit that performs wireless communication with the second device and transmits the communication signal to the first transceiver unit, wherein the transmission of the communication signal from the second transceiver unit to the first transceiver unit is blocked except when receiving the communication signal transmitted from the second device, and the first transceiver unit switches to a state in which it transmits the communication signal transmitted from the second transceiver unit to the first repeater once it has finished receiving the communication signal transmitted from the first repeater.

[0061] In a second relay, if the second transmitting / receiving unit transmits the communication signal transmitted from the second device to the first transmitting / receiving unit, and the first transmitting / receiving unit transmits the communication signal transmitted from the second transmitting / receiving unit as is, there is a problem that if the second transmitting / receiving unit receives noise when it is not receiving the communication signal transmitted from the second device, that noise will be transmitted from the first transmitting / receiving unit.

[0062] Here, even if the first transceiver in the second relay unit transmits the signal received from the second transceiver unit as is, if the transmission of communication signals from the second transceiver unit to the first transceiver unit is blocked except when receiving communication signals transmitted from the second device, then it is possible to suppress the transmission of noise when relaying communication signals transmitted from the second device to the first device.

[0063] Furthermore, in the second relay unit, once the first transmitting / receiving unit has finished receiving the communication signal transmitted from the first relay unit, it switches to a state where it transmits the communication signal transmitted from the second transmitting / receiving unit to the first relay unit. Therefore, delays in the time it takes for a communication signal to be transmitted from the first device to return to the first device are less likely to occur. For example, even if the control system is a vehicle control system, and the time between the vehicle control device sending a response request signal and the portable device starting to transmit a response signal is set to a short time by the vehicle manufacturer when starting the engine, the possibility of being unable to start the engine using the relay system can be reduced.

[0064] The blocking of the communication signal from the second transmitting / receiving unit to the first transmitting / receiving unit can be performed, for example, using a control unit that outputs a control signal only when it detects that a communication signal has been transmitted from the second device, and an AND circuit that outputs the logical AND of the control signal output from the control unit and the communication signal output from the second transmitting / receiving unit to the first transmitting / receiving unit.

[0065] (9) In the control system, the first device wirelessly transmits a predetermined signal to each of the plurality of second devices for controlling the controlled device, and each of the second devices transmits either a unique first response signal or a unique second response signal as a communication signal to each of the first response request signals and second response request signals transmitted by the first device as a communication signal, and the first relay store information relating to the first response signals transmitted from the plurality of second devices, and operation detection means for detecting the operation of at least one of the controlled device, the first device, the first relay, and the second relay is connected to the first relay or the second relay, and the first relay, having received the first response request signal transmitted by the first device, stores the stored Based on the information regarding the response signal 1, the first device transmits one of the signals which it recognizes as one of the unique first response signals; the first device, having recognized one of the unique first response signals, transmits the second response request signal; and one of the second devices, having received a signal which the second device recognizes as the second response request signal, transmitted from the second repeater which received a signal based on the second response request signal transmitted by the first device via the first repeater, transmits the unique second response signal, until the operation detection means detects that at least one of the first device, the controlled device, the first repeater, and the second repeater has operated, the first repeater may sequentially transmit signals which the first device recognizes as one of the unique first response signals based on the information regarding the first response signal stored by the first repeater.

[0066] By having the first relay device sequentially transmit signals that the first device recognizes as one of the unique first response signals (hereinafter also referred to as the "sequential transmission operation"), when performing authentication operations between the first and second devices using the relay system, it is not necessary to relay the first response signal from the second device to the first device, thereby reducing the power consumption of the relay system.

[0067] The motion detection means may be connected to the first or second repeater by wire or wireless connection.

[0068] The operation of the second relay detected by the motion detection means may be defined as the second relay receiving a second response signal transmitted by the second device. The operation of the first relay detected by the motion detection means may be defined as the first relay receiving a wireless response signal transmitted by the second relay based on the second response signal. The operation of the first device detected by the motion detection means may be defined as the first device receiving a signal transmitted by the first relay that the first device recognizes as the second response signal. The operation of the controlled device detected by the motion detection means may be defined as an operation based on a control system operation performed by the first device after it recognizes the second response signal. If the controlled device is a vehicle, this may be, for example, the starting of the engine, the starting of the motor system, or the starting of the air conditioner.

[0069] The authentication process between the first and second devices using the relay system can be performed, for example, in the following steps.

[0070] [1] The first relay unit transmits an activation trigger signal to the first device; [2] The first device receives the activation trigger signal and transmits a first response request signal; [3] The first relay unit, having received the first response request signal, transmits one of the signals that the first device recognizes as one of the unique first response signals based on the information it stores about the first response signals; [4] The first device, having recognized the signal as one of the unique first response signals, transmits a second response request signal; [5] The first and second relay units relay the second response request signal; [6] The second response request signal The procedure includes the steps of: [7] one of the second relays that recognizes the number transmits a second response signal; [7] the second relay and the first relay relay relay the second response signal, and after these steps, the first device receives the relayed second response signal and completes the authentication operation if it recognizes that the first response signal and the second response signal correspond; if it does not recognize that the first response signal and the second response signal correspond, the first relay transmits a signal that the first device recognizes as one of its own first response signals, which is different from the signal transmitted in step [3], as a sequential transmission operation.

[0071] (10) The controlled device is the vehicle's control system, and the determination of the communication specifications is made by determining the differences in communication specifications between vehicle manufacturers. In this way, it is only necessary to manufacture the same relay system for vehicles from different manufacturers, and the need for dealerships to manage inventory of relay systems for each manufacturer can be reduced. Furthermore, the burden of work and management can be reduced at the manufacturing site of the relay system and at the installation site on the vehicle. (11) It is preferable not to provide setting means for manually setting the communication specifications of the wireless communication between the first device and the second device. This eliminates the need to attach instructions for manual setting. It also reduces the possibility of making a mistake in manual setting. For example, it is preferable not to provide a configuration that does not include DIP switches or the like for manually setting the communication specifications of the vehicle type, etc. (12) The system is provided with a means for switching to a discrimination mode for determining the communication specifications, and when in discrimination mode, the first relay unit is configured not to transmit a signal based on the second relay unit received to the first device. This makes it easier to ensure greater safety and reliability. The system is provided with a means for switching to a discrimination mode for determining the communication specifications, and when in discrimination mode, the system is configured not to transmit a signal based on the second relay unit received to the first device, after determining or setting the communication specifications based on the signal received from the second relay unit. The switching means may be a switch or the like, but in vehicles equipped with a button on the second device, the system is configured to switch to discrimination mode when the second relay unit receives a radio wave transmitted by an operation other than the operation specified for the operation of the vehicle for the button. Switching from discrimination mode to relay mode, which is the relaying state, may be done manually with a switch or the like, but it is preferable to automatically exit discrimination mode and switch to relay mode after successfully determining the communication specifications in discrimination mode.

[0072] (13) The reception of communication signals between the first device and the second device for determining the communication specifications may be configured such that at least one of the means for directly receiving signals from the first device or the second device, or means for receiving the relayed communication signals, is provided in at least one of the first or second repeater. The phrase "receiving communication signals for which communication is made between the first device and the second device" in (1) may, for example, be configured such that the first repeater and the second repeater are located within the communication range of the first device and the second device, and the communication between these devices is received directly. For example, the second repeater may be configured to receive signals from the first device via relay from the first repeater and indirectly receive signals from the first device by receiving radio waves from the first repeater. For example, the first repeater may be configured to receive signals from the second device via relay from the second repeater and indirectly receive signals from the second device by receiving radio waves from the second repeater. In addition, various configurations for indirect reception are possible. Thus, communication signals between the first and second devices can be indirectly received by means of receiving relay signals from the devices. This reduces the number of receivers needed for the relay to directly receive signals from the devices, significantly lowering the cost of the relay.

[0073] (14) For example, it may be configured as the first relay device in the relay system described in any of (1) to (9) above. (15) For example, it may be configured as a second relay in the relay system described in any of (1) to (9) above. Such devices may be configured, for example, as devices used in the vehicle control system described above. The devices used in the vehicle control system may be configured, for example, as a relay system used as an engine starter, such as a vehicle relay unit or a portable relay unit equipped with an engine start button.

[0074] (16) The system should have a function to determine whether the engine is running, and should process the system so that relaying is not performed when the engine is running.

[0075] (17) The system should be equipped with a means to identify the current location (e.g., position) and should be configured not to relay at specific locations (e.g., pre-configured locations). Alternatively, it may be configured to relay at specific locations (e.g., pre-configured locations) (e.g., relay at the home apartment but not at the vacation home). For example, it may be possible to set relay prohibition points (e.g., areas).

[0076] (18) When the temperature (for example, inside the vehicle) is within a certain range (for example, a comfortable temperature range), it is advisable to control the system so that relaying is not performed.

[0077] (19) The second relay device should be equipped with an LF receiving function to receive LF data transmitted by the first device, etc., and should be controlled so that it does not relay when it is receiving LF data.

[0078] (20) The second relay unit is equipped with a function to transmit the same signal (LF data) as the signal emitted by the first device or other vehicle when there is no signal from the vehicle (for example, when a check button on the second relay unit is pressed, or at regular intervals (for example, every minute)), and it is to determine whether a response signal to the signal transmitted by the second relay unit is properly returned from the second device, the genuine key (for example, whether the two are within the appropriate distance range). It is advisable to have a function to notify the system if no response is received. At this time, it is advisable to control the system so that the response signal from the genuine key is not relayed to the first relay unit. It is also possible to store vehicle-specific signal patterns in advance and send signals based on the stored patterns, but it is particularly advisable to store signals from vehicles relayed from the vehicle relay unit and send signals based on those signals.

[0079] (21) The first relay device should be equipped with a function to connect to the in-vehicle LAN and a function to control whether or not to relay the signal, taking into account the status of the in-vehicle LAN signal. For example, when a door open signal is detected from the in-vehicle LAN (e.g., CAN), the device should be configured not to relay the signal.

[0080] (22) It would be good to have a function to limit the relay operation time of the relay device. For example, it would be good to limit the relay operation time to a predetermined range (for example, a few seconds) after pressing the engine start button. For example, conventional portable relay devices and the original key are used connected by a ring, but when the two are connected by a ring, they can get caught on other things in a bag, making them inconvenient to use. If it were possible for the two to be several meters apart, a problem would arise, for example, where the portable relay device (second relay device) relays a signal from the original key of another car of the same model. The frequency of such problems can be reduced. It would also be good to have a function to check whether the original key of another car of the same model is responding, and in such cases, it would be good to provide a notification to that effect. The relay of signals from that point onward may be stopped when it is determined that the data is not from the correct original key.

[0081] (23) Having buttons on both the second device and the second repeater presents a challenge in that it is easy to press the wrong button. The second repeater has an RF receiver for relaying, so it would be good to use it for purposes other than relaying. For example, remove the buttons from the second repeater. The portable repeater should be dedicated solely to relaying and notification (especially notification by sound rather than on a screen). For example, the operation could be defined as pressing a specific button on the second device multiple times (such as pressing the lock button twice in quick succession within 1 second) to start the engine. When the portable repeater receives and detects such a specific operation from the signal sent from the original key, it would be good to send an engine start signal.

[0082] (24) It is preferable to have a function that changes the operation of the second relay depending on whether the second device is near the second relay. For example, when it is detected that the engine start button of the second relay, the mobile relay, has been pressed, before sending the engine start signal to the first relay, the vehicle relay (or even after, in which case the vehicle relay should have a delay before sending the engine start signal to the vehicle), it sends a signal (e.g., LF data) to check whether the second device, the genuine key, is near the mobile relay, and if it is determined that the genuine key is near the mobile relay, it sends the engine start signal to the vehicle relay. If it is determined that it is not near the mobile relay, it does not send the engine start signal to the vehicle relay. It is also preferable to provide notification that the genuine key is not near the mobile relay if it is not near the vehicle relay.

[0083] Furthermore, for example, if the driver forgets the portable relay device at home and is cleaning the car in the parking lot, and a child inside the house presses the engine start button on the portable relay device, the vehicle relay device should have a function to detect whether or not the original key is inside the car (for example, by direct connection to the ECU, monitoring the in-car LAN, or detection by an RF receiver). If the vehicle relay device detects that the original key is inside the car, but still receives an engine start signal from the portable relay device, it would be good to provide notification indicating that such a situation is occurring.

[0084] (25) The LF data should be recognized as a legitimate signal by the portable device (original key, second device), but should be different from the LF data emitted by the vehicle (vehicle control device). A device equipped with an LF receiver (for example, a vehicle relay unit (first relay unit) should have this function) should have a function to distinguish between these two LF data and record which LF data was received.

[0085] (26) The RF data is recognized by the vehicle as a legitimate signal, but it is different from the RF data emitted by the original key (second device). A device equipped with an RF receiver (for example, a portable relay device (second relay device) should have this function) should have a function to distinguish between these two RF signals and record which RF signal was received.

[0086] (27) For example, it may be configured as a program to enable a computer to implement any of the functions described in (1) to (26) above. The program may consist of a program for the first relay and a program for the second relay.

[0087] The inventions described in (1) to (26) above can be combined in any way. For example, one invention may have at least one of the other inventions (2) to (26) without having all or part of the configuration of (1). In particular, one invention may have all or part of the configuration of (1) combined with at least one of the configurations (2) to (26). Alternatively, one invention may extract any component from at least one of (1) to (26) and combine them. The applicant intends to obtain patent rights for such configurations as well.

[0088] The above-described way of specifying the present invention is merely an example, and parts of it may be expanded or limited. [Effects of the Invention]

[0089] According to the present invention, for example, it is possible to provide a relay system that can handle many types of controlled devices (e.g., many vehicle types) and many control systems. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0090] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a vehicle remote control system using a relay system. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the communication sequence for the vehicle control system only, within the vehicle remote control system. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the communication sequence for each data signal. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the timing charts for LF data and RF data in a vehicle control system. Figure (a) shows the vehicle control system installed in vehicle A, and Figure (b) shows the vehicle control system installed in vehicle B. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a portable relay device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the timing charts for LF data and RF data in the vehicle control system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the timing charts for LF data and RF data in a vehicle control system that can use multiple portable devices. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the sequence of data and signal communication in the vehicle remote control system according to the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0091] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to those exemplified in the embodiments described below, and it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments may exist in the spirit and teaching thereof, without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0092] [Basic configuration of a vehicle remote control system using a relay system] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a vehicle remote control system using a relay system. Using this figure, the basic configuration that forms the basis of this vehicle remote control system will be explained while describing the operation of the communication processing. The vehicle remote control system 1 comprises a vehicle control device 10 (first device), a vehicle relay device 20 (first relay device), a portable relay device 30 (second relay device), and a portable device 40 (second device). The vehicle control device 10 and the vehicle relay device 20 are installed in the vehicle 6, while the portable relay device 30 and the portable device 40 are carried by the user. In the vehicle remote control system 1, the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 constitute the vehicle control system 2, and the vehicle relay device 20 and the portable relay device 30 constitute the relay system 4. Here, the vehicle control system 2 is originally installed in the vehicle at the time of factory shipment by the vehicle manufacturer, while the relay system 4 is a system that is retrofitted to the vehicle.

[0093] [Vehicle control system] The vehicle control device 10 is a device for controlling predetermined equipment installed in the vehicle 6. This control of predetermined equipment is for starting the vehicle 6 into a drivable state in response to user operations such as pressing a push-start button installed in the vehicle 6, and for example, in an automobile powered by an internal combustion engine, it may turn on the starter motor (engine start).

[0094] The vehicle control device 10, which constitutes the vehicle control system 2, performs control such as engine starting, prior to controlling the equipment of the vehicle 6 to be controlled, on the condition that authentication is successful using the authentication information stored in the portable device 40 and the authentication information stored in the vehicle control device 10.

[0095] To perform the aforementioned processing, the vehicle control device 10 is configured to be able to wirelessly communicate communication signals with the portable device 40. The vehicle control device 10 comprises a control unit 12, a transmitting / receiving unit 14, and an authentication information storage unit 16. The vehicle control device 10 is connected to the battery 6a of the vehicle 6 and receives power from it. The vehicle control device 10 cooperates with the equipment of the vehicle 6 to be controlled, for example, by wired communication, and controls predetermined equipment. The authentication information storage unit 16 is a non-volatile storage means and stores the authentication information of a legitimate portable device 40. The authentication information may be, for example, an ID code. If there are multiple legitimate portable devices 40, the authentication information of each of those multiple portable devices 40 is stored.

[0096] The control unit 12 is configured, for example, by a microcontroller, and its built-in CPU executes a program stored in its built-in ROM to realize the functions described below. The control unit 12 has functions such as outputting control signals to control the equipment of the vehicle 6 to be controlled, and outputting command data (hereinafter also referred to as "LF data") for communication with other devices, such as response request signals which are communication signals to confirm the existence of a legitimate portable device 40, based on the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 16.

[0097] The transceiver unit 14 communicates wirelessly with the transceiver unit 44 installed in the portable device 40 and the first vehicle-side transceiver unit 24 installed in the vehicle relay unit 20. The transceiver unit 14 is composed of a transceiver RFIC. The transceiver unit 14 has the function of wirelessly transmitting LF data such as various commands and data output from the control unit 12 on the first frequency (hereinafter also referred to as "LF"), and the function of receiving commands and data etc. (hereinafter also referred to as "RF data") wirelessly transmitted from other devices on the second frequency (hereinafter also referred to as "RF") and passing them to the control unit 12.

[0098] The second frequency is higher than the first frequency, and the communication distance for RF data using the second frequency is longer than the communication distance for LF data using the first frequency. For example, the first frequency (LF) is 134 kHz and the second frequency (RF) is 314 MHz.

[0099] [Handheld device] The portable device 40 is, for example, referred to as a smart key or genuine key. The portable device 40 comprises a control unit 42, a transmitting / receiving unit 44, and an authentication information storage unit 46. The portable device 40 is powered by a built-in primary battery 40a. Using a commercially available dry cell battery or button battery for the primary battery 40a is preferable because it is easily obtainable, can be implemented, and is easy to handle. In particular, using a button battery is preferable because it allows for miniaturization of the portable device 40.

[0100] The authentication information storage unit 46 stores a unique ID code as authentication information for the immobilizer function. The control unit 42 is configured, for example, by a microcontroller, and its built-in CPU executes a program stored in its built-in ROM to realize the functions described below. When the control unit 42 receives a response request signal addressed to itself from the vehicle control device 10 which forms a pair, it outputs a response signal (hereinafter also called "response data," and included in "RF data"). The transceiver unit 44 performs wireless communication with the transceiver unit 14 implemented in the vehicle control device 10 and the first mobile-side transceiver unit 34 implemented in the mobile relay unit 30. For example, it is configured by a transceiver RFIC. This transceiver unit 4b has the function of receiving LF data such as command data that has been wirelessly transmitted on the first frequency and passing it to the control unit 42, and the function of wirelessly transmitting RF data such as various command data such as response signals output from the control unit 42 on the second frequency.

[0101] [Engine start process] Figure 2 shows the communication sequence of the vehicle control system, which is the only system included in the vehicle remote control system as it is installed in the vehicle at the factory from the original vehicle manufacturer. The numbers in parentheses in the following explanation correspond to the numbers in parentheses in the figure. The sequence shown in the figure consists of an activation sequence and an authentication sequence.

[0102] (1,2) When the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 meets the transmission timing, such as receiving a predetermined trigger signal, it transmits a WAKE signal (a type of LF data) as a response request signal from the transmitting / receiving unit 14. The predetermined trigger signal is, for example, the foot brake signal that is output when the foot brake pedal of the vehicle 6 is pressed.

[0103] (3) When the portable device 40 is within the communication range of the WAKE signal and receives the WAKE signal, the portable device 40 wirelessly transmits an ACK signal (a type of RF data) as a response signal. The transceiver unit 14 of the vehicle control device 10 receives the ACK signal, and the control unit 12 confirms the presence of the portable device 40. The above is the startup sequence. (4) When the vehicle control device 10 confirms the presence of the portable device 40 in the startup sequence, it proceeds to the authentication sequence. In the authentication sequence, the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 accesses the authentication information storage unit 16, obtains the stored ID code as authentication information, and outputs a challenge signal (a type of LF data) which is a response request signal containing that ID code.

[0104] (5) When the portable device 40 recognizes that the challenge signal received from the ID code is a signal addressed to itself, the portable device 40 wirelessly transmits a response signal (a type of RF data) which is a response signal containing its own authentication information. When the transceiver 14 of the vehicle control device 10 receives the response signal, it completes the authentication of the portable device 40.

[0105] As described above, the vehicle control device 10 outputs a response request signal, and the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 performs engine start processing, with the condition being that it receives a response signal containing valid authentication information within a certain time period. In this embodiment, when the vehicle control device 10 outputs a WAKE signal and receives a challenge signal within a certain time period to complete authentication, the engine starts when the push start button provided on the vehicle 6 is pressed to turn on the engine start request signal.

[0106] [Relay System] The communication range between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40, as shown in Figure 2, is relatively short, as it is sufficient if communication is possible, for example, when a driver carrying the portable device 40 is sitting in the driver's seat and operating the engine start. This relatively short distance is about 1 to 2 meters, assuming the first frequency for transmitting LF data is 134 kHz.

[0107] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the vehicle control system 2 is equipped with a vehicle relay unit 20 and a portable relay unit 30 that constitute the relay system 4, and the wireless communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 is relayed by these relay units, thereby extending the communication range.

[0108] By extending the communication range in this way, the system allows, for example, a user carrying a portable relay unit 30 and a portable device 40 to perform authentication using authentication information between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40, even if they are located relatively far from the vehicle 6. By operating the portable relay unit 30 or the portable device 40 from that distant location, the user can start the engine.

[0109] [Vehicle relay station] The vehicle relay unit 20 is placed in a predetermined location within the vehicle 6. The vehicle relay unit 20 comprises a control unit 22 that controls the vehicle relay unit 20, a first vehicle-side transceiver 24 for wireless communication with the vehicle control device 10, a second vehicle-side transceiver 26 for wireless communication with the portable relay unit 30, and a parameter storage unit 28 that stores various parameters of communication signals and communication specifications. The vehicle relay unit 20 is connected to the battery 6a of the vehicle 6 and receives power from it. The control unit 22 is configured by, for example, a microcontroller, and realizes the functions described below by executing a program stored in the built-in ROM of its built-in CPU. The first vehicle-side transceiver 24 and the second vehicle-side transceiver 26 are each configured by transceiver RFICs. The vehicle relay unit 20 further comprises a start trigger output unit 20a, a setting switch 20b, and a notification unit 20c.

[0110] The first vehicle-side transceiver unit 24 transmits and receives data with the transceiver unit 14 of the vehicle control device 10. It receives radio waves transmitted wirelessly on the first frequency (LF), which is the transmission frequency band of the transceiver unit 14, and transmits them wirelessly on the second frequency (RF). Because the communication distance is short, it uses weak radio waves, which are used in low-power radio stations, a type of radio station.

[0111] The second vehicle-side transceiver unit 26 uses radio waves of the third frequency (hereinafter also referred to as "SG") included in the frequency band used for specified low-power radio stations. By using this specified low-power radio communication, the communication range can be, for example, 1 to 2 km in a clear line of sight, and even if there are obstacles, it can be, for example, several hundred meters. Therefore, even if, for example, the home is a detached house or an apartment building and the vehicle 6 is parked in a parking lot on the premises, communication with the vehicle control device 10 is possible. As an example, the third frequency (SG) is 922 MHz.

[0112] In this embodiment, the vehicle relay unit 20 and the vehicle control device 10 are connected by a communication cable 8 that performs wired communication. The control unit 22 of the vehicle relay unit 20 uses this wired communication to transmit a foot brake signal and an engine start request signal from the start trigger output unit 20a to the vehicle control device 10. The foot brake signal is a signal that corresponds to the signal output when the foot brake pedal of the vehicle 6 is pressed. The engine start request signal is a signal that corresponds to the signal output when, for example, the push start button of the vehicle 6 is pressed.

[0113] [Portable repeater] The portable relay unit 30 includes a control unit 32 that controls the portable relay unit 30, a first portable-side transmitting / receiving unit 34 for communicating with the portable device 40, a second portable-side transmitting / receiving unit 36 ​​for communicating with the vehicle relay unit 20, and a parameter storage unit 38 that stores various parameters, signals, and communication specifications. Furthermore, the portable relay unit 30 includes an operation unit 30b and a notification unit 30c.

[0114] The control unit 30b is, for example, a push-button switch that corresponds to operation commands such as a start switch and a stop switch. A user located away from the vehicle 6 can press the control unit 30b to operate the vehicle control device 10 mounted on the vehicle 6, thereby remotely starting or stopping the engine.

[0115] To perform the aforementioned processing, when the control unit 32 detects an operation on the operation unit 30b, it transmits an instruction command corresponding to the operation from the second mobile phone side transceiver unit 36. The mobile repeater 30 is powered by a built-in primary battery 30d. Using commercially available dry cell batteries or button batteries for the primary battery 30d is preferable because they are easily available, easy to implement, and easy to handle. In particular, using button batteries is preferable because it allows for miniaturization of the mobile repeater 30.

[0116] The notification unit 30c notifies the operating status, etc. For example, it notifies the execution result, such as successful engine start or an error, based on a signal sent from the vehicle control device 10 via the vehicle relay unit 20. The notification unit 30c uses visual or auditory means to notify. In the case of using visual means, the notification unit 30c may, for example, use a display panel to display the execution result in characters, figures, etc., or use a light-emitting means such as an LED to notify by the lighting state (flashing / off / on) or the color of the light emitted. In the case of using auditory means, the notification unit 30c may, for example, use a speaker to notify with sound or a buzzer. The notification unit 30c may be implemented by combining one or more of these methods, and a combination of visual and auditory means may also be used.

[0117] The control unit 32 is configured, for example, by a microcontroller, and its built-in CPU executes a program stored in its built-in ROM to realize the functions described below. The first mobile phone-side transceiver unit 34 and the second mobile phone-side transceiver unit 36 ​​are each configured by transceiver RFICs. The first mobile phone-side transceiver unit 34 wirelessly transmits at the receiving frequency band (first frequency, LF) of the transceiver unit 44 of the mobile device 40 and wirelessly receives at the transmitting frequency (second frequency, RF) of the transceiver unit 44. Because the communication distance is short, it uses weak radio waves used by low-power radio stations, which are a type of radio station. The second mobile phone-side transceiver unit 36 ​​uses radio waves at a frequency (third frequency, SG) included in the frequency band used for specified low-power radio stations.

[0118] [g sequence] Figure 3 shows the communication sequence for each data signal. In this embodiment, remote engine starting using a relay function is enabled by communication in the sequence shown in Figures 1 and 3. The numbers in parentheses in the following description correspond to the numbers in parentheses in the figures. The sequence shown in Figure 3 consists of a startup sequence and an authentication sequence.

[0119] (1) When the operation unit 30b is pressed, the control unit 32 of the portable relay unit 30 outputs a start signal. The second portable side transceiver unit 36 ​​wirelessly transmits the start signal to the vehicle relay unit 20.

[0120] (2) The second vehicle-side transceiver unit 26 of the vehicle relay unit 20 receives the start signal transmitted from the portable relay unit 30. When the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay unit 20 receives the start signal, it outputs a start response signal. The second vehicle-side transceiver unit 26 wirelessly transmits the start response signal to the portable relay unit 30.

[0121] (3) When the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay unit 20 receives the start signal, it transmits a foot brake signal, which is the start trigger, from the start trigger output unit 20a to the vehicle control device 10 using the wired communication function. The vehicle relay unit 20 maintains the foot brake signal ON state during the relay and transmission processing of each of the data and signals shown below.

[0122] (4) When the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 receives the foot brake signal, it outputs a WAKE signal (a type of LF data), which is a response request signal. The transmitting / receiving unit 14 transmits the WAKE signal as a wireless signal using its wireless transmission function. Alternatively, the transmitting / receiving unit 14 of the vehicle control device 10 and the first vehicle-side transmitting / receiving unit 24 of the vehicle relay unit 20 may be connected by a communication line (not shown), and the transmitting / receiving unit 14 may transmit the WAKE signal via wire.

[0123] (5) The first vehicle-side transmitting / receiving unit 24 of the vehicle relay unit 20 receives the WAKE signal. The vehicle relay unit 20 uses the transmission function of the second vehicle-side transmitting / receiving unit 26 to wirelessly transmit a wireless WAKE signal to the portable relay unit 30 on the third frequency (SG) as a wireless response request signal based on the received WAKE signal. The wireless WAKE signal is reversible with the WAKE signal.

[0124] (6) The second mobile phone side transceiver 36 of the mobile phone relay unit 30 receives the wireless WAKE signal. The mobile phone relay unit 30 generates a transfer WAKE signal from the received wireless WAKE signal as a transfer response request signal that the mobile phone 40 recognizes as a WAKE signal, and transmits the generated transfer WAKE signal to the mobile phone 40 at the first frequency (LF) using the transmission function of the first mobile phone side transceiver 34. The above process, "from when the vehicle relay unit 20 receives the WAKE signal until the mobile phone relay unit 30 transmits the transfer WAKE signal," will also be referred to as "relaying the WAKE signal" below.

[0125] (7) The transmitting / receiving unit 44 of the portable device 40 receives the transfer WAKE signal. The transfer WAKE signal transmitted from the portable relay unit 30 is recognized by the control unit 42 of the portable device 40 as a WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10. Upon receiving the transfer WAKE signal, the transmitting / receiving unit 44 transmits an ACK signal (a type of RF data), which is a response signal, using the transmission function of the transmitting / receiving unit 44.

[0126] (8) The first mobile phone side transceiver 34 of the mobile phone repeater 30 receives the ACK signal. The mobile phone repeater 30 uses the transmission function of the second mobile phone side transceiver 36 to wirelessly transmit a wireless ACK signal as a wireless response signal based on the received ACK signal to the vehicle repeater 20 on the third frequency (SG). The wireless ACK signal is reversible with the ACK signal.

[0127] (9) The second vehicle-side transceiver 26 of the vehicle relay unit 20 receives a wireless ACK signal. The vehicle relay unit 20 generates a transfer ACK signal from the received wireless ACK signal as a transfer response signal that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as an ACK signal, and transmits the generated transfer ACK signal on the second frequency (RF) using the transmission function of the first vehicle-side transceiver 24. The above process, "from when the portable relay unit 30 receives the ACK signal until the vehicle relay unit 20 transmits the transfer ACK signal," will also be referred to as "relaying the ACK signal" below.

[0128] The transmitting / receiving unit 14 of the vehicle control device 10 receives the transfer ACK signal. The transfer ACK signal transmitted from the vehicle relay unit 20 is recognized by the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 as an ACK signal transmitted from the portable device 40, and the presence of the portable device 40 is confirmed. After the presence of the portable device 40 is confirmed by the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 through the above startup sequence, the system proceeds to the authentication sequence.

[0129] (10) When the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 recognizes the ACK signal, it accesses the authentication information storage unit 16, obtains the stored authentication information ID code, and outputs a challenge signal (a type of LF data; referred to as "CH signal" in the figure) which is a response request signal containing the ID code and challenge data. The transceiver unit 14 transmits the challenge signal using its wireless transmission function. Alternatively, the transceiver unit 14 of the vehicle control device 10 and the first vehicle-side transceiver unit 24 of the vehicle relay unit 20 may be connected by a communication line (not shown), and the transceiver unit 14 may transmit the challenge signal via wire.

[0130] (11) The first vehicle-side transceiver 24 of the vehicle relay unit 20 receives the challenge signal. The vehicle relay unit 20 uses the transmission function of the second vehicle-side transceiver 26 to wirelessly transmit a wireless challenge signal (referred to as "wireless CH signal" in the figure) to the portable relay unit 30 on the third frequency (SG) as a wireless response request signal based on the received challenge signal. The wireless challenge signal is reversible with the challenge signal.

[0131] (12) The second mobile phone side transceiver 36 of the mobile repeater 30 receives the wireless challenge signal. The mobile repeater 30 generates a transfer challenge signal (referred to as "transfer CH signal" in the figure) from the received wireless challenge signal as a transfer response request signal that the mobile phone 40 recognizes as a challenge signal, and transmits the generated transfer challenge signal to the mobile phone 40 at the first frequency (LF) using the transmission function of the first mobile phone side transceiver 34.

[0132] (13) The transmitting / receiving unit 44 of the portable device 40 receives the transfer challenge signal. The transfer challenge signal transmitted from the portable relay unit 30 is recognized by the control unit 42 of the portable device 40 as a challenge signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10. The control unit 42 determines whether the received transfer challenge signal is addressed to itself. Specifically, it determines whether the ID code included in the challenge signal matches its own ID code stored in the authentication information storage unit 46. If the ID codes match, it transmits a response signal (a type of RF data; referred to as "RE signal" in the figure) using the transmission function of the transmitting / receiving unit 44. If the ID codes do not match, the portable device 40 does not transmit anything.

[0133] (14) The first mobile phone side transceiver 34 of the mobile phone repeater 30 receives the response signal. The mobile phone repeater 30 uses the transmission function of the second mobile phone side transceiver 36 to wirelessly transmit a wireless response signal (referred to as "wireless RE signal" in the figure) to the vehicle repeater 20 on the third frequency (SG) as a wireless response signal based on the received response signal. The wireless response signal is reversible with the response signal.

[0134] (15,16) The second vehicle-side transceiver 26 of the vehicle relay unit 20 receives the wireless response signal. From the received wireless response signal, the vehicle relay unit 20 generates a transfer response signal (referred to as "transfer RE signal" in the figure) as a transfer response signal that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as a response signal, and transmits the generated transfer response signal at the second frequency (RF) using the transmission function of the first vehicle-side transceiver 24. In addition, prior to the transmission of the transfer response signal from the first vehicle-side transceiver 24, the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay unit 20 transmits an engine start request signal to the vehicle control device 10 using its wired communication function. The vehicle relay unit 20 transmits the transfer response signal wirelessly while maintaining the state in which the engine start request signal is ON.

[0135] The transmitting / receiving unit 14 of the vehicle control device 10 receives the transfer response signal. The transfer response signal transmitted from the vehicle relay unit 20 is recognized by the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 as a response signal transmitted from the portable device 40. The control unit 12 authenticates whether the received transfer response signal is a response signal transmitted from the legitimate portable device 40.

[0136] Then, if the response signal is authenticated as having been transmitted from the legitimate handheld device 40, and both the engine start request signal and the foot brake signal are ON, the control unit 12 performs control to start the engine. After a certain period of time has elapsed since the engine started, the control unit 12 performs control to stop the engine. This continued engine operation allows for warm-up and the air conditioner installed in the vehicle 6 to bring the temperature inside the vehicle to an appropriate level.

[0137] Furthermore, if the engine is to be stopped during warm-up, the user operates the control unit 30b of the portable relay unit 30. When the portable relay unit 30 receives a stop command in response to the operation of the control unit 30b, it transmits the stop command. The transmitted stop command reaches the vehicle control device 10 via the vehicle relay unit 20. When the control unit 12 receives the stop command, it performs control to stop the engine that is currently running. In addition, the control unit 12 relays and transmits the execution result of the received operation command in the same way as LF data, and when it reaches the portable relay unit 30, it notifies the user of the result.

[0138] In the above explanation, the control of predetermined equipment installed in the vehicle 6 by the vehicle control device 10 was described as starting the engine by turning on the starter motor, but it may also be described as turning on the power to the electric motor in an electric vehicle that uses an electric motor as a power source.

[0139] [First Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the relay system 4 in the vehicle remote control system 1 with the basic configuration described above can relay wireless communication even in multiple types of vehicle control systems 2 where the communication specifications between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 are different.

[0140] Figure 4 shows the timing charts for LF data and RF data in the vehicle control system. Figure (a) shows the vehicle control system installed in vehicle A, and Figure (b) shows the vehicle control system installed in vehicle B. As shown in the figure, the communication specifications of the vehicle control system 2 differ between vehicle A and vehicle B. Specifically, the data lengths of the WAKE signal and challenge signal (LF data) and the ACK signal and response signal (RF data) used for communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 are different. Therefore, the data lengths of the wireless WAKE signal, transfer ACK signal, wireless challenge signal and transfer response signal transmitted from the vehicle relay device 20, which constitutes the relay system 4, and the transfer WAKE signal, wireless ACK signal, transfer challenge signal and wireless response signal transmitted from the portable relay device 30 also differ between vehicle A and vehicle B.

[0141] In this case, the relay system 4, which is compatible with the vehicle control system 2 installed in vehicle A, has prior knowledge of the data length of the signal to be received when the portable relay unit 30 receives a wireless WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle relay unit 20. Therefore, once the time required to receive the wireless WAKE signal has elapsed, the second portable transceiver unit 36 ​​automatically switches from a state of receiving a signal from the vehicle relay unit 20 to a state of transmitting a signal to the vehicle relay unit 20.

[0142] This switching of transmission and reception states is also performed for the wireless challenge signal in the portable relay unit 30. Similarly, the transmission and reception states of the wireless ACK signal and wireless response signal are also switched in the second vehicle-side transmission / reception unit 26 of the vehicle relay unit 20.

[0143] Therefore, if the relay system 4 is only compatible with the vehicle control system 2 installed in vehicle A, applying this relay system 4 to the vehicle control system 2 installed in vehicle B will result in the following problems: When the portable relay unit 30 receives a wireless WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle relay unit 20, it switches the second portable side transceiver unit 36 ​​from the state of receiving a signal from the vehicle relay unit 20 to the state of transmitting to the vehicle relay unit 20 before it has finished receiving the wireless WAKE signal, resulting in a communication error. Even if the transmission and reception of the wireless WAKE signal is successful, there is a very high possibility that errors will occur when transmitting and receiving other signals.

[0144] Therefore, in the first embodiment, after the vehicle relay unit 20 constituting the relay system 4 is installed in the vehicle 6, when the first communication occurs between the vehicle control device 10 constituting the vehicle control system 2 and the portable device 40, the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay unit 20 and the control unit 32 of the portable relay unit 30 are used to determine the communication specifications. Specifically, after the vehicle relay unit 20 constituting the relay system 4 is installed in the vehicle 6, the foot brake signal, which is the activation trigger, is first pressed to generate a foot brake signal, and when a WAKE signal is transmitted from the vehicle control device 10, this is done automatically.

[0145] The determination of the communication specifications is performed by the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay unit 20 and the control unit 32 of the portable relay unit 30. The parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle relay unit 20 and the parameter storage unit 38 of the portable relay unit 30 store information about communication signals such as LF data and RF data used for communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40. Both the control unit 22 and the control unit 32 operate as matching means, and the vehicle relay unit 20 or the portable relay unit 30 compares the communication signal received from the vehicle control device 10 or the portable device 40 to which of the communication signals stored in the parameter storage unit 28 or parameter storage unit 38 corresponds. In this way, the determination of the communication specifications is performed.

[0146] In this embodiment, the communication specification is determined based on the data lengths of the WAKE signal and challenge signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10, the wireless WAKE signal and wireless challenge signal transmitted from the vehicle relay device 20 based on these signals, the ACK signal and response signal transmitted from the portable device 40, and the wireless ACK signal and wireless response signal transmitted from the portable relay device 30 based on these signals. Based on the data length of at least one of these signals, it is determined which vehicle model and which communication specification the vehicle control system 2 corresponds to.

[0147] The determination result is then recorded in the parameter storage unit 28 provided in the vehicle relay unit 20 and the parameter storage unit 38 provided in the portable relay unit 30, and the vehicle relay unit 20 and the portable relay unit 30 operate based on the recorded information.

[0148] Once the determination of the communication specifications is complete and the determined communication specifications are recorded in the parameter storage unit 28 provided in the vehicle relay unit 20 and the parameter storage unit 38 provided in the portable relay unit 30, the notification unit 20c provided in the vehicle relay unit 20 and the notification unit 30c provided in the portable relay unit 30 notify which communication specifications have been applied. Both the notification unit 20c and the notification unit 30c are equipped with a storage unit that stores notification content corresponding to the determined communication specifications and an audio output unit, and the audio output unit announces by voice, "The communication specifications for vehicle model Y of company X have been applied." Furthermore, when the communication specifications have been applied and the user can start or stop the control operation of vehicle 6 by the vehicle control system 2, the audio output unit announces by voice, "It is ready to use."

[0149] When determining the communication specifications, the vehicle relay unit 20 and the portable relay unit 30 are set to be at a distance where they can communicate with each other, while the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 are set to be at a distance where they cannot communicate with each other. Therefore, when determining the communication specifications, if the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay unit 20 or the control unit 32 of the portable relay unit 30 determines that the vehicle relay unit 20 and the portable relay unit 30 are at a distance where they cannot communicate with each other, or that the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 are at a distance where they can communicate with each other, the notification unit 20c of the vehicle relay unit 20 and the notification unit 30c of the portable relay unit 30 will announce by voice from the voice output unit, "Please move the portable device away from the vehicle," informing the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 to be at a distance where they cannot communicate with each other.

[0150] The communication specifications may be determined each time communication occurs in the vehicle control system 2. Alternatively, the relay system 4 may be set to setting mode using the setting switch 20b of the vehicle relay unit 20, and in that state, the foot brake signal, which serves as the activation trigger, may be generated by pressing the foot brake pedal on the vehicle 6, causing the vehicle control device 10 to send a WAKE signal. The setting switch 20b may be a DIP switch.

[0151] Furthermore, the determination of the communication specifications may be performed using either the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay unit 20 or the control unit 32 of the portable relay unit 30. In this case, the unit that determined the communication specifications will transmit the determined communication specification data to the unit that did not determine the communication specifications. Alternatively, the control unit 22 may determine the communication specifications based on the WAKE signal received by the vehicle relay unit 20, and then the vehicle relay unit 20 may transmit a wireless WAKE signal based on the WAKE signal to the portable relay unit 30, and the control unit 32 may determine the communication specifications based on the wireless WAKE signal received by the portable relay unit 30.

[0152] Furthermore, the notification unit 20c of the vehicle relay unit 20 may be provided with a display unit in place of, or in addition to, the audio output unit. The display unit may be, for example, an LCD screen, and may display the content to be announced by the audio output unit as text. The notification unit 30c of the portable relay unit 30 may also be provided with a display unit in place of, or in addition to, the audio output unit. The display unit may be, for example, an LED, and may display the content to be announced by the audio output unit using a predetermined color or flashing pattern.

[0153] Furthermore, the communication specifications may be determined not only by the data length, but also by the number of bits, transmission time, data frame structure, or a combination of two or more of these.

[0154] [Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment, even if the frequency of the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 differs for each vehicle control system 2 or for each communication, the same relay system 4 can relay the communication signal.

[0155] In this embodiment, the first frequency (LF) of the communication signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 described in the basic configuration above is constant at 134.2 kHz, and the third frequency (SG) used for communication between the vehicle repeater 20 and the portable repeater 30 is constant at 922 MHz. However, the second frequency (RF) of the communication signal transmitted from the portable device 40 is either 312 MHz or 314 MHz, and changes to one of these frequencies depending on the vehicle control system 2, each engine start, or each individual communication. These second frequencies are set by the manufacturer of the vehicle 6, and this change was discovered by the inventors, who are third parties, by analyzing the radio waves transmitted from the portable device 40.

[0156] According to the inventors' research, this change in the second frequency is based on frequency specification information included in the communication specifications of the WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10. Upon receiving the WAKE signal, the portable device 40 recognizes the frequency specification information in the control unit 42, and after recognition, sets the second frequency to which the RF data to be transmitted from the transceiver 44 is transmitted to the frequency specified in the frequency specification information (312MHz or 314MHz). In addition, at the time the vehicle control device 10 transmits the WAKE signal containing the frequency specification information, the transceiver 14 sets the second frequency to which the communication signal is received to the frequency specified in the frequency specification information.

[0157] Here, if the second frequency used for receiving communication signals at the first mobile-side transceiver 34 of the mobile relay unit 30, and the second frequency used for transmitting communication signals at the first vehicle-side transceiver 24 of the vehicle relay unit 20, are not the frequencies specified in the frequency specification information, the relay system 4 cannot relay the communication signals. However, in this embodiment, these second frequencies can be set to the frequencies specified in the frequency specification information by the following method.

[0158] In this embodiment, the vehicle control system 2 to which the relay system 4 is applied is configured to investigate the WAKE signal in advance, and store the frequency designation information and the frequency to be used as the second frequency in the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay unit 20 and the control unit 32 of the portable relay unit 30. The investigation of the WAKE signal may be performed using the relay system 4, or it may be performed using a separate investigation device different from the relay system 4.

[0159] Specifically, the investigation of the WAKE signal involves detecting the WAKE signal, storing the data pattern of the WAKE signal, then detecting the frequency of the RF data, and matching the stored WAKE signal data pattern with the second frequency of the detected RF data.

[0160] Then, the vehicle relay unit 20 is installed in the vehicle 6, and the relay system 4 is made usable in the vehicle remote control system 1. In this state, when the portable relay unit 30 is operated to transmit a start signal, a WAKE signal is transmitted from the vehicle control device 10, as explained with reference to Figure 3. The vehicle relay unit 20, which receives the WAKE signal, and the portable relay unit 30, which receives the wireless WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle relay unit 20 based on the WAKE signal, determine the communication specifications for the WAKE signal or wireless WAKE signal. Based on the frequency specification information obtained as a result of the determination, the first portable side transceiver unit 34 of the portable relay unit 30 sets the frequency used for receiving the communication signal, and the first vehicle side transceiver unit 24 of the vehicle relay unit 20 sets the second frequency used for transmitting the communication signal.

[0161] This allows the relay system 4 to relay communication signals even if the second frequency changes with each vehicle control system 2, each engine start, or each individual communication.

[0162] Alternatively, instead of determining the communication specifications and setting the frequency as described above for each individual communication, the vehicle relay unit 20, which constitutes the relay system 4, may be installed in the vehicle 6. When the first communication occurs between the vehicle control device 10, which constitutes the vehicle control system 2, and the portable device 40, the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay unit 20 and the control unit 32 of the portable relay unit 30 may be used to determine the communication specifications, and the WAKE signal may be automatically investigated at that time. In this way, the time required for determining the communication specifications is not needed for each individual communication, increasing the likelihood of meeting the time conditions necessary for relaying, and enabling more reliable engine starting, etc.

[0163] When the vehicle relay unit 20, which constitutes the relay system 4, is installed in the vehicle 6, and the first communication occurs between the vehicle control device 10, which constitutes the vehicle control system 2, and the portable device 40, the control unit 32 of the portable relay unit 30 is used to automatically investigate the WAKE signal. The control unit 32 of the portable relay unit 30 stores the correspondence between the frequency specification information contained in the wireless WAKE signal received from the vehicle relay unit 20 and the second frequency of the response signal (RF data) transmitted from the portable device 40 to the said WAKE signal. Subsequently, when the portable relay unit 30 receives the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40, the portable relay unit 30 receives it at the second frequency stored in the control unit 32 that corresponds to the frequency specification information contained in the wireless WAKE signal received from the vehicle relay unit 20.

[0164] In this case, the vehicle relay unit 20 receives information from the mobile relay unit 30 regarding the correspondence between the frequency specification information stored in the control unit 32 of the mobile relay unit 30 and the second frequency, and based on this correspondence, transmits RF data to the vehicle control device 10 at the second frequency corresponding to the frequency specification information included in the WAKE signal received from the vehicle control device 10. The vehicle relay unit 20 may store the information regarding this correspondence received from the mobile relay unit 30 in its control unit 22.

[0165] Furthermore, the vehicle relay unit 20 may be capable of receiving a response signal (RF data) transmitted from the portable device 40 at a second frequency. In this case, the control unit 22 should store the correspondence between the frequency specification information included in the WAKE signal received from the vehicle control device 10 and the result of the vehicle relay unit 20 detecting the second frequency of the response signal (RF data) transmitted from the portable device 40 to the WAKE signal. Subsequently, for example, if the vehicle relay unit 30 receives and relays the WAKE signal from the vehicle control device 10 but is unable to receive the response signal from the portable device 40, it should transmit RF data to the vehicle control device 10 at the second frequency corresponding to the frequency specification information included in the WAKE signal received from the vehicle control device 10, based on the stored correspondence.

[0166] The information regarding this correspondence may be stored in the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay unit 20 and the control unit 32 of the portable relay unit 30, or it may be stored in the parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle relay unit 20 and the parameter storage unit 38 of the portable relay unit 30.

[0167] Furthermore, the relationship between the frequency specification information included in the WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 and the second frequency of the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 to the WAKE signal may be investigated by the following method 1 or 2.

[0168] (Method 1) The vehicle relay unit 20 is to have the function of transmitting an ACK signal at either frequency including 312MHz or 314MHz. When the vehicle relay unit 20 receives a WAKE signal from the vehicle control device 10, it first transmits an ACK signal at 312MHz to the vehicle control device 10, then relays the challenge signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 to the portable device 40 via the relay system 4, and if the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 can be relayed to the vehicle control device 10 via the relay system 4, the frequency specification information included in the WAKE signal and 312MHz are associated and stored in the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay unit 20. If the portable device 40 does not transmit a response signal and the relay system 4 cannot relay it, the vehicle relay unit 20 switches to 314MHz and transmits an ACK signal, and similarly relays the challenge signal via the relay system 4, and if the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 can be relayed to the vehicle control device 10, the frequency specification information included in the WAKE signal and 314MHz are associated and stored in the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay unit 20. If no response signal is transmitted from the portable device 40 even at 314MHz, an ACK signal may be transmitted at another frequency, and that WAKE signal may be stored in the control unit 22 as a non-standard signal.

[0169] (Method 2) The portable repeater 30 is configured to have the function of receiving radio waves at any frequency including 312MHz and 314MHz. The portable repeater 30 is initially configured to receive at 312MHz. The relay system 4 relays the WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 to the portable device 40. If the portable repeater 30, which is configured to receive at a frequency of 312MHz, can receive the ACK signal transmitted from the portable device 40 and relay it to the vehicle control device 10 via the relay system 4, the control unit 32 of the portable repeater 30 stores the frequency specification information included in the WAKE signal in association with 312MHz. If the portable repeater 30 cannot receive the ACK signal, it switches the receiving frequency to 314MHz and relays the WAKE signal. If the portable repeater 30 can receive the ACK signal transmitted from the portable device 40 and relay it to the vehicle control device 10 via the relay system 4, the control unit 32 of the portable repeater 30 stores the frequency specification information included in the WAKE signal in association with 314MHz. If the ACK signal cannot be received at 314MHz, the control unit 22 may attempt to receive it at other frequencies, or it may store the WAKE signal as non-standard.

[0170] Alternatively, instead of investigating the WAKE signal, the relay system 4 may be configured to allow the user to select the frequency used for receiving communication signals at the first mobile-side transceiver 34 of the mobile relay unit 30, and the frequency used for transmitting communication signals at the first vehicle-side transceiver 24 of the vehicle relay unit 20. The user can then select which frequency to use and determine the frequency through trial and error until the engine can be started.

[0171] [Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment, the relay system 4 in the vehicle remote control system 1 with the basic configuration described above does not transmit noise when relaying communication signals, and does not cause delays in communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40.

[0172] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a portable relay device according to the third embodiment. In the vehicle remote control system according to the third embodiment, the portable relay device 30 in the vehicle remote control system with the basic configuration described above is further equipped with an AND circuit 50. In this figure, the operation unit 30b and the like described in the basic configuration described above are omitted.

[0173] As shown in Figure 5, the first mobile phone-side transceiver unit 34 of the mobile repeater 30 includes a transmit-only RFIC 34a and a receive-only RFIC 34b. The transmit-only RFIC 34a transmits radio waves at the first frequency (LF), and the receive-only RFIC 34b receives radio waves at the second frequency (RF). The second mobile phone-side transceiver unit 36 ​​is an RFIC that transmits and receives radio waves at the third frequency (SG). The second mobile phone-side transceiver unit 36 ​​can be in either a transmit state or a receive state by switching modes. The second mobile phone-side transceiver unit 36 ​​is equipped with an input terminal 36a, and when in the transmit state, a communication signal based on the signal input from the input terminal 36a is transmitted.

[0174] Furthermore, the control unit 32 and the second mobile-side transceiver unit 36, and the control unit 32 and the receiver-only RFIC 34b are connected by carrier-sense wiring shown as dashed lines in the figure, and by data wiring shown as solid lines in the figure, respectively. In addition, the control unit 32 and the transmitter-only RFIC 34a are connected by data wiring shown as solid lines in the figure.

[0175] The RF data transmitted from the portable device 40, which has been received by the receiving-only RFIC 34b of the first mobile phone side transceiver unit 34, is output from the output terminal 34c provided on the receiving-only RFIC 34b.

[0176] Furthermore, the control unit 32 performs carrier sensing for the second frequency (RF) and the third frequency (SG), and determines whether the frequency used for transmission is being used before the second mobile phone side transceiver unit 36 ​​transmits a communication signal, and also determines whether RF data is being transmitted from the mobile device 40.

[0177] A control signal is output from the output terminal 32a of the control unit 32 only when carrier sensing determines that RF data is being transmitted from the portable device 40.

[0178] Of these carrier-sense determinations, the determination of whether the frequency used for transmission is in use before the second mobile phone transceiver 36 transmits the communication signal is made in accordance with the law.

[0179] In this embodiment, the AND circuit 50 provided in the portable repeater 30 includes two input terminals 50a and 50b and one output terminal 50c. Input terminal 50a is connected to the output terminal 34c of the transmit-only RFIC 34a, input terminal 50b is connected to the output terminal 32a of the control unit 32, and output terminal 50c is connected to the input terminal 36a of the second portable-side transceiver unit 36.

[0180] The output terminal 50c of the AND circuit 50 outputs the logical AND of the signals input to input terminals 50a and 50b. Therefore, the output terminal 50c of the AND circuit 50 outputs RF data consisting of a combination of Hi and Lo signals transmitted from the portable device 40 only when the control unit 32 detects that RF data is being transmitted from the portable device 40; otherwise, the output is Lo.

[0181] Figure 6 is a timing chart of LF data and RF data in the vehicle control system according to the third embodiment. When the RF data, namely the ACK signal and the response signal, is not transmitted from the portable device 40, there is no data and noise is generated. The figure shows the noise immediately before the ACK signal and the response signal.

[0182] The time between when the vehicle control device 10 transmits LF data and when the vehicle control device 10 receives RF data transmitted from the portable device 40 is set to be very short by the vehicle manufacturer (for example, 2ms or 6.5ms). Therefore, the relay system 4 must relay these signals in time, and in the portable relay device 30, the second portable side transceiver 36 switches from the receiving state to the transmitting state as soon as it has finished receiving the LF data.

[0183] If RF data is not being transmitted from the portable device 40 when the mode is switched, the second portable device's transceiver 36, which is in transmission mode, will transmit noise on the third frequency, which may result in a failure to comply with the Radio Law.

[0184] In addition, the first mobile phone side transceiver unit 34 of the mobile repeater 30 is equipped with a dedicated transmit RFIC 34a and a dedicated receive RFIC 34b, but these dedicated RFICs may be configured with circuits instead of ICs.

[0185] However, in this embodiment, when RF data is not being transmitted from the portable device 40, the AND circuit 50 blocks noise from the receive-only RFIC 34b of the first portable device transceiver 34 to the second portable device transceiver 36, and the second portable device transceiver 36, which is in transmission mode, transmits a Lo signal at the third frequency, thus avoiding any issues under the Radio Law.

[0186] [Fourth Embodiment] The fourth embodiment allows the relay system 4 in the vehicle remote control system 1 with the basic configuration described above to be used even when multiple portable devices 40 can be used for a vehicle control device 10 installed in a single vehicle 6. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the portable relay device 30 and reduce the frequency of replacing the primary battery 30d.

[0187] Figure 7 shows the timing charts for LF data and RF data in a vehicle control system that can use multiple portable devices. The figure shows the case where four portable devices 40 can be used with one vehicle control device 10.

[0188] Each of the four portable devices 40 has a different timing between receiving the WAKE signal and transmitting the ACK signal. Figure 7 shows the ACK signals transmitted from each portable device 40, labeled ACK signals 1 to 4, in order from the earliest transmission timing. When multiple portable devices 40 are available, the authentication information storage unit 16 of the vehicle control device 10 stores the ID code of each portable device 40. The engine starting process in this case will be explained using Figure 2.

[0189] (1,2) Upon receiving a predetermined trigger signal, the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 transmits a WAKE signal from the transmitting / receiving unit 14. (3) When a portable device 40 located within the communication range of the WAKE signal receives the WAKE signal, it transmits an ACK signal at a specific timing.

[0190] (4) When the vehicle control device 10 receives the ACK signal and confirms the presence of a portable device 40 within the communication range, it accesses the authentication information storage unit 16, obtains the stored ID code as authentication information, and outputs a challenge signal containing that ID code. If multiple portable devices 40 transmit ACK signals, the vehicle control device 10 outputs a challenge signal containing the ID code of the portable device 40 that transmitted the ACK signal earliest.

[0191] (5) When the portable device 40 recognizes that the challenge signal received from the ID code is a signal addressed to itself, the portable device 40 wirelessly transmits a response signal containing its own authentication information. When the transceiver 14 of the vehicle control device 10 receives the response signal, it completes the authentication of the portable device 40.

[0192] In such a vehicle control system 2, when applying the relay system 4, the following two methods are possible.

[0193] (Method 1) As shown in Figure 3, the WAKE signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 is relayed to the portable device 40 by the vehicle relay 20 and the portable relay 30, and the ACK signal transmitted from the portable device 40, which has recognized the WAKE signal, is relayed to the vehicle control device 10 by the portable relay 30 and the vehicle relay 20.

[0194] (Method 2) After the vehicle relay unit 20 receives the WAKE signal, it transmits an ACK signal to the vehicle control device 10 at a second frequency (RF) at a timing pre-stored in the parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle relay unit 20.

[0195] Each of these methods has the following advantages and disadvantages.

[0196] Method 1 has the advantage that it does not require pre-storing the ACK signals of each portable device 40 in the parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle relay unit 20. However, both the vehicle relay unit 20 and the portable relay unit 30 switch between transmitting and receiving more times than in Method 2, resulting in a more complex design, longer operating time, and higher power consumption. In particular, the portable relay unit 30 has limitations on the size of its primary battery 30d in order to improve portability, and high power consumption increases the hassle of battery replacement.

[0197] In Method 2, since the ACK signal is not relayed, the power consumption of the portable repeater 30 and the portable device 40 can be reduced. However, it is necessary to determine which of the four portable devices 40 will be used for authentication before the vehicle 6 starts using the relay system 4, and to investigate and store the timing for sending the ACK signal of the portable device 40 carried together with the portable repeater 30 in the parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle repeater 20. Furthermore, if the portable device 40 carried together with the portable repeater 30 is changed, the timing must be investigated and stored again.

[0198] This embodiment overcomes the shortcomings of these methods. The embodiment will be described below.

[0199] First, before the vehicle relay unit 20 is installed in the vehicle 6, or before the relay system 4 is put into use after installation, the timing of the ACK signals transmitted by the four portable devices 40 that can be authenticated by the vehicle control device 10 is stored in the parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle relay unit 20. Then, communication is performed in the sequence shown in Figure 8.

[0200] Figure 8 shows the communication sequence of each data signal in the vehicle remote control system according to the fourth embodiment. The numbers in parentheses in the following description correspond to the numbers in parentheses in the figure. The explanation will be simplified for parts that are common with the description of the basic configuration described above.

[0201] (1) When the control unit 30b of the portable relay unit 30 is pressed, it wirelessly transmits a start signal to the vehicle relay unit 20.

[0202] (2) When the vehicle relay unit 20 receives the start signal, it wirelessly transmits a start response signal to the portable relay unit 30.

[0203] (3) When the vehicle relay unit 20 receives the start signal, it uses its wired communication function to transmit a foot brake signal, which is the start trigger, to the vehicle control device 10.

[0204] (4) Upon receiving the foot brake signal, the vehicle control device 10 transmits a WAKE signal.

[0205] (5) The first vehicle-side transmitting / receiving unit 24 of the vehicle relay unit 20 receives the WAKE signal. The vehicle relay unit 20 transmits an ACK signal at one of the four timings stored in the parameter storage unit 28. The ACK signal transmitted by the vehicle relay unit 20 will hereafter also be referred to as a "pseudo-ACK signal".

[0206] (6) The vehicle relay unit 20 also wirelessly transmits a wireless WAKE signal to the portable relay unit 30.

[0207] (7) Upon receiving the wireless WAKE signal, the portable repeater 30 transmits a transfer WAKE signal to the portable device 40.

[0208] (8) The portable device 40, upon receiving the transfer WAKE signal, transmits an ACK signal. However, the portable repeater 30 does not receive the ACK signal. Therefore, the portable repeater 30 also does not transmit the wireless ACK signal as described in the basic configuration.

[0209] (9) The transmitting / receiving unit 14 of the vehicle control device 10 receives a pseudo-ACK signal transmitted from the vehicle relay unit 20. The control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 recognizes the ACK signal transmitted from the vehicle relay unit 20 as an ACK signal transmitted from the portable device 40 (hereinafter referred to as the "virtual portable device") corresponding to the transmission timing of the pseudo-ACK signal, and confirms the existence of the virtual portable device. After the existence of the virtual portable device is confirmed in the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 through the above startup sequence, the system proceeds to the authentication sequence.

[0210] When the control unit 12 of the vehicle control device 10 recognizes the ACK signal, it accesses the authentication information storage unit 16, obtains the ID code corresponding to the virtual mobile device as stored authentication information, and outputs a challenge signal containing that ID code and challenge data. The transmitting / receiving unit 14 transmits the challenge signal using its wireless transmission function.

[0211] (10) Upon receiving the challenge signal, the vehicle relay unit 20 transmits a wireless challenge signal to the portable relay unit 30.

[0212] (11) Upon receiving the wireless challenge signal, the portable repeater 30 transmits a transfer challenge signal to the portable device 40.

[0213] (12) The transmitting / receiving unit 44 of the portable device 40 receives the transfer challenge signal. The transfer challenge signal transmitted from the portable relay unit 30 is recognized by the control unit 42 of the portable device 40 as a challenge signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10. The control unit 42 determines whether the received transfer challenge signal is addressed to itself. Specifically, it determines whether the ID code included in the challenge signal matches its own ID code stored in the authentication information storage unit 46. If the ID code of the portable device 40 that received the transfer challenge signal is the same as the ID code of the virtual portable device, the ID codes match, and a response signal is transmitted using the transmission function of the transmitting / receiving unit 44.

[0214] On the other hand, if the ID code does not match, the portable device 40 will not transmit anything, and therefore the engine cannot be started.

[0215] In this embodiment, if the vehicle relay unit 20 transmits the foot brake signal, which is the activation trigger, as described in (3) above, but the engine does not start after a certain period of time has elapsed due to reasons such as a mismatch in ID codes or communication problems, the process returns to (3) again, the vehicle relay unit 20 transmits the foot brake signal, and (4) the vehicle control device 10, having received the foot brake signal, transmits a WAKE signal. Then, in the second (5), an ACK signal is transmitted at a different timing than the previous time. The process of the vehicle relay unit 20 transmitting the foot brake signal again and transmitting the ACK signal at a different timing is referred to below as the "sequential transmission operation." This sequential transmission operation is carried out until the ID code of the portable device 40 that received the transfer challenge signal matches the ID code of the virtual portable device. When the ID codes match, a response signal is transmitted.

[0216] (13) Upon receiving the response signal, the portable relay unit 30 transmits a wireless response signal to the vehicle relay unit 20.

[0217] (14,15) Upon receiving the wireless response signal, the vehicle relay unit 20 transmits a transfer response signal. Prior to transmitting the transfer response signal, the vehicle relay unit 20 transmits an engine start request signal to the vehicle control device 10. The vehicle relay unit 20 maintains the state in which the engine start request signal is ON while wirelessly transmitting the transfer response signal.

[0218] Subsequently, the vehicle control device 10 receives the transfer response signal and authenticates whether the received transfer response signal is a response signal transmitted from the legitimate portable device 40. If it is authenticated as a response signal transmitted from the legitimate portable device 40, and both the engine start request signal and the foot brake signal are ON, the device performs control to start the engine.

[0219] According to this embodiment, the disadvantages of methods 1 and 2 described above are eliminated, and since ACK signal relay is not performed, the power consumption of the portable relay unit 30 can be reduced, and there is no need to investigate the timing of transmitting the ACK signal of the portable device 40 carried together with the portable relay unit 30 and store it in the parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle relay unit 20.

[0220] In this embodiment, the timing of the pseudo-ACK signal transmitted in (5) above can be arbitrarily selected from the four timings, and the timing in the sequential transmission operation can also be arbitrarily selected from the remaining timings. However, for example, ACK signal 1, which has the earliest timing, may be transmitted first, and then ACK signal 2 and ACK signal 3 in the subsequent sequential transmission operation.

[0221] Furthermore, after a successful engine start, the timing of the last successful start is stored in the parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle relay unit 20. During the next engine start operation, an ACK signal is transmitted at the stored timing, and in subsequent sequential transmission operations, the remaining timings are transmitted in order from the earliest. Alternatively, in sequential transmission operations, the successes prior to the last success are transmitted in order from the most recent.

[0222] Furthermore, the timing order of the pseudo-ACK signals transmitted in (5) above may be set arbitrarily by the user using the setting switch 20b of the vehicle relay unit 20.

[0223] [Differential examples of relay systems] The basic configuration described above and the relay system 4 described in each embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0224] [Variation 1: A relay system that "does not relay communication signals" under specified conditions] (1) At least one of the vehicle relay unit 20 and the portable relay unit 30 is provided with a function to determine whether the engine of the vehicle 6 is running, and if the function determines that the engine is running, the relay of the communication signal is not performed.

[0225] (2) At least one of the vehicle relay unit 20 and the portable relay unit 30 is provided with means for determining the current location (hereinafter also referred to as "current location determination means"), and if the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay unit 20 or the control unit 32 of the portable relay unit 30 determines that the location determined by the current location determination means is located in a predetermined location, the communication signal will not be relayed, or relay will only be performed if it is determined that the location is in a predetermined location.

[0226] The "designated location" can be pre-stored in the parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle relay unit 20 or the parameter storage unit 38 of the portable relay unit 30. The "designated location" can be, for example, "the user's home apartment" as a relay location and, for example, "a vacation home used by the user" as a location where relay is not performed. Conversely, the relay location can be, for example, "a vacation home used by the user" and, for example, "the user's home apartment" as a location where relay is not performed. This allows for automatic switching of whether or not to relay communication signals depending on the user's location, and reduces the power consumption of the primary battery 30d of the portable relay unit 30.

[0227] Furthermore, locations where relaying should not take place should be airtight spaces. Such airtight spaces could be, for example, indoor multi-story parking garages. By not conducting relaying in airtight spaces, it is possible to prevent situations where the engine is left running in such a space, leading to oxygen deficiency and carbon monoxide buildup, thereby reducing the occurrence of unnecessary accidents.

[0228] Furthermore, if the current location cannot be determined using location-finding methods, it is highly likely that the location is indoors, so it is advisable not to attempt a live broadcast.

[0229] The above-mentioned means for determining the current location may be, for example, a means that has GPS functionality.

[0230] (3) A temperature sensor for measuring the temperature inside the vehicle is connected to the vehicle relay unit 20 or the portable relay unit 30 by wire or wirelessly, and when the measured temperature is within a predetermined temperature range, the communication signal is not relayed.

[0231] The "specified temperature range" can be, for example, the temperature range that people generally find comfortable. In this way, if the temperature inside the vehicle is too hot or too cold for the user, a communication signal can be relayed before the user gets into the vehicle to start the engine and bring the interior to a comfortable temperature. If the temperature is already comfortable for the user, there is no need to start the engine, and therefore no communication signal relay is performed.

[0232] (4) The portable repeater 30 is equipped with a function to receive radio waves of the first frequency (LF), and when the portable repeater 30 is receiving radio waves of the first frequency using this function, the control unit 32 controls it not to relay.

[0233] The radio waves of the first frequency transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 have a short communication range, and in normal circumstances, the user carries both the portable repeater 30 and the portable device 40. Therefore, when the portable repeater 30 receives the radio waves of the first frequency transmitted from the vehicle control device 10, the portable repeater 30 is located very close to the vehicle 6, for example, inside the vehicle. In this case, the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 can communicate directly, eliminating the need for the relay system 4 to relay the communication signal. This reduces unnecessary relaying of the communication signal and saves power consumption of the primary battery 30d of the portable repeater 30.

[0234] The function of the portable repeater 30 to receive radio waves of the first frequency can be provided by equipping the portable repeater 30 with an RFIC for receiving the first frequency and connecting it to the control unit 32.

[0235] (5) The mobile relay unit 30 has a function to transmit the same communication signal (hereinafter also referred to as "pseudo-LF data") as the signal (LF data) transmitted by the vehicle control device 10 at the first frequency (LF) when no communication signal is transmitted from the vehicle control device 10, and also has a function to determine whether RF data has been transmitted from the mobile device 40 that received the pseudo-LF data when pseudo-LF data is transmitted. This makes it possible to determine whether the mobile relay unit 30 and the mobile device 40 are within an appropriate distance range.

[0236] Furthermore, RF data transmitted from the portable device 40 in response to pseudo-LF data will not be relayed from the portable relay device 30 to the vehicle relay device 20.

[0237] The pseudo-LF data is preferably stored in the parameter storage unit 38 of the portable relay device 30.

[0238] If the portable repeater 30 transmits pseudo-LF data and it is not determined that RF data has been transmitted from the portable device 40 in response, the portable repeater 30 should be equipped with a notification function to notify the user of this fact. This notification function should be provided by the notification unit 30c of the portable repeater 30 using sound, display, light, etc.

[0239] The transmission of pseudo-LF data is preferably performed by the first mobile phone side transceiver unit 34 of the mobile relay unit 30, and the determination of whether RF data has been transmitted from the mobile device 40 that received the LF data is preferably performed by the control unit 32, which checks whether RF data has been received by the first mobile phone side transceiver unit 34.

[0240] The transmission of pseudo-LF data may be performed when the user presses a check button provided on the portable relay unit 30, or at regular intervals. The regular interval may be, for example, every minute. The check button may be provided on the operation unit 30b.

[0241] The parameter storage unit 38 of the mobile relay unit 30 should store vehicle-specific signal patterns, etc., and transmit signals based on the stored patterns as pseudo-LF data. In particular, it is preferable to store the signals transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 that are relayed from the vehicle relay unit 20, and transmit signals based on those signals as pseudo-LF data.

[0242] (6) The vehicle relay unit 20 has a function to connect to the in-vehicle LAN installed in the vehicle 6, and takes into account the state of the signals flowing through the in-vehicle LAN, and does not relay the communication signals by the relay system 4.

[0243] The in-vehicle LAN can be, for example, a CAN, and when a signal indicating, for example, that a door is open is detected from the CAN, the relay system 4 should not relay the communication signal.

[0244] The vehicle relay unit 20 is preferably connected to the in-vehicle LAN by providing an OBD2 adapter connected to the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay unit 20, and this OBD2 adapter is preferably connected to an OBD2 connector connected to the in-vehicle LAN.

[0245] [Variation 2: Limiting the relay operation time of the relay system] The time during which the relay system 4 performs relay operations is limited to a predetermined time range after pressing the operation unit 30b, which is a push-button switch on the portable relay device 30.

[0246] For example, currently, the portable repeater 30 and the portable device 40, also known as the original key, are often specified to be used connected by a ring. However, when these two items are connected by a ring, they can get caught on other items in a bag, making them inconvenient to use.

[0247] To solve this problem, if the portable repeater 30 and the portable device 40 are made usable even when they are several meters apart, another problem arises: for example, the portable repeater 30 is more likely to relay signals from the keys of other cars of the same model.

[0248] Therefore, by limiting the time during which relay operations are performed, as in this modified example, the frequency of such problems can be reduced. It is also advisable to provide the portable relay unit 30 with a function to check whether the key of another car of the same model is responding, and to provide notification via the notification unit 30c when a response is detected. The control unit 32 may also control the portable relay unit 30 to stop relaying signals from that point onward when it determines that the data received by the portable relay unit 30 is not the data of a correct genuine key.

[0249] [Variation 3: Suppresses accidental operation with the original key and portable relay device] Some portable devices 40 have control buttons, and the portable relay device 30 also has a control unit 30b, which presents a problem as users are prone to pressing the wrong buttons.

[0250] To solve this problem, the control unit 30b will be removed from the portable relay unit 30. The portable relay unit 30 will then be solely dedicated to relaying and notifying communication signals. Notifications by the notification unit 30c should preferably be made audible rather than on a screen.

[0251] The operation previously performed using the control unit 30b of the portable relay unit 30, as described in the basic configuration above, is now performed by pressing a specific operation button on the portable unit 40 multiple times within a predetermined time. For example, such an operation on the portable unit 40 could be an engine start operation, which involves pressing the lock button twice in quick succession per second. The portable relay unit 30 receives a communication signal transmitted from the portable unit 40 in response to such a specific operation, and when the control unit 32 detects it, it transmits an engine start signal.

[0252] [Modification 4. The operation changes depending on whether the original key is near the portable relay device or not.] When the control unit 32 detects that the operation unit 30b of the portable relay unit 30 has been pressed, it sends a signal at the first frequency (LF) to check whether the portable unit 40, which is the original key, is near the portable relay unit 30 before sending the engine start signal to the vehicle relay unit 20. If the control unit 32 determines from this confirmation signal that the portable unit 40 is near the portable relay unit 30, it sends the engine start signal to the vehicle relay unit 20.

[0253] On the other hand, if it is determined that the portable device 40 is not near the portable relay unit 30, the engine start signal will not be transmitted to the vehicle relay unit 20. In this case, it is also advisable for the notification unit 30c to notify that the portable device 40 is not near the portable relay unit 30.

[0254] Furthermore, if a confirmation signal is to be sent from the mobile relay unit 30 after the engine start signal has been sent to the vehicle relay unit 20, a certain delay will be introduced before the vehicle relay unit 20 sends the engine start signal to the vehicle control device 10.

[0255] Furthermore, consider a scenario where, for example, the user leaves the portable relay device 30 at home and cleans the interior of the vehicle 6 in the home's parking lot, and a child at home presses the control panel 30b of the portable relay device 30 and starts the engine.

[0256] In such cases, it is desirable not to start the engine to avoid unnecessary trouble. Therefore, the vehicle relay unit 20 is equipped with a function to detect whether or not the portable device 40 is present inside the vehicle. If the vehicle relay unit 20 detects that the portable device 40 is present inside the vehicle, but the vehicle relay unit 20 receives an engine start signal from the portable relay unit 30, it is preferable for the notification unit 20c of the vehicle relay unit 20 and the notification unit 30c of the portable relay unit 30 to notify the vehicle of this situation.

[0257] [Variation 5. Variation of LF data] The portable device 40 recognizes the LF data transmitted by the portable relay device 30 on the first frequency (LF) as legitimate LF data, but it is different from the LF data transmitted by the vehicle control device 10. The range that the portable device 40 recognizes as legitimate LF data includes the range of LF data transmitted by the vehicle control device 10, and also includes the range of LF data transmitted by the portable relay device 30 in this modified example.

[0258] The relay system 4 includes a device that has the function of receiving LF data, and it is preferable that this device has the function of discriminating between these two types of LF data and recording which LF data was received. The device that has the function of receiving LF data may be, for example, a vehicle relay unit 20, and the reception of LF data may be performed by the first vehicle-side transceiver unit 24, or by a receiving RFIC or the like that is provided separately from the first vehicle-side transceiver unit 24. Recording of the received LF data may be performed by providing a recording device in the vehicle relay unit 20.

[0259] [Variation 6. Variation of RF data] The vehicle control device 10 recognizes the RF data transmitted by the vehicle relay unit 20 on the second frequency (RF) as legitimate RF data, but it is different from the RF data transmitted by the portable device 40. The range that the vehicle relay unit 20 recognizes as legitimate RF data includes the range of RF data transmitted by the portable device 40, and also includes the range of RF data transmitted by the vehicle relay unit 20 in this modified example.

[0260] The relay system 4 includes a device that has the function of receiving RF data, and it is preferable that this device has the function of discriminating between these two types of RF data and recording which RF data has been received. The device that has the function of receiving RF data may be, for example, a vehicle relay unit 20, and the reception of RF data may be performed by providing a receiving RFIC or the like. The recording of received RF data may be performed by providing a recording device in the vehicle relay unit 20.

[0261] [Example 7: Example of additional functions of a portable relay device] The portable relay unit 30 will serve as a box for retrieving information from the vehicle 6. For example, the portable relay unit 30 will be equipped with functions for acquiring information from the vehicle 6 and for communicating with smartphones, etc. The communication function with smartphones, etc. can be a Bluetooth function, an NFC function, etc., and for example, a Bluetooth transceiver module can be connected to the control unit 32. Examples of additional functions are explained in (1) to (3) below.

[0262] (1) Various information concerning the vehicle 6 is transferred from the vehicle relay unit 20 to the mobile relay unit 30, stored in a memory unit provided in the mobile relay unit 30, and the stored information is made available for transfer to a smartphone or the like.

[0263] While it is difficult to operate smartphones and other devices inside the vehicle, and therefore difficult to obtain information about the vehicle 6, this is easy outside the vehicle, such as at home or in a restaurant. On the other hand, at home or in a restaurant, the distance between the vehicle 6 and the smartphone or other device operated by the user is large, making it difficult to obtain information directly from the vehicle 6 using the smartphone or other device.

[0264] Since the user has both a smartphone and a portable relay device 30 readily available, this modified version allows for easy acquisition of information regarding the vehicle 6, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem.

[0265] Furthermore, according to this modified version, the portable repeater 30 can be used not merely as an operating button for the engine starter, but as a tool to be used in conjunction with a smartphone or the like, providing an incentive for the user to carry the portable repeater 30 with them. Generally, engine starters are used exclusively in winter, so the portable repeater 30 is rarely carried around by users outside of winter, especially in summer. However, according to this modified version, the likelihood of it being carried around even outside of winter increases.

[0266] (2) The information stored in (1) above may include, for example, the operation of vehicle 6 (engine on, off), location (for example, the location where vehicle 6 is parked, as detected by the onboard GPS), and the temperature inside the vehicle. This information can be displayed on a smartphone, displayed on a map, and even shared with others. By using this information, users can easily review their past actions.

[0267] Because GPS and other devices consume a lot of power, installing them in the mobile repeater 30 would increase the frequency of replacing the primary battery 30d. Therefore, if these devices are installed in the vehicle repeater 20 instead of the mobile repeater 30, the mobile repeater 30 can be powered by a button battery instead of the primary battery 30d, while the user can still obtain rich information. The mobile repeater 30 only receives this information, so its power consumption remains low.

[0268] (3) The portable repeater 30 should have a function to store the detection history of devices having wireless communication capabilities such as Bluetooth®. It is especially good to store the detection time associated with the device. The history may be stored at predetermined time intervals (for example, every minute), but it is better to store only the time when a change occurred.

[0269] Devices with wireless communication capabilities such as Bluetooth include, for example, headphones, computer keyboards and mice, and smartphones.

[0270] Devices with wireless communication capabilities such as Bluetooth can be detected by transmitting a scan signal using the wireless communication capabilities such as Bluetooth provided in the portable relay unit 30.

[0271] Table 1 shows an example of data acquired and stored by the mobile relay device 30. The stored data listed in Table 1 includes the Bluetooth (indicated as "BT" in the table) ID of the detected device, the field strength level as a communication status, and the date and time of detection.

[0272] [Table 1]

[0273] By using this detection history data, for example, a user who possesses a portable repeater 30 can determine, at what time, which devices they were near and how close they were, allowing them to easily review their own actions. In this modified example, instead of Bluetooth, the user's activity status may be determined from differences in Wi-Fi SSIDs, etc.

[0274] [Difference 8: A variation of a vehicle relay device] While the above-mentioned Modification 7 was a modification of the mobile relay unit 30, Modification 8 adds a function to the vehicle relay unit 20 to acquire information from the vehicle 6 and a communication function with a smartphone, etc. The communication function with a smartphone, etc. can be a Bluetooth function, an NFC function, etc., and for example, a Bluetooth transceiver module can be connected to the control unit 22.

[0275] Table 2 shows examples of data acquired and stored by the vehicle relay device 20. Similar to Table 1, the stored data described in Table 2 also includes the Bluetooth (described as "BT" in the table) ID of the detected device, the level of the electric field strength as the communication state, and the detected date and time. The one indicated as "None" as the ID in Table 2 means that, for example, although a weak signal was received, the ID could not be identified.

[0276]

Table 2

[0277] By using such detection history data, for example, it is possible to grasp at what time a user who has boarded the vehicle 6 equipped with the vehicle relay device 20 was near which device and how close they were, and it is possible to easily review one's own actions. In this modification example, the behavior status may be obtained from differences such as the Wi-Fi SSID instead of Bluetooth.

[0278] Also, when combining Modification Example 7 and Modification Example 8, for example, by comparing the data in the first row of Table 1 and the first row of Table 2, it can be seen that the device with ID 00001 (for example, a smartphone) was detected by both the portable relay device 30 and the vehicle relay device 20 at the same time and was in the vicinity of both the portable relay device 30 and the vehicle 6. Further, from the level of the electric field strength, it can be seen that the device was likely closer to the portable relay device 30 than to the vehicle 6, which can assist in searching for the device. Furthermore, it can also be applied to searching for its whereabouts, for example, when the original key is lost.

[0279] [Modification Example 9. Identification of the Location of the Portable Relay Device] By using the radio wave of the frequency (the third frequency (SG). For example, 922 MHz) used for relaying the communication signal between the vehicle relay device 20 and the portable relay device 30 in the relay system 4 and the radio wave of the Bluetooth function used in Modification Example 8 in combination, it is advisable to identify the vicinity where the portable relay device 30 exists by using the vehicle relay device 20.

[0280] The vehicle relay unit 20 is given the function of receiving Bluetooth radio waves. In the vehicle relay unit 20, for example, a Bluetooth transceiver module can be connected to the control unit 22. This allows the second vehicle-side transceiver unit 26 to receive radio waves of the third frequency, and the Bluetooth transceiver module to receive Bluetooth radio waves.

[0281] The communication range using the third frequency is several hundred meters, while that using Bluetooth radio waves is approximately 10 meters. Therefore, if the vehicle relay unit 20 receives both radio waves, it can be inferred that the mobile relay unit 30 is within 10 meters of the vehicle 6. If it receives only the third frequency radio wave, it is located further than 10 meters but within several hundred meters. If it receives neither radio wave, it is not located within several hundred meters.

[0282] According to the relay system 4 described above, as shown in Figure 1, the relay system 4 is a relay system that relays wireless communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 in a vehicle control system 2 (control system) which has different predetermined communication specifications between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40, and which relays wireless communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 in multiple types of vehicle control systems 2 which have different predetermined communication specifications between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40. The system includes a vehicle relay unit 20 (first relay unit) and a portable relay unit 30 (second relay unit) that can be connected and communicate wirelessly with each other. The vehicle relay unit 20 receives signals from the vehicle control device 10 and transmits signals that the vehicle control device 10 can recognize. The portable relay unit 30 receives signals from the portable device 40 and transmits signals that the portable device 40 can recognize. The system receives communication signals used for communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40, determines a predetermined communication specification based on the received communication signal, and applies the determined predetermined communication specification to the communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the vehicle relay unit 20, and to the communication between the portable device 40 and the portable relay unit 30.

[0283] In this way, even if the communication specifications differ for each vehicle control system 2, the communication specifications corresponding to each vehicle control system 2 are automatically applied, thus providing a relay system 4 that can perform control operations on the vehicle 6 in which the vehicle control device 10 of the vehicle control system 2 is located.

[0284] The communication specifications should include the signal data length, number of bits, transmission time, and data frame.

[0285] In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle relay unit 20 is located in the vehicle 6, and the portable relay unit 30 is carried by the user.

[0286] In this way, even if the communication specifications differ for each vehicle model, a relay system 4 can be obtained that automatically applies the communication specifications for each vehicle model and performs control operations for that vehicle model. Therefore, the need to prepare a relay system 4 with communication specifications corresponding to each vehicle model can be reduced, making inventory management at dealerships easier.

[0287] The operation of the vehicle 6 controlled by the control operation of the vehicle control system 2 may be anything, but it may be the operation of each part that makes up the vehicle 6, for example, the opening and closing of the locks on the doors of the vehicle 6, the activation and deactivation of the car security system. In particular, it may be the starting of the engine or motor system, or the starting and stopping of the air conditioner, which are the power sources of the vehicle 6. The relay system 4 may be an engine starter that can remotely start the engine or motor system, or the air conditioner, and stop them.

[0288] The control of the vehicle 6 by the vehicle control system 2 may be started or stopped by detecting user operation on an operation unit provided on a portable relay unit 30 or an operation unit provided on a portable device 40. For example, the vehicle control system 2 may perform control operations on each part of the vehicle via the vehicle relay unit 20 by detecting user operation on an operation button on the portable relay unit 30.

[0289] In particular, the detection of user operation of the control unit provided on the portable device 40 is preferably configured to receive a signal that the portable device 40 wirelessly transmits to the vehicle control device 10 in response to the user operation of the control unit provided on the portable device 40, and to perform the detection based on the received signal.

[0290] In particular, the user operation of the control unit provided on the portable device 40 should be different from the operation performed from the portable device 40 to the vehicle control device 10 to cause the vehicle control device 10 to perform a predetermined control operation of the vehicle 6.

[0291] Furthermore, the user operations on the control unit of the portable device 40 should include operations that trigger the transmission of a wireless signal from the vehicle control device 10 to the vehicle control device 10 in order to cause the vehicle 6 to perform a predetermined control operation, but should also be operations different from those operations. In particular, it is desirable to include operations that do not occur consecutively between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 within a predetermined time. In particular, it is desirable to configure the vehicle control system 2 to perform a predetermined control operation on the vehicle 6 when it receives a wireless signal indicating that the same operation has been performed a predetermined number of times consecutively within a predetermined time, via the vehicle relay device 20 to the portable relay device 30.

[0292] For example, in a configuration that controls the door locks of vehicle 6, and the portable device 40 is equipped with a button for locking the doors of vehicle 6 as an operating unit, the portable relay device 30 may detect that the user has performed an operation different from the operation to lock the vehicle doors (pressing the button only once), such as pressing the door lock button three times in a row within one second, by detecting that it has received three wireless door lock signals from the portable device 40 consecutively within a predetermined time. When such detection occurs, it is preferable to wirelessly transmit an instruction signal to start the engine, etc., to the vehicle relay device 20.

[0293] For example, if the portable device 40 installed in the vehicle 6 only has a button for opening and closing the locks on the vehicle 6's doors as an operating unit, the vehicle control system 2 may, via the portable relay unit 30 and the vehicle relay unit 20, start the engine or motor, start the air conditioner, or stop them if the user performs an operation different from opening and closing the locks on the vehicle 6's doors, such as pressing the button three times in quick succession within one second.

[0294] The relay system 4 is configured such that the communication distance between the vehicle relay unit 20 and the portable relay unit 30 is longer than the communication distance between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable unit 40. In this way, the user can remotely control the vehicle control system 2 from a greater distance by operating the portable relay unit 30 or the portable unit 40. To increase the communication distance between the vehicle relay unit 20 and the portable relay unit 30, for example, the transmission power of the radio waves used for communication between the vehicle relay unit 20 and the portable relay unit 30 should be greater than the transmission power of the radio waves used for communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable unit 40.

[0295] The relay system 4 is suitable for use in a vehicle control system 2 in which communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 is performed in the following sequence (hereinafter also referred to as the "sequence"). [1] First, in order to start controlling the vehicle 6 using the vehicle control device 10, when the start switch provided on the vehicle control device 10 is operated, the vehicle control device 10 transmits a response request signal as a communication signal. [2] When the portable device 40 receives the response request signal, it performs predetermined processing based on the response request signal and transmits a response signal generated as a communication signal. [3] The vehicle control device 10 starts controlling the vehicle 6 if the received response signal is a predetermined response signal when compared with the response request signal it transmitted, and does not start controlling the vehicle 6 if it is not a predetermined response signal.

[0296] In a vehicle control system 2 where communication is performed in such a sequence, the relay system 4 should perform the relay of communication between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 of the vehicle control system 2 in the following order. Regarding the response request signal, when the vehicle relay 20 receives the response request signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10, it transmits a wireless response request signal based on the response request signal. When the portable relay 30 receives the wireless response request signal, it generates a transfer response request signal from this wireless response request signal that the portable device 40 recognizes as a response request signal, and transmits this generated transfer response request signal to the portable device 40 (hereinafter, the process of the vehicle relay 20 receiving the response request signal and the portable relay 30 transmitting the transfer response request signal is also referred to as "relaying the response request signal").

[0297] Regarding the response signal, when the portable relay unit 30 receives the response signal transmitted from the portable unit 40, it transmits a wireless response signal based on the response signal. When the vehicle relay unit 20 receives the wireless response signal, it generates a transfer response signal from this wireless response signal that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as a response signal, and transmits this generated transfer response signal to the vehicle control device 10 (hereinafter, the process of the portable relay unit 30 receiving the response signal and the vehicle relay unit 20 transmitting the transfer response signal is also referred to as "relaying the response signal").

[0298] The transfer response request signal may be exactly the same as the original response request signal, or may be different from the original response request signal, as long as it is a signal within the range that the mobile device 40 can recognize as a response request signal. Similarly, the transfer response signal may be exactly the same as the original response signal, or may be different from the original response signal, as long as it is a signal within the range that the vehicle control device 10 can recognize as a response signal.

[0299] Furthermore, the relay system 4 is particularly suitable for application to a vehicle control system 2 that performs the above sequence twice (for example, a startup sequence followed by an authentication sequence).

[0300] The discrimination of the communication specification may be configured to be performed every time communication occurs in the vehicle control system 2. In particular, it is preferably configured to be performed when communication first occurs in the vehicle control system 2 after the relay system 4 is provided in the vehicle 6 equipped with the vehicle control system 2. Furthermore, the discrimination result is recorded as information regarding the discriminated communication specification in the storage means provided in each of the vehicle relay machine 20 and the mobile relay machine 30, and the vehicle relay machine 20 and the mobile relay machine 30 operate based on the recorded information. Also, if the discriminated communication specification is not applied to the relay system 4, it is preferable to prevent the vehicle control system 2 from controlling the start of the engine of the vehicle 6 via the relay system 4.

[0301] When the discrimination of the communication specification is performed when communication first occurs in the vehicle control system 2 after the relay system 4 is installed in the vehicle 6, for example, it is preferable to perform the startup operation of the vehicle control system 2 with the startup switch provided in the vehicle 6 after the relay system 4 is installed and perform the discrimination when a communication signal is transmitted from the vehicle control device 10. For example, a dip switch is provided in the vehicle relay machine 20, and in a state where the relay system 4 is set to the setting mode with the dip switch, the startup operation is performed with the startup switch provided in the vehicle 6, and the discrimination is performed by transmitting a communication signal from the vehicle control device 10.

[0302] The communication specifications can be determined, for example, based on the data length of the communication signal. Here, we consider an example where the data length of the communication signal of vehicle control system 2A is shorter than that of the communication signal of another vehicle control system 2B, and a relay system 4 that only corresponds to vehicle control system 2A is used for vehicle control system 2B.

[0303] Between the vehicle repeater 20 and the portable repeater 30, which communicate wirelessly with each other, it is preferable that the vehicle repeater 20 transmits a communication signal (e.g., a wireless response request signal) and the portable repeater 30 receives it, and the portable repeater 30 transmits a communication signal (e.g., a wireless response signal) and the vehicle repeater 20 receives it.

[0304] The vehicle relay unit 20 may be provided with separate transmitting and receiving means for communication with the mobile relay unit 30, or it may be provided with a transmitting and receiving means that serves both transmitting and receiving. Similarly, the mobile relay unit 30 may be provided with separate transmitting and receiving means for communication with the vehicle relay unit 20, or it may be provided with a transmitting and receiving means that serves both transmitting and receiving.

[0305] In the case of the portable relay unit 30 of the relay system 4, which is compatible only with the vehicle control system 2A, when the transmission and reception of communication signals with the vehicle relay unit 20 are performed using a transmission and reception means that can be used for both transmission and reception, it is preferable to switch between the state of receiving communication signals from the vehicle relay unit 20 and the state of transmitting communication signals to the vehicle relay unit 20 at an appropriate timing according to the data length of the communication signals of the vehicle control system 2A.

[0306] If the data length of the communication signal from vehicle control system 2A is shorter than that of the communication signal from another vehicle control system 2B, the portable relay unit 30, which has received a communication signal from vehicle relay unit 20, may switch from the state of receiving the communication signal from vehicle relay unit 20 to the state of transmitting the communication signal to vehicle relay unit 20 before it has finished receiving the communication signal from vehicle relay unit 20, which could result in an error.

[0307] However, by applying a communication specification determined based on the communication signal, it is possible to obtain a relay system 4 in which, for example, the setting of the switching timing of the transmission and reception states of the vehicle relay unit 20 and the portable relay unit 30 is performed automatically by both the vehicle control system 2A and the vehicle control system 2B, thereby reducing the occurrence of such errors.

[0308] The determination of the communication specifications may be performed by either the vehicle relay unit 20 alone, the mobile relay unit 30 alone, or both the vehicle relay unit 20 and the mobile relay unit 30. When determining the communication specifications based on the communication signal using only the vehicle relay unit 20, it is advisable to transmit information regarding the determined communication specifications from the vehicle relay unit 20 to the mobile relay unit 30.

[0309] When determining the communication specifications, it is preferable to provide a separation instruction means that instructs the vehicle relay unit 20 and the portable relay unit 30 to be at a distance where they can communicate with each other, and the vehicle control device 10 and the portable unit 40 to be at a distance where they cannot communicate with each other. The separation instruction means may be written on paper, such as in the instruction manual, or it may be a distance notification means that determines the distance or communication status between the vehicle relay unit 20 and the portable relay unit 30 and the distance or communication status between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable unit 40, and notifies whether the vehicle relay unit 20 and the portable relay unit 30 are at a distance where they can communicate with each other, and whether the vehicle control device 10 and the portable unit 40 are at a distance where they cannot communicate with each other. The distance notification means can utilize a notification unit 20c provided in the vehicle relay unit 20 or a notification unit 30c provided in the portable relay unit 30. Notification by the distance notification means may be performed by providing a display unit or an audio output unit in the vehicle relay unit 20 or the portable relay unit 30, and displaying the information on the display unit or outputting it as audio from the audio output unit.

[0310] In this way, it is possible to prevent the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 from completing communication without going through the relay system 4 before the application of specific communication specifications to the relay system 4 is completed.

[0311] The distance notification means should instruct the vehicle relay unit 20 and the portable relay unit 30 to be at a distance where they can communicate with each other, and the vehicle control device 10 and the portable unit 40 to be at a distance where they cannot communicate with each other, not only when determining the communication specifications but also when using the relay system 4. The instructions from the distance notification means may not be given when determining the communication specifications, but only when using the relay system 4.

[0312] The vehicle relay unit 20 should be equipped with a specification notification means that notifies which communication specification has been applied once the identified communication specification has been applied. The specification notification means should include a storage unit that stores notification content corresponding to the identified communication specification, and a display unit or an audio output unit. Once the application of the communication specification is complete, it should display which communication specification has been applied on the display unit or output it as audio from the audio output unit. The specification notification means can utilize a notification unit 20c provided on the vehicle relay unit 20 or a notification unit 30c provided on the portable relay unit 30. The notification content should be information that identifies which communication specification has been applied, for example, the vehicle manufacturer and model. Also, if the relay system 4 manages the stored communication specifications by number, it should say, for example, "Communication specification 1 has been applied." The display unit should also show whether the identified communication specification has been applied or not.

[0313] In this embodiment, the determination of the communication specifications is performed based on at least one of the following: the number of bits, the transmission time, and the data frame configuration, for at least one of the response request signals transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 and the response signals transmitted from the portable device 40 in response to the response request signals.

[0314] In this way, the type of vehicle control system 2 can be accurately identified, and more precise communication specifications can be applied.

[0315] The vehicle type of vehicle 6 equipped with the vehicle control system 2 can be accurately identified, and the timing for switching the transmission and reception states of the vehicle relay unit 20 and the portable relay unit 30 can be set more accurately.

[0316] If the communication signal sequence performed in the vehicle control system 2 consists of two steps: a startup sequence and a subsequent authentication sequence, the communication specification can be determined based on the transmission time of the WAKE signal, which is the response request signal for the startup sequence.

[0317] Furthermore, the determination of the communication specifications should be based on at least two factors for at least one of the response request signal and the response signal: the number of bits, the transmission time, and the data frame structure.

[0318] In this embodiment, the vehicle control system 2 uses multiple sets of response request signals transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 and response signals transmitted from the portable device 40 in response to the response request signals as communication signals between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40, and determines the communication specifications based on each set of response request signals and response signals.

[0319] In this way, the type of vehicle 6 equipped with the vehicle control system 2 can be identified more accurately. In the vehicle control system 2 installed in vehicle 6, the communication specifications can be determined based on the communication signals for both the startup sequence and the authentication sequence, which use two sets of response request signals and response signals. This allows for the application of accurate communication specifications, and for example, the switching timing of the transmission and reception states of the vehicle repeater 20 and the portable repeater 30 can be set more accurately.

[0320] In this embodiment, the communication specifications are determined by a determination means provided in the vehicle relay unit 20. Once the determined communication specifications have been applied to the vehicle relay unit 20 and the portable relay unit 30, the portable relay unit 30 is provided with an operation availability notification means that notifies the user that they can start or stop the control operation of the vehicle 6 by the vehicle control system 2 via the vehicle relay unit 20 and the portable relay unit 30. The operation availability notification means can utilize either an notification unit 20c provided in the vehicle relay unit 20 or an notification unit 30c provided in the portable relay unit 30.

[0321] In this way, the user can be informed that it is now possible to operate the vehicle 6 using the relay system 4, and it becomes possible to deter the user from attempting to operate the vehicle 6 when it is not operational.

[0322] The determination result of the communication specifications by the determination means provided in the vehicle relay unit 20 should be transmitted from the vehicle relay unit 20 to the portable relay unit 30 by a communication other than relaying the communication signals of the vehicle control system 2.

[0323] The operational availability notification means provided in the portable relay unit 30 may be an audio output means or a display means. The audio output means may output a short signal sound such as "beep" or an audio message such as "available" when it becomes possible to operate the vehicle 6 using the relay system 4. The display means may be an LED that changes from a red illuminated state to a blue illuminated state when it becomes possible to operate the vehicle 6 using the relay system 4, or an LCD screen that displays characters or marks indicating that it is available when it becomes possible to operate the vehicle 6 using the relay system 4. The operational availability notification means may also be provided in the vehicle relay unit 20.

[0324] In this embodiment, the vehicle control device 10 controls the vehicle 6 and the vehicle components that make up the vehicle 6, and the portable device 40 is installed in the vehicle 6.

[0325] In this way, the vehicle 6 or its components can be operated using the relay system 4. The components of the vehicle can be anything, but they may include, for example, the vehicle's door locking mechanism, car security, or air conditioning, and in particular, the engine or motor that powers the vehicle.

[0326] In this embodiment, the system includes a storage means for storing information on multiple types of communication signals, and a matching means for verifying which of the multiple types of communication signals stored in the storage means corresponds to the communication signal received by the vehicle relay unit 20 or the portable relay unit 30 from the vehicle control device 10 or the portable device 40. The determination of a predetermined communication specification is performed by verifying the communication signal using the matching means. The storage means can utilize the parameter storage unit 28 of the vehicle relay unit 20 and the parameter storage unit 38 of the portable relay unit 30, and the matching means can utilize the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay unit 20 and the control unit 32 of the portable relay unit 30.

[0327] In this way, the communication specifications can be reliably determined, and the vehicle relay unit 20 and the mobile relay unit 30 can be accurately configured.

[0328] Information regarding multiple types of communication signals can be used to identify each type of communication signal, to describe the characteristics of each communication signal, or to describe the differences between each communication signal.

[0329] In this embodiment, the vehicle control system 2 uses a response request signal transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 and a response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 in response to the response request signal as communication signals, and the portable device 40 transmits the response signal at a frequency based on frequency specification information included in the response request signal, and the frequency specification information is included in a predetermined communication specification determined based on the response request signal, and the portable relay device 30 receives the response signal transmitted from the portable device 40 at a frequency based on the frequency specification information.

[0330] In this way, even if the frequency at which the response signal is transmitted from the portable device 40 differs depending on the vehicle control system 2 or the communication, it is possible to relay the signal using the same relay system 4.

[0331] The frequency at which the portable device 40 transmits the response signal should be the same as the communication specification.

[0332] In this embodiment, the portable relay unit 30 includes a second portable-side transceiver unit 36 ​​(first transceiver unit) that performs wireless communication with the vehicle relay unit 20, and a first portable-side transceiver unit 34 (second transceiver unit) that performs wireless communication with the portable device 40 and transmits communication signals to the second portable-side transceiver unit 36. When not receiving a communication signal transmitted from the portable device 40, the transmission of communication signals from the first portable-side transceiver unit 34 to the second portable-side transceiver unit 36 ​​is blocked. When the second portable-side transceiver unit 36 ​​has finished receiving the communication signal transmitted from the vehicle relay unit 20, it switches to a state where it transmits the communication signal transmitted from the first portable-side transceiver unit 34 to the vehicle relay unit 20.

[0333] In a mobile relay unit 30, if the first mobile-side transceiver 34 transmits the communication signal transmitted from the mobile device 40 to the second mobile-side transceiver 36, and the second mobile-side transceiver 36 transmits the communication signal transmitted from the first mobile-side transceiver 34 as is, there is a problem that if the first mobile-side transceiver 34 receives noise when it is not receiving the communication signal transmitted from the mobile device 40, that noise will be transmitted from the second mobile-side transceiver 36.

[0334] Here, even if the second mobile-side transceiver unit 36 ​​in the mobile relay unit 30 transmits the signal transmitted from the first mobile-side transceiver unit 34 as is, if the transmission of communication signals from the first mobile-side transceiver unit 34 to the second mobile-side transceiver unit 36 ​​is blocked except when receiving a communication signal transmitted from the mobile device 40, then it is possible to suppress the transmission of noise when relaying the communication signal transmitted from the mobile device 40 to the vehicle control device 10.

[0335] Furthermore, in the mobile relay unit 30, once the second mobile-side transmitting / receiving unit 36 ​​has finished receiving the communication signal transmitted from the vehicle relay unit 20, it switches to a state where it transmits the communication signal transmitted from the first mobile-side transmitting / receiving unit 34 to the vehicle relay unit 20. Therefore, there is less delay in the time it takes for the communication signal to be transmitted from the vehicle control device 10 to be returned to the vehicle control device 10. For example, in the vehicle control system 2, even if the time between when the vehicle control device sends a response request signal and when the mobile device starts transmitting a response signal is set to a short time by the vehicle manufacturer, the possibility that the engine cannot be started using the relay system 4 can be reduced.

[0336] The blocking of the communication signal from the first mobile phone-side transceiver unit 34 to the second mobile phone-side transceiver unit 36 ​​can be performed, for example, using an AND circuit 50 that outputs a logical AND of the control unit output from the control unit and the communication signal output from the first mobile phone-side transceiver unit 34 to the second mobile phone-side transceiver unit 36.

[0337] In this embodiment, in the vehicle control system 2, the vehicle control device 10 wirelessly transmits predetermined signals to each of the multiple portable devices 40 for controlling the vehicle 6, and each of the portable devices 40 transmits either a corresponding unique ACK signal (first response signal) or a unique response signal (second response signal) as a communication signal to each of the WAKE signal (first response request signal) and challenge signal (second response request signal) transmitted by the vehicle control device 10 as a communication signal, and the vehicle relay unit 20 stores information about the ACK signals transmitted from the multiple portable devices 40, and an operation detection means for detecting at least one operation of the vehicle 6, the vehicle control device 10, the vehicle relay unit 20, and the portable relay unit 30 is connected to the vehicle relay unit 20 or the portable relay unit 30, and the WAKE signal transmitted by the vehicle control device 10 After the vehicle relay unit 20 receives the signal, it transmits one of the signals (pseudo-ACK signals) that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as one of its unique ACK signals based on the information about ACK signals it stores. The vehicle control device 10, having recognized it as one of its unique ACK signals, transmits a challenge signal. After one of the portable devices 40 that receives a signal based on the challenge signal transmitted by the vehicle control device 10, transmitted from a portable relay unit 30 via the vehicle relay unit 20, and recognizes it as a challenge signal, transmits a unique response signal, the vehicle relay unit 20 continues to transmit signals that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as one of its unique ACK signals based on the information about ACK signals it stores, until the operation detection means detects that at least one of the vehicle 6, the vehicle control device 10, the vehicle relay unit 20, and the portable relay unit 30 has operated.

[0338] By performing the operation in which the vehicle relay unit 20 sequentially transmits signals that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as one of its unique ACK signals (hereinafter also referred to as the "sequential transmission operation"), when the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 perform authentication operations using the relay system 4, it is not necessary to relay the ACK signal from the portable device 40 to the vehicle control device 10, thereby reducing the power used by the relay system 4.

[0339] The motion detection means may be connected to the vehicle relay unit 20 or the portable relay unit 30 by wire or wireless connection. The motion detection means can utilize the control unit 22 of the vehicle relay unit 20 or the control unit 32 of the portable relay unit 30.

[0340] The operation of the portable relay unit 30 detected by the motion detection means may be defined as the portable relay unit 30 receiving a response signal transmitted by the portable unit 40. The operation of the vehicle relay unit 20 detected by the motion detection means may be defined as the vehicle relay unit 20 receiving a wireless response signal transmitted by the portable relay unit 30 based on the response signal. The operation of the vehicle control device 10 detected by the motion detection means may be defined as the vehicle control device 10 receiving a signal transmitted by the vehicle relay unit 20 that the vehicle relay unit 20 recognizes as a response signal. The operation of the vehicle 6 detected by the motion detection means may be defined as an operation based on a control operation of the vehicle control system 2 performed by the vehicle control device 10 after it recognizes the response signal, such as starting the engine or motor system, or starting the air conditioner.

[0341] The authentication operation between the vehicle control device 10 and the portable device 40 using the relay system 4 can be performed, for example, in the following steps.

[0342] [1] The vehicle relay unit 20 transmits a start trigger signal to the vehicle control device 10; [2] The vehicle control device 10 receives the start trigger signal and transmits a WAKE signal; [3] The vehicle relay unit 20, having received the WAKE signal, transmits one of the signals (pseudo-ACK signals) that the vehicle control device 10 recognizes as one of the unique ACK signals based on the information about the ACK signals it stores; [4] The vehicle control device 10, having recognized it as one of the unique ACK signals, transmits a challenge signal; [5] The vehicle relay unit 20 and the portable relay unit 30 relay the challenge signal; [6] Challenge The process includes the steps of: [7] one of the portable relay units 30 that recognizes the signal transmits a response signal; and [7] the portable relay unit 30 and the vehicle relay unit 20 relay the response signal. After these steps, the vehicle control unit 10 receives the relayed response signal and completes the authentication operation if it recognizes that the ACK signal and the response signal correspond. If it does not recognize that the ACK signal and the response signal correspond, the vehicle relay unit 20 transmits a signal that the vehicle control unit 10 recognizes as one of its own unique ACK signals, which is different from the signal transmitted in step [3], as a sequential transmission operation.

[0343] (10) For example, it may be configured as a vehicle relay unit 20 in the relay system 4 described in any of (1) to (9) above.

[0344] (11) For example, it may be configured as a portable relay device 30 in the relay system 4 described in any of (1) to (9) above.

[0345] These devices are configured to be used in the vehicle control system 2. For example, they may be configured as a vehicle relay unit 20 or a portable relay unit 30 equipped with an engine start button for use in the relay system 4 as an engine starter.

[0346] (12) The vehicle relay unit 20 or the portable relay unit 30 should be equipped with a function to determine whether the engine is running, and should be configured not to relay when the engine is running.

[0347] (13) The vehicle relay unit 20 or the portable relay unit 30 may be equipped with means for identifying its current location (e.g., position) and may be configured not to relay at certain locations (e.g., pre-set locations). Alternatively, it may be configured to relay at certain locations (e.g., pre-set locations) (e.g., relay at the home apartment but not at the vacation home). For example, it may be possible to set relay prohibition points (e.g., areas).

[0348] (14) The vehicle relay unit 20 or portable relay unit 30 is equipped with a temperature sensor that measures the temperature inside the vehicle, and it is preferable to control it so that it does not relay when the temperature (e.g., inside the vehicle) is within a certain range (e.g., a comfortable temperature range).

[0349] (15) The portable relay unit 30 is equipped with a first vehicle-side transceiver unit 24 and has an LF receiving function that receives LF data transmitted by the vehicle control device 10, etc., but it is preferable to control it so that it does not relay when it is receiving LF data.

[0350] (16) The portable relay unit 30 is equipped with a function to transmit the same signal (LF data) from the vehicle control device 10 to the vehicle 6 when there is no signal from the vehicle 6 (for example, when a check button provided on the portable relay unit 30 is pressed, or at regular intervals (for example, every minute)), and to determine whether a response signal to the signal transmitted by the portable relay unit 30 is properly returned from the portable device 40 (for example, whether the two are within the appropriate distance range). It is advisable to provide a function to notify the user if no response is received. At this time, it is advisable to control the system so that the response signal from the portable device 40 is not relayed to the vehicle relay unit 20. It is also possible to store vehicle-specific signal patterns in advance and send signals based on the stored patterns, but it is particularly advisable to store the signal from the vehicle control device 10 that has been relayed from the vehicle relay unit 20 and send signals based on that signal.

[0351] (17) The vehicle relay unit 20 should be equipped with a function to connect to the in-vehicle LAN and a function to control whether or not to relay signals, taking into account the state of the signals flowing through the in-vehicle LAN. For example, when a door open signal is detected from the in-vehicle LAN (e.g., CAN), the relay should not be performed.

[0352] (18) It is preferable to provide a function to limit the relay operation time of the vehicle relay unit 20 and the portable relay unit 30 that constitute the relay system 4. For example, it is preferable to limit the relay operation time to a predetermined range (e.g., a few seconds) after pressing the engine start button. For example, conventional portable relay units and portable units 40 are used connected by a ring, but when the two are connected by a ring, they can get caught on other things in a bag, making them inconvenient to use. If it is allowed that the two are several meters apart, then a problem may arise, for example, in which the portable relay unit 30 relays a signal from the original key of another car of the same model. By limiting the relay operation time of the vehicle relay unit 20 and the portable relay unit 30, the frequency of such problems can be reduced. It is also preferable to provide a function to check whether the portable unit 40 (original key) of another car of the same model is responding, and to provide a notification to that effect if so. The system may also be controlled to stop relaying signals from that point onward when it is determined that the data is not from the correct portable unit 40.

[0353] (19) Having buttons on both the portable unit 40 and the portable repeater 30 presents a challenge in that users are likely to press the wrong button. The portable repeater 30 has an RF receiver for relaying, so it would be good to use this for purposes other than relaying. For example, the buttons on the portable repeater 30 could be removed. The portable repeater 30 could be dedicated solely to relaying and notification (preferably by sound rather than on a screen). For example, the operation could be set to start the engine by pressing a specific button on the portable unit 40 multiple times (such as pressing the lock button twice in quick succession within 1 second). When the portable repeater 30 receives and detects such a specific operation from the portable unit 40, it would be good to send an engine start signal.

[0354] (20) It is preferable to have a function that changes the operation of the portable relay unit 30 depending on whether the portable unit 40 is near the portable relay unit 30. For example, when it is detected that the engine start button on the portable relay unit 30 has been pressed, before sending the engine start signal to the vehicle relay unit 20 (or even after, but in this case the vehicle relay unit 20 should have a delay before sending the engine start signal to the vehicle), it sends a signal (e.g., LF data) to check whether the portable unit 40 is near the portable relay unit 30, and if it is determined that the portable unit 40 is near the portable relay unit 30, it sends the engine start signal to the vehicle relay unit 20. If it is determined that the portable unit 40 is not near the portable relay unit 30, it is preferable to send an announcement indicating that the original key is not near the portable relay unit 30.

[0355] Furthermore, for example, if the driver forgets the portable relay unit 30 inside the house and is cleaning the car in the parking lot at home, and a child inside the house presses the engine start button on the portable relay unit 30, the vehicle relay unit 20 should be equipped with a function to detect whether or not the original key is inside the car (for example, by direct connection to the ECU, monitoring the in-car LAN, or detection by an RF receiver). If the vehicle relay unit 20 detects that the original key is inside the car, but receives an engine start signal from the portable relay unit 30, it would be good to provide notification indicating that such a situation is occurring.

[0356] (21) The portable device (original key, portable device 40) recognizes the LF data as a legitimate signal, but it is preferable that it be different from the LF data emitted by the car. A device equipped with an LF receiver (for example, the vehicle relay unit 20 should have this function) should have a function to distinguish between these two LF data and record which LF data was received.

[0357] (22) The vehicle recognizes the RF data as a legitimate signal, but it is different from the RF data emitted by the original key (portable device 40). A device equipped with an RF receiver (for example, the portable relay device 30 should have this function) should have a function to distinguish between these two RF signals and record which RF signal was received.

[0358] (23) For example, it may be configured as a program to enable a computer to implement any of the functions described in (1) to (22) above. The program may consist of a program for the vehicle relay unit 20 and a program for the portable relay unit 30.

[0359] The inventions described in (1) to (22) above can be combined in any way. For example, one invention may have at least one of the other inventions (2) to (22) without having all or part of the configuration of (1). In particular, it is preferable to have all or part of the configuration of (1) and combine it with at least one of the configurations (2) to (22). Alternatively, any component may be extracted from at least one of (1) to (22) and combined. The applicant intends to obtain patent rights for such configurations as well.

[0360] While various aspects of the present invention have been described above using embodiments and modifications, it should be noted that these embodiments and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but rather to aid in understanding it. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations explicitly described in the specification, but also includes combinations of the various aspects of the present invention disclosed herein. While the configurations for which patent protection is sought are specified in the appended claims, even configurations not currently specified in the claims may be included in the claims in the future.

[0361] The present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the embodiments above. The components of each embodiment and modification described above may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Furthermore, any component of each embodiment and modification may be arbitrarily combined with any component described in the means for solving the invention or any component that embodies any component described in the means for solving the invention. We intend to obtain rights for these as well in amendments or divisional applications of this application. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0362] 1. Vehicle remote control system 2. Vehicle control system 4. Relay System 6 vehicles 6A battery 8. Communication Cable 10. Vehicle control system 12 Control Unit 14 Transmitter / Receiver 16 Authentication Information Storage Unit 20 Vehicle relay stations 20a Start trigger output section 20b Setting switch 20th Century News Department 22 Control Unit 24 First vehicle side transceiver unit 26 Second vehicle-side transceiver unit 28 Parameter Storage Unit 30 Portable Repeater 30a setting switch 30b Operation section 30c News Department 30d primary battery 32 Control Unit 32a Output terminal 34 First mobile phone side transceiver unit 34a Transmit-only RFIC 34b Receive-only RFIC 34c output terminal 36 Second mobile phone side transmitting / receiving unit 36a Input terminal 38 Parameter Storage Unit 40 Handheld devices 40a primary battery 42 Control Unit 44 Transmitter / Receiver Unit 46 Authentication Information Storage Unit 50 AND circuit 50a Input Terminal 50b Input terminal 50c output terminal

Claims

1. A portable relay device that relays communication signals between a vehicle control device and a portable device, A function to transmit the same communication signal (hereinafter referred to as "pseudo-LF data") as the signal (LF data) transmitted by the vehicle control device at the first frequency (LF) when no communication signal is transmitted from the vehicle control device, When the aforementioned pseudo-LF data is transmitted, a function is provided to determine whether RF data has been transmitted from the portable device that received the LF data. If the aforementioned mobile relay device transmits the pseudo-LF data and it is not determined that the mobile device has transmitted the RF data in response, the mobile relay device has a notification function that notifies the user of this fact. Equipped with, The RF data transmitted from the portable device in response to the pseudo-LF data will not be relayed from the portable relay device to the vehicle relay device. A portable relay device characterized by its features.

2. The aforementioned portable relay device is equipped with the function of receiving radio waves of the first frequency (LF), When the aforementioned mobile relay device is receiving radio waves of the first frequency, the control unit controls it not to relay the communication signal, as this indicates that there is no need for the relay system to relay the signal. The portable repeater according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned determination function determines whether the mobile repeater and the mobile device are within an appropriate distance range by determining whether the RF data was transmitted from the mobile device when the pseudo-LF data was transmitted. A portable repeater according to feature 1 or 2.

4. The transmission of the pseudo-LF data is performed when the user presses a check button provided on the portable relay device, or at regular intervals. A portable repeater according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A relay system that relays communication signals between a vehicle control device and a portable device, A vehicle relay unit that communicates wirelessly with the aforementioned vehicle control device, A portable repeater according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which performs wireless communication with the aforementioned portable device, A relay system equipped with the following features.

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