Patent Publication Number: US-2018037194-A1

Title: Electronic key system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an electronic key system that enables operation of a device after authenticating an electronic key. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Patent document 1 discloses an electronic key system that transmits a polling signal from a vehicle to form a communication area. When an electronic key exists in the communication area, the electronic key transmits a response signal to establish wireless communication between the vehicle and the electronic key. After authenticating the electronic key through the wireless communication, the electronic key system enables operation of the vehicle. Such type of an electronic key includes an operation button that instructs operation of the vehicle. When the operation button is operated, a wireless signal is transmitted from the electronic key. The vehicle analyzes the wireless signal, authenticates the electronic key, and performs a vehicle operation in accordance with an operation instruction included in the wireless signal. 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2007-170162 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems that are to be Solved by the Invention 
     To perform a button operation, the electronic key needs to be taken out of a pocket or a bag. This is troublesome. Further, when increasing the types of vehicle operations that can be performed with button operations, the number of operation buttons increases and enlarges the electronic key. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic key system that enables an operation of a device through an intuitive action instead of a button operation. 
     Means for Solving the Problem 
     An electronic key system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a device that is subject to operation, an electronic key that is authenticatable by the device, and a wearable device that is wearable by a user. The wearable device is capable of recognizing an intention communication action of the user. The device is configured to authenticate the electronic key and permit a device operation associated with the intention communication action of the user recognized by the wearable device. 
     This configuration allows the device to be operated through an intention communication action of the user using the wearable device. Thus, the device can be operated through an intuitive action instead of a button operation. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     The electronic key system of the present disclosure allows for an operation of the device through an intuitive action instead of a button operation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of an electronic key system. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram showing how a door is unlocked through an intention communication action of a user in a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram showing how only a driver seat door is unlocked through an intention communication action of a user in a second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     First Embodiment 
     A first embodiment of an electronic key system will now be described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an electronic key system  1  includes an electronic key  2  and a vehicle  3 , which is one example of a device that is subject to operation. In the first embodiment, bidirectional wireless communication can be performed between the electronic key  2  and the vehicle  3 , and unidirectional communication can be directed from the electronic key  2  to the vehicle  3 . An LF (low frequency) band radio wave and a UHF (ultrahigh frequency) band radio wave are used for bidirectional wireless communication, and a UHF band radio wave is used for unidirectional wireless communication. 
     The electronic key  2  includes a microcomputer  21  that centrally controls the electronic key  2 , an LF reception circuit  22  that can receive an LF band radio wave, and a UHF transmission circuit  23  that can transmit a UHF band radio wave. When the LF reception circuit  22  receives a polling signal  11 , which is an LF band radio wave, the microcomputer  21  transmits a response signal  12  including an ID (identification) unique to the electronic key  2  from the UHF transmission circuit  23 . 
     The electronic key  2  includes a lock button  24  that is operated to instruct locking of the vehicle door and an unlock button  25  that is operated to instruct unlocking of the vehicle door. When the lock button  24  is operated, the microcomputer  21  transmits a wireless signal  13  including the ID of the electronic key  2  and an operation code that instructs locking of the vehicle door from the UHF transmission circuit  23 . Further, when the unlock button  25  is operated, the microcomputer  21  transmits the wireless signal  13  including the ID of the electronic key  2  and an operation code that instructs unlocking of the vehicle door from the UHF transmission circuit  23 . 
     The vehicle  3  includes a verification electronic control unit (ECU)  31  that mainly controls security, an LF transmitter  32  that can transmit an LF band radio wave such as the polling signal  11 , and a UHF receiver  33  that can receive a UHF band radio wave. The verification ECU  31  is one example of a device controller that performs security control and device control. When the vehicle door is locked, the verification ECU  31  transmits the polling signal  11  from the LF transmitter  32  and forms a communication area around the vehicle  3  in order to monitor the approaching of the electronic key  2 . When the UHF receiver  33  receives the response signal  12  after the transmission of the polling signal  11 , the verification ECU  31  analyzes the response signal  12  and authenticates the electronic key  2 . The verification ECU  31  stores a reference ID that verifies the ID of the electronic key  2 . When the ID included in the response signal  12  corresponds to the reference ID, the verification ECU  31  permits unlocking of all of the doors. This allows the user to open the vehicle door through a door handle operation. 
     In the same manner, when the UHF receiver  33  receives the wireless signal  13 , the verification ECU  31  analyzes the wireless signal  13  and authenticates the electronic key  2 . When the ID included in the wireless signal  13  corresponds to the reference ID, the verification ECU  31  locks or unlocks the vehicle door in accordance with an operation code (unlocking instruction or locking instruction) that is included in the wireless signal  13 . 
     The electronic key system  1  further includes a wearable device  4  that is wearable by a user. In order to communicate with the wearable device  4 , the electronic key  2  includes a near field communication transceiver  26  that can perform near field communication such as BLUETOOTH (registered trademark) or near field communication (NFC). 
     The wearable device  4  is, for example, smart glasses, a smart watch, or a smart ring. The wearable device  4  includes a recognition unit  41  that can recognize an intention communication action of a user through, for example, a voice or a gesture. The recognition unit  41  includes, for example, a voice recognition unit that recognizes the voice of the user and/or an image recognition unit that recognizes a gesture of the user. Alternatively, the recognition unit  41  may be a touch panel unit. In this case, the touch panel unit recognizes an operation performed by the user on the touch panel as an intention communication action of the user. In the wearable device  4 , predetermined specific intention communication actions are associated with device operations (in this example, vehicle operations). When the wearable device  4  recognizes a specific intention communication action, the wearable device  4  transmits a function ID to the electronic key  2  through near field communication. The function ID indicates identification information of the vehicle operation that corresponds to the intention communication action. 
     When the near field communication transceiver  26  receives a function ID, the microcomputer  21  of the electronic key  2  executes an interruption process and transmits a control signal  14  from the UHF transmission circuit  23  including an operation code that requests for the vehicle operation indicated by the function ID and the ID of the electronic key  2 . 
     When the UHF receiver  33  receives the control signal  14 , the verification ECU  31  of the vehicle  3  analyzes the control signal  14  and authenticates the electronic key  2 . When the ID included in the control signal  14  corresponds to the reference ID, the verification ECU  31  performs the vehicle operation corresponding to the operation code included in the control signal  14 . For example, when the function ID indicates unlocking of the vehicle door, the verification ECU  31  unlocks the vehicle door in response to the operation code that requests for unlocking of the vehicle door. 
     In BLUETOOTH (registered trademark), one of a master and a slave is generally set in a discoverable state, and a discovery operation is performed by the other one of the master and the slave. When the master and the slave approach each other, a list of discoverable surrounding devices is presented. A desired connection peer is specified from the list. When the same authentication key is input to the master and the slave and the exchange of the authentication key is finished, pairing is completed. Once devices are paired, connection will be automatically or semi-automatically established from the next time without the need for inputting an authentication key. 
     The operation of the electronic key system  1  will now be described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , when the user who is wearing the wearable device  4  and carrying the electronic key  2  uses his or her voice to express words that instruct unlocking of the vehicle door, the wearable device  4  analyzes the voice. The voice corresponds to an intention communication action that instructs unlocking of the vehicle door. 
     When the wearable device  4  recognizes the intention communication action that instructs unlocking of the vehicle door, the wearable device  4  transmits the function ID that indicates unlocking of the vehicle door to the electronic key  2  through BLUETOOTH (registered trademark). The vehicle operation specified by the function ID is not limited to unlocking of the vehicle door. Other vehicle operations include, for example, the locking of the vehicle door, the opening of a trunk, the starting of a panic function together with an alarm (activation of horn, intermittent illumination of light, and the like), the starting of a power sliding door (PSD) function, and the starting of a power back door (PBD) function. The function ID corresponding to each vehicle operation is associated with a unique intention communication action. 
     When the electronic key  2  obtains a function ID from the wearable device  4 , the electronic key  2  executes an interruption process and transmits the control signal  14  to the vehicle  3  including the ID of the electronic key  2  and the operation code that instructs the vehicle operation (unlocking of vehicle door) indicated by the function ID. In the first embodiment, the electronic key  2  can perform bidirectional wireless communication with the vehicle  3 . However, the electronic key  2  may be a wireless key that does not function to perform bidirectional wireless communication with the vehicle  3 . That is, the electronic key  2  only needs to be able to perform at least unidirectional wireless communication directed from the electronic key  2  to the vehicle  3  (device). 
     When the vehicle  3  obtains the control signal  14  from the electronic key  2 , the vehicle  3  analyzes the control signal  14 , authenticates the electronic key  2 , and unlocks the vehicle door in response to the operation code in the control signal  14 . 
     As described above, the first embodiment has the following advantages. 
     (1) The vehicle  3  can be operated through an intention communication action of a user through the wearable device  4 . This allows the vehicle  3  to be operated through an intuitive action instead of a button operation of the electronic key  2 . 
     (2) Based on a function ID obtained from the wearable device  4 , the electronic key  2  requests the vehicle  3  (device) to perform the vehicle operation (device operation) indicated by the function ID. Thus, there is no need for the electronic key  2  to function to recognize an intention communication action of a user. This simplifies the control of the electronic key  2 . 
     (3) When the electronic key  2  obtains a function ID from the wearable device  4 , the electronic key  2  executes an interruption process and requests the vehicle  2  (device) to perform the vehicle operation (device operation) indicated by the function ID. In this configuration, priority is given to the operation of the vehicle  3  when a user performs an intention communication action. 
     (4) The vehicle  3  (device) analyzes the control signal  14  from the electronic key  2 , authenticates the electronic key  2 , and operates the vehicle  3  in accordance with an instruction received from the control signal  14 . In this manner, the electronic key  2  ensures the exchange of signals with the vehicle  3 . Thus, convenient functions can be added on while maintaining the security. 
     (5) The number of buttons of the electronic key  2  can be reduced. 
     (6) Vehicle operations are specified by device IDs. Thus, the same electronic key  2  can be used for different vehicle types. This allows the same electronic key  2  to be shared by different vehicle types. 
     (7) Pairing of the wearable device  4  and the electronic key  2  that are usually used by the user allows the vehicle  3  to be operated through an intuitive action instead of direct operation of the electronic key  2 . 
     (8) The wearable device  4  has the function for recognizing an intention communication action. This simplifies the configuration and control of the electronic key  2 . 
     (9) There is no need for the vehicle  3  or the electronic key  2  to include a special sensor or execute a special control. This allows the system to be configured at a low cost. 
     Second Embodiment 
     A second embodiment of an electronic key system will now be described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , when a user wearing the wearable device  4  and carrying the electronic key  2  enters a communication area AR (smart vehicle exterior area) formed by the polling signal  11  of an LF band, the electronic key  2  notifies the wearable device  4  using BLUETOOTH (registered trademark) that the user has entered the communication area AR. 
     The wearable device  4  includes a messaging unit  42 . The messaging unit  42  includes, for example, a voice messaging unit and a display unit. When the wearable device  4  receives an area entry notification from the electronic key  2 , the wearable device  4  issues an area entry message A 1  for the user with a voice, a display, or the like. Further, when the wearable device  4  receives an area entry notification from the electronic key  2 , the wearable device  4  issues a message A 2  with the messaging unit  42  requesting the user to permit a vehicle operation. The message A 2  may request the user to, for example, select the vehicle operation that is to be permitted. For example, the content of the message A 2  is “Do you want to unlock the door?” in  FIG. 3 . 
     When the user receives the messages A 1  and A 2 , the user uses, for example, his or her voice to express words that instruct unlocking of only the driver seat door. The voice (intention communication action) is analyzed by the wearable device  4 , and the vehicle operation is performed in the same manner as the first embodiment. Here, only the driver seat door is unlocked. In the same manner as the first embodiment, the vehicle operation is not limited to only unlocking of the driver seat door. The vehicle operation may be, for example, the unlocking of the front doors that include the driver seat door and a passenger seat door, the unlocking of the trunk, and the unlocking of all of the vehicle doors. The vehicle operation is not limited to only the unlocking of the vehicle door and may be a different vehicle operation. 
     As described above, the second embodiment has the following advantages. 
     (10) The operation of the vehicle  3  is limited to intention communication actions performed in the communication area AR (smart vehicle exterior area) formed by the polling signal  11  of an LF band. Thus, the electronic key  2  does not perform unnecessary communication action outside the range allowing for communication with the vehicle  3 . Further, this allows the user to easily understand a timing for performing an intention communication action to request for a vehicle operation. 
     (11) When the user enters the communication area AR, the wearable device  4  issues the message A 2  that requests for permission of a vehicle operation. Thus, as long as the user does not permit a vehicle operation (i.e., as long as user does not perform an intention communication action), the vehicle operation is not performed. This improves the security. 
     (12) Only vehicle operations selected by the user are performed. 
     Each of the above embodiments may be modified as described below. 
     Intention communication actions and vehicle operations may be associated with one another in each of a plurality of wearable devices  4 . This configuration allows the user to select a desired vehicle operation with one of a plurality of wearable devices  4  such as smart glasses, a smart watch, and a smart ring. 
     Intention communication actions and vehicle operations may be associated with one another in a cloud computer (server). In this case, the registration of a vehicle operation to the cloud computer (association with intention communication action) may be performed with an application of the wearable device  4 . In this configuration, a vehicle operation can be performed with an intention communication action that is the same for each of the wearable devices  4 . 
     The device is not limited to the vehicle  3 . Further, the electronic key  2  only needs to be a wireless key that can perform wireless communication and is not limited to a vehicle key. Other examples of the device include a building door device, an illumination device, an electronic appliance, and the like. That is, the electronic key system of each of the above embodiments and each modified example is applicable to various devices that perform a device operation after authentication of the electronic key  2 . 
     The electronic key  2  of the first embodiment does not have to include the lock button  24 , the unlock button  25 , and the LF reception circuit  22 . 
     The electronic key  2  of the second embodiment does not have to include the lock button  24  and the unlock button  25 . 
     Although not particularly mentioned in each of the above embodiments, the microcomputer  21  of the electronic key  2  can be realized by a versatile processor. The processor is coupled to a memory  21 A (refer to  FIG. 1 ) that stores an instruction (program) executable by the processor. The processor executes an instruction to request the vehicle  3  to perform a vehicle operation (device operation) through communication with the wearable device  4 . Thus, the present disclosure includes the following technical concepts of the electronic key  2 . 
     Embodiment 1 
     An electronic key ( 2 ) including: 
     an electronic key processor ( 21 ) that is authenticatable by a device ( 3 ) that is subject to operation; 
     a transmission circuit ( 23 ) capable of transmitting a wireless signal to the device ( 3 ); 
     a transceiver ( 26 ) capable of communicating with a wearable device ( 4 ) that is wearable by a user; and 
     a memory ( 21 A) coupled to the processor ( 21 ) and configured to store an instruction that is executable by the processor ( 21 ), wherein 
     execution of the instruction allows the processor ( 21 ) to function to: 
     receive a function ID corresponding to an intention communication action of a user recognized by the wearable device ( 4 ) with the transceiver ( 26 ); and 
     transmit a control signal ( 14 ) including an operation code, which requests for a device operation indicated by the function ID, and an electronic key ID, which is used to authenticate the electronic key ( 2 ), from the transmission circuit ( 23 ) to the device ( 3 ). 
     Embodiment 2 
     The electronic key ( 2 ) according to embodiment 1, further including: 
     a reception circuit ( 22 ) capable of receiving a wireless signal from the device ( 3 ), wherein 
     execution of the instruction allows the processor ( 21 ) to further function to: 
     determine whether or not to receive a polling signal ( 11 ) from the device ( 3 ); 
     transmit a response signal ( 12 ) from the transmission circuit ( 23 ) to the device ( 3 ) when the reception circuit ( 22 ) receives the polling signal; 
     notify the wearable device ( 4 ) that the user has entered a communication area (AR) formed by the polling signal; and 
     receive the function ID from the wearable device after notifying the user of entry into the communication area. 
     Although not mentioned in each of the above embodiments, the verification ECU  31  of the vehicle  3  (device) includes a processor and a memory in the same manner as the electronic key  2 . The processor of the verification ECU  31  performs the security control and device control by executing an instruction stored in the memory.