JP2013014970A - Electronic key - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic key that enables power storage means to be charged by using short-distance radio communication, for example NFC communication.SOLUTION: An electronic key includes an NFC device 27 for performing NFC communication with a mobile phone 30, a long-distance radio communication device for performing long-distance radio communication with a vehicle, and a capacitor 26b. In the electronic key, the NFC device 27 converts a power radio wave sent from the mobile phone 30 to a direct current and supplies the converted direct current to the capacitor 26b.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic key.

  In the conventional electronic key system, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to control door locking and unlocking through wireless communication between an electronic key carried by a user and a vehicle or the like.

JP 2010-93416 A

  In recent years, there is a demand for confirming vehicle information, for example, the remaining battery level and the presence / absence of a door lock at a position away from the vehicle. Thus, a system for wirelessly transferring vehicle information to a mobile phone via an electronic key has been considered.

  That is, recent mobile phones are equipped with NFC (Near Field Communication) devices. Data can be exchanged between terminals equipped with this NFC device. This NFC device is mounted on an electronic key. The electronic key transfers vehicle information received through wireless communication with the vehicle to the mobile phone via NFC communication. The mobile phone displays the received vehicle information on its display. The user can confirm vehicle information through visual recognition of the display.

  However, the electronic key of such a system has a problem of running out of battery. When the battery runs out, the user may not be in a situation where the battery can be replaced immediately. For this reason, there is a possibility that the vehicle cannot be controlled or the previous system cannot be used.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic key capable of charging power storage means using short-range wireless communication.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1 is a first communication device that performs short-range wireless communication with a first communication master including a notification unit, and a second that is also a control target. A second communication device that performs long-distance wireless communication with the communication master and a power storage unit, and consumes electric power of the power storage unit and performs various wireless communication with the first and second communication masters. In the electronic key for performing communication, the first communication device converts a power radio wave transmitted from the first communication master into a direct current, and a converter that supplies the converted direct current to the power storage unit. The gist is to provide.

  According to this configuration, if there is a first communication master capable of short-range wireless communication, the electronic key can be charged regardless of location and time. That is, it becomes easy to handle when the battery runs out.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic key according to the first aspect, the first communication master transmits a command signal indicating that the electronic key requests transmission of battery remaining amount information. When the electronic key receives a command signal from the first communication master, the electronic key transmits information on the remaining battery level to the first communication master via the short-range wireless communication, and the first communication The gist is that the master notifies the information from the electronic key through the notification means.

  According to this configuration, since the user can know the remaining battery level of the electronic key through the notification unit of the first communication master, it is not necessary to provide a notification unit that notifies the electronic key of the remaining battery level information. Therefore, the configuration of the electronic key can be simplified.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic key according to the first or second aspect, the electronic key communicates with the second communication through a long-distance wireless communication with a second communication master as a control target. The gist is to acquire master information and transmit the acquired information of the second communication master to the first communication master by the short-range wireless communication.

  According to this configuration, the electronic key transfers information on the second communication master to the first communication master. Since the 1st communication master can alert | report the information transmitted from an electronic key, a user acquires the information of a 2nd communication master through a 1st communication master.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic key according to any one of the first to third aspects, the power storage means is a capacitor, and the electronic key is replaceable in addition to the capacitor. And when the remaining battery power of the battery is reduced, the power of the battery is consumed when the wireless communication cannot be performed. The gist is to perform the various wireless communications.

  According to this configuration, the electronic key can wirelessly communicate with the first and second communication masters by charging the capacitor as a connection until the battery is replaced.

  In the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic key that can charge the power storage means using short-range wireless communication.

The block diagram which shows the outline of the electronic key system in this embodiment. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the charging system in the embodiment. The circuit diagram of the NFC apparatus in the embodiment. (A) is a perspective view of a mobile phone showing a display image prompting to hold the electronic key displayed on the display of the embodiment, (b) is a perspective view of the mobile phone showing a place where the electronic key is held up. The circuit diagram of the NFC apparatus of another example of this embodiment.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an electronic key will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 is equipped with an electronic key system 1 that executes ID verification using a radio signal communicated with the electronic key 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic key 20 is equipped with an NFC communication system 2 that performs near field communication (NFC communication) with the mobile phone 30.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 includes an in-vehicle control unit 11 that controls various in-vehicle devices, and an LF transmission that is electrically connected to the in-vehicle control unit 11 and transmits a request signal in an LF (Low Frequency) band. And a UHF receiver 13 that receives a response signal in the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band. The vehicle 10 also includes a door lock device 14 and an engine starter 15 that are also electrically connected to the in-vehicle controller 11.

  The in-vehicle control unit 11 is provided with a nonvolatile memory 11a. An ID code unique to the vehicle 10 is stored in the memory 11a. The in-vehicle controller 11 performs wireless communication with the electronic key 20 through the LF transmitter 12 and the UHF receiver 13. The in-vehicle control unit 11 determines whether or not the electronic key 20 in communication corresponds to itself through transmission / reception of wireless communication including an ID code performed with the electronic key 20. And when it is judged that it corresponds to self, operation of door lock device 14 and engine starting device 15 is permitted or performed. In this example, the vehicle-mounted control unit 11 includes its own vehicle information in addition to the ID code in the radio signal.

  The electronic key 20 includes an electronic key control unit 21 configured by a computer unit including a CPU or the like. The electronic key control unit 21 is electrically connected to an LF reception unit 22 that receives a radio signal in the LF band and a UHF transmission unit 23 that transmits a radio signal in the UHF band.

  When receiving the request signal, which is an LF band radio signal intermittently transmitted from the vehicle 10, the LF receiving unit 22 demodulates the request signal into a pulse signal and outputs the demodulated signal to the electronic key control unit 21. .

  The electronic key control unit 21 includes a nonvolatile memory 21a, and an ID code unique to the electronic key 20 is stored in the memory 21a. When the electronic key control unit 21 recognizes the request signal demodulated by the LF reception unit 22, the electronic key control unit 21 outputs a response signal including the ID code stored in the memory 21 a to the UHF transmission unit 23. The UHF transmitter 23 modulates the response signal and transmits the modulated response signal as a radio signal in the UHF band. Note that the request signal includes information on the vehicle 10. Accordingly, the electronic key control unit 21 acquires the information of the vehicle 10 through the transmission and reception of the series of wireless communication, and stores the acquired information in its own memory 21a.

  The electronic key 20 includes a lock switch 24 and an unlock switch 25. These switches 24 and 25 are electrically connected to the electronic key control unit 21. When the lock switch 24 or the unlock switch 25 is operated and an electric signal indicating that is inputted, the electronic key control unit 21 locks or unlocks the ID code stored in the memory 21a and the vehicle door. A wireless signal including the operation content to be shown is generated, and this signal is output to the UHF transmitter 23. The UHF transmission unit 23 modulates a wireless signal and transmits the modulated wireless signal as a UHF band radio signal.

  Furthermore, the electronic key 20 includes a power supply unit 26 and an NFC device 27. The power supply unit 26 includes a replaceable battery (primary battery) 26a and a capacitor 26b that can be charged and discharged. The power supply unit 26 supplies the power of the battery 26 a or the capacitor 26 b to each part of the electronic key 20 such as the electronic key control unit 21. The electronic key control unit 21 operates by consuming electric power supplied from the power supply unit 26.

  An NFC device 27 is connected to the capacitor 26b. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the NFC device 27 includes an NFC control unit 271 configured by a computer unit including a CPU and the like. The NFC control unit 271 includes an NFC antenna 272 that transmits and receives a modulated magnetic field and an unmodulated magnetic field to and from the mobile phone 30, and an alternating current based on the unmodulated magnetic field received by the NFC antenna 272 is changed to a direct current. A converter 273 for sending to the capacitor 26b is connected. The circuit configuration of the NFC device 27 will be described in detail later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile phone 30 includes a telephone device 31, an NFC device 32, an operation switch (button) 33, a display 34, and a battery 35 for making a call. The battery 35 is a secondary battery that can be charged from an external power source. The battery 35 supplies power to each unit of the mobile phone 30 such as the telephone device 31 and the NFC device 32.

  The telephone device 31 includes a microphone 311, a speaker 312, an antenna 313, and a telephone control unit 314 that comprehensively controls them. An operation switch 33 and a display 34 are connected to the telephone control unit 314. The user inputs control information to the telephone control unit 314 through operation of the operation switch 33. The telephone control unit 314 controls each unit of the microphone 311, the speaker 312, and the antenna 313 based on the input control information. In addition, the telephone control unit 314 displays its own control information on the display 34. The telephone control unit 314 is provided with a memory 314a. In the memory 314a, a telephone number, a mail address, and necessary applications are stored in advance.

  The telephone control unit 314 exchanges radio signals including voice data with other telephones through the antenna 313 based on information input through the operation switch 33. When voice is input through the microphone 311, the telephone control unit 314 converts voice data associated with the voice into a radio signal and transmits the radio signal from the antenna 313. In addition, when the telephone control unit 314 receives a radio signal including voice data from another telephone through the antenna 313, the telephone control unit 314 demodulates the radio signal into voice data and outputs the voice based on the voice data to the outside through the speaker 312.

  The NFC device 32 includes an NFC control unit 321 configured by a computer unit including a CPU and the like. The NFC control unit 321 is connected to an NFC antenna 322 that transmits and receives a modulated magnetic field and a non-modulated magnetic field, and an inverter 323 that converts the direct current of the battery 35 into an alternating current and sends the alternating current to the NFC antenna 322. The NFC control unit 321 is provided with a memory 321a. In addition, a communication application for starting up the NFC communication system 2 is stored in advance in the memory 321a. This communication application includes an information acquisition mode for acquiring information of the vehicle 10 and the electronic key 20 stored in the memory 21a of the electronic key 20, and a charging mode for charging the capacitor 26b of the electronic key 20. When the communication application is activated, the NFC control unit 321 enters an information acquisition mode. Switching from the information acquisition mode to the charging mode is performed through the operation switch 33. The NFC control unit 321 is connected to the telephone control unit 314. That is, control information input to the telephone control unit 314 through the operation switch 33 is transmitted from the telephone control unit 314 to the NFC control unit 321. The memory 321a stores a display image that prompts the user to hold the electronic key 20 over the mobile phone 30 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4B, in this example, a mark that prompts the user to hold the electronic key 20 over a portion of the mobile phone 30 that can suitably perform NFC communication is shown. The user can suitably perform NFC communication between the electronic key 20 and the mobile phone 30 by holding the electronic key 20 over the mark. The NFC control unit 321 displays the display image shown in FIG. 4A on the display 34 via the telephone control unit 314 during activation of the communication application.

  The NFC control unit 321 outputs a modulation signal for requesting information of the electronic key 20 to the NFC antenna 322 when the communication application is activated and is in the information acquisition mode. The NFC antenna 322 converts the modulated signal into a modulated magnetic field and transmits it.

  When the NFC antenna 322 receives a modulation magnetic field including information stored in the memory 21 a from the electronic key 20, the NFC antenna 322 converts the modulation magnetic field into a modulation signal, and outputs the converted modulation signal to the NFC control unit 321. The NFC control unit 321 stores the information included in the modulated signal in its own memory 321 a and outputs this information to the telephone control unit 314. The telephone control unit 314 causes the input information to be displayed on the display 34. This information includes the remaining battery level of the battery 26a. That is, the display 34 displays information on the remaining battery level of the battery 26a.

  In addition, when the operation switch 33 is operated to switch from the information acquisition mode to the charging mode, the NFC control unit 321 sends the direct current stored in the battery 35 to the inverter 323. The inverter 323 converts a direct current into an alternating current and sends it to the NFC antenna 322. The NFC antenna 322 converts the alternating current into an unmodulated magnetic field and transmits it.

Next, the circuit configuration of the NFC device 27 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 3, the NFC antenna 272 is provided with a first circuit C <b> 1 connected to the NFC control unit 271 and a second circuit C <b> 2 connected to the converter 273. These first and second circuits C1 and C2 are switched by a switch 275 so that one of them is closed. Switching control of the switch 275 is performed by the NFC control unit 271. The capacitor 26b is provided with a third circuit C3 connected to the NFC control unit 271 and a fourth circuit C4 connected to the converter 273. The third and fourth circuits C3 and C4 are switched by a switch 276 so that one of them is closed. Switching control of the switch 276 is performed by the NFC control unit 271.

Next, the operation of the NFC device 27 will be described.
When the NFC antenna 272 receives a modulation magnetic field requesting information from the mobile phone 30, the NFC antenna 272 converts this into a modulation signal and sends it to the NFC control unit 271. This signal includes a command indicating that the first and fourth circuits C1 and C4 are closed. When the NFC control unit 271 receives this modulation signal, the NFC control unit 271 generates a modulation signal including information stored in its own memory 271a, and transmits the modulation signal to the NFC antenna 272 again. The NFC antenna 272 switches this modulated signal to a modulated magnetic field and transmits it to the outside.

  When the NFC antenna 272 receives an unmodulated magnetic field from the mobile phone 30, it converts it into an unmodulated signal and sends it to the NFC control unit 271. When receiving the non-modulated signal, the NFC control unit 271 switches the switches 275 and 276. As a result, the second and fourth circuits C2 and C4 are closed. Therefore, the unmodulated signal is sent from the NFC antenna 272 to the converter 273. The converter 273 converts an unmodulated signal, that is, an alternating current into a direct current and sends it to the capacitor 26b. Thereby, the capacitor 26b is charged.

  Note that the NFC control unit 271 switches the switch 276 so that the third circuit C3 is closed when the battery 26a has run out when the electronic key control unit 21 performs wireless communication with the vehicle 10. Thereby, the electric power stored in the capacitor 26 b is sent to the electronic key control unit 21.

Next, a series of flows when charging from the mobile phone 30 to the electronic key 20 will be described.
When the mobile phone 30 in a state where the communication application is activated is operated and the NFC control unit 321 is set to the information acquisition mode, the mobile phone 30 transmits the vehicle information and the electronic key 20 through the NFC communication with the electronic key 20. Get battery level information. At this time, if it is determined that the remaining battery level is low, that effect is displayed on the display 34. The user can recognize that the remaining battery level is low through visual recognition of the display 34. When it is determined that the battery level of the electronic key 20 is low, the mobile phone 30 displays a message relating to the charging method on the display 34 as shown in FIG. Switch to charge mode. Thus, the user can smoothly charge the electronic key 20 from the mobile phone 30 when the battery of the electronic key 20 is low.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The NFC device 27 is provided in the electronic key 20. As a result, the electronic key 20 can perform NFC communication with the mobile phone 30 provided with the NFC device 32. In response to a request from the mobile phone 30, the electronic key 20 can send its own information (remaining battery capacity) to the mobile phone 30 through NFC communication. The mobile phone 30 is provided with notification means such as a display 34. For this reason, the information stored in the electronic key 20 can be notified to the user from the mobile phone 30.

  (2) The NFC antenna 272 can transmit and receive a modulated magnetic field for sending information and a non-modulated magnetic field for sending power. Therefore, the electronic key 20 is provided with a capacitor 26b and a converter 273 connected to the capacitor 26b and the NFC antenna 272. Thereby, since the non-modulated magnetic field can be converted into a direct current, the capacitor 26b can be charged. That is, the power of the mobile phone 30 can be used to charge the capacitor 26b of the electronic key 20. Accordingly, the electronic key 20 can be charged regardless of time and place as long as the mobile phone 30 is provided.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the above embodiment, the power supply unit 26 is configured by the battery 26a as the primary battery and the capacitor 26b, but is not limited to the combination of the two. For example, instead of the power supply unit 26, a secondary battery 28 such as a lithium ion battery may be provided as shown in FIG. A lithium ion battery has a large amount of charge compared to a capacitor, so that it can be charged in a single charge. Therefore, it is not necessary to charge frequently when the battery runs out. In addition, if it is a secondary battery, it will not be specifically limited to a lithium ion battery, Other types of secondary batteries, such as a nickel metal hydride battery, may be sufficient.

  In the above embodiment, the NFC device 27 sends the information stored in the memory 271a to the mobile phone 30, but it does not have to be sent. The information sent to the mobile phone 30 is not limited to the vehicle lock information and the remaining battery level of the electronic key, and may include information such as whether or not the window is opened. Even with this configuration, charging from the mobile phone 30 to the electronic key 20 is possible.

  In the above embodiment, the electronic key control unit 21 and the NFC control unit 271 are provided separately, but may be integrated. Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to the said embodiment can be acquired.

  In the above embodiment, the memory 271a of the NFC control unit 271 may be omitted. In this case, information such as the remaining battery level is stored in the memory 21a. Then, the NFC control unit 271 may transmit the information stored in the memory 21a of the electronic key control unit 21 by NFC. Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to the said embodiment can be acquired.

  In the above embodiment, the device that sends power to the electronic key 20 is not limited to the mobile phone 30 as long as it has an NFC device. For example, power may be sent from another electronic key provided with notification means such as a display. Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to the said embodiment can be acquired.

  In the above embodiment, the electronic key 20 is not limited to communicating with the vehicle 10. For example, the house etc. which communicate with the electronic key 20 may be sufficient. Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to the said embodiment can be acquired.

Next, the technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiment and other examples will be described below.
(A) The electronic key according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein electric power of the electronic key is supplied only from the power storage means.

According to this configuration, the circuit configuration of the electronic key is simplified and the assembly is facilitated.
(B) When the first communication master performs short-range wireless communication with the electronic key according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or (a), Inform that the key is close to you.

According to this configuration, it is possible to notify that it is necessary to bring the first communication master close to the electronic key in order to perform short-range wireless communication.
(C) The first communication master is a modulated magnetic field that requests information from the electronic key according to any one of claims 2 to 4, or (b) or (b), and the electronic And an input means for selectively transmitting an unmodulated magnetic field for transmitting power to the key.

  According to this configuration, the user can select charging of the electronic key and acquisition of information on the electronic key. As a result, the electronic key and the communication master only perform short-range wireless communication required by the user. Therefore, unnecessary communication is suppressed and the communication load applied to both is suppressed.

  (D) In the electronic key according to any one of claims 1 to 4, or (i), (b), or (c), the first communication. The master is a mobile phone, and the second communication master is an electronic key that is a vehicle.

  According to this configuration, the present invention can be applied to an electronic key that performs short-distance wireless communication with a mobile phone, performs long-distance wireless communication with a vehicle, and controls through the long-distance wireless communication.

C1, C2, C3, C4 ... circuit, 1 ... electronic key system, 2 ... charging system, 10 ... vehicle, 11 ... in-vehicle control unit, 11a, 21a, 271a, 314a, 321a ... memory, 12 ... LF transmission unit, 13 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... UHF receiving part, 14 ... Door lock device, 15 ... Engine starting device, 20 ... Electronic key, 21 ... Electronic key control part as 2nd communication apparatus, 22 ... LF receiving part as 2nd communication apparatus, 23 ... UHF transmitter as second communication device, 24 ... lock switch, 25 ... unlock switch, 26 ... power supply unit, 26a ... battery (primary battery), 26b ... capacitor as power storage means, 27 ... first NFC device as communication device and converter, 28 ... secondary battery as power storage means, 30 ... mobile phone, 31 ... telephone device, 32 ... NFC device, 33 ... operation switch, 3 ... Display, 35 ... Battery (secondary battery), 271,321 ... NFC control unit, 272,322 ... NFC antenna, 273 ... Converter, 275,276 ... Switch, 311 ... Microphone, 312 ... Speaker, 313 ... Antenna, 314 ... telephone control unit, 323 ... inverter.

Claims (4)

Second communication for performing long-distance wireless communication between the first communication device that performs short-range wireless communication with the first communication master including the notification unit and the second communication master that is also a control target. In an electronic key comprising a device and power storage means, and performing various wireless communications with the first and second communication masters by consuming power of the power storage means,
The first communication device is an electronic key including a converter that converts a power radio wave transmitted from the first communication master into a direct current and supplies the converted direct current to the power storage means. The electronic key according to claim 1, wherein
The first communication master transmits a command signal indicating that the electronic key requests transmission of battery remaining amount information,
When the electronic key receives a command signal from the first communication master, the electronic key transmits battery remaining amount information to the first communication master via the short-range wireless communication, and the first communication master An electronic key for notifying information from the electronic key through the notification means. The electronic key according to claim 1 or 2,
The electronic key acquires information of the second communication master through long-distance wireless communication with the second communication master to be controlled, and acquires the acquired information of the second communication master, An electronic key transmitted to the first communication master by the short-range wireless communication. In the electronic key as described in any one of Claims 1-3,
The power storage means is a capacitor,
The electronic key is provided with a replaceable battery in addition to the capacitor, and cannot perform the various wireless communication by consuming the power of the battery when the remaining battery level of the battery is reduced. When the electronic key is used, the electronic key performs the various wireless communications by consuming the power of the capacitor.

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