On-vehicle apparatus, vehicle locking/unlocking system, and method of controlling on-vehicle apparatus

An on-vehicle apparatus start verifying a first code of a portable apparatus returned from the portable apparatus in response to a first signal from the on-vehicle apparatus unless a battery of the portable apparatus is not exhausted upon detection of a user's operation to unlock/lock a door beside a vehicle; verifies a second code of the portable apparatus returned from the portable apparatus in response to power supply to the portable apparatus through electromagnetic induction caused by a second signal from the on-vehicle apparatus; determines whether the user's operation has been continuously detected if the first code is not returned; ends the verification of the first code if there is no state where the user's operation has been continuously detected; and ends the verification of the first code and starts the verification of the second code if the user's operation has been continuously detected.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an on-vehicle apparatus, a vehicle locking/unlocking system, and a method of controlling on-vehicle apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the related art, a vehicle locking/unlocking system where locking and unlocking of doors of a vehicle is implemented through wireless communications between an on-vehicle apparatus included in the vehicle and a portable apparatus that a user can have with him or her is known (for example, see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2001-115699). Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2001-115699 discloses, as a portable apparatus, a remote unit that includes a battery, a first control circuit, and a transponder, and discloses, as an on-vehicle apparatus, a vehicle-side unit that includes a second control circuit.

The remote unit has the first control circuit for determining whether the battery is exhausted. The first control circuit returns an ID code (an identification code of the remote unit) of an RF signal in response to reception of electric waves for starting transmitted from the vehicle-side unit when the battery is not exhausted. On the other hand, the transponder returns a transponder ID code (an identification code of the remote unit) in response to having power supplied through electromagnetic induction caused by electric waves for starting transmitted from the vehicle-side unit when the first control circuit determines that the battery is exhausted. The second control circuit of the vehicle-side unit locks or unlocks doors of a vehicle based on a verification result on the ID code of the RF signal or the transponder ID code.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, an on-vehicle apparatus included in a vehicle includes at least one processor that is configured to start first verification control to verify a first identification code of a portable apparatus which a user can have with him or her, included in a first response signal returned from the portable apparatus in response to a first request signal, in a first wireless communications authentication mode of transmitting the first request signal and receiving the first response signal, when a user's operation of the user who is beside the vehicle to unlock or lock a door of the vehicle is detected, wherein the portable apparatus cannot return the first response signal when a battery of the portable apparatus is exhausted; carry out second verification control to verify a second identification code of the portable apparatus, included in a second response signal returned from the portable apparatus in response to supply of power to the portable apparatus through electromagnetic induction caused by a second request signal, in a second wireless communications authentication mode of transmitting the second request signal and receiving the second response signal; lock or unlock the door based on a verification result of the first verification control or the second verification control; determine whether the at least one processor has the first response signal returned after the at least one processor transmits the first request signal; determine whether the user's operation has been continuously detected, if the at least one processor determines that at least one processor does not have the first response signal returned; end the first verification control if the at least one processor determines that there is no state where the user's operation has been continuously detected; and end the first verification control and start the second verification control if the at least one processor determines that the user's operation has been continuously detected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the above-mentioned technology disclosed by Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2001-115699, an on-vehicle apparatus continues transmitting a request signal (i.e., “electric waves for starting”) until a portable apparatus returns an identification code even if a likelihood that a user is beside a vehicle is low. Thus, power consumption in on-vehicle apparatus may increase.

An object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a vehicle locking/unlocking system with which it is possible to prevent an increase of power consumption in an on-vehicle apparatus when a likelihood that a user is beside a vehicle is low.

FIG. 1illustrates one example of a configuration of a vehicle locking/unlocking system1. The vehicle locking/unlocking system1is one example of a system where, through wireless communications between an on-vehicle apparatus11and a portable apparatus40, doors20of a vehicle10are locked or unlocked. The on-vehicle apparatus11is installed in the vehicle10, and includes one or more components. The portable apparatus40is an apparatus which a user can have with him or her.

The portable apparatus40has a battery41, a first antenna42, a second antenna45, a first communications control unit43, and a second communications control unit44.

The battery41supplies power to the first communications control unit43, and the first communications control unit43is not activated unless power is supplied by the battery41.

The first antenna42is an antenna through which a signal can be transmitted to and received from a third antenna23of the on-vehicle apparatus11using electric waves of a LF band. “LF” is an abbreviation of low frequency. The first antenna42receives a first request signal (hereinafter, referred to as a “first request signal Rq1”) transmitted from the third antenna23of the on-vehicle apparatus11, and outputs the received first request signal Rq1to the first communications control unit43. Also, the first antenna42receives a second request signal (hereinafter, referred to as a “second request signal Rq2”) transmitted from the third antenna23of the on-vehicle apparatus11, and outputs the received second request signal Rq2to the second communications control unit44.

The second antenna45is an antenna dedicated for signal transmission, is capable of transmitting a first response signal (hereinafter, “first response signal Rs1”) to the first request signal Rq1using electric waves of a UHF band (RF signal) for a reception part27of the on-vehicle apparatus11. “UHF” is an abbreviation of ultra-high frequency, and “RF” is an abbreviation of radio frequency.

When the first communications control unit43receives the first request signal Rq1transmitted from the on-vehicle apparatus11through the first antenna42, the first communications control unit43returns the first response signal Rs1that includes a first identification code of the portable apparatus40through the second antenna45. The first communications control unit43comes to be not able to return the first response signal Rs1when the battery41is exhausted because the power supply voltage applied to the first communications control unit43is excessively reduced.

When power is supplied to the second communications control unit44through the first antenna42due to electromagnetic induction caused by the second request signal Rq2transmitted from the on-vehicle apparatus11, the second communications control unit44returns a second response signal (hereinafter, referred to as a “second response signal Rs2”) that includes a second identification code of the portable apparatus40through the first antenna42. Even if the battery41is exhausted, the second communications control unit44can return the second response signal Rs2because power is supplied to the second communications control unit44through electromagnetic induction caused by the second request signal Rq2at the first antenna42.

The second communications control unit44is, for example, a transponder that has the second identification code used by an immobilizer device of the vehicle10. For example, a locking and unlocking control device12as the immobilizer device has an immobilizer function to use the second identification code to determine whether the vehicle10can be driven (for example, whether the engine can be started).

Hereinafter, the first identification code of the portable apparatus40included in the first response signal Rs1will be referred to as an “identification code Cm1”, and the second identification code of the portable apparatus40included in the second response signal Rs2will be referred to as an “identification code Cm2”. As long as it is possible for the on-vehicle apparatus11to identify the portable apparatus40, the identification code Cm1can be the same code data as the identification code Cm2, and also, the identification code Cm1can be code data different from the identification code Cm2.

The on-vehicle apparatus11has an operation detection unit24, the third antenna23, the reception part27, the locking and unlocking control device12, and an ECU19.

The operation detection unit24and the third antenna23are installed in a door outside handle22installed at an outside of a door, for example. The door outside handle22is a touch operation unit on which the user performs a touch operation (such as a gripping or pressing operation) from the outside of the vehicle10to unlock or lock the doors20.

The operation detection unit24detects an operation of a user who is beside a door20of the vehicle10to unlock or lock the doors20. Hereinafter, an operation of a user who is beside a door20of the vehicle10to unlock or lock the doors20may be simply referred to as a “user's operation”. The operation detection unit24may detect, for example, a touch operation performed on the door outside handle22as a user's operation, or may detect an operation performed on a button installed on a door20by a user as a user's operation. Also, the operation detection unit24may detect a user's operation using a result of a camera taking a picture, a result of receiving reflected wave in response to irradiated electric waves, or the like.

The operation detection unit24has, for example, an unlocking sensor25and a locking sensor26. The unlocking sensor25detects a user's operation to unlock the doors20(a user's unlocking operation), and the locking sensor26detects a user's operation to lock the doors20(a user's locking operation). Alternatively, the operation detection unit24may detect a user's operation detected in a state where the doors20have been locked as a user's unlocking operation, and may detect a user's operation detected in a state where the doors20have been unlocked as a user's locking operation.

The third antenna23is used to transmit the first request signal Rq1using electric waves of a LF band. Also, the third antenna23is used to transmit the second request signal Rq2using electric waves of a LF band, and is used to cause electromagnetic induction at the first antenna42of the portable apparatus40electromagnetically coupled with the third antenna23.

The reception part27receives the first response signal Rs1, and outputs the received result to the locking and unlocking control device12. The reception part27outputs the identification code Cm1included in the first response signal Rs1. The reception part27is, for example, a reception circuit such as a tuner for receiving electric waves of a UHF band.

The locking and unlocking control device12includes a verification control unit14, a locking and unlocking control unit13, a return determination unit18, a detection determination unit30, and a command unit17. The locking and unlocking control device12is, for example, an electronic control unit (ECU) that includes a microcomputer implementing the verification control unit14, the locking and unlocking control unit13, the return determination unit18, the detection determination unit30, and the command unit17. The verification control unit14has a first verification control unit15and a second verification control unit16.

The first verification control unit15carries out first verification control to verify the identification code Cm1included in the first response signal Rs1in a first wireless communications authentication mode where the on-vehicle apparatus11transmits the first request signal Rq1through the third antenna23, and receives the first response signal Rs1through the reception part27. The first request signal Rq1is a signal to request to return the identification code Cm1. The first verification control unit15carries out the first verification control to compare the identification code Cm1with a certain registered code Cr1previously registered in the vehicle10as a true code of the on-vehicle apparatus11, for example, and outputs the comparison result (i.e., the verification result) to the locking and unlocking control unit13.

The second verification control unit16carries out second verification control to verify the identification code Cm2included in the second response signal Rs2in a second wireless communications authentication mode where the on-vehicle apparatus11transmits the second request signal Rq2through the third antenna23, and receives the second response signal Rs2through the third antenna23. The second request signal Rq2is a signal to request to return the identification code Cm2. The second verification control unit16carries out the second verification control to compare the identification code Cm2with a certain registered code Cr2previously registered in the vehicle10as a true code of the on-vehicle apparatus11, for example, and outputs the comparison result (i.e., the verification result) to the locking and unlocking control unit13.

In the second wireless communications authentication mode, because communications through electromagnetic induction between the third antenna23and the first antenna42are used, the communicatable range is shorter than that in a case where communications are carried out in the first wireless communications authentication mode. Also, when communications are carried out in the first wireless communications authentication mode, communications between the first verification control unit15and the third antenna23are unidirectional communications, whereas, when communications are carried in the second wireless communications authentication mode, communications between the second verification control unit16and the third antenna23are bidirectional communications.

The locking and unlocking control unit13locks or unlocks the doors20based on the verification result of the first verification control of the first verification control unit15, or the verification result of the second verification control of the second verification control unit16. The locking and unlocking control unit13outputs an unlocking request signal or a locking request signal for the doors20to the ECU19when, for example, the identification code Cm1is the same as the registered code Cr1, or the identification code Cm2is the same as the registered code Cr2. The ECU19drives the motor21to switch the doors20from a locked state to an unlocked state according to the unlocking request signal, and drives the motor21to switch the doors20from an unlocked state to a locked state according to the locking request signal.

The return determination unit18determines whether the first response signal Rs1is returned after the first request signal Rq1is transmitted. For example, the return determination unit18determines that the first response signal Rs1is returned if it is detected that the first response signal Rs1is received by the reception part27. On the other hand, the return determination unit18determines that the first response signal Rs1is not returned if it is not detected that the first response signal Rs1is received by the reception part27.

If the return determination unit18determines that the first response signal Rs1is not returned, the detection determination unit30determines whether a user's operation has been being continuously detected by the operation detection unit24. The command unit17commands the verification control unit14according to the determined result of the detection determination unit30.

FIG. 2is a flowchart illustrating one example of operation of the locking and unlocking control device12of the on-vehicle apparatus11.FIG. 3is a timing chart illustrating one example of operation of the vehicle locking/unlocking system1. With reference toFIG. 3, respective steps illustrated inFIG. 2will now be described. Note thatFIG. 3illustrates one example where the first verification control is switched into the second verification control.

In step S10, the detection determination unit30determines whether a user's unlocking operation or locking operation (that is, a user's operation) is detected by the operation detection unit24. The operation detection unit24outputs, for example, a low level signal when the operation detection unit24has not detected a user's operation, and outputs a high level signal when the operation detection unit24has detected a user's operation.

If the detection determination unit30determines that the operation detection unit24has not detected a user's operation, the first verification control unit15does not start the first verification control. On the other hand, if the detection determination unit30determines that the operation detection unit24has detected a user's operation at a timing t1, the first verification control unit15starts the first verification control at a timing t2(step S20).

If the operation detection unit24has detected a user's operation, it can be estimated that a likelihood that a user is beside the vehicle10is high. Therefore, as a result of the first verification control being started when the user's operation is detected by the operation detection unit24, transmission of the first request signal Rq1is started if a likelihood that a user is beside the vehicle10is high. That is, because the first request signal Rq1is not transmitted if a likelihood that a user is beside the vehicle10is low, it is possible to prevent an increase of power consumption in the on-vehicle apparatus11.

In step S30, the return determination unit18determines whether the first response signal Rs1is returned after a start of transmission of the first request signal Rq1. If the return determination unit18determines that the first response signal Rs1is returned at a timing t3, for example, the first verification control unit15determines whether the identification code Cm1included in the first response signal Rs1is the same as the certain registered code Cr1(step S40).

If the verification in the first verification control unit15is successful (i.e., if the identification code Cm1included in the first response signal Rs1is the same as the certain registered code Cr1), the locking and unlocking control unit13locks or unlocks the doors20by outputting an unlocking request signal or a locking request signal to the ECU19(step S50). At this time, the locking and unlocking control unit13blinks hazard lamps or sounds a buzzer to allow the user to know that the doors20have been locked or unlocked. After step S50, the first verification control unit15ends the first verification control (step S130).

On the other hand, if the verification in the first verification control unit15has failed (i.e., if the identification code Cm1included in the first response signal Rs1is not the same as the certain registered code Cr1), the locking and unlocking control unit13does not lock or unlock the doors20, and the first verification control unit15ends the first verification control (step S130).

Also, in step S30, if the first response signal Rs1is not returned even after retry transmission of the first request signal Rq1, the return determination unit18reports to the detection determination unit30that the first response signal Rs1is not returned.

Then, in step S60, the detection determination unit30determines whether the user's operation has been continuously detected by the operation detection unit24. If the user's operation is detected by the operation detection unit24at a timing t4again after the user's operation is detected by the operation detection unit24at the timing t1, the detection determination unit30determines that the user's operation has been continuously detected by the operation detection unit24. On the other hand, if the user's operation is not detected by the operation detection unit24at the timing t4after the user's operation is detected by the operation detection unit24at the timing t1, the detection determination unit30determines that there is no state where the user's operation has been continuously detected by the operation detection unit24.

If the return determination unit18determines that the first response signal Rs1is not returned, and the detection determination unit30determines that there is no state where the user's operation has been continuously detected by the operation detection unit24, the command unit17commands the first verification control unit15to end the first verification control (step S130).

If the return determination unit18determines that the first response signal Rs1is not returned, and the detection determination unit30determines that there is no state where the user's operation has been continuously detected by the operation detection unit24, it can be estimated that a likelihood that the detection of the user's operation at the first timing t1is erroneous is high, and a likelihood that the user is beside the vehicle10is low. Therefore, if the return determination unit18determines that the first response signal Rs1is not returned, and the detection determination unit30determines that there is no state where the user's operation has been continuously detected by the operation detection unit24, the first verification control is ended. Thereby, if a likelihood that the user is beside the vehicle is low, the transmission of the first request signal Rq1is stopped, and thus, it is possible to prevent an increase of power consumption in the on-vehicle apparatus11.

On the other hand, if the return determination unit18determines that the first response signal Rs1is not returned, and the detection determination unit30determines that the user's operation has been continuously detected by the operation detection unit24, the command unit17commands the first verification control unit15to end the first verification control to switch the first verification control into the second verification control (step S70). Then, the command unit17commands the second verification control unit16to start the second verification control at a timing t5(step S80).

If the return determination unit18determines that the first response signal Rs1is not returned, and the detection determination unit30determines that the user's operation has been continuously detected by the operation detection unit24, it can be estimated that a likelihood that the user is beside the vehicle10is higher. Therefore, if the return determination unit18determines that the first response signal Rs1is not returned, and the detection determination unit30determines that the user's operation has been continuously detected by the operation detection unit24, the first verification control is ended and the second verification control is started. Thereby, if a likelihood that the user is beside the vehicle10is high, transmission of the second request signal Rq2is started. That is, if a likelihood that the user is beside the vehicle10is low, the second request signal Rq2is not transmitted, and therefore, it is possible to prevent an increase of power consumption in the on-vehicle apparatus11.

In step S90, the second verification control unit16determines whether the identification code Cm2included in the second response signal Rs2received as a response to the second request signal Rq2, if any, is the same as the certain registered code Cr2. If the verification in step S90is successful, i.e., if the identification code Cm2included in the second response signal Rs2received as a response to the second request signal Rq2is the same as the certain registered code Cr2, it can be estimated that the reason why the first response signal Rs1is not returned in step S30is that the battery41of the portable apparatus40is exhausted. Note that, if the state where the user's operation has been detected is changed into a state where the user's operation has not been detected (timing t6) before the verification in step S90, the determination result in step S90is not influenced.

If the verification in the second verification control unit16is successful (i.e., if the identification code Cm2included in the second response signal Rs2is the same as the certain registered code Cr2) at a timing t7, the locking and unlocking control unit13locks or unlocks the doors20at a timing t8by outputting an unlocking request signal or a locking request signal to the ECU19(step S100). At this time, the locking and unlocking control unit13blinks the hazard lamps or sounds the buzzer to allow the user to know that the doors20have been locked or unlocked. After step S100, the second verification control unit16ends the second verification control (step S120).

On the other hand, if the verification in step S90has failed (i.e., if the identification code Cm2included in the second response signal Rs2is not the same as the certain registered code Cr2, or the second response signal Rs2is not received), the second verification control unit16determines whether a certain period of time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since the second verification control was started (step S110). If the certain period of time has not been elapsed yet, the second verification control unit16repeats the verification in step S90. If the verification in step S90is still failing until the certain period of time has elapsed since the second verification control was started, the second verification control unit16ends the second verification control (step S120).

If the verification in step S90is still failing until the certain period of time has elapsed since the second verification control was started, it can be estimated that the user does not have the portable apparatus40with him or her, or the user does not have an authorized portable apparatus40. Therefore, if the verification in step S90is still failing until the certain period of time has elapsed since the second verification control was started, the second verification control is ended. Thus, if the user does not have the portable apparatus40with him or her, or the user does not have an authorized portable apparatus40, the transmission of the second request signal Rq2is stopped. As a result of the transmission of the second request signal Rq2being stopped, it is possible to prevent an increase of power consumption in the on-vehicle apparatus11if the user does not have the portable apparatus40with him or her, or the user does not have an authorized portable apparatus40.

FIG. 4illustrates another example of a configuration of a vehicle locking/unlocking system2. Description of elements the same as or similar to those inFIG. 1will be omitted. In the vehicle locking/unlocking system1ofFIG. 1, the antenna for transmitting the first request signal Rq1is the same as the antenna for causing electromagnetic induction in the on-vehicle apparatus10. Also, the antenna for receiving the first request signal Rq1is the same as the antenna at which electromagnetic induction is caused in the portable apparatus40. In contrast, in the vehicle locking/unlocking system2ofFIG. 4, an antenna for transmitting the first request signal Rq1is different from an antenna for causing electromagnetic induction in the on-vehicle apparatus10. Also, an antenna for receiving the first request signal Rq1is different from an antenna at which electromagnetic induction is caused in the portable apparatus40.

In the vehicle locking/unlocking system2, the third antenna23includes a transmission antenna28for transmitting the first request signal Rq1, and a coil antenna29for causing electromagnetic induction. Also, the first antenna42includes a reception antenna46for receiving the first request signal Rq1, and a coil antenna47at which electromagnetic induction is caused.

Thus, also in the vehicle locking/unlocking system2, in the same way as the vehicle locking/unlocking system1, it is possible to prevent an increase of power consumption in the on-vehicle apparatus11when a likelihood that a user is beside the vehicle10is low.

According to the above-described embodiments of the present invention, if a user's operation is detected by the operation detection unit, it can be estimated that a likelihood that the user is beside the vehicle is high. Therefore, if the operation detection unit detects a user's operation, the first verification control is started. Thus, if a likelihood that a user is beside the vehicle is high, transmission of the first request signal is started. That is, if a likelihood that a user is beside the vehicle is low, the first request signal is not transmitted, and therefore, it is possible to prevent an increase of power consumption in the on-vehicle apparatus.

Also, if the detection determination unit determines that there is no state where a user's operation has been continuously detected by the operation detection unit, a likelihood that a first detection of the user's operation may be erroneous is high, and it can be estimated that a likelihood that a user is beside the vehicle is low. Therefore, if the detection determination unit determines that there is no state where a user's operation has been continuously detected by the operation detection unit, the first verification control is ended. Thus, because transmission of the first request signal is stopped if a likelihood that the user is beside the vehicle is low, it is possible to prevent an increase of power consumption in the on-vehicle apparatus.

Also, if the detection determination unit determines that a user's operation has been continuously detected by the operation detection unit, it can be estimated that a likelihood that a user is beside the vehicle is high. Therefore, if the detection determination unit determines that a user's operation has been continuously detected by the operation detection unit, the first verification control is ended and the second verification control is started. Thereby, if a likelihood that a user is beside the vehicle is high, transmission of the second request signal is started. In other words, if a likelihood that a user is beside the vehicle is low, the second request signal is not transmitted, and therefore, it is possible to prevent an increase of power consumption in the on-vehicle apparatus.

Therefore, according to the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to prevent an increase of power consumption in an on-vehicle apparatus, if a likelihood that a user is beside a vehicle is low.

The on-vehicle apparatuses, the vehicle locking/unlocking systems, and the methods of controlling on-vehicle apparatuses have been described in the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Various modifications and/or improvements such as combinations with part of or all of another embodiment(s), a replacement(s) with part of another embodiment(s), and so forth, can be made within the scope of the present invention.

The present application is based on and claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Priority Application No. 2015-222473, filed on Nov. 12, 2015, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.