JPH0466438B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Field of Industrial Application> The present invention relates to a remote control device, and more particularly to a remote control device for giving a predetermined motion command to an object using an electronic pulse code signal.

<Prior Art> Pulse code signal transmitters using electronic circuits have been put into practical use as keys for locking and unlocking vehicle doors. In addition, by attaching an engine key to such a transmitter and performing mechanical key verification and pulse code verification at the same time, the engine can only be operated when the two match, thereby preventing theft. A vehicle key device that can further ensure prevention has been proposed (see Japanese Patent Application No. 61-271438).

By the way, the above-mentioned transmission and reception of the pulse code signal is performed using a so-called photocoupler. It is common for the optical pulse code signal to be transmitted using the optical pulse code signal.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, when using the above-mentioned transmitting device as an engine switch, the pulse code signal can be sent and received with the key inserted into the key hole of the key cylinder, so the signal output is The level or directionality is relatively not a problem, but since the user must aim the light emitting signal at the door handle, the directivity is relatively broad and the sensing distance can be long to some extent. This is desirable.

Based on this point of view, the main object of the present invention is to provide an improved remote control device that can more reliably send and receive signals depending on usage conditions.

<Means for Solving the Problems> According to the present invention, the present invention provides a transmitting device that transmits a pulse code signal in response to a signal from a trigger means, and a receiving device that receives the pulse code signal. A first pulse code is transmitted by a first trigger signal generated when an electrical connection is made between the transmitting device and the receiving device via a contact means. This is achieved by providing a remote control device characterized in that a second pulse code is transmitted by a second trigger signal generated when a predetermined operation is performed without using the contact means.

<Operation> In this way, a suitable pulse code signal is automatically selected according to the usage situation. In particular, it is preferable to determine the form of the signal based on matching conditions between the transmitter and receiver.

<Embodiments> The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 1 and a key device 2 to which a remote control device according to the present invention is applied. The key device 2 consists of a key 3 and a grip part 4, and a pair of light emitting elements 5 are located near the base of the key 3 in the grip part 4.
However, a push button switch 6 is provided on each surface. Further, a pair of contacts 7 are provided at both end edges of the base portion of the key 3.

A transmitting circuit, which will be described later, is provided inside the gripping part 4, and by pressing the push button switch 6 or by a command signal transmitted from the contact 7, a predetermined optical code signal is transmitted via the light emitting element 5. has been sent.

A control device 8 is provided on the vehicle 1 side. The control device 8 includes a door lock operating device 9, optical sensors 10 and 11 provided near the key switch and near the door handle to sense the above-mentioned optical code signal, an ignition circuit and a starter circuit to be described later, and the like. electrically connected to.

These control device 8, on-vehicle equipment, etc. are supplied with power from an on-vehicle battery 12.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a remote control device according to the present invention.

A light emitting element 5 provided in the grip part 4 of the key device 2 is connected to a light emitting circuit 21 that is a part of a transmitting circuit 20, and the light emitting circuit 21 stores a unique code set for each vehicle. It is connected to CPU22.

A trigger circuit 23 is connected to the CPU 22 . The trigger circuit 23 is connected to the contact circuit 25 which is connected to the contact 7 described above and the built-in rechargeable battery 24, and the push button switch 6 described above.

The key switch 27 built into the key switch unit 26 provided on the steering column or the like on the side of the vehicle 1 is a known cylinder lock type that serves both as a steering lock and an ignition switch, into which the key 3 can be inserted. The key switch unit 26 has a mechanical contact (not shown) therein that closes when the key device 2 is rotatable. A pair of corresponding contacts 28 that can be contacted with the key device 7 and an optical sensor 11 made of a phototransistor facing the light emitting element 5 on the key device 2 side are also provided. In addition, this key switch 27 has "LOCK", "OFF", "ACC", "ON", and "ST" like the conventional type.
Each position is set.

The control device 8 provided on the vehicle 1 side is provided with a light receiving circuit 30 connected to the optical sensor 11, and the light receiving circuit 30 is connected to a CPU 31 that stores the same code as the unique code for each vehicle. has been done. The CPU 31 is connected to a door lock control output circuit 32 and an engine control output circuit 33.

The door lock control output circuit 32 is connected to a door lock operating device 9 that controls an actuator 13 consisting of a reversible rotary motor.

The engine control output circuit 33 includes a main relay 41 that connects and disconnects power supplied from the on-vehicle battery 12 to an engine control device 40 for driving and controlling the ignition device and fuel injection device of the engine.
and a starter relay 43 for enabling the starter motor 42 to be driven.

Note that a charging control circuit 34 connected to the serial battery 12 is connected to the corresponding contact 28 in the key switch unit 26, and the corresponding contact 28
8 contacts the contact 7 on the key device side, the built-in battery 24 can be supplementally charged via the contact circuit 25.

On-vehicle battery 1 for engine control device 40
Power is supplied from the main relay 41 when the main relay 41 is turned on and the key switch 27 is set to the "ON" position. Further, power is supplied to the starter motor 42 from the vehicle battery 12 via the magnetic switch 44 when the starter relay 43 is turned on and the key switch 27 is set to the "ST" position.

Next, the operating procedure of the above embodiment will be explained in detail.

First, to unlock the door, when the push button switch 6 provided on the grip portion 4 of the key device 2 is pressed from outside the vehicle, a signal confirming the closing of the contact of the push button switch is sent to the trigger circuit 23. Then, based on the command from the trigger circuit 23, the CPU 22
generates a unique code signal and transmits an infrared pulse signal via the light emitting circuit 21 and the light emitting element 5 toward the optical sensor 10 provided near the door handle.

When this code signal is transmitted from the optical sensor 10 to the CPU 31 via the light receiving circuit 30, the CPU 31
The unique code is verified in the process.

When the unique code is verified and found to be compatible, the door lock control output circuit 32 issues a drive command to the door lock operating device 9. The door lock operating device 9 determines the current operating state of the door lock and issues an operating command to the actuator 13 according to the current state. This activates the actuator 13 and unlocks the door.

Next, when the key 3 is inserted into the key switch 27 and the contact 7 and the corresponding contact 28 are brought into contact, a signal confirming this contact is sent to the contact circuit 2.
5 to the trigger circuit 23. Then, based on the command from the trigger circuit 23 in the same manner as above,
The CPU 22 generates a unique code signal, and the light emitting element 5 transmits the code signal toward the optical sensor 11 on the key switch side. and do the same as above
The unique code is checked in the CPU 31.

If the compliance of the unique code is confirmed here, the main relay 41 is connected via the engine control output circuit 33.
Then, the starter relay 43 is turned on, and power can be supplied from the vehicle battery 12 to the engine control device 40 and the starter motor 42.

On the other hand, if the suitability of the unique code is not confirmed in the CPU 31, that is, a code different from the unique code is input, or the code is
If no drive command is issued to the door lock/engine control output circuits 32, 33, the door lock operating device 9, engine control device 40, and starter motor 42 become inoperable.

Now, looking at the operation when locking and unlocking the door, the user points the light emitting part of the transmitter (in this case, the key device 2) toward the probe of the optical sensor 10 by visual estimation. Therefore, in this case, it is difficult to accurately align the optical axis with the probe, and it is difficult to send and receive signals unless the signal directionality is broad to some extent. That is, regarding door lock operation, it is desirable to be able to send and receive signals even when the operation is relatively inaccurate.

On the other hand, since the engine switch is used by inserting it into a keyhole, it is easy to directly align the light emitting element and the probe.However, if the trigger signal is to be activated automatically depending on the key position, It is desirable to be able to send and receive signals even if the key operation speed is increased.

In consideration of the above, in the present invention, the pulse waveform of the code signal is changed depending on when the door lock is operated and when the engine switch is operated.

That is, the trigger circuit 23 discriminates whether the command is from the push button switch 6 or the contact circuit 25, thereby determining whether the control to be performed currently is the door lock operation or the engine key operation. Then, based on this information, pulse signals suitable for each are selectively output, so that a more appropriate signal waveform is automatically transmitted in accordance with the signal transmission conditions.

As shown in Figure 3, the basic requirements for the pulse waveform are code bit interval (A), pulse width (B),
Examples include the interval between codes (C), pulse height (D), and number of code groups (E). By appropriately changing these requirements, it is possible to match the receiving sensitivity.

In the case of an engine key, the pulse height (D) and the number of pulse groups (E) are not so much of a problem because they are accurately oriented and placed close together. Rather, it is desirable to have high responsiveness so that the code can be reliably read while the key is rotated. In other words, in this case, it is advantageous to reduce the pulse width (B) and the bit interval (A).

On the other hand, in the case of door lock operation, since the distance between the receiving and emitting elements is unstable, the pulse height (D) is increased to increase the signal output level, and even if the facing is inaccurate, it is possible to It is recommended to increase the chance of reception by increasing the code interval (C) or increasing the number of code groups (E) so that signals can be exchanged at any time.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, the present invention can be practiced with various modifications. For example, as in the above embodiment, when the built-in battery 24 on the key device side can be supplementally charged via the corresponding contact 28 in the key switch unit 26 and the contact 7 on the key device side, the engine When operating keys, pulse width (B) or pulse height is
(D) is increased and the number of code groups (E) is increased to increase the certainty of code verification. Conversely, in the case of door lock operation, the built-in battery 24 on the key device side is fully charged. Pulse width (B) or pulse height
Power consumption can also be avoided by reducing (D). However, in order to ensure reliable door lock operation, measures such as lengthening the cord interval (C) may be necessary.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, according to the present invention, the unique code remains common and the form of the pulse signal is selectively changed according to the signal exchange conditions, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption. It is suppressed, and the operability is further improved, and the effect is extremely large.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a vehicle key device to which a remote control device according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the pulse waveform of the code signal. 1...Vehicle, 2...Key device, 3...Key, 4
...Gripper, 5...Light emitting element, 6...Push button switch, 7...Contact, 8...Control device, 9...
Door lock operating device, 10...door optical sensor,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... Optical sensor of key switch, 12... Vehicle battery, 13... Actuator, 15... Relay, 20... Transmission circuit, 21... Light emitting circuit, 2
2...CPU, 23...Trigger circuit, 24...Built-in battery, 25...Contact circuit, 26...
Key switch unit, 27...Key switch,
28... Compatible contact, 30... Light receiving circuit, 3
1...CPU, 32...Door lock control output circuit,
33...Engine control output circuit, 34...Charging control circuit, 40...Engine control device, 41...Main relay, 42...Starter motor, 43...
Starter relay, 44...Magnetic switch.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A remote control device comprising: a transmitter that transmits a pulse code signal in response to a signal from a trigger means; and a receiver that receives the pulse code signal, the transmitter and the A first pulse code is transmitted by a first trigger signal generated when an electrical connection is made with the receiving device via the contact means, and when a predetermined operation is performed without using the contact means. The second trigger signal generated in
A remote control device characterized in that a pulse code of 1 is transmitted. 2. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the time required to transmit the second pulse code is longer than the time required to transmit the first pulse code. 3. The remote control device according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the second trigger signal is generated by operating a command switch provided in the transmitting device. 4. The remote control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transmitting device has a key for operating a mechanical lock device.