Abstract:
A non-contact control method and a non-contact control device are applied to a lock control device in a non-contact mode for manipulation. The non-contact control device includes a master control module and a slave control module. Both the master control module and the slave control module include a radio frequency identify (RFID) component and a Bluetooth component. In the master control module and the slave control module, the RFID component serves as first-layer authentication and unlocking and starts the Bluetooth component, and the Bluetooth component serves as second-layer authentication and unlocking and triggers a circuit control device. The master control module actively starts the slave control module and performs pairing and unlocking, so as to achieve a non-contact locking and control mode with low energy consumption and high security.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a non-contact control method and a non-contact control device, and more particularly to a non-contact control method and a non-contact control device integrating RFID and Bluetooth transmission mechanisms. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    Conventionally, vehicle keys are mechanical keys for opening vehicle doors or starting vehicles. However, concave-convex engraved patterns of the mechanical keys are easily copied, and the vehicle doors are easily damaged by external force and opened. Therefore, doubts about the security of the mechanical keys and latch tools are raised to a considerable degree. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, a non-contact key (keyless) is developed. Generally, the non-contact key adopts radio frequency identify (RFID) as a technology of sending and receiving signals. An RFID Reader is arranged on the vehicle for reading data of an RFID tag on the key. The RFID tag stores a unique identification code, which can be read by the RFID Reader. When the RFID Reader judges that the identification code of the RFID tag satisfies a preset value, the vehicle is allowed to be started. Although the non-contact latch tool cannot be easily damaged by the external force and opened, during an identification code transmission process performed by the RFID tag and the RFID Reader, the identification code still may be pirated. Therefore, the non-contact key still has the risk of being cracked. 
         [0006]    Another non-contact key adopts Bluetooth as a transmission technology. When a Bluetooth transmitting end and a Bluetooth receiving end transmit data, a used frequency is switched continuously. Furthermore, the transmitted data is encrypted with a special mechanism. Therefore, as compared with the RFID technology, the probability of being cracked of the data transmitted through Bluetooth is reduced significantly. That is to say, the security of the data transmitted through the Bluetooth is much higher than that transmitted through the RFID. 
         [0007]    However, if a Bluetooth transmitter is arranged on the non-contact key, power consumption required by the Bluetooth transmitter is much higher than the RFID tag. Furthermore, generally, when the Bluetooth transmitter is used for unlocking, the Bluetooth transmitter on the non-contact key actively searches another Bluetooth transmitter, and after the Bluetooth transmitter on the non-contact key actively completes pairing, the vehicle is allowed to be started. Therefore, the Bluetooth transmitter on the non-contact key is required to be designed specially, or is controlled by a special firmware, so as to achieve the above function. 
         [0008]    In short, the non-contact key can adopt the RFID or the Bluetooth as a wireless transmission mechanism, but both of the two technologies have their own advantages and disadvantages. The RFID has the advantage of being power-saving, but still has security doubts. On the contrary, the security of the Bluetooth is much higher than the RFID, but the power consumption is also much higher than RFID. That is to say, although the wireless transmission mechanism, for example, the RFID or the Bluetooth, is proposed in the prior art, a wireless transmission mechanism having the advantages of being power-saving and having the high security does not exist. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Accordingly, the present invention is a non-contact control device, which has advantages of being power-saving and having high security. 
         [0010]    The present invention provides a non-contact control device, which comprises a master control module and a slave control module. The master control module is electrically connected to a circuit control device. The master control module comprises an RFID emitter, a first Bluetooth transceiver, and a switch. The slave control module comprises an RFID receiver and a second Bluetooth transceiver. 
         [0011]    The switch is used to turn on the RFID emitter and the first Bluetooth transceiver of the master control module, and the RFID emitter sends a low-frequency start signal to the RFID receiver, so as to turn on the second Bluetooth transceiver. The first Bluetooth transceiver sends a searching signal to the second Bluetooth transceiver, and the second Bluetooth transceiver returns encrypted data to the first Bluetooth transceiver, such that the master control module sends a trigger signal to the circuit control device. 
         [0012]    In view of the above, in the non-contact control device and the non-contact control method according to the present invention, the master control module actively turns on the slave control module, such that the slave control module is maintained at a sleep and power-saving mode usually, so as to save power consumption. Furthermore, the RFID receiver firstly identifies whether the low-frequency start signal is correct, and the first Bluetooth transceiver also identifies an encrypted signal. That is to say, the non-contact control device and the non-contact control method require double identification, so as to reduce probability of being pirated, thereby further improving security in use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below for illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a system block diagram of a master control module; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a system block diagram of a first embodiment of a slave control module; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a system block diagram of a second embodiment of a slave control module; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a system block diagram of a third embodiment of a slave control module; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a first embodiment of a non-contact control method; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart of a second embodiment of a non-contact control method; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart of a third embodiment of a non-contact control method; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart of a fourth embodiment of the non-contact control method. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]      FIGS. 1 to 4  are system architectural diagrams of a non-contact control device according to the present invention. The non-contact control device comprises a master control module  10  and a slave control module  20 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a system block diagram of a master control module. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the master control module  10  comprises an RFID emitter  12  (a first RFID component), a first Bluetooth transceiver  14  (a first Bluetooth component), a switch  15 , a first microprocessor  16 , and a power supply  18 . 
         [0024]    The master control module  10  may be a latch tool installed in a body of a vehicle. The master control module  10  is electrically connected to a circuit control device  30 . The master control module  10  transmits a trigger signal to the circuit control device  30 . When receiving the trigger signal, the circuit control device  30  supplies power to an engine switch, so as to allow the vehicle to be started. The power of the master control module  10  is supplied by the power supply  18 . The power supply  18  may be a storage battery (a battery jar) of the vehicle. When the vehicle is started, a pulse current is generated in an instant. Therefore, the power supply  18  may provide a stable voltage for the master control module  10  after being processed by a voltage stabilizing circuit  19 . In addition to the function of stabilizing the voltage, the voltage stabilizing circuit  19  can also remove interferences of static electricity. 
         [0025]    The RFID emitter  12  is an RFID Reader used to emit an RFID low-frequency start signal. The first Bluetooth transceiver  14  is a wireless transmission element satisfying Bluetooth communication specifications. The RFID emitter  12 , the first Bluetooth transceiver  14 , and the first microprocessor  16  can be integrated into a system-on-chip (SOC) integrated circuit (IC), or each is an individual IC. 
         [0026]    The first microprocessor  16  is electrically connected to a switch  15 . When a user changes a state of the switch  15 , for example, switches the switch  15  from “OFF” to “ON”, the switch  15  transmits a start signal to the first microprocessor  16 . The first microprocessor  16  turns on the RFID emitter  12  and the first Bluetooth transceiver  14 . Here, the RFID emitter  12  sends a low-frequency start signal, and the first Bluetooth transceiver  14  searches whether another Bluetooth transceiver exists nearby. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a system block diagram of a first embodiment of a slave control module. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the slave control module  20  comprises an RFID receiver  22  (a second RFID component), a second Bluetooth transceiver  24  (a second Bluetooth component), and a second microprocessor  26 . 
         [0028]    The slave control module  20  is disposed in a non-contact key, and is used to interact with a master control module  10 . 
         [0029]    Power of the slave control module  20  is supplied by a power supply  25 . The power supply  25  is powered by a common battery, and the power is converted by a direct current (DC)/DC and then is supplied to the slave control module  20 . 
         [0030]    The RFID receiver  22  is an RFID tag. The second Bluetooth transceiver  24  is a wireless transmission element satisfying Bluetooth communication specifications. The RFID receiver  22 , the second Bluetooth transceiver  24 , and the second microprocessor  26  can be integrated into an SOC IC, or each is an individual IC. 
         [0031]    The second microprocessor  26  is electrically connected to the RFID receiver  22  and the second Bluetooth transceiver  24 . The second microprocessor  26  is in an OFF mode usually. When the RFID receiver  22  receives the low-frequency start signal emitted by the RFID emitter  12 , and identifies that the low-frequency start signal is correct, the RFID receiver  22  transmits an evoke signal to the second microprocessor  26 . 
         [0032]    Here, the second microprocessor  26  turns on the second Bluetooth transceiver  24 . The second Bluetooth transceiver  24  receives the searching signal of the first Bluetooth transceiver  14 , and returns an encrypted signal to the first Bluetooth transceiver  14 . The first Bluetooth transceiver  14  identifies the encrypted signal. After identifying that the encrypted signal is correct, the master control module  10  transmits a trigger signal to the circuit control device  30 , so as to allow the user to start the vehicle. The detailed operation modes of the master control module  10  and the slave control module  20  are described in detail hereinafter. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a system block diagram of a second embodiment of a slave control module. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the slave control module  20  comprises an RFID receiver  22 , a second Bluetooth transceiver  24 , a second microprocessor  26 , a power supply  25 , and a key  28 . 
         [0034]    In this embodiment, in a state that a user is allowed to start a vehicle, after the user presses down the key  28 , the slave control module  20  controls the master control module  10  to operate in a pairable mode. In the pairable mode, the first Bluetooth transceiver  14  of the master control module  10  is paired with a device with another Bluetooth transceiver. After being paired, the device with another Bluetooth transceiver has an unlocking authority and serves as a backup key. The device with the Bluetooth transceiver is, for example, a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA). 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  is a system block diagram of a third embodiment of a slave control module. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the slave control module  20  comprises an RFID receiver  22 , and second Bluetooth transceiver  24 , a second microprocessor  26 , a power supply  25 , a key  28 , and an indicating lamp  29 . 
         [0036]    Furthermore, the slave control module  20  reads a pairing parameter. The pairing parameter comprises, for example, (1) whether another Bluetooth transceiver requires inputting a password; (2) a quantity and a priority of another Bluetooth transceiver capable of being paired; (3) whether vehicle information is allowed to be transmitted to another Bluetooth transceiver. 
         [0037]    When the second microprocessor  26  detects that a voltage supplied by the power supply  25  is lower than a critical value, the indicating lamp  29  continuously flickers, so as to remind the user to replace the battery. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 1 to 4  illustrate hardware architectures of the master control module  10  and the slave control module  20 . For the detailed operation modes of the master control module  10  and the slave control module  20 , please refer to  FIGS. 5 to 8 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a first embodiment of a non-contact control method. 
         [0040]    In Step S 101 , when a state of a switch  15  is changed, the switch  15  transmits a start signal to a first microprocessor  16 . The first microprocessor  16  turns on an RFID emitter  12  and a first Bluetooth transceiver  14 . 
         [0041]    In Step S 102 , after being turned on, the RFID emitter  12  generates a low-frequency start signal. 
         [0042]    In Step S 201 , the RFID receiver  22  receives the low-frequency start signal. After receiving the low-frequency start signal, the RFID receiver  22  identifies whether the low-frequency start signal satisfies a preset value. The identification mechanism can be considered as first-layer authentication and unlocking. 
         [0043]    If the low-frequency start signal is identified to be correct, a second microprocessor  26  is switched from an OFF mode to an ON mode. In Step S 202 , the second microprocessor  26  turns on a second Bluetooth transceiver  24 . The second microprocessor  26  is switched to the ON mode only after receiving the low-frequency start signal, such that the second microprocessor  26  is maintained at a non-power consuming OFF mode in most of the other time. 
         [0044]    In Step S 103 , the first Bluetooth transceiver  14  sends a searching signal to search the second Bluetooth transceiver. In Step S 203 , after receiving the searching signal, the second Bluetooth transceiver  24  returns encrypted data to the first Bluetooth transceiver  14 . In Step S 104 , the first Bluetooth transceiver  14  decrypts the encrypted data, and identifies whether the decrypted data satisfies a preset value. The identification mechanism is considered as second-layer authentication and unlocking. 
         [0045]    If the decrypted data is identified to be correct, the first Bluetooth transceiver  14  notifies the second Bluetooth transceiver  24  that an authentication procedure is completed. 
         [0046]    In Step S 105 , the first Bluetooth transceiver  14  judges whether the authentication is completed. 
         [0047]    If yes, Step S 106  is performed, that is, the master control module  10  transmits a trigger signal to the circuit control device  30 , so as to allow a user to start a vehicle, and allow the user to open a vehicle door or directly start the vehicle. Moreover, in Step S 107 , the RFID emitter  12  is turned off. 
         [0048]    If no, it indicates that the switch  15  may be mis-touched, or the first Bluetooth transceiver  14  cannot search another Bluetooth transceiver. Therefore, the first Bluetooth transceiver  14  and the RFID emitter  12  are turned off. 
         [0049]    In Step S 204 , the second Bluetooth transceiver  24  judges whether the authentication is completed. 
         [0050]    If yes, Step S 205  is performed, and the RFID receiver  22  is turned off. When being turned off, the RFID receiver  22  enters a power-saving state, and still can receive signals. 
         [0051]    If no, it indicates that the slave control module  20  may be turned on due to an error signal. Therefore, the RFID receiver  22  and the second Bluetooth transceiver  24  are turned off, and the second microprocessor  26  is switched to the OFF mode. 
         [0052]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart of a second embodiment of a non-contact control method. In order to reduce probability of misjudgment in Step S 105 , in Step S 105 , if the first judgment is no, the first microprocessor  16  starts timing. When a timing result of the first microprocessor  16  is smaller than first preset time, the judgment in Step S 105  is performed. Therefore, as long as the authentication of the first Bluetooth transceiver  14  and the second Bluetooth transceiver  24  is completed within the first preset time, the probability of the misjudgment, in which the authentication cannot be completed, is reduced. Similarly, Step S 204  has the same mechanism. 
         [0053]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart of a third embodiment of a non-contact control method, and steps of  FIG. 7  follow Steps S 201  to S 206  and Steps S 101  to S 108  of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0054]    In Step S 207 , a second microprocessor  26  judges whether a key signal is received. If a user presses down a key  28 , the second microprocessor  26  receives the key signal. 
         [0055]    Then, in Step S 208 , a second Bluetooth transceiver  24  transmits a mode switching signal. In Step S 109 , a first Bluetooth transceiver  14  receives the mode switching signal. 
         [0056]    In Step S 111 , after receiving the mode switching signal, a master control module  10  is operated in a pairable mode. In the pairable mode, the master control module  10  can be paired with a device with another Bluetooth transceiver. After being paired, the device with another Bluetooth transceiver has an unlocking authority and serves as a backup key. 
         [0057]    In Step S 211 , after transmitting the mode switching signal, the second Bluetooth transceiver  24  is turned off, so as to save power consumption. Similarly, in Step S 112 , after being paired with another Bluetooth transceiver, the first Bluetooth transceiver  14  is turned off. 
         [0058]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart of a fourth embodiment of a non-contact control method. In order to further set an authority of another Bluetooth transceiver, a slave control module  20  sets a pairing parameter. 
         [0059]    In Step S 209 , the pairing parameter is read, and is received by a second microprocessor  26 . In Step S 210 , the pairing parameter is transmitted by a second Bluetooth transceiver  24 . 
         [0060]    In Step S 110 , the first Bluetooth transceiver  14  receives the pairing parameter. In Step S 111 , the first Bluetooth transceiver  14  is paired with another Bluetooth transceiver according to the pairing parameter. In this manner, it is possible to limit whether another Bluetooth transceiver requires inputting a password, a quantity and the priority of another Bluetooth transceiver capable of being paired, or whether another Bluetooth transceiver can read vehicle information. 
         [0061]    In view of the above, in the non-contact control device and the non-contact control method according to the present invention, the master control module  10  actively turns on the slave control module  20 , such that the slave control module  20  is maintained at the OFF mode usually, so as to save the power consumption. Furthermore, the RFID receiver  22  firstly identifies whether the low-frequency start signal is correct, and the first Bluetooth transceiver  14  identifies the encrypted signal. In other words, the non-contact control device and the non-contact control method require double identification (the first-layer authentication and unlocking and the second-layer authentication and unlocking), so as to reduce probability of being pirated, thereby further improving security in use. 
         [0062]    In addition, in the non-contact control device and the non-contact control method according to the present invention, the first Bluetooth transceiver is paired with another Bluetooth transceiver, such that another Bluetooth transceiver has the unlocking authority and serves as the backup key. As the pairing process is performed by the first Bluetooth transceiver of the master control module, any device with another Bluetooth transceiver, for example, a common Bluetooth mobile phone, can serve as the backup key after being paired. In the present invention, authorities of the backup keys are further managed by using parameters of the slave control module, so as to improve the security.